200 ficlet #1 - Remus & Hannah

[pauraque_bk]

Well, the idea of making these 200 words long isn't really happening. Maybe we can just pretend. This is for nicolthewhore, who requested Remus Lupin/Hannah Abbot, but is getting Remus Lupin & Hannah Abbot instead. Hope you're not too disappointed!

259 words, G, gen.


Groundless

The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black for the next few days. The theories about how he had entered the castle became wilder and wilder; Hannah Abbott, from Hufflepuff, spent much of their next Herbology class telling anyone who'd listen that Black could turn into a flowering shrub. (PoA Ch9)


Professor Lupin leaned against a front-row desk, crossing his arms. 'So,' he sighed. 'I hear you've been spreading rumours about Sirius Black. Is that true?'

'Y-yes,' Hannah said, shame-faced. 'But a lot of people-- I mean, everyone's been saying things--'

Lupin stopped her with a gently upheld hand. 'Yes, I know. But I think...' He drew a breath, looking briefly at the ceiling. '...I think people are talking like that because they're afraid of what might be true... so they make things up-- even silly things-- in order to have some measure of control.'

'It's like the Boggart,' she mumbled. 'If you make it seem silly, it might not be so bad...' She trailed off.

'Yes.' Lupin began to look grave. 'But, Hannah... Black isn't a Boggart you can laugh away. To treat him like a joke is the very last thing we need.' He touched the outside of her arm. 'Just think before you speak, next time.'

She swallowed. 'Yes, sir.'

'All right. Now, don't be late for class.' He patted her shoulder and crooked a smile. 'If you really want to turn dogs into shrubberies, I'm sure Professor McGonagall--'

He broke off suddenly, as though stunned. Hannah cocked her head with a frown.

Seeming to recover, Lupin let out an odd laugh. 'I... must be tired, I don't know what I'm on about. I'll see you in class.'

Hannah nodded and moved quickly out of the room.

Remus sat down at the empty student desk and rubbed his temple, staring off into the middle distance.

end.


I'm just doing these in the order that they inspire me. You can still put in a request here.

Comments

[keladryb.livejournal.com]

Mmmm....

I like this.

Yeah, I really am thoroughly inarticulate when giving feedback.

[serriadh.livejournal.com]

I liked this too - a rare view of Lupin not being totally in control of what he's saying. Makes you realise how much of that year he must have spent living in the past.

[lycoris.livejournal.com]

I liked that. It was cute. If somewhat sad. I love the idea of turning dogs to shrubberies. (A shrubbery!)

[nicolthewhore.livejournal.com]

muchos gracias, senor. :D

[gail-b.livejournal.com]

I love it when people write fics that are like "behind the scenes" based on actual canon events. Remus' gentle, but grave tone of voice when explaining the situation to Hannah and how he almost gave himself away at the end, thereby showing exactly where his mind is at: all very nicely done.

[chresimos.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha! Yay!

While reading this I was keeping in mind your penchant for twisty bits. Because the beginning is so ordinary, I kept thinking, twisty bit approaching, wait for it, waaait for it...and read right past it, then did a big, "Hold up!" a few seconds later. XD

I like how it was right in the middle of that piece of gratuitous teacher advice that fictional people always have to give. Ha!

You write about Lupin's insecurity about Sirius and his memories of him and his guilt over the PoA affairs in one word! One word! w00t.