Monthly Drabble Challenges - 2006

[Magical Maeve]

Next up for your drabbling pleasure is the strict and
solid Professor Minerva McGonagall.

Once again, you are required to explore any aspect of
this much-loved character. Her history, her family, her
teaching style, her possible past loves, her
relationship with Dumbledore -- anything goes with these
drabbles. Just make it accurate and interesting!


And the rules...

Drabbles must be between 100 and 499 words.

All MNFF's normal standards apply, including grammar,
spelling and formatting. Points may be deducted for
badly presented drabbles.

You can earn 5 points for your house for entering no
matter how many drabbles you post. The winner will be
awarded an additional 20 house points, second place 15
and third 10.

Challenge closes June 5th. (I'm on holiday the first
week in June, so you get an extra week with this. )


Use this form...

Author Name:
House: [you must enter this or you will not gain points]

Title:
Word length:
Warnings:


If you have any questions, please ask them in the "The
Question Corner" thread, NOT this one. This is for the
drabbles only.

And if you have any questions, get them in before May
29th. Any asked after that date won't be answered.

[HermyRox12]

Author Name: HermyRox12
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Fall Teacher
Word length: 335
Warnings: None

“Come in, Minerva,” beckoned Albus Dumbledore. They were in the Three Broomsticks. It was the fall, and Hogwarts was short of a Transfiguration teacher. The previous Transfiguration teacher happened to be Albus, who was now the Headmaster.

“I’m here for my interview. I wish to be the Transfiguration teacher.” Minerva informed the man. Dumbledore had a small grin placed on his face, and a twinkle in his eyes. His half-moon spectacles magnified this.

“When I looked over your application, you seemed to be just the person I was looking for. Plus, you are the only chance we have. I’m to busy, and you are the only one who wanted the job. So, tell me what got you interested in this position,” elucidated Dumbledore.
“Well, when I was about five, I saw my father transfigure a bowl into a pillow, and asked him all about it. He explained it to me, and I fell in love with the subject. When I attended Hogwarts, it was easily my favorite subject. During my fifth year, I knew that I would work for the schools, and that would be my job. I was excited when I heard the position would be open.

“My love of teaching came when I was ten. My little brother, Michael, asked me a question about playing the violin, and I taught him how to play. I loved it. I tend to be strict because of my Head Girl duties in seventh year. I took every rule seriously, and became strict in that order. I’m not afraid to take a decent amount of points from anyone.” She finished the outline of her love for teaching with a sigh.

“I believe you got yourself a job. Oh, and one more favor, if you don’t mind,” he added, “Would you mind becoming the Gryffindor Head of House? I know it is a bit sudden, but once again, that job needs to be filled.”

Minerva beamed. “I would love to. Thank you!” And without another word, she left.

[Sneaky_Rhae]

Author Name: Sneaky_Rhae
House: Ravenclaw
Title: The End of an Era
Word length: 454
Warnings: A little dark...

Mallory Wentwood began her shift at the Shady Acres Constant Care Home the same way she always did, with a quick check of all of the patients on her wing. Mr. Daniels was busy trying to flirt with Ms. Seale while Mr. MacDonald was trying to take apart the television. Mallory checked on the few patients that kept to their rooms and headed for the end of the hall and a very special patient. The woman in room 315 never spoke and rarely even acknowledged that anyone was in the room with her. Still, Mallory could tell that there was something about her, and she had become dear to Mallory.

As Mallory stepped into the woman’s room, she remembered the day that she had shown up at the front door of the facility. She had been wearing odd clothes and had looked terrified. No one knew where she had come from or who she was so they had cleaned her up and made her comfortable. The nurses thought that someone might report her missing in the next couple of days and then the woman would be back where she belonged. Weeks went by and no one ever came looking for the woman. Eventually, Mallory had thought it wrong for her to not have a name. She never could have known that the name she chose, Minnie, would be so close to the truth.

Mallory checked the old woman’s vital signs. Minnie was strong, her heart beat with the strength of someone half Minnie's age and her body was in good shape, but she never got up out of the bed. Mallory could tell that Minnie had once been tall, but time in the bed had taken its toll and she was now permanently almost bent in half. Strange things often happened around Minnie as well. One day, the lights in her room had flickered for half an hour and another time, the glass of water on the table next to the bed had shattered. Still, Mallory spoke to Minnie as if they were carrying on a conversation and sometimes Mallory could almost hear her speaking back.

Mallory Wentwood could never have known that the woman she had come to care for had been a witch. There was no way that Mallory could have known that her Minnie had once been one of the strongest members of the Wizarding World. She also couldn’t have known the horrors that Minerva McGonagall had witnessed that had destroyed that world and left Minerva as the sole survivor. The last thing Mallory could never have known is that Minerva McGonagall was grateful for her care, and that had things been different, Minerva would have been her Transfiguration professor.

[the nutty imp]

Author Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Trust
Word length: 364
Warnings: HBP Spoilers

Steely grey eyes watched from outside as a frail looking woman, lovingly fed a wailing lard-of-a-child. The one that watched from the garden below shook her head for the baby had his bottle just 30 minutes ago. She padded slowly upon the well-manicured lawn, the place looked to be decent enough but it did not felt right. However, Albus Dumbledore does no make mistakes; she trusts the man, he knows what he’s doing. She did not protest as they left young Harry Potter to the Dursleys.

She bowed her head as she tried to discern the strange turn of events; Sirius Black one of her own was the traitor and Albus had vouched for Severus Snape. She would rather believe on Sirius than Severus yet, she trusts the man’s judgment. Accepted one that she had thought to be an enemy as a colleague and turn all thoughts away from her fallen flock.

She watched a young boy from a distance, frail and unsure of himself, an unhappy young man, yet he had his parents’ strong spirit. Harry Potter. Sometimes she wondered if the child would have been better off, and maybe loved with another family. The Dark Lord was dead, he need not the protection of Lily’s bloodline. She reminded herself to trust on Albus as she always had.

Voldermort had returned unable to touch Harry - due to Lily’s spell. Her faith on her mentor’s unfailing wisdom strengthened.

Black was innocent, he had quickly assisted young Harry to orchestrate an escape. It takes a great man to see past his mistake and help to fix it; her faith on him remained.

Her mentor dead, betrayed by Severus, had he made a mistake? A mistake that had cost his life? She realized that the man might had been fallable, yet she still hold great respect for her late mentor. His portrait would continue to watch over her and share some words of wisdom. Yet she now sits on his chair. She knows that the man was not infallible, but he stand by his decisions and accepts its consequence – As she now sits on his former place, she would be doing the same.

[hogwartsduchess]

Author Name: Hogwartsduchess
House: Gryffindor!

Title: Minerva's Dream
Word length: 325
Warnings: dark

A young woman of fifteen sat alone in the Gryffindor common room. She was studying her Divination homework. I can’t believe I ever took this ridiculous subject. Thank goodness I can give it up next year, she mused.

Her planetary chart was nearly completed, and she was entering the final planet, Saturn. She stopped for a moment, confused. If she was interpreting the chart correctly, she was supposed to have the makings of a true Seer. Ha! she thought, highly amused. As far as she was concerned, Divination was the most useless branch of magic. She settled further into the worn velvet of the wing chair she’d claimed by the fire and sighed.

She drifted into an uneasy dream. There was a boy there, a boy with black hair and pale skin. He was sitting on a worn bed in a bare room. His eyes held a slightly hungry look that scared her – he was staring right at her, and she had the strangest feeling, almost as though he wanted to hurt her.

She woke with a start. How odd, she thought. She knew she’d never met the boy before, but she was frightened of him. Realizing it was nearly midnight, she organized the books in her bag, placed her homework in the front cover of her Divination book and carried it up to her dormitory. She quickly put her pajamas on and crawled between the crimson hangings of her bed.

That night, she dreamt of the boy again. How she knew it was him, she wasn’t sure; he looked nothing like the handsome youth in the room. He was an adult, still pale, but his eyes had turned red, with cat-like pupils, and his nose had flattened into a pair of snake-like slits. In her dream, he turned to another man and performed a curse she’d never seen before. She awoke screaming.

The other man in the dream was her Transfiguration Professor, Albus Dumbledore.

[dreatonkslupin]

Author Name: Dreatonkslupin here on the boards, Drea on MNFF
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Dumbledore's Offer
Word length: 495
Warnings: None

Seventeen year old Minerva McGonagall sat pouring over her Transfiguration notes in the library. Her N.E.W.T. for the class was the next day and she wanted to get the best possible score.

She heard soft footsteps behind her, and she turned to see Walburga Black walking towards her. Walburga was fairly thin with black hair (which suited her considering her last name) and her skin was almost a yellowish color. She was in Slytherin and not very nice to Minerva.

“What are you doing there, Minnie?” she sneered. She knew that Minerva hated to be called that.

“Studying,” Minerva coolly replied. Just ignore her and she’ll go away, she thought.

Walburga lifted a piece of parchment that Minerva was looking over. Minerva bit her lip to keep from doing something she would more than likely regret doing later.

“You should be in Ravenclaw, Minnie. There are a lot of freaks there, including your sister,” she sneered.

Minerva jumped out of her chair. “You leave Malvina out of this,” she whispered maliciously.

“Or what? You and your freak of a sister will come and get me?” Walburga snickered.

Minerva snapped. She whipped her wand out, flicked it, and where Walburga should have been, there was a small white ferret.

“Miss McGonagall,” came a soft male voice.

Minerva’s heart dropped. She turned around to see Professor Dumbledore standing there looking over his half-moon glasses.

“Professor…”

“Is that Miss Black?”

Minerva nodded her head silently.

Dumbledore flicked his wand, and Walburga was back to normal. She gave Minerva a look, and stomped from the library.

“I’m afraid that’s fifteen points from Gryffindor and a detention,” Dumbledore said, placing his wand back in his midnight blue robes.

Minerva nodded silently and started to pack up her things. Dumbledore stepped closer and asked, “Would you mind walking with me to my office? I would like the company, as I hate walking by myself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once out of the library, Dumbledore turned to Minerva. “What do you plan on doing after Hogwarts?”

“I don’t know. Probably get a job at the Ministry.”

“I find the Ministry rather boring. Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher?”

“That would be great, but I don’t think I would make a good teacher.”

“What is this I hear that you are training to become an Animagus?”

Minerva’s jaw dropped. “H-how did you find out about that?”

“The portraits talk,” he smiled and gestured to a portrait in which a maid was listening intently, but when Dumbledore glanced at her, she went back to cleaning.

“Minerva,” he continued, “how would you like to be my apprentice for a few years?”

“I would love to be your apprentice!” she exclaimed.

“That settles it then. Next autumn, you will be employed here at Hogwarts. Now I suggest you go study.”

“Thank you so much, sir!” she exclaimed and ran off.

She has a lot of potential, Dumbledore thought and popped a Chocolate Frog into his mouth.

[Magical Maeve]

And you all thought I'd forgotten!

1st: Starmaiden - Diagonally

2nd: Phoenix5225 - The Invitation

3rd: Gonz - The Moment of Truth

And five points each to Mooncalf and Ginny_W for Her First Dance and It Wasn't Supposed to End Like This. Both were also excellent!

[PansyParkinson]

Author Name: PansyParkinson/BrierRose17
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Vanity, not Vanity
Word length: 305
Warnings: None



Vanity, not Vanity
A thin, frail looking girl no older than 15 sat at her vanity and studied the image in the mirror. Astringent eyes searched the image for …something. Something her mother had. Something her sister had. Something her father had. Something she couldn’t ever seem to find there, in the white, wood framed vanity mirror. Her long nose made her eyes look smaller than they already were. Her lips seemed permenantly posed in an expression of indifference. Her stringy hair that naturally parted at the middle rested against her pallid skin, only elongating her face. The girl turned at the sound of the door creaking open.

“Minerva, what are you doing up? It’s nearly midnight.” Her father walked to her side and rested a hand on her shoulder as he kneeled and looked into the mirror. She looked at his reflection and smiled, weakly. His dark eyes softened.

“I wasn’t tired,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her eyes and turned away from him.

“What were you looking at, just now?” he ventured. Minerva looked back into the mirror. Her father’s eyes met hers in the glass. He smiled adoringly at her. “Do you know what I think would look lovely?” he asked her. She silently nodded her head. “A nice, little bun or braid,” he very ardently suggested. Standing back up, he took one last look at her. He cupped his hand under her jaw and tilted her head back to curtly kiss her hair. She smiled brightly with a certain revere only reserved for him.

He quietly exited the room, being careful not to slam the door. Minerva looked back into the mirror and smiled at her reflection. Pulling her hair back behind her shoulders, she reached for a ribbon to tie it up.

[seamus124]

Author Name: seamus124
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Why dream when you can live?
Word length: 452
Warnings: None




It was a dark, cold night when Minevera McGonagall slept in her study at Hogwarts. The wind blew against the sun doors slamming them shut; the windows explode a loud bang, awakening Minevera from her humble sleep.

“What is it Papa?” Minevera whispers, half asleep. There was no reply.

“Papa?” Minevera said louder, opening her eyes to see her surroundings.

“Oh” she mumbles disappointedly.

A knocking on her door brings Minevera to full consciousness. She spun around to see her oak door opening. A white, curly piece of hair appeared from behind the door.

“What is it you will be wanting tonight? She paused, “Albus”.

The body of this mysterious white chunk of hair because visible. It was Albus Dumbledore.

“Minevera, tonight I come looking for a story: the story of your life. Please enlighten me with the splendours of your childhood, your troubled teens and your naughty fourties”, Albus smiled.

“At this hour? I will not be able to recall all of it; I just have a lack of memory in the family part, how about you get me started, a question if you please,” Minevera said.

Another loud bang went off, Minevera looked behind her to see one of her sun doors had dislodged from its frame and fallen off and collided with the window in the process.

“Minevera I think we have little time as these winds are getting strong and I might have to preform a shield around the school she the students to not get a late night fright. Why did you become a Transfiguration teacher?” Professor Dumbledore asked.

“Albus, this is like questioning why I am a catholic or why you are a Headmaster, it is for the passion of the job. Originally I was quite fond of Herbology. I was a quite achiever in Herbology, not even my parents knew I was good at it until my report card came.

“I wanted to grow up with nature and all of its beauty but my parents convinced me to do transfiguration, supposedly I would ‘like’ it better. In time I grew fond of it, changing things, reversing the affects of nature and rearranging the evolution of animals or plants, Minevera paused. “I guess in the end, my parents made the right choice for me”.

“Minevera, only you can make the right choices…” The oak door of Professor McGonagall’s study burst open before Professor Dumbledore could finish.

“Headmaster, Flitch puffed, there is a first year girl walking around the halls crying”.


“Minevera, we shall finish this another time” Dumbledore gently spoke, bowing slowly before walking out.

Minevera took a deep breath and lent back in her cosy chair and closed her eyes, waiting for that next time.

[miss padfoot]

Author name: miss padfoot
House: Hufflepuff
Title: The Wall That Crumbled
Word Count: 496
Warning: none

Resting against the high-back chair, wearing an emerald-green cloak and an expression that would have made Luna Lovegood proud, her eyes grazed through an official-looking parchment. The expression on her face could not be deciphered even by an Ancient Runes expert for it was neither a smile nor a frown, neither a grin nor a scowl. She was entrapped in a dreamy sort of trance, her eyes unfocussed, her thin lips curled into a vague smile, her hand fiddling with a piece of spare parchment.

Her nostrils flared unexpectedly (indicating that she was relieved of her trance) and her head flicked invariably towards the long line of portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses. Minerva’s eyes rested on the most recent addition, and she heaved a heavy sigh, unconsciously raising a laced handkerchief to blow her nose. The thoughts she had spared for him in the last week alone accounted for more than she had ever spent thinking on him for the rest of her life. He had filled her waking thoughts during the day and visited her amidst blissful fantasies at night. Minerva knew she would never ever meet someone of his calibre for who possessed that twinkle, that aura, that charm in magnanimous quantities? No one will be able to occupy that void, cast light into that darkness. No one.

Her relationship with Albus had been unique, for lack of a better word. Was it friendship? Most certainly. Companionship? Definitely. Love? Sure, but not love in the sense that most took it. It was love born out of care, out of trust, out of faith as opposed to love born out of lust. Whatever had been her relation with Dumbledore, Minerva was certain it had nothing to do with lust. The mere thought urged her to hex everything in the range of her sight, for how could she fall in love (in the sense most took it) with a man almost twice her age? No… Minerva had respected him to the point of worshipping him, but lust… that was out of the question.

Albus had stood by her through happiness and hardships, through troubles and tears, through turmoil and tranquillity, alike. He had been the solid wall she could lean on for rest, for comfort, for support. Now that the wall had crumbled into oblivion, Minerva had lost her crutch. It was like she had lost a limb for she was handicapped, lost without him.

“There, now, Minerva,” said a quiet voice behind her and Minerva heard it, bud didn’t believe. “You know I would have truly left this school – and you – only when none here are loyal to me.”

She whipped around in disbelief to face the portrait.

“Ah, you’re probably wondering how I knew what you were thinking?” said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. He chuckled softly and then heaved a sigh.

“It’s a pity I can’t get hold of a sherbet lemon right now.”

Minerva smiled for the first time in days.

[JaneA]

Author name: JaneA
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Deceptions
Word count: 187
Warnings: none.

I have been in Albus Dumbledore’s office countless times. But only once was I in it alone. And I discovered something I wished I never had.

I saw a bright, silver light shining through an elegant cupboard, and was too curious to let it go by, so I opened it and saw the Pensieve. Regarding it as a completely normal thing, I was about to close the cupboard- afraid, like a little girl, of getting caught –, when I saw an image that caught my attention.

It was a young man, appearing to be Dumbledore, speaking to a girl in a very passionate way. I decided to take a peek in it, and was soon enveloped in the memories of the Hogwarts Headmaster.

“My dear, you can’t go! Remember all we have planned for our future? We’ve talked about it, thousands of times! Why would you leave now, when we have so much ahead of us?” Asked Dumbledore, almost crying at the woman in front of him.

And when Minerva McGonagall left that memory on that fateful day, she made a decision. She would never love again.

[Starmaiden]

Author: Starmaiden
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Minerva
Word Count: 416
Warnings: None

September, 1956

Rosie held her husband’s hand, muffling her sobs in the bedclothes. She had tried everything, all the local remedies, “cures” from far away, magic. She had even asked one of her professors from Hogwarts if there was anything to be done. He had sadly confirmed what she had always known, but never admitted, to be hopeless. This Muggle cancer could not be defeated by magic.

The magic had been so good to her, years ago. It was useless now. She clutched Breannan’s lifeless hand in hers and cried.

*

October

“Mrs. McGonagall, I know this is a shock, coming so soon after your husband’s death. I am sorry.”

Rosie Minerva Lennox McGonagall sat where she had never thought to be again, in the office of the Hogwarts’ Headmaster. The last time, she had spoken to Armando Dippet. Now, it was her old Transfiguration professor who looked seriously at her over half-moon glasses.

“However, I have a request for you. We are in the unusual situation of being one professor short. We have need of a Transfiguration instructor.

“Would you be willing to come back to Hogwarts, to teach? You would start in December, two months from now.”

For twelve years, “Mrs. McGonagall” had been the sweetest name of all. It outshone the “Rosie” of her carefree childhood, the “Minerva” of her eager Hogwarts days. Rosie McGonagall, a Muggle, loved her husband above all else. She had not even missed the magic when she was with Breannan.

But the sheep farm she had loved held no charm without her beloved husband. She was thirty-one. She did not want to live as a Muggle widow for the rest of her long life, alone.

Dumbledore watched her closely. The girl he had known had changed. He had seen her only once since she graduated from Hogwarts, when he had visited her sick husband. He had noticed then the glow that matrimony had given her, a happiness that had not then been masked by grief. That glow was gone now. The strict focus she had had as a determined student had settled into sternness. The quickness had turned to crispness. The happiness of her marriage had faded into despair, channeled become to quiet intractability.

Rosie was thinking. She had loved magic and learning and Hogwarts. She would have loved best to have her husband back, but as she could not –

“I would be honored, Headmaster.”

He nodded, a kind smile on his face. “Welcome back to Hogwarts, Minerva.”

[kumydabookworm]

Author Name: kumydabookworm
House: Gryffindor
Title: Stand Strong
Word length: 488
Warnings: HBP Spoilers

“Hogwarts cannot close! We have been a symbol of strength –”

“Leave your foolish dreams behind, Minerva. Hogwarts was destroyed when the Dark Mark rose high above it. Hogwarts crumbled from within – a betrayal by one of its own students,” Rufus Scrimgeour murmured smugly.

Minerva McGonagall stood in front of a long table, eyeing each school governor. They knew of Hogwarts’ legacy. This simply could not be allowed. She fought away tears – they would think her effeminate and weak – and glared at the Minister of Magic.

“Hogwarts is the only school for our children in all of Britain. Are you suggesting that we send our students elsewhere? Do you think that will help the magical world in a time of despair – to end its learning?”

Scrimgeour scowled. “Are you suggesting, Minerva, that we send our children to a school that cannot be considered safe? Do you think that it would be in our best interests to risk our children’s lives?”

Minerva shouted angrily, “There were no children dead that day! Hogwarts continues to be a safe place for learning! You simply cannot allow Voldemort to intimidate us into narrowing our own minds! That’s exactly what he wants!”

Scrimgeour turned towards the governors and shrugged mockingly. “Evidently, the Professor knows what Voldemort himself wants.” He turned back to Minerva, eyes triumphant. “Perhaps we should ask her where Voldemort is now. Or perhaps she knows why Harry Potter has disappeared.” His voice was poisonous, but she remained silent. She could not afford to make mistakes.

She said coldly, “If you close down Hogwarts, you will open the door for a new Dark Ages. You will allow Voldemort’s propaganda of fear and destruction to take hold in Britain. There will come a new day of ignorance and suppression. If you close down Hogwarts, you will be giving Voldemort an open door to our children.”

The hands slid up and Minerva quickly counted. Nine votes to shut down Hogwarts, three to keep it open – the battle was lost. Oh. Albus. You would have convinced them. I tried my best...but it’s never enough. What will happen to us without you?

She shut her eyes.

There are always people who will stand against you, Minerva. But if you believe in what you stand for, you will fight for it. You must never let them see you hurt or unsure. You must continue to fight until the very end. The battle can always turn.

Albus always knew the words to say. Clenching her jaw, she opened her eyes and nodded curtly at the Minister and the school governors. For students and for herself, she would fight. She would find a way.

She felt stronger than she had in a long time. The resolve and determination that Albus had inspired now flowed freely through her veins. Heart filled with hope, and mind whirling with ideas, she strode out into the sunlight.

Hogwarts must stand strong.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Author Name: Schmerg_The_Impaler
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Repulsion
Word Length:475
Warnings: Character death... but it's canon, it's Myrtle.

It was supposed to have been the best night of her life. Her senior ball, the night that she had dreamed of since her first year. Everything should have been perfect-- she looked beautiful as always, her long black curls cascading down her back over her full-skirted green silk gown, and she had managed to get a date with Tom Riddle, the Head Boy whom she had had her eye on ever since she received her Head Girl badge. She’d been dancing all night, and she was happily exhausted, heading back to her dormitory, when she saw something that froze the blood in her veins. Several white-faced teachers were carrying something covered by a sheet-- mostly covered, that is. A plump hand flopped lifelessly from the side of it. A body. She gasped and collapsed backward…
“Minerva.” Someone had caught her, someone who was tall and strong, whose speaking voice was smooth and polished-sounding. She looked up into the face of Tom, her date for the night. “Minerva, you must be horrified… I was just about to get you. It’s Myrtle Wachselberger, she was found dead in the girls’ restroom.”
Minerva tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn’t obey. A girl had died at Hogwarts… it was unfathomable…
Tom ran his hands comfortingly through her thick locks. “It will be all right,” he whispered, and he cupped her face in his hands, pulling it toward his. Her first kiss… Minerva’s lips parted as she looked up into Tom’s face. But what she saw there shocked her. His handsome, chiseled features seemed almost like those of a statue, his awaiting lips cold and unloving. His beautiful dark, almost black, eyes were hard, not showing a flicker of compassion. They were curiously empty; the heavy black ring that he always wore seemed more alive than they did.
A spasm of disgust ran through Minerva’s slim body, and she pulled away from him, feeling a bizarre repulsion. “What is the matter?” asked Tom. The velvety, precise voice that Minerva had always admired now seemed almost robotic. His mirror-like eyes flicked toward the sheet covered body, and for an instant, they seemed almost alive, lit up from behind by a strange red glow. His upper lip twitched slightly, and Minerva suddenly realized why he seemed so unalive. The Tom Riddle she had known was nothing but a mask, a façade he wore… she couldn’t imagine what could lay behind those deceptively blank eyes.
“What’s the matter? What’s the matter with you?” choked Minerva, and she fled down the hallway, too afraid to look back.
She huddled in her bed in the dormitory that night, unable to sleep. Something was very, very wrong with Tom Riddle… something not quite human.
Minerva had known that it would be a night to remember. She just never dreamed it would be like this.

[Skulblaka]

Author Name: Skulblaka
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Transfiguration of the Mind
Words: 122
Warnings: None

She sat in her first class of the year. Gazing up at the auburn-haired professor with eyes, she wondered, What if this magic really is all that they say it is?

Just then Professor Dumbledore, the handsome Transfiguration Professor, did something that made the whole class gasp in awe; with a wave of his wand, he turned his desk into a pig. Minerva was captured from then on.

For the rest of the class, she hung on to every word he said, watching most carefully, and listening with all her might. This is amazing, she thought. Soon enough I’ll be able to do this too!

Little did she know that her future held the same demonstration, wowing children the same way.

[cherryandphoenixfeather]

Author Name: cherryandphoenixfeather
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Personal Discovery
Word Count: 483
Warnings: None

She sat in the farthest corner of the library, deep in the section entitled Mythology. She had found the book she was looking for.

Minerva...the goddess of knowledge... She smiled as she ran her fingers over the words. She would always be proud to carry this name. It stood for what she was, what she wanted to be, and what she always would be.

"Miss McGonagall."

She started and hastily snapped the book shut. "Professor Dumbledore."

"It's late. Nearly midnight." The Transfiguration professor's eyebrows were raised as he stood at the end of the bookshelves, blocking her exit.

"Yes, Professor, I know." She quickly replaced the book on the shelf and smoothed her robes, trying to collect herself.

"I'm sorry. I'll get to bed."

"What were you reading?" he asked quietly in his deep voice.

"Mythology..."

"That's obvious, Minerva." He smiled.

She debated lying to him, inventing a project for Astronomy, where she had to research the names of planets, and their basis in Greek legend... But this was her favorite teacher; she never could lie to him. "I was...looking up the goddess Minerva, Professor."

His blue eyes twinkled. "I thought that might be the case."

"I've been thinking...about the career advice for fifth years."

He stepped back, and the two began walking towards the library door. "Have you considered what you would like to do?"

"Yes, Professor. I'd like to teach."

He nodded. "You'd like to take my job, you mean."

"Yes, sir-- I mean--" she hastily amended, "once you're no longer teaching, I'd like to teach Transfiguration."

"No longer teaching?"

"The Ministry's considering replacing Professor Dippet as Headmaster," Minerva elaborated. "After Myrtle... and I just thought that you, sir..."

"Would make a fine Headmaster? I'm very honored that you think so, Minerva."

She inclined her head as they began to ascend the first flight of stairs that would eventually leave them at Gryffindor Tower. "Anyways...Minerva was the goddess of knowledge. It seems appropriate to me that I become a teacher."

"And I am sure you would be excellent, Minerva." He glanced at her. "Teachers, however, are examples of rules. I should hardly think that a teacher would be out and about so late."

She flushed slightly. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll understand if you take points."

"Take points from my own prefect? Bite your tongue." He bowed slightly as they reached the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Besides, even perfect examples may break rules when personal discovery is imminent. Good night, Minerva."

"Thank you, sir. Good night." Minerva reached out to awaken the Fat Lady, then stopped and turned back to Dumbledore. "Professor."

He turned back to her, his expression inquiring.

"Why were you out so late, if you don't mind my asking?"

His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. "Personal discovery, my dear." He bowed again and walked away, humming slightly to himself.

A very strange man... Minerva thought with a smile.

[whittyleah]

Author Name: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor
Title: Untitled
Word length: 416
Warnings: None

At the age of thirty-one Minerva McGonagall was working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, as one of the assistants to the Wizengamot. Filing paper work, setting-up the court room for hearings, and taking the minutes of meetings was her job.

She was going stir crazy.

Her job left her wanting more, it wasn't in the least bit intellectually simulating. Sometimes an interesting case would come along and grab her attention, but that was it. There was one good thing about her job though.

Albus Dumbledore.

He had been her Transfiguration teacher. His classes held every students attention. They were mentally challenging in way that made the students want to do better. It had quickly became her favorite subject. And Albus Dumbledore was her favorite teacher.

He was a member of the Wizengamot and was rumored to, possibly, one day head it. He had become the Headmaster of Hogwarts the year before and everyone was already saying he was the best Headmaster in Hogwarts history.

Minerva was a little ashamed to admit it, she had a crush on Albus Dumbledore. He was intelligent, caring, and a little goofy at times, but it fit him, so it was all right.

She saw him once a week. Those days were the ones she looked forward to. It was like clock work, he would get there half an hour before the meeting started and speak with her. One day though, he came even earlier.

"Ah, Miss McGonagall, just the person I was looking for." Albus' voice sounded from above her.

Minerva lifted her head from the paper she had been staring at for the last twenty minutes.

"Professor Dumbledore, how are you?"

"I quite well. I see you're work is...simulating." his blue eyes twinkled.

"Oh, it is very, sir." she said hoping to sound sincere.

"Have you ever thought about a different field of work?"

"All the time." she answered before she could stop the words from coming out of her mouth.

Dumbledore chuckled at her response.

"How would you like to teach?" he asked.

"It would depend on the subject."

"Well then, now that I'm the Headmaster at Hogwarts, we need a new Transfiguration teacher, would you be interested?" he asked with that twinkle never leaving his eyes.

"Yes, I would be very interested!"

Minerva told herself she took the job because she really wanted to teach. But, she also knew that living in the same castle with Albus Dumbledore again was a really good reason too.

[wendelin the wierd]

Name- wendelin the wierd
House- Gryffindor
Title- empty
Length- 353 words
Warnings- CD






Minerva McGonagall looked down at the dusty floor. It was old and cracked, worn by generations of students walking on it, but it still stood, never again returning to it’s former glory. It would never gleam as it once did. It had lost it’s shine

She understood it perfectly. She walked up and down wondering what she had done to deserve this, she had always been a perfect little sister to him. Above all, she loved him. That’s it, she thought angrily, I did nothing to deserve this.

When her classmates had bullied her around or called her an ‘insufferable know-it-all', he had always been there to protect her. Gradually they left her alone. He was her shield against the world and the perfect big brother. He willingly listened and helped her as she poured out her troubled feelings to him. His warm words of comfort and praise were exactly what she had needed, a shoulder to cry on. They had quarreled at times of course but it was quickly made up especially when he had treated her to one of Florence Fortescue’s ice- creams. She had only been twelve then.

She was seventeen now, and this was to be her last year at Hogwarts, the one place which felt like home, the place where both of them had been the most happy, the one place which reminded her of him….

But now he was dead, leaving her alone, with nobody beside her, nobody to comfort her or reassure her that everything would be alright. She was scared.

A door opened softly and Dumbledore quietly walked over to where she stood.

‘Good evening sir.’ Her voice got caught in her throat.

‘Good evening, Minerva,’ he replied his voice carrying a hint of sadness. ‘He was a remarkable young man. I am sorry.’

He was the only one who hadn’t told her that ‘the angels were watching over her brother.’ or that ‘He has moved on to a better place.’ or any of the other useless comments which all her friends had offered her.

He had just said, ‘I am sorry.’

And she knew he meant it.

[Gemma Hawk]

Name: Gemma Hawk
House: Gryffindor
Title: Passion
Word Count: 234 words
Warnings: None!

There is something so sweet about pursuing a passion. It makes you feel as though you’re doing something, as though you’re making a difference for yourself and others. It makes you happy, and you think about it constantly, this passion of yours.

But it is even sweeter to achieve this passion. After years of training and learning, Minerva McGonagall was ready to begin teaching Transfiguration. It had taken her twelve years, but now she was there. Minerva was standing outside the Hogwarts castle, her trunk beside her.

She was, of course, supposed to knock. Headmaster Dumbledore had told her that much.

“Knock and the door will be opened. Once inside you will be directed to my office.”

Minerva just needed to knock. She just needed to raise her hand and tap it against the hard, wooden doors.

So why didn’t she? She asked herself this question, but there seemed to be something life changing about knocking. She wasn’t afraid, not nervous either.

She had to say goodbye to her life as a student here, as someone always striving to become a teacher, to an actual teacher. It was almost frightening to think about.

But what was the point in waiting to knock when she had to get in there at some point?

Raising her hand, she knocked on the door.

And from then on, Minerva didn’t dream of her passion, she lived in it.

[evanescence17]

Author Name: evanescence17
House: Gryffindor
Title: A Mother’s love
Word length: 310
Warnings: None

Note: the starting lines have been taken from CoS (Pg 214)

A Mother's Love
‘Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?’

It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines.

‘We were – we were - ’ Ron stammered, ‘we were going to – to go and see - ’

‘Hermione,’ said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him.

‘We haven’t seen her for ages, Professor,’ Harry went on hurriedly, treading on Ron’s foot, ‘and we thought we’d sneak into the hospital wing, you know and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and, er, not to worry.’

Professor McGonagall was still staring at him, suddenly remembering something she'd hoped she'd forgotten long ago ...

‘Mother, look what I found in the shrubs behind our house,’ he held out his tiny palms and there lay a tiny sapling of an innocent looking plant. ‘Do you think I could use it for my fun potion?’ he asked, unable to contain his excitement.

Minerva smiled as she saw the emerging talents of her nine-year-old son as a potion maker. ‘Sure you can Tony. Just be careful,’ she replied gently.

And she returned to the book she was browsing through: ADVANCED ANIMAGUS. Hardly an hour had passed when she thought she heard a rasping noise.

‘Moth..er..mo…ther,’ came the faint gasps from the backyard. Minerva McGonagall threw away her book in her hurry to go and check if everything all right. But on arriving, a horrible sight greeted her. The cauldron had tumbled down and a garish blue potion was splashed on his torso. Minerva McGonagall had her eyes only for dying son as he gasped for air. ‘Moth..er,’ he whispered, his arms finally falling limply beside him. Minerva ran to his side, but it's too late...

...and for a moment, Harry thought she was going to explode, but when she spoke, it was in a strangely croaky voice.

‘Of course, she said, and Harry was amazed to see a tear glistening in her beady eye. ‘It must have been hardest on the people who are the closest to...'

'...I quite understand…’



This is horribly un-betad, so bear with me...

[Vardy]

Author Name: Vardy
House: Gryffindor

Title: Love Letters From an Unknown Lover
Word length: 324
Warnings: None

Minerva stood in front of the stone gargoyle, wondering why she had come here. Had she gone barmy? She had been getting many gifts over the last week. First, it was flowers, and the next day, chocolates; and then it was tuna. And today…today she had walked into her office and there, on her desk, was an owl carrying a letter… a letter with her name on it in a slightly loopy writing she could not quite place. The letter had asked her to come here, and here she was. She was totally nuts for coming to meet someone she didn’t even know.

Minerva paced the floor and walked in circles; triangles when she got tired of circles. And still nobody came.

She really had gone barmy. She should just take herself to St. Mungo’s and be done with this whole mess. She was about to walk off and send them and owl when she heard a sigh. A sigh that sounded so dejected and sad that she couldn’t help but stop and listen to what came next.

She heard someone talking to…someone from beyond the gargoyle. She gave the password and climbed up the stairs, wondering who she would meet. She came to the beautiful wooden door and leaned against it, trying to hear what would transpire. But the door must have been open because she fell right into the headmaster’s office.

She hurriedly made to stand up, but someone was already there holding her hand, supporting her as she stood. She looked up into the brilliant blue eyes of Headmaster Dumbledore.

“For a minute there, Minerva, I started doubting whether you would come.”

“Oh…” For the first time in a long time, McGonagall was caught completely off her guard. “S- so it was you…” she stuttered, flabbergasted.

“Yes, it was me,” Dumbledore replied, not at all fazed.

“Thank you…but you know I like milk chocolate better than dark.”

“Of course I know.”

[Air Elemental]

Author Name: Air Elemental
House: Gryffindor
Title: A Catty Dream
Word length: 187
Warnings: none

I apologise in advance for the naff ending.

The corridors of Hogwarts were deadly silent, as they should be at midnight. The only sound came from the gentle patter of paws. A tiny shadow rose and shrank as it passed by a lamp, casting eerie darkness onto the walls. To Minerva, the darkness around her formed into visible shapes and furniture. Tonight, Minerva was on a mission.

Something caught her eye. Slowly, she slinked along the floor and hid beside the tapestry on the far wall.

It was her, striding along in that ridiculously frilly nightdress like she owned Hogwarts herself. There was no mistaking that ugly frog-face. Professor Umbridge!

An idea formed in Minerva’s head. An idea that grew and grew until it threatened to make her brain swell. It was so temping, and she could always blame Mrs Norris for it.

As soon as Umbridge’s plump pink foot stepped in reaching distance, Minerva pounced and dug her claws into –

“Minerva!” she was being shaken awake. “Wake up, breakfast’s over.”

“Oh,” Minerva uncurled her arms and rose her head up. Filius was shaking her awake.

Pity, it had been such a satisfying dream too.

[little_kitty]

Author Name: little_kitty
House: Gryffindor
Title: From Silence to a New Discovery...
Word length: 486
Warnings: none

Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk in her office, a pile of wrinkled parchment stacked in front of her. She sighed deeply and slowly turned around in her chair to light a slow-burning fire in the fireplace. She loved to listen to the low, gentle crackling of the burning embers; they helped to create a feeling of warmth in her empty office. If only Albus’ office were closer to hers… then she might not feel so lonely. But that was not the point.

She turned back to face the slightly dishevelled stack of Transfiguration essays that were waiting to be marked. Honey-hued sunlight streamed in through the sparking glass pane that overlooked the Quidditch Pitch. Minerva unscrewed a bottle of ink, taking notice of the slight creaking sound that the cap made with the glass bottle. Every sound, every minute movement – she was aware of them all. Being a tabby cat Animagus, she certainly had sharp senses. Pulling out her quill, she turned her attention to the first sheet of parchment and began to read, filling her mind with her students’ thoughts and research on Cross-Species Switches.

An hour, two hours passed by, and Minerva could only hear three sounds – the rhythmical ticking of the timepiece situated on top of the mantelpiece, the subtle popping of the glowing coals in her fireplace, and the scritch-scratch of her quill as she made corrections and scrawled grades on each essay.

Suddenly, a loud whoosh sound came from her window, nearly causing her to jump out of her seat. All of her concentration had vanished. She could scarcely believe what she had just witnessed: Harry Potter, who was riding on a broomstick, had caught a Remembrall in mid-swerve. Oh, how he had broken school rules! Feeling moderately infuriated that a first-year Gryffindor student would disobey the rules so early on in the year, she began to walk outside onto the Quidditch Pitch, engaging in a mental argument with her conscience along the way. How dare Potter do something so dangerous? On one hand, she was relieved that he didn’t get hurt. But on the other hand, she couldn't ignore the fact that he did break the rules, and he deserved some form of punishment.

As she continued to make her way outside, she realized that she had just witnessed the talent of a potential Seeker. Potter seemed to have inherited his father’s Quidditch talent. But would Dumbledore allow her to break the rule? Gryffindor hadn’t won the House Quidditch Cup since Charlie Weasley had been Seeker, and she didn’t want to bear the thought of having Slytherin win again...

It was worth a try, she decided. He deserved a chance to prove himself. For once, she could do without issuing a detention. She only hoped that he really was that talented, or else she might have to change her mind about that punishment...

Oh, how she would surprise Potter…

[lunar]

Author Name: lunar
House: Gryffindor
Title: Two Days Was All It Took
Word Length: 499
Warnings: none

In the early hours of the morning, Minerva McGonagall sat at her kitchen table, sipping cold tea. She held her fourth white china cup in shaking hands. The remains of her previous ones still littered the floor beneath her feet. Her black hair, which was normally pulled back in a tight bun, now fell in lank wisps around her tear stained face.

On the table in front of her lay two copies of the Daily Prophet. The one on top was the fresher of the two, only published the previous morning. The front page was plastered with a large moving photograph. The picture was that of a street, or the remnants of one. It was mostly rubble; huge chunks of concrete littering the ground. In the centre of what had been the road, there was a huge crater. So deep did it go that it cracked the sewerage pipes beneath it, just as it cracked her heart. In the space of two days, she had lost three of her most beloved students.

The picture below it was much worse. It was a small photograph of a young man, whose longish dark hair framed a handsome face. A normally smiling mouth leered at her, twisted into something between a taunting sneer and a disbelieving grin. Dark eyes held a maniacal, if not furious, glint. The face was one she hardly recognised, though she had seen it countless times.

The second paper was a day older than the first. The front page also contained a photo. Fresh tears slid down Minerva’s face as she looked at it. The picture was cruel, crueller than the picture of the street where the massacre had occurred, crueller than the photo of the murderer. The photo showed three people. A father, a mother, a son. All gone, except for one. At least they would always be happy in this picture.

Minerva smiled but a moment later had to stifle a sob, as a wave of sadness threatened to engulf her. No one could have stopped this from happening, not even Dumbledore. She should have tried. She should have realised what was going on. She looked at both papers again, merely glancing over the passages but several names stood out to her. Sirius Black. Peter Pettigrew. James and Lily Potter. Harry, their son. Nothing could excuse what Sirius had done. He had killed them. He could – no, would - have killed her too. Sirius. Sirius Black. Always so charming, always in trouble, but now he was a killer. Two days was all it took to change the world, seemingly. He was as good as dead to her now. But all Minerva could think was Why? Why did Sirius do it? Why did Lily and James trust him so? Why did Peter try to find him? No answers came.

So Minerva McGonagall sat, terribly alone in her kitchen, wondering was her judge of character of her students so awful or was it that everything else was changing.

[ms weasley]

Author Name: Ms Weasley
House: Gryffindor
Title: December
Word Length: 266
Warnings: None

There are some moments in your life that make you. For some, they are bigger than others. Sometimes moments like this pass you by. Sometimes you don’t even realise. But if you have no way of knowing what will come next, how can you possibly live your life the way it is meant to be?

Given a choice, maybe you make the wrong decision. And maybe you think that it is for the best. Maybe you tell yourself that life isn’t for doing what you want – it is for doing what you think is right. But sometimes, a decision made for the ‘right’ reasons, can be just about as ‘wrong’ as it gets.

And the more you think about it, the more you start to wonder. Then the longer you leave it, the bigger your regret. Because you know that you have missed your chance. And it seems that there is no way back.

Dear Ms. McGonagall,

I am writing in regards to the matter of which we discussed in August.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control, our new Transfiguration teacher is unable to continue his post at the school. Therefore I would like to renew my offer to you – the position of Transfiguration teacher, and Head of Gryffindor House.

If you would be willing to reconsider your decision, then please contact me as soon as is convenient to you, and we may discuss your new position.

Respectfully yours,

Albus Dumbledore

But the truth is, your life will always run its course.

And there is no way back. There is only the way forward.

[avenger_of_dumbldore]

Tittle: None
length: 491
Rating: pg
House: Gryffindor

“Transfiguration,” began Minerva McGonagall, “Is the art of turning one thing into another.” She waved her wand, and her desk turned into a squealing pig. The first years that nearly filled the many seats before her all laughed. She gave a small smile and turned the pig back. “Now, it will be a while before any of you can do that, but today we are going to try the most basic conversion that there is. We will be turning a toothpick into a pin.”

Minerva McGonagall had not been herself since the incident last year. Everywhere she went, she was reminded of Dumbledore. Anytime she saw anyone with a grey beard, her heart gave a leap. Every time she saw a twinkle in the night sky, she was reminded of the one that was once in her best friends eye. She had not even been able to eat her Lemon pie during the feast, because it reminded her of lemon drops. But, after his funeral, she had not cried once.

After much consideration, the board and teachers had decided to re- open Hogwarts. The problem had been, they could not find anyone to fill the transfiguration post, so she had to do it on top of her headmistress duties.

Minerva McGonagall carried on with her lesson. As usual, no students could do the transformation. That was the point of the exercise, to show them how hard it was to do transfiguration.

“You homework is to read the first chapter of you textbook. I expect a two inch summary. Class dismiss-“ there was a sudden knock on her door, and a man with blond hair and green robes stuck his head into the class.

“Minerva, can I see you when you are done?” asked the man.

“And do you think this is worth disrupting my class for?” she asked.

“It’s about Dumbledore’s will. I am in charge of seeing to it that his affairs are all straightened out.”

“Oh,” She said. “Class dismissed. Have a seat, Mr…”

“Feto,” said Mr. Felto, pushing through the sea of first years. “First off, Mr. Dumbledore left clear instructions that you are to be the new leader, what ever that means.” Minerva new perfectly well what that meant… the order.

“He also willed you one quarter of his money in Gringotts with vault number 26798, and this.” He pulled out a small vile from his pocket. In it was some sort of silvery mist… memory. “I am not sure what it is, but I guess he thought you would know. I have to go and see some of the other teachers and students, but I will be here the whole day if you need me.” Mr. Feto got up and left.

McGonagall pulled off the cap from the vial and pulled out her wand. She dipped it in the vial and closed her eyes, listening and watching a memory only she could watch... Then she cried.

[Dean Thomas]

Author Name: Dean Thomas
House: Gryffindor
Title: Registration For Two
Word Length: 499 (Every word taken...:D)
Warnings: None

The Improper Use of Magic Office’s waiting room was filled with impatient wizards and witches. It held relatively less people than over a decade ago when the Wizarding world had been plagued with the troubles of Grindelwald. At that time, almost every office of the Ministry had been ridden with concerned wizards that did not feel safe within their own homes. These days, however, were behind them and this room was now different .

All those waiting would frequently tear themselves from chatting or from staring at the tall ceiling to look at a single brown door across from the entrance to the room. A middle-aged man was reading an article in the Prophet titled “Falcons Finish Arrows in Fifteen-Hour Thriller”, and was sitting alongside a little boy, whose straight brown hair had just changed from thick curls of black that contrasted with his large knobby nose that was formerly a thin crooked snout.

