Absit Omen is home to so many talented writers that it can be difficult to recognize them all!  The AO Spotlight highlights posts and threads that are funny, touching, suspenseful, or just plain creative.  Check out some of the amazing writing that you may have missed the first time around!

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An unexpected encounter between two wizards on a chilly almost-winter's day takes a turn that neither would have suspected... "I just can't do this, Chaz. I can't, I..I." He open eye watered with large tears, the sort that looked like drops of dew on his spiderweb lashes, and when he closed his eyes they chased over his round cheek. "You can't just walk into my life like this and expect it to be easy. You don't know me. You don't know what haunts me. What scares me. What destroys me. You don't want me, I'm broken. I'm afraid and I'm not worth it. You will only hate me in the end, or think I'm crazy. Everyone always thinks I'm crazy." He sucked in a sobbing breath, "But damn it, I'm just trying to find my place in the world." Nightengale Kesali to Chaz Lawrence in Take Me Home

Two fourth years decide that a private conversation deserves a better venue than a hallway between classes... Was he really considering this? Being purposefully late to his worst class, right after he'd just finished getting into so much trouble in Charms, all so he could slip into a bathroom with a girl and continue a rambling conversation that, for whatever stupid reason, he didn't want to end? Was he really thinking about going along with such a mad plan? ...Yes. Yes he was. Alvis Norling with Zoe Torret in I Feel Just Rosy

Two old friends come to a different sort of understanding about their relationship... Leaning up, she kissed a cheek. "Believe in yourself, Francis. Learn to love yourself and let your heart love you. Believe me, it's hard and it's so very perilous but you can do it. I'll be there every step of the way. I promise." Gabrielle Murray to Francis Pepper in Bacon, Eggs, Pyjamas, Strudel, and Spam!

Hogwarts' new Headmistress meets with her Deputy as both attempt to take the other's measure... "Headmistress, with the risk of this sounding pompous or gushing, may I express what an honour it is to serve as your Deputy. It was a pleasure to assist Herschel, and to take care of things as best I could in his absence, but I know how very important it is to have a Hogwarts leader who also grew up here. The decision to reinstate you was wise. You are exactly what Hogwarts needs." He bit his lip and let the smirk take the edge off the statement, "Not everyone can outsmart three visiting Head Professors, but I believe together we have the measure of them. I'm game if you are." Ignan Storm to Minerva McGonagall in Changing of the Guard

After missing a big social event, one witch attempts to bury an old hatchet in order to mend some broken bridges... Liadán was surprised that she was being so candid. Parts of this speech were rehersed, yes, but it was all honest and did come from the heart. "I need to rebuild many of the bridges which I have burned. Life has been awfully lonely as of late. And I saw this as a great opportunity to try to extend an apology to you. And perhaps, if you are willing, a chance to kindle some kind of friendship." Liadán Ó Móráin to Dolly St. James in The Diamond-Encrusted Olive Branch

A run in between a former couple leads one to make an unwelcome observation... His crystalline eyes darkened as he gazed down into her face. And he tilted his head to the side and squinted as if trying to get a better look at something he saw. He caught a glint of something dangling from her ear. His eyes widened as it dawned on him what it meant. "Oh my my....the little snapdragon has found an admirer. One with such interesting tastes, I might add..." Oscar Whitman to Aileen Reid in I Could While Away the Hours, Conversing With the Flowers