The Weekly Drabble Challenge - Inner Thoughts - Results!

[Magical Maeve]

This drabble will be set in Professor Dumbledore's office. Present will be Professor Dumbledore and one other character of your choosing.

Professor Dumbledore looks at the other character and says, "Is there anything you would like to tell me?"

You must now explore the other character's thoughts as they deliberate whether to tell their secret or keep it hidden. You must not use dialogue in any form, this must be purely the thoughts of the person being questioned.

You must then finish the Drabble with Dumbledore saying the words, "I see."

The secret can be any degree of seriousness, and this can be set during any era. The drabble must be entirely contained within the two sentences that Dumbledore speaks. And those two lines are the only speech throughout.

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 Wednesday 14th June.


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.

[MorganRay]

Name: MorganRay
House: Hufflepuff
Words: 395
Title: A Thousand Words Couldn't Do It
Warnings: None, but this takes place after Harry sees Tonks in the hallway in HBP

“Is there something you would like to tell me?”


‘Where to begin?You sent the person I care about on a dangerous mission. Tell me what he’s doing. Don’t ask me. You’re a Legilimens. Just read my mind and soak up my sorrow. Don’t let me hold it in because I can’t really say it all. No, I’ve tried. The words just aren’t there for something so deep. I told him, but he hesitated and said that my feelings weren't justified. How you someone say that? My feelings aren't justified? Maybe my word are just wrong.’


‘I can’t speak my thoughts. God knows I’ve tried. The words just aren’t right when I speak. They can’t convey how much I really need him to be okay. I really never had anyone to make me feel safe. My mother and father never did. I told Remus that, but he said he wasn’t safe, either. It’s a lie, but even when I say that, it makes no difference. He's so much better at putting thoughts into words.’


‘I’ve been unable to sleep. You can see that! Don’t ask me rhetorical questions. Just read my mind. I can’t explain it all to you. Did you ever need anyone this badly? Do you sit up at night and wonder where they are? Do you think about what will happen if they hurt someone?’


‘Dear God . . . if Remus bit somebody, I would blame you. Yes, you sent him with that horrible Greyback, so I would blame you. You’ve taken the responsibility for us all. You too responsibility for Remus. Is it too much to bear for you? Is that why you ask me to tell you what I’m feeling? Can you not bear to pry into my mind?’


‘It gets harder everyday. I try to work, you know, but I can’t do my job. They know something is wrong with me, and they ask, but I can’t tell them any more than I can tell you. You should know that. It’s written across my face and etched in my eyes. I try to hide the secret that I, the strong Tonks, need somebody. Needing somebody is such a hard thing to keep hidden, but I still can't speak those needs out loud.’


‘Just read my mind! Everything I say is jumbled.’


‘No words can express the secret need I hide.’


“I see.”

[HermyRox12]

Author Name: HermyRox12
House: Ravenclaw
Title: Weddings for Two
Word count: 297
Warnings: None
Edited to follow directions.
[QUOTE] "Is there anything you would like to tell me?" Dumbledore said as he looked up at Remus. He was in for it now.

Of course I should tell him. But I can’t! Remus thought to himself. If he turned in Sirius and James again, they would be expelled! I can’t lie to Dumbledore, though. Just because James, Peter, and Sirius went a little overboard with the Wedding invitations for McGonagall and Slughorn, which were very decorative, by the way, doesn’t mean they should get expelled. They were letting their creative juices flow. Remus let out a small chuckle to the memory.

It was mean, and I need to tell the truth. I’ve lied before, and it hurts. Everyone know that staff marriages are banned, and I need to prove this is a joke so they can stay and teach. A look of pain stretched upon his face. He hadn’t faced this big of a decision since first year when he had to decide to weather or not to tell his friends about his Lycanthropy.

This decision was hard. He took a lollypop from Dumbledore’s desk. Sucking on Muggle candy always helped him make decisions. [I] I won’t tell him. I know that James, Peter, and Sirius would do it for me. I’ll do it for them. I’d take an Avada Kedavra for them.

Remus looked up at Dumbledore. Remus knew that Dumbledore knew what he was thinking. He looked as though he was pleased with Remus, though. Then it dawned on him. Because of his loyalty, Dumbledore would let the Marauders go again. It was the last day of school, after all. To let Remus know of his understanding, he ended the meeting with the words, “I see,”

[Magical Maeve]

Guys, you need to read the rules of this drabble very carefully. None of these drabbles adhere to the rules so far.

