Worst Pain

Worst pain

I'm trying to write as many of my Hogtober prompts as possible in advance so I can bounce between them at will. For the MC x Canon prompt I actually want to do an au pairing, aka one of my MCs with a different canon character than their actual love interest, but I cant decide, so.

"I feel something behind me..."

*MC with a weapon ready to strike*

The Arena

Hogtober Day 4 - Arena

Word Count: 1482 Character(s): Odysseus Carrow, Theophilus Harlow, Phillip Prewett (@rypnami ) Setting: 5th year, canon, the Forbidden Forest Genre/Tags: Angst, fighting arena, blood, violence

Odysseus didn't feel like a fool very often, but after being lured into some sort of arena he was pretty close.

He'd defeated a Poachers’ camp with relative ease, only for one of them to make a break for it. He didn't want to risk the scout returning with backup, so he'd gone after him. The Poacher had run right into an arena. The gate magically locked behind him and he had a feeling he couldn't use alohomora.

The arena was on a floor of packed dirt, surrounded by a wall that was too high to climb. Even so it was covered by a grid of rope, so he couldn't even levitate or fly himself out. The arena was ringed with tiers of seats, almost like the charms classroom except they were wrapped around the entire perimeter. They were filled to the brim with Poachers and villagers, some of whom he recognized from Hogsmeade. The thought made his hand tighten on his wand. He was more relieved than ever that he decided on the persona of the Owl.

Odysseus quickly scanned the room, not with his eyes, but with his mind. It was mostly just various expendable Poachers but there were two that stood out. The first was Theophilus Harlow, unaccompanied by his better (or at least smaller) half. Odysseus could feel his excitement. He was almost hungry to see Odysseus’s attempt to fight.

The second was none other than Phillip Prewett. Odysseus almost fell as he quickly retreated from his boyfriend's mind before his presence could be recognized. Surely Phillip wasn't here to watch the fight, was he? Everyone else here was willing to watch him die for their entertainment or wanted him to die. Phillip didn't want those things…did he? Odysseus had retreated before he could find out.

“Owl,” Harlow grinned in a predatory way that made Odysseus incredibly uncomfortable.

“Theophilus,” Odysseus replied casually. “Fancy seeing you here.”

What a lot of people didn't realize was that the Owl wasn't just the armor and the physical mask. Odysseus couldn't risk any indication for who he was in case a rumor started. So he faded into a personality, just another mask. A cocky, ruthless, and sarcastic mask.

“I could say the same,” Harlow said. “You've been a thorn in our sides for too long. I think it's past time for you to prove yourself when you aren't attacking from the shadows.”

“It's not my fault you leave so many shadows lying around,” Odysseus shrugged.

“This ends now,” Theophilus growled. “And when we finally see who's under there, we'll send your family your regards.”

If Odysseus's family found out who he was, they'd be glad he was dead. His entire winter break had been spent listening to his uncle and even mother rant and complain about the Owl. His eldest sister Ambrosia even chimed in once or twice, and she was one of the best people he knew. That piece of the threat was practically useless now. If it weren't for the fact it would immediately reveal his identity he'd even tell Harlow that, just to piss him off.

“Open the gates!” Harlow yelled, causing the crowd to cheer.

The gate opposite the one Odysseus had entered through slid upward with a creak. What came out was a beast much too large for the arena.

It was easily the size of an elephant, though the front of its body was more similar to that of a lion. The tail was frilly but it was clearly strong and the length of a giant python. It was covered in cuts and scars, including one that made one of its eyes cloudy. Even Odysseus felt sympathy for the creature.

Until it roared and lunged for him with a mouthful of teeth the size of his arm. Odysseus dove out of the way to raucous cheers from the crowd. That was going to get irritating quickly.

The beast whipped around, the tail forced to curl around the length of the arena. As the beast chased Odysseus around the tail was slowly closing in, giving him less and less room to maneuver. He didn't want to use spells on the beast, sure it had been through enough, but he was starting to think he didn't have a choice. Worse, he couldnt read the thing's mind like he could a Poacher, leaving him at a disadvantage he wasnt used to.

The tail finally came at him. He wasn't prepared for it to move so it swept his feet out from under him. He landed on his back hard, knocking the wind out of him. His head hit the dirt with a thud, immediately making his vision swim. It gave the beast the perfect opportunity to lunge again. The fangs bit right through his armor and into his leg and stomach, making Odysseus scream out in pain. Distantly he could hear cheers from the crowd. That was the last straw.

He hit the creature point blank with a bombarda. It shrieked and frantically backed away from him, glaring at him with narrowed eyes. Odysseus raised his wand, Ancient Magic already swirling around it just waiting his command. Then he remembered. Phillip was watching this. He still didn't know why but he just couldn't bring himself to hurt the thing while Phillip was there.

