iPod Shuffle Fic Challenge
I needed a break from my other fic, so I decided to take this up. I didn't begin it with the intent of all (except one, that is) taking place during the seventh book, but once the first two ended up that way, I couldn't help it. Hope you enjoy.
iPod Shuffle Fic Challenge
Rules:
1. Pick your favorite fandom (Harry Potter, obviously)
2. Put your iPod on shuffle.
3. Write a drabble for the first ten songs.
4. You can only write for the duration of the song.
1. A Little Fall of Rain - Les Miserables (Katie Bell/Oliver Wood)
So this is what it’s like to die, Katie thought listlessly. It wasn’t as horrible as she thought it would be. True, it hurt. Quite a bit, actually. Especially around the chest, where it was getting harder to breathe. She hadn’t expected the curse as she turned around a corner. Foolish her for not looking in the middle of battle. It was quiet where she was, now - everyone had either died or left. She never expected to die alone.
Suddenly, there were footsteps, and she turned towards the noise. Her vision was leaving her, she realized.
Then there was a warm, callused hand in hers. “Katie? Oh God!”
She recognized the voice, and she smiled. “Oliver.”
“Yes, I’m here. Voldemort called a cease-fire. Let’s get you to the hospital wing-“
She clenched his hand. “No . . . I’m through. I just . . . I just want you to stay with me.” She had believed her crush on him had long left her, but his presence gave her a warm, protective feeling.
“Katie. . . .”
“Just hold me. Please.”
For a moment, she was afraid he’d refuse, but then she felt strong arms around her, and her head leaned against his chest. This was much better. ”I won’t go anywhere,” he said.
“Oliver?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Yes?”
“Did you know I always liked rain?”
She could feel him swallow hard. “No, I didn’t.”
“I wish . . . It wish it were raining.”
2. Bad Day - Daniel Powter (George Weasley/Angelina Johnson)
George was beginning to hate autumn. It was always raining, for one. And it meant that winter was coming. And everything looked dying.
Then again, they could all be a problem because of his mood.
Diagon Alley had not repaired itself completely from the damage it had endured for over a year. But there was still the sense of hope from the people that seemed to make him moodier. How can anyone be hopeful through this?
Well, he wasn’t hopeful about anything. He still hadn’t opened the shop, despite his family’s urging and fan mail asking him to do so. It didn’t seem right, somehow.
He hadn’t expected anyone to be leaning against the shop door. Let alone Angelina.
“Hello George,” she said.
“Hello.”
“Can I come in?”
He shrugged. “If you want.”
“You look like it’s been a tough day,” she said.
“Better, now that you’re here,” he admitted. And he realized it was true.
3. As Long As You’re Mine - Wicked (Seamus Finnigan/Mandy Brocklehurst)
Seamus’s lips were urgent and forceful, sending Mandy’s body into hyper-drive. She had heard of his skills told in whispers in the girls bathroom, but they were hardly justified.
She hadn’t even noticed Seamus much until this year, when they were thrown together for countless D.A. sessions. Somehow she had fallen for him-though whether it was because of actual attraction or desperation, she didn’t know. She didn’t care much really. All she needed was this. Room of Requirement or no.
------
Seamus didn’t know what had attracted him to this uptight, too-smart-for-her-own witch, but God knows he wasn’t regretting any of it. Wherever her hands were seemed to tingle in excitement, her kisses were passionate and fiery, and her breasts felt amazing in his hands.
She tugged insistently on his shirt, and he parted from her to pull it off. She took the moment to pull her shirt off too, and the sight of her pale purple bra made his mouth go dry. Even if they didn’t survive - let alone their relationship last, they still had this moment.
4. Letters from War - Mark Schultz (Neville)
Neville had liked to write letters to his parents as a young boy - about his days in the garden and the books he read. Once he got to school, he wrote to them about his lessons and friends. He liked to pretend that they when Gran took them to the hospital, they would read them and smile. He hadn’t written to them since first year, and yet, six years later, he felt himself pulling a piece of parchment and quill and writing.
Dear Mum,
It’s been a while, has it? I’m sorry I haven’t written to you sooner . . . but things are a mess at Hogwarts. Harry isn’t here anymore. Neither are Dean and Ron. I miss all of them and I hope they’re okay.
