My Father's Legacy - Fred Weasley 18+

A month had passed since Ellen and Sterling's magical date in Hogsmeade, and every shared moment since had only deepened their connection. The kisses were passionate, filled with an intensity that made Ellen's heart race. Each time they drew close, the electric heat between them was palpable, yet she couldn't shake the nagging fear that loomed in her mind.

Ellen sat in her office, a stack of assignments waiting for her review, but her mind was consumed with thoughts of what came next. She couldn't ignore the fact that their relationship had reached a point where sex felt like an imminent next step—something she both desired and feared. The memories of her past weighed heavily on her heart, making it difficult to reconcile her feelings of readiness with lingering apprehensions.

After collecting her thoughts, she sought out Hannah, her trusted friend, known for her straightforward advice and no-nonsense approach - the one person she'd spoken in depth to about her flourishing relationship with Sterling. Ellen found her in the staff room, sipping tea and chatting with a few other professors who quickly dispersed when they saw their favourite pair settling into a chat.

"Hey, Han," Ellen said, grabbing a seat across from her. "Can I steal you for a moment?"

"Of course!" Hannah beamed, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "What's on your mind, my dear Dark Master?"

Ellen took a deep breath, feeling her heart race. "It's about... well, you know. The next step with Sterling."

Hannah's expression shifted to one of understanding, nodding encouragingly. "Ah, yes. Your great leap into uncharted waters! Are you feeling excited, terrified, or both?"

"More like terrified," Ellen admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I mean, I really want to take the next step. I feel emotionally ready, but... I don't really know how to do it right. I'm scared."

"Scared of what? The actual act itself, or scared of how to make sure it's a good experience?" Hannah leaned in, her voice softening.

"Both, honestly." Ellen ran a hand through her hair, frustration bubbling within her. "My only experiences have been... forced. I want this to be different. I want to know how to make it good for him, too. But I don't have a clue where to start."

Hannah's face softened with compassion. "Lil, first things first: it's completely normal to feel scared, especially given your past experiences. But I promise you, it doesn't have to be like that. Sex with the right person is an entirely different experience."

"Right, and there's supposed to be candles and soft music involved or something?" Ellen replied, sarcasm edging her voice, trying to lighten the weight of the conversation.

Hannah chuckled, the sound warm and infectious. "Exactly! And don't forget the wine! But seriously, you're more resilient than you give yourself credit for. There's also a ton of literature available that can offer some non-magical insights. You'd be surprised what Muggles have come up with!"

"Muggle magazines?" Ellen raised an eyebrow skeptically, "Do you really mean those glossy pages filled with tips and tricks about love?"

"Yes! I know it sounds ridiculous," Hannah said, grinning, "but they have plenty of honest advice on everything from flirting and dating to the nitty-gritty of physical intimacy. You might be surprised at what you'll find in there."

Ellen couldn't help but laugh at the idea, imagining Sterling sitting across from her with one of those magazines open, taking notes. "I could just picture him reading tips about 'How to Make Your Partner Swoon' with that serious look on his face!"

"Exactly!" Hannah responded with laughter, her joy infectious. "But look, in all seriousness, communication is key. Talk to Sterling. Be open about what you've been through, and what you're feeling now. It'll ease some of that pressure. Plus, chances are he wants to know how to make you feel good, too."

"Right, well he's had sex with almost everyone so he probably already knows what he's doing" Ellen considered jokily, rubbing her temples. "Okay-- but what if I feel so nervous I freeze in the moment? What if I can't?"

"Then you do what all Muggles do—just laugh it off! Seriously, humour can defuse a lot of heat. Just keep it light. And if things don't go as planned, it's not the end of the world. You're learning together, after all!"

Ellen smiled at her reassurance, feeling the weight of her anxieties begin to lift, if only slightly. "You really think this is something I can handle?"

"Absolutely," Hannah assured her. "You're strong, and you're ready for this. Just remember: this is about two people coming together, exploring each other, and feeling good. Focus on the good parts. Instinct will take over!"

"Okay, I can do that," Ellen said, her voice imbued with a newfound confidence. "I just need to trust myself, right?"

"Yes! And if you ever need a pep talk, just come find me. I'll be your Muggle Sex Coach anytime!" Hannah winked playfully, and Ellen burst into laughter at the unexpected title.

"Thanks, Hannah. You're the best," Ellen grinned, the conversation filling her with light-hearted hope. "I'll hit the library and see what those old Muggle magazines have to say. Maybe I should start with 'How to Ignite Passion in the Bedroom'?"

"Or 'Five Ways to Impress Your Wizarding Partner: Spoiler Alert—Start with Kissing!'" Hannah added, laughing along with her.

"Right!" Ellen chuckled, feeling lighter with each passing moment. "In any case, I really appreciate your advice. I didn't think I'd find it so easy to talk about."

Hannah smiled warmly and laughed, "Anytime, gal. We're in this together—and let me know if you wanna goss about this some more, I have some insane stories that would honestly either put you off, or drive you to get naked immediately."

"Deal!" Ellen chuckled, leaving the staff room with a renewed sense of determination. She had taken a step forward, armed with laughter, tips, and the support of a good friend. Embracing the unknown didn't seem nearly as daunting now, especially when she knew she had people in her corner. And maybe, just maybe, the next step with Sterling wouldn't just be about the act itself, but about forging a deeper connection filled with trust, exploration, and love.

--•--

It was one of those rare and glorious afternoons at Hogwarts when the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a warm glow over the grounds. Ellen, with her DADA lessons in full swing, had managed to steal a bit of free time and decided to pay a visit to her friend and colleague, Hagrid. Rumour had it that he had a new creature in for the students, and Ellen's curiosity was piqued.

