200 ficlet #2 - Peter & Draco

[pauraque_bk]

This one is for millefiori, who requested something "light and happy" with Peter and Draco. o_O asphodeline helpfully provided (and illustrated!) the plot, for which I am very grateful.

607 words, G, gen.


A Most Unlikely Pair

As they stood talking in the Malfoys' warm summer garden, another plaintive, high-pitched howl pierced the air.

The Dark Lord paused, and a slow, reptilian smile crept across his face. 'Lucius,' he said cordially, 'would you mind terribly keeping that thing quiet while I am speaking?'

'I apologize, my lord,' Malfoy said with a slight bow. 'I've no idea where that wretched elf could be....' He turned to Peter and shooed him almost desperately towards the tree under which the baby sat crying fretfully.

Peter walked off reluctantly. He didn't want to miss what his master was saying, but he reckoned he didn't have a choice. The baby only wailed more loudly as Peter crouched down to shush it. Chewing his lip worriedly, he awkwardly patted the infant's fine, whispy hair.

'Come on, now,' he muttered. 'Come on, hush up...'

The baby screwed up its face horribly, seeming mortally offended by Peter's attempt, and let out several exaggerated sobs, as if knowing it could get Peter in trouble. Peter glanced back nervously over his shoulder where Malfoy and the Dark Lord still stood conversing... His thoughts began to race-- It was about the same age as Harry, this one, but Harry never cried like this... At least, not when he had his stuffed lion to hold...

A wand lit up in Peter's head. No sooner had he got the idea than he transformed, falling to the ground with a plop. The baby was silenced for a moment, probably surprised, and then whimpered uncertainly.

Peter allowed himself a moment to take in the rich, wet smells of grass and earth, and then crept up to the now monstrously huge baby. He nuzzled a giant pudgy foot, tickling with his whiskers and wet nose. The baby let out a formless cry-- this time of delight. Peter huffed a small breath of relief.

A moment later, a stubby-fingered hand grabbed Peter by the pelt and lifted him roughly-- he let out a startled squeak. The baby dropped him almost immediately onto its broad, alabaster leg; Peter scrambled to keep a grip without clawing the soft skin, but couldn't manage it and fell into the grass again. The baby gurgled and clapped.

Peter twisted round and licked his back irritably. Being picked up that way had hurt, but at least the infant wasn't crying anymore. And now it was turning over awkwardly into a crawling position, and Peter quickly scurried ahead, not caring to be crushed under a giant knee.

Peter led the baby on a slow chase around the tree for a minute, darting forward and back as the infant clambered after him with its toothless, open grin. As they came round again, the baby reached out for Peter's tail, missed, and fell stomach-first onto the grass.

Worried it would start crying again, Peter hurried over to see if all was well. As he sniffed its round, rosy face, it grabbed him by the back again. He cringed, but this time it wasn't as rough; the child petted Peter's fur heavily, and then pulled him close and held him there.

'Ahh...' said the baby, and its eyelids began to droop. In a moment, it was asleep.

Peter didn't try to get free; he didn't know if he could manage it without waking the thing. He squirmed just a bit, trying to get comfortable, and let out a small wheeze of a sigh. It mightn't be so bad, really... relaxing in the grass, breathing in the warm, powdery-soft smell of the baby's skin.

Yes, Peter thought, beginning to drift off himself. A person could get used to this sort of thing.


end.

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illustration by asphodeline ♥

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Having set me such a tricky challenge, millefiori attempted it herself in a show of solidarity. The result is "Appreciation" (G, gen), which, in addition to being wonderful, is actually 200 words.

Comments

[cheyinka]

That's adorable, but sad at the same time, especially with the foreshadowing of Peter's next twelve (twelve, right?) years as a rat. I guess he really did get used to it.

[pauraque]

I do think he got used to it... When he tries to remind Ron of what a good pet he was, I think he means it! Thank you. :)

[ntamara.livejournal.com]

very different, but no less wonderful (and what a delightful inspiration!)

really, the DL ought to invest in better childcare for his employees *g*

good one!

[pauraque]

Hee. Yes, more people might be encouraged to choose a career in Death Eating if the benefits were better. Medical, dental, Unforgivable insurance, that sort of thing.