He cursed and brought his wand down from the sky. Lightning bright with the blue of Ancient Magic struck in between him and the Beast. The thing shrieked again, less in pain and more out of fear. It scampered out of the arena and back through its grate. It hit Odysseus again with its tail on the way out but he begrudgingly decided not to hold that against it.

Odysseus fell to one knee and fruitlessly held a hand to his side to stem the bleeding at least partly. It made no difference. His vision was swimming and his stomach felt like it was spinning. His leg was on fire. He could fall asleep right there on the arena floor. But he heard the jeering and booing of the crowd mixed with the cheers of those who didn't want him dead.

Odysseus scanned the room again, only for the minds he'd latched onto before. He kept it light, only to see if they were in the area and get a basic read on their emotions. Harlow was fleeing the building already, frustrated and irate but also a tiny bit intimidated. That made Odysseus feel a little better.

Poor Phillip was terrified. Odysseus had no idea how he'd gotten there or why but he didn't seem in pain so Odysseus retreated. He could conveniently check on Phillip later, without his mask.

Odysseus channeled the Ancient Magic he had left into two spells. One, to blast the grate he'd come through into a melted, broken hunk of metal. The second was the most powerful incendio he'd ever cast, directly up into the air. The entire arena became wreathed in flame, quickly climbing up the seats. A chorus of screams quickly reached his ears but Odysseus only waited long enough to make sure Phillip got out before he bolted back the way he came.

He was only able to make it out of the arena before his leg gave out again. He spilled onto the ground, wand falling out of his hand. No, he was too close to the arena, he had to keep moving. He'd crawl if he had to.

He ripped off his cape and tied it around his leg to stem the bleeding. He put his hand against his side to do his best there. He was desperate not to leave a blood trail but he wasn't sure he had a choice.

Odysseus forced his feet back under him. His leg tried to buckle again and his side felt like it was tearing itself in two but he didn't let his leg collapse. He took one step forward, then the next, then another. He stuck his wand in his belt so he could lean on the trees he passed.

He wasn't sure how long he stumbled aimlessly, in whatever direction put distance between him and the Poachers. He had yet to learn how to apparate and he didn't dare fly in his state. Wiggenweld potions would do nothing against these wounds.

He would probably bleed out right there in the woods. He knew his darkening vision had nothing to do with the night. His brain was so fogged from pain and blood loss that he didn't even care. He idly had the thought that hopefully his siblings, Ominis, and Phillip would be okay. But at the moment all he cared about was getting far enough away his body wouldn't be found and he couldn't be unmasked.

He tripped over a tree stump and barely felt himself fall. His vision went dark and it didn't brighten again.

The Arena

Hogtober Day 4 - Arena

Word Count: 1482 Character(s): Odysseus Carrow, Theophilus Harlow, Phillip Prewett (@rypnami ) Setting: 5th year, canon, the Forbidden Forest Genre/Tags: Angst, fighting arena, blood, violence

Odysseus didn't feel like a fool very often, but after being lured into some sort of arena he was pretty close.

He'd defeated a Poachers’ camp with relative ease, only for one of them to make a break for it. He didn't want to risk the scout returning with backup, so he'd gone after him. The Poacher had run right into an arena. The gate magically locked behind him and he had a feeling he couldn't use alohomora.

The arena was on a floor of packed dirt, surrounded by a wall that was too high to climb. Even so it was covered by a grid of rope, so he couldn't even levitate or fly himself out. The arena was ringed with tiers of seats, almost like the charms classroom except they were wrapped around the entire perimeter. They were filled to the brim with Poachers and villagers, some of whom he recognized from Hogsmeade. The thought made his hand tighten on his wand. He was more relieved than ever that he decided on the persona of the Owl.

Odysseus quickly scanned the room, not with his eyes, but with his mind. It was mostly just various expendable Poachers but there were two that stood out. The first was Theophilus Harlow, unaccompanied by his better (or at least smaller) half. Odysseus could feel his excitement. He was almost hungry to see Odysseus’s attempt to fight.

The second was none other than Phillip Prewett. Odysseus almost fell as he quickly retreated from his boyfriend's mind before his presence could be recognized. Surely Phillip wasn't here to watch the fight, was he? Everyone else here was willing to watch him die for their entertainment or wanted him to die. Phillip didn't want those things…did he? Odysseus had retreated before he could find out.

“Owl,” Harlow grinned in a predatory way that made Odysseus incredibly uncomfortable.

“Theophilus,” Odysseus replied casually. “Fancy seeing you here.”

What a lot of people didn't realize was that the Owl wasn't just the armor and the physical mask. Odysseus couldn't risk any indication for who he was in case a rumor started. So he faded into a personality, just another mask. A cocky, ruthless, and sarcastic mask.

“I could say the same,” Harlow said. “You've been a thorn in our sides for too long. I think it's past time for you to prove yourself when you aren't attacking from the shadows.”

“It's not my fault you leave so many shadows lying around,” Odysseus shrugged.

“This ends now,” Theophilus growled. “And when we finally see who's under there, we'll send your family your regards.”

