Round 1 Challenge 4 VOTING!
Ah, I've been waiting to post these all week. 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.
Okay, that's plenty of babble, onto the drabbles!
Prompt: Based on the saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
Word Count: 100-499 words
#1
Title: Stupid Horse
Author: ayane_tsurugi
Word Count: 346
Rating: G
Warning: Literalness?
I was starting to get irritated. I’d never thought it was possible to be irritated at a unicorn, but apparently I was the exception. I gripped the rope it was tied to until my hand ached, and my foot tapped anxiously on the grass as I watched it continue to look around at nothing in particular.
“Oh, come on, you stupid horse! Just drink the water! I have to take care of you, it’s part of the bloody assignment!”
I jumped when I heard someone behind me laugh. I hadn’t known someone was watching me, and I honestly didn’t care as long as it wasn’t the professor. Or, that’s what I told myself until I turned around and saw Potter standing not four feet from me.
“What do you want?”
He looked up at me, his expression somewhat nervous. “Er…nothing, really.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, then feel free to find someone else with an uncooperative assignment to annoy.”
He walked closer and ran his hand along the unicorn’s back. Professor What’s Her Face, Grubby Planks or something, had told the boys to keep out of the way for this lesson, but it wasn’t as though any of the others were listening either. Draco had been messing with Granger’s from the start.
“You know,” he said, “you’d probably do better with him if you didn’t call him a horse. And if you stopped that twitchy foot thing you have going.”
I glared at him and my foot stopped tapping. “What do you want, Potter?”
He just stood still for a second, looking thoughtful. “I’m not entirely sure, actually. I just wanted to come over here.” He paused, then grinned a lopsided grin. “You’re kind-of beautiful when you’re angry.”
In what Draco would later call a miracle worthy of a national holiday, I was speechless. Whatever sarcastic retort that had been building dissipated. It was a strange feeling; sarcasm was my primary language.
Thankfully, I was saved my response as, just as I opened my mouth, the unicorn moved forward and ducked his head for a drink.
#2
Title: To Catch a Thief
Author: floorcoaster
Word Count: 493
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Note: Inspired by Oceans 12.
Harry Potter sat still as a stone in the Louvre, waiting. The museum was dark and empty, quiet as a tomb. This mission was the culmination of two years of dedication, research, small triumphs and near-misses. The thief was bound to strike; the bait had been set.
Deep in his gut, Harry knew for whom he was waiting, but he also hoped-prayed, begged-that he was wrong. Since the day she’d bumped into him in the street and stolen his money bag-which she’d later returned, over lunch-they’d been playing a kind of game.
When a diamond bracelet was inexplicable stolen from a jewelry store, the Ministry thought magic was involved and put Harry on the case. Since then, he’d pursued the thief, who’d grown bolder and more daring, always getting close enough to know just how far he was from catching him-or her.
Until now.
Like water tumbling over a cliff, someone smoothly sat beside him. The sweet scent of jasmine wafted through the air, and Harry’s heart sank. Wordlessly he reached over and pulled the hood off, revealing Pansy’s dark, luxurious curls.
“Pansy,” he groaned. “I’ve been talking about this night for months! Why are you here?”
“You didn’t say you’d be here,” she said just before kissing him.
It was fierce, demanding, and desperate, and he momentarily forgot about everything but her. She slowly ran her hands down his chest, and when her long, nimble fingers reached his belt, he groaned and grabbed her arms. “Pansy. You’re in real trouble.”
“I haven’t done anything,” she said innocently. “Yet.”
Harry gently pushed her away, breathing hard. “You came, though. You’re here to steal … that.” He pointed at the object encased in pressure-sensitive glass.
Pansy didn’t take her eyes off his. “Harry, I … there’s something I’ve been wanting to say. I’ve been trying to work up the courage.”
He sighed impatiently. “You can break into the most famous museum in the world, but you have to work up the guts to tell me something?”
She nodded, meeting his gaze with fear and triumph in her eyes. “The truth, Harry Potter, is that I-I love you. I came here to tell you that. All I want is you.”
In almost two years, she had never said those words, despite the many times he had. “Really? This is over?”
She nodded, almost shyly.