I’m a leader now. The students need one and somehow I got the job. I keep thinking of Dad, and what he did at school. I don’t want to live up to his name anymore-I just want the two of you to be proud of me. That’s why I’m fighting-for the two of you, so that you have a reason for giving your lives up for me. And I’m going to keep fighting until the death. Just like you would have done.
I love you and both,
Neville
5. Firework - Katy Perry (Hannah Abbot, multiple females)
Hannah didn’t know what had possessed her to come up with the idea, but now that it was happening, she couldn’t help but silently thank Susan for her enthusiastic response. She had chosen a secluded spot out in the country next to a large pond for this gathering. It was a spot her parents used to take her for picnics.
There were only a dozen or so girls here now-some teenagers and some barely out of their teenage years. She had brought the drinks of course. The rest had been asked to bring food - mostly cakes and sweets.
They all laughed and sang and confessed under the light of the moon and campfire. And when Hannah let loose the fireworks she had promised, she couldn’t help but stare at all of them. Lavender, her face and neck marred by scars, but still looking beautiful. Alicia, her right arm no more than a stub, but still kicking arse in the Quidditch field. Meg, the firework light shining on her bald head. Lisa, her throat torn and her voice all but gone, and still laughing in a raspy way. And little Eleanor, the youngest of them all, with scars from her burns covering her face.
There were others there, of course. All warriors. All survivors. All beautiful.
6. Baby Mine - Dumbo (Andromeda Tonks, Teddy Lupin)
Teddy is crying again. Andromeda opens her eyes and stumbles from her bed to the crib, trying to hold back the lump in her throat. She had been dreaming about Ted again.
She lifted him from his crib and slowly rocked him in her arms, making shushing noise. His hair had turned bright yellow this time, and she could help smiling. He was beautiful.
It wasn’t fair. Teddy should have his real mother taking care of him. He deserved to have his father holding him. Andromeda shouldn’t have to be the one to do this every night.
But she was, and if she was honest with herself, it was the only thing that kept her sane. Baby Teddy. Her baby.
7. C’Est Moi - Camelot (Ron Weasley, Gilderoy Lockhart)
Ah, it was the redhead again. Gilderoy could never remember his name, but he would visit once in a while for a few minutes. He didn’t get many visitors, so it was rather nice.
“Ah, it’s you again!” he greeted cheerfully.
“Yes. Ron,” he said with a small smile.
“That’s right! How are you?”
“I’m fine. You?”
“I’m getting better at my jointed writing-look!” He pulled out a letter and shoved it towards Ron.
He looked at it. “That’s . . . quite good.”
“Is it?” he agreed. “Ron, I think I know what I want to do when I get better.”
“Oh?”
“I want to be an Auror.”
Ron was so touched by his selflessness that he made a sound he was choking on his own tongue. “I’m sorry?”
“I want to be an Auror,” he said again. “I’ve been reading the books I wrote, and I think I would make a good one. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner!”
“Well . . . the Aurors are pretty elite, Gilderoy.”
“Of course they are! They have to be. But look at the things I’ve written - I took on a Banshee with nothing but an umbrella and a pair of earmuffs. I trained a vampire to eat nothing but lettuce and mushrooms, and wrestled with a troll! I’m invincible, like an Auror should be. I’m just what they need.”
Ron’s mouth was doing weird movements. “We’ll . . . see, Gilderoy,” he said, getting to his feet.
“Going so soon?”
“Yes-I have Auror training in an hour.”
“Auror training? Wait! Don!”
But he was already gone.
Well, Gilderoy would be sure to teach him everything he knew. Once he was better, of course.
8. We Weren’t Born to Follow - Bon Jovi (Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan)
If someone had told Terry three hours ago that he’d be sitting on the train no only with his best friends, but with two Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff, none of which he knew very well, he would have dismissed it. Yet here he was, squished into a compartment with Seamus, Neville and Ernie. He wasn’t even entirely sure how it happened.
Ernie passed them all the Cauldron Cakes he had just bought from the trolley witch, and Terry nibbled on it slowly. He wasn’t very hungry.
“To a brighter day,” Ernie said sarcastically, lifting his cake as if in toast before eating it in two bites.
“Seamus and I have been talking,” Neville said suddenly. “We all know we can’t just sit all year like good little followers on our knees. Things won’t be the same at Hogwarts - not with Death Eaters teaching us and Dumbledore’s murderer as headmaster. So we’re standing up to them.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “You don’t expect to go marching into the great hall shooting spells when we roll into school, do you?”