The brown door creaked open and a stubby gopher-like man lead as an old wizard, likely in his seventies, followed behind him and looked down at the clipboard he was carrying, checking his list.

“McGonagall, Minerva,” the man called.

A woman, no older than thirty, rose from her seat and followed the man to the other side of the door. It was a large room that had nothing more than a couple chairs. The man took a seat in one of the chairs Minerva taking the other, as she glanced at a silver badge on his chest.

Lester Goodstock
Ministry Evaluator

“’ere to register as an Animagus, correct?” he said, peering over his clipboard while scribbling rapidly with his quill.

Minerva nodded adjusting her glasses on her face. She had held off coming to the Ministry to do this earlier, but now that she was to be a teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry it needed to be done.

“Go on,” he waved at her, “let’s see it, then.”

Minerva nodded again, to show that she had understood, closed her eyes to concentrate and finally shrunk down on her seat into a grey tabby cat. Mr. Goodstock kept scrawling on his clipboard glancing up and down from Minerva and the parchment on which he was writing down his recordings. The cat was sitting rigidly, staring right at Mr. Goodstock, hardly taking the time to blink. She could hear him mumbling as he jotted his observances.

“…tabby cat…square markings around eyes…All right, then. You’re free to leave. You’ll receive an owl in about two weeks to keep for your own records.”

She turned back into the black-haired witch and left the room ready and prepared to take on her role of Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts School. She made her way out of the room, but not before hearing Mr. Goodstock call another name from his list.

“Fletcher, Mundungus.”

The wizard that was reading the Prophet stood up alongside who must have been his son, as Minerva passed them on her way to the door.

[garyf]

Author Name: garyf
House: Ravenclaw
Title: The Transfiguration of I
Word Length: 436
Warnings: None

A visibly exhausted Minerva McGonagall slumped down into one of the battered arm chairs by the roaring fire in the Gryffindor common room; her face badly contorted as she battled a mercilessly incessant pain throbbing in her head, but she was determined to continue; she simply had to.

Easily the most talented Transfiguration student presently at Hogwarts Minerva had decided she would make a career from the magic she enjoyed and continually amazed her the more she studied; supported by her exceptionally talented professor, Albus Dumbledore, who had already taken a keen interest in her progress.

Gazing across at the enormous pile of dusty leather-bound books on her table in the deserted common room, Minerva sighed as she contemplated her future and the task ahead. Having already decided her caree field, she not only wanted to be good, but be the very best she could be and that would involve work; a great deal of hard work; hours of mind-bending studying, incantations and solitude, probably more than her other subjects would ever demand of her at their own highest level.

Removing her unconventionally square glasses to clean she went over her professor's magical words and demonstrations that had struck a warm, appealing chord inside of her during a discussion on advanced transfiguration; a level of magic that few students would ever go near in their lifetime, but a level she had to and would achieve.

Just hours ago, she had watched in sheer amazement as the greying professor had flicked and swished his wand before him effortlessly, demonstrating just some of his ability before placing his wand deep into his crimson robe pockets and demonstrating wandless magic which left her astounded by his ability to continue to transfigure random items around the room.

"I can become that good," she mouthed, trying to convince herself. "I'm good now; I can become great."

Following that thought and deciding her break had lasted long enough Minerva left the relaxing warmth of the fireside, and with a spring in her step returned to her work in a far corner of the room. She looked at the notes she had made from her talk with Professor Dumbledore. Few people understand the complexities involved with advanced transfiguration; even fewer become Animagi – the ability to transform into an animal at will.

A rare smile flashed across Minerva’s thin face.

“I will become an Animagus!” she proudly announced as she excitedly blew the dust off a book Professor Dumbledore had recommended. In a dirty gold lettering the words The Transfiguration of I by danced before her small beady eyes, willing her to open the book.

[ProfPosky]

Author name: ProfPosky
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Beast Within
Word length: 442
Warnings: none

The air blowing in through the casement was half warm, half cool, and carried the scent of green things. She was standing, looking out on the grounds, breathing in the pleasure of spring and of being there, the place she most liked being in all the world.

In a moment she decided, and began pulling off her robes, getting caught in them as they went flying over her head. It had been years. In a flash, she was her cat self, and streaking through the corridors of the castle.

Out into the night and the delectable smell of nesting rodents, out through the grass that needed a bit of nibbling, stretching her muscles, transforming once more into woman as, without breaking stride, she dove into the lake and swam deeply underwater, till her chest expanded, till her lungs would burst. She surfaced with a splash, a whomp of delight, noisily, yet without words.

Could she still get up the speed to surface, arcing, and dive back in, like a dolphin, like the back of the sea-serpent in the old muggle painting in the staff lounge? She could, she did, and silently surfacing again, she laughed. No, it was not a laugh; it was a roar from a lioness of Gryffindor.

Sylphlike, fishlike, she dove and surfaced, dove and surfaced. Stretching out her arms she plowed through the water, only to dive, surface and dive again. Free, unencumbered, she lived these precious moments between responsibility and concern, between planning and worrying that no plan would ever be good enough. Woman, animal, animal woman; she was young again, young enough for innocence and fearless sleep and dreams of nothing more pressing than swimming the channel.

She dove deeply. She had swum the channel, swum it and come up on the other side in a Europe sliding under the influence of Grindelwald, into all that that had meant. Diving, diving down until there was no air, until breathing was unthinkable and surfacing took all the energy she had, drove her thoughts away once more.

Warm from exertion, still, she could not stay in the frigid lake forever. There was no one out there on the lawn. She walked proudly out of the water, as she had walked out of the water in France. There had been no witnesses. She swam for herself, always for herself, her secret pleasure, her hidden joy. Standing in the shadow of the beech tree she resumed her animagus form and stalked back to the castle, catching a moth on the way, holding it in her mouth, but not eating it. Fuzzy things, moths; she always needed a drink after them.

[sayiansirius]

Author Name: sayiansirius
House: Gryffindor
Title: Rendezvous
Word length: 499
Warnings: None

Snow lightly drifted down from the starry sky and onto the darkened Hogwarts ground. The lights looked like golden, glittering gems decorating the castle, but one was noticeably dimmer and flickered ever so often.

In her office, Minerva McGonagall sat on a rocking chair in front of the fireplace; a large, brown, leather book open in one hand and a mug of hot chocolate in the other. Her stern face was focused as she concentrated on the book. She took a sip out of her mug, placed it on a table, and flipped the page.

At that instant, a loud knock woke her from her reverie. She sighed, closed the book, and carefully stood. She pulled her robes over her nightgown, walked to the door, and opened it carefully. A tall, handsome, boy with jet black, untidy, hair and square spectacles stood in the doorway.

“James…why are you calling so late?” she asked sternly.

“I am, after all, the head boy, Professor,” said James laughing. “Anyway, Professor Dumbledore wanted me to give this to you.” He passed her a note, bade goodbye, and went to join a red-haired girl at the end of the corridor.

McGonagall closed her door and read the note, her cheeks slowly turning pink. Upon finishing, she smiled, and pulled out her wand. She tapped herself with her wand and a white gown appeared in place of her nightgown.

Minutes later, she found herself knocking on Dumbledore’s door, her grey hair flowing down past her shoulders.

“Come in,” said a voice behind the door. She slowly opened the door and stepped in. The room was dimly lit with candles which smelled of a very sweet elf-made wine. She looked around and saw Dumbledore sitting at a small round mahogany table, wearing a set of magnificent red robes.

“Ah, my dear Minerva,” he said standing up and walking towards her. She raised her hand, which he took and kissed gently. “Glad you could make it.”

“Anything for you, Albus,” she said sweetly and he walked her over to the table. He pulled out her chair and she sat down, blushing profusely. He sat across from her and smiled.

“Wine?” he offered, taking out his wand and waving it across the table. Two wine glasses appeared.

“Thank you, Albus,” she said smiling at him. She took a sip of her wine and when she brought the wine glass down, she saw him gazing at her intently. “Anything wrong?”

“Nothing at all, my dear,” he said smiling. “You look absolutely magnificent tonight.”

She smiled and as they looked into each other’s eyes, she noticed their faces drifting closer. They were a few inches apart when a loud knock broke them from their trance.

Professor McGonagall jerked awake and looked around wildly. Another knock sounded on her office door. She stood up, placing her book and mug on her table, and opened the door. A tall boy with jet black hair stood on the other side smiling at her.

[joanna]

Author Name: joanna
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Old Love
Word Length: 484
Warnings: None


Gordon Chandler entered St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and threw a look towards the welcome witch that clearly indicated that he was at a loss. He had a bunch of wild flowers in his left hand, and desperately looked around to find a familiar face. And just then he did.

“Pomona!” he let out a relieved cry.

“Gordon Chandler! Good to see you again! Are you here to visit Minerva?” she asked then, squinting at the flowers in his hand.

“Yes, I thought I would stop by since I had business to attend to in London anyway,” he said, but knew that Pomona saw right through him.

“She is on Four, in the Randall Goshawk Ward,” Pomona informed him, and then winked conspiratorially.

Gordon Chandler mounted the stairs and arrived on the fourth floor some minutes later. He hailed a Healer-in-Training and asked him where to find Minerva McGonagall. Two minutes later, he knocked on the door.

“Enter.” He heard the familiar voice, but it sounded weaker than he was used to.

Minerva was sitting in her bed, looking quite worn-out. She had an unhealthy pale complexion, and her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed the blanket over her leg. It was probably because of this that she didn’t notice who entered her room.

“Hullo, Minerva,” he greeted her in a low voice. Minerva looked up and her cheeks were flushed. So she did recognize me, Gordon Chandler thought amused.

“Gordon, what brings you to London?” Minerva asked him in a casual tone, but Gordon Chandler was not to be fooled.

“I’ve heard some disturbing news concerning you. And I thought I would bring you flowers,” he said, handing over the wild flowers.

“Thank you,” Minerva said in a whisper. “They remind me of home.”

“That’s why I brought them,” he replied. “Minerva, I’m really worried.”

“You shouldn’t be, I’m fine,” she said, not daring to look at him.

“That’s why you are at St. Mungo’s?’ he asked. “Would you consider coming home with me?”

“Albus… Hogwarts needs me,” she replied smoothing the blanket once again. “And you’d be a useful asset too.”

“Albus knows where to find me, Minerva,” he answered, trying to sound indifferent. “I miss you,” he added, although Minerva’s last remark made him clear his feelings weren’t reciprocated.

“You should have come with me to Hogwarts when Albus offered you the Defense Against the Dark Arts position.” Minerva looked at him reproachfully.

“You mean accept his pity and tag on with you?” he asked sardonically. Hearing this, Minerva looked hurt for a moment, but then regained her composure once again.

“If only you wouldn’t be so proud and mulish, Gordon Chandler!” she cried out in desperation.

“Birds of a feather,” Gordon said with a chuckle. “Let’s forget about everything and start again!”

“You mean the conversation?” Minerva wanted to clarify.

“That too,” Gordon replied and chuckled again.

[mspadfoot89]

Author Name: mspadfoot89
House: Ravenclaw!
Title: Strength to go on
Word Length: 334
Warnings: HBP Spoilers.

Strength to go on

Minerva McGonagall was pacing her study nervously. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry re-opened the next day, for the first time since Dumbledore’s death. She was trying to collect her thoughts while wringing her hands frantically around. She had known for the start that she would one day have to face this, she had known since she knew about the end of Dumbledore’s life, that she would eventually have to go on alone. But now that the moment had come, she couldn’t do it—it was too much to handle.

From the first day she had set foot in Hogwarts, as a new and inexperienced Professor, Albus Dumbledore had been the one to help her and guide her through everything. At that time she had been quite infatuated with the man, but the feeling had left as suddenly as it had come, and the friendship and loyalty that had blossomed between them was irreplaceable, indeed. He had always been her source of comfort, the one thing she had always relayed on, the only thing that she could always count on. And now, just like that, with no word of goodbye he was gone. He had left her alone, for the first time in her life, and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to deal with it.

Smiling bitterly, through tears, she remembered something he had told her long ago, “Oh, yes he will Minerva. Hogwarts needs you.”

She had to be strong for the sake of this school that had—along with Albus—become the reason for her existence. She knew she had keep fighting for a better Hogwarts, just like Dumbledore had. She wondered where she would find the strength for it.

While pacing towards the wall where the Headmasters and Headmistresses’ portraits hung, something caught her eye. The portrait of Albus Dumbledore was smiling at her, with the usual twinkle in his eye.

“I distinctly remember you used to dislike pacing,” he said with a light voice.

She was going to make it after all.

[Oppungo]

Author Name: Oppungo
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Cat's Curiousity
Word Length: 473
Warnings: None

Well, Minerva McGonagall thought as she prowled through the corridors late one evening, I am a cat. Let's hope curiosity doesn't kill me. She had to know, and this may be her only chance to see what the Mirror of Erised held for her.

She knew what it would have had for her when she was a little girl. She remembered vividly sitting on her father's lap, listening to his tales of all the adventures he was sure that she would have. Then, what she would have seen was her father, standing behind her, a big, proud smile upon his face.

She knew what it would have been when she was in Hogwarts. She loved school life, her friends, her teachers, even her work! She would have seen herself standing tall, wearing the Head Girl badge and receiving the best grades possible on her N.E.W.T.'s.

She knew what she would have seen not too long after that, when she was at her job as the Transfiguration teacher back at Hogwarts. She would have seen her father standing beside her, alive once more, his hand on her shoulder, looking down at her, beaming with pride. She would have seen the man who killed him, Voldemort, dead instead.

She didn't know what she would see now. She was happy at her job at Hogwarts. Of course, sometimes she woke up and wondered why she must go and deal with miscreants or hand the House Cup over to Professor Snape again. Luckily, those days were few and far between.

All these thoughts echoed in her mind as she padded in her cat form near to the classroom where she knew that the Mirror was being kept. Dumbledore had told her as much last week. Had he known that she would go to look at it?

Dumbledore knew her better than most. He had been one of her favourite teachers when she was a student. He had been the one who had approached her for the job she loved, the job she now wondered how she ever did without. At meetings they were the two who often stayed longest, after all the others had retired to their rooms, talking and laughing together.

Minerva's conscience came in, as she wondered if this wouldn't be betraying his trust. He had told her where the Mirror was being held in confidence.

As she reached the room, she thought about all those things. She saw the Mirror at the back of the room, although she couldn’t see what was in its reflection. She sat there for a long time, thinking. Then she turned on her tail and left. Sometimes, she decided, it’s better not to know. As she left, she didn’t see an old man with a long beard appear as if out of nowhere, a broad smile upon his face.

[lily_evans34]

Author name: lily_evans34
Title: Starting Over
House: RAVENCLAW!
Word Length: 400 0n the dot. Yay!
Warnings: Though I strongly believe that you shouldn't be on this site if you haven't read HBP, I must oblige myself to note that this has an extreme spoiler.

Minerva wiped a fallen tear from her eye, staring up at the tomb; all that remained of Albus Dumbledore. All that remained of such a brilliant man. No… brilliant didn’t even come close to describing it. She could hardly put to words how much he gave to the school- to the world- not asking for anything in return.

It was hard to believe that he was really gone. After years of always being able to turn to him, he was no longer there to seek for guidance. Minerva had always seemed in control. Of her classes, her students, and her life. But she didn’t know what she would have ever done, had Albus not been there. It was as if he was always waiting for her to come and ask for help. Had this been anyone else, she would have been ashamed of herself for such dependence. But this hadn’t been anyone else. This was Albus, who always understood her. He understood everyone. He always had the right answers. He always knew just what to do, to make everything alright again.

But now he was gone. No longer was he there to so conveniently turn to, in her- and everyone’s- times of need. She felt so vulnerable, and so alone. She didn’t know what was to become of the school, and the world, without this man to help them along.

“Minerva?” she slowly turned around to face the Minister of Magic. “Minerva, we need you to come… decisions to make… there’s much to discuss…”

Wiping another tear from her eye, she nodded, standing up. It was hard to think that the world could go on in such a normal manner, now that Albus was gone.

She stood up, allowing her to be lead from her seat, to somewhere she didn’t even know. It was as if she was being led into another life, for as much thought she put into every step. She could feel her eyes fill with tears once more, though she didn’t bother wiping them away. Just let the tears fall.

“Minerva?”

She realized that she had stopped walking.

“We really need to go,” came Scrimgeour’s voice.

She nodded once more, willing herself to keep going. Just keep going. She tried to tell herself that everything would soon be over. It would all be alright again. She only wished that she could believe herself. Just keep going.

[HarryPotter is my LIFE]

Author Name: HarryPotter is my LIFE
House: Gryffindor
Title: Remembrance
Word Length: 207
Warnings: HBP Spoliers (Do we still have to put this warning?)

I watched Harry walk away from the nasty Minister, Scrimgeour. That boy has more character than most credit him for.

Not many have courage enough to turn down the Minister for Magic. If the liberty of our world is in the hands of anyone, Harry Potter is a good choice. How proud Dumbledore would be.

With a heavy heart, I turned to the white marble tomb that encased the body of the widely loved Dumbledore. He was feared by his enemies, along with his friends. He was loved by all except those who were bred not to.

Death Eaters. Nasty Death Eaters, the cause of his death, one in particular.

I walked over to the tomb and ran my hand over the smooth marble. Dumbledore, greatest wizard of his time, had turned down positions better than Headmaster in Hogwarts...but not in his eyes. In his eyes, that was the best thing he could have.

If anyone deserved to be buried at Hogwarts, it was Dumbledore. His passion was this school, it’s welfare, and the welfare of the students.

I began to walk away from the tomb. With a final, backwards glance, I said goodbye to the man loved by many, but no one more than I.

[just_the_contrary]

Title: An Animalistic Escape
Name: just_the_contrary
House: Ravenclaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Word Count: 245
Warnings: mention of physical abuse

I knew I was in for it when I dropped Mother’s family heirloom serving plate. It was beautiful, white with delicate blue flowers painted around the sides, and it had always been her favourite. I dropped it, and it smashed into so many tiny pieces that even magic couldn’t repair it. Even so, my mother is a Muggle and I’m only sixteen, so it couldn’t be repaired with magic anyway.
“Girl!” screamed my mother. I squeezed my eyes shut. “Girl! You BROKE my PLATE? Oh no, you are not getting away with this! Get back here!”
I started to run away, but she caught me. “You! You broke it!”
I started to cry. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry, Mother! I’m sorry!”
“Fix it!” she screamed, her eyes flaming with anger.
“I can’t!”
“Yes, you can!” she said, grabbing me by the shoulders and flinging me back so I crashed into the wall. “Do your magic!”
“I can’t!” I cried frustrated. “I’ll get expelled from school! I’m not allowed to do magic on the holidays!”
“I don’t care,” she sneered. “You fix it, it’s my family’s heirloom plate!”
I couldn’t do magic and get expelled. I also couldn’t stay here and stand my mother’s flogging.
So I put my years of study to use. I concentrated with all my might, and finally, I transformed… into an orange tabby cat.
I made it. I did it! I can finally escape my mother when she’s mad at me!

[rita_skeeter]

Author Name: rita_skeeter
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Beautiful Silence
Word length: 199
Warnings: None

Walking out of the front doors, she surveyed the grounds with a melancholy heart, the green of the grass just the same as it had always been, the dark of the Forbidden Forest still as intimidating as ever, the deep lake reflecting the sunlight streaming down onto it, the water eddying and swirling as it always had.

Looking back, nothing was visually different, nothing physical had changed, and yet for her it had gone through so much that she could never view it in the same way again. So much pain was injected into that grass, so much suffering in that forest, so much devastation in that lake.

She turned her head up to the castle, observing for one last time the odd shapes of each tower, the crooked windows and the weathered brick. And it was all still beautiful.

That was the most painful thing of all. It was all so beautiful, even as she walked away from it. Sighing, Minerva McGonagall ambled down the path leading into Hogsmeade for the very last time, noting sadly to herself that Hogwarts was the most amazing place she had ever seen.

Then she left the grounds, and all was silent.


Until we meet again, rita_skeeter.

[wishiwereaweasley]

Author Name: wishiwereaweasley
House: Ravenclaw!
Title: Sensations
Word length: 473
Warnings: None

Minerva shivered slightly as she felt it start to happen. She contained a small grin of triumph, and put all her focus into changing. It was, without question, the oddest sensation she’d ever experienced, and having lived in the wizarding community all her life, growing up with an eccentric grandfather, she had certainly experienced her share of odd sensations.

First, she could feel herself shrinking, all over. The closest thing she could compare it to was crumpling oneself into a heap, the kind of boneless pile one achieves when one is truly, utterly unhappy about something. Except Minerva was far from unhappy.

Her clothing and spectacles were melting into her skin—no, not melting, attaching, growing, turning into fur. Sleek, shiny fur, which rippled as her muscles made small motions, and itched slightly as it…grew? A most unusual feeling, growing fur at that rate.

She received an uncomfortable jolt when her legs turned around. A cat’s joints are quite different from a human’s, after all. Stepping forward gingerly, Minerva decided that no lasting harm had been done, and was determined to explore her new body further.

The first few steps were shaky and slow. Minerva felt as though her legs would give out from under her, and the pads on her paws were fresh, their tenderness feeling every groove in the wooden floor she was traversing. Gradually she became used to that sensation, only to be immediately flooded by others.

The things she could see! Everything in the minutest detail, looking magnified because of her new stature as well as her more precise vision. She noted with horror a spot on her favourite dressing gown which she had never seen before and the absurd amount of dust on the floor.

Not only could she see the dust, she could smell it! She could smell everything around her. At first, it was painful to have her brain assailed by so many odors, the recognizable ones so much stronger, and underlain by new ones which she didn’t really want to discern just yet. She grew accustomed to that in a few moments as well, and actually took a few voluntary sniffs, just to prove she could.

Finally, the sounds! She could hear, with ease, that nearly everyone was in the Great Hall, despite that room being usually out of earshot. She could hear the tiny breeze that floated through the open window and the scratch of a quill on parchment a few rooms away. Turning her ears carefully, astounded that it didn’t hurt to rotate them, she also noted that Peeves was up to something a few floors above her.

Incredible. Minerva felt as though she had never lived before this. With joy, carelessly ignoring Peeves, she leapt onto her desk, into a patch of waning sunlight, stretching out to take pleasure in being alive.

[Magical Maeve]

And the results!

1st: The Cat's Curiosity - Oppungo

2nd: Sensations - Wishiwereaweasley

3rd: December - Ms Weasley

And five points to A Catty Dream by Air Elemental and Registration for Two by Dean Thomas.

The standard was scarily high, and I've been juggling drabbles for the past half an hour coming to the final decision. You don't make my life easy - but in the nicest way possible. :-)

[Magical Maeve]

So what do we make of Neville? Is he really a bumbling young lad, or does he have hidden depths? Is he the potential Peter Pettigrew of his era, or fiercely loyal to Harry?

Let's see what you can all do with Augusta's Grandson.


And the rules...

Drabbles must be between 100 and 499 words.

All MNFF's normal standards apply, including grammar,
spelling and formatting. Points may be deducted for
badly presented drabbles.

You can earn 5 points for your house for entering no
matter how many drabbles you post. The winner will be
awarded an additional 20 house points, second place 15
and third 10.

Challenge closes July 6th.


Use this form...

Author Name:
House: [you must enter this or you will not gain points]

Title:
Word length:
Warnings:


If you have any questions, please ask them in the "The
Question Corner" thread, NOT this one. This is for the
drabbles only.

[dreatonkslupin]

Author Name: Dreatonkslupin
House: Hufflepuff

Title: The Break-up
Word length: 422
Warnings: None

Story is set after the Yule Ball (few days after).

Neville walked carefully down the hallway, as he didn‘t want to be caught by Filch. This was the night he had to tell her. He couldn’t go on like this. His heart was somewhere else.

He got to the tapestry and pulled it back. She was standing in the alcove, waiting for him. He decided to do this here because he wanted to discourage any type of scene.

“Ginny,” he whispered.

“Neville,” she smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

I’m going to miss this, he thought.

“Ginny, we have to talk,” he said, pulling her arms from his neck.

Her face was starting to get red, and it didn’t look like a happy red.

“Why did you drag me down here for?” she asked, crossing her arms over chest.

“I can’t do this anymore. It’s not fair to Harry.”

“What does Harry have to do with this?” she said in a whispered yell.

“I saw the way he looked at you at the Yule Ball. When him and Ron were trying to find dates, he wanted to ask you. I just can’t do this anymore.”

“Well, I am quite over Harry,” Ginny said, with a slight uncertainty in her voice.

“I don’t think you are. Plus, I don’t feel what I used to feel toward you anymore.”

She stopped. Her eyes bore into his. “There’s someone else isn’t there?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Susan Bones.”

Neville was expecting a laugh, or even a slap across his face, but it never came. Instead she smiled and hugged him.

“I knew it wouldn’t last forever,” she said into his chest.

“So did I, but it was fun while it lasted.”

She nodded. “To be quite honest with you, I haven’t felt the same either.”

“So, are we still friends?” he asked, pulling her away to look her in the eyes.

“Of course,” she smiled. They hugged again, and peeked out of the tapestry to make sure no one was outside.

They walked all the way back to the common room talking about various things. They gave the Fat Lady the password and walked in. The common room was empty, except a second year who fell asleep on the couch. They got to the staircase, and Neville kissed Ginny on the cheek.

“I have to be honest with you,” Ginny said. “You were probably the best first boyfriend any girl could ever have.”

Neville blushed deeply. “And you were the best first girlfriend.”

Then they both went up their separate staircases.

[the nutty imp]

Author Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Wheel of Fate
Word length: 259
Warnings: none

In a war there are heroes and victims. Fortunate are those that are crowned heroes. Heroes are placed upon pedestals, admired, people notice them and endless opportunities are opened. Victims are less fortunate; people pity them yet, stronger is the urge to ignore and pretend they don’t exist. (Why spoil the exuberant victory celebration?) Victims are left on their own to pick up the pieces of their ruined lives.

Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom are victims of the war. Yet Harry was also crowned a hero. People flock to Harry with admiration, awe or to scrutimise … yet Neville was ignored. Although Harry lost his parents, he was more fortunate than Neville of whose parents lived and he watched them in their deteriorated states all his life, probably with hopes that they’ll get better (at least Harry will have no such illusions). Ironically death would have been preferable than to live without life.

Lavender Brown placed her quill down and mused on how the parent’s fate strangely became their children’s as well. Harry had been buried right by his parents in Godric’s Hollow. She smoothed down her white uniform and carefully arranged the cheery blossoms into the small vase. He had always love plants, she knows that the young man she once knew was probably all gone, but maybe… she shook her head and opened the door.

“Good morning, Neville. Look what I’ve got.”

The colourful flowers was a stark contrast to the all white room, yet Neville Longbottom did not notice, his eyes stared blankly on

[moonymaniac]

Author Name: moonymaniac
House: Gryffindor
Title: Never Ashamed
Word length: 288
Warnings: None





“Haven’t you told your friends about your parents, Neville?”

Here it comes, something else I haven’t done right? But I just never found a good time to drop something like that into a conversation.

“Well, it’s nothing to be ashamed of! You should be proud, Neville…”

Ashamed? I would never be ashamed of them…I know what they did…I know they’re heroes, and not just because you beat it into my head all the time…

“I’m not ashamed.” I just don’t want everyone to pity me more than they already do. Isn’t it bad enough that I’m not good at anything? Do I really want people to feel even sorrier for me because of this? Look at their faces…Ron looks like he’s going to puke. They’re never going to treat me the same again.

And I don’t want people talking about Mum and Dad. It’s private! Look at poor Harry…everyone knows about his mum and dad, people gawking at him all the time…comparing him to them…But at least he’s good at everything. He’s as much a hero as his parents were, or more…

But that’s just what I need, for people to find out what Mum and Dad did. I can just hear it now; "With parents as talented as yours were, what happened to you, Longbottom?" Isn’t it bad enough that I get it from you, Gran?

Oh, Mum…

“…Neville, take it, whatever it is…”

“Thanks, Mum.” They’re all staring. Don’t you dare laugh. It may be just a gum wrapper to you, but it's more. Mum gives them to me. Mum loves me…even after what they did to her. Everyone says they were broken…but she still knows me. And she loves me. Ashamed? How could I ever be ashamed of that?

[AJ Seawiel]

Author Name: AJ Seawiel
House: Slytherin
Title: Bitterly Loyal
Word length: 333
Warnings: None

“Neville!” I winced when I heard my name. Plastering a smile on my face, I slowly turned to face the boy who had shadowed me. It was unconsciously; of course it was. That’s what I’d tell myself when I felt a surge of jealousy. He didn’t mean it. He didn’t ask for his fate.

I inhaled deeply as he walked toward me, his arm around Ginny’s waist. So what if Ginny preferred him to me? That was a young crush; nothing to lose sleep over. Best man won, that’s all. “Best man,” I mumbled bitterly.

“Hey, Neville. What brings you to Diagon Alley?” he asked cheerfully. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as Ginny smiled brightly at me.

I cleared my throat, stuttering a reply. “Er.. Just a bit of last minute school shopping, yourself?” I directed the question to Ginny, though he responded first.

“We were going to head to Fred and George’s. I’m glad I ran into you though.” His face turned rather grave with this last sentence. What was wrong? Why would he be happy he ran into me? He then turned to Ginny and whispered something in her ear which caused her to give him an appalling look and shake her head. He nodded then kissed her cheek. With a saddened glance at me, she hurried up the street to her brothers’ joke shop.

I was done with the curiosity. I wanted answers. “What’s the matter, Harry?” Why was I so polite? I mentally cursed my grandmother for raising me so.

“Neville… Have you ever heard of a prophecy?”

That was two years ago. Sure, I’m still quite irritated that he and Ginny married. I’m also infuriated that my name is not common knowledge. It pains me that I never had as true of friends as he did. Besides all that, you don’t know how thankful I am for his existence. If his fate had fell to me… I wouldn’t be telling you this.

[Fly to Dawn]

Author Name: Fly to Dawn
House: Ravenclaw
Title: In Gryffindor
Word length: 186
Warnings: None

Neville ran to the stool and carefully wore the sorting hat, his face going red in embarrassment as the whole of Hogwart’s school sat waiting for it’s decision.

Hmmm….Longbottom, eh? Alice and Frank your parents?

Yes.

Ooooh, a nice modest boy you are, you would be perfect for Hufflepuff. And I see you’re hard working. Yes, Hufflepuff would be good.

But…but…gran would like me to be in Gryffindor…

Scared of your gran? Well, I say, that’s not much of a Gryffindor-ish trait, is it?

Oh…well…um…I suppose so.

Let me see. Ah yes – wait! You do have courage in you…

I do?

Only that you are too scared to let it out. Now, that’s one kind of fear.

What?

Oh, stop pestering me. Hmm…I’d say Hufflepuff or Gryffindor.

Really?

Definitely not Slytherin. You’re too nice. Or Ravenclaw – you wouldn’t be filed into the ‘smart’ category…

Oh…

But yes, I do sense courage inside you – as well as loyalty.

So..erm…Mr. Hat, which house am I in?

Listen carefully….

‘Gryffindor!’

You! Longbottom!

What? Oh yes, thank you for putting me in Gryffindor.

Not that, you dunderhead. Take me off!

[lily_16_evans]

Author Name: lily_16_evans
House: Slytherin!

Title: Was it worth Trevor?
Word length: 390
Warnings: excessive screaming ;)

“Gran, I’m home!” Neville opened the door to the small home to find it rather cleaner than usual.

“Neville look at you! You’re a mess. Please go clean up, your aunt and uncle will be here any minute for dinner.” Neville’s grandmother was bustling about the kitchen at quite a speed for a woman of her age.

NO! Neville nearly fell over at the news of his dinner guests. It’s not that Neville didn’t like his family; he just didn’t like being put in mortal peril every time he was near them. Neville reluctantly stumbled into his room mumbling to himself methods of escape.

Neville stayed inside his room, hoping his family had forgotten his existence until a voice called him from downstairs and hour later– “Neville? Won’t you join us for dinner?” At the sound of his Great Aunt Enid’s voice Neville let out a barley audible groan of “coming” and with that he trudged down to the dining room.

Dinner was going much better than Neville had expected. At least no one’s trying to drown me tonight! Neville eyed his great uncle suspiciously at the thought. He regretted ever looking in his direction, because Algie had caught his eye and started his usual rant.

“You’re eight now?”

“Yes sir.” Neville mumbled his answer knowing what was to come of the conversation.

‘Still no sparks?”

“No sir.”

“M’ boy we have to keep trying! Never give up!”

“Yes sir.”

At that Algie grabbed his arm and pulled him up the stairs into his room and up to the window sill. He pulled a long wand from one of his pockets and spoke the words wingardium leviosa under his breath. Neville was suddenly off his feet and hanging out the window by his ankles.

“HELP ME! HELP!” Neville began to shout and squirm violently trying to back to the window.

“Algie what are you doing?” Enid’s voice came from the doorway of the room where she stood with a large plate of meringues.

“Oh I love meringues!” Without a second thought Algie stepped away from the window to grab a meringue. Hearing Neville’s pleading scream from the window as he was released from the spell Algie ran back to the ledge to see the damage.

“Ah Ha!” Algie watched happily as he watched his grandnephew yelp bouncing down the road.

[stareyed_in_LA]

Author Name:
House: Gryffindor
Title: How to Lose a Toad and Find a Friend, the Neville Longbottom Way.
Word length: 320
Warnings: None


“Trevor. Trevor. Where are you?” Neville ran up and down the corridors of the train, looking into every nook and cranny to find his toad.
“Sorry,” Neville apologized as he opened a compartment to see two boys, one with dark hair and glasses, the other with red hair and holding a rat. “But have you seen a toad at all?”
They shook their heads.
“I’ve lost him! He keeps getting away from me!”
Neville left and continued his search. Tears were rolling down his chubby face.
If Great-Uncle Algie and Gran finds out I lost Trevor, I’ll be in huge trouble, he thought frantically. For eleven years, people thought he was a hopeless Squib. For eleven years, he had been picked on by Gran and Great-Uncle Algie because of that fact. Then the Hogwarts acceptance letter came with his chance to prove that he is a something. Great-Uncle Algie was so happy, he even went out to buy Neville a pet toad he christened Trevor.
“What will Great-Uncle Algie think of me now that I lost him?” Neville moaned. “He’ll never trust me with anything ever again! People with think I am irresponsible and I’ll never make friends because they will think I’m unreliable.”
Then Neville sat down against a wall and began to cry.
“Are you okay?”
Neville looked up to see a girl his age in her new Hogwarts robes. She had bushy hair and sounded a little bossy.
“No. I lost Trevor. He’s my toad. If Great-Uncle Algie finds out, he’ll kill me,” Neville sobbed.
The girl reached out her hand and took Neville’s. “Here, let me help you find him. I’m Hermione by the way. What’s your name?
“Neville.”
“Okay, Neville. Now where was the last place you saw Trevor?”
Neville couldn’t stop smiling. Even though Trevor the toad was still missing, Neville managed to find a friend who will help him when he needed it.

[Cinderella Angelina]

Author Name: Cinderella Angelina
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Patronus
Word Count: 327
Warnings: Some quoting from OotP ahead. A personage who has not read the book in question will not be spoiled by the quotes found in this drabble.

The Room of Requirement was shimmering with silvery animals and the reverberating echoes of “Expecto Patronum!” Neville Longbottom stood off to one side, concentrating with all his might.

The day I found out I got into Hogwarts. That’s a happy memory! Think, concentrate...all right, now say it!

“Expecto Patronum!” Neville stated, opening his eyes in time to see a wisp of translucent smoke emit from his wand and dissipate into nothingness.

Try again. Concentrate!

“Expecto Patronum!”

Nothing more, just the feeble puff that vanished almost immediately.

My memory’s not happy enough. Think! What other happy memories do you have? When Ginny said she’d go with you to the Ball? No, that’s tainted – she ditched me halfway through the evening. Defeating the boggart? It might work...

It didn’t.

“You’ve got to think of something happy,” Harry reminded a panting and sweating Neville as he passed.

“I’m trying,” Neville replied miserably, hating for Harry to see him like this. Harry had helped him so much this year; he was performing spells that only a year ago he could never have dreamed of casting. Finally, after a lifetime of being inadequate and incapable, Neville knew he could hold his own, and it was all due to his friend.

As his heart swelled with gratitude and love for the boy, Neville raised his wand once more and whispered, “Expecto Patronum!”

No one saw the animal that shot out of his wand, and no one looked at the joy on Neville’s face, because of the entrance of a house-elf that caused a panic and a rush for the door. But Neville saw, and was proud. He didn’t care about being overlooked, for he’d proved himself to the one who mattered most – Neville Longbottom. He could perform any magic that was required of him, for Harry Potter. He would protect him, and those close to him, until his heart – and the undying love within it – failed.

[Lurid]

Author Name: Lurid.
House: Ravenclaw.
Title: With All My Might.
Word Count: 318
Warnings: None.


He sighed, and lay back on his bed. Stony eyes and a set mouth stared up at the ceiling.

Partying, celebrations, happiness. He’d left it all behind when he climbed the stairs to his room. He couldn’t stand the laughing, the mirth, and the happiness. Not tonight, of all nights.

It was Christmas Eve, and Neville was once again reminded of the heart-wrenching guilt of his parents. He was the reason they were incapacitated. He, Neville, was both the problem and the answer. He was the reason they’d been tortured by Lord Voldemort on this night, so many years ago.

He supposed loss worked in many ways. After all, it had taken them, them, months to take action. And it had taken him years to properly grieve for his parents.

A white Santa Claus fluttered down from above, like an angel, and Neville reached up and caught it silently between his thumb and forefinger.

So many thoughts flooded through his mind, like the gates of Heaven opening and angel flooding in, one by one to touch him softly on the shoulder.

But the ideas weren’t calm, placid, or beautiful. They were of sorrow, despair, hurt, anger and resentment. He closed his mind against the evil, and breathed deeply.

He squeezed his palm shut, and enclosed the feathery flower in his sweaty hand. His face screwed up in concentration, he got up and walked over to the window. He unclenched his palm, and with it, tears from his eyes.

“I wish, I wish, with all my might.”

He paused, looking out into the streets below where Muggle families were sitting down to roasts within the warm, comforting glow of their own homes. Laughter, the occasional fire cracker and general happiness could be heard throughout the neighbourhood as people celebrated merrily, without a discomfort, or a sad thought in the world.

“That you could be here with me tonight.”

[Bryant]

Author Name: Bryant
House: Ravenclaw
Title:The Meaning of a Gum Wrapper
Word Count: 380
Warnings: None.

“Bye, Mum,” whispered Neville as he hugged his mother one last time before leaving St. Mungo’s. “I love you,” he said in an even lower whisper so that his grandmother didn’t hear him. His mother gave him an indifferent smile and handed him a gum wrapper, as usual. He pocketed it, ignoring his grandma’s sharp look that he knew she was giving him. He waved goodbye to his dad, and the two of them left Ward 49.

“Neville, why do you save that trash your mother gives you?” asked his grandma after she and Neville had gotten home.

“I don’t know,” replied Neville, feeling uncomfortable.

His grandma just sighed and made her way to the kitchen, leaving Neville alone.

Neville went up to his room and put the gum wrapper his mother had given him in a big basket along with all the others. Sometimes he felt stupid doing this; what good was it ever going to do him? His mother didn’t care if he kept them. His grandma’s constant nagging about the ‘trash’ made him feel even worse. Maybe he was stupid for keeping them, but he didn’t care. They meant more to him than his grandmother would ever know… she didn’t understand what it was like for him not having parents and yet seeing so many kids at Hogwarts, like Draco Malfoy, bragging about how great their parents are, and what their parents get them. He sometimes felt ashamed of letting people know who his parents are… or were. They were once great people, and the best parents anyone could have asked for. And they still were… to Neville. They became the way they are by fighting for freedom of the wizarding world, and by fighting for the one’s they loved. Neville had nothing to be ashamed of.

Most kids are never happy with what their parents give them, and always want something more. But, Neville could ask for nothing more. A gum wrapper might seem small and inanimate to some people, but to Neville it was everything in the world. It wasn’t because of what it was, but who it came from. It came from a person that he admired and loved no matter what was wrong with her… it came from his mother.

[cmwinters]

Author Name: CM Winters
House: Slytherin

Title: First Date
Word count: 499 (nothing like cutting it close, eh?)
Warnings: None. Just a genfic.

Ginny Weasley sat in the Gryffindor common room, desperately trying to divert her attention from her Herbology assignment. So far, her eyes had taken in her prankster twin brothers Fred & George performing antics to the uproarious laughter of those watching, and her youngest brother Ron playing Wizard's Chess with Harry Potter, who as usual, was losing miserably.

Her eyes flickered to Neville Longbottom, who was looking at her shyly. Ginny smiled at him, and her smile grew when he stood to walk toward her. Grateful for the distraction, she made room for his books on the careworn table.

"Hullo Ginny," Neville said on reaching her. "How are you?"

"I'm well thank you, and yourself?" Ginny enquired, finding the exchange awkwardly formal.

"I'm all right," Neville offered, nodding. "What are you avoiding working on?"

Ginny laughed at the fact that he'd caught her ruse, then sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm supposed to be writing an essay for Herbology – we get to pick the plant. The problem with writing is, you have to be inspired, and I can't think of a single thing I want to write about!" Ginny complained, her frustration evident in her tone.

"Oooh!" Neville cooed, eyes alight with excitement. "You should do your essay on Mimbulus Mimbletonia!" he exclaimed.

"Mumbly-middle-what?" Whatever Neville had just declared, Ginny was quite certain she'd never heard of the plant.

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia" Neville repeated slowly, after flinging himself into the tattered armchair across from her, rummaging through his books frantically. "It's fascinating . . . I want one so bad," he said, not a little sadly.

"Why?" Ginny asked, hoping the conversation would lead to some inspiration for her assignment.

Neville spent the better part of the next forty-five minutes extolling the myriad virtues of the plant as Ginny frantically scribbled notes, barely able to keep up with his chatter.

"Wow!" she breathed, when he finally finished rambling with a half-hearted "and, well, uhm, that's it."

"I don't know that I'd want one, what with the Stinksap, but I can definitely see why you are interested in them. Thanks for your help!" Ginny said gratefully.

"Yeah . . ." he said, seemingly distracted by something. Ginny blinked, waiting for him to return to the present. "So, uh . . . are you going to the Yule Ball, Ginny?" he blurted.

Ginny's shoulders sank. "No – it's restricted to fourth years and above."

Neville paused to consider this. "Well, you could go with an older date, couldn't you?"

"If I had one," Ginny lamented. It was her turn to sound wistful.

"Erm," Neville began, starting to fidget in his chair, "would you, uhm, like to, uh, go with me . . . maybe?"

Ginny's eyes searched his face, initially wary of a prank, but finding only earnestness there, smiled brightly.

"Yes, Neville. I think I'd like that very much. I'll go owl mum right now and tell her I will need dress robes!"

"Great!" Neville replied, a smile on his own face.

[lily_evans34]

Author Name: lily_evans34
House: Ravenclaw!
Title: Choices
Word Count: 374
Warnings: none

“Longbottom, Neville!”

Neville could feel his legs shaking as he tried to make his way to the front of the room. He felt as though he’d been walking for hours, though he wasn’t even close to the stool. He could only feel hundreds of eyes on him, and he wanted to disappear. Keep going. You’re almost there.

Neville thought that making it to the front of the Great Hall would be a relief, though now seeing all of the eyes on him made it that much more intimidating.

He felt something being placed on his head, and he closed his eyes. It’s almost over.

“Ah,” he could hear a voice mutter. It wasn’t in his ear, exactly. It was more inside his head.

“Frank and Alice’s son, are you?”

Neville gave a small whimper and nodded.

“I see. Definitely not a Slytherin; you don’t have a bad bone to you. Not many brains, either; Ravenclaw’s out of the question.”

Neville bowed his head in shame. Even the hat didn’t think he was smart enough.

“You’d do well in Hufflepuff, I’d say.”

Neville jerked his head up, and opened his mouth to protest, though he couldn’t find the words to say.

No, he thought helplessly.

“No? You’d be great there, you know!”

My Gran said I should be in Gryffindor. She would be disappointed if I wasn’t good enough.

“Not good enough? Hufflepuff is a wonderful house!”

But my Gran wanted-

“Enough about what your Gran wants! What do you want?”

Neville blinked, thinking hard. This was the question he had been avoiding. What do I want?

After a long pause, he said to the hat, I want to be in Gryffindor.

“Better be Gryffindor!”

This time, the hat wasn’t saying it to only him.

That-that’s it? But just because I want-

“You foolish boy, don’t you see? If not for our choices, we would all be the same person. What makes you different is who you want to be, not who you are. Because you can change who you are into whom you wish to become.”

He could feel the hat being lifted from his head. He opened his eyes and stared out at the sea of faces. Suddenly, it wasn’t so scary anymore.

[G_A_Potter]

Author Name: G. A. Potter

House: GRYFINDOR!

Word Count: 494

Title: Ties that bind, like spider webs.

No Warnings (you're on your own...).

Neville Longbottom was sitting in front of the fire in his grandmother's parlour when the flames suddenly turned emerald green. This was a sign that either someone was attempting to come in by the floo network or to speak with him. It turned out to be the latter. Harry Potter's head appeared in the flames.

"Hi Neville," Harry said, grinning stupidly.

Neville laughed. This was the last person he expected to see on his hands and knees with his head stuck in a fireplace.

"That looks really uncomfortable, Harry," commented Neville, grinning stupidly back.

"You've no idea," Harry returned sardonically, he went on in a rush, "Look, I was wondering If I could come by tonight? I know it's late, and I don't want to get you in trouble. There's something I need to tell you that I should have done a long time ago."

"Uh... sure, yeah," stammered Neville. What did Harry want with him that was so important? Neville was confused and just a little scared. After all, look who Harry was. Even worse look at what Harry was.

"Great," Harry exclaimed. "Just give me a few minutes to get something and I'll be there."
His head disappeared from the fire and it returned to a normal appearance. Shortly afterwards it flared up and Harry stood there, spinning, with a large stone bowl gripped tightly to his chest with both arms.

"Blimey, I'll never get used to that," exclaimed Harry stepping out of the fireplace and dusting himself off. He set the bowl on the table and continued shaking soot out of his hair.
Neville was amused and apprehensive. What could be so important that Harry had come all the way to Lancashire to see him? Whatever it was, Neville was prepared to do what Harry needed..

"What's the bowl, Harry?" asked Neville.

