Drabbles with Cel

[alisanne]

So, as several of you know, celandineb and I spent the day hanging out together, and, as we are wont to do on occasion, we wrote drabbles. *g* There were some interesting prompts and pairings requested, so if interested, take a look!

Romantic (For a_d_medievalist: Percy/Hermione, candles)

~

Both Percy and Hermione liked to read by candlelight, though their flat was wired with Muggle electricity. Percy always had, and Hermione had grown used to it at Hogwarts.

"Many would consider this romantic," Percy commented one night. Hermione pushed her reading glasses up and looked at him.

"Don't you?"

"I suppose so," he admitted. "Although since we're sitting across the room from each other..."

"We can change that," she said, crossing over to him and putting her arms around his neck.

"Better, but still not romantic."

"How about this?" Hermione climbed into his lap.

"That will do," Percy agreed.

~

Reformulated (For kaelite: Neille/Twins, modern romance)

~

Neville held up a leaf. "This is your problem."

"What?" The twins moved to stand by Neville, one behind each shoulder.

"You're using too much fluxweed. You need more lovage instead."

"Ah. Makes sense."

The three of them brewed the reformulated potion. Neville stirred it thoughtfully.

"The consistency of this... it might make a good lube."

"We know." Fred grinned. "That was the idea."

"But it'll need a few trials, first," George said.

"I'll leave you to it then." Neville turned as if to go.

"Where's the romance in that? We were hoping you'd help out."

Neville blushed. And stayed.

~

Priorities (For mordyn4: Harry/Draco, coffee)

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Groggy, Draco swung his feet over the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through his rumpled hair. He followed the smell of freshly-brewed coffee to the kitchen, seeing only the cup steaming on the table.

He grabbed it and drank, sighing with relief and leaning against the counter as he took a second gulp.

"There's more," Harry said, amused.

"Mm." Draco wasn't quite ready to talk yet.

"Something to eat? Toast? Eggs?" Harry grinned mischievously. "Me?"

"Too early. Let me finish one cup, at least."

"Good to know where I stand in your priorities." But he kept smiling.

~

Hero (For aunty_marion: Charlie/ Snape, unbrella)

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Charlie did a double-take. "Professor Snape?"

"Not Professor any more," Snape rasped, his hands shaking as he drank.

"What are you doing in Prague? We all thought you were dead."

"Clearly you were wrong. What are you going to do now that you know?"

"Do?"

"Shall you inform the Ministry? Or just take me in yourself?"

Charlie shook his head. "Why would I? You're a hero. They granted you a complete pardon, awarded you the Order of Merlin, First Class." He laid a reassuring hand on Snape's shoulder. "Come on. I can take you somewhere to see about that tremor."

~

The Sight (For iulia_linnea: Snape/Luna, metonymy)

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Snape looked up irritably at the knock. "Enter."

Whomever he had expected, it was not Luna Lovegood. "What is it?"

"You'll need a bezoar. And perhaps some Blood-Replenishing Potion. I think you should keep them with you," she said.

He raised an eyebrow in response. "For what purpose?"

Her pale eyes looked through him. "You'll need them," she repeated. "I've seen."

"And what exactly do you think you've seen?" Snape had never trusted in the Sight.

"Enough, Headmaster. But you'll make the choice."

When she'd gone, he stared after her. Perhaps it mightn't be a bad idea to be prepared.

~

Quite Clear (For ladybahiya, lesyeuxverts and sassy_cissa, cotton balls (wool), afterglow and adore)

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"You could just enjoy the afterglow. You needn't rush off."

Harry's voice was a little plaintive as he watched Snape dress.

"Did you expect I'd stay here and adore you?" asked Snape sarcastically, fastening the last button.

"I didn't mean that. It's just..." he trailed off in frustration. "I get the feeling that this doesn't mean anything to you."

"Did you have cotton wool in your ears earlier? I made my feelings quite clear." Snape flushed, and Harry remembered how noisy they'd been.

"So why are you leaving?"

"To fetch my things for tomorrow morning."

Harry relaxed. "I'll be waiting."

~

Trust (For florahart: Charlie/Draco, PB&J)

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"It's what?" Draco wrinkled his nose.

"Peanut butter and jelly. Very popular in America," Charlie said.

"And how do you know that?"

"A guy named Mike who worked at the dragon reserve for a while. His family used to send him jars of peanut butter every month."

"But with jelly?"

"American-style jelly. Jam, really. This is strawberry. Go on, try it."

Draco nibbled cautiously. His frown went away and he took a bigger bite. "Not bad," he admitted.

"Told you. Now maybe you'll trust me in other areas, too."

"I'm still not trying papaya-flavored lube," Draco insisted.

"Bet?" Charlie grinned.

~

Thrust and Parry (For cruisedirector: Snucius, jousting)

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"What are you waiting for? Surely you're ready."

"It's similar to the medieval Muggle concept of jousting," Severus said as he moved at last. "You know. Thrust and parry."

Lucius responded with a chuckle, fair hair falling forward across his face. "The thrust, yes, but what is the parry?"

You, Severus thought. Lucius had ever been skilled at evasion, but tonight Severus would finally have satisfaction. "I'll have to show you, won't I?"

"I look forward to that with great anticipation." Lucius's eyes sparkled, his lips parted.

At Severus's, "Checkmate," Lucius said, "Now. Shall we try a more intimate competition?"

~

To Ask Forgiveness (For westernredcedar: Snupin, ice)

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Snape's voice, usually rich and warm, was ice-cold. "What do you want, wolf?"

Remus leaned against the doorframe. "May I come in?"

"Why?" But Snape took a step backward.

"To speak with you," said Remus, following him inside.

"No pleasantries. I've nothing to say to you, and I cannot imagine what you have to say to me." Snape glared from the middle of the shabby, book-lined room.

"To ask your forgiveness."

"Why now?"

"Because we'll be working together soon."

"We may both work at Hogwarts, but I assure you, we will not be working together."

"Time will tell," Remus replied.

~

Wait and See (For waterbird: Luna, Draco, flammable)

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"You wouldn't think that an organ would be flammable, would you?"

"What are you on about?" Draco glared at the girl standing beside him. A Ravenclaw, he thought. Lovegood? Yes, that was it. Loony Lovegood.

"Hearts. They're safely tucked away in the chest, well-protected, yet they can burn, can't they?"

How did she know? Glancing over at Potter, then quickly dragging his gaze back, Draco said, this time in a less surly tone, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"He likes you, too. You needn't think you're alone in this." Lovegood smiled and patted his arm. "Wait and see."

~