A Kind Word - Part 1 of Return to Hogwarts (H/D, G for now)
Title: A Kind Word - Part 1 of Return to Hogwarts
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: General (pre-slash) for now
Word Count: 2320
Challenge: slythindor100's challenge #53 - "Impromptu" and 100quills' prompt 003 - "Strangers".
Warnings: No beta.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
"It occurs to me," said Headmistress McGonagall, "that despite attending school together for six years before the war, many of you remain virtual strangers, separated so much by house divisions and such." She was addressing the seventh years at an impromptu meeting she had called following the welcoming feast. Hogwarts had reopened again following the war, after having been closed for a year.
"I wonder what she's planning," Hermione said with interest. Ron rolled his eyes. Harry looked bored.
"I know that before the war there were many rivalries, some fuelled by the war itself, some by house divisions, and some simply by personalities. I would like, in Albus Dumbledore's honour, to try to remedy a little of that now that we are all here together again."
Harry's interest picked up at the mention of Dumbledore. Ron rolled his eyes again. "As if we could ever get on with Malfoy."
"Ronald! He did turn to the right side during the war, after all," Hermione admonished.
"Yeah, but he's still a git," said Ron. Harry said nothing. He didn't know what he felt about Malfoy now, but his opinion of the Slytherin had changed during the war.
"Today I will ask each of you to take a separate piece of parchment for every person in your year. On that parchment you are to write something about that person, and give them the parchment sometime this week."
Ron's face went through a series of emotions in the span of ten seconds. As he looked around at the other students in the Great Hall, he went from panic to amusement to an involuntary blush as he looked at Hermione. Finally, as his gaze settled on Malfoy, he broke into a wicked smile. Harry could only imagine what he was planning.
"Before you get any ideas," continued McGonagall, "this exercise is to help mend fences, and bridge the gaps that currently exist among you all. Therefore, you must write one thing, and one thing only, that is positive about the person, something you admire or appreciate."
At the mixture of gasps and groans she received, McGonagall continued. "Come now. Surely it can't be that difficult a task. You have one week to come up with something about everyone in your year. Yes, Mr. Weasley," she said to Ron as he let out a rather loud groan. "Even you can do this." She looked around at the students before her. "I realize that you may not know some of the people in your year very well, but you have all, at one time or another, had classes together. If you give it some thought, I'm sure you can come up with something. I suggest you complete the task for those you know well right away, which will give you more time to think about those students you do not know as well. It could be something as simple as recognizing that the person is a good student, or a good athlete, has a good sense of humour, or has a lovely smile."
The room was abuzz with chatter suddenly, everyone casting glances around the room, many of the girls giggling and many of the boys looking solemn.
"You have one week. Good night, and welcome back!"
Surprisingly, over the course of the week, Harry found it to be quite an enjoyable task. Not only did it force him to look at everyone around him a little closer, but it also gave him the opportunity to make each and every one of them feel a little bit better about themselves. Because in the end, that is exactly what this exercise accomplished. As he handed the pieces of parchments out, he received some smiles, some blushes, some hugs, and even a few kisses on the cheek. And when he received his notes, he felt appreciated for the person he was.
So far, over the six days, each note he had received had said nothing about him being the Boy Who Lived, the Saviour, the Hero, or any other name he had been graced with. Instead, he had been told that he was a great Quidditch player, a great teacher (from a few DA members), a loyal friend, a worthy Gryffindor, and a couple told him that he was gorgeous. He had blushed at those, thanked the girls, and politely scurried off.
Now he only had three left to write. Pansy, Blaise and Malfoy. He knew he would leave Malfoy's until last, but the other two were giving him trouble, so he had decided to watch them more carefully. Over time, he realized that Blaise had a presence that drew people to him instinctively -- or so it seemed, watching from across the room. Harry wrote down, You command everyone's attention, and it looks as though you bring people together. I think you would make a great leader.
Pansy, it seemed, had a rather dry wit. He wrote on her piece of parchment, You seem to be a keen observer, and you use what you see to entertain those around you. It was the best he could do. He actually received a smile from both of the Slytherins.
Draco's was the most difficult for Harry by far, and on the seventh day he still hadn't written it. Ron laughed, saying that he didn't blame Harry. Ron had ended up writing down that Draco was good at Potions, something Harry suspected came from Hermione. But Ron just didn't get it -- not at all.