“Tempting, but no,” said Seamus. “Neville here has a plan. The D.A.”
“The DA?” Anthony asked.
“We have to know how to protect ourselves,” Neville told them seriously, “and when Harry comes to kick You-Know-Who’s arse, we have to be ready to help.”
“No offense, but look what happened to the last DA,” Terry pointed out. “Why should this be any different?”
Ernie turned furiously at him. “Are you saying we should just give in?”
“No, it’s more than that,” Terry replied calmly. “The DA can’t just be a club where we practice throwing spells at each other. We’ve got to do more.”
“I take it you’re in?” said Seamus hopefully.
Michael smiled. “Gryffindors aren’t the only ones who had trouble following.”
9. Back to Before - Ragtime (Justin Finch-Fletchley/Susan Bones)
Susan watched Justin dress into the robes he wore last night. He was still as handsome as ever, even after all those months of not seeing him. It had felt good to be in his embrace again. She had promised to wait for him, and she had. Everything was slowly going to normal after yesterday’s battle.
Yet, it wasn’t the same. She had loved Justin - or thought she loved him. He was always so sure, so certain about everything. She let him lead their relationship - he asked her out, he kissed her first, and he instigated the night they made love. He even ordered her food and drink when they went out together. And she had been too in love with him to mind.
Yet things were different now. She had spent the last several months learning spells, leaning on others, trusting in herself. And she had done it all without Justin. She was a more confident person now. She didn’t need him to make all her decisions for her anymore.
She sat up, pulling the covers around herself as the realization hit her. Could they go back to the way things are?
No, said a voice in her head.
10. God Help the Outcasts - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Penelope Clearwater)
Penny curled up in her cell, shivering. But whether from the cold or the Dementors, she didn’t know.
She wished there was a window, but that was a dream here.
Her parents had taught her a lot about God growing up. She had stopped praying to him years ago, but in the quiet moments of her cell, she found herself talking to him again.
I don’t know if you’re there, God, but I hope you hear this -
A scream echoed from down the corridor, and she jolted. Just another Muggle-born, she thought, her heart clenching.
Can’t you cut Muggle-borns a break? Or at least the others. I’m sure I can handle it, but . . . just let the other Muggle-borns free. Or have them escape.
Another scream. Tears filled her eyes for the countless time.
No one deserves this.
iPod Shuffle Fic Challenge
Rules:
1. Pick your favorite fandom (Harry Potter, obviously)
2. Put your iPod on shuffle.
3. Write a drabble for the first ten songs.
4. You can only write for the duration of the song.
1. A Little Fall of Rain - Les Miserables (Katie Bell/Oliver Wood)
So this is what it’s like to die, Katie thought listlessly. It wasn’t as horrible as she thought it would be. True, it hurt. Quite a bit, actually. Especially around the chest, where it was getting harder to breathe. She hadn’t expected the curse as she turned around a corner. Foolish her for not looking in the middle of battle. It was quiet where she was, now - everyone had either died or left. She never expected to die alone.
Suddenly, there were footsteps, and she turned towards the noise. Her vision was leaving her, she realized.
Then there was a warm, callused hand in hers. “Katie? Oh God!”
She recognized the voice, and she smiled. “Oliver.”
“Yes, I’m here. Voldemort called a cease-fire. Let’s get you to the hospital wing-“
She clenched his hand. “No . . . I’m through. I just . . . I just want you to stay with me.” She had believed her crush on him had long left her, but his presence gave her a warm, protective feeling.
“Katie. . . .”
“Just hold me. Please.”
For a moment, she was afraid he’d refuse, but then she felt strong arms around her, and her head leaned against his chest. This was much better. ”I won’t go anywhere,” he said.
“Oliver?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Yes?”
“Did you know I always liked rain?”
She could feel him swallow hard. “No, I didn’t.”
“I wish . . . It wish it were raining.”
2. Bad Day - Daniel Powter (George Weasley/Angelina Johnson)
George was beginning to hate autumn. It was always raining, for one. And it meant that winter was coming. And everything looked dying.
Then again, they could all be a problem because of his mood.
Diagon Alley had not repaired itself completely from the damage it had endured for over a year. But there was still the sense of hope from the people that seemed to make him moodier. How can anyone be hopeful through this?
Well, he wasn’t hopeful about anything. He still hadn’t opened the shop, despite his family’s urging and fan mail asking him to do so. It didn’t seem right, somehow.