“You said you didn’t know I’d be here.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I said you didn’t say you’d be here.” She kissed him again, brutally and briefly. “I’ll see you at home.”
Before he could protest, she was gone, flitting through the shadows on her way out. When the night watch was over, he went directly home. Pansy was curled in their bed, resting peacefully. It looked as though she’d been there all night. He sat down, and she stirred.
“Did you catch your thief?” she asked sleepily.
He crawled in, pulling her close. “Yes, I think I did.”
#3
Title: Waterloo
Author: pokeystar
Word Count: 496
Rating: PG
Warning: none
Pansy and Harry sat at the bar in the Leaky Cauldron and watched Ron get rejected for the seventh time that night. Ever since Hermione Malfoy-Granger had returned from her honeymoon, she had been on a crusade to improve unity in the wizarding world and secure lifelong happiness for her circle of friends. ‘What else did we fight for?’ she would ask when any objections were raised.
That she’d hit on a solution both successful and efficient surprised no one, least of all her doting husband. In fact, Pansy was certain he was backing the scheme. In two years, she’d heard the bridal march so often she hummed it in her sleep. And the roster of newlyweds was rather impressive: Gregory Goyle and Susan Bones, Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini, Luna Lovegood and Theo Nott, Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott, Millicent Bulstrode and Ernie Macmillan-the list went on and on from there.
But then Hermione had met her Waterloo in the form of one Ronald Weasley. Pansy silently snorted. Really, it wasn’t like the swot didn’t have firsthand knowledge of the Weasel’s unique blend of tactlessness, immaturity and complete inability to quit while he was ahead.
Pansy sipped her butterbeer and snorted again, this time audibly. Ron’s current target had just left a visible handprint on his right cheek. Harry glanced over at her and they rolled their eyes together.
“This is impossible,” Harry grunted.
“Agreed,” replied Pansy. “That idiotic book of his didn’t work. And neither did Zabini’s expert lessons. Why on Earth did she think we’d be able to help?”
“She thought he’d have a better chance in the bars and we’re her only single friends left to play wingman.” Harry shrugged. “Hermione has a tough time giving up on anything. At least you’re not stuck here with Zacharias Smith or Cormac McLaggen.”
“Merlin forbid!” Pansy exclaimed while shuddering. “Relatively speaking, you’re fantastic company.” She sighed at his hurt look. “Harry, surely you know that’s Slytherin speak for best friends forever.”
He took a deep breath. “Just friends?” he asked as his finger stroked her inner wrist.
She closed her eyes, trying valiantly to ignore the tingles skittering up her arm. “If we do this, she’ll be insufferable.”
An uneasy silence stretched awkwardly between them as certain coincidences occurred to them independently.
“Bugger!” he breathed and his finger dropped away.
A favorite expression of Draco’s, having to do with birds and stones, flitted through Pansy’s brain.
The Malfoys really would be unbearable. Next thing they knew, they’d be attending the Snape-Trelawny nuptials.
They were both grateful for the distinct sound of a smack echoing through the nearly empty pub.
“That makes nine,” Tom the bartender noted.
Pansy and Harry stood, putting their cloaks on. Ron stalked by them without a word, headed for the Floo. They turned to follow when Tom cleared his throat.
“See you next Tuesday, then?” he asked with a grin.
Harry and Pansy’s only response was a heartfelt groan.
#4
Title: Going In Blind
Author: little_dollface
Word Count: 322
Rating: PG
Warning: none
“Another drink, Mr. Potter?”
Harry waved off the bartender and continued staring at her through the crowed restaurant. She checked her make up in the mirror for what seemed like the hundredth time. He noticed how each time she adjusted the delicate yellow flower in her hair, making sure it was visible.
Harry still couldn’t believe he’d allowed Hermione to set him up on a blind date like this. She had just seemed so happy to focus on someone else’s love life after her horrible break up with Ron, so he had consented.
Clearly, he should have pushed more, but Hermione had insisted on being mysterious. The picture she had painted of this anonymous woman had sounded nearly perfect to him. But now he knew exactly what game Hermione had been playing. Pansy Parkinson was the last witch he’d ever expected to show up.
When he had first seen her all the nasty memories of school had poured into his head making his stomach churn. He had nursed his disappointment at the bar and he was now officially thirty minutes late. Any minute she would get up and leave. He expected her to look angry at being stood up, but she seemed a bit heartbroken.