Finally, just before supper on the last day, Harry had finished. After they ate, he told Ron and Hermione to go on ahead, and he approached Malfoy as he was exiting the Great Hall. Seeing the parchment in Harry's hand, Malfoy told his friends that he would meet up with them later.
"Malfoy."
"Potter."
"Shall we walk?" Harry asked, wanting to give Malfoy his note in private.
"Sure," Malfoy agreed. Apparently he had the same idea.
They walked towards the lake in silence. Harry was amused by the fact that this was probably the longest in history the two of them had been in each other's company without verbally attacking each other.
"So," Harry broke the silence as they sat down by the lake. Malfoy merely raised an eyebrow. "This was very difficult for me." Harry thought he noted a look of ... something ... hurt, maybe? "And not for the reason I would have thought at the start," he was quick to add.
"Are you always this cryptic, Potter, or do you have a point?"
"Right," Harry chuckled, realizing that he really did sound like a bit of an idiot. But this was difficult for him. "Here's the thing, Malfoy. We have never got on --"
"An understatement."
"Yes, well, when I tried to think of something positive to say about you, it was hard to come up with one thing."
"Really, Potter, I thought this wasn't about insults --"
"No, wait! Sorry ... I'm not saying this very well. The reason it was difficult was not that I couldn't come up with anything, but that there are so many things to say that I found it hard to narrow down to just one."
Draco looked stunned. Harry laughed. "I should call Colin Creevey down here with his camera. I'd like the memory of that look in print!"
Draco seemed to recover, his cool facade once again in place. "Do carry on, Potter. After all, I know that I'm wonderful, as does most of the rest of the school. It just seems to have taken you long enough to figure it out."
Harry rolled his eyes and nudged his shoulder into the young man beside him. "Here, you prat," he said as he handed the parchment to Draco. The blonde didn't open it, but just stared at it. "I believe you are supposed to open it now."
"Yes, yes. Patience, Potter. Here," he said as he pushed a piece of parchment into Harry's hands. "I too found it rather difficult to narrow things down, but I'll deny ever saying such a thing." Harry grinned as he opened the parchment up at the same time Draco opened his.
Draco (shut up -- it's your name, after all),
Imagine my surprise when I tried to think of one positive thing to say about you, only to discover that it would be harder than I thought. After all these years of looking at you as the Slytherin thorn in my side, when I took a step back to look at you as a person, it was to discover that there are many things about you that are to be appreciated and admired. Don't let your head swell -- I'm only naming one. Okay, well, I'll name two. After all, when do I ever follow the rules?
The one thing that stands out most is your strength of character. I believe your place in Slytherin house is partly because of that. You command respect and you've earned a place of authority. You hold true to your convictions, and stay true to yourself (whether I agree with you or not isn't the point). You made a decision that, while I know it was the right one, could not have been easy. A great man once said that it is difficult to stand up to your enemies, but even more difficult to stand up to your friends. I would imagine that it would be the most difficult of all to stand up to your family as well. But you did. And that makes you a force to be reckoned with.
Oh, and the second thing ... you have great hair. Shut up. You know you do!
Harry
Harry couldn't resist watching as Draco read his note. While he wanted to read his own, he was more interested in the blonde's reaction to his. He watched his face go from a smug smirk as he first opened it, to a mask-free appreciative smile, to an indescribable look -- not quite shocked, not quite overwhelmed. Then (he had obviously got to the end of the note), he let out an appreciative laugh, and flung his hair back in a mocking gesture. He looked up to find Harry watching him.
"What?" Harry just smiled. "Haven't you read yours yet?" he asked.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"I was watching you."
"Don't do that!"
"Why not?"
"I don't like being watched." Harry had to laugh at that.
"Yeah, right. Don't give me that. You try to get people to watch you all the time."
"Just read your letter," he said, changing the subject.
"What? You're not going to tell me what you think about mine?"
"Not until you've read yours."
"Oh, alright."
"Gee, Potter, if I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't want to read it."
"No, it's just ... I dunno ... I wanted to see your reaction more, that's all."
Malfoy gave him a quizzical look, then looked down at the parchment in Harry's hand. "Well?"
"Oh, right."
Potter (oh, alright, if you insist -- Harry),
First I will warn you -- no, really, it's a legitimate warning. I have spelled this parchment to self-destruct if you try to show it to anyone. I shall leave no evidence behind of such things.