"Oh, yeah. Um, I wanted to show you something that Professor D, Dumbledore shared with me two years ago," explained Harry pulling out the memory vial. He held it out a little, swirling it a bit.

"The bowl is a Pensieve," He went on, "and this is a memory that has been stored by, um, well... him."

"Yeah, I have trouble saying his name too," confessed Neville. "Sometimes it just hurts too much to say it, doesn't it?" he continued.

"Yeah! Exactly," returned Harry, impressed with Neville's empathy. "This memory concerns both of us. It's the prophecy that everyone's on about."

"Th, the p, p, p, prophecy?" stammered Neville. He suddenly wasn't too very happy to see Harry.

"Yeah, " Harry saw Neville's discomfort, "If you're uncomfortable with this we could do it another time, Neville. Or not at all, if you wish."

"No, sorry, it's okay." mumbled Neville, embarrassed.

"Ok, um, well," began Harry wiping out the bowl with a tightly folded cloth that he pulled out of his shirt pocket. "This is the Prophecy that Professor... Dumbledore heard concerning us."
Harry poured the memory into the pensieve.

[kitkat2010]

Author Name: kitkat2010
House: Hufflepuff
Word Count: 489
Title: Of Corridors and Pilsus
Warnings: None

The seventh floor corridor was creepy at this time of night, but Neville was determined. Careful to stifle the sound of his shoes on the stone floor, he made his way up the corridor. He had only been out this late once before. But that was a long time ago. Besides, what was he to be scared of? There were no teachers about, no three-headed dogs, nothing that should get him into trouble.

Everything looked so strange in the darkness. Moonlight streamed through tall glass windows as Neville sneaked among the shadows. The least he could do was avoid Mrs. Norris. And Filch. He wrung his hands nervously at the thought of Filch chaining him to the ceiling by the toenails.

“Hello, Neville. What are you doing?”

Neville turned at the dreamy voice. He hadn’t noticed passing her, but guessed she had been hidden in a shadow.

“Going to practice in the Room of Requirement. What about yourself? It’s rather late.”

“Oh,” replied Luna, sticking her wand behind an ear, “I was looking for a Winged Pilsus. I thought I saw one during Transfig-”

“A what?” Neville asked. He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“A Winged Pilsus,” she repeated, her speech quickening. “It’s a hairy pig that flies. It’s usually found in Malaysia and is revered for its magical properties. And yes, I know we’re in Britain, that’s why I have to find it. Here, come with me. After you see a picture you’ll be able to help me.”

Before he knew it, he was being dragged behind her at an unruly and rather loud pace.

“Filch is going to hear us!” Neville hissed as they ran down some stairs, then up a few more.

But Luna tugged him onward, stopping in front of an old tapestry Neville had never noticed.

“Atra Aquila,” she said quickly.

The tapestry fluttered open, revealing a door. Luna entered into the Ravenclaw Common Room. Neville attempted to follow, but was pushed out by the tapestry falling back into place.

A minute passed before Luna reemerged, carrying a large book. She quickly opened to a page marked by a gold-tasseled bookmark.

“Here,” she said, pointing to a picture. “That’s a Winged Pilsus.”

Neville took the book out of her hands while she recited facts that only she seemed to find interesting. He illuminated the book with his wand and watched the pig flying across the page.

“Do you happen to have a picture of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack?” Neville asked curiously, interrupting Luna’s droning.

Luna almost answered, but slapped a hand over her mouth. She pointed down the hall at two glowing cat eyes. “We’ve been spotted.”

She took the book back from Neville, and stood to go back into the Ravenclaw common room.

“Good luck getting back to Gryffindor,” she whispered. “Will you look for that Winged Pilsus on your way?”

“Of course.”

Neville smiled and turned, quietly making his way back to the Common Room.

[whittyleah]

Author Name: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor!
Word Count: 401
Title: Honorable and brave man
Warnings: none

Neville Longbottom stood in his private greenhouse in his grandmother's backyard. He was pruning one of his many plants as he thought over the last year and his future.

His sixth year at Hogwarts hadn't turned out as he had imagined it would. He lost the girl he had a crush on to Harry Potter and his least favorite professor killed the headmaster. It was enough to make anybody's head spin. He wished he could have helped more, maybe stopped it from happening. He resolved to be there for his fellow classmates and fight to keep their school open and safe.

Neville took off his dragon hide gloves and walked back into his grandmother's house.

"Those shoes best not have mud on them, boy!" came a shrill shriek from the living room.

"Yes, ma'am!" he yelled back as he wiped his feet.

He walked into the living room, blinking, at the décor. It was decorated in a Victorian style, with every knick-knack ever invented sitting on the many shelves that covered the walls. The room made Neville's stomach twist every time he saw it.

"Well, don't just stand there! Sit down!" His grandmother's order jerked him back to reality, his eyes moving from her collection of porcelain peacocks to a settee where he sat down.

"You will not be returning to Hogwarts. You will finish your magical training here and take your N.E.W.T.'s in spring at the Ministry," she said in a no nonsense voice.

"No, I'm going back to Hogwarts," Neville replied in a calm voice.

"I don’t think I said it was up for discussion, young man."

"I'm returning to Hogwarts; they may need me there. I'm not giving up on the school because everyone else is scared!" he said defiantly as he stood. Neville tried to ignore the part of his brain that screaming at him not to make Gran angry.

"Where is this coming from? You have never questioned me before, boy."

"I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions. I decide to go back to Hogwarts, no matter the danger. This isn't a time to run and hide, so I won't." he stated with a spark in his eye.

His grandmother rose from her chair and stood to face him. She placed a small, wrinkled hand on his face.

"You've grown-up, into an honorable and brave man...like your father. When did that happen?"

[Lily_writes]

Name: Lily_writes
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Harry's Not the Only One With Nightmares
Word Count: 349
Warning(s): Torture

Neville Longbottom watched on, helpless, as three wizards and a witch surrounded his parents. He felt as if some invisible force was preventing him from moving.

"Tell us where He is!" the youngest shouted at him.

"I told you, we don't know!" Frank Longbottom called to them.

"Liar! If you refuse to comply, we'll torture you," the witch shrieked, now drawing her wand. "Crucio!"

Frank screamed in pain. He collapsed to the ground, twitching uncontrollably. The young Death Eater pulled out his wand and pointed at the man too, shouting the same curse as the witch. Alice Longbottom sobbed uncontrollably, restrained by the remaining two Death Eaters, unable to help her husband. Neville watched in horror, unable to break free, unable to help. The witch cackled mercilessly, as she stared down upon the man she was torturing.

Soon, the man moved no more. His mouth was open, but no sound came out. The two wizards holding Alice let go of her. She fell to the ground and crawled over to her husbands side. She took one look at him before burying her face into her hands and crying even harder. Neville shed some tears too.

The witch lowered her wand, looking down on Alice sobbing over her husband, with some satisfaction that made Neville feel ill.

"Now tell us where the Dark Lord is," she commanded. "Or you get the same fate as your husband."

"We already told you, we don't know where he is!" Alice sobbed.

"Have it your way," hissed the witch. "Crucio!"

Alice fell next to Frank, screaming and twitching just like him. Neville yelled out, but what he said was not heard, as his mother's screaming drowned him out.

Thud.

Neville fell to the floor of the boy's dormitory, tangled in the bed sheets. The room was pitch black but he heard someone sit down on the floor next to him.

"Neville, are you okay?"

He finally fought his way out of the sheets and saw who was sitting next to him. It was Harry.

"Yeah, it was just- just a nightmare," he answered quickly.

Title: A Picture Worth a Thousand Words, But None From Me
Word Count: 499 (talk about cutting it close)
Warning(s): None

Right after I graduated from Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione invited me to join a group called the Order of the Phoenix. The Order, they explained, was a secret group dedicated to fighting You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. They were also the group that came to the Department of Mysteries two years ago when the prophecy was smashed.

So the three of them are now bringing me to my first meeting, two weeks after school ended, at a place guarded by a Secret Keeper, so I'm not able to say where it is.

The meeting place is this big house that looks like it belongs to a Dark wizarding family, but Harry assured me this wasn't so.

"It belonged to my godfather, you know, Sirius," he told me. "I inherited it when he...well...you know."

I nodded, saving him from saying anything more.

We entered a dark hall, where we were cautioned by a kind looking woman, who I learned was Mrs. Weasley. We walked in silence and followed Mrs. Weasley down a set of stairs into a kitchen where a group of twenty or so people was already settled around a large table.

Ron and Hermione settled themselves between our third year DADA professor, Remus Lupin, and a tall and bald black wizard, I recognised from the group that came to the Department of Mysteries. Harry and I sat between another of our former professors, Mad-Eye Moody, and what looked like a pile of rags.

"How have you been, Potter?" Moody asked.

"Fine," Harry answered.

"And you, Longbottom?" he inquired.

"Oh, me? I'm...I'm fine, thanks," I answered.

"I got something here that might interest you," he said. Then he began digging into his cloak pocket.

As he pulled out an old and tattered photograph, Harry looked sideways and frowned, "Don't show that to him Mad-Eye, it won't interest him, it'll only make him sick."

Moody ignored him and pushed it to me anyway.

"It's a picture of the original Order of the Phoenix," he explained.

"There's me and Dumbledore, his brother Aberforth," he said, pointing at various people as I looked on. "There's Lily and James Potter, that one next to Lily is Sirius Black, back when his hair was short, next to James is Peter Pettigrew."

At the mention of 'Peter Pettigrew,' I heard a growl and felt the table rattle. Glancing around, I saw Harry's hand clenched in a fist and his face looked stormy.

"Oh, here we are," Moody continued, pointing out two new people. "Look at them."

What I saw made my stomach drop. My parents were smiling and waving up at me. They were so happy, and it hurt that they didn't know they wouldn't be able to recognise anyone or anything in some time. I looked around at the picture again and saw Harry's parents; they too were smiling and waving, unaware that they would be dead. I understood why Harry said it would make me sick, because I wasn't feeling good at all.

[helgaandgodric]

Author Name: helgaandgodric
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Asking Hermione
Word length: 438
Warnings: None

Setting: Before Potions one day in December of their 4th year. . .


“We should get a move on, you know . . . ask someone.” After hearing Ron say that to Harry a few nights ago, I can’t get it out of my head. I never heard the full conversation, but that one sentence that I heard as I came in the portrait hole made it clear to me that the times were desperate.

So here I am, sitting eating lunch, mulling over that statement. We have double Potions next. With Snape. A few seats down from me are Ron, Harry, and Hermione. As usual, Hermione and Ron are arguing and Harry is ignoring them completely. I think he’s getting sick of it.

Then Hermione goes, getting up swiftly and knocking over Ron’s pumpkin juice in the same moment. “Oh fine. I’m going down to Potions. Continue discussing how your date must have a perfectly centered nose.” I see her walk between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables haughtily, and the people around them are laughing. I obviously missed something there.

“What’s up with her?” Ron asks Harry. Harry just takes a drink of juice, ignoring him.

On a spur of the moment, I get up, upsetting my plate full of food. I walk as fast as I can without seeming odd and practically run down to the dungeons once I’m out of the hall. Finally, after what seems like ages, I see Hermione sitting on the floor outside of the dungeon.

I clear my throat, and she looks startled to see me as she looks up from her book. Hogwarts: A History, of course. “Oh, hello, Neville,” she says. Am I imagining a little sadness in her voice?

Merlin I’m so nervous, and sweating now, too! “Hi, Hermione,” I squeak. Come on, Neville, you can do it! Before she starts to read again! “Um, I was, er, wondering if you, er, wantedtogototheballwithme?” She’d have to be a mind reader to understand that last part, I think. The confusion is evident on her face, so I say, slower, “Er, would you go the ball with me?”

A soft “Oh” escaped her lips. Before she can answer, I find myself speaking again. “You’ve just been really nice, and helping me with work and stuff.” She’s turned a delicate shade of red, now, and I can already tell what her answer is.

“Neville, I’m so sorry, but I’m already going with someone.” She does sound sorry. But still, my heart is sinking. “Maybe you should ask Ginny!” She suggests.

Thankfully, at this point I am saved by the arrival of the rest of the class. I suppose I could ask Ginny, I think to myself.

[dory_the_fishie]

Author Name: dory_the_fishie
House: Hufflepuff!
Title: The Top Drawer
Word length: 497
Warnings: none

When he got home from his visit to the hospital, he pulled the gum wrapper out of his pants pocket and added it to the once-empty drawer of his dresser. Inside was a collection of various odd-objects, all arranged tenderly and in specific sections (those are the ones from his mum, those from his dad, those are from when he was younger, those more recent). He stared at the mound of Droobles Blowing Gum wrappers for a moment, leaning against the dresser drawer, wondering why he kept them, or any of the objects. In all the years he had been visiting his parents on the closed ward, he had acquired an assortment of things, which was also made up of yarn balls, broken quills, and even a couple cracked picture frames that pained him to look at, because he knew that at one time they probably had held happy photographs of his parents (maybe holding him as a baby, or laughing, or perhaps stealing quick kisses?).

He was startled from his quiet thoughts when his grandmother entered the room and interrupted him. “Neville, dear, what are you doing?” She was still wearing her fox fur and somewhat frightening vulture-topped hat, and did not look the least bit depressed (he did; he always did after these hospital visits).

“Nothing,” he muttered, closing the drawer and turning towards his grandmother.

“Well, hurry up and get ready! We have that Christmas party at your uncle’s and we have to be there soon!” She then began to pull out clean robes from the lower dresser drawers and, after repeating for him to hurry, left the small bedroom to wait for him downstairs.

He didn’t exactly feel like going to a Christmas party, at least not right after having seen his parents. He never felt quite like doing anything after visiting the closed ward, except maybe add to the top drawer and wonder about faded photographs he had never seen, but would like to, so much. And his gran wanted him to just act like nothing had happened and prance off to a Christmas party in a cheery mood, smiling good-naturedly and enduring questions about school? He didn’t understand how she could be so calm, so…unaffected, after seeing her son and daughter-in-law lying in a bare hospital room, alone, insane. There must have been something wrong with that. Whenever he left the hospital, he didn’t feel calm, not in the slightest. On the outside, he would’ve appeared depressed, which he was, yes, but that wasn’t all of it; inside, he was angry and furious. He always felt a little vengeful after those hospital visits.

He opened the top drawer again and looked down at the objects (gifts, presents, that’s what they were) from his parents. Something seized him, then, and he had to fight to not let the tears stain the tiny gum wrappers and had to struggle to not allow himself to wish for photographs to fill the cracked picture frames.

[FanficWriterNikki]

Author Name: FanficWriterNikki
House: Hufflepuff

Title: Just Like His Parents
Word length: 278
Warnings: Torture

“You’ll end up just like your parents!” Bellatrix Lestrange’s shrill voice filled Neville’s ears.

“I… I don’t care! I won’t let you get to Harry!” Neville struggled to stay brave. He wanted to run, but he knew he couldn’t. He was a Gryffindor. He would show that awful woman just how courageous he was.

“You hear that, Rodolphus? The boy doesn’t care!” Bellatrix cackled to the tall man who was fighting Hermione a few feet away from Neville.

“I won’t give up,” Neville mumbled to himself. “I won’t.”

A jet of red light flew towards Neville, but he quickly repelled it.

“Avada Kedavra!”Neville roared. Nothing happened.

Bellatrix let out another raucous laugh. “Stupid boy! You are incapable of killing anything!”

Neville took a step back, but the same hatred and flickering courage remained in his big, round eyes.

“If you refuse to move, we’ll do this the fun way. Crucio!” Bellatrix seemed to gain power from Neville’s cries of pain.

When she removed the curse, Neville remained on the ground, his limbs tangled.

“Are we done here? Has the wittle boy had enough?” She taunted.

“NO!” Neville cried, slowly climbing to his feet.

Bellatrix continued using the Cruciatus Curse, until Neville’s voice grew hoarse from screaming.

“Have you had enough?” She asked once more.

Neville hesitated. He thought of everyone he loved: Gran, Luna, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, his parents. He would make them proud. He wouldn’t give up. Even if it meant he would end up exactly like his parents. At least he would have made the people he cared about proud.

Neville slowly shook his head, and waited for the final round of torture to begin.

[evanescence17]

Author Name: evanescence17
House: Gryffindor
Title: Celebrating Christmas
Word length: 437
Warnings: None


The Reception Hall was festively decorated. The corridors were dimly lit in red and gold by the massive glowing baubles; holly hung at every doorway; glittering Christmas trees adorned corners at regular intervals and fake snow magically fell lazily through the ceiling. St. Mungo’s looked a treat on the Christmas Eve.

‘Come on Neville,’ called a sharp voice, ‘we don’t want to be late.’

What difference is that going to make...they don’t even realise that it’s Christmas, thought Neville Longbottom – a forlorn looking boy in his mid-teens, as he hurried to catch up with his grandmother.

Christmas may mean turkey dinners, enjoyment with family members and looking forward to presents under the bed to many people. To Neville, Christmas Eve was a painful reminder of his loneliness.

Yet another year, yet another Christmas Eve, yet another visit to St. Mungo’s ward for Permanent Spell Damage. Neville hated visiting his parents in the closed and musty ward. It wasn’t because he was ashamed of them and was horrified thought someone would find out the truth (his grandmother obviously thought so). But seeing them dazed and helpless didn’t do any better to raise his spirits.

As they reached the Ward on the fourth floor, the motherly looking Healer came bustling upto his Grandmother.

‘Hello, Mrs. Longbottom,’ she said in a cheerful voice. ‘Merry Christmas to you.’

Neville’s grandmother nodded to the Healer in response and moved near the end of the ward, Neville closely following her. He knew that his grandmother disapproved of his displaying affectionate greetings for his parents. So when he saw his mother lying on the bed, he exclaimed.

‘What is it, Neville?’ asked her grandmother, turning to face him.

‘I…I think, I lost the file…’ his voice trailed into nothingness. His grandmother gave a loud sigh. The file contained important notes on the health of his parents written by the Healer herself.

‘Where did you last have it?’ asked his grandmother in a weary voice, getting up from her chair and moving towards the entrance door. Neville pretended to be thinking hard.

‘In the reception,’ he whispered dubiously.

‘Fine, I’ll get it. Incidentally, you need to be a bit more careful about such things in future,’ she muttered and went to search for the file. As soon as she left, Neville moved near the bed and looked down at the worn-looking woman. She opened her overlarge eyes and looked at him standing by her side. Unable to speak, her eyes lit up, expressing her happiness. Whatever inhibitions Neville had before entering the ward melted on the spot and he smiled at her.

‘Merry Christmas, mother.’


This is horribly un-betad. Please bear with me

[cherryandphoenixfeather]

Author Name: cherryandphoenixfeather
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Quite Nice
Word Count: 485
Warnings: None


He had never been kissed before. It was quite nice. Admittedly, this wasn't exactly a 'kiss' in the sense of the word, which implied two pairs of lips pressing together when this was only one pair of lips pressing against a cheek, but nevertheless it was quite nice.

Ginny was another thing that was quite nice. She looked very pretty in her dress robes, and she seemed to have had a good time. Evidently she had, or else she would not be pressing her lips to his cheek.

"Thank you for taking me, Neville," she said with a smile. "I had fun."

"So did I," he said brightly. "Goodnight, Ginny. Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas, Neville," she replied, and climbed the girls' staircase to bed.

Climbing his own stairs, Neville wondered if, maybe, he should give her some flowers tomorrow as a Christmas present--as compensation for stepping on her toes.

---

Some time had passed since his last experience with a 'kiss.' He was a year older now, and the D.A. had made him feel like he was something more than a good gardener/mediocre dancer. However, despite how he had changed, kissing was still quite nice. Especially since this was an actual kiss--as in two pairs of lips pressing together. It was nothing that Lavender Brown could squeal about in the Common Room (nothing involving tongues or even open mouths--thinking of which made his insides squirm uncomfortably)--just two lips pressing together for what was barely a second, but he found it quite nice nevertheless.

He found that he didn't have anything to say when Luna looked up at him with that bright look she often had. (In fact, he hadn't had anything to say from the moment she had caught his arm after circumstance had left them as the last two people in the D.A. room and asked him if she could kiss him so she'd know what all the fuss was about.) Thankfully, Luna spoke first. "That was quite nice. I don't believe I've ever kissed anyone before."

"Really?" Neville managed to say.

"No. I'm glad it was you. You're quite nice."

Neville smiled. No one had ever complimented him that way before. "Thank you. You're quite nice, yourself."

"Do you really think so?" Luna asked in some surprise. She looked out the window of the Room of Requirement and noted the position of the sun. "It's getting awfully late. See you at the next meeting, then?"

He nodded. "See you then."

"Goodbye, Neville. Thank you for the kiss." Waving over her shoulder, and with radish earrings dangling, Luna let the door to the Room close behind her.

Touching one finger reflectively to his lips, Neville decided that kissing was perhaps deserving of all the fuss. Perhaps, after the next D.A. meeting, he might ask Luna if she wanted to go someplace private and tell him some more about Crumple-Horned Snorckacks.

[avenger_of_dumbldore]

Name: Avenger_of_dumbldore
House: Gryffindor
Tittle: none
Word length 499'



“Now,” said McGonagall from the front podium, “we have our valedictorian… Neville Longbottom.”

The crowd clapped politely, and Neville rose from his seat in the first row. Tripping slightly, he walked up the stage to the podium, shook McGonagall's hand, and turned to the audience. Hs friends, his enemies, and all their families sat before him expectantly. The sea of people had their eyes on him. I am a Gryffindor, he thought to himself. Gulping back his fear, he pulled something out of his pocket.

“Hello, everyone. My name, as most of you know, is Neville Longbottom. I am proud to be here in front of you today but also ashamed. I am proud because I, like you, have put blood, sweat and tears into reaching this moment, and ashamed because so many of those that tried to get to this day are not here with us today.” He put a picture frame on the podium. Harry, Ron, Hermione and he gazed out at the audience.

“I would love to have you all think that I was chosen as valedictorian, because I am brave, or smart, or loyal. But there were braver and smarter people than me that attended this school. The people that got me the most, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger all would have wanted to be here today, but they cannot. They cannot because they gave their lives to make sure we can all live in peace. They cannot because they sacrificed themselves so that we can walk openly on the streets. They cannot, because they are dead.” Here, he trailed off, letting what he had just said sink into the crowd. Dead. They were dead.

“When we leave here today, we will be fully qualified wizards and witches. We will be able to walk around, living our everyday lives. But in a year from now, when you are working at the Ministry of Magic and you decide to go out for a lunch break, remember that you can only go out into the streets because of what these three brave heroes did. In five years, when you feel like taking a stroll down Diagon Alley, and see the children running up and down the street, and the shopkeepers selling their merchandise, and the old men sitting on the curb smoking, remember that this happiness would not exist if these brave heroes had not died to kill Voldemort. In ten years from now, when you decide to have your own children, know that it is because of your classmates' sacrifices that you can bring children into this world knowing that they are safe. And twenty five years from now, when you send those kids to school, know that you don’t have to worry about that school being attacked!
because Harry, Ron and Hermione are dead. But their actions will forever be reflected in our lives. Join me now in graduating.”

Neville had been expecting an applause, but what he got was even more satisfying… complete silence.

[Lil Red]

Author Name: Lil Red
House: Gryffindor
Title: Rescuing Ginny
Word Count: 454
Warnings: None

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey! Hey, let go of me!”

Neville stopped in his tracks. Who was that? He walked down the length of the corridor towards the yelling and peered around the corner.

“Ginny,” he breathed.

Ginny Weasley was struggling against a giant brute of a Slytherin, her friend Lily…Luna…Launa…whatever her name was, Lovegood standing there, already being held by another Slytherin.

“Luna, help!” Ginny panted as the Slytherin struggled to get a better hold.

“Oi, you,” the Slytherin holding Ginny grunted. “Shut up!” He pulled back Ginny’s arms sharply so Ginny whimpered in pain.

Something in Neville’s mind snapped. Ginny’s in trouble. I have to help her. Gram would be proud he would be helping a girl.

“Let them GO!” Neville yelled, running towards the small group of Slytherins, Ginny, and her friend.

“Or what?” said the one holding Ginny, who was clearly the leader. He handed Ginny off to one of his goons.

Neville whipped out his wand, trying to remember a spell, ANY spell. “Or…or else I’ll hex you!” He waved his wand for effect, a cloud of smoke puffing out weakly.

The Slytherins roared in laughter. “With a little stick like that?”

“I’ll bet he’s so stupid, he doesn’t even know that’s not a wand!” a Slytherin called out.

“So, why don’t you just run home to Mummy, and we’ll never talk about this again, eh?” The leader leaned in close. “How’s that sound?”

Neville’s anger flared. His mother…Gram would want him to protect the family name! Without thinking, Neville narrowed his eyes and ferociously kicked the leader in the…well, you know where. The Slytherin bent over, groaning and clutching…well, you know.

“NEVILLE!” Ginny gasped.

The Slytherins looked at Neville in awe. Neville himself was in awe, until he remembered who he was facing.

“L…let them go, or…or you’ll meet the same fate he did!” Neville put up his fists to put his point across.

“Grab…him!” the leader wheezed, eyes watering.

“I think he’s serious!”

“Don’t touch him!”

“I said GRAB HIM!” the leader roared.

One of the Slytherins darted behind Neville and grabbed his arms. Neville struggled against his holder’s grip, whipping his head around. Ah great. Crabbe. Neville paled. He had had bad experience in Quiddich with Crabbe.

“Don’t just hold his arms! Didn’t you see what he did to me?!” the head Slytherin cried, pointing at…you know…

Crabbe grunted and leered at Neville, capturing him in a stranglehold. As soon as she saw Neville had no hope of being let go of, Ginny began to stomp on her captor’s toes.

The Slytherin leader struggled to his feet. “Let’s…let’s go. Umbridge will be waiting.”

Neville paled further, despite his blue pallor. Umbridge?! They were going to see UMBRIDGE?!? Gram would not be happy.

[ms weasley]

Author Name: Ms Weasley
House: Gryffindor
Title: His Revenge
Word Count: 495
Warnings: None

Her eyes were hollow. Heavy-lidded. Her dark, blood-matted hair fell over her battered face. Her cruel mouth twisted into one last laugh. One last insane, heartless, taunting laugh. Bellatrix Lestrange looked up at him, eyes glinting in the dim light.

“Feel ready to kill me, Longbottom?”

Neville’s eyes never left her face. His wand hand, pointed straight at her heart, was completely steady. He saw her eyes linger on her wand, which he knew was lying several feet to his left. She won’t get the chance.

“All your training, practicing, waiting, searching, has paid off,” she told him, raising her arms, daring him to do it. “You’ve got me, unarmed. And now you can finally have your revenge.”

Neville exhaled. He could see them. Every last one of them. Victims of her cruelty, all of them – Sirius Black, falling through the stone-archway; Nymphadora Tonks, lying in a pool of blood; his Grandmother, who hadn’t smiled for so long; Harry, his face wrought with grief; his own parents, empty…

He stared down at her, silently. Her entire presence revolted him. He felt nothing but the utmost hatred. But Bellatrix was now smirking, showing neat, white teeth. She thinks I’m going to back down.

“Can’t do it, can you boy? Not nearly enough of a man, yet.”

Neville felt his fingers tighten on his wand. For the first time, he spoke. He felt exhausted, in pain, but determined. He would have his revenge.

“I look at you, and you know what I see? The faces of all your victims.”

“How touching.” Her eyes mocked him.

“And then, I look at you again, and I think, ‘How in Merlin did such a pathetic mess ever get away with anything?’ Face it, you’re all alone. Your all-powerful Master defeated, not coming back. Your Death-Eater pals dead, or rotting in Azkaban, awaiting trial. Your family, all gone. The only ones left don’t want to know you. And,” he paused, letting his words sink in. “Your scumbag husband buried in the dirt… where he belongs.”

Bellatrix looked as though she had been slapped in the face. Her cheeks visibly paled, and her eyes were wide with disbelieving shock.

“And here you are – the great Bellatrix Lestrange – beaten, battered, by someone you would have wiped the floor with long ago. And it makes me sick. You’re beyond pathetic. You have all these delusions of grandeur, but the simple fact is, you’re nothing.”

She made a sort of choking noise. Neville glared at her, cold fury in every inch of him. But, as he raised his wand, her expression changed. For the first time, fear was alight in her dark eyes. Neville didn’t hesitate.

“Stupefy.”

Bellatrix didn’t have time to blink, as the jet of red light hit her straight on. Neville turned, and then smiled as he walked away.

She can face trial for everything she’s done. And she can do it alone. That’s all she has now.

I don’t need revenge.

[silver_tears]

Author Name: silver_tears
House: Slytherin
Title: Tearstains Nobody was to See
Word length: 478
Warnings: none

Frail raindrops spattered lightly onto his face, blurring his vision. He gasped for breath, as he perceived a small figure through the heavy mist. There was no need to see the person’s features in detail, for he undoubtedly knew that it was Ginny.

Ginny. Yet again, she was running away from her problems, her family, her life. He knew that Ginny was aware of him being there as she started walking hesitatingly away from him. He strived to call out her name, but nothing more than a whimper came out. It was as if a lump had formed in his throat, that was preventing him from speaking. He tried again, now only succeeding in whispering. Stifling a sob, he watched Ginny’s figure get fainter and was barely distinct through the mist. He decided to pursue.

But something was holding him backwards. Feeble attempts to make a step forwards resulted in nothing. A surging feeling of helplessness filled his heart. Screams that should have been expressed out loud echoed persistently in his head.

Watching weakly as Ginny slowly disappeared from view, he felt tears sting his eyes – those familiar tears of weakness. It was the very feeling of weakness that he had felt when he had lost his parents, his love, and his friends.

Suddenly, a sense of physical freedom stretched throughout his body. Fresh hope arose in his heart as he became aware of it. He walked slowly and tentatively at first, and then sprinted to the spot where he had seen Ginny vanish.

No one.

He shouted out her name.

Nothing.

Not once did he hear a word being uttered back at him.

Again, he felt helpless as he looked around him twice. He caught sight of something glittery on the damp, filthy ground. Looking sharply, he noticed there were two words written magically so as not to be erased by the rain.

Good Riddance

He clenched his fists as a bulge of anger swelled through him. Indisputably, Ginny had wanted him to read them.

---

Neville gasped for breath as he found himself drenched in cold sweat and hugged to his pillow. The uncontrollable rage and the lump in his throat were still there.

He inhaled long, deep breaths and gradually calmed down. He looked around at the people who shared his dormitory. Harry, Seamus, Dean and Ron all looked like they were having peaceful dreams.

Hearing their constant snoring at the back of his mind, he closed his eyes and thought about his nightmares. He hated the feeling of helplessness that taunted him every night when he was dead to the world.

But nothing he did could stop them. He felt tears behind his closed eyelids and wondered how many he had yet to shed because of his weakness. Willing himself not to cry, he wanted himself to be strong, just like his parents were.

[DarkLordsApprentice]

Author Name: DarkLordsApprentice
House: Ravenclaw
Title: In the Forbidden Forest
Word length: 412
Warnings: none

Silvery blood drips from Hagrid’s fingers. Revolted, I stare at it, wanting to run away, but ashamed to do so in the presence of Draco Malfoy. Hagrid tells us that we are looking for a hurt unicorn. I barely hear him above the sounds of the night. Going into the Forbidden Forest is not something I want to do, especially on a full moon. Hagrid tells us that we were going to split up, and I become even more frightened than I was before. Oh please, I pray, don’t make me go alone.

Overcome with terror, I vaguely hear that I am going with Malfoy and Fang, while Harry and Hermione go with Hagrid. Great, only a Slytherin and a cowardly dog to keep me company. We reach a fork in the path and our different groups go separate directions. Now, the only person in sight is Malfoy. He doesn’t move.

“Malfoy,” I whisper urgently, glancing uneasily into the trees, “we have to go look for the Unicorn.”

“Y-you go f-first,” he stutters. I grab the lantern from him and look at the path in front of us. I am as scared as Malfoy, but I am better than him too. I’m a Gryffindor, I remind myself. I’m brave, braver than any Slytherin.

I step ahead of him, shivering in the cool breeze. I grab Fang’s collar and drag him along. It is hard to see more than a few feet ahead, and it is getting harder as the forest gets denser. In the distance, a werewolf howls; I jump, and behind me, I hear Malfoy do the same. I take a deep breath and step forward, determined to prove that I’m not as scared as Malfoy.

After a few more steps, the sound of another howl drifts through the trees. Shuddering, I turn around to check that Malfoy is still behind me. He is gone. No, I think, panicking, now whatever got him will get me too.

Something pounces on me from behind. It’s the end. I’m done for. Desperately I raise my wand to shoot red sparks into the air as I’m knocked to the ground. I squeeze my eyes shut and expect claws to slash at me at any second, but they don’t.

“Malfoy,” I hear Hagrid roar, “Leave him alone!” I open my eyes and roll over. There, standing above me is the vain, pigeon-brained maggot of the century: Draco Malfoy. I hope Gran doesn't hear about this.

[whatapotter]

Author Name: whatapotter
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A True Phoenix
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None


They say a single butterfly can cause a hurricane on the opposite side of the world. Well, Harry was certainly no butterfly, but when he stretched his wings, boy, did I feel caught in the eye of the storm.

He doesn’t mean to – he never does. Things just… happen, when you’re around Harry. He asked me to join this Order he’s involved in. Well, how do you make a decision like that, a decision that will change your whole world? I want to stand by him… but I’m just not brave like him, or clever like Hermione, and now it seems I’m not even loyal like Ron. I’m just a nobody, and there’s no place for a nobody in a war like this.

Everyone wanted to give me their opinion – Gran, Uncle Algie, even my old Professors. I couldn’t deal with it. I just wanted to hide away from the world and these voices that hounded me.

Then, well to be dramatic about it, disaster struck. I arrived home to find Gran lying on our floor, being tortured by Death Eaters. I don’t really remember what happened too clearly, I just remember charging into the room to save Gran filled with this terrible anger... and I remember failing, with the endless chants of ‘Crucio’ that followed, before the Ministry Aurors arrived.

Looking back, I see myself standing on the edge of a precipice, faced with a terrible choice. Either run, save myself and hide away from the darkness, or fight, for the people I loved and what I knew was right. The thing was I made that choice without thinking about it. The answer was there, inside of me, all along; I just lacked the courage to recognise it.

This time when Harry came to see me, I gave him the answer he wanted. Even so, I still wasn’t sure it was right. You see, that moment when I realised the Death Eaters were destroying somebody I loved, I felt something unleash within me. It was something crazy, something wrathful… something dark. It scared me, this darkness within me, and it wasn’t until I talked to Harry that I realised this darkness lives within everyone. It hides there, waiting to strike, and one of the hardest things we must do in this war is strike a balance between the darkness and the good inside of us. It is this balance that separates us from the Death Eaters, the people that have let darkness consume them.

Afterwards, I began to see the Order differently. You see they weren’t remarkably talented or outstandingly clever. They were ordinary, desperate people fighting to save the people they loved and the world they believed in. I realised that I was one of them. I realised that, finally, I belonged.

So this is it then. I, Neville Frank Longbottom, am officially a member of the Order of the Phoenix. I think it’s high time I showed the world just what a Longbottom is capable of.



Author Name: whatapotter
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Three Twenty-Three
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None




Neville crouched fearfully over his cauldron. Glancing at the clock, for what must have been the tenth time that lesson, he groaned in dismay to see that it still read merely twenty past three. Forty minutes left to survive then. Hermione had been a true angel, as usual, and had managed to keep him more or less on track by muttering instructions at him whenever Snape’s gleaming eye wasn’t focussed in their direction. Granted, his potion wasn’t quite the shimmering magenta described in their text book, but it was a dull pink – something Neville was exceedingly proud of.

Sneaking another look at the clock, Neville sighed. Sometimes he swore that among his seeming talents of mind-reading, terror-inducement and general nastiness, Professor Snape could also make time tick backwards.

Bitterly disappointed at the amount of time still left to this hellish hour, Neville grabbed the next ingredient due and tossed it haphazardly into his cauldron. The next second he froze, stock still, as his cauldron emitted a menacing gurgle. If there was one thing Neville Longbottom had learned with complete certainty during five years of Potion lessons, it was that menacing gurgles, of any kind, were never a good thing.

Holding his breath, Neville peered cautiously over the brim of his cauldron, and then closed his eyes in a mixture of horror and defeat. Glancing miserably at the clock he just had time to think to himself, Time of Death: 3-23pm, before his potion exploded with an outraged roar.

Damp, and smoking slightly, Neville watched with horror as he saw his Professor stand completely still for a moment before swivelling unerringly in his direction.

“Mr. Longbottom,” he drawled softly. “Your complete ineptitude in this subject never ceases to amaze me. Tell me, what did that vacuum you call a brain decide to amuse us with today. Was it the Billywig you forgot to add? Or perhaps the complexities involved in weighing moonstone eluded you? Oh, silly me,” he mocked, “no, I’ve expected too much of you.”

Hooked nose hanging over Neville’s cauldron, he inhaled and waspishly continued, “It appears that simple instruction, ‘chop finely’, is too complicated even for your ant-sized intelligence.”

Neville looked morosely at his table, unable to meet his teacher’s eye.

Snape, however, continued ruthlessly. “You, Mr. Longbottom, are clearly an illiterate, pea-brained, offensive waste of oxygen, with a serious lack in mental functionality.”

Neville flinched, and tried desperately to still the quaking in his hands.

“That will be thirty points from Gryffindor for you complete moronic idiocy,” Snape growled with delight. “Congratulations, Mr. Longbottom, I do believe your housemates will be most impressed with your unrivaled skill in stupidity.”

Neville winced, cheeks burning, and heard his teacher’s last words through a cloud of embarrassment. “Now, clean up this bench! And beware, Mr. Longbottom – I will not take inanity as an excuse for your inability to correctly scrub a worktable.”

One day…

One day he swore he’d get revenge for all the years of humiliation.

One day…

[Scarlet]

Author Name: Scarlet
House: Slytherin

Title: Forgotten
Word length: 353
Warnings: 5th book spoiler.



There he was again, the boy who lived in the shadows of his cursed parents. If there was anyone in the entire school Hermione felt sorry for, it was Neville, and yet she could never bring herself to truly appreciate his friendship. What does one say to such a boy? How should one behave around him?

For a long while she believed that Harry Potter’s life had been full of ache and sorrow, that Harry deserved everyone’s sympathy and a great amount of understanding. True, Harry was her friend, one of her best friends, but as she continued to watch Neville, she knew deep down that Neville was the boy who deserved it more.

For the first couple of years at Hogwarts, Neville was nothing more than the forgetful, round-faced boy. He lived through ridicules from certain professors, shrugged off insults from bullies, and huffed through slight offences from his grandmother (who constantly compared him to his father). No one ever really paid him much attention. No one ever really cared.

Guild crept through Hermione’s heart, because she knew she was guilty of this as well. Not until her fifth year had she been told of Neville’s parents’ condition. It was heartbreaking – so shattering that she cried for him. But the tears she had wept were silent, and she went on treating Neville just as she had before.

They were both in the library of Hogwarts, sitting two tables apart. She watched him and her spirit dwindled.

How was it fair, that every single person in the wizarding world knew of Harry Potter – the boy who lived… while Neville hardly held a name, even in school? Yes, Hermione knew of the prophecy. Yes, Hermione was very well aware of Harry’s circumstance, of Voldemort’s constant, horrible aim to destroy The Boy Who Lived. But whom Hermione sometimes found herself praying for was not Harry… it was Neville. Neville’s success in life. Neville’s survival through the war that would surely unfold. Neville’s heart.

Harry Potter would forever remain legendary, Hermione knew of this, and she knew he would survive… but Neville Longbottom would be forgotten.

[StellaSirius]

Author Name: StellaSirius
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Alone
Word length: 242
Warnings: None

An experimental wave of the wand. Neville looked at the book nervously, swishing his wand. “Expelliarmus!” He cried. Harry’s wand slipped out of his hand.

Neville was ecstatic. “I did it, Harry!”

Harry nodded absent-mindedly. “Mm-hmm.” He was staring off in another direction, over by Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe. Neville stopped cheering. Obviously it wasn’t his skill that cast the spell correctly. Harry was looking in another direction, distracted by the beautiful Ravenclaws. Of course Neville could get his wand away.

Neville sighed, scanning the room. Harry turned to him abruptly, and opened his mouth to say something. For a moment Neville’s heart soared. Perhaps Harry was going to compliment him. Or even help out with the spell.

“Uh, Neville. I’m going to walk around… To see how everybody’s doing. Go practice with Ron and Hermione.” He turned away without a second glance. Neville sighed. He trudged over to Ron and Hermione, who were bickering at the top of their lungs, until Hermione tripped over her own feet.

After a second of glaring, they both broke out into giggles, and Ron extended a hand to Hermione. Neville looked across the room where Ginny was jinxing a pillow. It had purple tentacles, and was reaching towards Michael Corner. They both laughed.

Neville looked from couple to couple. Harry was busy with Cho. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Walking quickly, Neville opened the door and slipped outside.

Class dismissed.

[keveed92]

Author Name:keveed92
House: Ravenclaw

Title: Understanding
Word length:496
Warnings: none

Neville walked with his grandmother on a busy Muggle street. “Why does this street always have to be packed full of Muggles?” Neville’s grandmother said as they weaved through the throng of Muggles. “I swear if we keep getting more and more Muggles they might actually find out about us wizards.

‘If you talk any louder the Muggles might figure out about us also,’ Neville thought. He sighed. His grandmother always had something to complain about. Most of the time it had had something to do with Muggles.

They finally made it to their destination. This place was all too familiar to Neville. Neville looked at the old, red-bricked department store. It was called Purge and Dowse, Ltd. Neville and his grandmother walked up to the store. On the door there was a sign that read "Closed for Refurbishment". ‘Silly Muggles,’ Neville thought. ‘That sign had been up since it was built, a couple hundred years ago, and yet no Muggles even question it.’

On the other side of the glass display there was a very ugly dummy, which Mrs. Longbottom was talking to. “Hello. We are here to see Frank and Alice Longbottom.” They sat there for a second and then the dummy nodded its head and beckoned it finger as it always did when they visited. Neville and his grandmother stepped through the sheet of glass. When Neville went through the glass it felt like he went through a sheet of cold water.

Once they had walked through the glass it was completely different. Right now they were in the reception area. Many people were crowding up this room. “I can never stand this racket!” Mrs. Longbottom said with a moan. This was true though. The reception area was extremely loud. This was due to the odd patients that came here.

Mrs. Longbottom grabbed Neville’s arm and dragged him through the room. They passed the large portrait of Dilys Derwent. When they passed the receptionist witch they both waved to her. Mrs. Longbottom kept dragging Neville until they reached the ward that Neville’s parents were in. The ward was normally locked due to the mental state of the patients in it.

Mrs. Longbottom was about to knock on the door when the witch who ran the ward opened the door. She moved and the couple walked into the ward. There were only three patients the ward. Two of them were Neville’s parents, and the other one was Gilderoy Lockhart.

Neville and his grandmother walked over to Neville’s parents. When his parents saw Neville they both got up and gave him a hug. Then they went back to their beds and laid back down.
Neville went by his mother’s bed and stood there. His mother put her hand in his. In his hand Neville found a Drooble’s Blowing Gum wrapper. This is what she always gave him when they visited. “Throw that away right now Neville,” Neville’s grandmother said. Neville smiled. ‘She will never understand.’

[Unickuta]

Author Name: Unickuta
House: HUFFLEPUFF!

Title: A Few Feet From the Common Room
Word length: 424
Warnings: None, 1st-2nd years

It was a cold, dreary night at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A cool breeze wafted through the sub-zero corridors, but no one seemed to care- they were all snug and warm, sleeping in their comfortable beds. Well, everyone except Neville Longbottom, who was locked out of Gryffindor Tower, for the password had slipped through his mind...again.

"Is it Mimbulus mimbletonia?" Neville asked, staring up hopefully at the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"No!" the painting replied vehemently, "I have said many times that the password is not-"

"Gillyweed?"

"Not every password is the name of a plant, you know!"

Neville thought hard for a moment.

Think, Neville told himself. The password is to enter Gryffindor Tower....think Gryffindor...

"Lion!" Neville said, a light spreading across his face.

"Young man," the Fat Lady sighed, "think of something more....magical."

"Er....wand?" the Gryffindor said, shrugging.

The Fat Lady shook her head inside of her canvas.

"Maybe, I don't know....a spell?"

"Of dry weather?"

"No, you blubbering idiot, an incantation!" the Fat Lady said scathingly.

"Umm.....how about Impedimenta?" Neville questioned aspiringly.

"Try something more charming," the portrait said mysteriously, smiling at her little pun.

"Hermione Granger?"

"Are you just jesting, or are you serious?" the Fat Lady asked. She could tell by the look on Neville's face that he wasn't kidding. "Here, if you want me to practically spell it out for you, it's an incantation to a charm, one of the first that you ever learned in Hogwarts."

"I know!" declared Neville. The memory of that first Charms class floated to the top of his head. "It's swish and flick!"

Smiling, he did a little 'swish and flick' movement with his hand. His grin faded and his demonstration ceased when he saw the disbelieving look on the Fat Lady's face.

"Child," she exhaled, shaking her head, "just go in, it's cold out here, and I need some sleep."

As the portrait swung open to the common room, Neville's heart leaped. He couldn't believe his luck, but he was also tired, and needed his rest. The forgetful lad strolled up to his dormitory, ready for a good night's sleep. But the Fat Lady was still outside, thinking.

"How did he not guess the password?" she asked herself softly. "I thought it was pretty obvious that the phrase was Acid Pops."

[LadyAlesha]

Author Name: LadyAlesha
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Neville's Worst Nightmare
Words: 499
Warnings: Violence (use of Unforgiveables)

Neville had never thought of himself as an overly brave man. He had joined the fighting division more out of a sense of duty than anything else. But all of that didn’t matter anymore, now that he was faced with his worst nightmare.

Bellatrix Lestrange stood over his cowering form, her wand levelled on him. His own wand lay out of reach a few feet away. He willed his hands to stop trembling. If this was the end, he would at least go with dignity. And he had no doubt that this would be the end.

All around him others were fighting for their lives, no one noticed him lying on the ground, and if they did, they were too tied up fighting their respective opponent to come to his aid.

Bellatrix’s piercing laugh made him focus on the woman, the creature above him. Blood flowed from a cut in her lip, leaving red streaks down her chin. Her hair was a wild untamed mane around her head. A mad glint shone in her eyes. She couldn’t be called human anymore; she was more like a bloodthirsty animal.