If Odysseus's family found out who he was, they'd be glad he was dead. His entire winter break had been spent listening to his uncle and even mother rant and complain about the Owl. His eldest sister Ambrosia even chimed in once or twice, and she was one of the best people he knew. That piece of the threat was practically useless now. If it weren't for the fact it would immediately reveal his identity he'd even tell Harlow that, just to piss him off.

“Open the gates!” Harlow yelled, causing the crowd to cheer.

The gate opposite the one Odysseus had entered through slid upward with a creak. What came out was a beast much too large for the arena.

It was easily the size of an elephant, though the front of its body was more similar to that of a lion. The tail was frilly but it was clearly strong and the length of a giant python. It was covered in cuts and scars, including one that made one of its eyes cloudy. Even Odysseus felt sympathy for the creature.

Until it roared and lunged for him with a mouthful of teeth the size of his arm. Odysseus dove out of the way to raucous cheers from the crowd. That was going to get irritating quickly.

The beast whipped around, the tail forced to curl around the length of the arena. As the beast chased Odysseus around the tail was slowly closing in, giving him less and less room to maneuver. He didn't want to use spells on the beast, sure it had been through enough, but he was starting to think he didn't have a choice. Worse, he couldnt read the thing's mind like he could a Poacher, leaving him at a disadvantage he wasnt used to.

The tail finally came at him. He wasn't prepared for it to move so it swept his feet out from under him. He landed on his back hard, knocking the wind out of him. His head hit the dirt with a thud, immediately making his vision swim. It gave the beast the perfect opportunity to lunge again. The fangs bit right through his armor and into his leg and stomach, making Odysseus scream out in pain. Distantly he could hear cheers from the crowd. That was the last straw.

He hit the creature point blank with a bombarda. It shrieked and frantically backed away from him, glaring at him with narrowed eyes. Odysseus raised his wand, Ancient Magic already swirling around it just waiting his command. Then he remembered. Phillip was watching this. He still didn't know why but he just couldn't bring himself to hurt the thing while Phillip was there.

He cursed and brought his wand down from the sky. Lightning bright with the blue of Ancient Magic struck in between him and the Beast. The thing shrieked again, less in pain and more out of fear. It scampered out of the arena and back through its grate. It hit Odysseus again with its tail on the way out but he begrudgingly decided not to hold that against it.

Odysseus fell to one knee and fruitlessly held a hand to his side to stem the bleeding at least partly. It made no difference. His vision was swimming and his stomach felt like it was spinning. His leg was on fire. He could fall asleep right there on the arena floor. But he heard the jeering and booing of the crowd mixed with the cheers of those who didn't want him dead.

Odysseus scanned the room again, only for the minds he'd latched onto before. He kept it light, only to see if they were in the area and get a basic read on their emotions. Harlow was fleeing the building already, frustrated and irate but also a tiny bit intimidated. That made Odysseus feel a little better.

Poor Phillip was terrified. Odysseus had no idea how he'd gotten there or why but he didn't seem in pain so Odysseus retreated. He could conveniently check on Phillip later, without his mask.

Odysseus channeled the Ancient Magic he had left into two spells. One, to blast the grate he'd come through into a melted, broken hunk of metal. The second was the most powerful incendio he'd ever cast, directly up into the air. The entire arena became wreathed in flame, quickly climbing up the seats. A chorus of screams quickly reached his ears but Odysseus only waited long enough to make sure Phillip got out before he bolted back the way he came.

He was only able to make it out of the arena before his leg gave out again. He spilled onto the ground, wand falling out of his hand. No, he was too close to the arena, he had to keep moving. He'd crawl if he had to.

He ripped off his cape and tied it around his leg to stem the bleeding. He put his hand against his side to do his best there. He was desperate not to leave a blood trail but he wasn't sure he had a choice.

Odysseus forced his feet back under him. His leg tried to buckle again and his side felt like it was tearing itself in two but he didn't let his leg collapse. He took one step forward, then the next, then another. He stuck his wand in his belt so he could lean on the trees he passed.

He wasn't sure how long he stumbled aimlessly, in whatever direction put distance between him and the Poachers. He had yet to learn how to apparate and he didn't dare fly in his state. Wiggenweld potions would do nothing against these wounds.

He would probably bleed out right there in the woods. He knew his darkening vision had nothing to do with the night. His brain was so fogged from pain and blood loss that he didn't even care. He idly had the thought that hopefully his siblings, Ominis, and Phillip would be okay. But at the moment all he cared about was getting far enough away his body wouldn't be found and he couldn't be unmasked.

He tripped over a tree stump and barely felt himself fall. His vision went dark and it didn't brighten again.

Texting your number after you're dead - Hogwarts Legacy Modern AU

Texting your number after your death Tags: Angst, angst, more angst, mentions of drinking and loss of life.

a/n: basically just get the tissues

sorry 🥲taglist in comments 👇