Voting Post For Week #190!!
Sorry for the delay!!
It's Voting Time!
Please read the voting rules:
1. Do not vote for yourself and do not ask others to vote for you.
2. If you entered the challenge, you are required to vote.
3. Please vote for a MOST and SECOND favorite drabble. If you do not fill out the entire poll, your vote will not be counted.
4. Please vote for the NUMBER of the drabble, not the name of it. Just makes it easier on the mod :)
5. Please remember the prompt must when voting: "Keeping Secrets"
Results will be posted on Thursday. Have fun!
1.
Author:
Feedback: yes
Title: The assignment
Words: 593 words
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Three years passed since the death of Voldemort, and the Magic world was almost back to its normal life. Harry was a hero, on his way to become an Auror, Hermione was already working for the Ministry, and even Ron managed to hang on with the Auror training.
As they weren’t ready to face Death Eaters --even though Harry has fought them since he was eleven-- he received small cases to solve, and he was on one of those. It was a simply case, which for some reason Harry doubted it would be solved, but nonetheless, they had to investigate it.
The place, Mrs Higgins Dance School, the crime, stolen property.
Harry walked through the brightly lit hallways, following the smiling secretary, being told to wait in the hall while she fetched Mrs Higgins. That was when he heard a familiar voice, which he hadn’t heard in at least a year, but which he couldn’t easily forget.
Curious, Harry walked down the corridor to the right, knowing it was wrong and he should have returned to his waiting spot, but wanting to make sure his hearing wasn’t wrong.
As he stared in one of the open doors, he was met with one of the most shocking scenes hed seen in a while.
Surrounded by young girls dressed in ballerina tutus, girls who couldn't be older than seven, stood Draco Malfoy, wearing tight pants and a thin and tight t-shirt, showing the girls how to make a perfect jump. Harry struggled to breathe for a few seconds, even though his mouth was open, and while he knew he should have tried to pull away from the scene in front of him, or to at least close his mouth, but moving was difficult as Draco kept jumping.
That was when he discovered he was not alone, and the shock on his face was just as big as Harry’s. All the blood disappeared from Draco’s face, and then he almost lost his balance.
Harry was still struggling to think, but then the secretary called him and he was able to pull himself away from the scene in front of him.
During the report of the missing property, all Harry could think of was Draco, and wondered what the man was doing there. It turned out he would receive an answer to his questions as he was leaving, as his former school acquaintance was waiting for him.
It was tempting to pretend he didn’t see him, but it was a childish thing to do.
“You do realise that having seen what you have, I will have to kill you,” Draco said in a serious voice, never breaking his careless gaze.
“I’d like to see you try,” Harry replied, finding it difficult to keep a straight face.
“Don’t think that only because I’m surrounded by little girls all day that I can’t take you on.”
That was when both broke, first a smile, then a giggle, before they laughed so hard the secretary scolded them.
“I will keep this a secret if you tell me why.”
“It’s a part of the recovery system after the war.”
“Doesn’t that last only one year?”
Draco turned his head, a faint blush painting his cheeks. “I liked it, and asked if I could stay longer. You better not tell anyone, my father thinks I’m a disgrace, don’t want to be the laughingstock as well.”
“I for one think what you’re doing is admirable, but I won’t tell.”
The two men, smiled at each other, their former relationship forgotten as Harry left.
2.
Author:
Feedback: Yes, please.
Title: Secrets
Words: 590
Rating: G
Warnings: Unbeta'd.
“Harry.”
The urgency in Ron’s voice barely penetrated the fog of Monday morning paperwork. Looking up he saw Ron standing in the doorway, breathing hard as if he’d run a race.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry… accident in Potions. Malfoy--”
Harry’s chair crashed to the ground. “What, what about him?”
“It’s bad… you should go.” Ron motioned down the corridor. “Hermione is holding the lift. We were on that floor for a meeting and heard the explosion.”