His resolve hardened. He wouldn’t break, wouldn’t show his fear. He didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of having won over him.

“You know, your father had the same look on his face as you do right now," she said, almost conversationally, “And like him, you’ll scream for me, beg me to stop! Crucio!”

Neville writhed in pain, biting on his lower lip until he drew blood, but not a sound escaped him. The tremors still ran through his mangled body long after the excruciating pain had stopped. When nothing happened he turned heavy-lidded eyes on her, but her attention was on another Death Eater a few feet away from them.

“We don’t have time to play, Bella, finish him off NOW,” a cruel voice he didn’t recognise snarled underneath the black hood, in the next moment the figure had turned and engaged in another fight.

Bellatrix’s blazing eyes bored into his own. Her fury was palpable. Neville knew he would only get one more chance to live, because the next curse she uttered would be the killing curse. Slanting a quick look at his wand, he tensed his muscles, ready to spring into action.

“Avada Kedavra!” The words left Bellatrix’s mouth, green light shot out of the tip of her wand.

Neville half rolled, half jumped away in the last possible second, leaving the green light to hit the dirt that had a second ago been beneath his feet. Not pausing to think he picked up his wand and shouted the first curse that entered his mind, “Stupefy!”

Bellatrix was hit squarely in the chest; her eyes wide open in shock. Her wand fell from her still out-stretched hand and tumbled to the ground next to her unconscious form.

Suddenly Neville felt incredibly tired. The fight left his body and he slumped to the ground as darkness overtook him.

[HarryPotter is my LIFE]

Author Name: HarryPotter is my LIFE
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Time has Come
Words: 198
Warnings: Violence

“I’m stronger, Bellatrix, much stronger than I was all those years ago.” Neville Longbottom and Bellatrix Lestrange were locked in a duel. Neville had gashes across his arms, face and legs and his opponent had only one wound, but it was big. A large laceration from just below her knee, all the way to her neck, and it was bleeding heavily.

“You’ll never kill me, Longbottom,” panted Bellatrix.

“We’ll see about that.” Neville darted from his spot, crouched behind the table and pinned the increasingly weak Bellatrix to the grimy wall. He snatched her wand and snapped in clean in half.

All that could be heard for a few moments was the panting and gasping of the sworn enemies. “Say goodbye, Lestrange. This is for my parents, for Harry’s friend, Sirius Black, and for all the rest of the people you’ve tortured and killed.”

Bellatrix made one last, feeble attempt at freedom before Neville turned his wand on her. “Avada Kedavra.”

“Mum, Dad, that was for you,” whispered Neville. He staggered out of the dark alleyway, woozy from loss of blood. Before he could call for help, Neville collapsed into a faint, hopefully to be found by someone.

[MrTibbles]

Name: MrTibbles
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Smiling
Words: Not sure - I haven't got a functioning word counter. In between 200 and 300, I think
Warnings: none

He hasn't got his father's talent.

She says that a lot. She's right, I know that, but she does say it all the time. She says it to me and to other people. Other people don't say it - well, not to my face - but I know they think it. Everyone knows who Mum and Dad are, how great they were. At school, I can see them sigh and shake their heads when I mess up... Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick. It's not hard for anyone to see that I'm not as good as Dad.

At least Gran is honest. She is always straight with me; she doesn't sugar-coat the truth. And she knows me: knows that I forget everything, and I'm not really good at anything. Well, I'm good at Herbology, but that isn't a real subject.

I used to dream about it, being good like Dad. I'd dream that I'd just grow out of my clumsiness and forgetfulness. That one day, I'd just transform: be smart like Hermione Granger, be brave like Harry, and have loads of friends. And always in my dream, Gran would be there, and she'd be smiling at me. Smiling ...

I stopped having dreams like that. Sometimes I try to daydream about it, but I can't even picture it any more.

No one wishes more than me that I was like him... But I'm not. I'm just ... me. Neville. Gran is right. I just wish that one day she could be there, smiling at me. Just at me, Neville Longbottom... Smiling.

[Ginny_W]

Author Name: Ginny_W
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Visiting
Word length: 499
Warnings: None

Carefully pocketing the wrappers that the woman had given him, Neville smiled. “Mum, it’s good to see you today.”

The disheveled looking woman with overlarge eyes, dressed in a tattered dressing gown smiled expectantly at him.

“Come on, Mum. Let’s go sit over by the window,” he said, leading her towards two chairs at the far end of the ward.

He helped her to sit and carefully covered her with an afghan.

“Ginny sends her love. The baby should be here any day now,” he said with a small smile.

Neville reached over to a small table by his mother’s chair and grabbed a hairbrush. Standing behind her, he began to slowly run it through her wiry, white hair.

“The midwife assures us that this one will be a girl, Mum. We decided that her name will be Alice Marie Longbottom. You deserve the honor,” he said simply as he placed a kiss on her head.

He closed his eyes for a moment and stilled his hand from brushing her hair for a moment. “It’s a good life, Mum. I love Ginny. I love our children, and I love my job. I never would have thought that I’d be a teacher. But working with the students and teaching them how to protect themselves feels like something I was called to do. It’s almost like understanding what made you and Dad become Aurors. Funny, because Defence Against the Dark Arts wasn’t my best subject in school, but once the war came to a head, I really had little choice. There was no way I was going to let Voldemort win.”

He took a deep breath and whispered, “There was no way I was going to allow her to go free, Mum. I never told you what I did. I don’t even know why I’m telling you today.”

After a long pause he put the hairbrush back on the table, and took his place across from her. He placed his hands in his lap fidgeted.

“I cast the Killing Curse, Mum. Unprovoked. Bellatrix Lestrange was in the meadow. Wandless, defenseless, wounded even. It was just after Harry had killed Voldemort. I took advantage of the chaos of the situation and pointed my wand at her…” his voice trailed off as his mother reached over and grabbed his hand in hers and squeezed comfortingly. Looking up into her face, he saw somewhere buried deeply behind her hollow eyes, love and understanding.

Alice smiled and patted his hand gently, although he clung to it desperately. Like a drowning man frantically cleaving to a life preserver, he wanted any hope that she could truly love, understand, or care.

“Mr. Longbottom,” came the voice of the Healer. “Visiting hours are over.”

“Oh, thank you,” Neville replied, standing reluctantly.

Alice reached into her pocket and handed over three more gum wrappers with a smile, she tottered off towards her bed.

Neville watched her longingly before he slowly left for home and his family.

[kumydabookworm]

Author Name: kumydabookworm
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Best Gift
Word Count: 495
Warnings: None

Author's Note: This is a missing moment from canon of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (or Philosopher's) Stone. The dialogue of Harry, Ron and Neville is taken from there. The dialogue used is in Chapter 13, where Neville comes into the Common Room under the effect of a Leg-Locker curse thrown by Malfoy.

“Hey, Longbottom!” Neville glanced behind him and quickly turned to face the library entrance, praying Madame Pince would see them from behind her desk.

“Have you forgotten your own name?” Malfoy asked. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Perhaps your parents dropped you on your head – people who are mad probably can’t do a good job of holding babies. Maybe you’re just not brave enough to face me – not a Gryffindor, after all.” He laughed.

Neville’s jaw clenched angrily. This prat can’t insult my parents.

As he turned to face Malfoy, he stumbled, nearly falling on Crabbe’s feet. When he righted himself, Malfoy’s wand was pointed at his nose. Neville gulped nervously.

“Perhaps his feet would be better off still,” the Slytherin hissed. “Tibia Adglutino.”

Neville felt his legs stick together. As Malfoy and his sidekicks walked away laughing, Neville began his miserable hop towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

How can my parents be proud of me if I can’t even defend their good name? I’m nothing like the other Gryffindors. I’m not brave like Harry or smart like Hermione. I don’t have Seamus’ humor or Dean’s charm.

He fought tears – at the very least, he wouldn’t cry in public.

“Oh, you poor dear,” the Fat Lady clucked as he half-hopped, half-crawled through the entrance. He heard the chatter of his housemates, and braced himself for the onslaught.

Thankfully, Hermione cried the countercurse through the deafening laughter, and his legs were separated once again. Neville felt himself blush, and he could barely answer Hermione’s questions.

Neville lied and told them that Malfoy had been looking for someone to practice the Leg Locker curse on…he couldn’t tell them his parents were insane. He didn’t need anyone’s pity.

“You’ve got to stand up to him, Neville!” Ron cried.

Neville gratefully took the chocolate frog Harry handed him and remained silent. Malfoy will tell everyone that I couldn’t defend my parents. Gran will be so ashamed – and I won’t ever be able to face my parents again.

“You’re worth twelve of Malfoy,” Harry said. I can’t even throw a spell.

“The Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor, didn’t it?” Harry continued. It did that only because I asked. Why am I really in Gryffindor? I’m not brave or strong?

Then he looked at the anxious faces of Ron, Harry and Hermione. A warm feeling filled the pit of his stomach, and he glanced at the chocolate gift in his hand. These were his friends – these people cared about him.

They thought he was better than Malfoy.

This is why I’m in Gryffindor. I’m loyal to my friends, and they care about me. Malfoy doesn’t have friends…and he doesn’t have love. But I do. I’m a Gryffindor.

He may never be the best in class, or the bravest, but these people would always be there for him. Love and friendship was more of a gift than anything Malfoy could ever have.

He smiled weakly. “Thanks Harry…I think I’ll go to bed.”

[Magical Maeve]

Sorry to be a bit late with these results - real life does get in the way!

Okay...

1st: Ms Weasley - His Revenge

2nd: Lurid - With All My Might

3rd: Lily 16 Evans - Was it Worth Trevor.


Well done, everyone. Another great selection of characterisations.

[Magical Maeve]

Up for scrutiny this week is Lucius Malfoy's beautiful wife.

This can be from any period in her life - Perhaps her childhood, her time at Hogwarts, the early days of her marriage to Lucius.

Can you get under the skin of this icy woman and reveal her human side, or will you show her as a snobbish woman with ambitions for both her husband and son.


And the rules...

Drabbles must be between 100 and 499 words.

All MNFF's normal standards apply, including grammar, spelling and formatting. Points may be deducted for badly presented drabbles.

You can earn 5 points for your house for entering no matter how many drabbles you post. The winner will be awarded an additional 20 house points, second place 15 and third 10.

If you enter more than one drabble, it must be edited into one post. You must not post more than once in this thread.

Challenge closes August 11th.


Use this form...

Author Name:
House: [you must enter this or you will not gain points]

Title:
Word Count:
Warnings:


If you have any questions, please ask them in the "The
Question Corner" thread, NOT this one. This is for the
drabbles only.
__________________

[Periwinkle]

Author Name: Periwinkle
House: Hufflepuff
Title: "I Can't"
Word Count: 350
Warnings: None


"I can't." Her lips trembled.

The girls stopped their lively chatter and looked at her quizzically. "Why not?" one of them asked. Narcissa glanced at her and flinched. This girl had been one of her best friends. Recently, they had celebrated their fifth birthday together.

"Mother says I mustn't." She looked down, twirling her hands nervously. "She says...that your blood isn't...pure." She kept her head down, ashamed to see their faces. "I'm sorry," she added in a pleading tone, hoping that they would understand. Her mother had forbidden this - it wasn't Narcissa's doing. She loved to play with them, they were her friends. But her mother disagreed. She had no choice. Narcissa slowly lifted her head, moving her straw-colored strands out of her eyes. They had left.

"I can't."

"You will marry him. He is to be your husband. He is rich, pureblood and out of one of the most respected families in our circle of friends. He's everything a woman would want. I don't see why you dislike him." She circled Narcissa, brushing out the knots in her hair.

"B-but-" She looked at her white, flawless wedding dress, laying on the wooden bureau in front of her. Helplessness washed over her body. She had no choice.

"No, Narcissa." Her mother spoke sternly. She paused. "Promise me you'll always be a dutiful wife, someone I can be proud of."

Narcissa stared at her. "I promise."

"I can't."

He turned sharply. "What?"

"I can't. I can't let you take him. He's a child, Lucius. Only a child. He's too young! You can't possibly let him join the-"

"He's seventeen years old, Narcissa," Lucius replied coldly, meeting her gaze. He saw that her forget-me-not eyes filled up with tears, but he did not falter. "You have to let him go."

Trying to persuade him once more, she continued. "He isn't someone that you can play with. He's a person, just like us. Let him decide."

"No. I am doing what I think is best for him. You have no choice but to leave him."

Silence. They glared at each other threatingly. She opened her lips to speak once more on the matter.

"I can't."


Title: A Dangerous Mistake
Word Count: 233
Warnings: None

Narcissa looked into the gray eyes fondly as she cuddled her first-born son. Wrapped in blankets, he was resting in the crook of her arm as she stared at him, completely entranced. His eyes were deep, a dark color of gray. Blond wisps of hair curled on his frail head, and his long, dark lashes contrasted sharply with his pale face.

Narcissa smiled. "He looks just like Lucius." Then her grin slid off her face. She drew her arms over Draco protectively, sitting up higher on the bed. Lucius. He had worried her the past few days. He was always out, on "business". Narcissa was afraid for his safety. She was afraid of Lucius. He had been curt and distant with her lately and only seemed interested in her pregnancy. He had been there for the birth -- that's what mattered. At first, she had been reluctant to hand Draco over to him, but she did anyway. She didn't have to fret -- he had handled Draco as carefully as Narcissa herself. But there was something in his eyes, something she didn't like. A strange gleam...but of what? Anger? Distress? Worry?

Draco had woken up and was mumbling in her arms. She abandoned her thoughts and looked back down at him. Her maternal instincts immediately took over. She started cooing and speaking to him in baby talk, unaware of everything around her.

A dangerous mistake.


Title: Surprising Morning
Word Count: 298
Warnings: None

Brilliant sunlight streamed from the pristine window to her right, bathing the wooden floor and Narcissa in a sparkling dazzle. She shut her eyes against the glare but not before glancing to her side. He wasn't there. As usual.

Wearily, she removed the tangled sweat-soaked sheets from her legs, swung them over the edge and staggered up. Just as they touched the cool planks, a wave of pain hit her. She reeled, clutching the footboard, overcome with fatigue. Everything was spinning; she couldn't make out a solid object. She felt light-headed; wobbly. She thought someone had repeatedly hit her head with a brick, that someone was pushing down on her eyes and her stoma--

She couldn't even think about her stomach. Promptly tumbling to the floor, gripping her middle as a ripple of nausea stirred from her core, she retched, soiling her nightclothes. She lay there, not caring how she looked or what she had just done. All Narcissa wanted to do was rest -- nothing more. Was that too much to ask? Time passed. She didn't notice. Slowly, the exhaustion ebbed away and her head cleared. Breathing rather heavily, she attempted standing up, gladly perceiving she could.

But the dull ache in her abdomen was still there, her tired muscles still hurt and her eyes still throbbed. But she could walk. She reached across the bureau for her wand. She didn't want to know. She didn't want it. She didn't care what he thought. But she knew she had to -- it would catch up to her anyway. Swallowing, she muttered the spell and watched her belly anxiously. It seemed like an eternity before a red haze appeared, floating beside her stomach. At first it didn't hit her. She stared at it, unbelieving. And then it finally clicked.

Narcissa Malfoy fainted.

[StellaSirius]

Author Name: StellaSirius
House: Ravenclaw
Title: "Ice Queen"
Word Count: 334
Warnings: None


I should have known. I should have prevented it. I would have, if only I had known. I could have, I could have threatened him somehow. I could have, I should have, I would have. But I didn't.

Narcissa stared at the ceiling through blurred eyes, tears leaking through her long blonde eyelashes, and into her platinum hair. Her slender frame shuddered every few seconds. The elegant, boringly pale silk pillow was stained with her tears.

The Dark Lord was angry. Very angry. He was angry at Lucius, and so he unleashed his wrath on his follower's son. The poor boy, not even fully adult yet. And he was made to be one of them. One of the people that carried out the pureblood creed, ridding the world of filth and slime. Muggles and mudbloods, and all that stood in the way to protect them.

Narcissa cried in silence, so that no one would ever know. She was a Malfoy, and she had been a Black. Narcissa had to keep the little dignity she still had. Once she had poured out her soul to Andromeda, her closest sister. Andromeda had smiled sadly.

'It's not your fault, what they want you to be.' She had said, stroking Narcissa's hair, tangled in her sister's lap. 'We are all supposed to act like royalty. Or at least part of it. And you, Cissy. You were born to play the role of the Queen." They had sat in silence for an hour.

A queen, that was rubbish. She was supposed to play a statue, with no feelings but the ones carved into it. A queen, yes, but an ice queen.

Narcissa listened to the rapping sounds coming from Draco's room, and closed her eyes. She should do something to stop this madness. She could do something drastic. She would do something fool-proof.

Later that night, she wrapped a cloak tightly around herself, and she did.

Heading for Spinner's End, the ice queen was a shadow in the night

[stareyed_in_LA]

Author Name: stareyed_in_LA
House: Gryffindor

Title: Dress Shopping
Word Count: 343
Warnings: None

The gold brocade skirt twirled out like a ballerina’s tutu as Narcissa spun around. It is a pretty dress, but it doesn’t compliment her white blonde hair or her silvery grey eyes. So she had to hand it back to a shop girl and trying on another. This time, the gown is a sleek, low cut black number with a slit along the skirt so that the wearer could move more easily. It is very sexy, but not very appropriate for Cornelius Fudges’ New Years Eve party. All of the Wizarding worlds most prominent will be there and this could be Narcissa’s chance to rub elbows with some of these socialites. By evenings end, she could be included in one of the most elite social circles. This was her chance to step up the society ladder. Sure, Narcissa’s marriage to Lucius Malfoy is nice, but who can say no to a little upgrade like that?
That is why Narcissa was here at Madam Renaldo’s boutique trying on dresses that will please these patrician party goers.
Outside the dressing room, she could here her son, Draco, whining lazily “Mum, when we will go home?”
“In a minute, sweetie,” She replied, taking off the black dress and giving it back to the shop girl.
Narcissa tries on yet another dress. This time, it is a silver lame gown held up with beaded straps and with intricate beading done on the bodice and skirt. It brings out the paleness of her eyes and hair and without a doubt; this will be the dress she will be wearing to Prime Minister Fudge’s party.
But something doesn’t feel right. She spun around a little, examining herself from the back. There are no exact imperfections, but she can still detect something is wrong with it.
Poking her head out of the dressing room, she could see Draco slumped in a cushioned armchair with his legs hanging over an arm.
“"Draco, does this make my butt look big?" Narcissa asked her son as she came out of the fitting room.
Title: Whatever the Future May Bring
Word Count: 435
Warnings: None

July 1, 1973
Mummy and Daddy met me at Kings Cross Station after I ended my schooling at Hogwarts. They tell me they have a surprise to tell me and that they must tell me now.

“We arranged your marriage to Master Lucius Malfoy. You will be married by the weeks end.”

Good grief! What a surprise. Or maybe I am not too surprised. Mummy and Daddy have been the most displeased lately, ever since that traitor Andromeda, my second oldest sister, left us for that filthy Muggle Ted Tonks. She was supposed to be married to Master Malfoy before, but she couldn’t bear living with what she called a “snooty, Muggle hating idiot.” As for my other sister, Bella, she has long since been married to Master Lestrange.

As I lie in bed, I contemplate my future. I think it is good luck that I am to be married to a man of such wealth and dignity and noble blood. However, I think I am too young to get married. Of course, I have read stories about European princesses who were married off to older kings and lords as teenagers. Some of these lucky (or unlucky) girls were even younger than me.

Marriage has its bright sides. I will be set for life, I will not have to worry about my future, and I will not die as a disgraced spinster. However, once I am married, my life will be mostly being spent caring for whatever children I shall have with Master Malfoy and living a dull life, just sitting around, waiting for the years pass by. Also, I barely know this man. Sure, I have seen him many times before, but how do I know what foods he like, what places he tends to go to? Shouldn’t he be courting me, like in those old romance novels? Shouldn’t he be at my door right now, with a bouquet of narcissus flowers, my favorite flower, and softly exchanging sweet words with me? There is nothing romantic about an arranged marriage. What these people are doing is binding two strangers together for eternity.

Then again, maybe I will soon learn to love this man. After all, most arrange marriages end happily. Mummy and Daddy were married through an arranged marriage, and they have spent over twenty years together in happily wedded bliss. I have seen them together and they look happy. Maybe an arranged marriage is for me. Whatever the future brings to me, I am sure my life as Mistress Narcissa Black-Malfoy shall be a happy one.

Till then, I bid you diary adieu.

Author Name: stareyed_in_LA
House: Gryffindor

Title: Sisters
Word Count: 483
Warnings: None

She is gone. Andromeda is missing. Our house elf, Angelica, went to her room this morning to find my sister, only to discover an empty bed. Some of her belongings were also gone. Only a note was left on her desk. It read that she couldn’t bear to live a life of matrimony and that she was running away so she wouldn’t marry the man mummy and daddy chose for her. Andromeda was supposed to marry a great wizard within a fortnight.

I believe I am the only one who knows the truth. There has been a filthy Muggle gardener called a Ted Tonks hanging around near our manor recently. I think she ran off with him.

I never liked Muggles. They are disgusting and do not deserve to even share the same planet as us pure bred wizards. They are ignorant of our ways and do not care of our existence. They think that it is just them who populate this world, thus we have to live in seclusion. Because of them, the Wizarding population is dwindling away. Blood traitors are marrying Muggles at an alarming rate and producing half blood and Squib children. At the rate things are going, the world shall be extinct of all wizards and witches. I do not understand why Andromeda would even dare to run away with that scum bag. Doesn’t she know that if she marries him, and their children marry Mudbloods, and their children marry more Mudbloods, there will be no more wizards left? They would be a thing of the past!

She was a weird person for as long as I could remember. She would always rebel against our ways and the traditions of the Black family. For instance, while Bella and I were sorted into Slytherin, Andromeda was placed into Gryffindor with all the other Mudbloods and Muggle lovers. Bella and I would try to distance our selves from the ways of the Muggles, while Andromeda embraced them. We believed that only those of pureblood should be worthy to have power, she thought different. Whenever we went out, people would ask us if we really were sisters. I had long, silky blond hair that I cared every day while she went out and chopped her dark locks into a horrid cut she saw on a horrid American Muggle actress*. I had flair for sophistication, she didn’t. Why we are even related is a mystery.

I remember one time, shortly before she fled, Andromeda told me that I was the nastiest person she had ever met. That was a lie, and I shot back at her, telling her that she was a disgrace to the Wizarding world. That was the last thing she said to me before she left. I could never understand my sister and I may never will. I just hope I never see my traitorous sister, Andromeda Black, ever again.

* The actress I was referring to in the drabble is Mia Farrow when she starred in Rosemarys Baby. No offense to any Mia Farrow fans.

Title: Dreams
Word Count: 293
Warnings: None

I can not concentrate on what the minister is saying, for my mind is drifting off into space. Standing at my side is Lucius Malfoy, the man whom my parents picked out to be my husband. He looks so handsome in his black dress robes and with his white blonde hair tied back in a pigtail, like the gentlemen of old. I have on the most beautiful white dress that even a princess would die to wear. Today, it is a wedding, my wedding and everyone is here to see me start my new life with Lucious.

We’ll live in the country, I thought to myself, amid the rolling green hills and plains in a beautiful manor house. And we will host many parties and balls together. Everyone of importance will be in attendance. Everyone will remember us for the wonderful festivities hosted at our home.

I want to have many children to keep us company in that large manor. Even if I end up with only one child, that will be fine. If the child is a boy, his name can be Draco. If it is a girl, Anastasia will be nice.

I can see Lucius and me living in harmony together till the end of our days, our love for each other never faltering.

When the minister asks me if I take Master Malfoy to be my lawfully wedded husband, I just say “I do.”
Then the elderly man replied with, “Now, you may kiss the bride.”
Lucius lifts the gossamer veil from my face and we kiss for a long time. When we break apart, the minister croaks out a “And now, may I present you, Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Malfoy.”
My life as Mrs. Lucius Malfoy has just begun.

Title: Velocity
Word Count: 404
Warnings: None

Velocity. It is that horrible momentum that takes life by the hand and takes it to great speeds before crashing it into a brick wall and ending it. That is how I compare my life now to. Velocity is taking my life and rushing it before letting go and letting it crash.

It started the day he became a Death Eater. It was one of the saddest days of my life.

His rite of passage was held at the same graveyard where Voldemort was resurrected years before. Being the mother of my son, I had to attend.

Draco undertook the Unbreakable vow when he was initiated into the league of Death Eaters. I had to stifle my tears as the two bursts of light were twisted into one chain, chaining my baby to that horrible fate that he will die if he doesn’t fulfill his task. When Voldemort pulled out his wand to brand the Dark Mark on my baby’s arm, I burst out in tears. I could feel the white hot pain as it branded my arm as it branded my sons. The pain, it was so intense. Why did it have to be that mothers have the sense to detect their children’s pain? The pain from the branding was so awful, I almost passed out. It was lifted when he pulled his wand away from Draco’s arm. By then, I couldn’t stop crying.

Bella had to take me back home. I was still in tears. Why did my life have to go on like this? Things are happening to me at a velocity that I can not reach to. Lucius in jail. Draco a Death Eater. Why couldn’t things be like that from a long time ago? Back then, I had my Lucius, his arms wrapped around me. Back then, Draco was just a little boy, not needing to worry about all these events in the world. Back then, I was a happy, young, beautiful wife and mother.

Then this huge rush of velocity crashed upon me. My life is being rushed too quickly. I am no longer young, beautiful, or happy. I am now old, my life rocked by misery and grief. At this rate, this speed will get me in trouble. My life will just crash and it will end. It will end there, as will the wave of energy that put my life on the fast mode. The end.

Title: Narcissa Malfoy Sings the Blues
Word Count: 374
Warnings: None, but I have to credit the singer Everlast for providing the inspiration for this drabble, since I based it on the song Whats it Like by him.

They came for him. The Aurors raided our manor and took him away. They came to arrest my Lucius for conspiracy against the Ministry and for collaborations with a wanted felon.

It was in the morning. Many Aurors just simply crashed into our manor. They raided ever room, checked under every piece of furniture. They made a mad dash up the stairs and to his study, where he was just finishing the breakfast that I had cooked for him minutes before. One of them spoke in words that were too quiet for my ears. Then one of them produced a pair of handcuffs and pinned his hands to his back. They locked up those hands that once tenderly held my own. And they took him away.

As Lucius was being dragged out, he shouted to me that he loved me. That was the only time he ever said to me that he loved me. Upon hearing those words, I simply crumpled to the ground, letting the tears strike the carpet below me.

I have heard stories where wives received word that their husbands were arrested or were going off to war or had just died. I never imagined I would end up being one of those widows. Before, I could never imagine loosing Lucius. I just couldn’t imagine walking a mile in the shoes of a widow. But I just did.

That life is only filled with grief and pain. Thinking back to the memories of when Lucius and I were young newly weds thinking to the future is just too painful. I can not even stop thinking about that short marriage makes me burst into tears that could rival a waterfall. I never knew how much he loved me till it was too late. Now, I don’t know if I will ever see him again. Now, I don’t know how to break the news to our son that father will not be coming home tonight.

Merlin forbid that a woman wakes to find her husband taken away,
Merlin forbids that she will have to walk in my shoes and suffer the pain that I now have to deal with. The life of a widow is not easy, thus I now sing the blues.

Title: Andromeda's Good Bye
Word Count: 410
Warnings: None

Her sister stood up at the podium. She looked so severe in mourning robes, her light hair tied back taut in a bun. Yet her eyes hinted the sadness that dwelled deep in side.
“We are here to celebrate the life of Narcissa Black Malfoy,” the woman addressed to the crowd in front of her. “Despite being born into a life of wealth and privilege, Narcissa’s life showed little opportunity. As a little girl, she was constantly told what to do by our parents. She was never given any options and was never granted any form of freedom. Every aspect of her life, what she wore, which people she could be with, they were matters taken care of by our parents. She always did their bidding, which made her miserable growing up.”
“Narcissa was budding into a beautiful young woman of eighteen when she married Lucius Malfoy. It was an arranged marriage, one based on blood rather than happiness and love. I regret never coming to her wedding, but I bet she would have made a beautiful bride. A few years later, she had a son who was christened Draco.”
“Narcissa had a good life early on. She had a wonderful marriage and a handsome son to dot upon. But later on in life, her life was wracked with tragedy, grief, and hopelessness. The worst blow came during the Last Battle. Lucius and Draco were Death Eaters who had died during that Final Battle, serving under Lord Voldemort. Our sister, Bellatrix, was also murdered.”
“Their deaths devastated my sister. She was devoted to all three of them, and seeing them die in her eyes proved to destroy her, both physically and emotionally. Narcissa never recovered from her shock and she was reduced to just a hollow shell that faded away with time.”
“Though Narcissa Malfoy was greedy, cruel, vain, and full of pride in everything she had, she was also loyal, sensitive, and passionate about everything she cared about. Due to what her family and what society expected out of her, I doubt Narcissa ever saw her true potential. But I did. Even though Narcissa and I never got along very well, we were as close as two sisters can be and nothing could ever change that. Good bye, my baby Cissy.”
And with that, with tears streaming down her face, Andromeda Black Tonks, the last of the Black sisters, made her way across the stage and to her seat.

[Konrad]

Author Name: Konrad
House: Slytherin

Title: Harry's Investigations - The Malfoys
Word Count: 316
Warnings: None

Harry's Investigations - The Malfoys

You couldn’t really say whether Mrs.Malfoy was a real housewife, for all she had ever done was ordering their house-elf Dobby. Yet a few years ago you helped Dobby to his freedom.
Mrs.Malfoy still didn’t do much around the house, of course. A person with her background? Oh, please! No, when the house-elf Dobby left, they thought of a different way to manage the household; they hired me, Cassandra Knarlick.

They never really were friendly to me. Often Narcissa, or her husband, Lucius, just shouted from their expensive dining room to me.
“I want more bacon!” Mr.Malfoy would command. Yes, I can still hear him bark those words, but it’s been a while now… You see, in June of 1996 the Ministry imprisoned him. I would’ve warned him about being one of the henchmen of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but I didn’t. They never asked advice from me, let alone allow me to speak! Well, not until July of that year… I was preparing dinner for her and her son, Mr.Malfoy junior, when she entered the kitchen. It was the first time she had ever entered the kitchen in the three years that I’ve worked there. I noticed she had tears in here eyes.

“Can I help, Mrs.Malfoy?” I asked.

“I – I – I…” She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “I don’t know what to do, Cassandra.”

That’s what she said, sir. I had to think before I was going to say anything, so I waited for a while. Then I said she should do what she had to do, which was looking after Mr. Malfoy junior. I remember that she nodded and left the room. I’m not sure whether she remembered that conversation, because it was business as usual after that. I don’t know how she reacted when the pals of her husband murdered Dumbledore, including her own son. She had fired me long before that happened…

[SiriuslyMental]

Author Name: SiriuslyMental
House: Gryffindor

Title: Edge of Silence
Word Count: 498
Warnings: None

Mother says I have to go to the party because I am pretty and everyone likes me. Even if I am sick and feel as if my stomach is going to come out of my mouth any minute, even if I just want to lie down and sleep for a while, I have to do what Mother says. Everyone tells me that. Father is dead and Mother is in charge. They tell me listen to my mother and obey my mother and try not to be such a bother to my mother. Try not to cry when you see the photographs of your father being tossed into the fire. Mother knows best, they tell me. Listen to your mother and don’t speak. Stand and be pretty against the wall. Let your blond hair shine in the light of Mother’s two thousand black tapers. Don’t cry for your father; you’ll make those lovely blue eyes bloodshot, like your drunk father's eyes. Stand up straight, you have a beautiful slim figure. Keep your pink lips shut tight, and for Merlin’s sake stop that infernal crying.

So I stand against the wall with my back as straight as a rod, watching and doing my very best not to cry. What more can you do when you’re nine years-old? Everyone says nine is far too big to be crying, even if it is your father’s funeral party. Even if you loved him more than you ever loved your pretty mother with her silver hair and her cold, gray eyes, you can never cry.

She’s dancing with that man again, the one I don’t like. She’s marrying that man, and there isn’t anything I can do to stop it. Nine year-olds don’t have any power to stop weddings. When you’re nine, you have to stand right against the wall and watch them kiss, their eyes sparkly and happy while you feel like you may be sick all over your lovely blue evening gown. When you’re nine, you have to do as your mother says and say hello to Lucius Malfoy, because he’s thirteen, and he’s handsome, and he’s rich, and you are going to marry him one day.

I keep my mouth shut and my back against the flagstone, watching. I watch my wedding, my mother’s funeral, my baby boy. All I can do is watch my little Draco from afar. But, I’m tired of standing, and I’m tired of watching, and I’m tired of keeping my mouth shut. I’m beginning to hurt from pressing against this wall, the one that I have been chained too since I was a child. Inside, I feel like ice. No longer can I cry, no longer smile. My back is stiff from standing; my lips are permanently closed. I’m only watching my son, and it’s lonely. A mother has a right to make things better, even if she is frozen for years on the sidelines.

Get away from that wall, Draco. Come and talk to your mother.

[dory_the_fishie]

Author Name: dory_the_fishie
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Just A Little Longer
Word Count: 407
Warnings: none

It was a rule of some sort that every little girl with a slim figure and pretty face was to take ballet. They were to be taught by the best (old women with long-gone careers and strict manners), they were to wear the elegant costumes, and they were to practice every day until they could no longer feel their feet, and even then, even when they complained of blisters and aches, they were to practice just a little longer. And just a little longer was the only way any of them could stand to bear it; they let themselves believe that it really was just a little longer until they were done, and just a little longer until they were free of the pink ribbon chains.

She, with her tiny frame and delicate features, danced along with the rest of them; and all the while she was scolded by old women and told to practice just a little longer. She hated ballet and she hated mingling with the Muggle girls, but her mother insisted upon her talent (‘you’re going to be an amazing dancer, if you keep with your practicing’) and advised her to simply ignore the Muggle girls; remember that she was better than them. And so she danced and she ignored, and it became the way she lived her life – dance, ignore, dance, ignore.

She danced at her wedding, let him lead her around the floor and allowed herself to be caught up in his arms. They danced the night away – waltzed into a marriage, twirled through a decade, tangoed until death did they part. And the whole time, during every dance, somewhere in the back of her mind she kept thinking just a little longer. She ignored the feeling and continued to dance, body always being spun about and face always wearing the fake smile they all had learned for the stage, because the stage was life and they were dancing their ways along it.

She ignored the way their dances weren’t elegant anymore, the way he was leading too strongly, the way she didn’t want his arms around her. She ignored that their dances had become nothing more than rehearsed movements and feigned stage smiles, and she ignored that she wished sometimes for a new dance partner. Just a little longer played on an endless loop in her head as she let him turn her around and spin her farther and farther away.

[joanna]

Author Name: joanna
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Without a Word
Word Count: 243
Warnings: none

I can see his eyes lingering on me. I don’t know why it doesn’t make me angry or disgusted, but it doesn’t. I’m neither angry nor disgusted. I appreciate the appreciative looks, I love the love shining through his eyes. His eyes are his best features. And where that thought came from, I don’t know. I’ve never wasted a single thought on him before, but I know that his eyes are beautiful. Yes, they are, I’m not ashamed to admit that. I always treasured beauty. They say the eye is the mirror of one’s soul. His soul must be beautiful then.

I feel the power emanating from those eyes whenever he rests his eyes on me. I think he knows that I know his secret. But that doesn’t make him avert his eyes. Why? Is he that bold, is he that brave? Whenever I look into those eyes, they mesmerize me, they entrance me, they entice me to enter his soul. I know he can see me smiling and I know he is the only one understanding why I smile, but it cannot be. We cannot be. I have to tell him that. But how do you tell this someone you’ve never spoken to before?

I turn my head. I gazed into his eyes too long. He captured me through my eyes, he stole my soul and my heart with it. Without a word. I won’t look him into the eye anymore. Nevermore.

[ms weasley]

Author Name: Ms Weasley
House: Gryffindor
Title: Between Sisters
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None.

I can still remember all those years we spent together, young and carefree. Back then, there was no fear of the future, or of the many difficult decisions we faced, which would later prove to shape the course of our lives. We had nothing to fear and had each other for company. In my innocence, I could envisage nothing able to so cruelly rip us apart. I was a fool.

That day crept upon us only too quickly. If I had been more observant, less naïve, then perhaps I might have seen it coming. I cannot lie, and say that there were not signs. There were many. I merely chose to ignore them. Therein lies my mistake.

If I had faced up to that nagging voice at the back of mind, would it have made any difference? If I had done everything in my power to keep us together, would it have remained so? I cannot help but wonder.

“Shut your mouth!”

I flinch. Andromeda has never spoken like that before. To anyone, least of all Bella. She always looked up to our older sister. As did I. Bella’s reputable temper flares up at once.

“Don’t you talk to me like that! A blood-traitor like you has no place here!”

I blink back tears. “Bella, don’t –”

“No, Cissy. I think it’s time Andromeda left.”

I turn my gaze upon my second sister. She is standing so close to the doorway. For the first time since I entered the room, she fixes her beautiful dark eyes upon me. They sparkle with tears of anger and unhappiness.

“She’s right.”

I can no longer stand it. My tears flow freely, unbarred. “Don’t go!”

Andromeda smiles wanly. “You can come, Cissy.”

“I don’t think so. Narcissa doesn’t need you ruining her life,” Bella snarls.

“I think that’s Narcissa’s choice, don’t you?”

I step backwards as they both turn to look at me. I have a sister on either side. The two people I love the most, and I’m torn between them. Stuck in the middle – where nobody should have to be.

“Well, what will it be, Cissy?”

I had no option. I chose my path, as did my sisters. Every inch of me screamed against it. There should not have been a decision to make in the first place. But life isn’t made up of good things. It doesn’t always turn out the way you thought it would.

But was I really so wrong to hope? To remember that we are, after all, flesh and blood, and once there was nothing stronger. Our choices led us in different directions, but in my mind, we took the journey together. In my mind, our hearts led us closer, not further apart. If my only other option is to face the truth, then I would rather remain in delusion.

I can only hope that, one day, our paths will become entangled once more, and the Black sisters will be just as they were.

As one.

[lady-rhian]

Author Name: lady_rhian
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Where Angels Fear
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None.


14 July 1997

Nymph,

I am so happy for you, my dear. Remus is lucky; I cannot imagine a man more worthy of my precious daughter. I’ll do my best to bring your father round to the idea of having a werewolf in the family before we come visit. He’s a bit hysteric.

Your question knocked me off my feet. I won’t ask you why, after so long, you want to hear my memories of my little sister. If I were a betting woman, I’d wager that this isn’t a quest for your heritage but rather for the politics I swore off long ago. Regardless of your motivation, I’ll answer your questions as best I can.

Narcissa was born when I was barely a year old. We were so close in age, our mother treated us as twins. Bella was several years older than us, and she liked to distance herself from our youthful play. She was frighteningly serious and focused, even then.

Narcissa and I, however, were very close. We were dressed alike, treated alike, received matching gifts for holidays, and were tutored together. When Father tried to separate us the first year I had lessons, Narcissa wouldn’t stand for it. She stole his invisibility cloak and would sneak into my lessons with Master Rosier. She certainly picked up on a lot of things before her time. Most people assumed that because she was blonde and the youngest, she didn’t have too much going for her up top. Nothing could be further from the truth. She was very intelligent – just as much as Bella or me – and equally as focused. Her ultimate goal, though, came to fruition at an earlier point in life than, say, mine or Bella’s. Narcissa wanted to marry well, and, conveniently, all the boys in Slytherin had set their cap for her by her third year. It certainly helped that Bella was with Rodolphus and I was sneaking off to see your father. However, the boy who wanted her the most just happened to be the one she’d adored since childhood. They married right out of Hogwarts and had Draco, but you already knew that.

I assume your inquiries have to do with Narcissa and Lucius, and, by your wording, any certain Vows she may have made. I do not keep in touch with my sister, Nymph, but let me tell you this: she goes where angels fear to tread, and only angels tread when she is near. When it comes to Lucius or Draco, there is nothing that woman wouldn’t do. She is loyal to those she loves – loyal to a fault. Still a bit loyal to me, I’d like to think, after all these years of estrangement. I warn you, Nymph, I hope you know what you’re doing. Do not write Narcissa off as a mere Death Eater’s wife. A passionate, volatile blood runs through your veins, my daughter. Do not forget that it also runs through your aunt’s.

Much love,
Mum

[xCheersForTheEnd]

Author Name: xCheersForTheEnd
House: Slytherin.
Title: Carousel
Word Count: 408
Warnings: None.


”Lucius!” She had pleaded, she had begged, she lost all her dignity to try to force the man to see reason. She was already weary of this and the fire in her icy blue eyes was starting to burn out slowly.

He had rounded on her, strong hands in a tight grip around her upper arms. A face holding no emotion but anger was what greeted her every time she had attempted to stop him. Holding up his arm, the young blonde man let his sleeve drop to reveal a shining black mark.

“You will cease this pleading about my welfare this instant, Narcissa. This is my choice. This is my life.”

He was back again.

Peering into her son’s room, Narcissa spotted him standing in front of the ornate full-length mirror. Draco was examining something. Tentatively she crossed the threshold and approached her son silently.

“You’re home.” She spoke timidly and was slightly surprised when she received no acknowledgement. Whatever he was inspecting held him fixated – so much so he failed to realize the second figure in his private chambers. The best of curiosity had gotten to her and Narcissa stepped closer, her footfalls frozen in place a few feet from her son’s stiff form. His left forearm was held in a vice like grip.

She could only stare in horror at the eerie black tattoo leering back at her.

“What do you think, mother?” Now was Narcissa’s turn for a nonexistent reply. Ever muscle was paralyzed and she had all she could to still remain standing. So it had begun again, this sick cycle that was bound to go round and round until the end. Draco heaved an impatient sigh.

“Mother, I asked what you thought. Father would be proud.”

The mention of her husband caused Narcissa to take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Her son was going down his path, it was all too clear. But wasn’t it a mother’s right to look out for her son? It had been too late to help Lucius, but Draco was still her baby boy…

“Draco – you don’t have to do this. Did they force you? Were you hurt... You can’t…Draco you’re only a boy!” She exclaimed in a quivering voice. Draco’s expression hardened, and he turned to face her with a heated expression.

“I wasn’t hurt, Mother. I chose this. This is my destiny, Father’s wishes. This is my life.”

So it had begun again, and Draco was lost to her now.

[Bellatrix Black]

Author Name: Bellatrix Black/Hannah
House: Gryffindor
Title: Bellatrix’s Baby Sister
Word Count: 429
Warnings: a little bit of violence

Narcissa pursed her lips, her eyes narrowed as she looked across the table at her husband who was ignoring his dinner in favour of the evening paper. “Lucius, please look at me when I am speaking to you. And put that infernal paper down,” she snapped, her blue eyes so icy they could freeze fire. Her husband looked up, grimacing at the look on Narcissa’s usually beautiful face. She might be the most gorgeous woman of her age and class, but she did have a hell of a temper.

“I apologize, darling,” he responded, offering her a smile. “What did you want to talk about?” Eyes still narrowed, Narcissa continued to survey him carefully. He needed quite a bit of training, just like her mother had told her he would, but their son was the most gorgeous child on the face of the planet.

“The Parkinson’s are having a fête of sorts for their daughter, Pansy. She will be two, just like Draco will be next month. Obviously it would be rude for us to pass up their invite, so we shall be attending this Saturday. It will be good for Draco to make a friend his own age,” she stated, still watching her husband for any signs of disapproval. Lucius sighed, setting down his paper and massaging his forehead as if he had a headache.

“Cissy, darling, I have a meeting this Saturday with the Minister. I cannot possibly miss this: My career depends on this meeting going well. I’m sure you will be alright alone,” he said, waiting for her reaction, hoping that she would understand. Unfortunately for him, she didn’t. In fact, the crystal champagne flute missed his head by mere inches, shattering as it hit the wall behind him.

“It was not a question: You will be there or so help me I may just take my sister’s advice! I did not survive with Bella as an older sister without learning a thing or two,” she snarled, now standing. “Do not forget what this marriage is to you: Without me, there is no estate for you. But without you, I still have my family’s fortune: That is the beauty of having a sister in Azkaban and another who is as good as dead.” Right on cue, Draco began to cry, the sound instantly softening Narcissa’s grimace and sending her scuttling off to tend to her son.

Lucius sighed. While the prospect of cancelling on the Minister was sure to be a blow to his carrier, Bellatrix’s baby sister was by far the most terrifying person he knew.

[femmefatale]

Author Name: femmefatale
House: Slytherin
Title: A Pleasing Arrangement
Word count: 500
Warnings: none

Narcissa Black’s parents weren’t as bad as you’ve probably heard. She could marry anyone she wanted (pureblood, of course). Lucius Malfoy was eight years her senior, and seventeen, Narcissa wasn’t sure whether or not she liked older men.

“Miss Black, a pleasure,” Lucius Malfoy purred, tilting his head to brush his lips over her knuckles and never taking his eyes away from hers. He had platinum blonde hair, not quite long enough to touch his shoulders, and a really fancy set of dress robes.

“Lovely to meet you,” Narcissa replied, trying to match his cool demeanour as best she could. The pair were joined shortly by their parents, and things were always a bit awkward with them around. The living room of the Black house was alive with chatter and the clinking of glasses.

Bellatrix stole a moment to drag Narcissa aside. “What do you think?”

“He’s amazing.”

“So?” Bellatrix fixed her sister with an eager stare.

“So what, am I going to pick him?”

“He’d be perfect, I think. He gets along well with Rodolphus. And, you know, they’re both – with the Dark Lord. I’ve met him twice now…”

Narcissa’s attention drifted across the room to her future husband; she’d already decided. Perhaps she had decided the second she saw him. At that moment, Lucius happened to look in her direction. He seemed thoughtful at first, then he smiled, letting his gaze linger. Narcissa though she detected something secretive, even suggestive, in that smile.

“…But did you hear what Andromeda was saying?” Bellatrix was still going. “Stupid hag. All this rotten stuff about the Malfoys – I wasn’t having a bar of it.”

“Mmm.”

“Mum and Dad are really happy though. I actually heard Dad say that the Malfoy vault is overflowing.” Well, that didn’t sound too bad at all.

“Where is Andromeda tonight?” Narcissa wondered aloud.

“Probably off with her loser mud-blood friends. It’s better that she’s not around tonight anyway,” Bellatrix murmured.

