Round 1 Challenge 7 VOTING!
So, I shall live another day... you're all lucky. LOL
Read over the drabbles and choose one most favorite and one least favorite drabble. While reading, keep in mind the prompt and word count restrictions. Once you've chosen, put the number of each drabble in the corresponding box at the end of this post. Please remember to put number of the drabble and not the name; it makes it a lot easier for us to keep track. Each most favorite vote will receive +1 point and each least favorite vote will receive -1 point. The drabble with the most points will win, the drabble with the least points will be sent packing. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
If, at any point in time, you have a question about the voting procedure, please contact indaze22 or me ASAP. Thanks.
Enough babble, onto the drabbles!
PROMPT: Based on the phrase, "Making something out of nothing".
WORD COUNT: 100-499 words
#1
Title: Restoration
Author: humbuggirl
Word Count: 499
Rating: G
Warning: None
It started with a long, sly look, that Harry thought he might have imagined. After all, there was no reason why Pansy would be looking at him. Well, except maybe to curse his existence-especially since it was his fault that she was helping restore Hogwarts. He had invited Draco Malfoy and his friends to help; the rest of the magical world had been ready to forget them.
Up to her elbows in dust, with white paint in her ebony-dark hair, Pansy looked more concerned with not tripping over a stray toolbox at that moment. It seemed unlikely she had been staring-glaring-at him. No doubt, she had actually been contemplating how she might have spent her summer.
Harry turned away, deciding he was making something out of nothing.
-
The second time he caught her, they were in Hogsmeade. The Scottish air had begun to crisp with autumn's rapid approach, causing Harry's breath clouded as he walked. He was hurrying, hoping to avoid the inevitable round of handshaking that happened each time he dared to leave the castle, and it was not until he was almost past it that he noticed the small, familiar face in the shop window.
He spun around, surprised, and watched as Pansy's cheeks turned ruddy. After a heartbeat, she seemed to remember herself, and scowled fiercely. The look she shot him next suggested she rarely encountered anyone so unworthy of her attention.
Harry shook his head and walked on. Perhaps he was imagining things.
-
The tenth time he felt the steady, almost biting presence of her gaze, he was hovering high above the Quidditch pitch. The cool night air was welcome after a day stuck inside cleaning and mending. It was the first chance he'd had to be alone since daybreak.
Only the figure stood underneath the Hufflepuff stand disrupted the calm. Harry angled his broom to descend, meaning to finally confront her. By the time he reached the spot where she had been standing, however, Pansy was gone.
-
"Hello, fancy seeing you here."
Startled, Pansy squeaked and spun around. When she realised who had spoken, she glared at him from beneath her heavy fringe. Harry felt a swell of pride. For the past week, he had been attempting to catch her in the act of watching him. Now he had not only managed to do that, he had caught her as well.
"What do you want?" she snapped. With a wave of the paintbrush she was holding, she added, "I'm a little busy."
Harry nodded. "Busy spying on me. So, the better question is: what do you want?"
"I…" she stopped, looking disturbingly uncertain. Pansy was generally like a rampaging Hippogriff: unstoppable. She stiffly drew back her shoulders, and said, "I wanted to apologise - for what I said."
"What?"
"I apologise. It's not a difficult concept. Say you accept, so we can end this uncomfortable situation."
"Ah, I accept."
Pansy let out a deep, relieved breath. "Thanks, Potter," she said, and left.
#2
Title: Nothing
Author: pokeystar
Word Count: 487
Rating: PG-13
Warning: inexplicit naughtiness
Everyone is a little shocked when Ron shows up at Sunday brunch with Pansy in tow. After he and Hermione broke up, we’d all figured his next girlfriend would be a Lavender clone.
Pansy is nothing like Lavender, despite having floral names in common. She’s defensive, a little brittle but definitely brilliant. Once she settles in, she’s arguing with Bill about current exchange rates and the Goblin monopoly on wizarding loans, discussing advances in Potions with George, trading quips with Draco. Her gestures are graceful and ironic, a spark of punctuation to every word she utters, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling. She and Ron barely look at each other.