Whatever else Ron said was lost in the roar in Harry’s ears as he ran towards the lift. It couldn’t be Draco. He was fine. Harry had said good-bye to him just an hour ago. Harry dodged gap-jawed co-workers as he raced towards the lift where Hermione was holding the door open. He skidded to a stop in the lift. Ron just made it before the door closed as Harry frantically pressed the button for Potions.
The damn thing wasn’t moving fast enough, Harry cursed as it jerked and twisted towards the Potions floor. He jumped as a hand touched his shoulder and turned to see Ron and Hermione looking at him. He’d forgotten they were there. He’d forgotten that they weren’t supposed to know.
“How--”
“Please, Harry, you’ve never been good at keeping secrets. We were just waiting for you to be ready to tell us about you and Draco,” Hermione said. Tears were in her eyes and Harry’s stomach plummeted.
“How bad is it?”
“They were working on him. As soon as we realized who it was we came to get you.” Ron coughed. “They might already have him at St. Mungo’s.”
The doors of the lift opened to chaos, groups of teal-robed potion employees were clutching each other as they watched the the medi-wizards kneeling over a figure on the ground, a growing crimson red stain on the floor. Shards of glass covered the floor, tables, chairs, Draco.
Harry pushed past hands that tried to hold him back and stumbled to the ground next to Draco’s head. He gave a choked cry as he saw the pieces of glass still protruding from Draco’s chest. His hand shook as he reached out to touch Draco’s cheek, it was icy cold instead of warm. Harry gave a choked cry and the young medi-witch closest to him grabbed his arm, her words just penetrating his panic. “He’s still alive, it’s a cooling charm, to slow down the blood loss…”
Harry gave a sob of relief and cradled Draco’s head gently, stroking his cheek, willing him to open his eyes. “Salazar, Draco, you didn’t have to do this just to get out of doing the dishes,” he choked out. “Don’t you dare leave me. Not before we’ve got this whole thing figured out…” he went on talking to Draco, kneeling in the broken glass until the medi-witch stopped him.
“We have to take him to St. Mungo’s now, we’ve done all we can here.”
Harry looked up to see that there were thirty or forty pairs of eyes staring at him, either In shock from the explosion or from the sight of the Deputy Head Auror draped over the body of the Potion Master. “Take me, too,” Harry said firmly.
The lead medi-witch started to object but the one who’d spoken to Harry stopped him. “He has partner privilege, sir, he can come with us.”
“You’re his partner?” The man looked at Harry in astonishment.
“I am.” Harry stood, saying the words for the first time. “I am Draco Malfoy’s partner and I’m going with him.”
3.
Author:
Feedback: Yes
Title: The Well Kept Secret
Words: 580 (ish)
Rating: G
Warnings: Fluffy more fluffy than I have done in a while
Harry’s friends where acting ...strange. Secretive. Whispered conversations, that stopped when he entered the room. Sometimes with giggling involved. And of late, pub nights seemed to be rainchecked for later dates. And Draco was acting the same. When he wasn’t sending off owls, writing notes in his appointment book, or shoving Harry out the door earlier than usual because he had work to do.
Like today Harry found himself being rushed out of his own flat by his blond boyfriend with only a triangle of buttered toast in his hand. The other half was still sitting on his plate. With barely a have a nice day, Harry found himself staring at his closed front door, only to have to fly open again with Draco reminding him of their dinner tonight at his parents home. Harry hid the winced, nodded in the affirmative and was once again face to face with his door.
Great, a night with the Malfoys. Harry walked to his appreciation point, nibbling his toast, wondering when the whole world went mad.
Work went by fast, but nothing of great importance was completed. It wasn’t easy when it seemed all his co-workers stopped by to visit at one point or another. It seemed that today everyone was interested in Harry’s day, or how had he and Draco been doing. Then there were a few witches that gave him odd advice. Like never get tired of doing the little things Harry or remember to say “I love you” everyday. Harry took it with a small smile, as the old witch winked at him a cackled out of the lift.
