Remembering Is Blessing
Title: Remembering Is Blessing
Author: starduchess
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100 and 300
Warnings: angst, ghosts
A/N: Written for dmhgchallenge October 2013 prompt: Shrieking Shack. I initially wrote 300 words to fill the scene and then paired it down. I think the 300 tells more, so I'm including both here.
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100 word version
Draco watched as Hermione knelt in the Shrieking Shack, produced a wreath of white flowers, and laid it down against a dusty wall.
“Here’s where Professor Snape died,” she said.
Draco stayed still. He didn’t say anything but kept vigil with her.
After a time she stood and turned to him. “Want to go for some tea? I find it helps afterwards.”
He felt awkward around her, their grief over Snape different. But this place felt creepy, and he could use the company. “Sure.”
As they left, a spirit in black robes appeared and blessed the couple on their way.
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300 word version
Draco noticed Hermione walk to the edge of the main open lawn, away from the other mourners. Not that there were many. It had been seventeen years since the war and only the most dedicated family members came to the memorial anymore. He still came to remember Vincent. He’d never paid attention to the others before, though.
She wasn’t looking at the memorial or Hogwarts, just stood there for a long time. Eventually Potter came around the corner and nodded at her. Draco sneered at him, though no one noticed. Hermione nodded in return, then headed off in the direction he’d come. Draco followed.
They came to a rickety old shack and she went in without hesitation. Again he followed, making himself silent. She stopped in a dusty room, which held no adornment except for a few rotten boxes. She knelt by a spot on the wall, and he was convinced she had gone daft, but then she produced a wreath of white flowers and placed it along the wall, right next to a red rose that he’d missed seeing before.
“I know you followed me, Malfoy,” she said, which caused him to jump. “This is where Professor Snape died. He did so much for us, some things which we don’t even know.”
Having been called out, Draco stepped forward beside her and crouched down. He didn’t say anything but kept vigil with her.
After a time she stood up and turned to him. “Want to go for some tea? I find it helps afterwards.”
He felt awkward around her, but he admitted, at least to himself, that he hated memorials. And this place felt even creepier. “Sure, Granger. Lead the way.”
As they left the shack, a spirit in black robes appeared and blessed the couple on their way.
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Author: starduchess
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100 and 300
Warnings: angst, ghosts
A/N: Written for dmhgchallenge October 2013 prompt: Shrieking Shack. I initially wrote 300 words to fill the scene and then paired it down. I think the 300 tells more, so I'm including both here.
--
100 word version
Draco watched as Hermione knelt in the Shrieking Shack, produced a wreath of white flowers, and laid it down against a dusty wall.
“Here’s where Professor Snape died,” she said.
Draco stayed still. He didn’t say anything but kept vigil with her.
After a time she stood and turned to him. “Want to go for some tea? I find it helps afterwards.”
He felt awkward around her, their grief over Snape different. But this place felt creepy, and he could use the company. “Sure.”
As they left, a spirit in black robes appeared and blessed the couple on their way.
--
300 word version
Draco noticed Hermione walk to the edge of the main open lawn, away from the other mourners. Not that there were many. It had been seventeen years since the war and only the most dedicated family members came to the memorial anymore. He still came to remember Vincent. He’d never paid attention to the others before, though.
She wasn’t looking at the memorial or Hogwarts, just stood there for a long time. Eventually Potter came around the corner and nodded at her. Draco sneered at him, though no one noticed. Hermione nodded in return, then headed off in the direction he’d come. Draco followed.
They came to a rickety old shack and she went in without hesitation. Again he followed, making himself silent. She stopped in a dusty room, which held no adornment except for a few rotten boxes. She knelt by a spot on the wall, and he was convinced she had gone daft, but then she produced a wreath of white flowers and placed it along the wall, right next to a red rose that he’d missed seeing before.
“I know you followed me, Malfoy,” she said, which caused him to jump. “This is where Professor Snape died. He did so much for us, some things which we don’t even know.”
Having been called out, Draco stepped forward beside her and crouched down. He didn’t say anything but kept vigil with her.
After a time she stood up and turned to him. “Want to go for some tea? I find it helps afterwards.”
He felt awkward around her, but he admitted, at least to himself, that he hated memorials. And this place felt even creepier. “Sure, Granger. Lead the way.”
As they left the shack, a spirit in black robes appeared and blessed the couple on their way.
--