He hadn’t expected anyone to be leaning against the shop door. Let alone Angelina.
“Hello George,” she said.
“Hello.”
“Can I come in?”
He shrugged. “If you want.”
“You look like it’s been a tough day,” she said.
“Better, now that you’re here,” he admitted. And he realized it was true.
3. As Long As You’re Mine - Wicked (Seamus Finnigan/Mandy Brocklehurst)
Seamus’s lips were urgent and forceful, sending Mandy’s body into hyper-drive. She had heard of his skills told in whispers in the girls bathroom, but they were hardly justified.
She hadn’t even noticed Seamus much until this year, when they were thrown together for countless D.A. sessions. Somehow she had fallen for him-though whether it was because of actual attraction or desperation, she didn’t know. She didn’t care much really. All she needed was this. Room of Requirement or no.
------
Seamus didn’t know what had attracted him to this uptight, too-smart-for-her-own witch, but God knows he wasn’t regretting any of it. Wherever her hands were seemed to tingle in excitement, her kisses were passionate and fiery, and her breasts felt amazing in his hands.
She tugged insistently on his shirt, and he parted from her to pull it off. She took the moment to pull her shirt off too, and the sight of her pale purple bra made his mouth go dry. Even if they didn’t survive - let alone their relationship last, they still had this moment.
4. Letters from War - Mark Schultz (Neville)
Neville had liked to write letters to his parents as a young boy - about his days in the garden and the books he read. Once he got to school, he wrote to them about his lessons and friends. He liked to pretend that they when Gran took them to the hospital, they would read them and smile. He hadn’t written to them since first year, and yet, six years later, he felt himself pulling a piece of parchment and quill and writing.
Dear Mum,
It’s been a while, has it? I’m sorry I haven’t written to you sooner . . . but things are a mess at Hogwarts. Harry isn’t here anymore. Neither are Dean and Ron. I miss all of them and I hope they’re okay.
I’m a leader now. The students need one and somehow I got the job. I keep thinking of Dad, and what he did at school. I don’t want to live up to his name anymore-I just want the two of you to be proud of me. That’s why I’m fighting-for the two of you, so that you have a reason for giving your lives up for me. And I’m going to keep fighting until the death. Just like you would have done.
I love you and both,
Neville
5. Firework - Katy Perry (Hannah Abbot, multiple females)
Hannah didn’t know what had possessed her to come up with the idea, but now that it was happening, she couldn’t help but silently thank Susan for her enthusiastic response. She had chosen a secluded spot out in the country next to a large pond for this gathering. It was a spot her parents used to take her for picnics.
There were only a dozen or so girls here now-some teenagers and some barely out of their teenage years. She had brought the drinks of course. The rest had been asked to bring food - mostly cakes and sweets.
They all laughed and sang and confessed under the light of the moon and campfire. And when Hannah let loose the fireworks she had promised, she couldn’t help but stare at all of them. Lavender, her face and neck marred by scars, but still looking beautiful. Alicia, her right arm no more than a stub, but still kicking arse in the Quidditch field. Meg, the firework light shining on her bald head. Lisa, her throat torn and her voice all but gone, and still laughing in a raspy way. And little Eleanor, the youngest of them all, with scars from her burns covering her face.
There were others there, of course. All warriors. All survivors. All beautiful.
6. Baby Mine - Dumbo (Andromeda Tonks, Teddy Lupin)
Teddy is crying again. Andromeda opens her eyes and stumbles from her bed to the crib, trying to hold back the lump in her throat. She had been dreaming about Ted again.
She lifted him from his crib and slowly rocked him in her arms, making shushing noise. His hair had turned bright yellow this time, and she could help smiling. He was beautiful.
It wasn’t fair. Teddy should have his real mother taking care of him. He deserved to have his father holding him. Andromeda shouldn’t have to be the one to do this every night.
But she was, and if she was honest with herself, it was the only thing that kept her sane. Baby Teddy. Her baby.
7. C’Est Moi - Camelot (Ron Weasley, Gilderoy Lockhart)
Ah, it was the redhead again. Gilderoy could never remember his name, but he would visit once in a while for a few minutes. He didn’t get many visitors, so it was rather nice.
“Ah, it’s you again!” he greeted cheerfully.
“Yes. Ron,” he said with a small smile.
“That’s right! How are you?”
“I’m fine. You?”