Once the meal is over, everyone splits up. Bill puts the kids down for a nap, Fleur helps Molly with the dishes, Draco and Hermione make their apologies and leave-she’s taken too much time from her caseload as it is. I decline George and Arthur’s invitation to listen to the Quidditch match-Ginny’s game isn’t being broadcast today-and wander past the old work-shed on my way to the pond.
A sudden gasp draws my attention and I glance over to see Pansy backed up against the wall of the shed, shirt undone, bra pushed aside, Ron’s hands up her skirt and his tongue down her throat.
My fists clench, my stomach rumbles and a harsh pain tightens my chest.
I know I shouldn’t have eaten that last kipper.
It’s nothing.
All week, I sit across from my partner, my best mate, in our office at the MLE. I’m irritable and restless, dismissive and short. We’re under tremendous pressure to solve this murder case, but then, we’re always under pressure about one case or another. Ginny hasn’t been home in weeks, but then, she never is during Quidditch season.
Every once in a while, I look up to see Ron staring into space, gob hanging open, a fatuous expression on his face. I try to remember the last time I looked like that-felt like that.
I can’t.
He’s misplaced the evidence file again, and suddenly, it’s all I can do not to sucker punch him in the gut. My best friend, the gormless wonder.
It’s nothing.
A month later, Ginny’s home at last, the Harpy Seeker victorious after battle. We meet up with Ron and Pansy at the Leaky Cauldron to celebrate the end of the season and give Ginny a chance to inspect her brother’s new girlfriend.
We sit across from the happy couple, chatting about vicious Beaters and cases solved, Ministry gossip and business trends. Ron and Pansy touch each other constantly as they talk-elbows knocking, hips shifting against each other, fingers grazing over the peanut bowl.
She’s wearing deep blue robes that match her eyes and a hint of cinnamon in the scent on her skin tickles my nose.
Ginny and I barely look at each other.
It’s probably nothing.
#3
Title: World in a Paper Cup
Author: somandalicious
Word Count: 436
Rating: PG
Warning: None.
Pansy loved five-hundred count Egyptian cotton sheets the shade of lavender. So Harry bought them for her. Everything he thought she needed, he provided, and price was certainly no object. Diamonds, pearls-her perfume naturally came from Paris-and she had a wardrobe full of the finest designer labels. He knew that she was used to a higher standard of living than himself, and he desperately wanted to maintain that for her.
Even as his Gringott’s Vault dwindled at a substantial rate, he still kept providing the best of the best. They were perceived as the crème de la crème of Wizarding Society, and Pansy seemed exuberantly happy with that status.
But Harry’s nights bled into the wee morning hours, pouring over his ledgers in an effort to keep his witch satisfied. No matter how hard he tried, the numbers didn’t lie, and soon he was no longer able to deny the fact that he was in the red.
No more fancy five-thousand-galleon-a-plate charity galas, no more sparkling gowns for the red carpet.
The apprehension of telling Pansy the news took its toll on him; his hair became even more unruly, and dark circles under his eyes told of his anxiety. Although Pansy immediately noticed, he put her off until one day she approached him, his vault statements clutched in her hand.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity and concern, and gently she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me we’re broke?”
Shame-faced, he turned his cheek, unable to see the disappointment he was sure crossed her face. “I thought you’d leave me.”
She chuckled and ran her fingers into his hair. “Idiot, I don’t need all of this.” She gestured to the expensive furniture in their lavish home. “I only ever needed you.” Then she kissed him slowly, pressing her forehead to his. “Just you.”
Relief flooded his soul and he pulled her closer to him and smiled against her jaw. “Promise?”
She did. Forever. After all, she’d said ‘for richer or poorer.’
After one final night of going over the ledgers, they made a plan. They sold their manor, moved into a small townhouse, and divested themselves of all of their needless comforts.
In the months that followed Harry learned that Pansy was truly more blissful without the chore of maintaining such a high profile, that she looked her best in sloppy ponytails and torn jeans, and the best nights of his life were spent on a lumpy sofa in front of a fireplace.
