A Bouquet Of New Beginnings Chapter 12: "White Lilac"

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Chapter 12: "White Lilac"

Floriography - Youthful Innocence

Summary: Intra Muros.

[AO3]

Below is an excerpt of the chapter, full chapter can be viewed from the AO3 link above!

As she stood next to Richard’s skeleton, Artemis brought out the small, simple jewellery box she’d purchased from her legside bag. A velvet bed lay within, and she let out a small breath. It wasn’t much, but she could at least do this. Slowly, she knelt to the ground with her legs folded under her thighs.

Jewellery box placed at her side, Artemis gently picked up Richard’s skull onto her lap. Her thumbs gently grazed his cheekbones; for four decades his skeleton lay here. Four decades Richard wandered as a pale version of his life, and nobody knew. Even when people could ask, nobody… nobody did. Nobody talked to him.

But she could do this, she could finally bring someone home. Her vision blurred with pools of tears gathered on her waterline. Her throat choked up even as she gave her strange, ghost friend’s bones a soft smile.

“Let’s go home, Richard,” she whispered.

AO3 Comments are SO SO SOOOOOOO important because you can only leave Kudos ONCE. You add to the hit count ONCE (every 24 hours).

So whenever someone updates their fic, the ONLY way an author knows who their regular readers are is if they comment on each chapter. And we WANT to know who's still reading.

Believe it or not, some of us think about the name that pops up constantly in the comments and go "omg I can't wait to see what they think of THIS SPECIFIC SCENE cuz I KNOW they'll say something about it!!!"

Hogwarts Houses Dividers

Please like and reblog if you use or save.

Requested by @lovegoodsgf​

Dividers List

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Ch. 9: "Blue Gum"

Herb meaning: "Quiet" or "I watch over you"

[AO3]

Summary: We do so love restricted areas, don't we? (Tl;dr - Restricted Section).

A little excerpt from the chapter below the cut, but the full chapter can be read at the link above!

Happy New Year and hope 2024 is fantastic!

“Why do you have the key to Fig’s classroom?” Sebastian asked as Artemis beckoned him in. It’d have been simple enough to, perhaps, speak in the Common Room, but there were too many people clambering. No, better to go where she knew nobody would be listening in.

“He gave it to me before he was conscripted to Headmaster Black’s whims.”

“Poor Fig. Anyways, this is great timing, really.”

“How so?” Artemis asked as the door clicked shut behind her.

“Garreth and Natty may be curious about Rookwood and the troll, but neither of them heard what we did,” said Sebastian as all hints of jovialness dissipated. “Why are Ranrok and Rookwood after you?”

Artemis rubbed her thumb against her hidden scar; the tingle tremored through her forearm. Frankly, she was surprised it’d taken Sebastian this long to ask, though she supposed she'd hardly been alone outside of being in her room.

I trust you.

Professor Fig’s words came back to her as she made her decision.

“We’re not entirely certain,” started Artemis slowly.

“We?”

“Professor Fig and I. There was… before I go on further, you mustn’t tell anyone what I am about to tell you. Not even Ominis,” insisted Artemis. Her mouth tasted bitter at leaving Ominis out, but she agreed in Professor Fig's judgment; the less people that knew right now, the better.

“I won’t, you have my word,” declared Sebastian with a confident smile. “Not Natty or Garreth?”

“I’ll only tell them if they ask. Like you said, they didn’t hear Ranrok and Rookwood talking. Frankly, I’m not sure if knowing or not knowing is safer. Either way, I’ll… let you know, if I do.”

“Fine,” said Sebastian as he flopped into the nearest seat. “Either way, I’m asking. Why are they after you? It isn’t everyday where the leader of the goblin rebellion and the top criminal in the region are both after the same person. Let alone a new student.”

She noted that Sebastian had emphasized with a fair degree of malice the word ‘goblin’.

“We suspect that they’re after something that we retrieved at Gringotts.”

“- Wait. Gringotts? The bank? When were you at Gringotts?”

“After the whole, dragon situation. Professor Fig managed to grab the portkey – ”

“– Wait, a portkey? To Gringotts?” Sebastian repeated back. “I’m not sure I follow.”

Artemis chuckled as she took a seat across from Sebastian. His freckles looked like the amanogawa against the afternoon sun through the window panes.

“Long story short, we picked up something at Gringotts that Ranrok wants. It’s a map of Hogwarts, and it leads into the library. The Restricted Section, to be precise.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Artemis looked at him pointedly; Sebastian gave a long, slow nod.

“Okay, you are serious. So, did you end up going?”

“Not yet. We were going to during independent study, but…”

“Black conscripted Fig for his toils,” finished Sebastian.

Artemis nodded as she let out a small sigh.