I have to say that I was horrified to hear that I needed to write something nice -- me, writing something nice, really! -- about every single seventh year. Even the Hufflepuffs, for Merlin's sake! And then there was you. Of all people, I had to come up with something nice to say about you. And I knew you wouldn't buy into all that hero-worship drivel that would have been easy enough to write, but you know me better than that. So I had to really think about this.
Much to my shock and dismay, I found myself coming up with not one but many things. Ugh! That, I have to say, was not a shining moment for me. Anyway, onto the task. I'll name two things, just because one is frivolous, but since it was the first thing that came to mind, I'm including it.
First, you have amazing eyes. Relax, I'm not going all girly! They are a vivid green, but more than that they are sharp and piercing, and demand attention. Even when you're angry, it's hard to look away from those eyes.
Second, I have to say your strength is your greatest asset. Not physical strength, but strength of your mind, of your character. You know what's right, what you want, and you don't let anything get in the way. You go after things with such ferocity that it's a surprise you haven't destroyed people that get in your way. That's another thing about your strength. You believe in being good. Not in a goody-goody way, if your rule-breaking is any indication, but good in the sense that things need to be right. I believe that you would never willingly harm someone, except (obviously) in times of war. I imagine that the war was very difficult for you, but you didn't fall apart. It figures! You are no doubt determined to be a thorn in my side forever.
Draco
"Well, that's interesting," Harry said.
"That's it?!" Draco asked. "That's all you have to say?"
Harry laughed. "No, it's not. I just find it interesting that we both said the same thing about each other. How odd is that?"
"I did not say you have great hair!" Draco spewed indignantly.
Harry snorted, pushing Draco in the arm. "Git."
"Prat."
"So ..."
"Indeed."
"First, I'd like to say thank you. But then I'd like to let this settle before talking about it, okay?" Harry asked hopefully.
"You're welcome. And I'd like some time too. But thanks for now."
Harry smiled, watching Draco's face blush slightly. "One more thing?" Harry asked.
"Hmm?"
"Friends?" he said as he held out his hand to Draco, the image of Draco having done the same so many years before.
Draco beamed at him. "I'd like that very much," he said as he took Harry's hand in his own.
Part 2 - Games People Play
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: General (pre-slash) for now
Word Count: 2320
Challenge: slythindor100's challenge #53 - "Impromptu" and 100quills' prompt 003 - "Strangers".
Warnings: No beta.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
"It occurs to me," said Headmistress McGonagall, "that despite attending school together for six years before the war, many of you remain virtual strangers, separated so much by house divisions and such." She was addressing the seventh years at an impromptu meeting she had called following the welcoming feast. Hogwarts had reopened again following the war, after having been closed for a year.
"I wonder what she's planning," Hermione said with interest. Ron rolled his eyes. Harry looked bored.
"I know that before the war there were many rivalries, some fuelled by the war itself, some by house divisions, and some simply by personalities. I would like, in Albus Dumbledore's honour, to try to remedy a little of that now that we are all here together again."
Harry's interest picked up at the mention of Dumbledore. Ron rolled his eyes again. "As if we could ever get on with Malfoy."
"Ronald! He did turn to the right side during the war, after all," Hermione admonished.
"Yeah, but he's still a git," said Ron. Harry said nothing. He didn't know what he felt about Malfoy now, but his opinion of the Slytherin had changed during the war.
"Today I will ask each of you to take a separate piece of parchment for every person in your year. On that parchment you are to write something about that person, and give them the parchment sometime this week."
Ron's face went through a series of emotions in the span of ten seconds. As he looked around at the other students in the Great Hall, he went from panic to amusement to an involuntary blush as he looked at Hermione. Finally, as his gaze settled on Malfoy, he broke into a wicked smile. Harry could only imagine what he was planning.
"Before you get any ideas," continued McGonagall, "this exercise is to help mend fences, and bridge the gaps that currently exist among you all. Therefore, you must write one thing, and one thing only, that is positive about the person, something you admire or appreciate."
At the mixture of gasps and groans she received, McGonagall continued. "Come now. Surely it can't be that difficult a task. You have one week to come up with something about everyone in your year. Yes, Mr. Weasley," she said to Ron as he let out a rather loud groan. "Even you can do this." She looked around at the students before her. "I realize that you may not know some of the people in your year very well, but you have all, at one time or another, had classes together. If you give it some thought, I'm sure you can come up with something. I suggest you complete the task for those you know well right away, which will give you more time to think about those students you do not know as well. It could be something as simple as recognizing that the person is a good student, or a good athlete, has a good sense of humour, or has a lovely smile."