Hermione must have told her who she was meeting as he hadn’t been required to wear anything special. He felt uneasy leaving her there, to assume that he didn’t think she wasn’t worth his effort.
Harry was disheartened. He hadn’t realized just how much he had been looking forward to this date.
Pansy grabbed her bag and headed quickly to the exit. It was now or never. He stood up and practically ran to stop her.
“Pansy, wait,” he said, trying to think of a decent reason for being so late.
He began stammering his excuses like a fool. Hesitantly, as if she was trying to determine his sincerity she smiled slowly. “Well, Potter, it’s about time.”
#5
Title: Cell 396
Author: lylianf
Word Count: 499
Rating: PG
Warning: No happy endings
Cell 396 was being uncooperative. If the inquisitor didn’t know better, he would say that she wanted to receive the Dementor’s Kiss. But who in their right mind would want that? He involuntarily shuddered.
Exiting the interrogation room, the inquisitor left her in a right mess. All her fault of course-throwing tantrums like a madwoman. It was the worse kind, because there was no hint of madness in her. His lingering thoughts were distracted by the passing of the most famous face in the Wizarding world.
“Mr. Potter, what an honor! I’m Dan Moseley.” The inquisitor shook his hand most excitedly, while the other man smiled tightly. “We’ve never met, but I work in the Ministry also. I think you’re great. Visiting Cell 396? She’s not worth the trouble. Bit of a nutcase, really.”
“I think I can handle her.”
“If there’s anyone who can get answers from her, it’s you Mr. Potter.” The inquisitor chuckled. “Keep your distance. She gets violent.”
Harry Potter tipped his head and continued on.
- - -
Cell 396 was padded, and its occupant was bound magically to one of the walls. Her forehead was bruised and her cheek cut with scarred over wounds. All self-inflicted, he was told.
Harry approached her slowly, but she didn’t respond at all. Eyes shut and even breathing. If he wasn’t aware that the inquisitor recently left, he’d be convinced of her slumber. He bent down to eye level, searching her face. Unwilling to touch her, Harry gently blew the hair out of her face.
She started violently and, before he could do anything about it, she slammed her forehead against his, knocking him to the ground.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME NOW? I’LL TEAR YOU APART, I SWEAR IT-,“ she stopped short. “…Potter?”
“Parkinson,” he replied, cradling his head.
She appeared breathless for a second before asking tersely, “What do you want?”
For a moment, Harry didn’t know where to begin; he was caught up in seeing her face to face for the first time in over three years. What did he want? He wanted to turn back time, he wanted their banter, he wanted to kiss her, he wanted something different than the reality that he was dealt.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Well, you’re seeing me.”
There was a contest of eyes, of stillness, of silence.
“I don’t understand you.”
“What’s there to understand? You won. I lost. Life goes on.”
“Not yours. They’ll give you the Kiss if you don’t cooperate. You don’t have to die here, Pansy.”
“But I will. It’s my choice.”
He pulled her in for a kiss, but she turned away.
“No, Harry. Not even you could convince me otherwise.”
“You’ll die. Is that what you want?” he asked angrily.
“I’ve only ever wanted one thing, Harry. And I couldn’t have it. Death would be better than any other life I could lead.”
Harry sighed and made his way to the exit. “Then this is goodbye.”
#6
Title: A Thestral's A Horse (Of Course, Of Course!)
Author: laiksmarei
Word Count: 490
Rating: G
Warning: None
“Ughh, ruddy beasts! Show yourselves!”
Harry halted his trek into the Forbidden Forest, eyes wide with surprise. He’d assumed he was alone under the cover of night as he admired the stars. He parted the thicket of bushes to discover Pansy Parkinson standing in the clearing. Harry’s gaze darted from the shadows between the tall, looming trees, then back to Pansy. What is she doing here?
“I know you’re here. I can hear your snuffling.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out treacle tarts. She tossed them randomly on the ground. “I brought treats,” she said with false sweetness, reaching toward the sound of shifting leaves, only to come up empty handed.
Harry pushed through the vegetation to stand behind her. “They don’t like pudding,” he said softly, so not to scare them. “They like raw meat.”
