Cosmic Coming of Age [Rue]

[nova hypatia vector]

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CW: Mention of Drugs

June 26th, 2026

Nova wasn’t a huge proponent of getting high on her own supply, especially considering it hindered her ability to do her work effectively. But she’d spent the last month seriously in a rut over what had happened at Hogwarts. The idea of mortality had been skewed horribly for her by the disappearances of her mother and the other wives of her father, and his own death had been of little to no interest to her. Hogwarts contained everything that she cared about outside of the bakery and her aunt, with all six of her siblings being there. They were all safe, thankfully, but she knew that not every student had made it out and the destruction of the school had left her extremely rattled in the weeks that followed. Her attempts at trying to act like everything that had occurred over the last few years were immediately dropped and she felt exposed for the first time in a long time. Work obviously kept her busy and not dwelling on those thoughts, though they still intruded after she locked up at the end of the day and went home. That was where things got a little out of hand, to the point where her occasional self-soothing with a joint or brownie had become a habit. The second her shoes were off and her cat was fed, she was trying to numb it all away. In her mind, there were worse things to be using daily, like sleep potions or hard muggle drugs. All this was doing was helping her relax and fall asleep. But when she started hitting it right when she woke up in the morning, that was when she realized she’d taken it a bit too far.

Throughout all of this, her other job, where she provided similar products to those that paid, had continued. It didn’t help her problem at all, and where she used to not try and make stronger edibles, she now was because she wanted to eat them as well. One of her more frequent fliers was Rue, who Nova had graduated with from Hogwarts. Rue was easily the sketchiest of her acquaintances, and Nova knew that they were doing similar things on the side as well. It was hard to ignore. Of course, tagging along with Rue was always Mina, an equally suspicious but more grounded character that she’d spent her school years tolerating. Somehow all three were wheeling and dealing now, and it often times felt off. She reasoned that someone had to do it, and if she was the only one making products safely for these two, then it was better her than some muggle. They were both more than happy to come back often and it was hard to turn away their eagerness.

Today was one of those days where she was waiting on Rue to pick up an order. Brownies, like usual, though it was double in size of what the normal typically was. Was this for both her and Mina? It seemed a bit strange that they wouldn’t come separately considering the latter usually stopped by after her shift at Flourish & Blotts on Thursdays. Mina hadn’t made an order this week, so Nova believed her assumption to be correct.

Normally she wouldn’t have a problem handing over the giant white box to Rue in the store, but Decima was there today and absolutely would be asking questions. She was fairly certain that her aunt was unaware of what was going on as she had never asked questions and things were fairly low key. Pickups were almost always scheduled for her aunt’s off days or when she was gone for the weekend. On days like this, where both of them were working, doing the transaction in the back alleyway was how it went down. If she were to be completely honest, it was absolutely sketchy that she did handoffs like this with Rue of all people in a back alley. Anyone that wanted to question what they were doing wouldn’t have to think too hard.

Nova had the back door, which was past the kitchen and storage room, propped open with a wooden box as she waited to hear Rue come down the alley. A wandering cat had made her ears perk up a few moments earlier, but aside from a few inquisitive mews about the open door, it left her and her pot brownies in peace after a couple of seconds. The only worry she currently had was if Decima came back to see where she was and saw the box and open door, which definitely screamed strange. She could only imagine the questions that would follow, and trying to explain why she was handing over perfectly normal looking brownies to a person at the back entrance would be tough. The lie of it being a personal gift for a friend and not wanting to do it in the shop in front of other customers absolutely wouldn’t fly. Her aunt knew all of her friends, and those were not the same ones that she sold baked goods to.

The sound of footsteps from out in the alley had Nova getting to her feet, picking the box up as well. She peeked her head out the open door and looked both ways, spotting a figure that looked like it could be Rue. Kicking the box into the backroom as she stepped over it, allowing the door to snap shut behind her, she stood awkwardly in the middle of the alleyway, holding the giant box of brownies in both of her hands. “This isn’t all for you, is it?” she called out, still worried that Rue was going to attempt some sort of challenge to eat the entire sheet of brownies. As she always stated when a sale was made, she wasn’t responsible for what happened if too much was consumed at once. Everything was tested in moderation by herself, and she normally wouldn’t eat the whole box in one go. If it was split between Rue and Mina though, maybe it could be safely done…

prudence oria weiss ● 1,016 ● Cosmic Coming of Age by Fickle Friends

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[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

LATELY, RUE FOUND THEMSELVES WANTING to test almost everything and anything in line with her potions. It was such an odd feeling, considering that the day of being alongside the Purifiers were over yet Rue knew their work was far from finished. In the last year or so, Rue had developed new potions and with that had gained new customers all over the country. It was an incredible feeling in a way, knowing that Galleons could be made in such mysterious ways. Though, while the Weiss wanted to consider today a day off, especially from what they ordered from Nova, she would be lying to herself if she hadn't planned later usage for the chocolate delights. Thus once more, combining another Muggle thing with her creations. This time was different however, considering now Rue's brownie order was twice the size.