Death Eaters, Narcissa mused. That’s what the Dark Lord’s gang were calling themselves now, wasn’t it? She could have heard wrongly. Either way, Narcissa would rather be on the safe side of the Blood debate – marrying Lucius Malfoy seemed to be a step in the right direction. A placid grin played upon Narcissa’s lips. Everything was going perfectly. Her parents were happy, she was happy, and Lucius?

He strode over to her, looking more relaxed after a couple of drinks. “Are you having an enjoyable evening?” Again, that provocative smile.

“Very,” Narcissa answered. Lucius took the risk of moving closer to her. For the first time, Narcissa conceded. “Our parents seem to be getting along,” she offered.

Lucius shrugged. His grey eyes surveyed her blue ones, her dainty, snobbish nose, her smooth blonde hair and her rosebud lips, and even after those drinks, Lucius stopped there. Narcissa was always amused at the effect she seemed to have on men. “Even if they weren’t, I wouldn’t care,” he said, his lip tweaking with satisfaction.

“Neither would I.”

[Madame Marauder]

Author Name: Madame Marauder
House: Gryffindor
Title: Amour Propre
Word Count: 244
Warnings: Character Death

Narcissa tried to remember her son as an infant. She remembered holding him. Occasionally. The second he made any sort of mess, she’d given him to someone else immediately and she’d order the house elf to clean up.

But I was never good with babies, Narcissa thought.

Narcissa tried to remember her son as a toddler. She remembered shrieking at him. Daily. “Put that down!” or “Don’t touch that!” Whenever he’d break something, she’d cry and order the house elf to clean it up.

He needed to learn his limits, Narcissa thought, dismissively.


Narcissa tried to remember her son as a child. She remembered watching him ride his broom. From indoors, of course. If she went outside, her skirts would soil and she’d need to have them cleaned.

Besides, he didn’t need his mother trailing after him, Narcissa scoffed.

Narcissa tried to remember her son going to Hogwarts. She remembered sending him letters and sweets. But Narcissa never actually touched the candy.

It was far too sticky, Narcissa excused.

Narcissa tried to remember her son as a young man. She remembered him joining the Death Eaters. But Narcissa didn’t object.

It was his duty, Narcissa decided.

Now, it was too late to make memories with him. Narcissa stood before Draco’s casket and cold, dead body. She saw her husband weeping for the son he lost. She wept for the son she could have had. But her vanity had interfered.




Author Name: Madame Marauder
House: Gryffindor
Title: I've Made My Decision
Word Count: 402
Warnings: I'm contradicting my first drabble (or the first drabble is condradicting with this one)

I’m putting on my black traveling cloak. It is late evening and I need to get out of the house before—

“Cissy! Where are you going looking like that?”

Drat. Bella. My oldest sister, Bellatrix is coming downstairs. I turn to face her.

“I’ll be gone for maybe two hours. Make sure Draco stays indoors,” I say simply.

Bellatrix laughs. It’s her annoyingly haughty oldest-sister laugh. That laugh used to intimidate me when I was a little girl. It doesn’t now. Now, it just annoys me.

“I said, ‘Where are you going?’” she restates. “Tell me.”

I sigh and turn away from her. She won’t understand. She couldn’t possibly… But I tell her anyways. Maybe she still intimidates me.

“You know what Draco has been put up to. I intend on getting him proper protection,” I say, my eyes downcast.

Bellatrix snorts. “You think asking him will help? That slimy son of a bloodtraitor? Narcissa….”

I look at her.

”I understand you don’t trust Severus. I, however, do. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t keep me longer.”

I turn to leave once more.

“Cissy, don’t be foolish. Draco is being honored! Cissy…”

I cut her off, outraged. To be given the “privilege” to kill someone is no honor!

“Honored? He’ll be a criminal by the end of this! A criminal or dead!”

“You do not understand,” Bellatrix says heatedly.

How can she accuse me of not understanding my own motives? How can she claim to understand motherhood?

“Bella, I don’t believe you understand. You and Rodolphus never had children,” I say with forced calm.

“Much less wanted them,” she interrupts.

“But Lucius and I wanted a family,” I press on. Merlin how we’d wanted a family. I decide to save Bella the sob story of the years we went without Draco. I don’t share the private agony of seeing other couples with babies before Draco. I don’t share my fear of feeling that agony again.

Instead I say, “We have a family. Draco is our son. Our only son. I’m never having another. He’s my baby boy. And I will do what I must to protect him.”


“If you want to protect him, why not go to the Dark Lord? Why not kill Dumbledore yourself? Are you a coward?”

I feel myself tremble. I am a coward. I cannot protect my son. But I know who can. I apparate to find Severus.
[QUOTE]

[mugglemathdork]

Author Name: mugglemathdork
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Love, I
Word Count: 474
Warnings: Character Death


“Narcissa, you did a good job. He will be the perfect servant to the Dark Lord and heir to the Malfoy line,” the tall blond man stoically commented before parting at the beckoning of his Master.
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” whispered the beautiful flaxen hair woman to her one month old son, who stared back with silver-grey eyes.

“He’s scawy mummy…” the little boy whimpered at the sight of his enraged father.
”Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” she told him as she firmly held his tiny hand, giving it a tight squeeze, to let him know she was scared too.

“I love you mummy,” cried the happy child as he played, without a care in the world, in the rose garden of Malfoy Manor.
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” the blonde woman thought as she kept a well trained eye on him, while he jumped around carelessly, making sure he did not get hurt.

“What’s a mudblood, mummy?” questioned the innocent child, full of questions and curiosity.
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” Narcissa sighed in defeat as she pulled him closer for a hug. The entire time dreading that, like her, he would not be given a choice to make his own decisions.

“Narcissa, I got my letter from Hogwarts,” the boy insolently commented during breakfast.
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” she firmly reminded herself. Without a second thought, her right hand connected sharply with the tender cheek of her only son. It left behind a red mark as a reminder that she was to be referred to as “mother.” Lest, he forget, there would be more stinging reminders.

”Mother, I have to do it. I have to kill him!”
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow harm to come to you,” the youngest Black sister resolutely repeated to herself as she headed to Spinner’s End, in the middle of the night, in hopes of saving her son.

“No! Let her go! It’s my mistake! Please, let her go my Lord! Take me! Kill me instead! Just spare her life! She can’t take my place--” were the anguished cries of a young man. He was held back, by his godfather, as he watched with tearful silver-grey eyes the killing curse hit his golden-hair mother.
“Love, I love you so much. I will never allow-“she tried to tell him one last time.

But Narcissa Black Malfoy never finished the mantra that kept her strong as her eyes, once full of life, became cold and glassy like the chilly summer night.

[cmwinters]

Author Name: cmwinters
House: Slytherin
Title: Society Wife
Word Count: 273
Warnings: None

Narcissa recieves an owl from her sister, and prepares for the imminent arrival of "company".

Narcissa rose gracefully from her chair when she saw the owl approaching. An odd creature, it was a black screech owl and it's arrival heralded a message from her oldest sister.

First offering the animal a treat, the blonde untied the parchment, mindful of the vicious beast's claws and talons. She'd had to cast Imperio on it once when it delivered a message to her, but she strongly suspected Bella of having cast a different Unforgiveable on the creature. She thereafter made it a point to try to be kind to it so it would associate her with pain.

Cissy,

Prepare for company tonight at 8. I'm going to help your son.

Bella

Narcissa blinked. What was this about, then?

Draco was out, Narcissa knew not where, else she'd have summoned her son to explain this. In point of fact, she suspected her son to be with her sister, but whatever did he need "help" with?

Narcissa frowned; Draco had taken Lucius' arrest hard. Despite maintaining an impeccably proper appearance in public, the two had a very close father-son relationship. The only thing that could come to Narcissa's mind was that Bella was offering to help Lucius break out of Azkaban, but in point of fact, he was probably safer inside. And Narcissa had explained this to Draco.

So had Bella.

Nonetheless, Narcissa dutifully summoned her house elf, and set about preparing for the type of long society evening which would make her mother proud.

When the silver and wood was polished to a shining gleam and the candles strategically lit, Narcissa retired to the marble balcony to overlook the luxurious rose garden.

===

Title: Draco's task
Word Count: 401
Warnings: HBP spoilers

Promptly at 8, the doorbell rang. Narcissa walked with perfect gait to the door, careful to not arrive too quickly or too slowly. Smiling, she opened the door gracefully to her sister, and her eyes flew open once in shock. She immediately collapsed gracefully to her knees.

"M-My Lord!" she stuttered. "I was not expecting . . ."

"Rise, Narcissa, we can continue this inside," the darkest wizard the world had ever known snapped impatiently.

Narcissa shot up, and darted inside the house. Dear Merlin, what was this about?

She snapped her fingers and the house elf dutifully appeared with bottles of the finest alcohol money could buy and disappeared with a squeak of terror.

Narcissa dutifully, if somewhat unnecessarily, led the party into the parlour. "What brings me the honour of your company, my lord?" Narcissa said with an evenness and warmth to her voice that politicians the world over would kill for.

"Your . . . son . . ." the Dark Lord said, harshly and unforgiving, " . . . wishes me to . . . pardon your husband for his miserable failure last month."

Narcissa winced then bowed her head just so, allowing two tears to leak theatrically from her eyes, her hands folded primly in her lap. Two tears only.

"And whilst Bellatrix assures me of your family's undying loyalty to me and my cause, I have my doubts," he continued in a tone that made Narcissa's blood run cold with terror.

Narcissa's head snapped up, her eyes darting across his face, and to Bella's, and to Draco's. Her darling baby boy who looked weary, but resolved.

"I have therefore offered him a very honourable mission. Shall he prove himself capable, we shall discuss further plans for both Lucius and Draco then," he declared in his high, cold voice.

"Yes, my lord. Thank you, my lord, for your consideration," Narcissa simpered, desperate to know what Draco had been condemned to do but too terrified to ask.

"The task is simple. He is to dispose of Albus Dumbledore."

Narcissa gasped.

"You may help him in any way you see fit, Narcissa, but speak of this to NO ONE, Narcissa, do I make myself plain?" the Dark Lord snarled with a finality that made it clear he would brook no opposition.

"Of course, my lord," Narcissa said demurely, wondering what the devil she was going to do next.

===

Title: Making the Vow
Word Count: 499
Warnings: HBP spoilers, some VERY mild profanity, and I'm taking some slight liberties with the Unbreakable Vow (*very* slight - blink and you'll probably miss 'em...)

This is Narcissa's thoughts during the HBP chapter "Spinner's End".

Bella, go back! You've stated your case - I've made my decision. I know how you feel. This is something you'll never understand.

Please let him answer, I need him to answer. . . Thank Merlin, he answered. Stay calm, Narcissa, he doesn't like visible displays of emotion. Other than gloating.

Ugh. That beastly Gryffindor filth is here. Maybe I should heed Bella after all. No, that will make everyone more suspicious. And what of Draco?

Drinks. Are you joking? Fine, I'll do this; I was bred and raised a Black. Make the bloody toast and take the stupid drink.

All right. Here goes everything.

. . .

Bella, shush!

Oh goodness. Did she honestly follow me solely to reiterate all her misgivings? I have to give him this much, he's a very smooth talker. I hope he can smooth-talk Draco right out of his teenaged pigheadedness.

She's done. Finally. It's about time.

Deep breaths, Narcissa, you can do this. Choose your words carefully.

. . .

He won't listen to me! Oh-no-what-am-I-going-to-do?!

Thank Merlin, he knows. He knows, he knows. Please help me Severus, please!

I'm right, aren't I! He means him not to succeed! But you, Severus . . . what about YOU?!

You won't do it? What am I going to do? Draco, Draco! My son will be killed, my husband's in jail, my family will die out, no no nonono! I'll have nothing left, I am nothing without . . .

What? You'll help him? You WILL?

As you wear no ring I'll kiss your hand – look at me, Severus. Here, and here alone, I'll heed Bella's advice, and I'll ask for the one thing you can't smooth-talk out of. Forgive me, but this is greater than you, greater than me – it's about the survival the only child who can ensure the continuity of the Black and Malfoy family lines.

You honour me by coming to my level. But it won't change my turn of phrasing. Not when so much is on the line.

Watch him, help him . . .

Protect him . . .

If you must, do it for him . . .

. . . what? Did he nearly withdraw his hand? Didn't he know? No matter. There's nothing he can do now. He's trapped.

Severus, look at me. Bella isn't so skilled at Legilimency and at the moment, she's too fascinated by sorcery. I know during the casting of this Vow, you can hear my thoughts, even if you weren't the Legilimens I know you are. Look at me, look into my eyes, my mind.

When I told Bella there's nothing I wouldn't do any more, that's exactly what I meant. No amount of dignity, self-respect or image is worth my son's life. I supplicated myself before you literally and figuratively - whatever price you wish to exact, whenever you wish to collect, I give to you freely. Nothing's too great.

Keep my son safe, Severus, and I will keep your secret.

[mecredi]

Author Name: mecredi
House: Slytherin
Title: Pleading Guilty
Word Count: 380
Warnings: None



"...kidnapping, homicide, terrorist threats and activity, alleged association with a group known as the 'Death Eaters', the use of all three Unforgivable Curses on numerous occasions..."

The officer in charge of the interrogation was reading to Narcissa Malfoy what she was being charged with. Only two weeks after the final fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Ministry was still rounding up suspected Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy was missing, and Narcissa had been brought in for interrogation and formal trial. I, a Ministry-employed Analyst, was there to read her reactions to each charge and advise the officers in charge of interrogation on how to proceed.

She was proving to be a very interesting case indeed. She was smiling throughout the list of charges. I shuddered. What kind of person could do that and be happy about it. Soon she was biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Was she trying to get off on basis of insanity?

I pointed my wand at the one-way window. The officer noticed the red light I had ignited and left as soon as he finished the recitation. I asked him to let me speak with her.

When I entered the room, Narcissa was no longer smiling. I sat calmly, and began to ask questions, "So, you know what you are being charged with. Do you have anything to say about these charges?"

She stared blankly at me. I tried again, "Do you deny any of these charges? Do you plead guilty?"

She turned and faced the gray concrete wall to the side of the table. I was about to try again when she answered.

"I plead guilty,"

I blinked.

She turned back to me and leaned forward in her chair, "I did what I had to to save my family." She extended her hands out to me, wrists upwards. "I don't think what I did was wrong. I did it for my husband and for my son. I did everything to protect them. You can send me to Azkaban, but I know what I did is right."

I motioned for the officer to return. He placed a pair of manacles on her wrists and lead her away. As she was leaving, she turned back to face me with silent tears streaming down her face, and she smiled. This time, I understood why.

[POTCgirl1337]

Author Name: POTCgirl1337
House: Slytherin
Title: Alone
Word Count: 443
Warnings: Suicide

Narcissa Malfoy sat alone in the living room of Malfoy Manor. Sitting on a large over-stuffed chair she gazed woefully around the dust covered room. The sun was fading from the sky and the moon shown brightly through the glass panels surrounded by many stars. It seemed to be teasing her, the man on the moon’s mouth was open wide and appeared to be laughing at her loneliness as he was accompanied by small specks of silver.

‘The stars look like the Moon’s children.’ She thought, tears swelling up in her empty eyes. She missed her child, she missed her son. He was murdered a few months ago by the Dark Lord for bailing on his mission, and no one was there for her when she received the letter from the Ministry that her son was dead. And with her husband in prison, she was alone.

It seemed as though she was always alone. Alone as a child, forgotten by her parents, alone when her sister abandoned her to go to Hogwarts and alone in thought when she was told to marry a man she didn’t love and didn’t love her. Lucious was gone when she gave birth to their only son and even after his birth she was alone. Draco never spent much time with his mother, almost as though he could tell his parents were never in love. And when Draco left for Hogwarts she tried to make herself happy by sending him treats and presents in hopes that he would come home and love his mother like she loved him. That never happened.

Just over four years ago her house elf, whom she can’t remember his name, was set free. He was never one she would have a conversation with but still, he was a presence. Her sister, who she was good friends with as a child, was sent to Azkaban after the first war. When she broke out, Narcissa hoped she would visit, but no, she was to busy tending to the Dark Lord, doing his biding, to even think about her sister.

She was starting to think that the pain of loneliness would never end, she was doomed to sit alone for the rest of eternity or until she wasted away into nothingness. But there was one glimmer of hope remaining, a way to escape this terrible fate: she eyed her wand laying on the table in front of her. Slowly she stood up and reached for it with a guilty pleasure. Grasping the wooden handle, she picked it up and held it to her chest, and said the magic words that would end her sorrow. ‘Avada Kedavra’.

[FanficWriterNikki]

Author Name: FanficWriterNikki
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Changes
Word Count: 262
Warnings: None

Dear Mother,

Thank you for the early graduation present. I received the package over breakfast this morning. I’m sure the robes will look lovely when I wear them. Now Mother, I know you gave them to me so I can wear them when I go to the job at the Ministry of Magic that Father would like to arrange. As you already know, I still do not wish to accept the job and I doubt I ever will want it.

I also no longer plan to live at the house with you and Father. I would like to move in Lucius Malfoy. I believe Father is acquainted with his family. He is just one year older than me and already has an excellent job in the Ministry of Magic. Do not worry, Mother. He is as Pureblooded as we are, was a Slytherin, and served as Head Boy last year. I love him very much and he loves me. I know you never felt strong feelings like this for Father, but I beg you to just let me be happy. I assure you that Lucius is a better partner for me than anyone Father can promise me to.

You have tried all your life to make me just like you, but I will no longer allow you to do this. I am an adult now. You will have to accept these changes, but I assure you, your opinions are always important to me. Please consider all of this and I will see you at graduation. Send Father my love.

Your daughter,
Narcissa

[Viv]

Author Name: Viv
House: Slytherin
Title: Failure
Word Count: 434
Warnings: None.

I just want to specify that this is Narcissa's thoughts right after being told that Lucius had failed in his mission and was arrested.

He had failed. He had failed in the Department of Mysteries. Voldemort had counted on my husband to get him the prophecy, but he deceived him. This is a disgrace to our family. What will the other Death Eaters think about the Malfoys from now on? How much respect will there be left for us? It took so much time to earn ourselves a place of choice in His circle of followers. Now, it looks like the day of our downfall is near. I know we’re not the only ones who couldn’t achieve a mission entrusted by the Dark Lord and that humans are born to make mistakes, but Lucius never failed before. And with Him, there is no place for mistake. You fail; you die. And if you don’t die, He will punish you in a way you can only wish you were dead. At least, He cannot harm Lucius now that he is in Azkaban. I would never have thought to say this one day, but to be in prison is the best thing for him right now. He’s safe.

Then again, it is Azkaban, a place full of Dementors. What are the chances of seeing Lucius again? And if I do, in which mental state will he be? They say people go mad after sometime spent in there. I fear for him. I know I shouldn’t, he can handle himself pretty well, but I can’t help myself. He’s my husband, for God sake! And what about my son? He always thought Lucius was the greatest wizard in the world. Draco needs his father, stronger and prouder than ever. He needs his protection. I need his protection. What if the Dark Lord decides to punish Lucius through us? I could stand a punishment, to go through terrible ordeals, but if something were to happen to Draco, I know it would be way too difficult to bear. My poor boy… He’s still so young, and so fragile, even if he doesn’t want anyone to notice it. He wants to follow his father’s path, but he’s not ready yet. And I don’t want him to be ready. He’s the only thing I have left. My only child…

Well, now look at me, I’m crying. What a shame I am. I must stop it now. I must be strong. I must do what I always do in this family: keep my head up and show no weakness. I must not give a chance to our Lord to find an easy way to reach us. Stand up straight, Narcissa, and brace yourself: the worst is ahead…

[StaceyLC]

Name: StaceyLC
House: Hufflepuff
Title: It's Not Easy
Word Count: 320
Warnings: None

You think it’s easy, don’t you? Being wealthy, being powerful, being a Malfoy.

Being pure.

It’s not easy to stand there regally, looking and acting like nothing more than a porcelain doll your husband purchased. It’s not easy to hate Mudbloods and half-bloods and blood-traitors. Although, after years and years of it being beaten into your head by your parents and their parents and their friends, it does come naturally. It’s not easy having to tell your son he can’t play with other the other children because he’s a Malfoy and “Father thinks those children are filthy”, and then listen to him cry and tell you he hates you. It’s not easy to teach your son right, when his father comes home with tales of deceit and talk of wizard purification. It’s not easy to stand against the wall and be undressed by Death Eater eyes.

It’s not easy to love your husband, who’s once bright, beautiful eyes have gone stone cold and his life consumed by serving another.

It’s not easy to love your son, who’s turning out to be just like his Father.

It’s not easy being a Death Eater’s wife.

But you do it. And you smile, and you look pretty, and buy beautiful clothes to let the world know just how happy, powerful, and wealthy you are because you’re a pureblood. Because you’re a Malfoy. Then you gawk and sneer and hate everyone and everything in the world around you that isn’t pure, until you forget.

You forget what it was like to play with Muggle children before mother took you away. You forget what it was like to wear shorts and get dirty before father threatened to beat neatness into you and your sisters. You forget what it was to love and laugh openly, to smile freely. To live.

It’s not easy being pure. What is easy, however, is forgetting you were ever anything else.

[wishiwereaweasley]

Name: wishiwereaweasley
House: Ravenclaw!
Title: It's Really Happening
Word Count: 445
Warnings: None, I think

Narcissa Black turned around slowly, unwilling to face the mirror, because seeing herself would mean that that this was really happening. She opened her eyes.

It was really happening.

Narcissa was dressed in frothy white robes and had an ancient string of pearls around her neck. Her shining blonde hair was pulled away from her face by her grandmother’s veil. She looked every inch the bride, except for her eyes. The smile plastered on her face didn’t reach them, and their unhappiness was as marring to her face as a black stain would have been on her new robes. She didn’t care.

*

Narcissa walked slowly forward, eyes downcast. She didn’t want to see what was in front of her. As long as she averted her eyes, there was still a chance that maybe it wasn’t happening.

It was really happening.

Narcissa looked up to see her betrothed, Lucius Malfoy, waiting for her with their fathers, who would be performing the ceremony. All three had appropriate looks of happiness on their faces, and in the fathers’ cases, the smiles were genuine. She didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry that Lucius’ smile more resembled her own.

*

Narcissa sat in the boudoir of her new home, hairbrush in hand, staring into space. The lovely new robes were hung in the closet; the pearls and veil sat on the vanity before her. She didn’t want to stand up, because a part of her still believed it wasn’t happening.

It was really happening.

Narcissa pulled the brush through her hair a few more times—anything to keep the events of the evening from progressing. As she brought it through the tips of her locks, it caught on the lace of the garment she was now wearing. She struggled to detach it without ruining the lines of the lingerie. She couldn’t, and in an act of defiance, she ripped it out, tearing the beautiful lace. Then her husband called her name.

*

Narcissa lay back in the bed, spent. The cries of her son could be heard all through the house, and it was the first noise she’d welcomed in the time she’d been living there. They anchored her to reality and without them, she wouldn’t have believed it was happening.

It was really happening.

Narcissa held Draco in her arms; he was small, but comfortably and reassuringly solid. Something good had come out of her marriage, hell that that had been. Here was a son, someone she loved unconditionally. She had something to live for, some light in her life. She smiled into his tiny face, for the first time happy that it was really happening.

[bittersweet_lullaby]

Author Name: bittersweet_lullaby
House: Slytherin
Title: Narcissa's (Ex) Sister
Word Count: 293
Warnings: none

Narcissa sat quietly on the window seat in her bedroom, watching her older sister Andromeda walking hurriedly down the front steps of the house. Narcissa knew she was going to see her boyfriend, a Muggle-born. The only reason Andromeda was still living with them was that their parents didn't know she was dating the boy. Andromeda had sworn Narcissa and their oldest sister, Bellatrix, to secrecy, even though Bellatrix was of the opinion that they should tell their parents anyway.

"If she's dating a Mudblood, I don't want anything to do with her," Bellatrix had said.

"She's our sister, Bella," Narcissa had scolded tiredly. She was sick of their fights over Andromeda's boyfriend. She loved Andromeda, and wanted her to remain part of the family. But she knew Andromeda would never come back if things worked out with the boy. She knew Andromeda wanted out, and it almost broke her heart. But she had to stay strong. She must not show how she felt. It would only betray her.

Now Narcissa sat and watched as a tall, thin boy with very light brown hair (it was almost blond) walked up to Andromeda and embraced her from behind. Andromeda turned around and grabbed his hand, looking over her shoulder at the house. Narcissa didn't bother to move; she knew Andromeda would probably see her watching. She waited for Andromeda's eyes to pass over the window where she sat. She waited for the wave that Andromeda would send cheerfully her way.

It never came. Andromeda's eyes raked the surroundings quickly, moving over Narcissa's bedroom window and stopping directly on Narcissa. Then, without a backward glance, she turned and walked with her boyfriend down the street and out of sight.

And just like that, Narcissa had lost her sister forever.

[avenger_of_dumbldore]

Author Name:Avenger_of_dumbldore
House: Gryffidnor
Title:"He's not here"
Word Count: 499
Warnings: death

There was a knock on the door of Malfoy Manor. Narcissa walked to the door and opened it. Standing on the threshold were three people. Peter Pettigrew, Rodolphus Lestrange and her sister, Bellatrix.

“Hello,” said Narcissa. “Can I help you?”

“Where is he?” asked Rodolphus. “We know he's hiding here.”

“Where is who?” asked Narcissa.

“Your son!” said Peter. “He defied the Dark Lord. It was Snape that killed Dumbledore, Draco was going to let him go. And now he must pay.”

“He is not here,” said Narcissa.

Bellatrix shoved her sister out of the way and walked in. She pushed her sister up against the wall, looked into her eyes, and said, “Where is the boy?”

“He is not here,” repeated Narcissa coolly. She had always felt pressured by her sister and never, she realized, really liked her.

“Search the house!” ordered Bellartix.

The company moved throughout the house, all fifteen bedrooms, nine bathrooms, halls, kitchen, living room, dining room, parlor, basement and even the attic were searched. In the whole house, they found no one, even after checking it with spells.

“Tell us, where is he?” asked Peter, returning from the attic.

“I told you, I don’t know.”

“We still haven’t checked this room!” called Rodolphus, pointing to one sealed door.

“Oh, you can’t go in there,” said Narcissa, striding away from the door she had been standing at, that led to the study, and walking towards the door Rodolphus was pointing to and standing in front of it.

“Like hell we can’t,” said Bellatrix, and she stepped forward and pointed her wand at her sister. “Move.”

Narcissa didn’t.

“Crucio!”

Narcissa fell on the floor in pain. Then, it stopped.

“One more chance - where is he?”

“I will never tell you,” said Narcissa.

“Then you are weak, and have sealed your fate. Avada Kedavra!”

Narcissa’s head dropped, and her eyes closed. “Move into the room,” said Bellatrix. The group moved in, checked it for thirty minutes, then all turned to each other.

“There is no one in here,” said Rodolphus.

“Then why would she die to defend it?” asked Bellatrix, “Keep looking.”

For twenty more minutes, they searched, but still found nothing.

“We have searched every room in the house, he isn’t here. She confessed that she knew where he was, but we killed her,” said Bellatrix. She had made a mistake. “We have to find him before The Dark Lord finds us. The Malfoys have a holiday home up in Ireland. Let’s go there.”

Her companions agreed, so the three Apparated out of the home. All was silent for a moment, then, out of the study, came Draco Malfoy. He walked over his still mother, and knelt by her. She was dead - died defending him. She had been brave, and he would too.

We could defend you, and your mother. The words echoed through his head. He had missed that chance, but not this one. He would find Harry Potter, and help him kill Lord Voldemort.

[Aquilus Luna]

Author Name: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Unwanted Future
Word Count: 287
Warnings: None

She sat, silently, staring at the pure white dress she wore. It was pure like her, like her blood, and like the blood of the man she was to marry just hours from now. It wasn’t something she wanted, but what could she do? This was how all purebloods were raised, to associate with only those as pure as them, and marriage was no different.

It wasn’t that she hated Lucius, but she certainly didn’t love him. There had been a time long ago, when she thought she was in love. But that was in the past now.

Her mother told her she was lucky, to marry into such a prominent family in the wizarding world. It was wonderful, so she had been told, to be able to marry into the house of Malfoy. Narcissa’s future was planned out for her, unlike so many others her age. She had her place in society. She would be the wife of Lucius Malfoy, the mother of his heir.

“Cissy?”

Narcissa turned around, finding her sister looking at her curiously. “Are you alright?” She asked.

No, I’m not. “Yes, I’m fine.” She lied.

“It’s time.”

Narcissa nodded, following her sister out to the aisle, where Lucius stood waiting at the end. The trip down was one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. For at the end didn’t just stand her fiancée, but her new future, a future chosen for her.

She sealed the marriage with those two words. “I do.” She was now Narcissa Malfoy.

And so she sat, years later, looking down at the pure white dress she’d worn. The dress that was as pure as her, and as pure as the future she’d never wanted.


Author Name: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Innocence
Word Count: 393
Warnings: None

She remembered the day he was born, her only son. He was so tiny, so innocent. She knew he wouldn’t always be like that, but she cherished the time while he still was. He’d opened his eyes, taking his first view of the world around him.

Narcissa stifled a sob. How much things had changed. Draco was no longer as tiny and innocent as he’d been. How she’d fought to save him from the fate he’d been destined to since birth. But against Lucius she was powerless. And now she sat, praying things would go well for her son. He was going to receive his first task today, the task that would prove his worth to the Dark Lord. Lucius told her it was an honor for their son. The Dark Lord was providing him a chance to prove himself at such a young age.

But Narcissa took no comfort at that thought. She suppressed another sob. She had to stay strong, for herself and her son. She remembered what he’d said to her, the night before, when Lucius wasn’t around.

“I’m scared Mum,” Draco told her.

Narcissa had felt the tears coming to her eyes, as she drew her son in close to her, like old times when he was younger. “I know Draco, I know. But you have to stay strong. We’ll get through this.”

“But I don’t want to serve him.” Draco told her. “Please Mum,” he pleaded. “Can’t you change Dad’s mind?”

“I’ve already tried Draco.” She told him. “You know it’s useless.”

Draco didn’t reply; just let his mom hold him closer.

Narcissa wondered after what he was going to be faced with, how many more moments like that she’d share with her son. How many more times would he let his guards down, and show his true self to her?

Narcissa turned around as she heard a noise behind her. Lucius and Draco were back from Draco’s first meeting with the Dark Lord. She tried to ask her son how it went, but he didn’t answer. He pushed past her; first giving her a look she’d remember the rest of her life. His eyes were so full of emotion, and it was then Narcissa knew he was no longer the innocent boy he’d been, but a man who would be plagued with the troubles of the world.


Author: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Her Unborn Child
Word Count: 311
Warnings: Suicidal Thoughts

She steadied herself against the nearest object to her, which happened to be a desk. In her hands she held something that would forever change her life.

She remembered when she’d first suspected she was pregnant. She had told no one, most especially Lucius. Now she stood, the proof in her hand. She’d always known she’d have to provide him an heir, a fact she hadn’t looked forward to.

She already knew her unborn child’s future. He would grow up, raised as a proud pureblood, unable to associate with those below him. It was how she was raised, how her husband had been raised. He would be sorted into Slytherin at Hogwarts, as every Malfoy before had been. And when he was old enough, he’d join the Dark Lord’s ranks as a Death Eater.

Narcissa stood, feeling pity for her unborn child. It was then that she’d first considered killing herself. At least she would spare her child from a dark future.

“Narcissa?”

She spun around. There her husband stood. He looked down at the object held in her hands, a dawning realization coming over him.

“Are you…?” He didn’t finish the question. She knew what he was asking.

She contemplated telling him no. But she didn’t, just as she never went through with killing herself. She decided then, that what ever the future may bring for their child, she would help him or her face it. They would get through it together.

Narcissa looked up at her expectant husband and nodded. He pulled her into a hug, the first true act of emotion he’d shown her during their marriage. But Narcissa couldn’t feel as enthused as her husband.

She allowed a single tear; after all she was a Malfoy. She needed to stay strong, knowing that she would be there to get through whatever obstacles life would throw her child.


Author: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: I'm Sorry
Word Count: 295
Warnings: Character Death

“I’m sorry.”

So many years ago had she spoken those words, and she remembered the day so well. It was the day the Narcissa realized just how cruel it could be, to be a pureblood. It was the day she realized that all she’d been taught about purity of blood was nonsense. It was that day, when she was only still an eight-year-old, that she lost her best friend.

“I don’t understand.” Narcissa’s best friend spoke.

“I’m sorry.” She repeated. “But I’m just not allowed to hang around with you anymore. My father, he got so mad when he found out I was over at your house yesterday, and he told me I couldn’t play with you anymore.”

By now both girls had tears in their eyes.

“But why?” the other girl asked. “Why can’t you play with me anymore?”

“Because…” Narcissa spoke barely above a whisper now. “You’re not a pureblood, and my dad says I can only play with other purebloods. I’m really sorry. I still want to be your friend, but I just can’t.”

The other little girl gave a small nod, before giving her best friend one final hug.

She’d never seen her again. Just a few years later, her family was killed by Death Eaters. Narcissa hadn’t thought about her best friend for a long time, until today. She looked through the pictures her friend’s mother had taken of them so many years ago.

They were laughing together, eating ice cream. Another one showed them chasing each other around. Narcissa remembered that moment. She smiled at the thought. They’d chased each other around until they were so tired they couldn’t even move. She took one last glance at the pictures before saying one more thing to her friend .

“I’m sorry.”


Author: Aquilus Luna
House: Hufflepuff
Title: You Always Have a Choice
Word Count: 338
Warnings: None

“You’d do very well in Hufflepuff.” The Sorting Hat told her. “Or even Ravenclaw.”

“Please, no.” The girl pleaded silently. “I need to be in Slytherin. Mom and Dad will be so mad if I’m not. My whole family has been in Slytherin.”

“Are you sure? You would do so well in a different house.”

“I’m sure. I don’t have a choice anyways.”

“You always have a choice,” replied the Sorting Hat. “If you’re sure that’s what you want though, I guess I have no choice but to put you into…”

“SLYTHERIN!” The Sorting Hat spoke aloud to the other people present during the girl’s sorting.

Narcissa took a deep breath, as she walked over to the expectant Slytherin table. Sitting down she glanced over at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables, both possible houses she could’ve been sorted into, if she were someone other than Narcissa Black that is.

Slytherin never did feel right to her. She never felt as though she truly belonged with the rest of the students in her house. Years later, she wished she hadn’t insisted on being put into that house. She had been a scared eleven-year-old, trying to please her parents.

Throughout the rest of her life, she realized she never quite changed from that scared eleven-year-old. She’d spent most of her life trying to please her parents, and although she often did, deep down it was her who was the unhappiest.

Had she just taken the words the Sorting Hat had told her so long ago, and listened, maybe things would be different, or maybe not. Still, she wished she had just listened when she was told, “You always have a choice.”

But she never had, and it had taken her many years to finally listen to those wise words. By then it was too late. Her life had taken turns she’d never wished for, and deep down she knew she’d always be that scared eleven-year-old, trying to please her parents, and too scared to know, she always had a choice.

[solemnlyswear_x]

Author Name: solemnlyswear_x
House: Gryffindor
Title: A Mother’s Protection
Word Count: 345
Warnings: None

I looked at my husband, trying to appear indifferent. I knew Lucius wouldn’t listen to me if I began to show emotion, and this was my last chance to convince him. I had been trying relentlessly the entire week to get him to acquiesce, but I’d only had failure.

“I’m not sure how many times I have to tell you, Narcissa. I don’t want my son being taught by that Mudblood-lover,” he spat venomously, his grey eyes staring into mine. It was amazing, really, how much hate he could reveal in his eyes alone.

“It’s just,” I began, desperately trying to keep calm, “I don’t like the idea of Draco going so far away.” I needed my son close to me; I needed to protect him.

“Durmstrang Academy is an excellent school. You should be proud, Narcissa, that your son is talented enough to attend.”

“I don’t care!” I bellowed, fed up with his reasoning. I wanted my son nearby- I wanted Draco at Hogwarts.

Lucius’s face tightened, and I was sure for a moment he was going to say no once more, but he didn’t.

“Fine,” he replied coolly. “If you want our son to be educated by the scum who permits Mudblood’s to attend the school, I’ll allow it. I don’t have time to argue with you every day until September. Just know, it is your fault he’ll come so close to filth like the Weasleys.”

“Thank you, Lucius,” I said, attempting to regain control of my emotions.

“I need to go out, Narcissa,” my husband said, regarding me with indifference once again. “Make sure Draco stays away from trouble.”

I watched as he turned on his heel, not believing that once upon a time I had loved this man. I was a fool then, of course. I was a silly schoolgirl too blind to see what a cruel man he could be. But that didn’t matter now- I had won. My son would be close to me, and maybe, just maybe, I would be able to protect him for a little longer.

[hansolohpfrk]

Author Name: hansolohpfrk
House: Gryffindor
Title: "I do."
Word Count: 372
Warnings: None



Her eyes peered through the veil, only to see all her relatives staring at her with expectancy. All Lucius’ family gazed at her approvingly. Clearly, they thought the same thing her parents did: a fine choice; wealthy and pureblood. Her own blue eyes wandered to her fiancé. At the sight of him, her hands tightened around her bouquet of pink and white flowers. He was somewhat handsome, and he was an extremely rich pureblood. Any decent woman would be pleased to have him as a husband.

So how come I don’t? Narcissa questioned herself as she started down the aisle, heavy dress trailing behind her. The wedding music was nothing more than a buzzing in her ears as she reflected. I don’t love him! she realized.

Ever since she was five, she had dreamed of the perfect wedding. It would take place on a cold winter’s day, when snow was falling down in small, light flakes, landing in her blonde hair. She’d have the perfect dress. A creamy white color, with white sequins all down the front. Most of all, she would be marrying a man whom she would have shared a long courtship with, and loved with all her soul. When she had told her mother this vision at age six, her mother had squashed her hopes saying, “Now, Narcissa. Don’t be silly. That will never happen."

Today was a hot summer day, and Narcissa’s dress was sticking to her in all the wrong places. No snow, no beautiful dress. And worst of all, she was marrying a man she barely even knew.

I could just turn around and walk out right now, she said to herself.

Oh, no, you will NOT! another voice said. You cannot disgrace your family for the tiniest of flaws. You will get used to him.

Narcissa stopped abruptly at the end of the aisle. I am going to do this. She was staring at her husband-to-be, hoping to see a look of reassurance. His steely eyes said nothing to her. I will never get used to this man, she thought disgustedly. There is no way.

“I do,” Narcissa heard Lucius say in monotone. It was her turn. There was no turning back now.

“I do.”




Author Name: hansolohpfrk
House: Gryffindor
Title: Learning Her Place
Word Count: 256
Warnings: Small amount of abuse



Learning Her Place

“He is too young, Lucius!” I pleaded with my husband. “Now, he cannot finish school because of your devotion to the Dark Lord! You have to do something!”

“No Cissa! How many times must we go through this?” He yelled, eyes narrowing.

Tears started to well up in my eyes. “He is sixteen! He’s only a boy!”

“Cissa, he is one of us now. There is nothing I can do about it! Accept that!” He yelled. “End of discussion.”

“He is only a child! Can’t you see?” I cried.

He looked at me dangerously. “I said ‘end of discussion’.”

Normally I would have dropped the subject, but this time, I knew that I would have to be persistent. “No, Lucius! I will not have my son brutally murdered because his failure of a father was too cowardly to-!”

In one quick motion, the palm of his hand met my cheek. I stepped back, shocked. He had gotten mad at me, and he had threatened me, but never did he raise his hand to me. Hot tears stung my cheeks and I could feel the mark growing red. He looked me in the eye. “End of discussion, Narcissa.”

I appeared to be calm, but really, my heart was pumping so loud and my hands were shaking. What would he do next? Would there be another blow? What should I do? In the end, I decided that it was best to be a good wife, and be submissive. My eyes reverently met his and I nodded. “Yes, Lucius.”




Author Name: hansolohpfrk
House: Gryffindor
Title: Mental Deliberation
Word Count: 352
Warnings: none




'I am asking Harry Potter for help,' I stated to myself, quite obviously. 'There is no other way to help Draco.'

'You are sinking to the lowest of the low, Narcissa!' A voice from the back of my head criticized. 'You should be proud that your son is in the service of the Dark Lord.'

'You are starting to sound like Bella,' I said to myself as I spotted the signature trait I was looking for: dark hair and glasses, with a scar on his forehead.

I approached him from the back, and tapped him on the shoulder. Potter turned around and as soon as he saw me, whipped out his wand.

“May I borrow you for a second?” I asked politely, not wanting to draw the attention of the crowd. Diagon Alley was full of wizards and witches who knew of my son’s current status and the last thing I needed was to draw attention.

“No,” Potter growled.

'Ha! He said no!' The voice said triumphantly.

'I have to try!' I told it. 'There is no other way to save Draco!' That was the truth, too. No one I knew would help me. Severus had done all he could to help, and Bella was being interrogated by Him at this precise moment. Bella was always strong, but in facing the Dark Lord, she cracked like an egg. It would not be long before Severus, Draco, and I were on the Dark Lord’s ‘most wanted’ list.

“I need your help,” I stated plain and simple.

Potter looked at me questioningly. “What?”

“You heard me,” I replied.

I lead him to the Knockturn Alley entrance. “I have tried everything else but this, and none of it has worked. Can you-?”

'Don’t do it!' The voice warned. 'He will turn the both of you into the Ministry!'

I ignored the voice. “Can you-?” My voice cracked. It tore me to betray my husband, my sister, and my family just to save my only son. Hot tears stung my face as I whispered, “Would the Order of the Phoenix protect my son?”




Author Name: hansolohpfrk
House: Gryffindor
Title: Her Eyes
Word Count: 498
Warnings: none



I was twenty when I first met Narcissa Malfoy. We spoke through the bars in cell block twenty-three, on floor two. She was an interesting person, to say the least. Our conversation was limited; there was supposed to be no talk among the Azkaban prisoners and the guards. No, I am not a dementor. I am a simple human being, who has an uncontrollable mouth, and no sense of propriety.

She was very submissive and did whatever we (the Azkaban guards) asked of her. I guess that she must’ve gotten used to being told what to do. From what I hear, her parents were very traditional, and she grew up around that garbage. She was the exact opposite of outspoken, actually. Her head was always bowed when someone she didn’t know made eye contact with her, and she always was grateful to every tiny thing a person did.

She spoke of her husband, who, from what I hear, treated her well and they both lived comfortably. More than comfortable, in my opinion. They were wealthy; anyone could see that. She did not care for him much, and having met the man, I can’t say any different.

She also spoke of a son, and she loved him very much. He was the subject of many of our conversations. She would always talk about how handsome his eyes were. “They are the palest blue. He has my eyes,” she would say. One time I asked where he was now. She said he was in hiding and that was all she could say. I asked why. At that comment she stared at me as if I had three heads. She replied, “He is in danger. There are few who would bother to help him, much less me. I entrusted him to a safe person who provided a legitimate place to hide. I am not at liberty to say any more.” I sensed that she was unhappy and decided to leave.

That was one of the last sane sentences that came out of her mouth. The dementors were getting inside her brain. She had lasted a long time, for we had our civilized conversations for months after she was imprisoned. But from that last day on, whenever I saw her, she was either babbling on and on about the most random subjects or was in hysterics. Once, I passed by her cell and she called me over. “I’m losing my mind aren’t I?” She asked. I was silent; I did not want to say what was truly on my mind. A single tear slid down her cheek and she turned away from me. I continued on.

She died the next day. Some say she committed suicide; others say her brain couldn’t take it. I attended her burial. Afterwards, I saw a young man, about my age, standing at her gravestone. I stepped up behind him and he turned to me. There was one thing I noticed about him. He had her eyes.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Author Name: Schmerg_The_Impaler
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Teen Love
Word Count: 216
Warnings: Mild to moderate cheesiness.

I was only thirteen, but I knew what true love felt like. Just looking at his picture made what I was sure was love squelch its way through my entire body, until I felt as tingly as a cat that’s been through a vacuum cleaner. (Not that I’ve ever used one of those muggle devices…) How could I not fall into his shining, soulful eyes that stared out from beneath expressive eyebrows? How could I not long to stroke his long, lustrous blond hair?
My diary was full of drawings of hearts embellished with our names, the “N” of my first name intertwined with his loopy “L.” And my mind was full of half-created daydreams, all of which had rather similar outcomes. I’ll spare you the details, but they involved the contact of pairs of lips.
Unfortunately, my sister Bellatrix was not as respectful toward me and my true love as I was toward her and her boyfriend, Rodolphus. I remember the day she snatched my diary out of my hands and cackled, “Really, Cissy, you are pathetic! You’ve covered this entire page in hearts that say ‘Narcissa + Legolas?’ You nerd!”
And with that, she walked away, snickering to herself about immature little sisters. I, for one, think to this day that she was merely jealous.
This was inspired by a fanart drawing by the lovely Makani:
http://acciobrain.ligermagic.com/hpcissafangirl.jpg

By the way, I have a deep-seated hatred of Orlando Bloom (sorry, fans!), so don't get any ideas! I just thought the parallels between Lucius and Legolas were funny.

Author Name: Schmerg_The_Impaler
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Hairdresser
Word Count: 303
Warnings: Lame
Hair is important, something that most girls realize when they’re very young, and most boys don’t realize at all. This is probably a good thing, because if boys were aware of the power of hair, they’d be a lot more emotional about male-pattern balding. But in any case, one of the first things you notice when you look at a person is their hair, and you can tell someone’s personal attitude toward himself or herself just by looking at their hair. A girl with limp, unwashed hair doesn’t think much of herself; a lady with dyed, over-styled hair wants other people to notice her; a woman with very short, cropped hair is stern and unfeminine; and a girl with long, flowing hair loves and is loved. This is called stereotyping, but I’ve come to learn that most stereotyping is, in fact, true.
Keeping this in mind, I pick up the silver hairbrush, inlaid with pearls and probably vastly expensive, and run it through the silky blond hair. I count to one hundred disciplined, precise strokes, brushing until it gleams brighter than the silver of the hairbrush. I run my hands over the soft surface of the hair, then gather the long strands in my hands and secure it with a green silk ribbon.
“There, I’m done,” I murmur to Lucius. He smiles.
“Thank you, Narcissa. Really, I’ve never met anyone who cares about hair as much as you do.” He stands up, gathers his cloak around him, gives me a quick peck on the lips, and strides out the front door. I can see his hair gleaming in the sunlight as I look out the window.
The Malfoy family’s reputation may be crashing down around our ears, I think to myself. But we will always be a good hair family.