“I’m getting better at my jointed writing-look!” He pulled out a letter and shoved it towards Ron.
He looked at it. “That’s . . . quite good.”
“Is it?” he agreed. “Ron, I think I know what I want to do when I get better.”
“Oh?”
“I want to be an Auror.”
Ron was so touched by his selflessness that he made a sound he was choking on his own tongue. “I’m sorry?”
“I want to be an Auror,” he said again. “I’ve been reading the books I wrote, and I think I would make a good one. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner!”
“Well . . . the Aurors are pretty elite, Gilderoy.”
“Of course they are! They have to be. But look at the things I’ve written - I took on a Banshee with nothing but an umbrella and a pair of earmuffs. I trained a vampire to eat nothing but lettuce and mushrooms, and wrestled with a troll! I’m invincible, like an Auror should be. I’m just what they need.”
Ron’s mouth was doing weird movements. “We’ll . . . see, Gilderoy,” he said, getting to his feet.
“Going so soon?”
“Yes-I have Auror training in an hour.”
“Auror training? Wait! Don!”
But he was already gone.
Well, Gilderoy would be sure to teach him everything he knew. Once he was better, of course.
8. We Weren’t Born to Follow - Bon Jovi (Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan)
If someone had told Terry three hours ago that he’d be sitting on the train no only with his best friends, but with two Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff, none of which he knew very well, he would have dismissed it. Yet here he was, squished into a compartment with Seamus, Neville and Ernie. He wasn’t even entirely sure how it happened.
Ernie passed them all the Cauldron Cakes he had just bought from the trolley witch, and Terry nibbled on it slowly. He wasn’t very hungry.
“To a brighter day,” Ernie said sarcastically, lifting his cake as if in toast before eating it in two bites.
“Seamus and I have been talking,” Neville said suddenly. “We all know we can’t just sit all year like good little followers on our knees. Things won’t be the same at Hogwarts - not with Death Eaters teaching us and Dumbledore’s murderer as headmaster. So we’re standing up to them.”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “You don’t expect to go marching into the great hall shooting spells when we roll into school, do you?”
“Tempting, but no,” said Seamus. “Neville here has a plan. The D.A.”
“The DA?” Anthony asked.
“We have to know how to protect ourselves,” Neville told them seriously, “and when Harry comes to kick You-Know-Who’s arse, we have to be ready to help.”
“No offense, but look what happened to the last DA,” Terry pointed out. “Why should this be any different?”
Ernie turned furiously at him. “Are you saying we should just give in?”
“No, it’s more than that,” Terry replied calmly. “The DA can’t just be a club where we practice throwing spells at each other. We’ve got to do more.”
“I take it you’re in?” said Seamus hopefully.
Michael smiled. “Gryffindors aren’t the only ones who had trouble following.”
9. Back to Before - Ragtime (Justin Finch-Fletchley/Susan Bones)
Susan watched Justin dress into the robes he wore last night. He was still as handsome as ever, even after all those months of not seeing him. It had felt good to be in his embrace again. She had promised to wait for him, and she had. Everything was slowly going to normal after yesterday’s battle.
Yet, it wasn’t the same. She had loved Justin - or thought she loved him. He was always so sure, so certain about everything. She let him lead their relationship - he asked her out, he kissed her first, and he instigated the night they made love. He even ordered her food and drink when they went out together. And she had been too in love with him to mind.
Yet things were different now. She had spent the last several months learning spells, leaning on others, trusting in herself. And she had done it all without Justin. She was a more confident person now. She didn’t need him to make all her decisions for her anymore.
She sat up, pulling the covers around herself as the realization hit her. Could they go back to the way things are?
No, said a voice in her head.
10. God Help the Outcasts - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Penelope Clearwater)
Penny curled up in her cell, shivering. But whether from the cold or the Dementors, she didn’t know.
She wished there was a window, but that was a dream here.
Her parents had taught her a lot about God growing up. She had stopped praying to him years ago, but in the quiet moments of her cell, she found herself talking to him again.
I don’t know if you’re there, God, but I hope you hear this -
A scream echoed from down the corridor, and she jolted. Just another Muggle-born, she thought, her heart clenching.
Can’t you cut Muggle-borns a break? Or at least the others. I’m sure I can handle it, but . . . just let the other Muggle-borns free. Or have them escape.
Another scream. Tears filled her eyes for the countless time.
No one deserves this.