Thank you. :)

[arwencordelia.livejournal.com]

Cute story :-) I loved the hint about how Peter's mind starts to work on the possibilities the minute Draco fell asleep. I'm also not at all suprised that Draco was apparently a fussy baby.

[pauraque]

That's Peter-- always thinking. Thanks. :)

[spican.livejournal.com]

Who would've thought? Light-and-happy Peter and Draco works! I like the way you evoke the movements and perspective of tiny busy animal and huge clumsy baby (it works to keep the power balance nicely uncertain, too) as well as the last sentence which provides a welcome sting in the tail.

[pauraque]

I never, ever thought I'd be writing babyfic! *traumatized*

Thank you. :)

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

It did, it worked!!! It's fabulous

The Dark Lord paused.... 'Lucius,' he said cordially, 'would you mind terribly keeping that thing quiet while I am speaking?'
I could get to like the DL!!
and Harry's stuffed lion!!! I'm wondering now if the little Snapelet ever had a plush cauldron to hug!

Yes, Peter thought, beginning to drift off himself. A person could get used to this sort of thing nice ending, just enough creepiness!

[pauraque]

I'm wondering now if the little Snapelet ever had a plush cauldron to hug!

Heee!

Thank you so, so much for helping me with this, and for the adorable drawing. I was really stumped before we talked about it. *hugs*

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*
off to draw fluffy cauldron!!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Plush cauldron indeed! We've got Evan Rosier with a velveteen thestral!

[pauraque]

Baby!Hagrid with a Hippogriff beanie baby? Or perhaps baby!Buckbeak with a plush ferret...

[millefiori.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful, and so full of delightful little bits. Lucius desperately shooing Peter (I can just *see* it!), Voldemort smiling and cordial as he refers to a baby as 'that thing' and the description of Draco's cries as plaintive and fretful just arrowed straight to the mother in me (just pick him *up* dammit! he wants a cuddle!)

I think this really shows an emotionally stunted Peter -- he doesn't even think to question Lucius sending *him* to quiet Draco, and his thoughts about the baby 'getting him in trouble' are so gradeschool! His casual comparison of Draco to Harry was absolutely chilling, especially considering that given Draco's apparent age and Peter's presence, Lucius and the Dark Lord were very probably discussing the planned execution of Harry. I imagine his almost scary detachment was a form of denial.

On the light and happy side, I adored the description of a delighted Draco crawling around after Wormtail and I can see how Wormtail was seduced into enjoying himself -- there are few things in the world as sweet as a sleeping baby!

asphodeline's drawing is so darling! I'm happily imagining it was painted by a young Draco for one of his early tutors, marking the half-remembered experience.

(Brief digression ahead!) As others have said, this just perfectly foreshadows Peter's decision to hide out as a child's pet. In PoA Sirius accuses Peter of waiting and biding his time, but I'm not so sure about that myself. I'm more inclined to think Peter was perfectly happy being a pet -- no choices or decisions to make, no adult/human worries; he was fed and cared for and safe. I think he probably would have been happy to live out his old age as a Weasley family pet, blithely ignoring the war around him if Remus and Sirius hadn't blown it for him.

[pauraque]

Thank you very much! It seriously makes my day to get detailed, thoughtful feedback like this. *hugs*

I think this really shows an emotionally stunted Peter

Definitely. It doesn't even cross his mind that he could pick Draco up and hold him -- that he could take a parental role, however briefly.

Lucius and the Dark Lord were very probably discussing the planned execution of Harry

Yes, I wanted that impression... No matter how I try, I can't write 100% fluff. *g*

And I agree with you on PoA. Sirius makes the valid point that Peter chose a *wizard* family, but I'm still not convinced that he didn't grow to enjoy being safe and cared-for, exactly as you say. It was certainly nicer than being a Death Eater.

The more I look at your ficlet, the more I love it. I'd love to see more in that universe.

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

there are few things in the world as sweet as a sleeping baby!
In my world, babies are best that way!!

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked the drawing - I'm secretly in love with Draco (after Severus, that is!)

[npetrenko.livejournal.com]

Cute.

[pauraque]

Thanks.