But Harry would have taken a double shift of that then have to face Draco’s parents. He loved Draco, but Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy--well they just didn’t get along.
The floo room in Malfoy Manor was empty. Not once since coming to the manor invited had Draco not met him upon his arrival. And Draco was not one to be late.
Dusting the floo powder off his robes, Harry went to the west gardens where he knew Mrs. Malfoy liked to hold summer dinners. Entering the garden through the sunroom door, Harry was surprised to see it covered in fairy lights. Long tables were set in blue table linens and the Malfoy blue and silver china. White roses looks pure and pale under the glow of the fairy lights.
But it was the people gathered round the garden. His friends. His co-workers. All setted watching Harry enter, that surprised Harry more than the gardens, the tables, the food, or Draco coming up to him with a smile wider than Harry had even seen on his face.
“What’s going on?”
“Harry. We've been together for years, moving past our school boy rivalry, learning that the world is greater than Hogwarts. Learning we are much the same. Growing something between us, that is deeper than love. And I am asking if you would take my hand, and stand beside me, for the rest of our lives.” Draco pulled a small silver box out from his robes, opening it to reveal a simple (for Draco) band. No gems or goddy detail. Just a gold band with and word Always inscribed in silver. Draco remembered Snape’s answer to Dumbledore, from Harry’s story. The part that Draco didn't admit that made him tear up, but Harry saw his eyes water. “Will you marry me here, tonight, in front of our friends and family?”
Harry barely crooked out a yes, before kissing Draco.
oooOOOooo
Voter Feedback Option
Voters now have the option of leaving a short statement about the drabble you voted for and why you voted that way. Feedback will then be given ANONYMOUSLY to the writer. Comments are screened if voters wish to leave additional feedback on any of the drabbles.
For example:
MOST Favorite:
#21 - Loved the humor, made me laugh
SECOND Most Favorite:
#42 - Characters were OOC
Please read the voting rules:
1. Do not vote for yourself and do not ask others to vote for you.
2. If you entered the challenge, you are required to vote.
3. Please vote for a MOST and SECOND favorite drabble. If you do not fill out the entire poll, your vote will not be counted.
4. Please vote for the NUMBER of the drabble, not the name of it. Just makes it easier on the mod :)
5. Please remember the prompt must when voting: "Keeping Secrets"
Results will be posted on Thursday. Have fun!
1.
Author:
Feedback: yes
Title: The assignment
Words: 593 words
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Three years passed since the death of Voldemort, and the Magic world was almost back to its normal life. Harry was a hero, on his way to become an Auror, Hermione was already working for the Ministry, and even Ron managed to hang on with the Auror training.
As they weren’t ready to face Death Eaters --even though Harry has fought them since he was eleven-- he received small cases to solve, and he was on one of those. It was a simply case, which for some reason Harry doubted it would be solved, but nonetheless, they had to investigate it.
The place, Mrs Higgins Dance School, the crime, stolen property.
Harry walked through the brightly lit hallways, following the smiling secretary, being told to wait in the hall while she fetched Mrs Higgins. That was when he heard a familiar voice, which he hadn’t heard in at least a year, but which he couldn’t easily forget.
Curious, Harry walked down the corridor to the right, knowing it was wrong and he should have returned to his waiting spot, but wanting to make sure his hearing wasn’t wrong.
As he stared in one of the open doors, he was met with one of the most shocking scenes hed seen in a while.
Surrounded by young girls dressed in ballerina tutus, girls who couldn't be older than seven, stood Draco Malfoy, wearing tight pants and a thin and tight t-shirt, showing the girls how to make a perfect jump. Harry struggled to breathe for a few seconds, even though his mouth was open, and while he knew he should have tried to pull away from the scene in front of him, or to at least close his mouth, but moving was difficult as Draco kept jumping.