Nova and Rue weren't the closest of friends, but...more-so acquaintances. They graduated alongside each other back in their days of Hogwarts and now...Well. They both seemed to have their own side hustles. It wasn't something the Weiss planned on questioning, considering she was a cautious being, realising that sometimes not knowing is seemingly the best thing for people. But as Rue staggered along the cornered alleyway of Horizon Alley, that took her towards Pi Pâtisserie, the potioneers eyes tried to focus, the figure of a few stray cats coming into vision but alas. They were high...As always. So things weren't exactly clear.

With the deal taking place behind the store, Rue figured it was because the usual strict clerk or owner was back in store, deeming the deal to be all the more suspicious. While Rue was curious, they knew to never ask anyway. After a few moments, the Weiss figured that she was close to where she and Nova agreed to meet and at the sound of the Ravenclaw calling out, Rue's eyes focused completely. "Whats it to you?" They replied, a lopsided grin growing on her lips. "More so...fifty-fifty. Half for me and half for...Something else." It was kind of easy to figure out what Rue meant, but even then, they couldn't remember if Nova had ordered from her once before.

| nova hypatia vector |

so sorry for the delay!

[nova hypatia vector]

▲

The closer Rue got to the bakery's back door and where Nova was standing, it was fairly obvious they were high. It was the little steps down the alleyway, probably trying to keep from looking like it was worse than it actually was. Overcompensating like that always made it blatant to those that knew what to look for. Thank Merlin this was in an area no one usually walked through aside from the shopkeepers and delivery personnel. Knowing Rue's propensity for drugs, they were on something strong in order ti look visibly high. As they approached Nova, the baker let out a long sigh. This exchange was always interesting, no matter how it went down. The lack of Mina tagging along meant it would probably be quicker though. That one was a chatter box, like she'd been attention starved her entire life and was finally able to let it all out. Nova knew that wasn't true though, because the girl had been the same way in school too, starting on the Hogwarts Express first year.

Nova shrugged when asked what it meant to her for wanting to know who the brownies were for. "I want to make sure they're not ending up with anyone that can't handle them. If it's for you and Mina, I really don't care." Assuming Mina was the something else in Rue's secret code. She was trying not to sound exhausted about it, but with everything that had happened as of late that was becoming increasingly more difficult. Especially with Harmony freaking out on where to send the rest of the Vector kids to school. Why any of that was Nova's problem was something she hadn't figured out yet. As long as they were all safe, she didn't mind if they went to France or the United States. Speaking of her stepmother, now that was someone that needed a box of pot brownies to chill out. "They're stronger than usual," Nova added as she held the large, white box out for Rue. "You know the drill. You made them if anyone asks." And honestly, why didn't they? It was probably cheaper in the long run. Nova's cooking prowess didn't make them any better than what others could make.

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[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

RUE'S STAGGERS DOWN THE ALLEYWAY were definitely noticeable to everyone who stared or bothered to care...except from the Weiss. They believed they were as quiet as the strays who walked alongside them, when in reality - a few grunts left the potioneers lips, followed by the odd heavy intake of breath or a quiet cough. No matter how ridiculously high they were, or how quiet they believed they were, if the person Rue anticipated on meeting; knew any aspect of their life...They'd know how fucked up she was. While she overcompensated for such an odd thing, it was out of sheer luck that not many people ventured through the alleyway - something that Rue assumed Nova also knew.

Hearing a long sigh as she approached the shadowy figure before them, Rue's lips only perked up a little higher. No one besides Mina really questioned what kind of drug or potion the brunette had ingested on that day, but at the same time, whenever someone asked...Rue truthfully had no idea how to answer. It was funny, especially since Rue's usual answer was 'a potioneer never tells' when in reality...Rue ingested various things and eventually had no idea which came first. But seeing Nova without Mina however felt like an odd trip for the Weiss, especially as the two would usually come together, arms linked as if they were an oddball couple, when in reality Mina was probably on the verge of getting drunk and Rue completely high. Two polar opposites.