Life was simple and life was wonderful, and they both agreed that when you have nothing is when you find everything.
#4
Title: Protective
Author: ayane_tsurugi
Word Count: 322
Rating: PG
Warning: None.
Pansy walked warily into her office, her eyes trained on her desk. What she saw there confirmed her fears: another white envelope, her name written across it in a handwriting she didn’t recognize.
She’d gotten one every day that week, each time with a different message and a different handwriting. However, the theme was consistent.
Ron Weasley had sent the first one. Be good to him, Parkinson, it had said. We’ll be watching you.
That one, she had found amusing; endearing, even. She had sent something similar to Theodore Nott when he’d taken up with Millicent the year before.
However, as she went on to get one from almost every member of the Weasley family, amusement transformed into wary tension that had her dreading the second half of her work day.
Ginny Weasley’s had been particularly frightening. After the customary “take care of him,” she had added in an extra note. Just remember, Pansy: You never know what nasty tricks I could have picked up being possessed by the Dark Lord.
Mrs. Weasley’s had been haunting, a reminder that Weasleys are willing to do anything for family, and Harry was very much a son to her (a note that made sense of George Weasley’s, which had included a postscript of You may want to watch out for my mum. She’s crazy protective).
Mentioning the notes to Harry had been useless. He’d laughed them off without a second thought, ensuring her that she was making something out of nothing. “My friends are harmless, love,” he’d said, planting a kiss on her forehead and pulling her to him.
Pansy took a deep breath as she picked up this latest envelope. Unfolding the paper inside, a groan broke through her lips at the three words printed there.
Turn around. -Hermione
As she heard her office door ‘click’ closed, she had a hard time believing she was making something out of nothing.
“We need to talk.”
Poll Round 1 Challenge 7 Voting
Voting ends Friday, May 8th at 11:59 PM EST!
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So do something!
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You can't make something out of nothing.
So do something!
Vote at now!
Read over the drabbles and choose one most favorite and one least favorite drabble. While reading, keep in mind the prompt and word count restrictions. Once you've chosen, put the number of each drabble in the corresponding box at the end of this post. Please remember to put number of the drabble and not the name; it makes it a lot easier for us to keep track. Each most favorite vote will receive +1 point and each least favorite vote will receive -1 point. The drabble with the most points will win, the drabble with the least points will be sent packing. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
If, at any point in time, you have a question about the voting procedure, please contact indaze22 or me ASAP. Thanks.
Enough babble, onto the drabbles!
PROMPT: Based on the phrase, "Making something out of nothing".
WORD COUNT: 100-499 words
#1
Title: Restoration
Author: humbuggirl
Word Count: 499
Rating: G
Warning: None
It started with a long, sly look, that Harry thought he might have imagined. After all, there was no reason why Pansy would be looking at him. Well, except maybe to curse his existence-especially since it was his fault that she was helping restore Hogwarts. He had invited Draco Malfoy and his friends to help; the rest of the magical world had been ready to forget them.
Up to her elbows in dust, with white paint in her ebony-dark hair, Pansy looked more concerned with not tripping over a stray toolbox at that moment. It seemed unlikely she had been staring-glaring-at him. No doubt, she had actually been contemplating how she might have spent her summer.
Harry turned away, deciding he was making something out of nothing.
-
The second time he caught her, they were in Hogsmeade. The Scottish air had begun to crisp with autumn's rapid approach, causing Harry's breath clouded as he walked. He was hurrying, hoping to avoid the inevitable round of handshaking that happened each time he dared to leave the castle, and it was not until he was almost past it that he noticed the small, familiar face in the shop window.
He spun around, surprised, and watched as Pansy's cheeks turned ruddy. After a heartbeat, she seemed to remember herself, and scowled fiercely. The look she shot him next suggested she rarely encountered anyone so unworthy of her attention.
Harry shook his head and walked on. Perhaps he was imagining things.