[joanna]

Author Name: joanna
House: Ravenclaw
Title: And where are the others?
Word count: 348
Warnings: none

And where are the others?

"Is there anything you would like to tell me?"

What should I answer to that question? He obviously wants me to admit that I—or rather we—did something wrong. Besides, where are the others? Why is it that it’s always me he cites here? Why? And what does he know exactly? Does he know about our recent tour into the Forbbiden Forest? Or the recent visits to the kitchens?

I don't think he knows about that. I can’t picture him to question the house elves. And I don’t think that any of them would tell on us. They are always so pleased when we go there. Always very polite and they always have something to offer. I think they would make rather good spies, but Dumbledore wouldn’t use them for that. It’s just not like him.

So what is he trying to get at? And where are the others?

And I’m sure that no one saw us in the Forest. Well, except for some animals. Or the centaurs might have spotted us. But it’s very unlikely they told Dumbledore. They are just not that forthcoming.

I think he wants to trick me into admitting something, but that’s not like Dumbledore. What could have happened? It must have been something very important and it’s obviously not out yet, or else he would ask me directly. No, I’m sure he doesn’t want to know about the kitchens or the Forbidden Forest. So, do I tell him about those? Nope, it wouldn’t bring anything. He surely doesn’t want to know about that.

On the other hand, I don’t want to lie to him. But is remaining silent a lie? And where are the others when you need them?

Okay, I won’t say anything. Would a hesitant shake of the head do? I think it would the safest thing to do. He can ask me further questions if he wants.

He smiles as if he knew that I would do that. Why didn’t I tell him about the Forest and the kitchens? Now, he will tell me off for lying.

“I see.”

[the nutty imp]

Author Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Which Prank?
Word count: 328
Warnings: None

Fred and George has been in this office plenty of times before so this was a common occurrence. As always the Headmaster sat behind his desk with a simple question, “Is there anything you would like to tell me?”

The brothers looked at one another blankly, Normally, they could come up with a good excuse the problem was - they don’t know which prank landed them here.

Fred nudged his brother and pointed to his head and started to scrunch his hair to indicate a certain prank which involved a shampoo bottle and rubber glove that had followed Professor Snape around and washed the Potion Professor’s hair all day.

George shook his head, for he was sure that Professor Snape was at least a bit grateful (although he doesn’t want to show it), after all his hair did look a little less greasy today. He looked his brother straight in the eye and wiggled a finger to indicate the other prank they had pulled. They were extremely generously and anonymously left some candies in the Slytherin table. Ones that change into slugs the moment it touches their mouths.

Fred shook his head for something that minor would have landed them in McGonagall’s office and not the Headmaster’s. He placed his fist under his arms and flapped them. This was to indicate an incident where they accidentally sent Professor Flitwick floating up the ceiling. They were aiming for Lee, but the dolt ducked.

George shook his head for Flitwick was too much of a softie to send them to the Headmaster for such a small accident. He pinched his nose to suggest that it could be due to the stink sap in the Slytherin’s water tank.

Fred frowned for surely they couldn’t be blamed for that. They gave Peeves the stink sap and offered the Poltergeist free samples of their wares for this small favour…

The Headmaster watched this exchange with an amused twinkle in his eyes, “I see.”

Author Name: the nutty imp
House: Gryffindor
Title: Place to buy socks?
Word count: 151
Warnings: None

“Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” Twinkling blue eyes warmly acknowledged the House Elf in front of him.

Dobby had thought that this was a good idea, but Dobby thought this no longer. Surely the Headmaster was a busy man, yet Dobby has needs and had Dobby never had money before … Dobby likes those purple socks and Dobby wants to get a similar pair. Dobby can surely afford it, now that he had just received his salary, but Dobby knows not where to buy nice purple socks.

Dobby now feels guilty for wasting the man’s time for a frivolous question. Surely Professor Trelawney who waits outside has more important issues to discuss than where the Headmaster buys his socks.

The Headmaster’s eyes twinkled knowingly, he wrote a note in a piece of parchment paper and offered this to the House elf. He gave Dobby a smile, “I see.”

[Magical Maeve]

Would everyone please look at Joanna's drabble. That is how you need to start and end your drabble. Not with descriptions about the office or who is in there.