At Nova's response to their question, Rue's arm lifted slowly, her hand scratching at messy curls, while her lips curled upwards in slight disgust. "I don't sell or distribute anything to minors." They muttered, lowering her arm. "Plus with this much..Why would I share with anyone except from Mina?" Rue added, questioning Nova back. As Nova held the box out for her, Rue stepped closer, fishing out the Galleons she owed and placing it on top of the box before reaching out to hold the base of it. "How much stronger?" She questioned, brow raising in interest. "Yeah, yeah. Added a tip by the way. For your..Incredibly fast services."

| nova hypatia vector |

so sorry for the delay!

[nova hypatia vector]

▲

Watching Rue sometimes made Nova feel happy that she had a stable job and hadn’t gone off the deep end like some of her old classmates had. It was almost sort of sad, though she knew Rue was safer taking these than anything else they got their hands on. Mina had sort of let her in on the secrets the potioneer, like how they were developing potions that functioned the same way as alcohol and drugs. Nova didn’t really have anything against that along as it was all safe and didn’t have a chance to harm anyone taking them. Basically the same as her own baked goods she made up. “Good,” she stated rather sternly as Rue stated that they didn’t sell to children. No one should. That was what made this business difficult to work in to begin with. Her own products weren’t inherently dangerous unless they were all eaten at the same time, the worst outcome being a horribly upset stomach and a vomit-inducing, head-spinning high. So basically like being drunk for most of the alcoholics she knew. “Fair point,” Nova added as Rue pointed out that they only ever shared with Mina. Thick as thieves, those two. And they had always been like that for as long as she could remember. If one of them was scheming something, both of them inevitably were.

“Double, at least,” she answered in regards to the strength of the brownies. “I tested it out a while back, so I don’t think it’ll be much of an issue for the two of you at all.” Oh Merlin, the fact that she knew what both of their tolerances were was a horrid thing. She never really considered herself as a drug dealer, but she sort of was, wasn’t she? Exchanging the package for the galleons, Nova didn’t even bother to count as she slid them off of the box and into her hand. Rue had never screwed her over before, so it wasn’t something to question. “Err…thanks I guess? Not for nothing Rue, but why don’t you just make them on your own? I can give you the recipe I use…” Being a potioneer, baking couldn’t be that much more difficult for them. Unless it was a time issue, then she could sort of see it.

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[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

AS RUE STOOD, HOLDING THE slightly warm box in their arms, the Weiss blinked slowly as their eyes tried to focus on Nova and her words. It was inherently hard considering how unbelievably high they were, at their own fault and accord of course. But this...out of world experience was Rue's fault of mixing her own creations, something many people had told her not to do various times. She simply couldn't help it. Feeling numb was the only thing that stopped her inner monologue and the floodgates of painful memories from returning. That and it gave her a reason to avoid almost everyone. Except Mina of course, no matter how MIA Rue could be, Mina would always find them.

In relation to selling towards minors, Rue hummed at Nova's response and slightly shrugged awkwardly. "Plus this'll last a few days anyway. Stops me from calling you up again too soon...and makes it less suspicious." As the Weiss paused to tiredly smile, Rue then added. "You're welcome by the way." As Nova went on to say the brownies contained double the amount, the Weiss swore there and then she felt all of her muscles move at once. Was such a thing possible? Maybe not. But to Rue it happened. "Excellent." They murmured, looking down at the box.

As Rue started planning out all the possible creations they could make, the potioneer almost missed Nova's additional questions. "No time." They simply answered. Since their creations were more in demand within the black market, Rue was up most nights producing batches and batches, some with failed results while the majority were complete successes. "That and who also wants to do all the work?..I'd rather pay." Pushing the box open slightly, Rue broke a small piece of the brownie and took a quick bite, humming quietly.

"This is enough right?" They questioned, referring to the Galleons they handed over while their mouth chewed into the brownie. Merlin, Rue could see all the customers lining up for this potion now.

| nova hypatia vector |

so sorry for the delay!

[nova hypatia vector]

▲

...a few days? Merlin, that would be at least a week and a half if it was just herself. Considering that it was assumed to be shared, it sort of made sense. But at the current strength, Rue and Mina were going to be in a world of hurt if they tried to devour the brownies too fast. Nova knew because that was how her own test run had gone. The official statement she'd given her aunt was that she had a stomach illness, which was technically true. Not often did her own creations make her sick, but when she couldn't even stand up because of how stoned she was, that got classified as 'sick'. No potions could cure that either. The only option was to ride it out. Granted, her buyer was a lot more experienced in this field so there was a possibility that Rue would be fine. Meaning they could sort of shrug it off more than Nova could ever dream to.