“Exactly. Headmaster Black, in some mental gymnastics I fail to understand, concluded that being nearly eaten by a dragon was Professor Fig’s fault, and he’s now en route to London.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes with a shrug.

“That’s Black for you. But I see where this is going – you want to be proactive.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“So, you came to me. I’m honoured.”

“Well, you did say you were clever enough to get into the Restricted Section,” offered Artemis. “I thought perhaps I could ask you for advice on how to get in unseen. Without needing to use excessive invisibility potions.”

She saw Sebastian’s back straighten as his chest puffed ever slightly.

“I am. Though, with your soft treads, you might even do better than me without magic.”

“I doubt that.”

“You’ve nearly given me seven heart attacks the past five days, Artie. Seven. Almost flung that book into the fireplace earlier…” muttered Sebastian as Artemis gave an apologetic smile.

“Sorry about that, truly.”

Sebastian batted the air nonchalantly with an easy smile.

“Whatever. Anyways, if you’re going into the Restricted Section, I’m coming with you. I’ll teach you the trick tonight.”

“Wait but –”

“– Uh-uh, like I’m ever going to pass up an opportunity to go. I do so love getting into places I shouldn’t be,” teased Sebastian. He leaned his cheek into his propped-up palm. “Besides, two heads are better than one.”

Artemis hummed in thought as she met Sebastian’s gaze. The warm chocolate eyes conveyed a clear intent that he would not budge on his decision. It did seem he wanted to go in for his own things, and she needed the assistance.

Artemis nodded in agreement. Sebastian laughed bright; his smile devious as dimpled formed on his freckled cheeks.

“Meet me in Central Hall at eleven, and don’t tell anyone.”

A Bouquet of New Beginnings Chapter 11: "Amaryllis"

Floriography - Determination

Summary: Snippets of Artemis' second week of school - the good, the bad, and the nightmare.

[AO3]

Below is an excerpt of the chapter, full chapter can be viewed from the AO3 Link above!

“So, I heard that you’re quite the covert little thief.”

Artemis paused her quill as she lifted her head. Sebastian and Ominis had been doing their assigned Charms essay, and she her extra assignments, in relative silence for the past half hour in the tucked away corner of the library until Ominis broke the silence.

“Oh?” Artemis asked as she pointedly looked at Sebastian. He was the only source that could’ve possibly said anything to Ominis.

Sebastian had the audacity to give an innocent smile.

“Oh indeed. Something about a padlock and a cat? A traipse into the Re-”

“-Oi! Not so loud,” cut in Sebastian. Ominis rolled his eyes as his head tilted back toward her.

“Just hadn’t expected you to be so brazen already with the rules,” paused Ominis. “Well done.”

Artemis had opened her mouth to make a counterargument, only to shut it in the unexpected praise. In contrast, Sebastian’s jaw dropped.

“What? So I get scolded when I go, but Artie gets a compliment? I see how it is.”

Ominis snickered at his friend’s expense.

“She doesn’t barge into our room with erumpent stomps at two in the morning, Sebastian. Though I am curious as to what you could possibly need. You’ve been here less than two weeks.”

Artemis was saved from answering the question as a sneering voice came from her left.

“Well, who do we have here? All alone and – oh, Gaunt. Sallow.”

Their table was at a strange angle that provided blind spots – clearly, Alistair had thought she’d been alone. The change in his tone was drastic, as the moment he saw the two boys his demeanour completely changed.

Sebastian glared daggers and Ominis’ expression was a carefully controlled brand of neutral.

“Avery. Care to finish what you were saying?” Sebastian asked dangerously.

“No, no I think I’ll take my leave,” said Alistair diplomatically.

“Do,” said Ominis as he slowly turned. Alistair’s hand balled into a fist, glared at Artemis once before he stomped away.

“Git,” spat out Sebastian before he turned to Artemis. “How’d you have the misfortune of meeting him?”

“Poppy and I stopped him from pulling on Persephone’s whiskers,” answered Artemis.

“Still petty I see. Can’t believe he’s the same year as us,” sighed Ominis.

“He seemed intimidated.”

“He should. I’d gladly fry him crispy,” huffed Sebastian.

“More my last name than me,” corrected Ominis. He looked like he bit a bitter bug. “Descendant of Salazar Slytherin, my father being friends with the headmaster. The Gaunt name has its… uses, despite the unfortunate run of pureblood mania.”

Slytherin has a bunch of pureblood supremist bigots, not to mention families associated with the Dark Arts. The Malfoys, the Blacks, the Lestranges, the Gaunts.

“The headmaster has friends…?” Artemis asked instead, perplexed at the concept.