The room was abuzz with chatter suddenly, everyone casting glances around the room, many of the girls giggling and many of the boys looking solemn.
"You have one week. Good night, and welcome back!"
Surprisingly, over the course of the week, Harry found it to be quite an enjoyable task. Not only did it force him to look at everyone around him a little closer, but it also gave him the opportunity to make each and every one of them feel a little bit better about themselves. Because in the end, that is exactly what this exercise accomplished. As he handed the pieces of parchments out, he received some smiles, some blushes, some hugs, and even a few kisses on the cheek. And when he received his notes, he felt appreciated for the person he was.
So far, over the six days, each note he had received had said nothing about him being the Boy Who Lived, the Saviour, the Hero, or any other name he had been graced with. Instead, he had been told that he was a great Quidditch player, a great teacher (from a few DA members), a loyal friend, a worthy Gryffindor, and a couple told him that he was gorgeous. He had blushed at those, thanked the girls, and politely scurried off.
Now he only had three left to write. Pansy, Blaise and Malfoy. He knew he would leave Malfoy's until last, but the other two were giving him trouble, so he had decided to watch them more carefully. Over time, he realized that Blaise had a presence that drew people to him instinctively -- or so it seemed, watching from across the room. Harry wrote down, You command everyone's attention, and it looks as though you bring people together. I think you would make a great leader.
Pansy, it seemed, had a rather dry wit. He wrote on her piece of parchment, You seem to be a keen observer, and you use what you see to entertain those around you. It was the best he could do. He actually received a smile from both of the Slytherins.
Draco's was the most difficult for Harry by far, and on the seventh day he still hadn't written it. Ron laughed, saying that he didn't blame Harry. Ron had ended up writing down that Draco was good at Potions, something Harry suspected came from Hermione. But Ron just didn't get it -- not at all.
Finally, just before supper on the last day, Harry had finished. After they ate, he told Ron and Hermione to go on ahead, and he approached Malfoy as he was exiting the Great Hall. Seeing the parchment in Harry's hand, Malfoy told his friends that he would meet up with them later.
"Malfoy."
"Potter."
"Shall we walk?" Harry asked, wanting to give Malfoy his note in private.
"Sure," Malfoy agreed. Apparently he had the same idea.
They walked towards the lake in silence. Harry was amused by the fact that this was probably the longest in history the two of them had been in each other's company without verbally attacking each other.
"So," Harry broke the silence as they sat down by the lake. Malfoy merely raised an eyebrow. "This was very difficult for me." Harry thought he noted a look of ... something ... hurt, maybe? "And not for the reason I would have thought at the start," he was quick to add.
"Are you always this cryptic, Potter, or do you have a point?"
"Right," Harry chuckled, realizing that he really did sound like a bit of an idiot. But this was difficult for him. "Here's the thing, Malfoy. We have never got on --"
"An understatement."
"Yes, well, when I tried to think of something positive to say about you, it was hard to come up with one thing."
"Really, Potter, I thought this wasn't about insults --"
"No, wait! Sorry ... I'm not saying this very well. The reason it was difficult was not that I couldn't come up with anything, but that there are so many things to say that I found it hard to narrow down to just one."
Draco looked stunned. Harry laughed. "I should call Colin Creevey down here with his camera. I'd like the memory of that look in print!"
Draco seemed to recover, his cool facade once again in place. "Do carry on, Potter. After all, I know that I'm wonderful, as does most of the rest of the school. It just seems to have taken you long enough to figure it out."
Harry rolled his eyes and nudged his shoulder into the young man beside him. "Here, you prat," he said as he handed the parchment to Draco. The blonde didn't open it, but just stared at it. "I believe you are supposed to open it now."
"Yes, yes. Patience, Potter. Here," he said as he pushed a piece of parchment into Harry's hands. "I too found it rather difficult to narrow things down, but I'll deny ever saying such a thing." Harry grinned as he opened the parchment up at the same time Draco opened his.