[whittyleah]

Author Name: Whittyleah
House: Gryffindor
Title: Fate
Word count: 217
Warnings: none

"Is there anything you would like to tell me?"

'Should I tell him?'

'He might not be able to help you.'

'If anyone can get you out the mess you've gotten yourself into, it's him!'

'What if he turns me over to the authorities? I could be in Azkaban by the end of the night. Or they may just give me the Dementors Kiss and be done with it!'

'Just tell him! Show him the mark you so stupidly had seared into your arm. He will know what to do. Maybe there is a way to go back in time. Go back in time? Heh! I sound like a child.'

'If the Dark Lord finds out about this, I'm as good as dead. Maybe I should just leave and give in to fate. Everyone seems to think I'm destined for a life of despair and misery, huddled in a corner with a Dark Arts tome.'

'What else can I do, but end up like that? I'm the odd Dark Arts obsessed freak! No one will ever see me as anything different.'

'Or make yourself a new fate! Show that you can be a good person, a person who wants to do good, not evil. Show Black and Potter that they were always wrong about you!'

"I see."

[dory_the_fishie]

Author Name: dory_the_fishie
House: Hufflepuff
Title: Doubtful Conscience
Word count: 340
Warnings: er...one mild swear word at the end

“Is there anything you would like to tell me?”

Yes.

No.

I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.

Merlin, I wish he wouldn’t look at me like that. As if I need somebody else to be disappointed in me. Why can’t he just leave me alone? Not everything is his business. Stupid headmaster. Shove off, Dumbledore.

Why am I even here? He hasn’t called me up here just to hand out a detention. Slughorn could’ve done that. This is about something else. He doesn’t look at me like that because I’ve hexed a student. That’s not why I am here. He knows something I don’t want him to know.

He knows about my decision. I don’t know how, but he does. And he wants me to tell him, to talk it through with him, to change my mind. But I’m not going to. I’ve made my decision, and there’s nothing he can do to stop me.

I think.

If I tell him…if I tell him, he can help me. He can…he would know what to do. He always does. Maybe I don’t have to do this.

No. I don’t need help. I know what to do. This is right. This is what I need to do. And I’m doing it. He can’t change my mind. I don’t know why he thinks I shouldn’t do this. I don’t see any reason for him to be surprised. It’s not as if I’ve ever been anything more.

He thinks I could be.

No.

He can’t know that I’m actually thinking about telling him. I have to be strong, now. He wants me to be unsure and tell him everything like I’m some naïve child. No. I’m not a child anymore and I’m going to be a Death Eater. Less than a month. In less than a month I am going to be one of them. He’s too late. A defiant shake of my head and I’m walking out of here before he can get inside my mind again, damn headmaster.

“I see.”

[AJ Seawiel]

Author Name: AJ Seawiel
House: Slytherin!
Title: I Need to Change
Word count: 371
Warnings: None

“Is there anything you would like to tell me?”

What can I tell you that won’t put me in a bad light? For five years I’ve been hiding this secret. For five years it’s been eating me from the inside out. Yet, I can’t imagine how my life would be without this burden.

At eleven I was trained to become one of the Dark Lord’s followers. For four years I was exhausted from the labour of learning spells I was too young to handle. My mind wasn’t as developed as my late mother’s or Mr. Malfoy’s. I was like Draco, only a young impression of what power can do to your family. Even though I knew it was wrong, I still worked endlessly to bring a shred of power and honor back to the Parkinson family name. I didn’t do it for myself, I didn’t even do it for my Lord; I did it for my father.

I was the youngest witch to be accepted into the Dark Lord’s inner circle at fifteen.

You don’t know how torturous it is to feel the scalding mark burn your skin when he calls. It reminds me of my choice. The choice I made and must now suffer the consequences! You, sitting there all high and mighty at your desk. Wealth proved by your many artifacts and trinkets spread throughout the room. Why do you look at me and feel so repulsed? It’s not my fault I turned out this way! I was tricked, conned by a man more intelligent than me. I was made to believe everything would turn out great! I was made to believe the only thing that mattered in life was to be a Death Eater! I was corrupted by greed, power and the pureness of blood. Now I realize how ridiculous that was.

I need to change. I don’t want the constant reminder of my mistake branded to my arm. I want to be free from this life of insanity and to feel something I’ve never felt before. Bravery. Courage. Two virtues I’ve ignored but believe reside somewhere in my soul. Sir, I can’t do it alone.

Help me change…

“I see.”