Pansy’s shoulders stiffened, but she kept her back to him, continuing to grasp at nothing. “I don’t recall asking your advice, Potter.”
“Keep grabbing out like that, and you’re likely to draw back with a nasty bite.”
She jerked her hands away from where she’d been reaching, repeatedly turning them over to check for signs of injury. “Why would they do that?”
“Because you’re annoying.”
Pansy snapped her head in his direction, eyes narrowed.
“Erm, right, what I meant to say was you’re annoying them,” he amended quickly, nodding as if to reassure both of them. “They don’t like to be approached by strangers. They prefer to come to you.”
She huffed and flipped her hair. “Shouldn’t you be taking tea with the great sobbing giant?”
He merely chuckled at her rudeness. “No, that’s on Thursday. You’re welcome to come if you like, but I’d suggest bringing an umbrella. It helps for when Hagrid starts reminiscing.”
She whipped around then, her hands fixed sassily on her hips. “As if I would be caught dead in that half-breed’s hovel with the saviour of the wizarding world,” she sniffed. “Returning here for my seventh year was bad enough. I don’t need any further assistance ruining my reputation, thank you very much.”
“And here I thought I was being nice, helpful even.” Harry shrugged his shoulders. “I guess what they say is true: you can lead a horse to water …”
Pansy cocked her head to the side. “What are you on about?”
“You know, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him, or rather, her drink.”
“Thestral.”
“Horse,” he insisted.
“Thestral.”
“Horse, thestral, unicorn, it’s all the same.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You’re very peculiar, Potter.”
“It’s an old saying.”
“Muggle, no doubt,” she said, her nose wrinkled.
“There are dozens more like it. A rolling stone gathers no moss, a broken clock is right twice a day. I could go one and on.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t if it’s all the same.”
“Well, if you change your mind-”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
#7
Title: For the Sake of Remembering
Author: somandalicious
Word Count: 499
Rating: G
Warning: None
He kept calling her Pansy. Pansy, Pansy, Pansy. “Pansy, don’t you remember anything; don’t you remember me?” No. She didn’t, thank you very much, and she wasn’t entirely certain her name was Pansy either.
They told her she fell and bumped her head, and that all the king’s horses and all his men wouldn’t put her together again. Personally, she didn’t think she needed fixing; she was as healthy as a hummingbird. The healers were crackers if they thought a stranger with green eyes and a lightning bolt scar was going to change her world.
Turns out he-Harry, he insisted upon being called-suffered from a terminal disorder where he had the perpetual impulse to save the day. It was slightly endearing but mostly annoying because he pushed at her constantly.
He gave her a photograph album, promising she’d find friends, but all she saw was a plethora of unrecognizable faces floating around her in a warped illusion of familiarity.
Then there was the Pensieve debacle. He used the prettiest words and the sweetest phrases to coax her in, but she was nobody’s fool; she refused to do more than thumb her nose at it and accused him of trying to drown her. His only response was a frustrated growl before he grabbed her face and quite unexpectedly kissed her. The world wobbled in a sensational blur around her, and it held all the magic, all the brand new-ness of a first kiss. What surprised her most was how it was second nature to him. As if he’d met her lips a thousand times and knew the taste of her mouth better than his own.
It was the pivotal moment of all, really. Above all else, this made her acknowledge that she had lost an important piece of her being. Her past. After that, she welcomed his attempts to help her gain it back again.
However, months passed without her ever finding an original memory. As the sun set on another gathering at the Burrow, she relaxed on a tree’s swing whilst Harry lounged at its trunk. The only sounds around them were the children playing in the garden, chasing each other hither and thither. She never wanted to forget this moment.
Then someone shouted, “He’s there, grab him!”
Suddenly, she was overcome with a deluge of memories. All of it; the good and bad. She remembered her friends and family, the moment she wanted Harry Potter for her own, their real first kiss, moving in together… She stood abruptly and he followed suit, begging to know what was wrong. With tears in her eyes she told him she remembered their argument and falling down the steps in her haste to get away and think. She remembered it all and why, oh why, after all the horrible things she’s done, did he love her?
With an exuberant grin, he pulled her into his arms. “Because I do,” he said before kissing her, and her world finally righted itself.
