Ficlet: Death of a Drabble
Oct. 25th, 2008 07:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bookishwenchI decided to actually keep all the versions one of my drabbles went through as I was trying to edit it down to size (in this case, 100 words). As it turned out, I edited it to the point that I dumped it because I didn't really like it anymore. Thought I'd post the whole thing just for the heck of it. Feel free to skip. This was for the 100 words about a rumor ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
dramione_ldws challenge. I have some notes attached and things.
Rumor
• The drabble must include a rumor
• Drabbles must be 100 words EXACTLY
“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Possible rumors broken into categories:
Obvious:
-rumor that Hermione is pregnant
-rumor that they are dating/engaged
-rumor that they’ve been seen kissing
-rumor that one of them is in love with the other
Less obvious, but still obvious:
-rumor that Hermione and Ron are divorcing
-rumor that Draco and Astoria are divorcing
-rumor that Hugo or Rose is actually Draco’s
Not obvious:
-rumor that Hermione is engaged to Ron
-rumor that Pansy is pregnant
-rumor that the trio have been found in book 7
-rumor that that Lucius is going to call up Voldemort
Really not obvious:
-rumor that either Draco or Hermione is dead, making use of the Twain quote above
-the album Rumors
“Tell me it’s not true,” he said, and Draco’s voice was so changed from its usual polished drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was really him, yet there he was, standing in the doorway of her flat.
“What are you talking about?” she said, a little frightened by his wild appearance, his hair plastered to his head in the rain and his normally perfect robes splattered in mud.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him. Tell me it’s a lie.”
Hermione stared at him, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true then,” he said, his eyes boring into her.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “That layabout? Do you really believe he won’t begrudge you every honor you earn, every particle of intellect you have more than he does? He’s a moron, a coarse, ill-mannered ruffian, a…”
“You will kindly not speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I most certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he said, checking himself mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she said firmly. “Not fiance.”
“But you said…,” he began, his face drawn in confusion.
“He asked, but I didn’t say yes,” she said, anger still hot on her face. “But in light of your arrogance I’m reconsidering!”
But relief swept over his face, and in spite of her frown he was through the door and his arms around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close a call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she let him hold her close.
***295 – almost triple allowed length
“Tell me it’s a lie,” he said, and Draco’s voice was so changed from its usual polished drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was him, yet there he was, standing in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she said, frightened by his wild appearance, his hair plastered down with the rain, his normally perfect robes disheveled.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared at him, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true then,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “That layabout? Do you really believe he won’t begrudge every particle of your intellect? He’s a coarse, ill-mannered ruffian, a…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “Not fiance.”
“But you said…,” he began.
“He asked. I didn’t say yes,” she said, anger still hot in her face. “But your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms were around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close a call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***244- still nearly 150 words over (51 words removed painlessly)
“Say it’s a lie,” he said.
His voice was so changed from its usual careless drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was him, yet there Draco was, standing in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she said, frightened by the wild look in his eyes.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “Do you really believe he won’t begrudge every particle of your intellect? He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face. “Not fiance. He asked, but I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms went around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***221- 121 words over; I’m not sure how much more I can remove without it getting bad (23, moderately painless, though I miss the rain)
“Say it’s a lie,” he said.
His voice was so changed that Hermione wasn’t sure it was him, yet there Draco stood in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face. “Not fiance. He asked, but I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms went around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***182- 82 words over target (39 words removed, getting rather talky)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco, yet there he stood in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face, “not fiance. I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immeadiately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***-172- 72 words over target, I’m becoming concerned about the ability to cut more here (10 removed, hard to do)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco, yet there he stood in her doorway. She gawked in disbelief at his disheveled appearance.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, her face flushed in anger, “not fiance. I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immeadiately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***154 – 54 words over, actual structural overhaul, mostly at beginning (18 removed)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco standing in her doorway. She gawked in disbelief at his disheveled appearance.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, her face flushed in anger. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immediately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***145 – 45 words over, and this is getting to become an impossibility (9 words removed)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the disheveled man in her doorway was Draco.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, flushing with anger. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***135- 35 words over; I’m honestly perplexed about what more I could do with this. Also, getting really choppy. (10)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the disheveled man in her doorway was Draco.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a coarse, ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***131 – 4 words and it’s nearly impossible for me to find more here without the plot being entirely lost (4)
“The word going around is Weasley’s asked you to marry him. Did he?”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the man in her doorway was Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I didn’t say yes.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him too.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Never.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***111 – 11 words over, and I’m not sure I even like it anymore (20)
“The word going around is Weasley’s proposed to you. Did he?”
Hermione wasn’t barely sure harsh voice of the man in her doorway belonged to Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I said no.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, then slowly relaxed, embracing him too.
“Never letting go,” he warned.
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***106 – 6 words over, and now Draco sounds like freaking Jack Dawson (5)
“The rumor is Weasley’s proposed to you. Did he?”
Hermione was barely sure the harsh voice of the man in her doorway belonged to Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Stop insulting my friend,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I said no.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, then slowly relaxed, embracing him back.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Never.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she wouldn’t release him, either.