Draco (shut up -- it's your name, after all),
Imagine my surprise when I tried to think of one positive thing to say about you, only to discover that it would be harder than I thought. After all these years of looking at you as the Slytherin thorn in my side, when I took a step back to look at you as a person, it was to discover that there are many things about you that are to be appreciated and admired. Don't let your head swell -- I'm only naming one. Okay, well, I'll name two. After all, when do I ever follow the rules?
The one thing that stands out most is your strength of character. I believe your place in Slytherin house is partly because of that. You command respect and you've earned a place of authority. You hold true to your convictions, and stay true to yourself (whether I agree with you or not isn't the point). You made a decision that, while I know it was the right one, could not have been easy. A great man once said that it is difficult to stand up to your enemies, but even more difficult to stand up to your friends. I would imagine that it would be the most difficult of all to stand up to your family as well. But you did. And that makes you a force to be reckoned with.
Oh, and the second thing ... you have great hair. Shut up. You know you do!
Harry
Harry couldn't resist watching as Draco read his note. While he wanted to read his own, he was more interested in the blonde's reaction to his. He watched his face go from a smug smirk as he first opened it, to a mask-free appreciative smile, to an indescribable look -- not quite shocked, not quite overwhelmed. Then (he had obviously got to the end of the note), he let out an appreciative laugh, and flung his hair back in a mocking gesture. He looked up to find Harry watching him.
"What?" Harry just smiled. "Haven't you read yours yet?" he asked.
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"I was watching you."
"Don't do that!"
"Why not?"
"I don't like being watched." Harry had to laugh at that.
"Yeah, right. Don't give me that. You try to get people to watch you all the time."
"Just read your letter," he said, changing the subject.
"What? You're not going to tell me what you think about mine?"
"Not until you've read yours."
"Oh, alright."
"Gee, Potter, if I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't want to read it."
"No, it's just ... I dunno ... I wanted to see your reaction more, that's all."
Malfoy gave him a quizzical look, then looked down at the parchment in Harry's hand. "Well?"
"Oh, right."
Potter (oh, alright, if you insist -- Harry),
First I will warn you -- no, really, it's a legitimate warning. I have spelled this parchment to self-destruct if you try to show it to anyone. I shall leave no evidence behind of such things.
I have to say that I was horrified to hear that I needed to write something nice -- me, writing something nice, really! -- about every single seventh year. Even the Hufflepuffs, for Merlin's sake! And then there was you. Of all people, I had to come up with something nice to say about you. And I knew you wouldn't buy into all that hero-worship drivel that would have been easy enough to write, but you know me better than that. So I had to really think about this.
Much to my shock and dismay, I found myself coming up with not one but many things. Ugh! That, I have to say, was not a shining moment for me. Anyway, onto the task. I'll name two things, just because one is frivolous, but since it was the first thing that came to mind, I'm including it.
First, you have amazing eyes. Relax, I'm not going all girly! They are a vivid green, but more than that they are sharp and piercing, and demand attention. Even when you're angry, it's hard to look away from those eyes.
Second, I have to say your strength is your greatest asset. Not physical strength, but strength of your mind, of your character. You know what's right, what you want, and you don't let anything get in the way. You go after things with such ferocity that it's a surprise you haven't destroyed people that get in your way. That's another thing about your strength. You believe in being good. Not in a goody-goody way, if your rule-breaking is any indication, but good in the sense that things need to be right. I believe that you would never willingly harm someone, except (obviously) in times of war. I imagine that the war was very difficult for you, but you didn't fall apart. It figures! You are no doubt determined to be a thorn in my side forever.
Draco
"Well, that's interesting," Harry said.
"That's it?!" Draco asked. "That's all you have to say?"
Harry laughed. "No, it's not. I just find it interesting that we both said the same thing about each other. How odd is that?"
"I did not say you have great hair!" Draco spewed indignantly.
Harry snorted, pushing Draco in the arm. "Git."
"Prat."
"So ..."
"Indeed."
"First, I'd like to say thank you. But then I'd like to let this settle before talking about it, okay?" Harry asked hopefully.
"You're welcome. And I'd like some time too. But thanks for now."
Harry smiled, watching Draco's face blush slightly. "One more thing?" Harry asked.
"Hmm?"
"Friends?" he said as he held out his hand to Draco, the image of Draco having done the same so many years before.
Draco beamed at him. "I'd like that very much," he said as he took Harry's hand in his own.
Part 2 - Games People Play