-
The tenth time he felt the steady, almost biting presence of her gaze, he was hovering high above the Quidditch pitch. The cool night air was welcome after a day stuck inside cleaning and mending. It was the first chance he'd had to be alone since daybreak.
Only the figure stood underneath the Hufflepuff stand disrupted the calm. Harry angled his broom to descend, meaning to finally confront her. By the time he reached the spot where she had been standing, however, Pansy was gone.
-
"Hello, fancy seeing you here."
Startled, Pansy squeaked and spun around. When she realised who had spoken, she glared at him from beneath her heavy fringe. Harry felt a swell of pride. For the past week, he had been attempting to catch her in the act of watching him. Now he had not only managed to do that, he had caught her as well.
"What do you want?" she snapped. With a wave of the paintbrush she was holding, she added, "I'm a little busy."
Harry nodded. "Busy spying on me. So, the better question is: what do you want?"
"I…" she stopped, looking disturbingly uncertain. Pansy was generally like a rampaging Hippogriff: unstoppable. She stiffly drew back her shoulders, and said, "I wanted to apologise - for what I said."
"What?"
"I apologise. It's not a difficult concept. Say you accept, so we can end this uncomfortable situation."
"Ah, I accept."
Pansy let out a deep, relieved breath. "Thanks, Potter," she said, and left.
#2
Title: Nothing
Author: pokeystar
Word Count: 487
Rating: PG-13
Warning: inexplicit naughtiness
Everyone is a little shocked when Ron shows up at Sunday brunch with Pansy in tow. After he and Hermione broke up, we’d all figured his next girlfriend would be a Lavender clone.
Pansy is nothing like Lavender, despite having floral names in common. She’s defensive, a little brittle but definitely brilliant. Once she settles in, she’s arguing with Bill about current exchange rates and the Goblin monopoly on wizarding loans, discussing advances in Potions with George, trading quips with Draco. Her gestures are graceful and ironic, a spark of punctuation to every word she utters, her face flushed, her eyes sparkling. She and Ron barely look at each other.
Once the meal is over, everyone splits up. Bill puts the kids down for a nap, Fleur helps Molly with the dishes, Draco and Hermione make their apologies and leave-she’s taken too much time from her caseload as it is. I decline George and Arthur’s invitation to listen to the Quidditch match-Ginny’s game isn’t being broadcast today-and wander past the old work-shed on my way to the pond.
A sudden gasp draws my attention and I glance over to see Pansy backed up against the wall of the shed, shirt undone, bra pushed aside, Ron’s hands up her skirt and his tongue down her throat.
My fists clench, my stomach rumbles and a harsh pain tightens my chest.
I know I shouldn’t have eaten that last kipper.
It’s nothing.
All week, I sit across from my partner, my best mate, in our office at the MLE. I’m irritable and restless, dismissive and short. We’re under tremendous pressure to solve this murder case, but then, we’re always under pressure about one case or another. Ginny hasn’t been home in weeks, but then, she never is during Quidditch season.
Every once in a while, I look up to see Ron staring into space, gob hanging open, a fatuous expression on his face. I try to remember the last time I looked like that-felt like that.
I can’t.
He’s misplaced the evidence file again, and suddenly, it’s all I can do not to sucker punch him in the gut. My best friend, the gormless wonder.
It’s nothing.
A month later, Ginny’s home at last, the Harpy Seeker victorious after battle. We meet up with Ron and Pansy at the Leaky Cauldron to celebrate the end of the season and give Ginny a chance to inspect her brother’s new girlfriend.
We sit across from the happy couple, chatting about vicious Beaters and cases solved, Ministry gossip and business trends. Ron and Pansy touch each other constantly as they talk-elbows knocking, hips shifting against each other, fingers grazing over the peanut bowl.
She’s wearing deep blue robes that match her eyes and a hint of cinnamon in the scent on her skin tickles my nose.
Ginny and I barely look at each other.
It’s probably nothing.
#3
Title: World in a Paper Cup
Author: somandalicious
Word Count: 436
Rating: PG
Warning: None.