This drabble was inspired by this bit of fanart: http://acciobrain.ligermagic.com/hpcommishmariah.jpg.
By the way, I've always imagined Lucius with long hair-- I'm not confusing canon with the films.

[the nutty imp]

Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Protected
Word Count: 200
Warnings: None

It was often said that she was the most fortunate of the Black sisters. She neither ended up with a Muggle now did her beauty rot away in Azkaban, She had a powerful husband and an obedient son. Blond, fair, beautiful and rich … that’s what the Malfoys are.

Husband in thrown in Azkaban and a son soon to follow his father’s footsteps. A desperate woman she was. She knew not how to hold back the crumbling dam. She was not equipted for this. Beauty and wiles is all that she had … this could not help her now.

Though without a husband, a sister had returned to give her support. Support she needed; all her life people gave to her, she knew not how to handle problems on her own. Now, she sought the help of her husband’s old friend, one not susceptible to her beauty and wiles, yet he was her only hope.

Honest desperation he saw in her. Did he pity her? She knew not. Yet he did gave her a promise – that’s all reassurance she sought.

Fortunate was Narcissa indeed. The delicate flower that cannot be broken all because of the tall trees that surrounds her.

[HP_Ber]

Name: HP_Ber
House: Hufflepuff
Title: The Two Narcissas.
Word Count: 495
Warnings: None

She ran down the corridor of the mansion – her mansion – towards the sound of crying coming from afar. Draco. Draco was crying and she had to check on him.

“Let him cry it out,” her husband, Lucius, had mumbled before turning over and going back to sleep. But she couldn’t let him cry it out. He was her first-born son, the heir to the family fortune. Her baby. At just four weeks old, Draco had already managed to get rid of three nannies. They just didn’t like the little boy. They didn’t say as much, but that was the jist of their comments.

“He’s just a baby, Lucius. He’s hungry, I think. Or needs a nappy change,” Narcissa explained to her already sleeping husband. To the outside world, Narcissa Malfoy was the ice-cold wife of Lucius Malfoy. She walked and talked with a heart of ice in her voice. She treated those she felt were beneath her with less respect than was necessary. Of course, pretty much everyone was beneath her family.

But inside the walls of Malfoy Manor, Narcissa Malfoy was a model parent, responding to the cries of her baby with compassion and love. There were two different Narcissas here. The indoor Narcissa and the outdoor Narcissa. There was only one Lucius Malfoy. Narcissa wondered how their marriage had lasted long enough to have a child. Lucius was an absent parent. Narcissa was left to tend to the baby (having lost four nannies, the Malfoys had decided Narcissa would take over the care of the baby – well, Lucius had decided), run the household, oversee the servants and maintain their family’s outward appearance to the general public.

This was not how she imagined her life would turn out. Yes, she had fully intended to marry a pure-blooded wizard, unlike her sister Andromeda, who’d married a Muggle. But she hadn’t imagined marrying a pure-blood who was so close to the Dark Lord. She could have handled a husband who agreed with the Dark Lord, but didn’t necessarily join his ranks. Lucius, on the other hand, was right in the inner ranks. Practically Voldemort’s right hand man. On many occasions she’d considered packing herself and Draco up and leaving Lucius. He led a dangerous life, and she didn’t want that for her only son. She could move back with her parents – but their house was not the place to raise a small boy. Right in the heart of London, there wasn’t a lot of room for a boy to play, run, learn to fly a broomstick. And she couldn’t turn to either of her sisters. Andromeda was disowned. To run to her would be social suicide. Bellatrix was as deeply into the Dark Lord’s ranks, it wouldn’t be any safer there. And Lucius intended to teach Draco about being Pure Blood. The way he said it, it had to be capitalized. Lucius wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Narcissa wanted to keep him safe.

[butterflykisses]

Name: butterflykisses
House: Slytherin
Title: Mommy
Word Count: 495
Warnings: None

“That’s it, Narcissa. You’re doing wonderfully!” Helen, the mid-wife encouraged, “One last push, come on!”

I breathed in and out furiously. My face wrinkled and distorted with pain, “Aaarrrrrrgh!”

A baby’s cry.

My head fell backwards on the pillow, and my body succumbed to the softness of the bed. My forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and exhaustion quickly took over my body. I had been in labour for four hours, since seven in the morning. My water broke while I had been eating breakfast with Lucius. When I told him what had happened, he moved faster than I had even seen him.

“What is it?” I breathed. I could see the baby and was overcome with joy. This is a joyous occasion, I thought. But if it’s a girl, Lucius won’t be.

“Congratulations, you just gave birth to a beautifully healthy baby boy.”

Healthy baby boy, echoed in my mind. A boy! I had given birth to a boy! A son! I had given Lucius a son.

Helen strode over to the side of the bed with a small bundle in her arms. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I held my child for the first time. He was beautiful.

“Hi there, little one. I’m mommy. Yea, that’s right, mommy.” I softly caressed his plump little cheeks and his hands! They were so small and adorable. He wrapped his entire hand around my index finger, as if making sure I was really there. I was so enthralled by this new life I had brought into the world that I hadn’t even noticed that Helen had summoned Lucius.

He strode over to the bed with expectant eyes. I returned his look with one of pure joy and pride.

I handed him his son. At first, he was rather awkward holding the baby, but immediately afterwards it came naturally. He started swaying with him and whispering, “You’re my son. Yes, you are. You’re my wonderful healthy baby boy.”

The mid-wife spoke up, “Do you have a name?”

Lucius glanced at me. We had only chosen male names; Lucius had been so convinced it would be a boy.

“Draco.”

Helen nodded her approval, “Very good name. It’s very strong masculine name.”

Draco began to wail, clearly saying it was feeding time. Lucius tried shushing the child.

“That’s your cue, Narcissa!” Helen interjected as she gently took Draco from his father. “It’s time for Draco’s first feeding. I assume you’re breast feeding?”

I nodded, words required too much effort, and I was worn out.

The mid-wife passed me the newborn. Lucius stepped out of the room, as she helped me unbutton my night dress.

Draco instantly found the nipple and began guzzling in the milk. No one had told me that milking was such excruciating pain. My mouth opened at the shock, but closed just as fast. I’m his mommy, and this is what’s best for him. I reasoned with myself. Oh, how I love this child.

[Lurid]

Name: Lurid.
House: RAVENCLAW!
Title: An offer not to be refused.
Word Count: 284.
Warnings: None

“Narcissa Black, Will you marry me?”

Lucius Malfoy had bend down on one knee, in the middle of the expensive and exclusive restaurant in which they were dining. Velvet covers on the polished wooden tables, not a twig in the arrangements out of place, not a skerrick of smudge on the magnificent wine glass that sat in front of her. Everything was as it was supposed to be.

Narcissa sat, like a creature carved out of ice. One tap and she’d shatter into a million pieces. Her blonde hair didn't move as she shook her head slightly. Not in refusal, but to clear her mind. She saw Lucius' eyes flash briefly. His grip tightened on the brilliant diamond ring. Beautiful. Fine. Expensive. Irrefutable.

Mutters and flustered women’s whispered ran through her mind as she sat in her chair, hypnotised by Lucius’ grey, steely eyes. Resistance was futile; she couldn’t draw herself away from the deep, insurmountably captivating eyes.

“Oh my, the day Lucius asks for a woman’s hand in marriage is a lucky day indeed!”

“Oh, that Black girl knows not what she’s in for!”

“Oh, if only that Malfoy man would get down on bended knee for me!”

Narcissa bit her lip. A fine blossom of ruby red blood clashed with porcelain teeth. SO much relied on her saying yes, and yet, she fought the decision. So much inside of her, so much, resisted the offer. There was still so much more…

Lucius seemed impatient. “You will marry me, Narcissa Black?”

It was an order. An offer not to be refused. It was not a request.

Tears swam in her eyes. She blinked them back, and managed a small smile. She whispered.

“Yes.”

[Sour.Apple.]

Name: Sour.Apple.
House: Slytherin!
Title: A Forceful Change
Word Count: 341
Warnings: None


“Lucius, we have to talk,” declared Narcissa in demanding tones. Even in the early morning the former Black was dressed elegantly in a blue silk dress.

“Can’t it wait, Cissy,” questioned Narcissa’s husband, not even bothering to look back at her as he dressed for an early meeting.

“No, no it can’t,” answered Narsissa impatiently. “I’ve been talking to Bella-”

“Not this again, Cissy. I really don’t have time for this. I’m expected at the Ministry within the hour.”

“Lucius,” she began warningly, “You’ve been expected at the Ministry every other morning this week. If you don’t listen to me right now...I’ll...I’ll...” Narsissa stood wordlessly, but not lacking in her hidden emotion.

“Just don’t start on your sister’s husband is always home again, I can’t help it if I have more important business to tend to than him,” defended Lucius.

“And I’m not important enough?” demanded Narsissa, overly emotional.

The statement forced Lucius to sit down and beckon his wife closer. “That’s not what I meant, Cissy, and you know it. But, I’m listening.”

Narsissa briefly sat on her husband’s lap before she began pacing.

“Lucius...Lucius, I’m pregnant,” she spat out.

“It’s mine, right?” questioned Lucius bluntly, trying to comfort his wife who was near tears.

A loud slap echoed through the room as Narsissa’s hand made contact with Lucius’ cheek. Afterwards, she withdrew rapidly.

“Sorry,” she muttered repeatedly. “Of course it’s yours, Lucius,” she answered quietly.

Lucius winced inwardly but kept his temper to himself. “Okay, so what’s the problem?”

“You’re never home. I’ve been trying to tell you for the past week, but you’re always ‘busy.’ This child is going to need a father, and I need a husband to be there.”

Lucius sighed irritably, inwardly wondering how he would describe this delay to the Ministry. “If I take a leave of absence at the office will you be happy?” he questioned.

“Very,” purred a relieved Narsissa, positioning herself on her husband’s lap once more. She knew exactly how to get what she wanted.

[atkarid]

Name: atkarid
House: Hufflepuff!!
Title: Escape
Word Count: 265
Warnings: Character Death?

The sun rays shined, and moved across the house elegantly, highlighting each dust-ridden piece of furniture, trying to bring out the sophistication that used to be, but now, wasn’t, there. A woman, aged greatly, with skin that wrinkled in wrinkles, and hair that was matted and grey, paced slowly into the room, and crumbled.

She crumbled onto the floor, shivering, thinking, wishing that the past would erase, so she could be free. Free from the sorrow, guilt, and madness the past had given her. Free from the burden she had to carry every day. Free from the loneliness she had to endure now. Free from all pain.

Everyone was gone. The only thing left was this dust covered house with grandeur that was hidden under hundred years of grey. But the house was nothing. It was just a Pensieve that held the horrible memories, and kept her remembering. The wind would howl at night, bringing in cold shivers through the window, reminding her of the times the Dark Lord and his followers had visited. The stairs would creak, each one reminding her of the time they had come to tell her that her son was dead. The fire would crackle, reminding her of the time he had told her through the fire that Bella had died at the hands of her enemy.

But she couldn’t escape these memories. She couldn’t escape the house, for she was not wanted outside. She couldn’t escape the memories of the past, and the horror that they brought. She wasn’t free. She was just a prisoner of her own mind.


Name: atkarid
House: Hufflepuff!
Title: The Dress
Word Count: 181
Warnings: None

Narcissa fingered the lace on her dress. It was beautiful, absolutely breathtaking when she first saw it. But somehow, it didn’t look right when she wore it.

She stared at herself in the mirror. It was a white dress, covered with lace. It had been passed down for generations, and she had received it for her wedding. Fiddling with her hair, Narcissa stared closely at the garment.

The lace was stitched so carefully, and it was so delicate, she could’ve ripped it so easily. The color was actually a bit off white. It was hard to see from far away, but with close scrutiny, she saw tints of yellow and grey. There were some strands of thread sticking out along the skirt. No one would notice when she walked, but as her fingers ran through the area, she felt the string tickle her skin. And her shoes, passed down along with the dress, were chipped in some areas, making them weaker then what they seemed to be. Already, she knew why it wasn’t right for her.

The dress was her.

[HorcruxHunter14]

Name: HorcruxHunter14
House: Slytherin
Title: Determined
Word Count: 413
Warnings: None

I have never seen Lucius completely satisfied, with anything, or anyone, including himself. He is restless, always spending great amounts of time trying and failing to get what he wants. He spent two years to get me to notice him, and in the end, it all paid off.

I admire his determination and persistence, but it has become his major character flaw. He has joined the Dark Lord, and was so determined to have me join that he lectured me and threatened me and begged me until I finally gave in.

I know I should want my child to never give up hope and be as persistent as Lucius, but I can’t bring myself to do so. What I want is for my child to never make the same mistake that Lucius and I did, whether he views it that way or not. But I know it won’t be easy. I know it will take the same lecturing and threatening and begging that Lucius gave to me.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is nearly impossible. I am afraid. It is a strong gene in the family, their determination and interest in the dark side. I lay one hand on my large abdomen and feel a gentle kick from my unborn child. But it is not just one. It is several, each stronger than the one before. This brings me to the truth I could not escape any longer. This tiny life inside of me is just as determined and persistent as Lucius.

***

Draco is truly his father’s son. He has that same face, that same glare that lets you know he is dissatisfied with himself. His method of getting what he wants is the same as Lucius’: doing everything it takes and not stopping until he gets it.

I am not as determined as Lucius and Draco; I accomplish goals out of motivation. When I receive and order from the Dark Lord, I obey immediately, because if I don’t, I could die. Sometimes it can take consequences like that to motivate me. But to me, love is an even stronger motivation.

Draco is almost grown, but I must still look after him. He is venturing into the rocky path his father and I took. I need to point him in the right direction. I am preparing myself for the worst. Draco knows what he wants and is determined to get it.

But I am too.


Title: For the Best
Word Count: 417
Warnings: None

What I am feeling isn’t real. I never thought I would be able to feel this way about someone. All hope was lost when I became surrounded by merciless people with cold hearts. But this is different. I, Narcissa Black, am in love.

I didn’t think it would happen to me. I saw what people would do to each other, simply because they were angry and wanted revenge. I started to not even want to love. I didn’t want to be lured into the trap that there is someone in this world who could be trusted completely. No one can be completely trusted. Especially Lucius Malfoy.

From the very beginning of my career as a Death Eater, I was told that he was someone you were better off staying away from. I was told he was cruel, even for a Death Eater. But I won’t hear of it. There is something about Lucius that makes you wonder what is beneath his rough skin and short temper. I’m the only one who can see through him. There is a small part of him that is waiting for something more in life, waiting for love.

Waiting for me.

I tell myself I’m getting my hopes up too high. I have already devoted my life to someone I do not even know. My family told me it was for the best. That it would mean something later, once I realized how important love is.

But the slender ring around my finger means nothing. It never did, and now that I have realized how important love is for myself, I don’t even know why I am wearing it.

I sit down on the large bed that was supposed to be ours; me and my unknown fiancé. I focus all my attention on slowly sliding the ring off my finger.

"This is for the best, mother," I whisper to the white walls. The ring now between my thumb and forefinger, I drop it, letting it fall onto the wood floor with a soft clatter.

I lay back onto the blankets, satisfied with what I’ve just done. My unknown fiancé is now just another man in this world. I was never going to love him, and he probably would never love me. My mother was wrong.

I love Lucius, and maybe he will grow to love me someday. At this point, I know it seems like we aren’t supposed to be together, not meant to be, can’t be.

But I can’t resist him.

Title: Beautiful
Word Count: 375
Warnings: None

I have been told many times that I am beautiful. I have been told by my sisters and friends that they envy my beauty. And for as long as I can remember, I have pushed those comments aside. I did not care what I wore or how I looked. I had better things to worry about.

With the Dark Lord more powerful than ever, I was always alert, hardly sleeping, preparing myself for Voldemort to give me an order. My sisters and I were growing farther apart every day. And of course, there was my constant battle to get Lucius to notice me. But tonight, I forget about all of that. I walk up to a large mirror and feel…beautiful.

I slowly spin around, inspecting every inch of my silken dress. I stop, facing the mirror again, and slide a hand gently over my locks, twisted into an elegant bun. I stare at my reflection, at the body I’d neglected for so long. And then I realized…

My sisters and I were never extremely close, but lately we were very far apart. Too far apart. They were in the room next to me, obsessing over their hair and makeup. I had always set my priorities differently than they did, which was hard for them to understand, with my “perfect” body. They wished for me to always look this way. I couldn’t believe I had been so blind all these years…

I pushed this to the back of my mind, focusing on the mirror again. I embrace my beauty for the first time. My face, my hair, my dress. For the first time, I am content, and confident I am ready to show myself to my sisters, show them what they want, and bring myself closer to them again. I am ready to walk down the aisle, walk up to Lucius, and give my heart to him once and for all.

I pull the veil from behind me over my face as the door swings open, revealing the starry night sky. It is my sister Bellatrix. I know she is here to tell me that the wedding is about to begin, but instead she just stands there, her eyes wide.

“Narcissa,” she gasped, “you look beautiful.”

[Gryffinpuff]

Name: Gryffinpuff
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Golden Opportunity
Word Count: 446
Warnings: None

The Daily Prophet
Arthur Weasley ‘s Mysterious Attack
Though the Ministry has yet to comment on the incident, sources say Mr. Arthur Weasley was found grievously injured within the building earlier this morning. The extent of his injuries is unknown, though rumors have been circulating that a hideous beast from the Department of Mysteries may be on the loose…

Narcissa threw down the paper with disgust, curling her nose at the picture of the smiling, red-haired man on the cover. She knew perfectly well what had caused the attack, and it certainly was nothing from the blasted Ministry.

She rose from the table angrily, stalking down the hallway, a sheet of blonde hair billowing behind her. She often roamed the halls these days, the size of her enormous house making her undeniably restless. It was far too big a space to be left alone for such long periods of time. Draco was at school, she was used to that. But Luscius…

Luscius had never been away for such lengths of time in the beginning. Now, the Dark Lord kept him close, under his beck and call nearly every waking hour. His quest for the damned Prophecy had reached the point of maniacal obsession, his wrath becoming more acute with each successive failure.

If only there was something I could do, Narcissa thought angrily. Though not outside the Dark Lord’s graces, she certainly was not inside his inner circle. Her purposes to the Death Eaters had always been served in subtle ways. A spy within upper society, or a liaison between the Dark Lord and those that wished to remain anonymous in their generous support. But this was beyond her reach. She wasn’t even supposed to know about the Prophecy, so offering her assistance was out of the question.

A loud crack ripped the silence. Narcissa pulled her wand and whipped around, her cold blue eyes glaring angrily about. Finally they landed on a small, filthy house-elf, his body all but naked except for a dirty loincloth.

“Kreacher comes to offer his services to his Mistress,” the tiny elf said, his grey eyes beaming.

Narcissa starred in disbelief. Kreacher, her filthy blood-traitor cousin’s house-elf was here, standing in her drawing room, offering up information and his services. A smile began to spread over Narcissa’s pale face. This was what she’d been looking for. A way to pass information to Luscius without the Dark Lord knowing she was involved. This could bring Luscius home, under even higher regard with the Dark Lord. Her life could seem normal again.

“Hello, Kreacher,” she said in a smooth, eloquent tone, sitting lithely on the sofa. “Now, tell me everything you know.”

[Catrin]

Name: Catrin
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Forgotten Memory
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None

A pair of pale blue eyes settled on a patch of grass, under an apple tree in full blossom. It was a picturesque place, but one that was home to many less than picturesque memories. Memories that sidled along at the edges of one’s mind until they were reluctantly hauled back to safety, and met with a chilly welcome. One of such memories had just been saved from an early demise and the owner of the eyes was struggling to push it back over the precipice, but it was clinging to her mind with a strength she was powerless to overcome. After a fruitless struggle, she sat and succumbed to its will, after all, the future was bleak and the present miserable; the lost innocence in the past almost seemed the better option.

She could recall the breeze in her hair, and the scent of blossom tumbling from the tree like pink snow. She could remember the butterfly flutter of her heart as the tall, dark figure sat down beside her. She had never appreciated beauty, and he never seemed to fit into it, yet this was their place, and always would be, even the day before her wedding.

She remembered her innocent hopes and fears, and her unfathomable faith in his love. Basically, everything she said goodbye to that day. She leant her head against the tree, and sunk deeper into her reverie, so that she could remember exactly how the chain of events that followed came about.

“Severus, I knew you would come.”

Severus inclined his head to her, “I knew you would be here.”

She paused, “Severus, I can’t go through with it tomorrow, I just can’t…”

“Narcissa,” His tone slightly verged on threatening “We agreed. I can’t be seen to love you.”

“But you do love me, and I love you. No-one need know. We could just disappear, and no-one would know where we’d gone. We could go to Europe, or America; see all those beautiful sights we’ve only read about.”

“You are just a child Narcissa, you know nothing of how the world really works”

His tone shocked her, “I am nearly 23, hardly a child, and I know far more about love than anyone else my age.”

“You may know much about love, but that is only the sunny side of the coin. You know nothing about heartbreak and loss. We could never leave, they would find us, or we would spend our whole lives afraid that they will. I thought you understood this”

“Can’t we at least try? If it doesn’t work we could…”

“We could what, exactly. If we try, it will be ten times worse when we fail. I’m sorry” He slowly rose to his feet and strode away.

“Severus, please…” Tears had started to trickle down Narcissa’s face, but all the response she got from Severus was a slight pause as he plucked a June Lily from its stem, and crushed it beneath his fingers.

Title: Plans for the Future
Word Count: 476
Warnings: None

The room was an austere sea of black dress robes, the exact positioning of the frills and flounces on each one differed slightly from the one next to it, but otherwise each person looked like a perfect clone of the person next to them. The couples dancing in geometric rows under the dim candlelight moved in exact time with each other, and the suppressed talking was only just audible over the sedate ballroom music. A small group of people stood by the door, greeting each other formally with bows and curtsies, and an occasional murmured pleasantry.

Of all these people, the three we are most interested in were just entering through the ornate mahogany doors. “Cygnus, Druella, welcome, and this must be your daughter, Narcissa.”

Druella prodded her daughter in the back, “Curtsey, for Mr. Malfoy, dear” she whispered. Narcissa obediently bowed her head and swept to the floor, “and don’t stare at him,” she continued out of the corner of her mouth. As Narcissa rose, her head stayed bent and she stared resolutely at Abraxus Malfoy’s shoes.

“Such a charming, well-mannered child. I am sure you are very proud of her.” the owner of the shoes said in gushing tones.

“I am glad you think so, and I am sure your son will agree” said Cygnus.

Narcissa’s eyes in their station on the floor missed the understanding look that passed between the adults, and innocently asked,”Is Mr. Malfoy’s son here? Can I dance with him?” she looked apologetically at her mother, afraid she had forgotten one of the vital rules of etiquette that had been drummed into her before they had arrived at her first ball. In fact, she had, the one that states that ‘Children should only speak when spoken to’, but her mother saved the stern reproach for later, and instead looked at Abraxus Malfoy for an answer.

“Yes, my son Lucius is present; I’ll introduce you if you’ll follow me.” He strode along the edge of the room to a boy of about 12 and his mother who were having a murmured conversation. As Lucius’ mother spotted the small group heading towards them, they stood up straighter and turned to greet them.

Abraxus spoke to his son “Lucius, this is Narcissa Black, she is about your age, and has requested a dance with you. Would you like to take her onto the floor?” After an upward glance for his mother’s approval, Lucius nodded curtly and the pair walked onto the dance floor, as their parents followed them with their eyes.

“I’m glad that they seem to like each other,” said Cygnus, quietly.

“Yes, finding another match for my son as perfect as your daughter would prove a problem,” agreed Abraxus, and the women nodded knowingly as they watched the childish couple dancing, oblivious to the future already intricately planned out for them.

Title: Lucius' Child
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None

The morning had been an ocean of pain, interrupted every so often by worried voices and hurried footsteps, but eventually, four and a half hours later, a beautiful healthy baby boy lay in Narcissa Malfoy’s arms, peacefully asleep. The red stained sheets had been quickly whisked away, and now Narcissa and her baby were engulfed in a sea of white cotton.

She glanced down at her baby and admired his fairytale blonde hair and the aristocratic point of his tiny nose. She rested her hand between his mouth and nose, to feel the tickle of his breath against her fingers, and he gave a tiny, high-pitched sneeze and feebly attempted to push her away. She moved her hand away and he gave a peaceful sigh as he settled back into his sleep.

She thought how lucky he was. He could just brush away his cares and go back to a peaceful normality, whereas she had to deal with the consequences of everything that happened, and things that happened ten years ago kept coming back to make her life misery. She had pondered many names for him; Charlus was a favourite of hers, after one of her ancestors, but she had also considered Sirius, although it was unlikely that Lucius would agree to give his son the same name as one of Narcissa’s traitorous cousins.

Charlus she thought. Dignified, manly, and it was a name that had been in the family for centuries. She was sure Lucius would agree to it, there was no reason for him not to. She smiled down as her son stirred slightly in his sleep. “Hello Charlus,” she whispered quietly, and his tiny hand gripped her finger, “Yes,” she said, “I’m mummy and I’ll look after you. Daddy will be here in a minute, and he’s very busy, but he’ll make sure you are an honourable son”

She looked up then, to behold Lucius entering the room, she smiled a proud, happy smile at him, but he looked back at her coldly. “Tell me it’s not girl,”

“No, Lucius, you’ve got a beautiful, healthy boy,” She smiled again tentatively, hoping this time to have a positive response.

She was rewarded with a curt nod, and a suppressed “Well-done,” but then, what had she been expecting? Lucius wasn’t exactly one to go for smiles and flowers.

“I was thinking of calling him…” Narcissa trailed off at the look on Lucius’ face.

“I think it will be up to me to name him, don’t you? He shall be called Draco, and I don’t want any of this mollycoddling nonsense either, I’d like you to remember that he is my child,” Lucius sat down on the bed, next to Narcissa, and gently lifted Draco out of her arms, “My son,”

Narcissa let him take her baby from her, and really, she never got him back. He was always very much Lucius’ child, and by the time she realised the dangers this would bring, it was almost too late.

[glacialis]

Name: glacialis
House: Slytherin
Title: Cold
Word Count: 136
Warnings: None


Narcissa has always been cold.

She's been cold as a child, the perfect example of a pureblood lady, growing up in the dark Black house of her dark Black ancestors.

She's been cold as her Hogwarts letter came, and cold when she boarded the train. No tears, no laughter, no smiles. Just a courteous curtsy to her parents and then boarding the train with Bellatrix.

She's been cold when she married Lucius Malfoy, and cold as he took her to his home, away from her family. Eyes cold, face pale, and the perfect example of a pureblood lady.

But her hands are now warm. Fiery ropes surround her hand, joined with Snape's, in a vow to protect her son.
The only thing to ever bring warmth to her world.

Narcissa has always been cold.
Until now.

[Starmaiden]

Author: Starmaiden
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Choice is an Illusion
Word Count: 497
Warnings: Some angst, but no real warnings

I sit in my sister’s room. “I don’t understand why you won’t come downstairs, Cissy.”

She ignores me, eyes dark shadows in the mirror. “I hate this life. Why am I like this, Bella? This life that has been marked out for me, is it mine in truth? How would you describe me?”

Caught off-guard, I fumble for words. “Intelligent. Beautiful.” I am not fast enough.

“You only say ‘intelligent’ first because that’s what Mother and Father used to say, right before they went on to how important it was that we marry well. I pass my classes because the boys copy their notes for me. I’ll give you beautiful, but is there anything else that you can say about me?

“It has always been my portion to marry well. Outside of that, I am of no great importance.”

I cut her off. “Cissy, what life would you have chosen?”

I have given her something to think about. Her answer comes softly. “The same life I am living.”

I am still puzzled. “Then this dissatisfaction is only because of Andromeda’s rebellion. You think that she must have found something that you don’t have, is that it? Let it blow over and stop dwelling on it. It’s not doing anything for you.”

“But – Bella, don’t you see that living this life is not the same as choosing it?”

I do not. She continues, “If I had been born into this family, but without the early pressure to marry well and become another branch on the Black family tree, I still would have wanted to be well-liked. I still would have taken great pride in my appearance. I would even wish to make the best marriage that I could. But taking this road by force is not the same.

“It tried to lull me into a sense that I can control my life. I was Mother’s darling – she granted me everything. She gave me gowns, things, expensive toys and extravagant wishes, and all the training I needed to become the woman I am today. I delighted in it.

“But what if, instead of asking for an entirely new wardrobe for my twelfth birthday, I had asked for a top-of-the-line broomstick? Mother would have frowned and bought the clothes instead. What if, like Meda, I fell in love with a Muggle-born? Would I be allowed him?

“Choice is an illusion.”

I must think before I answer. Finally, it comes to me. “Be as that may, we both work for the betterment of our family. To be grief-stricken for a blood-traitor sister is not for the best. You know your responsibilities, no matter what your feelings are.”

I rise. “I will send dinner up for you if you wish, but I expect to see you at breakfast at the usual hour tomorrow.”

*

I sit alone at dinner, sipping my soup. The rustle of cloth draws my ear as Narcissa sits down beside me.

Even illusory choices can be made.


Title: A Destiny Chosen
Word Count: 495
“Cissy, we need appear at this ball! We cannot let ourselves be seen as helpless because of one unfortunate event –”

Narcissa glares at me. “‘Unfortunate event’! You don’t even use her name anymore! Say it! Meda! Andromeda Walburga Black! Stop pretending that I did not just lose a sister!”

Her vehemence astounds me. When Andromeda pleaded with Narcissa to let her explain, my baby sister fled, pale as death, hands over her ears, but entirely without tears or hysterics. I believed that she was merely driving Andromeda’s presence from mind and heart, as I was.

It was foolish to think so. Narcissa never reacts as I do.

“Oh, Bella. I know you and she are only a year apart, but we were so much closer.” There is a tiredness to her voice, her body language, that does not fit the seventeen-year-old sister that I used to know. “She could put my hair up in all the new ways. She refitted our dresses – you never cared about those things, but they brought us closer together. We told each other secrets. We were friends – I can’t pretend that she doesn’t exist. She’s still my sister, no matter how disgraceful her actions are.”

“How then would you have me – us – act?”

“I don’t know.”

I had no idea that she would take Andromeda’s desertion so hard. “She knew the consequences. Even at Hogwarts, she got in trouble for associating with Mudbloods, remember? She knew what would happen when she chose to run away with one.”

Cissy shakes her head. “She was cast out for going against the family pride. Do you think that if she had chosen a Pureblood of respectable family, but poor, that her husband would have been accepted by our circle?”

“It’s pointless to speculate when we have our duty, Narcissa. Andromeda has chosen to leave us, and that is what matters.”

*

She astonishes me tonight, especially after her earlier temper tantrum. Clad in sparkling silver, she is not the same flirtatious girl she was just last month. She is Miss Narcissa, respected. Her voice is cool, her glance promises nothing, and her words are perfectly chosen.

That odious Mrs. LeStrange’s gleeful voice cuts through the inane murmurs. “Ah! Such terrible tragedy! And from such a family!”

The crowd falls silent at the sound of Cissy’s impassive voice. “A tragedy for her indeed. The life she must live now cannot be an easy one.”

This is the night of a thousand surprises. With that one blow, she conveys the impression that while Andromeda must suffer, we do not.

*

She knocks at my door as I am about to get into bed.

“Yes, Cissy?”

That new, unruffled gaze gives away nothing. “Lucius was very nice this evening. I think I shall marry him.”

I watch, stunned, as she turns away. Her voice floats down the hallway long after she has left. “I’ve even named our first son. What do you think of ‘Draco’?”

[JaneA]

Author: JaneA
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Nothing To Miss
Word Count: 195
Warnings: none

She had convinced her husband to send Draco to Hogwarts instead of Durmstrang, something especially hard. Parting from him was hard enough, but sending him to a strange country would be even worse.

Her son had never been innocent: his father had made sure of that. It was not easy for her to see Draco seduced by the Dark Arts that Lucius worshipped. It was terrible to see him get sucked in to that world, when she knew full well that once you were in, there was no escape. She didn’t want to see that same fate for Draco, but it was impossible to persuade Lucius of that. For him, it was the greatest honor to serve the Dark Lord. She knew she had no chance there.

Instead, she tried to give affection to Draco, something he never got from Lucius. Every day, he drew back even more, became more reserved, only talked when he was spoken to, and he always seemed to be irritated. So she became the same way, too. She adapted.

After all, it would only help Draco when he became a Death Eater.

This way, he would have nothing to miss.

[Scarlet]

Author: Scarlet
House: Slytherin
Title: We Give What We Get
Word Count: 308
Warnings: none

We are all born innocent, and we remain innocent until the moment we are tarnished by the brush of wickedness. There are only few of us who never venture into the shady, sinful corridors of evil – most of us have or will commit an act of wrong. What is it that causes the toughest of Good barriers to shatter? What is it that makes us lie, or cheat, or steal? Is it fear? Is it the knowledge of the corrupted world around us? Are we all mere products of our surroundings, or do we have some control over what we become?

I will lie to protect my son. I will cheat to stay alive, and I will steal for another chance to experience love from my husband.

I chose this life many years ago, ignorant to what time may unfold, but I will never dare to turn away from it now. I am too far into the mouth of immorality to turn back. I know that if I should attempt to run away, I will drown in my own pity… my own obsession for mercy.

I will remain a loving mother and a devoted wife until the day I die, no matter how depraved the path before me is. If that means I have to deceive those faithful Death Eaters, to keep secrets from the Dark Lord, then so be it. Evil is as evil does. They live in trickery and malevolence, and they will receive dishonesty in return. That is the way the world works.

We give what we get.

My tears will continue to fall amongst the horrors I have learned to deal with. My heart will ache. My sins will haunt any sense of morality I may have left in me. But I will not perish. I will do as I must, no matter what.

[LadyAlesha]

Author: LadyAlesha
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Alone!
Word Count: 378
Warnings: None

Narcissa sat alone in Lucius’ study. The rigid back of his armchair forcing her into an uncomfortable pose. Silent tears streamed down her face as she asked herself how Lucius had been able to work here. The room was downright sterile, no paintings or tapestries adorned the walls, his desk was impeccably clean, nothing gave the impression that the room was used.

And it won’t be used again any time soon, Narcissa thought. A dry sob racked her slender frame. Lucius was gone! After playing the game for so long he had been caught, caught by the Aurors and sent to Azkaban for his crimes.

Narcissa had tried to keep him from going on this suicide mission into the Department of Mysteries, but Voldemort hadn’t given Lucius a choice. And now she had to deal with the consequences.

It was worse for Lucius, of course, but Narcissa had never lived alone in her life. Straight after leaving Hogwarts she had married and moved in with Lucius. Lucius and later Draco had become her whole life. It had been hard for her to let Draco go off to Hogwarts, but at least Lucius had been there for her.

Now both Draco and Lucius were gone. Lucius forever, if he couldn’t break out of Azkaban, and Draco at least until holidays started and then again after they finished. Narcissa knew that while Lucius was always there for her when she felt lonely, Draco probably wouldn’t want to look at pictures of his younger years and reminisce with him. He was nearly grown-up now and wanted some distance from his parents, especially his mother, who was liable to become clingy every now and then.

A small pop from across the room broke Narcissa’s train of thought. Dingy, one of the Malfoy’s house-elves, was standing in the middle of the room, waiting to be given leave to speak.

“What is it, Dingy?” Narcissa’s voice was slightly hoarse, but not unkind.

“Mistress’s sister is wanting to see Mistress.”

Narcissa nodded and with another pop the house-elf disappeared. Taking a deep breath Narcissa composed herself, it wouldn’t do for Bella to see her like this. After another minute she had her emotions under control once more and left the study to face her sister.

[G_A_Potter]

Author Name: G_A_Potter
House: Gryffindor!Title: Parcels and Poultergeists
Word Count: 500
Warnings: None

The house seemed so empty. She prowled the empty halls and rooms like a caged animal. The twin losses of her son and husband were like a physical pain. How would she ever be able to cope? Severus kept his word. Bless him. Narcissa would never forget his blessed intervention. It had at least spared Draco's life. She hadn't seen her son in months though, and the worry was making her into an old woman.
She walked into the Library. The tall French Doors opened into the Conservatory. She opened them and walked into her favourite room of the house.
Narcissa had been spending more time than ever in this room now. It was her respite from the ever suffocating grief and loneliness. In this room she could lose herself with the botanical projects that gave her such satisfaction and fulfilment.
She hadn't done well in any subjects at school, except Herbology and second best at potions. Always second best. Lilly Evans always took the shine off of anything Narcissa did. Lilly was always able to out do her. Everyone thought that Narcissa hated Lilly. She didn't. Narcissa was green with jealousy, but she never hated Lilly. Actually she admired her. Narcissa leant with both hands on her potting bench and bowed her head in shame. Imagine admiring a mud-blood. She never told anyone. Not even Severus.
She began to get out the materials needed for potting on her specimens who had out-grown their current containers. Not that Mandrake over there... that would require some care and she didn't have the patience for it today.
A bell rang in the back of the house. It announced that a mail owl had arrived. She looked over her beloved Conservatory and reluctantly put down her gloves. After all, the letter could be from Draco. By the time Narcissa had made her way to the Owlery, the scullery maid had already removed the package and letter from the owl and released it. She had set both on the table adjacent to the Owlery door.

Narcissa lifted up the box. It was made of a yellowish wood, yew wood, she recalled. Odd. It was bound in black iron hardware and was firmly closed. The top was embossed and painted with a singularly beautiful rose. The box looked familiar. As she was somewhat distracted, she opened it without investigating it. There was a nasty smell and some kind of wind passed her face with maniacal laugh. Narcissa remembered where she had seen this box before. She had sent it to James Potter's Grandmother as a prank in her second year at Hogwarts. She smiled as a shriek split the air from the kitchen. The scullery maid was reaping her reward for releasing the owl. Then Narcissa remembered this particular Poltergeist liked plumbing. She chuckled. Well, turnabout was only fair. It would be fun trapping the silly old fool in the box again. A welcome distraction. She picked up the letter, it was from Harry Potter.

[mspadfoot89]

Author: mspadfoot89
House: Ravenclaw
Title: No Turning Back
Word Count: 368
Warnings: none

No Turning Back

With lips half opened Narcissa Malfoy stared in surprise at the little boy that lay breathing quietly in her arms. She smiled softly to herself, to her little boy, to the Healer who stood watching them—she smiled to the world. In the course of a second, this human being with pale features and striking eyes had taken the role of the dearest thing in the world to her. She held him tighter, tears of happiness struggling to overflow her eyes. It was a beautiful, beautiful feeling.

Nothing mattered anymore. Lucius’ cold gaze and rigid lips, her love, cast away by years of loneliness, her past and relations, torn as if by hand, her future, so destroyed. But no, her future wasn’t shattered. She would spend her life taking care of her little child, she would give him tender love—love that only a mother can give.

Her gaze was lifted from small Draco Malfoy as her husband passed into the room. He was gazing at his son with more pride than affection. Narcissa knew that to him, Draco was just the heir of the Pureblood Malfoy line. She knew that Lucius would teach him to be cold and indifferent, just like himself. She didn’t want this. She knew that Draco would have to learn to be proud, because he came form a noble family, but she could never allow her son to be raised with Lucius’ views in mind. She looked up at her husband, her eyes full of determination, blazing like never before.

Lucius simply looked at her indifferently and walked out. Tears were falling heavily into Narcissa’s lap now. She knew it would be of no use--nothing she did ever was. Her son, this newfound reason for living, would become just like his father and he would never love her the way she loved him. She could never hold him and tell him what he meant to her. She could never console him and tell him that things would be all right. A wail from the child in her arms attracted her attention. And as she hushed little Draco and put him back to sleep, she thought she might as well enjoy these moments. Because they would never come back.

[whatapotter]

Author: whatapotter
House: Hufflepuff
Title: To know a fool
Word Count: 412
Warnings: none


“You can’t be serious!”

“I am, Cissy. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life.”

“But he’s a Muggle!” Narcissa Black exclaimed, in tones of deepest disgust and complete outrage.

“Oh for Merlin’s sake, Narcissa,” Andromeda Black snapped back. “Why does that have to matter to you? Why! I love him – that’s all that matters. That’s all that should matter.”

“For the impoverished lower class, perhaps,” she scathingly retorted, sneering down her nose at her sister. “Most of us, however, have a sense of dignity and propriety which prevents such inane and juvenile impulses.”

“How dare you patronise me?” Andromeda glared, her tone dropping to icy temperatures in anger. “You, who has never felt love!”

Narcissa’s face contorted into a mask of anger. “You know nothing about me, Andromeda! Don’t you dare insult me with your pretentious ideas on love without first knowing your subject.”

Andromeda stared at her for a minute, and then broke into an icy chuckle. “You mean to tell me that you actually love the Death Eater?”

Narcissa didn’t deign to reply to such a question, merely continuing to scorch her sister with her gaze. Andromeda shook her head in disbelief and turned to walk away.

“Father will disown you.” Her sister’s cold voice rang out behind her.

She didn’t turn to look back. “I know.”

Narcissa, it seemed, was not satisfied. Grabbing hold of her sister’s arm she whirled her around, nails biting into the skin of the older girl’s flesh. “Don’t be a fool, Andromeda! You would throw away your ancestry, your heritage – all the money, power and influence of the Black line? It could all be yours! Yet you would discard all this for a mere man – no, for he’s less than a man - a mere Muggle?”

Andromeda smiled. To Narcissa it seemed it was a smile of pity, and she bristled at the mere suggestion that it was aimed towards her. “Yes,” Andromeda replied, warmth suddenly suffusing her tone. “I would.”

“So be it then,” Narcissa whispered under her breath. Staring for a moment longer into her older sister’s eyes, she finally ripped her hand away, giving Andromeda a shove away from her in the process. Turning, she walked quickly from the other woman in perfect, smooth, elegant steps. The only part of Narcissa Black which didn’t effuse sophistication and refinement was her down turned gaze, hidden so that no one would see the flash of envy in her eyes.

[helgaandgodric]

Author: helgaandgodric
House: Ravenclaw (turnips for the cup!!!!)
Title: Refusing
Word Count: 498
Warnings: None

“Father, I will not!” I yell at the top of my lungs, determined for my father to hear me. He does not care about how I feel about this. The only thing he cares about is seeing me married to a rich, pureblood man. And Lucius Malfoy is just the man for the job.

My father turns to me, his hard, black eyes glaring at me. I can almost feel the hatred coming from them. His voice is hard and cold, allowing no room for choice. “You will not follow in the footsteps of your older sister. She is a blood traitor!” Slamming his hand down on the desk that separates us, he looks deep into my eyes, attempting Occlumency. I easily block him out, and know that what will come next will be painful to hear, as he has not mentioned Andromeda in our house for five years.

“You will do this. It does not matter if you love him or not! You will do this because our race must remain pure, and Bella needs her older sister to guide her.” <i>So it’s not just about me,</i> I think. I had hoped that for once this was about me, and not about Bella. Perfect Bella. Just a year younger than me, she was the perfect, pureblood daughter.

Taking a deep and deliberate breath, my father sits down in his chair. He rubs his thick eye brows with worn hands, and I look at my small soft ones. His voice choking, he asks, “Why do you refuse to marry Lucius?”

This takes me aback; I had not expected such an upfront question from my father, or compassion of any sort. I hear my small voice answer him as if from a distance. “Because he is cruel and favors this man who calls himself Lord Voldemort. Even though I think he has the right idea, I do not like the way he goes about it. I would prefer someone like Benjamin Parkinson, or Walter Bulstrode.” Risking a glance up from my hands, I see my father contemplating my words.

“Cissy,” he begins carefully. “I will not change my decision. You will marry Lucius Malfoy in six months. But please, think of it differently. Think of it like a challenge. You are a strong willed young woman; maybe you can change him to your liking.” My eyes fill with tears, my ears unable to believe this cruel sentence, my mind knowing it is true.

I walk over to kiss him on the cheek, and say, “Thank you for this chance,” softly before rushing out of his study. As soon as I am back in my room, I Apparate to Andromeda’s to tell her the story. She soothingly pats me on the back as I cry into her shoulder, wishes me good luck, and I leave.

My father has sentenced me to a cruel fate, but I will make the most of it. I will not become a Death Eater’s wife.

[Chaser74]

Author: Chaser74
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Never Been
Word Count: 492
Warnings: none

Narcissa Black twirled her wand betwixt her fingers, watching it swirl in elegant circles in front of her eyes. She looked at the thing with a sort of hateful indifference; it was it's fault she was performing so poorly in class. She felt slightly juvenile for blaming her wand for her troubles, but surely there must be something wrong with it, as she has never had trouble producing any sort of spell before! She resolved to write her father promptly the next morning; he could deal with that Ollivander man who had so obviously made her a defective wand.

Narcissa sighed. This was a horrible inconvenience. Tucking her wand in her robe pocket, she stood up and headed towards her dormitory.

“Cissy!” someone called suddenly. Turning around, she saw her sister, Bellatrix standing in front of the entrance to the Slyhtherin common room. “Where’re you off to?”

“Just upstairs. I have some things I must put away.” She didn’t feel like informing her sister of the trouble she was having with her wand. Bella smiled slightly.

“Something is bothering you, Narcissa, I can tell. Still having troubles with that Patronus?” she questioned. Though she looked genuinely concerned, Narcissa could see a familiar glint in her eye, one that appeared when she sensed someone’s weakness. Narcissa shivered. How could sister know so much about her? Was she that easy to read?

“If you must know, I am, yes,” she informed her haughtily. Bella’s eyes flashed again.

“You must have a memory you could use, sister! You seemed so happy when Mother bought you all of those fabulous dresses!” Narcissa eyed her coldly.

“Yes, well, I’m working on it. I’ll have things sorted out soon, I believe. But Bella, I really have to get upstairs. Could we talk later?” Narcissa was eager to leave this conversation. She hoped her sister couldn’t find a reason to keep her longer.

“Sure, Cissy. Go do what you need to,” she said, her voice friendly, but her eyes held an odd satisfaction in them. Narcissa hurried upstairs. Bella knew her Patronus was a tender subject, yet she continued to bring it up.