That was when he discovered he was not alone, and the shock on his face was just as big as Harry’s. All the blood disappeared from Draco’s face, and then he almost lost his balance.
Harry was still struggling to think, but then the secretary called him and he was able to pull himself away from the scene in front of him.
During the report of the missing property, all Harry could think of was Draco, and wondered what the man was doing there. It turned out he would receive an answer to his questions as he was leaving, as his former school acquaintance was waiting for him.
It was tempting to pretend he didn’t see him, but it was a childish thing to do.
“You do realise that having seen what you have, I will have to kill you,” Draco said in a serious voice, never breaking his careless gaze.
“I’d like to see you try,” Harry replied, finding it difficult to keep a straight face.
“Don’t think that only because I’m surrounded by little girls all day that I can’t take you on.”
That was when both broke, first a smile, then a giggle, before they laughed so hard the secretary scolded them.
“I will keep this a secret if you tell me why.”
“It’s a part of the recovery system after the war.”
“Doesn’t that last only one year?”
Draco turned his head, a faint blush painting his cheeks. “I liked it, and asked if I could stay longer. You better not tell anyone, my father thinks I’m a disgrace, don’t want to be the laughingstock as well.”
“I for one think what you’re doing is admirable, but I won’t tell.”
The two men, smiled at each other, their former relationship forgotten as Harry left.
2.
Author:
Feedback: Yes, please.
Title: Secrets
Words: 590
Rating: G
Warnings: Unbeta'd.
“Harry.”
The urgency in Ron’s voice barely penetrated the fog of Monday morning paperwork. Looking up he saw Ron standing in the doorway, breathing hard as if he’d run a race.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry… accident in Potions. Malfoy--”
Harry’s chair crashed to the ground. “What, what about him?”
“It’s bad… you should go.” Ron motioned down the corridor. “Hermione is holding the lift. We were on that floor for a meeting and heard the explosion.”
Whatever else Ron said was lost in the roar in Harry’s ears as he ran towards the lift. It couldn’t be Draco. He was fine. Harry had said good-bye to him just an hour ago. Harry dodged gap-jawed co-workers as he raced towards the lift where Hermione was holding the door open. He skidded to a stop in the lift. Ron just made it before the door closed as Harry frantically pressed the button for Potions.
The damn thing wasn’t moving fast enough, Harry cursed as it jerked and twisted towards the Potions floor. He jumped as a hand touched his shoulder and turned to see Ron and Hermione looking at him. He’d forgotten they were there. He’d forgotten that they weren’t supposed to know.
“How--”
“Please, Harry, you’ve never been good at keeping secrets. We were just waiting for you to be ready to tell us about you and Draco,” Hermione said. Tears were in her eyes and Harry’s stomach plummeted.
“How bad is it?”
“They were working on him. As soon as we realized who it was we came to get you.” Ron coughed. “They might already have him at St. Mungo’s.”
The doors of the lift opened to chaos, groups of teal-robed potion employees were clutching each other as they watched the the medi-wizards kneeling over a figure on the ground, a growing crimson red stain on the floor. Shards of glass covered the floor, tables, chairs, Draco.
Harry pushed past hands that tried to hold him back and stumbled to the ground next to Draco’s head. He gave a choked cry as he saw the pieces of glass still protruding from Draco’s chest. His hand shook as he reached out to touch Draco’s cheek, it was icy cold instead of warm. Harry gave a choked cry and the young medi-witch closest to him grabbed his arm, her words just penetrating his panic. “He’s still alive, it’s a cooling charm, to slow down the blood loss…”
Harry gave a sob of relief and cradled Draco’s head gently, stroking his cheek, willing him to open his eyes. “Salazar, Draco, you didn’t have to do this just to get out of doing the dishes,” he choked out. “Don’t you dare leave me. Not before we’ve got this whole thing figured out…” he went on talking to Draco, kneeling in the broken glass until the medi-witch stopped him.