Pansy loved five-hundred count Egyptian cotton sheets the shade of lavender. So Harry bought them for her. Everything he thought she needed, he provided, and price was certainly no object. Diamonds, pearls-her perfume naturally came from Paris-and she had a wardrobe full of the finest designer labels. He knew that she was used to a higher standard of living than himself, and he desperately wanted to maintain that for her.
Even as his Gringott’s Vault dwindled at a substantial rate, he still kept providing the best of the best. They were perceived as the crème de la crème of Wizarding Society, and Pansy seemed exuberantly happy with that status.
But Harry’s nights bled into the wee morning hours, pouring over his ledgers in an effort to keep his witch satisfied. No matter how hard he tried, the numbers didn’t lie, and soon he was no longer able to deny the fact that he was in the red.
No more fancy five-thousand-galleon-a-plate charity galas, no more sparkling gowns for the red carpet.
The apprehension of telling Pansy the news took its toll on him; his hair became even more unruly, and dark circles under his eyes told of his anxiety. Although Pansy immediately noticed, he put her off until one day she approached him, his vault statements clutched in her hand.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity and concern, and gently she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me we’re broke?”
Shame-faced, he turned his cheek, unable to see the disappointment he was sure crossed her face. “I thought you’d leave me.”
She chuckled and ran her fingers into his hair. “Idiot, I don’t need all of this.” She gestured to the expensive furniture in their lavish home. “I only ever needed you.” Then she kissed him slowly, pressing her forehead to his. “Just you.”
Relief flooded his soul and he pulled her closer to him and smiled against her jaw. “Promise?”
She did. Forever. After all, she’d said ‘for richer or poorer.’
After one final night of going over the ledgers, they made a plan. They sold their manor, moved into a small townhouse, and divested themselves of all of their needless comforts.
In the months that followed Harry learned that Pansy was truly more blissful without the chore of maintaining such a high profile, that she looked her best in sloppy ponytails and torn jeans, and the best nights of his life were spent on a lumpy sofa in front of a fireplace.
Life was simple and life was wonderful, and they both agreed that when you have nothing is when you find everything.
#4
Title: Protective
Author: ayane_tsurugi
Word Count: 322
Rating: PG
Warning: None.
Pansy walked warily into her office, her eyes trained on her desk. What she saw there confirmed her fears: another white envelope, her name written across it in a handwriting she didn’t recognize.
She’d gotten one every day that week, each time with a different message and a different handwriting. However, the theme was consistent.
Ron Weasley had sent the first one. Be good to him, Parkinson, it had said. We’ll be watching you.
That one, she had found amusing; endearing, even. She had sent something similar to Theodore Nott when he’d taken up with Millicent the year before.
However, as she went on to get one from almost every member of the Weasley family, amusement transformed into wary tension that had her dreading the second half of her work day.
Ginny Weasley’s had been particularly frightening. After the customary “take care of him,” she had added in an extra note. Just remember, Pansy: You never know what nasty tricks I could have picked up being possessed by the Dark Lord.
Mrs. Weasley’s had been haunting, a reminder that Weasleys are willing to do anything for family, and Harry was very much a son to her (a note that made sense of George Weasley’s, which had included a postscript of You may want to watch out for my mum. She’s crazy protective).
Mentioning the notes to Harry had been useless. He’d laughed them off without a second thought, ensuring her that she was making something out of nothing. “My friends are harmless, love,” he’d said, planting a kiss on her forehead and pulling her to him.
Pansy took a deep breath as she picked up this latest envelope. Unfolding the paper inside, a groan broke through her lips at the three words printed there.
Turn around. -Hermione
As she heard her office door ‘click’ closed, she had a hard time believing she was making something out of nothing.
“We need to talk.”
Poll Round 1 Challenge 7 Voting
Voting ends Friday, May 8th at 11:59 PM EST!
Help us pimp!
You can't make something out of nothing.
So do something!
Vote at pphp_ldws now!
You can't make something out of nothing.
So do something!
Vote at