As she approached Hagrid's hut, she could see smoke curling from the chimney and the familiar sounds of clucking and squeaking wafting through the air. She knocked enthusiastically on the sturdy wooden door.

"Oi! Who's there?" Hagrid's booming voice boomed from inside.

"It's El! Mind if I come in?" she called back, already pushing the door open.

Hagrid stood there, a giant of a man with messy hair and an apron covered in various stains. "'Course ye can! Come in, come in!" He ushered her inside, where a large cauldron bubbled away in the corner, and shelves were lined with jars of what looked like preserved insects.

"Smells delightful as always, Hagrid," Ellen said with a teasing smile, waving a hand in front of her nose. "Got any new creatures that stink less?"

"Heh! Just wait." Hagrid beamed, the twinkle in his eye making her slightly uneasy. "I've got a new critter fer ye to meet!"

"Oh no," Ellen said, half-laughing, "what is it this time? A three-headed goat or a Blast-Ended Skrewt?"

"Even better!" Hagrid beamed and moved towards a large cage in the corner. "Meet a Pufflewhisk!"

"A what-now?" Ellen squinted at the creature inside. It resembled a cross between a fluffy rabbit and a small, colourful dragon, complete with tiny wings that buzzed sporadically. "That's adorable and slightly alarming at the same time."

"Ain't it?" Hagrid chuckled, opening the cage with a flourish. "They're friendly enough, but I reckon they've got a bit of a mischievous streak. Likes to make nests outta anything! Feathers, hair, you name it, they'll steal it!"

"Sounds like Aurora's cat," Ellen replied, stepping closer to the Pufflewhisk. As she extended a hand, the creature nuzzled against her fingers and let out a soft trilling noise that was oddly endearing.

"Oh, be careful now!" Hagrid warned, holding up a finger. "They also like to nibble. Can't get too comfy!"

Just as Ellen was about to dive deeper into the Pufflewhisk's fluffy fur, Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor, popped his head into the hut, looking a bit out of breath. "Hagrid! Ellen! Is everything alright in here?"

"Just gettin' acquainted with the Pufflewhisk!" Hagrid said, his face lighting up. "Want to give it a try?"

"Me? Oh no, I—" Filius began, but it was too late. Hagrid had already swooped in to pull him closer.

"There's no harm in a bit of fluff, Filius!" Hagrid grinned.

Reluctantly, Filius stepped inside the hut and eyed the creature warily. "Looks harmless enough... but so did the Infuriated Adder I attempted to charm last week, and we know how that ended."

Ellen stifled a laugh, picturing Filius struggling with an adder that likely didn't take too kindly to charms. "You mean you didn't charm it? More like—"

"More like I accidentally sent it flying back into the Forbidden Forest!" Filius retorted, crossing his arms. "I prefer to dabble in more predictable spells. Something a wee bit less... chaotic!"

"That's not what yer like after 3 firewhiskeys!" Hagrid declared, grinning as the Pufflewhisk made a leap toward Filius, landing deftly on his shoulder. "See? It likes ye!"

Filius yelped, the creature's tiny claws digging into the fabric of his robes. "I would quite prefer it on the ground, thank you very much!"

Ellen laughed merrily, leaning against the wall for support. "You should have known better than to enter Hagrid's hut without careful consideration. It's the charm of danger!"

"I'll take the charms of books, thank you very much!" Filius muttered, trying to dislodge the seemingly glued Pufflewhisk from his shoulder without causing a scene. "How do you politely ask it to vacate one's person?"

Hagrid simply shrugged. "Burr-chirp seems to work well based on Pufflewhisk behavior. Give it a try, Filius!"

Reluctantly, Filius cleared his throat, a look of utter concentration replacing his previous bemusement. "Erm—burr-chirp?"

To his surprise, the Pufflewhisk let out a squeaky trill and hopped down to the ground, looking utterly betrayed. It turned and batted its wings dramatically, as if to say, What gives?!

"See? You've got a way with animals!" Hagrid roared with laughter. "Ye should give up charm work fer creature handling!"

"Ha! Perhaps not," Filius replied, a grin breaking through. "I much prefer my creatures to be less lively. You've got a knack for it, Hagrid. Or should I say, the creatures have a knack for you?"

"Well, ye know what they say... it takes one to raise a three-headed goat!" Hagrid joked, nudging the Pufflewhisk with his boot as it flopped back onto its fluffy behind.

Ellen, still bursting with laughter, chimed in, "If only they could teach proper charm work! Maybe we'd have fewer accidents in the classroom."

Hagrid chuckled heartily, "Ain't that the truth! Just this week, I had to save a first-year from his own failed levitation charms—he got stuck up in a tree!"

"Sounds like a story for the ages!" Filius said, shaking his head with feigned exasperation.

Together, the three of them shared stories and laughter as they played with the Pufflewhisk, feeling the warmth of camaraderie in the air. As time flew and the sun began to sink below the horizon, Ellen felt grateful for moments like these—full of laughter, friendship, and the delightful absurdity that was part and parcel of working at Hogwarts.

"Well, Hagrid, thanks for the entertainment!" she finally said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "Next time, can we stick to slightly less feathery creatures?"

"Not a chance!" Hagrid winked. "Wait till ye see what else I got planned for the students!"

"Oh dear," Filius groaned, but a smile remained plastered across his face, and Ellen couldn't help but join in. They were all ripe for more adventures, and she wouldn't want it any other way.