Poll Round 1 Challenge 4 Voting
Voting ends Tuesday, April 14th at 11:59 PM EST!
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.
Okay, that's plenty of babble, onto the drabbles!
Prompt: Based on the saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
Word Count: 100-499 words
#1
Title: Stupid Horse
Author: ayane_tsurugi
Word Count: 346
Rating: G
Warning: Literalness?
I was starting to get irritated. I’d never thought it was possible to be irritated at a unicorn, but apparently I was the exception. I gripped the rope it was tied to until my hand ached, and my foot tapped anxiously on the grass as I watched it continue to look around at nothing in particular.
“Oh, come on, you stupid horse! Just drink the water! I have to take care of you, it’s part of the bloody assignment!”
I jumped when I heard someone behind me laugh. I hadn’t known someone was watching me, and I honestly didn’t care as long as it wasn’t the professor. Or, that’s what I told myself until I turned around and saw Potter standing not four feet from me.
“What do you want?”
He looked up at me, his expression somewhat nervous. “Er…nothing, really.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, then feel free to find someone else with an uncooperative assignment to annoy.”
He walked closer and ran his hand along the unicorn’s back. Professor What’s Her Face, Grubby Planks or something, had told the boys to keep out of the way for this lesson, but it wasn’t as though any of the others were listening either. Draco had been messing with Granger’s from the start.
“You know,” he said, “you’d probably do better with him if you didn’t call him a horse. And if you stopped that twitchy foot thing you have going.”
I glared at him and my foot stopped tapping. “What do you want, Potter?”
He just stood still for a second, looking thoughtful. “I’m not entirely sure, actually. I just wanted to come over here.” He paused, then grinned a lopsided grin. “You’re kind-of beautiful when you’re angry.”
In what Draco would later call a miracle worthy of a national holiday, I was speechless. Whatever sarcastic retort that had been building dissipated. It was a strange feeling; sarcasm was my primary language.
Thankfully, I was saved my response as, just as I opened my mouth, the unicorn moved forward and ducked his head for a drink.
#2
Title: To Catch a Thief
Author: floorcoaster
Word Count: 493
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Note: Inspired by Oceans 12.
Harry Potter sat still as a stone in the Louvre, waiting. The museum was dark and empty, quiet as a tomb. This mission was the culmination of two years of dedication, research, small triumphs and near-misses. The thief was bound to strike; the bait had been set.
Deep in his gut, Harry knew for whom he was waiting, but he also hoped-prayed, begged-that he was wrong. Since the day she’d bumped into him in the street and stolen his money bag-which she’d later returned, over lunch-they’d been playing a kind of game.
When a diamond bracelet was inexplicable stolen from a jewelry store, the Ministry thought magic was involved and put Harry on the case. Since then, he’d pursued the thief, who’d grown bolder and more daring, always getting close enough to know just how far he was from catching him-or her.
Until now.
Like water tumbling over a cliff, someone smoothly sat beside him. The sweet scent of jasmine wafted through the air, and Harry’s heart sank. Wordlessly he reached over and pulled the hood off, revealing Pansy’s dark, luxurious curls.
“Pansy,” he groaned. “I’ve been talking about this night for months! Why are you here?”
“You didn’t say you’d be here,” she said just before kissing him.
It was fierce, demanding, and desperate, and he momentarily forgot about everything but her. She slowly ran her hands down his chest, and when her long, nimble fingers reached his belt, he groaned and grabbed her arms. “Pansy. You’re in real trouble.”
“I haven’t done anything,” she said innocently. “Yet.”
Harry gently pushed her away, breathing hard. “You came, though. You’re here to steal … that.” He pointed at the object encased in pressure-sensitive glass.
Pansy didn’t take her eyes off his. “Harry, I … there’s something I’ve been wanting to say. I’ve been trying to work up the courage.”
He sighed impatiently. “You can break into the most famous museum in the world, but you have to work up the guts to tell me something?”
She nodded, meeting his gaze with fear and triumph in her eyes. “The truth, Harry Potter, is that I-I love you. I came here to tell you that. All I want is you.”
In almost two years, she had never said those words, despite the many times he had. “Really? This is over?”
She nodded, almost shyly.
