Alphabet Challenge
I decided to participate in r_becca's Alphabet Challenge, so here's my entry. The challenge was: 200-700 words, H/G, and the word, "calm". Thanks to Avenger42 for reading it over! The quote is from the Bible, I John 4:18.
It was time.
They all knew it: Voldemort’s reign would either end or begin to grow unchallenged, starting today. Harry’s heart had been beating wildly for what seemed like hours now, and no matter how many times he went over their plan, nothing calmed him down.
“Harry, are you sure you remember everything?”
Especially not Hermione’s nervous nagging. Ron wasn’t exactly better, glancing worriedly over at Harry every few seconds as though afraid that each time would be the last. McGonagall was trying desperately to hold back her tears, her normally stern demeanor cracking under the stress, and the other students’ trusting, hero-worshipping gazes were more unnerving than encouraging.
Dumbledore was the worst of all. The man who had always shown complete confidence in Harry’s abilities had fear lurking behind his eyes.
His hands shaking, Harry gathered together the few items he needed for the plan to work, when his eye fell on Ginny.
Ginny Weasley had been attracting his attention more and more lately, but this was not the time for ogling pretty girls. What caught his attention now was less the pixie-like features and more the expression they were wearing.
Calm. A determined, alert calm.
“Ginny?”
“Hm? What is it, Harry?” She walked over to him, her expression barely changing.
“How-how are you feeling?” It sounded stupid now that it had left his mouth. “I mean,” he continued hurriedly, “you seem so calm, but you can’t be, can you?”
Ginny’s eyes narrowed, measuring him in some way. “I am. Well, maybe not as calm as I seem; I am worried for me and my family.”
“But…but not me?” He was more hurt by the fact than he would have thought.
The corners of her eyes crinkled, and Harry realised that she was amused. “I’m not worried about you. I know you’ll be all right. You’re going to kick Tom’s arse and come out without a scratch.”
Harry almost turned away out of disgust. He had thought better of Ginny than a mindless hero-worshipper. But something-whether it was the look on her face or his knowledge of her character, or something else entirely, he didn’t know-made him ask, “Why?”
This time she really smiled, fully, and Harry forgot, for just half a second, the terrible ordeal ahead of him. “Because I know you, Harry, and between you and Tom, there’s no contest. You have love, and all he has is fear.”
She leaned up, and for one crazy moment he thought she would kiss him, but instead her breath tickled his ear as she whispered, “Perfect love casts out all fear.”
Suddenly, Harry couldn’t wait to kick Tom’s arse.
x-posted in harry_and_ginny and gw_fans.
It was time.
They all knew it: Voldemort’s reign would either end or begin to grow unchallenged, starting today. Harry’s heart had been beating wildly for what seemed like hours now, and no matter how many times he went over their plan, nothing calmed him down.
“Harry, are you sure you remember everything?”
Especially not Hermione’s nervous nagging. Ron wasn’t exactly better, glancing worriedly over at Harry every few seconds as though afraid that each time would be the last. McGonagall was trying desperately to hold back her tears, her normally stern demeanor cracking under the stress, and the other students’ trusting, hero-worshipping gazes were more unnerving than encouraging.
Dumbledore was the worst of all. The man who had always shown complete confidence in Harry’s abilities had fear lurking behind his eyes.
His hands shaking, Harry gathered together the few items he needed for the plan to work, when his eye fell on Ginny.
Ginny Weasley had been attracting his attention more and more lately, but this was not the time for ogling pretty girls. What caught his attention now was less the pixie-like features and more the expression they were wearing.
Calm. A determined, alert calm.
“Ginny?”
“Hm? What is it, Harry?” She walked over to him, her expression barely changing.
“How-how are you feeling?” It sounded stupid now that it had left his mouth. “I mean,” he continued hurriedly, “you seem so calm, but you can’t be, can you?”
Ginny’s eyes narrowed, measuring him in some way. “I am. Well, maybe not as calm as I seem; I am worried for me and my family.”
“But…but not me?” He was more hurt by the fact than he would have thought.
The corners of her eyes crinkled, and Harry realised that she was amused. “I’m not worried about you. I know you’ll be all right. You’re going to kick Tom’s arse and come out without a scratch.”
Harry almost turned away out of disgust. He had thought better of Ginny than a mindless hero-worshipper. But something-whether it was the look on her face or his knowledge of her character, or something else entirely, he didn’t know-made him ask, “Why?”
This time she really smiled, fully, and Harry forgot, for just half a second, the terrible ordeal ahead of him. “Because I know you, Harry, and between you and Tom, there’s no contest. You have love, and all he has is fear.”
She leaned up, and for one crazy moment he thought she would kiss him, but instead her breath tickled his ear as she whispered, “Perfect love casts out all fear.”
Suddenly, Harry couldn’t wait to kick Tom’s arse.
x-posted in harry_and_ginny and gw_fans.