Why can’t I do it? she thought angrily. Everybody else has managed! She was sure she had been happy in those memories she had recalled, but she couldn’t manage anything more than a puff of white smoke from the tip of her wand. She had never had troubles in Defense Against the Dark Arts before, in fact, she has always been quite good at the subject. She wracked her brain for a happy event in her life, but she could find none. Have I ever truly been happy? she pondered. Of course I have! she assured herself. There was the one time that… but she couldn’t finish the sentence. The more she tried to remember a moment of sheer happiness, the more empty she felt. Soon, a feeling of overwhelming hollowness took over. Have I ever been truly happy? she mused again. Apparently not. I should have the wand checked though, despite…

[Sly Severus]

Author Name: Sly Severus
House: Slytherin
Title: Waiting
Word Count: 301
Warnings: Substance Abuse


She sat alone in her living room, drinking directly from the Firewhisky bottle. The alcohol burned her throat, but she paid it no heed. It was welcome because it also numbed her senses, and anything that could do that was fine with her.

She looked at the clock. Bellatrix had been gone over an hour. What could that mean? Did it mean that Draco had done well, and they were celebrating? Wouldn’t Bellatrix have came back to tell her if this were the case? Or did it mean that he had failed and they were punishing him? A chill went through her spine as she pictured her son on the ground surrounded by Death Eaters torturing him for his inability to murder another person.

She didn’t know for certain that the Dark Lord had called Bellatrix to him because of her son. He could have wanted anything, but somehow, in her heart, she knew this was about her Draco. And soon she would know what had happened. She would know if her son performed the task. She would know if Severus was forced to do it for him.

Then a terrifying thought occurred to her. What if the Dark Lord found out about the Unbreakable Vow? He would surely be furious that Bellatrix and Severus had been involved without his permission. What if he killed them both, and then killed her son? What if she never saw any of them again? It would be all her fault. She had been the one who wanted Severus to take the Unbreakable Vow. Did she kill them all?

Her thoughts became more and more jumbled, as she became more intoxicated and more afraid. Tears began to stream down her face. How could she ever forgive herself if she had sentenced them all to death?

[Cruciatus Love]

Penname: Cruciatus Love
House: Slytherin!
Title: Letting Go to Survive Reality
Word Count: 450
Warnings: None

I was always the beautiful one. I was the one who got everything she wanted, everything she asked for, and everything a girl could need. I was the pure-blood goddess who married the handsome husband, and had the perfect son. I was the daughter best looked upon by my mother-- and by the world.

It was said I had everything. I had the entire world in the palm of my hand, and yet I could never learn to appreciate it. Yes, I had the handsome husband that everyone wanted, but I didn’t see that when I looked into his eyes. I only saw pain and suffering, and sometimes an evil glare that gave me nightmares in my sleep. He wasn’t what I wanted in a man, but I knew that he cared about me-- and that was all I could ask for.

I knew the moment he was born that my dear little son was going to follow in the footsteps of his father. He wasn’t going to listen to my warnings or my cries, but he was going to stand tall and follow the darkness. I knew instantly that when he grew up he would have the same death glare in his eyes and that there was nothing I could do about it. I had married a monster, and I had given birth to one. But I was the only person who could see that.

But I never gave up hope on either of them. I cared for them, I worked for them, and I did my best to love them. I can tell you that to this day I have not regretted doing these things; for the love of a mother to her family is more powerful then any Dark Lord can scare away. I would try to stand strong and endure whatever pain came my way.

But when I lost them, both of them, I knew my life was over. I didn’t appreciate what I had until it was lost, and then I was left with nothing. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, and I couldn’t live. I just sat and waited for my death day to come.

Now I know I’m stronger then that. I have suffered the consequences of keeping pride in the family name, and I will not do that any longer. I will leave my heritage behind and start a new life for myself. I will become a blood traitor if I have to, just to find the happiness I never had. I, unlike my husband and son, am going to survive through this life. I am going to live unlike anyone before me. I am going to be real.

[whittyleah]

Author Name: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor!

Title: Her Hero
Word Count: 496
Warnings: none

Standing in front of a floor length mirror, Narcissa Black was supposed to be admiring her wedding dress. Instead, she was staring blankly at the smooth glass, wishing she were somewhere else.

‘Get yourself together, Cissa. This is your destiny, to be a Malfoy. You will compose yourself and walk with dignity and grace down the aisle to your betrothed,’ she silently coached herself, shaking her head causing her soft blonde curls to move about.

Tears filled her eyes as she thought of the last wedding she had attended. She had been the maid-of-honour and the whole time she had been wishing that she were the bride.

Bellatrix had been stunning in her long, form-fitting ivory gown. She glowed with the knowledge that she was about to be married into an old pure bloodline. There would be no love between her dear sister Bella and her husband, just a marriage of tradition. It broke Narcissa’s heart, but not for her sister, she never cared for things like love, but for Rodolphus.

Rodolphus Lestrange.

When Narcissa was a little girl and the older pure blood boys would tease her, he would stand up for her. That is how her infatuation began. He had been a hero in the mist of thieves.

When she had begun school at Hogwarts he, again, saved her from bullies and made her feel at home. He had been a sixth year and she a terrified first year; but he still helped her. If she was ever in need, she could go to him and ask for help and he would help her. When he finished school at the end of her second year, she had been broken. What was she going to do without him?

She saw him over summer holiday, but he never talked to her. Narcissa had never felt such loss, believing he had forgotten about her. But then, at the end of the summer, he promised to write and had apologized for being too busy to spend time with her. Her heart felt revived and she held onto hope that would stay friends.

Everything changed when Rodolphus came to a pure blood ball with a beautiful woman from Beauxbatons. Narcissa had never felt such hatred for a human being before and that is when she realized. She was in love with him.

Her mother, who was knocking on the door to tell her that it was time to go to Lucius, pulled Narcissa from her thoughts.

“I’m coming.”

‘Stop thinking about him! There is nothing you can do; he is married to your sister. Damn, pure blood society and arranging marriages without the child’s consent! I could be happy.’ Her light blue eyes filled with tears at the thought. ‘You can still be happy. Who knows, maybe Lucius is who you are suppose to be with.’

“Narcissa! Come now! The wedding march had started!” Her mother bustled her out of the deep green room and onto her new life.

Author Name: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor!

Title: So Wrong
Word Count: 222
Warnings: none

‘How did this happen? He was supposed to be invincible,’ Narcissa Malfoy thought, staring out the rain-streaked window of her bedroom.

It was two months after Halloween and the wizarding world was celebrating. Well, most of the wizarding world was. Her own world was crumbling around her.

After the fall of the Dark Lord, multiple members of the pure-blood community were taken in for questioning. Her husband Lucius had been one of those brought in. Narcissa’s sister Bellatrix and her husband Rodolphus had gone on the run. Narcissa had been left alone with her baby Draco.

Picking up her blonde-headed son and holding him close, she reached for the day’s paper that had been discarded earlier.

‘Death Eaters caught during torture of Auror couple.’ Oh, no!

Setting Draco down in his playpen, Narcissa opened the paper and read the article.

Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, the supposed masterminds behind the attack, were sent straight to Azkaban after their short and swift trial. Minister Fudge had this to say…

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. How could everything have gone so wrong? Life was supposed to be perfect or close to it. Not like this, never this – her husband gone, her sister in prison and Rodolphus with her. She was supposed to have the perfect life. Why was it all wrong?

[kumydabookworm]

Author Name: kumydabookworm
House: Gryffindor
Title: Letters
Word Count: 493
Warnings: None

Narcissa,

It was a pleasure meeting you at the ball two nights ago. I would love to escort you to the party hosted by the Rosier family at their Manor on Friday evening.

Regards,
Lucius Malfoy

Narcissa turned to face the man who burst through her chamber doors. Quickly, she folded the invitation and placed it on her desk.

“You called for me, Narcissa? I came.” Rodolphus’ eyes burned into hers, and her hands trembled. Even now, knowing that he could never be hers, he still had an effect upon her.

“ Lucius Malfoy has asked to escort me to the Rosier fête on Friday.”

Rodolphus tensed. “Are you going to accept?” He took a step away from her.

Narcissa stood impulsively, and stepped towards him. She grasped his arms and held him as close as she dared.

“I must. I do not want to do this.”

Rodolphus ran a hand through her hair, and Narcissa closed her eyes longingly at the touch.

“Then, don’t accept,” he whispered.

Narcissa trembled. “Even if I did not, my parents will accept the invitation for me. Rodolphus, you know that my parents only allowed you to see me because a suitable courtship had not developed for me. They will never allow me to marry a Lestrange.”

“Do you want to marry me?”

Narcissa stepped back, tears forming in her eyes. “I cannot, Rodolphus. Beauty is the only part of me society sees. I am expected to take advantage of it.”

“Why did you call me here?” His voice was cold and she sat down at her desk, fingers clenching the wood. She nearly could not bear it, but as selfish as she was, she had to ensure that she would see him again, in spite of Lucius Malfoy.

“Marry her, Rodolphus.”

She turned to him once again. “That is the only way I will be able to see you. Once I marry Lucius – and we both know I will, someday – I will not be allowed to see families of a lower standing.”

“The Lestranges are an honorable family,” cried Rodolphus.

“They have little wealth,” continued Narcissa with determination. “If you are related to me through blood, though, I will be able to see you.”

She turned to Rodolphus, and stared at the man she knew she would never have as she wanted. “Please, Rodolphus, please...marry her.”

Rodolphus looked at her. “I don’t love her.”

Narcissa smiled bitterly. “I’m glad.”

“I will propose to her, Narcissa, but it will be for you.”

The door slammed, and Narcissa shuddered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Bellatrix was dark, dangerous – not beautiful – and her parents would be delighted that any pureblood would have her, even a Lestrange.

Men looked at her with want, and women wanted to be her. She attended every party, and danced with every man. She was the most beautiful of the Black sisters, and the most envied.

She hated it.

Lucius,

I accept your invitation.

~Narcissa

[khrys]

Author Name: Khrys
House: Gryffindor
Title: Fire and Ice
Word Count: 461
Warnings: Violence, Mild Sexual Situation (Maybe??)

“Lucius, I simply will not allow you to take Draco along with you,” Narcissa said coldly.

“He is my son, Narcissa,” Lucius boomed in a deadly voice. “I will take him with me if I choose.”

“No, Lucius, you won’t.”

The fire burned brightly in Narcissa’s eyes, causing Lucius to pause briefly before crossing the room and grabbing Narcissa’s long, silky hair in his left hand. He wrapped it around his fist with practiced skill. With his right hand he grabbed her left arm in a vice grip. He used his advantage to position her face directly in front of his own. He kissed her passionately, cruelly forcing her lips apart, his mouth invading hers as he asserted his dominance over his wife.

Narcissa, trapped in his terrible hold made a decision. She was thinking only of her son and the man that he was capable of becoming. That will never happen if Lucius gets his claws any deeper into him. In an instant, her eyes hardened to ice, giving her face an eerily calm appearance.

Behind her back, Narcissa raised her right hand, her wand clasped perilously in her rigid fist. With all her might, she yanked her head back, oblivious to the pain that came as her hair was yanked from her scalp. Before she lost her courage and Lucius had the opportunity to torment her further, she whispered the first spell she thought of.

“Diffindo.”

Painfully, her hair was severed directly above where Lucius’ hand had been gripping it. She felt the warm drops of blood on the back of her now bare neck signaling that her spell had also grazed his wrist.

“You will not take my son,” Narcissa hissed, her eyes flat and icy.

Lucius opened his mouth to retort. Before he could curse Narcissa for her insolence, the room was filled with a blinding light and a terrible fog.

Narcissa did not move for fear that Lucius had caused the diversion in order to kill her. When the fog cleared she saw that she was alone in the room. The only indication that Lucius had been there minutes before was a small piece of parchment gently floating to the floor.

Narcissa bent down to retrieve the parchment. She sighed audibly when she saw that Lucius had been taken to Azkaban for his crimes against the wizarding community as well as crimes against the Muggle community.

As she turned to leave the room, anxious to get away from the stifling presence of her now absent husband, Narcissa felt the cool air on the back of her neck for the first time since she was a young girl. Smiling to herself, the fire lighting in her eyes once more, she started to hum. He is mine now.

[jules_411]

My first real attempt at writing Narcissa...

Author Name: Jules_411
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Mother's Cries
Word Count: 452
Warnings: none, I don't think.

“I don’t want it if it’s a girl,” calmly said a stern Lucius Malfoy to his wife.

“But it’s our baby!” Narcissa cried.

“I don’t care,” her husband responded. “What use to me is a girl? A girl can’t carry down the Malfoy bloodline. If it’s a girl I want nothing to do with it.”

“It’s our baby!” cried Narcissa again. “Our baby, Lucius! Girl or boy, why does it matter?”

“I don’t want it if it’s a girl,” repeated Lucius. “End of discussion. Perform the spell, and do as you’re told.”

He walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Narcissa sat down on the bed and placed her head in her hands. Crying silently to herself, she debated running away. This baby meant the world to her, and she was scared to find out its gender. As a boy, the complications are gone. Lucius would be pleased, and she would have her little baby. Everyone would be happy. As a girl, keeping it wouldn’t be an option, according to Lucius. What he didn’t know was that she secretly wanted a baby girl to love and dress up and have tea parties with, things that her childhood lacked.

Just one spell would tell her the child’s fate, but she was scared to do it. Scared that if the result was against her husband’s wishes, he would see right through any lie she attempted to think up. Making up her mind, she sat up carefully, for she was laden down with the baby, and grabbed her wand off the bedside table. Muttering the incantation under her breath, she pointed the wand at her stomach and couldn’t breathe as the results were on the rise: a purple glow signaling a girl, or a black one for a boy. She didn’t know how long it would take, but a dizzy feeling was rushing though her. Surely it should go quicker than this! This, this was torture. Just waiting to find out the destiny of her little baby. Her little baby she had been waiting for what seemed like forever to have. This could be her only child, and she couldn’t let it go. Not when it was so close, and after she had dealt with the hardships of pregnancy. Lucius would always tell her to quit complaining, but he had no idea. She kept going, though, with the knowledge that it would be worth every second once she holds it in her arms for the first time. That is, if she can actually keep it.

Her wand started gently vibrating as it turned to the color of light gold. Then, Narcissa watched as it slowly changed. Slowly changed to the color… black.

[Foxy Wolf]

Author Name: Foxy Wolf
House: Hufflepuff
Title: All is forgotten
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None

Narcissa Black was the most beautiful baby in the entire wizarding world. Unlike her name she was fair and light as a midsummer morning. She had white silky hair and pale blue eyes. Anyone who was anything went to visit the Black’s just to see the little marvel. She was a light within the blackness.

All of the Black sisters were brought up to believe that they should be just like their mother. Druella Black was a doting wife and a loving mother; and so would her daughters be. She always reminded the girls of their duties as members of the most prominent pureblood family. At Narcissa’s ninth birthday her mother had dressed her in a beautiful deep blue dress robe and asked her to spin around. As Narcissa did a pirouette her mother smiled.

“My beautiful little darling. You have such a promising future.” She sat her daughter down in front of a large ornamented mirror and started combing her long blonde hair.

“You shall marry a suitable husband just like your sisters will. You’ll be a conscientious housekeeper of a magnificent mansion. My darling Narcissa; you will become the most respected and well-known mistress within the pureblood society.”

The young Narcissa believed her.

But now Narcissa was sixteen and she didn’t know what to believe. Both of her sisters were of age. Bellatrix had married Rodolphus Lestrange, an eligible and wealthy wizard. Andromeda had run away. She had been betrothed to Lucius Malfoy, an even more eligible wizard. But Andromeda was a free spirit. She had just said no, walked away and never looked back. Narcissa didn’t have that sort of drive. When her father told her that she was to marry Lucius instead of Andromeda she had accepted. The only thing rebellious thing Narcissa did was talking to her shunned sister.

“I don’t know my meaning in life.” She said to her one evening in Andromeda’s kitchen.

“You’re meant to marry Malfoy.” Andromeda said while suppressing a snicker.

“Mother says I will be a good wife to Lucius. His family is well respected and so shall I be.”

“But do you love him?”

“Of course I love him. If anything I’m sure I will eventually. Besides, isn’t a functional relationship based on good companionship, trust and mutual acknowledgement?” Narcissa asked.

“Do you really believe that Lucius Malfoy will acknowledge you?” Andromeda asked and looked like she couldn’t believe what her little sister was saying. “Open your eyes, Cissy. You’re doomed.”

Narcissa believed her.

But now Narcissa was twenty five and she had forgotten everything her sister had ever told her. The only thing that mattered to her was the beautiful baby boy she was holding in her arms. When she looked into his eyes she saw the trust and acknowledgement Lucius had shown her, but she also saw something Lucius had never shown her. In Draco’s curious eyes she saw love. Undying, unconditional and everlasting love. This boy was and would always be her entire world.

[Sarakime]

Author Name: Sarakime
House: Slytherin

Title: Helpless
Word Count: 466
Warnings: None

Lucius Malfoy burst through the tall front doors of Malfoy Manner, with Draco following close behind. Narcissa Malfoy stood at the foot of the stairs, awaiting their arrival.

“Narcissa, the meeting went smoothly. The Dark Lord is very pleased.” Lucius said, with a smirk and terrifying glint in his eye. Narcissa forced a smile on her, what used to be, beautiful features. Her eyes and face were no long full of light, full of life. She was just a hollow corpse, moving about Malfoy Manner, and attending to Lucius’ needs.

Narcissa moved her eyes to her beautiful baby’s face. Draco’s face, posture, and all other body language showed that of pain and worry. It was obvious something bothered him terribly.

Draco looked his mother in the eye, and gave her a pleading look in his eyes. She nodded, as to say, ‘we’ll talk when your father isn’t present’.

They didn’t have to wait long, for Lucius nodded curtly and left the room, up the stairs to his study. Draco didn’t waste any time. His cold exterior fell as he slumped over to his mother, who embraced him. With her arms around him tightly, she murmured conforting words in his ear.

“What’s wrong Draco? Tell mummy.” She said, in a bare whisper.

“They… they... my arm... it’s burning…” Draco said in between gasps of breath, his voice full of fear.

“What?” Narcissa said, pulling away from her son.

Draco merely looked down in response. He began rolling up the sleeve to his left arm. Narcissa’s imagined the worst, Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no! Lucius didn’t… he couldn’t have… not without consulting me!

There it was. The ghastly mark of the Dark Lord, mark of death, the mark of everything evil in this world. The Dark Mark.

Narcissa stepped back yet again. Tears formed in her eyes. No! My son! My baby! He’s too young! He doesn’t know of the Dark Arts!

“Mother… I didn’t want this! Father, he - he made me.” Draco exclaimed, anger ringing in him.

“I know Draco, I know. I’m sorry.” The tears flowed freely now. Draco was all talk, he never really wanted the Dark Mark. To him, it was something to brag about, something to prove in his father’s eyes. Narcissa had hoped to protect him from it, but she was too late.

She ran. Up the stairs to her bedroom, where she slammed the door, and locked it. She turned around, letting her back and weight lean against the door. Falling down, she drowned in her tears.

How could I let this happen? Why didn’t I see it coming? What am I going to do?

There was nothing she could do. It was done. She had lost her baby, the only thing worth living for.

She was helpless.

[lily_evans34]

Username: lily_evans34
House: Ravenclaw
Title: A Decision Of Fate
Word Count: 459
Warnings: Implied HBP spoiler

Narcissa Malfoy stared from the window of the Manor, lost in thought as she stared at the sun streaming down onto the earth below. Her thoughts lingered for a solitary moment on the wondrous prospect that the sky could so differentially reflect her mood. Her thoughts, however, did not stray far or long, as she was quickly brought back to the reality of her situation.

I have to do it.

She rested her head against the windowsill, trying to rid herself of the headache that she had acquired late into the night previously. He was her only son. By not doing it she was sure to surrender him to a cruel fate. But what if the Dark Lord found out? She knew that, even as she said the words inside her own head, they sounded childish. She was dealing with Lord Voldemort. The most accomplished wizard of all time. He would find out. She had thought, over and over again, that there must be an easier solution. Just get the job done. But she knew that her son’s likeliness to succeed was very little. Dumbledore, too, was a great wizard; she wasn’t foolish enough not to acknowledge that fact. Draco was meant to die. It was nothing more than an attempt at vengeance for Lucius’s mistake. She needed help. Her only son needed help.

I have to do it.

But what was the Dark Lord to do if his task was completed by any other than Draco? She shuddered to think of what was to come of her son either way. All she knew was that if he failed to do it, he would die. He needed someone to help him; to protect and guide him. Someone that could maybe change the Dark Lord’s mind. Make him realize that it would be ill-advised to have this important task carried out by a sixteen-year-old. Only one person came to her mind. But will he do it? She would have liked to think that he would jump at the chance to help them out. But she knew that it was to be more complicated than that. If he failed, or the Dark Lord found out that Draco was receiving assistance, he no doubt would kill them both. She was uncertain that it was a risk that he was ready to take. But being the Dark Lord’s favorite, he had a higher change than any of them to persuade him.

She knew that it was a large burden to place upon anyone, but she had to do it.

He’s my only son. I will do it.

With a last breath to steady herself and to gather what poor excuse was left of her confidence, she stood up and Apparated to Spinner’s End.

[Air Elemental]

Author Name: Air Elemental
House: Gryffindor
Title: At Night
Word Count: 168
Warnings: none

“Mummy! Mummy wake up!” said a little voice nearby. Narcissa groaned, pulling herself out of the warmth of sleep and rolling over. Draco was standing beside the bed clutching his favourite blanket with wide eyes.

“What is it this time,” she muttered, pulling herself upright. Lucius snorted beside her in his sleep and rolled over. Typical man, she thought.

“I had another nightmare, and I’m scared that the monsters will get me,” whimpered Draco, curling his blanket around himself. “Can I sleep with you and Daddy for a while?”

Narcissa looked at Lucius, waiting for a sign of protest. None came, he was fast asleep.

With a smile on her face, Narcissa picked up her son and placed him in the middle of the bed. He fidgeted for a few moments, before falling back to sleep, his face angelic. Narcissa felt the love sweep over her. Lucius would be angry in the morning, but it didn’t matter. She lay her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.

[megan_lupin]

Author Name: megan_lupin
House: Gryffindor
Title: The Youngest Sister
Word Count: 105
Warnings: none

It’s hard to be the youngest, especially when your older sisters are so different from one another. They’re different, but also alike. Regardless, I love them both, and they both care about me, but they don’t want to spend time together like we used to. Andromeda doesn’t want to be around Bella, and Bella feels the same towards Andromeda. And to top it all off, I’m growing up (I’m 13, after all), and both my sisters view my growing older differently. Bella accepts it, even encourages it, whereas Andromeda doesn’t. It’s like she just wants me to stay a little girl and never grow up.

I know it's short, and I'll probably come back with more later tonight.

~Megan

[Vindictus Viridian]

I know this is late, but this is when the bunny boinged. Nothing like a deadline and other things to do, eh what?

Author Name: Vindictus Viridian
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Hogwarts Express
Word Count: 384
Warnings: none

The engine of the Hogwarts Express coughed politely to itself at the platform, and the hubbub quieted around Narcissa as she waited. She had worn her finest robes and held her head proudly to let everyone who saw her know that she was untouched by being the wife of a convicted criminal. She had never expected to wait here long enough to let everyone see her. Louisa Crabbe and Eleanor Goyle lingered also, not too closely. A first-year girl dragged a trunk along the platform, breathless, until a porter helped her wrestle the luggage onto a trolley. The brat seemed to be the last student.

She couldn’t be, of course. Hogwarts wouldn’t simply lose three fifth-year boys. Narcissa reminded herself of this a few times. She would give Draco a good talking-to for making her wait and worry. Lucius’ arrest had been difficult enough for her. She didn’t need her son causing her worries like this as well. He probably thought it would be funny to make her fret. It was his sort of prank.

She gathered in Louisa and Eleanor by eye and strode to the last car on the train. She would simply work her way through until she found her son, and when she did –

They fell neatly into line behind her. Narcissa could feel a minor earthquake through her shoes when Louisa climbed the steps. Angry as she was at Draco, she didn’t think she could possibly do to him what Louisa would do to whatever-his-name-was.

Near the middle of the train, a groan caught Narcissa’s attention. “Dear Merlin,” breathed Eleanor behind her, as Narcissa drew breath to scream. There were three of the things, and they were in Hogwarts uniforms, but surely that oozing thing could not be her Draco, her angel, her…!

Breathe, Cissy, she told herself. Louisa and Eleanor were useless without someone telling them what to do. With her wand, she wafted the smallest – blob – to the floor and knelt over him. “What happened?” she breathed. This was going to call for a trip to St. Mungo’s.

“We were only going to play a joke on Potter…”

Potter. Right. If this was what the half-blood brat could do over a joke, Potter held no high ground. If she had the chance, Narcissa would kill him herself.

[Magical Maeve]

And the results are...

1st: Never Been by Chaser74

2nd: Amour Propre by Madame Marauider

3rd: A Decision of Fate by LilyEvans34


And because there were so many fabulous entries a couple more have been given an extra five points for being exceptionally good too....

Failure by Viv

It's Not Easy by StaceyLC

Plans for the Futire by Catrin

Alone! by LadyAlesha.

[Magical Maeve]

This is not really monthly! It will last unti the end of August, so you have a little over two weeks to explore the character of the late headmaster of Hogwarts.What made him so wise? Just how powerful is he? Does he have any hidden secrets from the past? What did happen with Aberforth?


Drabbles must be between 100 and 499 words.

All MNFF's normal standards apply, including grammar, spelling and formatting.

There will be no house points awarded for this challenge. If you enter, it will be for the honour of your House and the fun of taking part and maybe winning.

If you enter more than one drabble, it must be edited into one post. You must not post more than once in this thread.

Challenge closes August 31st


Use this form...

Author Name:
House:
Title:
Word Count:
Warnings:

[Konrad]

Author Name: Konrad
House: Slytherin
Title: Growing Concern
Word Count: 233
Warnings: none

"Minerva," Dumbledore whispered. "Are you awake?"

He had been out, searching for news about Tom Riddle, but didn't find anything. A few weeks ago Riddle had come to his office to apply for the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Of course Dumbledore had refused, he didn't want someone like him having power over his pupils. But there had been something about Riddle's appearance...

"I am now, Albus," McGonagall said and opened her eyes. Dumbledore laid on his side in the King-sized bed they shared and watched her expressions. McGonagall turned her head towards him. "You look worried!" she stated.

"I am, dear," Dumbledore said. "I can't find out what Riddle is up to." He sighed.

McGonagall moved herself towards Dumbledore's body, embraced him closely, and kissed him. It still felt odd to kiss him, her previous lovers never had beards like Dumbledore had. Then again, her previous lovers were decades younger than him, and she was thirty after all. Women her age weren't really supposed to end up with men that were over fifty years older than they were. But she didn't cared. How could she care? She loved him.

"He can't control everything all of the time, Albus, nobody is that smart," she assured him.

"I'm not sure of that," Dumbledore said. His worries returned, notwithstanding McGonagall's nearness. He only hoped Riddle wasn't going to be the next Grindelwald.

[Periwinkle]

Author Name: Periwinkle
House: Hufflepuff
Title: "An Abyssal Darkness"
Word Count: 258
Warnings: Character Death

He saw the jerk of Snape's wrist as he lifted his wand, pointing it at Dumbledore's chest. He stared into his opponent's fathomless eyes, which beheld a gleam -- almost maniac in nature -- as Snape hesitated.

Malfoy stood pale and trembling beside the Potions master, his whole thin frame shaking as he tried to comprehend the hasty slew of events that had occured on that already fateful night.

Dumbledore's eyes flicked over to where Harry probably stood, hidden and still, unable to move.

It was better this way. He had known he would die tonight. Call it a premonition, if you will. But he hadn't expected to be staring up into Snape's eyes and knowing that in a few seconds, his life would end with a mere two words. Throughout his life, Dumbledore had been praised and mocked. He was known as a brilliant man, one who always had the answers. People looked up to him, seeking his advice. He had defeated Voldemort many times over. And now -- tonight, he would die, leaving everything behind in his wake.

He gazed into the harsh face of Severus Snape and spoke his last words. He hoped Harry would understand; he was doing this for him. One day, Harry would know why Dumbledore gave up his life so willingly, but now was not the time.

"Severus . . . please . . .”

Time seemed to freeze as Snape's mouth opened and he heard the rush of the incantation, "Avada Kedavra!". There was a brilliant flash and then all disappeared into an abyssal darkness.

[helgaandgodric]

Author Name: helgaandgodric
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Our Dear Mum
Word Count: 173
Warnings: None

“Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore! Come here this minute!” A woman’s harsh, normally melodic, voice echoed down the hall of the house. A few rooms down, two boys close in age with bright blue eyes and chestnut brown hair looked up at each other from across the room.

The younger one smirked. “You’re in trouble, Albie.”

The other just smiled serenely, perfectly aware of what was going on. “Now now, Aberforth. It’s Albus, and as your elder, you must show me proper respect.” Aberforth cocked his head with a puzzled expression on his face, not quite sure what his older brother was referring to. “And I must be off before our dear mum comes in here and punishes me for something. I’m sure it must be about those peppermints I requested at the Muggle store. I do love Muggle candies.”

A screech for the doorway announced their mother’s arrival. “You did what?! I just was yelling at you because you were ignoring me, and it’s about time you taught Aberforth how to read!”

[cherryandphoenixfeather]

Author Name: cherryandphoenixfeather
House: Hufflepuff
Title: What Must Be
Word Count: 486
Warnings: None

He felt the hammered pounding of footsteps shaking his stairs before he heard them. There was a sudden, anguished howl of thoughts shooting at his mind, and he quickly erected a mental shield against them. A powerful Leglimens, and extremely distressed-- Who could it possibly...?

There was a hammering on his door. "Albus! Albus!"

He knew that voice, but he had never heard it raised in such fervent exclamation. A small spark of alarm lit in the pit of his chest, and with a flick of his wand the door flew open. A haggard-looking Severus Snape staggered inside, and fell to his knees on the oaken floor, his hands trembling violently.

"Severus--" Albus quickly rose and helped his friend into the chair opposite the desk, the spark growing into a candle of flame. What could have happened to make Severus lose his nerve so? "Severus, calm yourself--"

The man's eyes were clenched tightly, and he was taking quick, ragged breaths against the obvious panic he was fighting to control. Tentatively, Albus brushed against his mind, and winced back from the chaos there. Severus would never let anyone he didn't trust see him so discomposed, and under different circumstances Albus would feel privileged, but... Turning to the sideboard, he quickly poured a glass of water and rummaged in the drawer for a vial of pale blue potion. Adding it to the potion, he handed it to Severus and sat back anxiously.

After a few moments, Severus's trembling slowly began to subside, though his eyes were still wild. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, setting the glass down on the polished surface. "Thank you," he said in a tightly controlled voice. "I realize that it must be discomforting to see one usually so calm in such distress, but--" His voice cracked, and he swallowed. Unable to look at Dumbledore, staring at the floor, his black eyes hollow, he said slowly, "I have done a terrible thing."

Albus nodded slowly, a sense of dread building in his heart.

"I wish that I had not...I would not have, if she had not been there, waiting...but you have always told me that if it must be, then you would lay down your life for us, and it is not only my life, but Draco's, as well..." Severus's voice shook slightly as he delivered this.

"Severus, you must tell me."

His eyes slowly lifted to meet those of his mentor, the sole person in the world whom he could always trust, and he said in a deadened voice, "Albus...I made an Unbreakable Vow...that if Draco does not succeed, I must complete the task set to him by the Dark Lord."

Albus gazed back at him, knowing without knowing how what Severus would say, and to his own surprise realizing that he had somehow always known that this was how things would end.

"I have to kill you."


Yes, Anna, dear, we are on opposite sides of the fence on this one.

[FerretBouncer]

Author Name: FerretBouncer
House: Gryffindor
Title: Eternity
Word Count: 298
Warnings: None

Albus looked around as he slowly began his first steps in this new world.

Is this what death is like? Wandering aimlessly about in a gray, hazy field?

He continued walking forward, beginning to sense that there was something ahead. What this something was, he did not know. He wondered if this sense of not knowing should concern him- but he decided not to worry too much. He was dead, after all- what more could happen to him?

And so he kept walking forward until he finally reached the unknown something, which turned out to be a small, cozy cottage. A wispy tendril of smoke came from the chimney, and he lifted his face upwards as he delicately sniffed the air. He smiled at the smell of the smoky-sweet cherry wood as he entered the cottage.

Albus looked around the interior of the structure in wonder. Shelves upon shelves of thick leather-bound books lined the walls, and his smile grew wider as he inspected the spines of these books. Fine literature, history, encyclopedias... He pulled one off the shelf at random and opened it. He glanced briefly inside to reassure himself that it was real. It was, and he carefully replaced it. He gingerly lowered himself into the large, soft chair by the fireplace-

A sudden knock at the door surprised him. He slowly crossed the room and opened the door. Three people quickly hurried in, familiar faces all of them, and he stared at them in amazement.

Sirius looked around. "So this is your eternity? I still think mine's better."

James punched him playfully in the shoulder. "Shut up, it's his heaven," he commanded as his wife laughed merrily.

Albus looked at the three of them for a few moments, then threw his head back and laughed.

[DracoGurlFurever]

Author Name: DracoGurlFurever.
House: Gryffindor.
Title: How the Order Came to Be
Word Count: 307
Warnings: none.


Albus looked around at his small group of supporters. These were the men and women who had stood by him always, and were here, yet again, to help him in another one of his endeavours.

"We are here today, my friends, to discuss how exactly we can create a resistance to the largest threat on the face of this earth today - Voldemort." He was pleased to see that none of them had flinched at his use of the wizard's name. "I realize that many of you are devoted to your family and thus naturally will resist my idea. Yet, I must ask you to come with me into hiding for a few days, putting aside your reservations, until we have created a plan to defeat this threat."

"Shouldn't we come up with a name for this group, Professor?"

It was Sirius - Albus should have known. Code words, spies, and clandestine operations had always interested him.

"Does anyone have any suggestions?" asked Dumbledore, looking around the room, as Fawkes let out a haunting note of approval.

"Mission to Defeat Voldemort?" asked Sirius.

"Are you stupid? This is supposed to be a code word, something that generations of people will remember us by long after we are dead and gone, something that..." James was cut off abruptly.

"All right, all right, I was simply trying to get the discussion going," snapped Sirius.

Dumbledore hid a smile. These boys had been the highlight of Hogwarts as long as they had stayed, and their banter was always fun to listen to. He only hoped that he would have the pleasure of meeting with them when all this was over and behind them.

"How about the Order of the Phoenix, Professor?" asked James.

"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "Everyone agree?"

As everyone around the room nodded, Dumbledore thought, And so it begins.



Author Name: DracoGurlFurever.
House: Gryffindor.
Title: The Saving of the Stone
Word Count: 307
Warnings: Character Death.


"No sooner had I reached London than it became clear to me that the place I should be was the the one I had just left..." (PS, p. 215)

Dumbledore dialed six-two-four-four-two at the telephone and waited patiently. "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, here to speak to Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic," he said clearly.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a stirring in him that he recognized as caused by the strong Alerting Charm he had placed on the third-floor corridor in case of intruders. Eviglio mihi, he thought, and listened as a voice spoke into his mind. Professor Quirrell has entered the third-floor corridor. Dumbledore immediately turned on his heel and Apparated back outside the Hogwarts gates. The voice spoke again. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger have entered the third-floor corridor.

As Dumbledore entered the Entrance Hall, he saw Ron and Hermione rushing towards him. Seeing him, they stopped, surprised.

"Harry's gone after him, hasn't he?" he asked.

They nodded fearfully.

Dumbledore rushed through the Hall and up to the third-floor corridor. As he entered, he saw Harry drop in a dead faint. "Harry! Harry!" he called.

He wrenched Quirrell's hand away from Harry's grasp, and watched as Quirrell slumped to the ground, dead. A vapour rose from his body, and slowly took the shape of a human face - a malformed, terrible face with slits for nostrils and eyes that were pure evil. "You win this time, Albus, but I will be back," it said.

"Good always triumphs over evil, Tom," Albus replied, a slight twinkle in his eyes.

[kumydabookworm]

Author Name: kumydabookworm
House: Gryffindor
Title: Know Your Enemy
Word Count: 303
Warnings: Character Death

Albus gazed up at the Headmasters and Headmistresses that surrounded him. These were his predecessors, the ones who had made Hogwarts into the haven which he now protected.

His role as Headmaster grew more and more difficult each day. These were dangerous times. Dumbledore threw down the newspaper onto his desk in frustration. Benjy Fenwick was dead. He would not allow the tears to come until he could think this through.

He was careful to allow love its place, and grief its time - otherwise, he would be no better than the mysterious Voldemort who was slaughtering innocents every day. But now was not the time. Now...he must think.

A wise Muggle had once said, "Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."

Albus doubted that Voldemort or any of his masked followers, the Death Eaters, would uslly themselves with the work of Muggles. They failed to realise that Muggles had the same genius of invention, imagination, and heart of wizards - that they had a magic of their own unique and different from the magic of wizards. There was so much to learn from the non-magical people.

Know your enemy. Who is Lord Voldemort?

He would need many people to help him discover the truth. He would need a group of people loyal and just and brave. He would need old friends, new family, and most of all...he would need unity.

Dumbledore turned to the phoenix before him. "Fawkes, go to everyone we can trust. Tell them to meet me here. We must find out everything about Lord Voldemort...and then, we will fight."

Fawkes flew through the window, and Dumbledore turned to his Pensieve. Dragging his wand over the surface, he began to sift through years of memories, searching for clues.

Who is Lord Voldemort?

[Lily_writes]

Author Name: Lily_writes
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Revelation By Midnight
Word Count: 194
Warnings: None

It was almost midnight when someone pounded on the Headmaster's office door.

"Enter," Dumbledore called.

The door was flung wide open to reveal Professor Snape. Usually, cool and unnerved in his composure, he looked concerned, worried even. Snape approached the desk and took a seat across the desk from Dumbledore. Without any preamble, he rolled up the sleeve on his left arm to reveal a reddish mark. The details were fuzzy, but the outlines of a snake and a skull were clearly visible.

"Dumbledore, I come to you tonight to show you this; the Dark Mark," Snape told him in a low voice. "It has been growing clearer all this year, Karkaroff's too. He's growing stronger, there's no other explanation for the return of the Dark Mark. I should've shown you sooner, but I thought it might have been a trick of the light."

Dumbledore surveyed him for a minute before getting up and pulling out the Pensieve. He drew out his wand and extracted a long silvery strand of memory and dropped it into the basin and putting it back in the cabinet. Taking this as a hint, Snape stood up and left.

[Gmariam]

Username: Gmariam
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Resolution
Word Count: 489

“I feel I owe you another explanation, Harry,” said Dumbledore hesitantly. “You may, perhaps, have wondered why I never chose you as a prefect? I must confess . . . that I rather thought . . . you had enough responsibility to be going on with.” (OotP, p. 844)

A tear ran down the headmaster’s face. Harry turned, and without a word he left the office, his shoulders slumped, his spirit sagging. Albus sat back in his chair, and closed his stinging eyes. He felt his heart breaking for what had happened to Harry that night, and for what the boy had learned about his future. The burden Albus had just placed on his young pupil’s shoulders was a heavy one, heavier than any person should have to bear. He had struggled with it himself for years, debating when to tell Harry about the prophecy. Finally revealing the words of fate did not relieve the burden; instead he felt guilty for adding to Harry’s pain.

“So it’s true,” said a quiet voice from one of the portraits. Phineas Nigellus had returned to his frame, his voice betraying a deep sadness for the death of the last member of the Black family.

“I’m so sorry, Phineas,” said Albus, opening his eyes. “He was killed at the Ministry tonight. I’m afraid it is my fault.”

“Nonsense,” snapped Phineas. “Sirius was stubborn and bull-headed and I’m sure you had nothing to do with it. I only hope he died fighting, so that the Black name dies with honor.”

“He did indeed, my old friend,” replied Albus softly. “He probably saved Harry’s life.”

Phineas was silent for a long moment. “Did you tell the boy about the prophecy then?” he finally asked.

“I did,” Albus answered, his voice heavy.

“You had to, you know,” said Phineas. “He needs to understand. And he’s stronger than any student who has come through your office, Albus. He can handle it.”

“It is a dark destiny I just spelled out for him,” mused Albus sadly. “I hope he is as strong as you believe.”

“Of course he is. He is built of love and courage, strength and hope - the very things he needs to defeat You-Know-Who.”

Albus glanced up in amusement. “Phineas, I should think that as a portrait you might start using Voldemort’s name some day.”

“Harry Potter can do this, Albus,” said Phineas, ignoring the clever remark. “Just don’t let him down again. You must prepare him to meet his destiny, help him fulfill the prophecy.”

“You are right, of course,” Albus sighed. “I should have done so a long time ago.”

“You can do so now. He will win, Albus. As long as you guide him.”

Albus nodded, but did not respond. He would not let Harry down, he would stand by him and bear the burden of fate with him. Together they would defeat Voldemort, and restore the wizarding world to peace.

[StaceyLC]

Username: StaceyLC
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Haunted
Word Count: 472

He stared at the boy sitting across from him and couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility for his current state. He was pale - paler than usual - and his dark hair was matted and unkempt. But his eyes… his eyes were what frightened Albus Dumbledore the most.

They were cold and haunted. Distant. Uncaring. Albus didn’t want to look into those eyes, but he knew he had to. Those eyes were once wide and awestruck as their owner took his first steps into Hogwarts castle. They were once trusting and held so much life.

But no longer.

On the same token, Albus used to look upon him with trust as well. He was one of the more brilliant students to come out of Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it seemed intelligence wasn’t enough to keep people from making The Wrong Turn.

That’s how Albus described it. The Wrong Turn. Turning to the dark side, as it were. To Voldemort.

Taking the Dark Mark.

As Albus looked upon this haunted human being sitting before him, he tried to convince himself that he should have seen it coming. The boy’s eyes may have been trusting; the boy himself may at one time or another been happy and eager. But he had also been angry, and bitter, and the subject of much torment from his fellows. He had allowed himself to find powerful and dangerous friends. No doubt these friends were responsible for the boy’s decision, and his current state.

Albus began to chastise himself. Why had he not done something? Perhaps he should have taken more of a stand against the ones who had bullied him; docked more points, or given out more detentions. He should have tried to get more involved in the boy's life. He should have done something as soon as he saw the warning signs that this promising young boy was delving too deeply into dangerous territory.

And, unfortunately, the answer was that he hadn’t noticed. He never saw the warning signs. He never tried to talk to him, find out why he was so angry. And he had only stepped in twice during the bullying occasions, and that was only because of the seriousness of the situations. Albus had been too busy fighting the battle outside, rather than paying attention to the soldiers of Voldemort that were being created on the inside.

And now this boy… no, this young man… was paying for it. And he had come to Albus for help. Fortunately, Albus knew why.

But he mustn’t push him away. He had to be careful, if he was to bring him back; if he was to save him.

So, this time, Albus cleared his throat, steepled his fingers, and stared into those cold, haunted, dark eyes, and asked:

“What can I do for you, Severus?”

[lily_16_evans]

Username: lily_16_evans
House: Slytherin
Title: Always Books Never the Necessities
Word Count: 150


Hermione sat wide-eyed in front of Professor Dumbledore’s desk. Her eyes were slowly brimming with tears for no certain reason. She had never been called to see the Headmaster, and her first instinct was the idea that she had done something wrong, or against the rules.

“Ah, Ms. Granger,” Albus Dumbledore stepped behind his desk.

“I’m so sorry!” Hermione choked before letting the tears trickle down her cheeks.

“What ever for?” the Headmaster questioned.

“I – I – I don’t know.” Hermione breathed, startling herself with the admittance of not knowing the answer to a direct question.

Professor Dumbledore passed her a bowl of candies and gave her a small smile of reassurance.

“I was just having a nice chat with Mr. Dobby about your knitting.” Albus took a brief pause looking at his student almost sheepishly. “I was wondering, do you think you have enough wool for an extra pair of socks?”

[Gonz]

Username: Gonz
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Meeting With the Headmaster
Word Count: 173

The Headmaster of Hogwarts sighed as he looked at the young man standing before him. How could one student that showed so much promise cause all of this trouble?

“Dumbledore.”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

Holding out an odd candy, the Headmaster asked, “Can you please explain to me, why you felt it necessary to transfigure the Halloween Feast into a bunch of these…”

“Lemon Drops, Sir. They are a type of Muggle candy,” Dumbledore replied.

“Why, then, did you transfigure the Halloween Feast into a bunch of Lemon Drops?”

Dumbledore’s twinkled as he answered, “So everyone could eat them, of course.”

The Headmaster threw his hands up in defeat and cried, “What in Merlin’s beard am I suppose to do with do you, Dumbledore.”

While the Headmaster shook his shook his head, his hands unwrapped the candy, and placed it in his mouth. After tasting it, he exclaimed, “This is really good!” Leaning closer to his student he added, “Albus, tell an old man your secret and I might just forget about this little incident.”

[Cinderella Angelina]

Username: Cinderella Angelina
House: Hufflepuff
Title: A Taste for Chamber Music
Word Count: 372


“That was amazing,” Albus Dumbledore murmured appreciatively as he and his parents left the concert, snow sparkling around them.

“It’s good to have you get out every once in a while,” his mother said. “You spend all your time reading books and doing experiments – and on Christmas vacation, too!”

“Not that this year is any different,” his father commented thoughtfully. “What do you find to do all the time, Brian?”

Albus glanced at his mother; Pop was the only one that ever called him ‘Brian’. “Magic is fascinating!” he said. “Right now I’m researching dragon’s blood. Aberforth bought me some and that’s what I’ve been experimenting on.”

“Oh, he bought you some dragon’s blood, did he?” Pop didn’t sound too pleased. “That boy has some strange connections. Do be careful with that stuff.”

“Of course,” Albus said, beginning to hum one of the madrigals from the chamber music concert they’d just left. The music had inspired him in a magical new way – it somehow made him feel like he could do anything. “You think there’s another concert sometime soon?”

“I’ll get you a recording,” Mum said, reaching out and ruffling his hair fondly. “You’re getting a little long, dear. Want me to give you a haircut when we get home?”

“I like my hair long!” Albus exclaimed. “Once I’m old enough, I’m growing a long beard, too!”

“Whatever you say, dear,” she replied. “You’re only fourteen, after all. Your style may change.”

Albus didn’t say anything to that – his mother was already alarmed enough with his strange taste in Muggle clothing in vibrant colors. In fact, he got the sense that his parents were alarmed at him in general, which might have been amusing to him if he weren’t slightly hurt by it. He couldn’t help being so fascinated by what magic was, neither could he help being better at it than most boys he knew. Normality was something he could not embrace – not at this point. So, he figured, he might as well favor the eccentric side.