“You said you didn’t know I’d be here.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I said you didn’t say you’d be here.” She kissed him again, brutally and briefly. “I’ll see you at home.”
Before he could protest, she was gone, flitting through the shadows on her way out. When the night watch was over, he went directly home. Pansy was curled in their bed, resting peacefully. It looked as though she’d been there all night. He sat down, and she stirred.
“Did you catch your thief?” she asked sleepily.
He crawled in, pulling her close. “Yes, I think I did.”
#3
Title: Waterloo
Author: pokeystar
Word Count: 496
Rating: PG
Warning: none
Pansy and Harry sat at the bar in the Leaky Cauldron and watched Ron get rejected for the seventh time that night. Ever since Hermione Malfoy-Granger had returned from her honeymoon, she had been on a crusade to improve unity in the wizarding world and secure lifelong happiness for her circle of friends. ‘What else did we fight for?’ she would ask when any objections were raised.
That she’d hit on a solution both successful and efficient surprised no one, least of all her doting husband. In fact, Pansy was certain he was backing the scheme. In two years, she’d heard the bridal march so often she hummed it in her sleep. And the roster of newlyweds was rather impressive: Gregory Goyle and Susan Bones, Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini, Luna Lovegood and Theo Nott, Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott, Millicent Bulstrode and Ernie Macmillan-the list went on and on from there.
But then Hermione had met her Waterloo in the form of one Ronald Weasley. Pansy silently snorted. Really, it wasn’t like the swot didn’t have firsthand knowledge of the Weasel’s unique blend of tactlessness, immaturity and complete inability to quit while he was ahead.
Pansy sipped her butterbeer and snorted again, this time audibly. Ron’s current target had just left a visible handprint on his right cheek. Harry glanced over at her and they rolled their eyes together.
“This is impossible,” Harry grunted.
“Agreed,” replied Pansy. “That idiotic book of his didn’t work. And neither did Zabini’s expert lessons. Why on Earth did she think we’d be able to help?”
“She thought he’d have a better chance in the bars and we’re her only single friends left to play wingman.” Harry shrugged. “Hermione has a tough time giving up on anything. At least you’re not stuck here with Zacharias Smith or Cormac McLaggen.”
“Merlin forbid!” Pansy exclaimed while shuddering. “Relatively speaking, you’re fantastic company.” She sighed at his hurt look. “Harry, surely you know that’s Slytherin speak for best friends forever.”
He took a deep breath. “Just friends?” he asked as his finger stroked her inner wrist.
She closed her eyes, trying valiantly to ignore the tingles skittering up her arm. “If we do this, she’ll be insufferable.”
An uneasy silence stretched awkwardly between them as certain coincidences occurred to them independently.
“Bugger!” he breathed and his finger dropped away.
A favorite expression of Draco’s, having to do with birds and stones, flitted through Pansy’s brain.
The Malfoys really would be unbearable. Next thing they knew, they’d be attending the Snape-Trelawny nuptials.
They were both grateful for the distinct sound of a smack echoing through the nearly empty pub.
“That makes nine,” Tom the bartender noted.
Pansy and Harry stood, putting their cloaks on. Ron stalked by them without a word, headed for the Floo. They turned to follow when Tom cleared his throat.
“See you next Tuesday, then?” he asked with a grin.
Harry and Pansy’s only response was a heartfelt groan.
#4
Title: Going In Blind
Author: little_dollface
Word Count: 322
Rating: PG
Warning: none
“Another drink, Mr. Potter?”
Harry waved off the bartender and continued staring at her through the crowed restaurant. She checked her make up in the mirror for what seemed like the hundredth time. He noticed how each time she adjusted the delicate yellow flower in her hair, making sure it was visible.
Harry still couldn’t believe he’d allowed Hermione to set him up on a blind date like this. She had just seemed so happy to focus on someone else’s love life after her horrible break up with Ron, so he had consented.
Clearly, he should have pushed more, but Hermione had insisted on being mysterious. The picture she had painted of this anonymous woman had sounded nearly perfect to him. But now he knew exactly what game Hermione had been playing. Pansy Parkinson was the last witch he’d ever expected to show up.
When he had first seen her all the nasty memories of school had poured into his head making his stomach churn. He had nursed his disappointment at the bar and he was now officially thirty minutes late. Any minute she would get up and leave. He expected her to look angry at being stood up, but she seemed a bit heartbroken.