The amount in the brownies seemed satisfactory, though Nova was sure that anything she did to them would be sufficient for Rue and Mina. School would have been a lot more interesting had they done this back then. It would have made her seem a lot less frigid and fun to be around. There was always time to make up for it though. Not everyone had the bravery to be slinging edibles around as a fifth year. She almost laughed when Rue pointed out that they didn't want to do all the work to make the brownies. It really wasn't once you knew the correct spells. Cooking charms did have a certain finesse to them but they weren't that difficult. That wasn't her prowess speaking either.

"It really isn't that difficult..." Nova briefly responded as she counted over the galleons. Yup. It was definitely enough and then some for the brownies. She nodded her head at Rue to confirm the amount. They were testing the product already, which was interesting. Rue was very clearly high as it was...would they even be able to tell the strength that way? "I might have some new stuff in the next month or so. Been thinking of doing chocolate bars next." An idea that had been sparked after seeing the muggles selling them. It really wasn't that bad of an idea, and she could do it.

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[prudence oria weiss]

━ the mirror's telling me to go home ━

CONSIDERING RUE KEPT MANY SECRETS regarding their future plans, it was always safe to allow others to assume she would be sharing such a large portion with Mina. Although, Rue couldn't actually remember if Mina enjoyed brownies of this kind anyway. A few days felt more like a euphemism the moment it left the Weiss' lips as they knew they would be snacking on the brownies whilst testing them alongside the potions. Rue loved testing their own products anyway, why not snack along the way?

Still chewing away while Nova counted the Galleons, Rue hummed somewhat satisfactorily at Nova's response. The beauty of cooking charms probably meant it would be a quick job getting the brownies done but given all the things Rue had to do on a regular basis, they still doubted they had the time. "If you say so..." They began, swallowing the first few bites they had taken. "But then you'd be out of some extra income in the long run no?" Tipping wasn't exactly required for most things but Rue was always a generous tipper.

As Nova nodded, confirming the amount, Rue ensured the box was sealed shut once more. Truthfully they wanted to break off another piece and chew it there, but they knew they would feel more comfortable doing so in their warehouse. "Chocolate bars?..Huh.." The Weiss trailed off, their lips slowly curving into a small smile as they thought of the potential behind it. "Sign me up for the prototypes. If that's fine that is." Rue knew most people knew she was..high as a kite at least 95% of the time. But Rue was yet again thinking of the potential potion experiments she could make or even share with Mina. That and the potioneer was a sucker for chocolate. "I'll send an owl soon with my next batch request if that's okay. I'll make sure to wait a little while so there's no..suspicion."

| nova hypatia vector |

so sorry for the delay!

[nova hypatia vector]

▲

"Rue, you make potions more complicated than this," Nova half-laughed, despite being completely serious about it. She had never partaken in them personally, not having interest in anything 'harder' than what she made for others. There was nothing complicated about making pot brownies, at least not after getting everything measured out correctly. Had it taken a few times of trial and error of doing it the mundane way before she got to where she was? Absolutely. That wasn't any different from potion experimentation. "I mean, this is just extra for me. Doesn't really bother me if you wanted to try doing it yourself." Heck, she'd even show Rue how to do it if they really wanted to give it a shot. Nova had everything written down and it barely took any effort. The only trick was how Rue's oven ran while it baked. Every unit was different after all, so there was no telling what the actual timing would be without a test run or two.

"You were first on my list already," Nova admitted. Mina and Benny right there along with them. Why would she offer it up to anyone else before those three? They were her best customers, and dare she say, the closest thing she had to friends. Sure, most of her interactions with Rue were transactional, but the other two were her friends. Benny absolutely, and she'd been warming up to Mina lately. The other girl wasn't nearly as bad as everyone had made her out to be in school, and she brought her dog around a lot so that was always a bonus. "Sounds good," she responded as Rue said they'd contact her once this batch was out. "It really doesn't bother me if you're picking up a lot. Really." They could schedule around when her aunt wasn't at the bakery, which was half the week as it was. "But yeah, just shoot me a message or an owl or whatever," Nova added quickly as she glanced over her shoulder at the back door to the bakery. "I should get back. Hope you like them." Quickly pocketing the coins, Nova slid back inside and through the kitchen. Another day, another deal done. Rue was forever her best customer.

[The End]

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