“Hey, Mum, do you think we can stop by the candy shop before we get home? I would like some more lemon drops and jawbreakers.”

“Oh, I suppose. Try not to spend all your pocket money there.”

Albus grinned.

[CalyCru]

Author Name: CalyCru
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Good-bye
Word Count: 118
Warnings: None

“Can you believe it ended up like this?”

“No, it never crossed my mind. Why would it?”

“No, I suppose not. You know I forgive you, right?”

“How could you forgive me, old man, I haven’t even done it yet!”

“You have given so much, I am sorry I had to ask this of you.”

“Well…it will be a good riddance. When are you and Potter leaving?”

“Shortly. I am sorry this is how things turned out for you, Severus. I wish you only happiness in your life and I seem to bring only heartache to it.”

“Stop! I cannot speak to you like this, not when I am going to… Good evening, Headmaster.”

“Good-bye, my dear boy.”

Well, it is Dumbledore and Severus, so it kind of works.

[crazy_purple_hp_freak]

Author Name: crazy_purple_hp_freak
House: Slytherin
Title: A Confident Mistake
Word Count: 477
Warnings: None

Albus gripped his wand tightly as he walked into the Great Hall, trying and failing to swallow his nerves. He had always been good at Charms both in the classroom and in duels, and had had no trouble with the written NEWT paper that morning; but for some reason he always seemed to get the jitters when performing in front of an examiner.

Trying to adopt a confident demeanour, he strode over to his table, secretly wishing he could crawl under it and hide forever. He was certain that these exams would be the downfall of his ambitions to become an Auror. The butterflies in his stomach jumped and trembled more as his examiner, Professor Marchbanks placed a full flask of vinegar in front of him.

“Now, if you would like to turn the vinegar in this flask to wine please, Mr Dumbledore,” she instructed.

Albus nodded, holding back a terrified squeak. Rolling up his sleeves and waving his wand he began to mutter an incantation. To his dismay, the vinegar began to coagulate into lumps, thickening at rapid pace. In front of him, Professor Marchbanks was shaking her head disapprovingly.

Panicking now, Albus flicked his wand aimlessly, the tip tracing a perfect circle. To his horror, the flask began to levitate, the vinegar inside congealing and forming small balls, and the flask itself rippling and darkening.

He screwed up his eyes in a grimace of concentration, not daring to look as he waved his wand uncontrollably, unable to stop. He’d failed this NEWT for sure now. He knew it.

Suddenly he regained control of his arms and opened his eyes gingerly. Professor Marchbanks was beaming at him, eyes wide in astonishment.

He watched open-mouthed as the vinegar began to form solid grapes, the grapes then liquefying and fermenting rapidly, settling quickly into the flask that itself was lengthening and darkening into an elegant, expensive-looking bottle of wine.

"Bravo, Mr Dumbledore! Excellent! Quite an imagination you have here…" Professor Marchbanks exclaimed, "Never seen anything like it. Quite possibly an Outstanding NEWT…" She winked.

Albus gaped, unable to believe his luck. Prodding his stomach gingerly as he walked away, he suddenly smiled. The butterflies had gone.

****

Harry Potter stood at the double doors of the Entrance Hall walking as slowly as he possibly could. He smiled as he eavesdropped on the conversation, suppressing a smirk at Umbridge’s disapproving glares. Professor Marchbanks seemed fair, at least; and her description of Dumbledore was true enough, the Headmaster was a genius, no doubt about that…

“I should know!!”… The old examiner was shouting. “Examined him personally in Charms when he did NEWTS…did things with a wand I’d never seen before.”

Lowering her voice, she chuckled. “He was such a nervous wreck that day –nothing like he is now, of course-, didn’t even seem to know his own strength, poor boy.”

House: Slytherin
Title: The best present of all
Word Count: 499
Warnings: None

“Deer Santa…” wrote Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, aged six.

Thank you very much fro Teddy that you gave me last yeer. He is my bestest friend (beter than Aberforth). But I don’t want another Teddy this yeer. Also I do not like Evry Flavour Beens enymore, I ate a puke flavour one, it wasn’t very nice. Instead, can I have sox this yeer please? Mummy took me to Digon Ally and I saw red ones with blu pengiuns. They looked very comfitible. Also I wood like some lemon sweets. They are yummy.

Love from Albus
*~*~*~*

“To Santa…” wrote Albus, aged eight.

I am writing to say that I do not beleive in you anymor. You always buy me Evry Flavour Beans even though I don’t like them. You never buy me socks like I ask. I don’t have any comfitible ones left.

From Albus

*~*~*~*

“Dear Mum”… wrote Albus, aged thirteen.

Thanks for the Christmas cake, sherbet lemons and gloves; they were all put to good use! Christmas at Hogwarts is great, and the food’s fantastic (though incomplete without sherbet of course!) It’s really cold here in Scotland, especially for Care of Magical Creatures. I always wear two pairs of socks now, and am wearing them out fast! Any chance you could send some more?

All my love, Albus

*~*~*~*

Mum and Dad,

Thanks for the coming of age present, it feels so strange to be seventeen! The watch is excellent; I could sit here looking at all the little stars and planets for hours. Thanks for ‘Quintessence a Quest’ as well, have wanted to read that for ages!
I’m very busy with NEWTS so hope you are all well…and could you send over a few more pairs of socks? My feet seem to have grown again!

Love Albus

*~*~*~*

Dear Minerva,

Thank you very much for the chocolates this Christmas. Would you care to join me this evening for eggnog (and chocolates)?
Must go now, must go sock shopping. See you tonight.

Albus

*~*~*~*

My dear friend Flamel,

Thank you for the books that you sent, they shall come in useful. I can’t believe that I’ve reached the grand old age of 150! Though to you that must seem like nothing…
I enclose a small gift for yourself and Perenelle to enjoy. Sherbet lemons are a delicacy in the Muggle world, and I’m sure you’ll find them as delightful as I do!
Must go now, I have a visit to the Muggle sock factory in Manchester to attend!

Albus

*~*~*~*

Albus ran down the marble staircase rapt with joy. It was Christmas morning, and finally his dream had come true.

Socks. A trunk full of them. Long ones, short ones, thin cotton, thick wool, Gryffindor red, polka dots, stripes, paisley, checked…and finally, red ones with blue penguins.

Dear Dobby,

Thank you very much for the hand-knitted socks. Just what I have always wanted! I enclose your Christmas present; have you ever tried sherbet lemons?

Professor Dumbledore

[tc015]

Author Name: tc015
House: Gryffindor
Title: I Trust You
Word Count: 299
Warnings: None

“But Professor Dumbledore, I didn' do anythin'. I didn' hurt any o’ ‘em. It wasn’ me.”

Albus Dumbledore thought about the last hour. He had been sitting in office. Professor Dippet had come an hour ago with Rubeus Hagrid by his side. Armando told the tale of how Tom Riddle had come to him with the supposed identity of the person who opened the Chamber of Secrets – Hagrid. Hagrid had just been expelled; a Ministry official would be coming in the morning to snap his wand. Armando had brought Hagrid to him, being Deputy Professor and his head of house, for his opinion on the matter. Armando had left Hagrid with him so he could contact the ministry.

“I believe you, Hagrid. But I doubt you can convince Professor Dippet that.”

“But Professor, I have nowhere to go. I don' have a family, no home outside o’ Hogwarts. Please don' send me to Azkaban.”

Dumbledore knew Hagrid had done nothing; he didn’t need Legilimency to prove that. He had his suspicions. There was something fishy about Tom Riddle - he really needed to keep a closer eye on the boy. Getting out of his daze, he looked up at Hagrid. His black eyes reflected sorrow and worry. Dumbledore knew he needed to do something.

“I can’t stop Professor Dippet’s decision to expel you. However, I can offer you a job here. You can train to be an assistant gamekeeper with Ogg. I will present this idea to Professor Dippet. If he agrees, you can start work this summer.”

“Thank yeh,” sobbed Hagrid, “Yeh don' have to do this fer me.”

“It’s the least I can do,” Dumbledore said. Dumbledore paused and as an afterthought said, “And Hagrid, just know that you can trust me and that I trust you.”

[khrys]

Author Name: Khrys
House: Gryffindor
Title: Passed down to you
Word Count: 362
Warnings: None

Dumbledore felt an odd sensation as he looked at Harry, as a man, for the first time. Harry’s emerald eyes stared back at him, full of anger and mistrust.

Albus sighed heavily, knowing that he didn’t deserve the boy’s trust. He couldn’t think of a thing he had done for Harry that wasn’t based on a selfish goal. Yes, Dumbledore wanted Harry to defeat Voldemort. It was not, Dumbledore realized disdainfully, for the right reasons.

His thought took him back to the day he had looked at his mentor with such emotions evident in his eyes. His mentor had done the same thing to him, knowing that he was slated to defeat the Dark Lord Grindewald. His mentor had pushed him, with no regard for the personal consequences, pushed him to be more powerful.

Sadly, Dumbledore acknowledged that, without his mentor’s overbearing instruction, he would have failed and the world would have fallen into the clutches of evil.

At what cost?
Dumbledore tried to list all of the things he had given up in his battle for good, but he stopped when he found that he could not get past the first one without choking up. Material possessions hadn’t entered his mind; he didn’t even consider the loss of his true love to be the most terrible sacrifice. He had given his soul in order to defeat the heinous evil that had threatened to consume the world.

I will not put Harry in that position. I will tell him everything. When he is ready.

That had been Dumbledore’s mantra since Harry had been placed on the doorstep of number four, Privet Drive, one that he could no longer allow to continue. Harry was ready.

Tomorrow. I’ll tell him tomorrow.

Dumbledore knew that this excuse, and an excuse it was indeed, would no longer be sufficient. For if everything went according to Snape’s plan, he would soon run out of tomorrows.

Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter’s Mentor, held out his shriveled hand to Harry without thinking, gasping in pain as Harry clutched at the fragile flesh. Correcting the position immediately, Dumbledore started the process of repairing the damage he had done to Harry’s life.

[anAnachronism]

Author Name: anAnachronism
House: Slytherin
Title: A Troubling Dilemma
Word Count: 348
Warnings: none

The scene was frozen. An old man with a snowy white beard and unclouded blue eyes stared at a destroyed book. It lay perfectly in the center of his desk. A hole, burned by the acid of a Basilisk fang, was in the exact middle of the book.

Albus Dumbledore was meditating, as he often did. This time the object of his meditation was quite serious. When one is trying to protect the world from an invisible threat, the task is always difficult. How could Tom Riddle come back to life? Normal illusion charms did not act so independently. It was almost as though his ghost had haunted the diary. Ghosts could not possess others though.

Besides, Voldemort was not dead. Albus knew very well that he had fled back to Albania, where Quirrel had found him. Dark forests grew in the small country, and there was practically no Magical Law Enforcement. A ghost was an imprint of a soul.

Contemplating the dilemma, Albus brought his fingertips together by habit. He had learned the little rhyme in his Muggle church many years ago.

Here is the Church, here is the steeple.

He pressed the steeple to his lips.

It didn’t add up. Voldemort’s soul was in Albania, but something acting alarmingly like a soul had also inhabited this worn journal. Was it possible that Voldemort had split his soul? Albus knew of the dark magic that enabled a wizard to do so.

Open the doors, see all the people.

If this was a Horcrux, it should have been hidden. Riddle would not entrust the key to his immortality with one of his henchmen. And this had plainly been intended as a weapon. If he really had split his soul, he would have needed great assurance in his immortality to casually hand half out.

He would need another Horcrux. This one would have to be hidden away. Could a wizard split his soul more than once? Albus dissolved the church as he stood up. He had a long night ahead of him, full of books, dark alleys and research.


Title: How Albus Met Fawkes
Word Count: 449
Warnings: None

Josiah Adams was an avid bird watcher. He had tramped through moors and valley and mountains all over Wales seeking out rare birds. A day full of pigeons and sparrows was worth it if he could glimpse a Glaslyn osprey.

It was an early morning of April, 1848. The sun was hitting the dew on the short grasses of the moor and making them sparkle. Greedily, Josiah pressed his new-fangled binoculars to his eyes and searched the sky.

The sudden scream of a raven startled him slightly, causing him to drop the binoculars into a pile of ash. Silently cursing, he carefully folded his old knees and plucked the binoculars out. What angered him even more was the pile of ash. Probably a bunch of those railroad louts, destroying the beautiful Welsh countryside. He pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping his binoculars off.

A sudden movement from the pile of ash caused him to inspect it closer. What he had thought was merely the remains of a careless camper appeared to house a creature. Gingerly, he helped the young animal out of dirt, his anger at the builder of the fire increasing.

It was a young bird. As to the kind of bird he had no clue. He had never seen a more pitiful, ugly creature.

“What do you have there?” a young boy with flaming red hair asked. Josiah frowned On the open moor it is very difficult for people to sneak up on you. But he had not seen any of sign of the young boy until now.

“A fledgling,” he explained. “Probably pushed out of it’s nest by it’s mother. Now, how did you get here? What’s your name?”

“My name is Albus Dumbledore. I’m from the village. Why would his mum push him out of the nest?”

“Perhaps because he is roaming out of doors at an early hour,” Josiah replied. “Now, run along, you’re disturbing the birds.”

“What are you going to do with the fledgling?” Albus persisted.

Now immensely irritated by the unwanted distraction, Josiah shoved the ungainly creature into the auburn-haired child’s hands.

“You take him. Feed him some worms and maybe he’ll grow into a good pet.”

The boy stared at the bird in wonder. “Do you really mean it? He’s all mine? I’ll have to give him a name.”

“Yes, you will. How about you take him home first? Otherwise he might catch cold,” Josiah hoped the boy would leave soon.

“I’ll call him Fawkes,” the boy stated happily as he carried the bird away. It gave a feeble croak.

The irritation handled, Josiah returned to his bird watching. Maybe today he’d spot a red kite.

[Rita Writer]

User: Rita Writer
House: Gryffindor
Title: Trick
Word count: 373

Perhaps you have wondered why I rarely speak of my brother. It is because he tricked me, and even though I forgave him, I never forgot. Sometimes I wonder if he ever changed or if he simply repressed any desire to do it again.

We were only boys; he was in his sixth year of Hogwarts and I was in my second. I was — and please excuse my lack of modesty — much more powerful than him already, and than many people in the school. It must have demeaned him, having his younger brother surpass his skills. And perhaps I am partly to blame for my slight flare of arrogance. Nevertheless, Aberforth never should have let jealousy get the best of him.

The only thing I was told was that I would enjoy it. “It’s a neat little spell,” he explained with a grin. “Try using it in the next Dueling Club meeting. Simple, really, but takes a little more power the first time or two.”

I did, of course, and unquestioningly at that. I had absolute trust in Aberforth, for he had given me no reason not to.

He stood near me that day while dueling. I assumed he was being supportive, though he usually avoided association with me simply because I was his younger sibling.

The young girl I was dueling and I bowed to one another. Eager to test my new spell, I didn’t even give her a chance as I normally do.

“Expell—”

“SECTUMSEMPRA!”

I didn’t notice what had happened at first; I only heard her scream and saw her fall to the ground. The room was silent, and then someone laughed.

It was Aberforth. When I looked at him, I noticed he was holding his sides and cackling despite the silence. There was a spec of blood on his left cheek, and when I looked down at my opponent, she was bleeding severely.

I was deeply troubled by Aberforth’s laugh. He was truly pleased that for once I had gotten into trouble for something bad. I never told anyone — the teachers, the nurse, my friends — how I had come across that spell. I merely told them I did not know what it would do. Aberforth never apologized.

[cmwinters]

Author Name: cmwinters
House: Slytherin
Title: Congratulatory Gift
Word Count: 497
Warnings: Uh, "inappropriate"? >_>

===

Congratulatory Gift

Albus Dumbledore sighed sadly as the last boxes of Armando Dippet's belongings were levitated out of the office in a trunk. The dearly departed had left no surviving family, so his belongings had been divvied up amongst his friends and colleagues, and what remained was going to a charity auction to benefit St. Mungo's.

Although his appointment to the position of Headmaster had been formally approved by the Hogwarts Board of Governors (a fact which still vaguely surprised Albus as he had some well-known differences of opinion with some of the more vocal members of the board), he had not wanted to move into the office until Armando's affairs were formally settled.

But with all of his belongings removed from the school, there was no point in further delaying matters.

He smiled benignly at the portraits on the wall, all of which were feigning sleep. Most people were unaware of this, but Albus knew the subjects in the portraits did not actually need sleep. It was part of the process that rendered them portraits.

The first order of business was to appoint a new Transfiguration teacher. He'd asked a few of his previous students to come interview but he had particularly high hopes for Minerva McGonagall – she'd been Head Girl, and under his tutelage had shown the fortitude and aptitude to become an Animagus, an accomplishment he was particularly delighted about. She also had the distinct advantage of being able to take over as head of Gryffindor House as well, which he also needed to fill as soon as possible. Minerva had had the reputation of being an unbelievably strict but unquestionably fair Prefect in her day, and truth be told, she was his foremost preference for the position. She had a distinguished job working in the Department of Mysteries, however, and he was not sure she'd be willing to abandon it.

He sighed again as his belongings started appearing in the office – aided by elf-magic. Although he'd known this time was coming, it didn't make it any easier to realise he wouldn't be speaking with his friend and mentor any more. Portraits didn't count.

Fortunately, before the situation could bother him too thoroughly, and just as he was setting a candy dish full of sherbet lemons on what was now his desk, a boreal owl swooped in through the door carrying a small box. The owl wheeled nimbly in the office, dipped down over the desk, dropped the box and swooped out.

Curious, Albus put the silver tinkly instruments back in the box he'd pulled them from, and wandered over to the unexpected arrival.

He opened the box.

Inexplicably, it contained a small, stuffed, felt creature in the shape of a baby goat. The little toy animal blinked, then bleated confusedly. Albus smiled and rubbed the little creature's head – it butted him but appeared to appreciate the attention.

There was a card attached and Albus read it:

Albus,

Congratulations on your new job.

With love, Aberforth

===

. . .

please don't lynch me . . .

[glacialis]

Author Name: glacialis
House: Slytherin
Title: Sweet Tooth
Word Count: 195
Warnings: none


"Albus, dear, please don't eat so much candy. Your teeth will rot out." Mrs. Dumbledore chided. "And no, I will not fix them for you, nor will your father. And no, I won't take you to St. Mungo's either."
Albus wibbled his lower lip. This was not so much candy. It was only 5 Cockroach Clusters, 7 Acid Pops, 3 boxes of Honeydukes' chocolate, 6 Cauldron Cakes, and a couple crystallized pineapples from the Slughorns. Oh, and those Muggle Lemon Drops he had in his pocket. But it really wasn't that much.
He kept on wibbling, but his mother kept complaining.
"Albus, really. if you eat so much, your teeth will fall out, and having no teeth is quite unsightly. And let me tell you, dear. Growing your teeth back is no easy task."
"I'll use a spell so I won't get cavities."
"There isn't one."
"I'll make one up."
"You can't make one up, dear. You're only a third year-"
Albus pointed his wand at his mouth and muttered something. And then he opened wide.
"See? No cavities!"

His mother fainted.
"Mum, what's wrong?"
He looked in a mirror.
"Oh."
His teeth were candy.

[sirius_rocks]

Author Name: sirius_rocks
House: Gryffindor
Title: Everyday
Word Count: 336 words
Warnings: Book 6 Disregarded

Seventeen-year-old Ronald Weasley walked along the cold corridors, hands in pockets and his head bowed. He appeared deep in thought and solicitous.

“Mr. Weasley?” a gentle voice asked into the corridor. Ron jumped and whipped out his wand, aiming it at the elderly man at the opposite end of the corridor.

“Blimey, Professor, you scared me half to death!” Ron sighed, and placed his hand over his chest. Albus Dumbledore smiled, the moon reflected off his half-rim glasses and his kind blue eyes shined through.

“Although it is not curfew yet, and it is none of my business,” Dumbledore began. “Why are you in the halls so late?”

“Thinking,” Ron said, and put his hands back into his pockets. Dumbledore nodded. “About Hermione,” he added.

“Ah yes, Miss Granger has become the object of your affection, I’ve noticed?” the wise wizard said. Ron nodded.

“What is love, sir?” Ron asked, looking up. Dumbledore frowned.

“Love, my boy, is nothing and everything at the same time,” he said. Ron frowned this time. “It is the highest possible emotion of all humans: Witch, Wizard or Muggle. It is the most wanted and admired emotion in the world.” Dumbledore said, and the two men walked along the corridors. “Yet only a small percent of the world has experienced it,”

“But how do you know if you truly love someone?” Ron asked. Dumbledore sighed.

“I was in love once. With a beautiful woman of such radiance and grace it was practically impossible she could stay on this earth any longer.” Dumbledore said, and they continued to amble along the silent corridor. “You will know, Mr. Weasley. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It hurts but it fills you with such joy the pain leaves,”

“What happened to her?” Ron asked. Dumbledore sighed again.

“She was taken from me, in a time I never thought possible,” Dumbledore said. A small silence filled the space between the two wizards.

“Did you ever see her again?” Ron persisted. Dumbledore chuckled.

“Everyday.”

[Vindictus Viridian]

Author Name: Vindictus Viridian
House: Ravenclaw
Title: The Occlumens Searches
Word Count: 371 words
Warnings: None, except that this is here at MithrilQuill's prompting.


Albus felt that others should know when he departed Hogwarts. He strolled out, ostensibly for a drink at Aberforth’s tavern. There had been a time when Aberforth would have demanded to come along on his older brother’s ventures; now he was content with providing a cover story.

From Hogsmeade Albus Apparated to Little Hangleton, deliberately choosing to appear some distance from his goal. Tonight’s quest was for a personal item in a personal location, and Albus could rule out nothing from what he might face. He walked along the winding road, trying to anticipate everything and nothing. The cottage, if he could grace it with that term, should lie on that path…

Albus discovered a sense of needing to be somewhere else, of having forgotten something important. Voldemort – Tom Riddle, Albus reminded himself – had treated the home of his ancestors as the home of his heart, and used Hogwarts’ defensive spell as its first ward. To affect a wizard as well as Muggles, the spell had to be much stronger here. Identified, it was easy enough to ignore, aside from a vague nagging feeling Albus had neglected to mistrust Severus properly. Severus had never given Albus a reason to mistrust him – and if Voldemort could not say the same, there would be no Severus to mistrust.

Focus, Albus told himself. For now the problem was finding and recovering the ring bearing the Gaunt family crest. If the defences began this far out – ah, there was the cottage, somewhat the worse for wear. The door hung crookedly open. The roof sagged. Perhaps it would have been better to come in daylight, just to see any gaps in the floor, but once here Albus might as well finish the deed.

The lingering mistrustful feelings grew and spread as he approached the building. Severus had given him any number of reasons to doubt, and so had Minerva, and Alastor, and Aberforth… That misgiving, too, could be laid aside. Pushing the door farther open brought an avalanche of memories, slights and taunts and insults, small betrayals and large all vying for his attention.

“Ah, Tom,” Albus whispered into the empty space. “You never did learn that with hurt and sorrow, forgiveness may also be found.”

[MithrilQuill]

Aaaand the winners are...


*drumroll*


First Place: Eternity by FerretBouncer...


Second Place: Haunted by Stacy LC...


Third Place: What Must Be by cherryandphoenixfeather


*big round of applause*

[MithrilQuill]

This month we will explore the life of our favourite Werewolf: Remus Lupin.


Remus has had an ... eventful life. How did he feel about his affliction? What exactly was he doing when James and Lily were murdered? How did he join the Order of the Pheonix?


You have untill the end of September to submit your drabbles. Use the following form:


Author:
House:
Title:
Warnings:
Words:


Good Luck and Enjoy!

[bittersweet_lullaby]

Author: bittersweet_lullaby
House: Slytherin
Title: Silent Cries
Warnings: Violence
Words: 457


It was 8 o'clock on a damp autumn night. Most good little boys were bathing or getting ready for bed, but not Remus Lupin. He was in his backyard, lying in a pile of leaves that had been raked only that afternoon; they were damp, like everything else, but he did not care. He was having too much fun. He had convinced his parents to let him stay in a tent in the backyard for the night. His father, who would be staying out with him, had gone to a meeting that night, but he should have been home half an hour before. Remus thought nothing of it and continued to play in the leaves, even though it was getting dark.

He had just gotten up to dive into a different pile of leaves when he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up – he had the horrible feeling he was being watched. He turned around and saw a man standing at the fence. He was quite filthy, and he had bloodshot eyes almost hidden under his matted grey hair. His hand was on the fence, and Remus could see clearly that his nails were a rather nasty yellow colour, and they were very sharp, as though he were some kind of animal. Worst of all, he was smiling in a horribly wicked way that made Remus even more uncomfortable.

"Hello," the man said in a raspy voice that made Remus feel like shuddering, but out of politeness, he kept as still as possible. "Nice night, isn't it?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers," Remus said nervously. The man laughed. His laugh was, if possible, worse than his speech. It chilled Remus to the bone.

"Don't worry," the man rasped, "you'll have more problems than that when I'm finished with you." Remus was very scared now, and he turned around to run inside, but at that moment, a cloud covering the moon moved aside, and Remus heard a snarl and a great ripping noise behind him. He turned slowly and let out a scream at what he saw: A large animal standing in a pile of rags exactly where the man had stood only seconds before. The animal was a wolf, and it leapt over the fence. Remus turned and ran as fast as he could toward the house, but he wasn't quick enough. The wolf jumped on top of him and sunk its teeth into his shoulder. Remus screamed again, but no sound came out. The wolf let go of him and howled at the full moon before running off and leaping the fence out of the yard. Remus lay on the grass, shivering, nothing but silent cries of pain leaving his lips.

[whittyleah]

Author: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor!
Title: Together Again
Warnings: none
Words: 320

A man with light brown hair and eyes stood in the middle of a meadow. His head was thrown back and he was looking to the sky. His eyes closed as he bathed in the glow of the full moon. He lifted his arms and opened his eyes; tears began to stream down his face as he fell to his knees.

A hand came and rested on his shoulder. Looking he saw a man with shaggy black hair and grey eyes smiling at him. They sat in the calm of the moon, not saying a word.

He heard movement behind him and turned to see two pairs of legs walking towards him and the dark haired man.

The couple sat next to him, smiling as well. One was a young woman with auburn hair and bright green eyes that danced as she looked at him. The other was young man with messy black hair and hazel eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses, he held the woman’s hand in his and grinned at the brown haired man.

They sat there for what seemed like eternity. Drinking in the moon light and not needing to say a word, when they heard someone else coming.

Looking up they saw a short man with dirty blond hair standing a few meters away, staring longingly at them.

No one moved. No one seemed to breathe. Then the brown haired man stood and walked towards the newcomer. The short man looked at his feet as the brown haired man stopped in front of him. For the first time, the brown haired man spoke.

“You’re late.”

The short man looked up in surprise and they all laughed as the short man joined them in the moon light.

They all sat in a circle, smiling at each other. Soon the woman started laughing and the others followed suit. They spent forever there, laughing in the moon light.

[crazy_purple_hp_freak]

Author: crazy_purple_hp_freak
House: Slytherin
Title: You made a difference
Warnings: none
Words: 498

I have always been different, always been shunned, never allowed to lead a normal life.

Ever since I was a young boy, I had known that I was also a monster. There was no possible outlet for my pain, no cure for my loneliness. This was how it would always be.

At school I was given an opportunity. Headmaster Dumbledore believed in taking chances, giving me the chance to start a new life. There, I made the best friends I would ever have; friends who understood me, didn’t reject me for what I was; friends who helped me endure my times of loneliness, times of pain.

Yet after the war, I was alone again; death, imprisonment and betrayal taking the places of the friends I once had. There were no more opportunities, no jobs I could take, for I was a monster. Why should I be allowed to lead a normal life?

Once again, I was saved by Dumbledore. I was to teach at Hogwarts; another fresh start, none of the students knowing what I was. To them I would be an ordinary man, living a normal life, being a good teacher.

Yet after a year, my secret leaked out. I was back to being different, a monster, a tainted creature. Once more I was alone, my enemies taunting me in my dreams, triumphing over my misfortunes as I retreated again into the emotional shell that had forever been my refuge.

I have always been different, rejected on all sides; hated for being a monster, hated for being human. The role I played, as spy in the war was useful, as I was a ready-made werewolf, but now that role too is done.

This time, Dumbledore is not here to save me. He tried once, twice, and now I must carry on alone, the way I was always meant to live.

And now I am afraid. I had believed that my life was set in stone, yet now the stone has rolled. I had thought that nobody would ever accept me into their lives, but now you have proved otherwise. I had been certain that to give up solitude meant danger, sorrow and regret; but now my doubts are seeping in…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I told you I was too old for you, too poor and too dangerous. You said you didn’t care.

I reminded you that we were in a war, too busy for these things. You reminded me that it’s in times like these that love is most required.

I told you that this wasn’t the right time; Dumbledore is dead, we have more serious things to worry about. You told me that this was what Dumbledore wanted most of all. For there to be more love in the world.

Dumbledore always used to say that love could overcome all obstacles. He told me that one day I would find someone who would love me despite what I was, despite these obstacles.

I never believed him. Until now.

[Banannarama]

Author: Banannarama
Title: The Best Kind of Feeling
House: Ravenclaw! Turnips for the Cup!
Warnings: None
Words: 498, ha ha!

Mithril's Edit: Yes, it is too long. Drabbles have to be less than 500 words, which is why they tend to be hard to write at times...good luck editing it down!


I sighed as I ran my hand one last time down the marble staircase of the Great Hall. This was it, the last hurrah, the final goodbye; I was leaving Hogwarts for good. For me, it was arguably one of the worst days of my life. I was leaving the first place that someone had trusted me. When I got off the scarlet Hogwarts Express, I was entering the real world, one that wasn't so accepting.

My feet dragged as I got closer and closer to the dreaded Entrance Hall. I knew I was cutting it fine. I have would loved to have stayed here, as Filch's assistant, but I couldn't put that kind of weight on Professor Dumbledore. He held the highest of my respect; I couldn't burden him more.

Less than a meter away from the great wooden doors, I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I turned and started to tell off whoever was still late. My cheeks burned with embarassment as my eyes met the sparkling blue ones of the headmaster. "Sorry, sir, I... thought you were someone else."

I made to move out of his grip, but it tightened. "Were you planning on leaving anytime soon, Mr Lupin? I have something to offer you before you go..."

My mouth dropped open as I raised my head. I was sure I heard him wrong. What was he doing? People weren't supposed to help, well, people like me! Dumbledore smiled at my confusion. "There is a group, a rebellion of sorts againt Voldemort, if you will, called the Order of the Phoenix. We seem to have a few positions open for several talented graduates... Naturally, of course, these selected people would need to stay here for the time being as meetings occur nearly every day and the missions assigned are extremely taxing... Am I right in saying that you, Mister Black, Mister Pettigrew, and Mister Potter would be outstanding candidates for the job?"

Tears filled my eyes. I was happier than I had been in a long time; I didn't have to leave Hogwarts for good. I had a job - not a paying job, but still a job - and I was going to see my three best friends every day. A thought struck me that made my hopes crash to the ground: I was a werewolf, a creature Dark and twisted by nature. How would I be an asset to the Order of the Phoenix?

"Listen to me, Remus. You must never let anybody tell you that your condition makes you who you are. You are one of the most kind souls I have ever met. I am proud to call myself your teacher," said Professor Dumbledore gently.

I knew at once that these weren't empty words. He was looking at me with respect. I looked him in the eyes, a smile creeping up onto my face. "I'd be honoured to take the job, sir."

Respect was the best kind of feeling.

[remus_rocks]

Author: remus_rocks
House: Gryffindor
Title: They had always known...
Warnings: None.
Words: 448.

Be nice, people I just whipped this up!

Remus sat in the common room, awaiting for the call of Madam Pomfrey. It was late evening, and the room was bathed in the pale sunlight. Remus felt his slightly pointed teeth with his tongue. His hair was even slightly shaggier, and his brown eyes were slightly red in the centre. Life is not fair.

Ever since Remus could remember, he had been afflicted with a curse of the worst kind. Every full moon, the monster inside would be unleashed, causing pain and destruction in its wake. Remus had no control over himself during these periods of time and despised himself for being able to be overrun by one of such foul nature.
If his friends knew even a whisper of his condition, they would surely abandon him. It was widely known how badly werewolves were shunned, which was why Remus was under such strict conditions while at Hogwarts.


He must have fallen asleep, because when he arose, James was holding back his shaggy, brown fringe, a look of deep concern upon his face. Seated next to him was Sirius Black, gazing at Remus with a look the exact same intensity as James’s.

‘Mate, are you all right? You look really sick.’ James had let Remus’s hair fall, and was now sitting with his arms crossed, his messy hair somehow accentuating his brown eyes.

‘Im fine,’ lied Remus, his voice husky - as it was meant to before transformation.

‘Well, you don’t look fine. You’re as pale as hell!’ Sirius informed him. Sirius’s black hair was the opposite of James’s. It was long and elegant, and gave his face the good-looking, bad-boy effect.

‘Yeah, and you have a temperature.’ Added James.

‘Actually, maybe I will go to the hospital wing, get checked out and stuff.’ With that Remus jumped off the seat and left.

He was not seen for the rest of the night.


The next morning, James, Sirius and Peter sat in the Common Room, preparing to go to breakfast.

Sirius sighed, ‘when do you think he will tell us?’ he asked James.

‘Just… give him some time. He’s a good person, he should tell us soon.’

‘He probably thinks we’ll ditch him or something,’ Peter said, sitting on the couch.

‘He can’t help it, he’s lived with people turning away from him all his life.’ James crashed on the couch opposite to Sirius.

‘Well, he should know we stick by each other. We’re friends – nothing can change that.’

‘I know, Sirius, we just have to make sure that he knows it too.’

With that, the boys gave each other a small, sad smile, before heading down to the Great Hall.

For they had always known...

[Pheonix song]

Author:Pheonix song
House:Hufflepuff
Title: A Secret
Warnings:None
Words:499 (cut it close!)

I just wrote this thing so have mercy! : )


Sometimes things happen, cruel, terrible things, things we want to forget, things that haunt us in everything we do, and everywhere we are. Things we try to hide.

A small boy sat alone in his compartment, watching the trees whiz by him as the train sped on. He could hear the voices of other students outside and beside him in the next compartment talking happily, but he did not join them. In fact the boy hadn’t spoken to anyone since he had left his parents at the station. He had found a seat and there he had sat since then, barely moving, as if he were afraid that if he breathed too loudly they would stop and throw him off the train.

The fact was that he was still in shock; he and his parents had given up hope a long time ago that he would be admitted into any school. Yet just a few months ago he had received a letter from the head master, stating that he, Remus Lupin, would be able to attend Hogwarts, and that the headmaster had made arrangement for his . . . err, “special needs”.

In the space of three minutes Professor Albus Dumbledore had become a God in the Lupin household.

His parents had bought him the best wand, and new robes their money could buy, which sadly wasn’t much after the wand. Remus suspected his father felt guilty about . . . the accident.
Remus pulled the wand out of his pocket, eleven inches of rosewood and contained one griffon hair. Olivander had noted the odd combination and had made an innocent comment about Remus being “an unusual” little boy for it to have picked him.
He had no idea, Remus now thought bitterly.
The ministry had been trying to introduce a law last week, so that people like him couldn’t carry a wand. Remus held his precious wand tightly, if they passed it, they would have to take it from him.

Then, without warning, the compartment door slid open. It startled Remus so badly that he nearly fell out of his seat; he hadn’t expected anyone to come in, yet there stood a boy about his age, he had black hair that looked like it hadn’t been combed in a week and his glasses were sliding down his long nose. “Care if I join you?”

There was a pause as Remus' brain reeled, he hadn’t expected anyone to want to sit with him, not with him, not being what he was.
It suddenly hit Remus that this boy didn’t know, that no one on this train knew his secret, and that he was safe, that he was almost normal.

“Hello?” The boy was looking at him strangely “Did you hear me?”

“Uh, sure you can sit down” Remus said excitedly, he had never had a friend his own age before.

“Thanks,” The boy said as he sat in the seat across from Remus “I’m James”

"Remus" He said dumbly.

[helgaandgodric]

Author: helgaandgodric
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Brilliant
Warnings: None
Words: 113

“It’s brilliant!”

“You mean its bloody brilliant!”

“It’s spectacular!”

“All we need is a password!”

“Yes, so only let troublemakers can look at it,” Sirius agreed, a little disheartened, fully aware that it would most likely be between him and James.

“Sirius gets all the girls!” and “James Bloody Potter is the best!” and the likes were heard shouted from both James and Sirius for about five minutes as they tried to agree on a password.

Finally, Remus rolled his eyes at Peter, who chuckled nervously. “I solemnly swear I am up to no good,” Remus said passively. The two boys stopped bickering instantly, and then twin grins grew upon their faces.

“Brilliant.”

[Quidditch_Playa]

Author: Quidditch_Playa
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Regrets
Warnings: None
Words:464

Life never turned out how he wanted it to. His affliction, as some would like to call it, had taken much from him. He had been shunned by many. His light brown hair was flecked with grey. The worst part of it was that he couldn’t be with the little boy who was the son of the first friend he had ever had.

Destiny is cruel, Remus thought staring at the moon, which was slowly waning. His affliction had left him incapacitated the week during which Lily and James, his dearest friends, had gone into hiding. The night of the full moon was that of Hollow’s Eve. It had been a bitter pill to swallow. James had always loved the October holiday. It was supposed to be his families first holiday together while in hiding. Remus only wished he could have been there for them, comforted them as Sirius was meant to.

Sirius. Remus’s insides boiled at the thought of his once good friend. The man betrayed James, Lily, and his year-old godson, not to mention Remus himself. He wondered how Peter was taking the news of Prongs’s murder. He had always looked up to him.

“Good luck, Remus,” Lily had said before Remus had left the Potter’s home in Godric’s Hollow for the last time. She knew it would be a full moon soon.

Good luck, indeed. He had taken the Wolfsbane Potion, which was a wonderful new miracle for him, allowing maintaining his sane mind. It had been a mistake. What he wouldn’t have given now to have not transformed in the woods near Godric’s Hollow that fateful evening. He would rather have experienced the pain that came with his transformations than to feel his heart be wrenched from his chest as green light flashed through the windows of the Potter’s home. He knew it had happened. Voldemort had won. Sirius, who he had suspected, had betrayed him. It broke his heart even more at the thought of the way James had looked at him when Remus had suggested that the traitor in the Order may have been one of the two other Marauders.

They both knew that Peter was nowhere near strong enough to turn to Voldemort and survive. James, however, had insisted that it was impossible. Sirius, he claimed, would never become a Death Eater or ever betray his best mates.

If only Remus had fought harder to prove his claim. Perhaps James would have been standing at his side, watching as his son ride off on the Hogwarts Express to his first year at school. Instead, he was forced to sit silently, on his way to teach an orphaned, thirteen-year-old boy named Harry Potter, who was now on the floor in a faint from the effects of a Dementor.

[Valentinia]

Author: Valentinia
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Never Again
Warnings: Implied Character Death
Words: 125

He would never again grin at James’ arrogant antics, never again gaze into Lily’s emerald eyes. He would never again help Peter with a complicated spell, never again hear Sirius’ bark-like laugh.
He was the last Marauder left of four. Two were dead, both killed (though one indirectly) by the third.
He had no one left, no one who viewed him as an equal. No one to protect him from the cruel hatred of the world. No one to respect him and value him.
Everything he had ever had had just been stolen away from him in one short night.
He would never again be seen as a man; as more than a wolf and an animal.
Remus Lupin would never again be whole.

[Morwen]

Author: Morwen
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Fireflies
Warnings: None
Words: 394

The little boy briefly uncurled his cupped hands to expose a flicker of phosphorescent light, and giggling, quickly closed his hands before the tiny firefly could escape. Transferring the insect to one hand, he unscrewed the jar at his feet and carefully added it.

He picked up the jar again and resumed his search, traipsing easily along the forest path because of the bright full moon. Reaching down to catch another firefly, he heard a deep growl and quickly turned, brown eyes wide with shock.

Two yellow lights peered out of the underbrush, too large for fireflies. Another growl and a wolf stalked out, snarling and angry. All of his mother’s warnings came back to him at that moment, and he remembered why he wasn’t supposed to be out during full moons. He stepped back as it approached, wondering if he could run fast enough. He stepped back again.

The wolf paused only a moment before leaping on him.

As the weight of the wolf hit him he fell to the ground, and began screaming in terror and pain as it sunk its teeth into his shoulder. It hurt worse than anything he had ever imagined, worse than when he fell out of the tree and broke his arm. Through the haze of pain he dimly registered his mother running towards him, screaming hysterically. His dad ran in with a broom and began hitting the wolf, which stopped tearing at him for a moment to deal with that other distraction.

And then his Mum was there, picking him off of the ground and holding him, crying as though her heart would break. It frightened him because he had never seen his Mum crying like that before. But a little while after that, a few grownups rushed toward him and picked him up, carrying him away.

Of what happened after that, he remembered only bits and pieces. He remembered pain, and anxious faces peering down at him. He heard someone saying something about being “put down”, and his mother crying, and remembered when that had happened to the neighbor’s dog after it went mad. But his father shouted that it would never happen.

But he clearly remembered pain, and the newfound sense that something else inhabited his five-year-old body, something strange and alien, something both terrified and angry.

The little boy’s name was Remus Lupin.

[fawkes_07]

Author: Fawkes_07 (who else would be posting under this name...)
House: Slytherin
Title: Do Not Enter
Warnings: All ages, I think, but there is a little non-graphic scariness at the end.
Words: 469


The man pointed his wand and said, "Legilimens," and found himself inside the mind of an animal. Curious. The moon would not be full until tomorrow.

Despite the fact that Remus Lupin owned his mind and it was not up for lease, couldn't be stolen, there was another creature sprawling through the core of him. The wolf was driven, but not evil; it wanted to sate the outrageous hunger in its belly and pass its genes along to its offspring. These were reasonable goals for any carnivore. It had no special desire to carry them out with cruelty or malice.

The problem was that this wolf was trapped inside a man. The instinct to reproduce had become tangled up in the biological impossibility of mating, and turned into an imperative to bite. It could keep its line alive in that way, a poor substitute for a precious litter of yapping, nipping puppies, but better than nothing.

The hunger, however, was unbearable. The man filled his belly with plants most of the time, and when he did eat meat, he cooked it into a shriveled mockery of the rich, raw food the wolf craved. Only once a month was it free to hunt as it was meant to; there were times in the wild when food was scarce, but every day for year after year...the creature was mad with hunger, but couldn't die.

How can you exist together? The wolf didn't want to be Lupin, any more than Lupin wanted to be the wolf. No wonder it was so painful to take the Wolfsbane Potion. Better to simply dissolve into the beast than to stand down and watch helplessly as it took over the body.

Hunger. Reproduction. Survival. Simple goals, but this absurd, weak body thwarted them. The wolf bitterly resented this doom, trapped in something so unnatural. Trapped? What's holding you here? he asked the wolf, hoping it could understand him. It didn't answer, but it focused on him intensely, in a way that made him fundamentally aware that he was in the presence of a predator.

The instinct to flee, to escape that attention, drove him from Lupin’s mind. His head hurt, and he could see the underside of a table. I must have fallen. This was not unusual during the act of Legilimency. He clearly bumped his forehead on the way down, and it seemed to be bleeding; someone was wiping it repeatedly with a warm towel.

With a rush of adrenaline, the whole paradigm came together at once: the dark blur in his vision was a nose, a cold black nose, and the towel was no towel at all. He knew that if he could see it, it would be a long pink tongue.

Severus Snape understood with absolute certainty that he was about to die.

[avada_kedavra_this]

Author: avada_kedavra_this
House: Gryffindor
Title: Memories
Warnings: A little bit of graphic description, I suppose
Words: 498

It is cold out today, he notices, as he shoves his fingers into his pockets, encouraging the blood to flow back into them. He does not often go for walks anymore, though he loved to wander when he was younger. He has always noticed that walking leads to thinking, and thinking to memories. And for him, memories were always painful.

Still, he is walking now and he is not entirely sure why. There is a book on his desk. A rather good book. He was hoping to have finished it by now, as he does not like to keep books waiting for too long - he has noticed this leads to bad endings, or even worse, happy ones – but restlessness has driven him to put it down and go out the front door.

There is no one else on the streets today, he notices as well. There never seems to be people out anymore.

Which makes sense - he decides when his fingers fail to warm up - it is too cold out for walks. And yet he continues to stroll aimlessly, allowing his thoughts to wander for the first time in a long time. The leaves are falling now. Falling and twirling and dancing and still somehow remaining as memories of tripping down stairs and that time he got locked in a closet by Sirius.

And when he hears a dog bark in the distance he winces, as memories of running and hot sticky tears followed by aching and tearing and ripping flood his mind. For one split moment, as the feeling of terror and of being preyed on rises in his blood, he is afraid.

But he shakes his head and continues on, and tries to relate the dog barking to that of Sirius, and how he would bark at James and snap at his heels to bother him.

Despite the attempt, the memory of tearing still lurks.

He always found it odd, when he actually took the time to think about it, that he was prey and therefore became the predator. It had only seemed fair, at the time, that the prey should cease living, as they so often do. But he supposed that life was far too unfair to let him off the hook that easy. After all, it was only he who had evaded death thus far. Only he who could still read books and go for pointless walks, whereas everyone else had long ago departed.

Was he foolish, ungrateful, for wishing it had been him?

He used to think he was, when they had still been with him. He treasured them. He loved them. But now that they were gone it only seemed to underline the fact that he didn’t enjoy being here anymore. Who could enjoy life when all it amounted to was fear? When everyday was a meaningless blur of breathing and boredom that ultimately lead to walking? The very same walking that lead to thinking, which lead to memories.

[Gmariam]

Name: Gmariam
House: Ravenclaw
Title: The Captain
Words: 391
Warnings: None

Remus Lupin gazed at the small gathering of witches and wizards assembled in front of him. They, in turn, looked to him for consolation, for answers, and for leadership; he did not feel he could give them anything.

Dumbledore was dead, and Remus felt the mantle of responsibility descend upon his shoulders. It threatened to overwhelm him with a heavy burden: he must now direct the war against Voldemort. He had only ever been a soldier, and now he must be a captain.

Remus did not feel the pull of leadership. He preferred to stand to the side, guiding and advising, never in charge. He