Hermione must have told her who she was meeting as he hadn’t been required to wear anything special. He felt uneasy leaving her there, to assume that he didn’t think she wasn’t worth his effort.
Harry was disheartened. He hadn’t realized just how much he had been looking forward to this date.
Pansy grabbed her bag and headed quickly to the exit. It was now or never. He stood up and practically ran to stop her.
“Pansy, wait,” he said, trying to think of a decent reason for being so late.
He began stammering his excuses like a fool. Hesitantly, as if she was trying to determine his sincerity she smiled slowly. “Well, Potter, it’s about time.”
#5
Title: Cell 396
Author: lylianf
Word Count: 499
Rating: PG
Warning: No happy endings
Cell 396 was being uncooperative. If the inquisitor didn’t know better, he would say that she wanted to receive the Dementor’s Kiss. But who in their right mind would want that? He involuntarily shuddered.
Exiting the interrogation room, the inquisitor left her in a right mess. All her fault of course-throwing tantrums like a madwoman. It was the worse kind, because there was no hint of madness in her. His lingering thoughts were distracted by the passing of the most famous face in the Wizarding world.
“Mr. Potter, what an honor! I’m Dan Moseley.” The inquisitor shook his hand most excitedly, while the other man smiled tightly. “We’ve never met, but I work in the Ministry also. I think you’re great. Visiting Cell 396? She’s not worth the trouble. Bit of a nutcase, really.”
“I think I can handle her.”
“If there’s anyone who can get answers from her, it’s you Mr. Potter.” The inquisitor chuckled. “Keep your distance. She gets violent.”
Harry Potter tipped his head and continued on.
- - -
Cell 396 was padded, and its occupant was bound magically to one of the walls. Her forehead was bruised and her cheek cut with scarred over wounds. All self-inflicted, he was told.
Harry approached her slowly, but she didn’t respond at all. Eyes shut and even breathing. If he wasn’t aware that the inquisitor recently left, he’d be convinced of her slumber. He bent down to eye level, searching her face. Unwilling to touch her, Harry gently blew the hair out of her face.
She started violently and, before he could do anything about it, she slammed her forehead against his, knocking him to the ground.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME NOW? I’LL TEAR YOU APART, I SWEAR IT-,“ she stopped short. “…Potter?”
“Parkinson,” he replied, cradling his head.
She appeared breathless for a second before asking tersely, “What do you want?”
For a moment, Harry didn’t know where to begin; he was caught up in seeing her face to face for the first time in over three years. What did he want? He wanted to turn back time, he wanted their banter, he wanted to kiss her, he wanted something different than the reality that he was dealt.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Well, you’re seeing me.”
There was a contest of eyes, of stillness, of silence.
“I don’t understand you.”
“What’s there to understand? You won. I lost. Life goes on.”
“Not yours. They’ll give you the Kiss if you don’t cooperate. You don’t have to die here, Pansy.”
“But I will. It’s my choice.”
He pulled her in for a kiss, but she turned away.
“No, Harry. Not even you could convince me otherwise.”
“You’ll die. Is that what you want?” he asked angrily.
“I’ve only ever wanted one thing, Harry. And I couldn’t have it. Death would be better than any other life I could lead.”
Harry sighed and made his way to the exit. “Then this is goodbye.”
#6
Title: A Thestral's A Horse (Of Course, Of Course!)
Author: laiksmarei
Word Count: 490
Rating: G
Warning: None
“Ughh, ruddy beasts! Show yourselves!”
Harry halted his trek into the Forbidden Forest, eyes wide with surprise. He’d assumed he was alone under the cover of night as he admired the stars. He parted the thicket of bushes to discover Pansy Parkinson standing in the clearing. Harry’s gaze darted from the shadows between the tall, looming trees, then back to Pansy. What is she doing here?
“I know you’re here. I can hear your snuffling.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out treacle tarts. She tossed them randomly on the ground. “I brought treats,” she said with false sweetness, reaching toward the sound of shifting leaves, only to come up empty handed.
Harry pushed through the vegetation to stand behind her. “They don’t like pudding,” he said softly, so not to scare them. “They like raw meat.”