***100 – at target, but now it feels like drivel (6)
At which point I chucked it. :)
dramione_ldws challenge. I have some notes attached and things.Rumor
• The drabble must include a rumor
• Drabbles must be 100 words EXACTLY
“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Possible rumors broken into categories:
Obvious:
-rumor that Hermione is pregnant
-rumor that they are dating/engaged
-rumor that they’ve been seen kissing
-rumor that one of them is in love with the other
Less obvious, but still obvious:
-rumor that Hermione and Ron are divorcing
-rumor that Draco and Astoria are divorcing
-rumor that Hugo or Rose is actually Draco’s
Not obvious:
-rumor that Hermione is engaged to Ron
-rumor that Pansy is pregnant
-rumor that the trio have been found in book 7
-rumor that that Lucius is going to call up Voldemort
Really not obvious:
-rumor that either Draco or Hermione is dead, making use of the Twain quote above
-the album Rumors
“Tell me it’s not true,” he said, and Draco’s voice was so changed from its usual polished drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was really him, yet there he was, standing in the doorway of her flat.
“What are you talking about?” she said, a little frightened by his wild appearance, his hair plastered to his head in the rain and his normally perfect robes splattered in mud.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him. Tell me it’s a lie.”
Hermione stared at him, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true then,” he said, his eyes boring into her.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “That layabout? Do you really believe he won’t begrudge you every honor you earn, every particle of intellect you have more than he does? He’s a moron, a coarse, ill-mannered ruffian, a…”
“You will kindly not speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I most certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he said, checking himself mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she said firmly. “Not fiance.”
“But you said…,” he began, his face drawn in confusion.
“He asked, but I didn’t say yes,” she said, anger still hot on her face. “But in light of your arrogance I’m reconsidering!”
But relief swept over his face, and in spite of her frown he was through the door and his arms around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close a call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she let him hold her close.
***295 – almost triple allowed length
“Tell me it’s a lie,” he said, and Draco’s voice was so changed from its usual polished drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was him, yet there he was, standing in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she said, frightened by his wild appearance, his hair plastered down with the rain, his normally perfect robes disheveled.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared at him, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true then,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “That layabout? Do you really believe he won’t begrudge every particle of your intellect? He’s a coarse, ill-mannered ruffian, a…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “Not fiance.”
“But you said…,” he began.
“He asked. I didn’t say yes,” she said, anger still hot in her face. “But your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms were around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close a call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***244- still nearly 150 words over (51 words removed painlessly)
“Say it’s a lie,” he said.
His voice was so changed from its usual careless drawl that Hermione had to look up to be sure it was him, yet there Draco was, standing in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she said, frightened by the wild look in his eyes.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking of, woman!” he yelled. “Do you really believe he won’t begrudge every particle of your intellect? He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face. “Not fiance. He asked, but I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms went around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, and her arms wound around him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever. Not after that close call.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***221- 121 words over; I’m not sure how much more I can remove without it getting bad (23, moderately painless, though I miss the rain)
“Say it’s a lie,” he said.
His voice was so changed that Hermione wasn’t sure it was him, yet there Draco stood in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face. “Not fiance. He asked, but I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and in spite of her frown his arms went around her in a moment. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***182- 82 words over target (39 words removed, getting rather talky)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco, yet there he stood in her doorway.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
Hermione stared, her mouth gaping, but she didn’t deny it.
“So it’s true,” he said.
She nodded silently.
“What the hell are you thinking, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, anger still hot in her face, “not fiance. I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immeadiately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***-172- 72 words over target, I’m becoming concerned about the ability to cut more here (10 removed, hard to do)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco, yet there he stood in her doorway. She gawked in disbelief at his disheveled appearance.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t speak about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, her face flushed in anger, “not fiance. I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immeadiately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly her posture relaxed, her arms embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned her. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***154 – 54 words over, actual structural overhaul, mostly at beginning (18 removed)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure it was Draco standing in her doorway. She gawked in disbelief at his disheveled appearance.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, her face flushed in anger. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms immediately went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***145 – 45 words over, and this is getting to become an impossibility (9 words removed)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the disheveled man in her doorway was Draco.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a ruffian, a coarse, ill-mannered…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated, flushing with anger. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***135- 35 words over; I’m honestly perplexed about what more I could do with this. Also, getting really choppy. (10)
“Say it’s a lie.”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the disheveled man in her doorway was Draco.
“Weasley,” he spat out. “The word going around is he’s asked you to marry him.”
She nodded silently.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s a coarse, ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“I certainly will! He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I didn’t say yes. However, your arrogance is making me reconsider!”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him as well.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Not ever.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***131 – 4 words and it’s nearly impossible for me to find more here without the plot being entirely lost (4)
“The word going around is Weasley’s asked you to marry him. Did he?”
His voice was so changed Hermione wasn’t sure the man in her doorway was Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I didn’t say yes.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, but slowly she relaxed, embracing him too.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Never.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***111 – 11 words over, and I’m not sure I even like it anymore (20)
“The word going around is Weasley’s proposed to you. Did he?”
Hermione wasn’t barely sure harsh voice of the man in her doorway belonged to Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Don’t talk about my friend that way,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I said no.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, then slowly relaxed, embracing him too.
“Never letting go,” he warned.
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she had no intention of releasing him, either.
***106 – 6 words over, and now Draco sounds like freaking Jack Dawson (5)
“The rumor is Weasley’s proposed to you. Did he?”
Hermione was barely sure the harsh voice of the man in her doorway belonged to Draco, but she nodded.
“Are you mad, woman!” he yelled. “He’s an ill-mannered, boorish…”
“Stop insulting my friend,” she said coldly.
“He’s a… friend?” he asked, stopping mid-sentence.
“Friend,” she repeated. “I said no.”
Relief swept over him, and despite her frown his arms went around her. She remained stiff at first, then slowly relaxed, embracing him back.
“Not letting go,” he warned. “Never.”
“Always a drama queen,” she laughed, but she wouldn’t release him, either.
***100 – at target, but now it feels like drivel (6)
At which point I chucked it. :)