“We have to take him to St. Mungo’s now, we’ve done all we can here.”
Harry looked up to see that there were thirty or forty pairs of eyes staring at him, either In shock from the explosion or from the sight of the Deputy Head Auror draped over the body of the Potion Master. “Take me, too,” Harry said firmly.
The lead medi-witch started to object but the one who’d spoken to Harry stopped him. “He has partner privilege, sir, he can come with us.”
“You’re his partner?” The man looked at Harry in astonishment.
“I am.” Harry stood, saying the words for the first time. “I am Draco Malfoy’s partner and I’m going with him.”
3.
Author:
Feedback: Yes
Title: The Well Kept Secret
Words: 580 (ish)
Rating: G
Warnings: Fluffy more fluffy than I have done in a while
Harry’s friends where acting ...strange. Secretive. Whispered conversations, that stopped when he entered the room. Sometimes with giggling involved. And of late, pub nights seemed to be rainchecked for later dates. And Draco was acting the same. When he wasn’t sending off owls, writing notes in his appointment book, or shoving Harry out the door earlier than usual because he had work to do.
Like today Harry found himself being rushed out of his own flat by his blond boyfriend with only a triangle of buttered toast in his hand. The other half was still sitting on his plate. With barely a have a nice day, Harry found himself staring at his closed front door, only to have to fly open again with Draco reminding him of their dinner tonight at his parents home. Harry hid the winced, nodded in the affirmative and was once again face to face with his door.
Great, a night with the Malfoys. Harry walked to his appreciation point, nibbling his toast, wondering when the whole world went mad.
Work went by fast, but nothing of great importance was completed. It wasn’t easy when it seemed all his co-workers stopped by to visit at one point or another. It seemed that today everyone was interested in Harry’s day, or how had he and Draco been doing. Then there were a few witches that gave him odd advice. Like never get tired of doing the little things Harry or remember to say “I love you” everyday. Harry took it with a small smile, as the old witch winked at him a cackled out of the lift.
But Harry would have taken a double shift of that then have to face Draco’s parents. He loved Draco, but Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy--well they just didn’t get along.
The floo room in Malfoy Manor was empty. Not once since coming to the manor invited had Draco not met him upon his arrival. And Draco was not one to be late.
Dusting the floo powder off his robes, Harry went to the west gardens where he knew Mrs. Malfoy liked to hold summer dinners. Entering the garden through the sunroom door, Harry was surprised to see it covered in fairy lights. Long tables were set in blue table linens and the Malfoy blue and silver china. White roses looks pure and pale under the glow of the fairy lights.
But it was the people gathered round the garden. His friends. His co-workers. All setted watching Harry enter, that surprised Harry more than the gardens, the tables, the food, or Draco coming up to him with a smile wider than Harry had even seen on his face.
“What’s going on?”
“Harry. We've been together for years, moving past our school boy rivalry, learning that the world is greater than Hogwarts. Learning we are much the same. Growing something between us, that is deeper than love. And I am asking if you would take my hand, and stand beside me, for the rest of our lives.” Draco pulled a small silver box out from his robes, opening it to reveal a simple (for Draco) band. No gems or goddy detail. Just a gold band with and word Always inscribed in silver. Draco remembered Snape’s answer to Dumbledore, from Harry’s story. The part that Draco didn't admit that made him tear up, but Harry saw his eyes water. “Will you marry me here, tonight, in front of our friends and family?”
Harry barely crooked out a yes, before kissing Draco.
Voter Feedback Option
Voters now have the option of leaving a short statement about the drabble you voted for and why you voted that way. Feedback will then be given ANONYMOUSLY to the writer. Comments are screened if voters wish to leave additional feedback on any of the drabbles.
For example:
MOST Favorite:
#21 - Loved the humor, made me laugh
SECOND Most Favorite:
#42 - Characters were OOC
MOST Favorite
SECOND Favorite