Pansy’s shoulders stiffened, but she kept her back to him, continuing to grasp at nothing. “I don’t recall asking your advice, Potter.”
“Keep grabbing out like that, and you’re likely to draw back with a nasty bite.”
She jerked her hands away from where she’d been reaching, repeatedly turning them over to check for signs of injury. “Why would they do that?”
“Because you’re annoying.”
Pansy snapped her head in his direction, eyes narrowed.
“Erm, right, what I meant to say was you’re annoying them,” he amended quickly, nodding as if to reassure both of them. “They don’t like to be approached by strangers. They prefer to come to you.”
She huffed and flipped her hair. “Shouldn’t you be taking tea with the great sobbing giant?”
He merely chuckled at her rudeness. “No, that’s on Thursday. You’re welcome to come if you like, but I’d suggest bringing an umbrella. It helps for when Hagrid starts reminiscing.”
She whipped around then, her hands fixed sassily on her hips. “As if I would be caught dead in that half-breed’s hovel with the saviour of the wizarding world,” she sniffed. “Returning here for my seventh year was bad enough. I don’t need any further assistance ruining my reputation, thank you very much.”
“And here I thought I was being nice, helpful even.” Harry shrugged his shoulders. “I guess what they say is true: you can lead a horse to water …”
Pansy cocked her head to the side. “What are you on about?”
“You know, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him, or rather, her drink.”
“Thestral.”
“Horse,” he insisted.
“Thestral.”
“Horse, thestral, unicorn, it’s all the same.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You’re very peculiar, Potter.”
“It’s an old saying.”
“Muggle, no doubt,” she said, her nose wrinkled.
“There are dozens more like it. A rolling stone gathers no moss, a broken clock is right twice a day. I could go one and on.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t if it’s all the same.”
“Well, if you change your mind-”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
#7
Title: For the Sake of Remembering
Author: somandalicious
Word Count: 499
Rating: G
Warning: None
He kept calling her Pansy. Pansy, Pansy, Pansy. “Pansy, don’t you remember anything; don’t you remember me?” No. She didn’t, thank you very much, and she wasn’t entirely certain her name was Pansy either.
They told her she fell and bumped her head, and that all the king’s horses and all his men wouldn’t put her together again. Personally, she didn’t think she needed fixing; she was as healthy as a hummingbird. The healers were crackers if they thought a stranger with green eyes and a lightning bolt scar was going to change her world.
Turns out he-Harry, he insisted upon being called-suffered from a terminal disorder where he had the perpetual impulse to save the day. It was slightly endearing but mostly annoying because he pushed at her constantly.
He gave her a photograph album, promising she’d find friends, but all she saw was a plethora of unrecognizable faces floating around her in a warped illusion of familiarity.
Then there was the Pensieve debacle. He used the prettiest words and the sweetest phrases to coax her in, but she was nobody’s fool; she refused to do more than thumb her nose at it and accused him of trying to drown her. His only response was a frustrated growl before he grabbed her face and quite unexpectedly kissed her. The world wobbled in a sensational blur around her, and it held all the magic, all the brand new-ness of a first kiss. What surprised her most was how it was second nature to him. As if he’d met her lips a thousand times and knew the taste of her mouth better than his own.
It was the pivotal moment of all, really. Above all else, this made her acknowledge that she had lost an important piece of her being. Her past. After that, she welcomed his attempts to help her gain it back again.
However, months passed without her ever finding an original memory. As the sun set on another gathering at the Burrow, she relaxed on a tree’s swing whilst Harry lounged at its trunk. The only sounds around them were the children playing in the garden, chasing each other hither and thither. She never wanted to forget this moment.
Then someone shouted, “He’s there, grab him!”
Suddenly, she was overcome with a deluge of memories. All of it; the good and bad. She remembered her friends and family, the moment she wanted Harry Potter for her own, their real first kiss, moving in together… She stood abruptly and he followed suit, begging to know what was wrong. With tears in her eyes she told him she remembered their argument and falling down the steps in her haste to get away and think. She remembered it all and why, oh why, after all the horrible things she’s done, did he love her?
With an exuberant grin, he pulled her into his arms. “Because I do,” he said before kissing her, and her world finally righted itself.
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