Sebastian choked on air as he quickly muffled his laughter into his elbow; Ominis’ shoulders shook as he controlled his. Madam Scribner gave the group a warning glance as she walked by on her patrol.

“Artie, did you hear back from your contact?” Sebastian asked after it was clear the librarian had left their vicinity.

“Contact?” Ominis asked, his head giving a slight jerk.

Artemis looked between Ominis and Sebastian; the brunet nodded as Artemis let out a soft breath.

“They said they’d need to review their contract for the finer details first,” said Artemis. She’d hoped Leto would have responded back before telling Sebastian, but alas. “But, tentatively yes.”

“Really?” Sebastian asked, his eyes brightened. In contrast, Ominis’ features darkened.

“Contract?” Ominis repeated back.

“Artie has a Healer contact in the Ministry. Said she’d reach out regarding Anne.”

“A Healer? Wait, you told her about Anne?”

“I was getting her a –” started Sebastian before he stopped and ran his fingers through his hair. “Never mind, yes, I told Artie about Anne.”

“Why?”

“She’s my sister, I can tell whomever I like.”

Ominis hummed, though his expression didn’t ease as he looked at Artemis.

“Rather generous of you,” said Ominis. His jaw was set.

“Ominis,” Sebastian started, surprised.

Ominis tilted his head toward her; Artemis’ heart sank. She’d not felt this since Chalvey. Palpable mistrust, clear suspicion.  

“So? Why are you helping?”

“Because I want to.”

She managed to keep her voice controlled. It was understandable, why he would be like this.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Because she didn’t want history to repeat itself… but nobody else needed to know that.

“You’re lying,” retorted Ominis. “What do you gain from this?”

Her throat tightened. Sebastian’s warm chocolate eyes hardened toward his best friend.

“Ominis, stop it -”

“- Is treating someone the way you wanted to be treated so unbelievable?”

The soft, wobbled words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.  She hadn’t intended to say that, not really.

Her hands moved quickly as both boys were stunned; Ominis’ eyebrows furrowed rather quickly afterward.

“Excuse me,” muttered Artemis as she pulled out her wand, the rest of her items haphazardly in her arms.  She muttered a quick disillusionment.

“Artie, wait!”

“Mr. Sallow! This is the library!”

Madam Scribner’s shrill warning rang loud behind her as she slunk away into the green floo flames.

Multiple MC's/posing tutorial:

Since people ALWAYS ask, and no one ever gives an in depth description on how to use all these mods I thought I would go ahead and make one! It always feels like everyone is gatekeeping their methods but really it's just a lot to explain and no one wants to type all that out so....

Anyway! Here's how I added multiple MC's into one shot and posed them all pretty!

1. You need the following mods:

https://www.nexusmods.com/hogwartslegacy/mods/57

https://www.nexusmods.com/hogwartslegacy/mods/1149

https://www.nexusmods.com/hogwartslegacy/mods/974

2. Once you have all of the mods working you will start out making your mc into the first character you want added to your picture using the character editor mod, then get the outfit you want on etc. (You cant edit it once its out there so get it just right)

3. Youre going to use UE tools to duplicate your MC. press f10 to pull up the command bar and the in: "uetools_summon bp_biped_player_c"

(without quotes) Exactly like that then hit enter.

4. You should now have a second copy of your character hanging out by your original one. Now press f8 to open the animation mod, it now moves the most recently summoned mc instead of the one you are controlling. Use the postion and animation settings to move them where you want and find a pose you like. You won't be able to edit them once you summon the next character so make it look pretty!

5. Once you have posed your character, repeat steps 2-4 until you have posed all of the MC's you want. You cannot pose NPC's, but with other mods you can make an mc of them!

BONUS:

For the lighting, you dont have to wait around all day for the sun to light you up just right either. Type in "uetools_setworldsettings timedilation 20" to make time fast forward until the lighting is just right, then type "uetools_setworldsettings timedilation 1" to put it back to normal.

If you want to take a pic at night you can spawn a floating light source with the command "uetools_customlight pointlight 100 180 true"

This one you will want to mess with and practice with first. The first number where i have written 100 is a number representing the intensity of the light. 100 is very soft. The second number where i have put 180 is how spread out it is, so making it bigger will cause it to effect a greater area. Where it says true - that is what determines whether the light source you add will cast shadows. Type false is you dont want them - i usually do. The light spawns right in the center of your characters body, you will want to set custom lights up before posing any characters. Just walk around and spawn them, use "uetools_ghost" to let you fly in order to make yourself go higher or lower to change where you place the lights and then type "uetools_walk" to walk again. Custom light usually only shows up at night but in extra shadowy areas it works fine.

Sorry that was so long winded, I hope it helps someone! Doing the poses takes a really long time sometimes but its still fun to me lol