New shortfic

[thrihyrne]

From the currently popular meme of "here are the first lines to some of my stories- you take one and write a new drabble with it." I took one from snottygrrl, and here 'tis. Warfic. Features a few HP redheads (surprise).


Fraternity

During the darkness, the fear would sometimes catch him unawares.

In the muted light of day, it lay dormant in his shadow, petulant and hidden while Ron stayed busy. He hadn't known how exhausting it could be to stay alive, and yet the nighttime brought no relief, no nourishing sleep. There were only fits and starts, torments of muddled dreams and visions before he would jerk awake again.

Ron was scared to death to die.

Knowing how many familiar others would meet his soul on the other side was no consolation in the freezing nights. George would coax and plead for him to take a potion; Fred would remind him of just how desperately he was needed and with his full faculties, soggy personality aside. Even in the bleakest moments of the War, Fred and George tried to nudge at Ron's spirits, but he was immune despite how close they'd become.

Raw, untamed rage chased away most other emotions, though it was tempered with the constant, insistent drumming of self-preservation. The twins had each other, and he had them, and that was all he was sure of after the Burrow had been Marked and obliterated. No warnings, no bodies, no closure. No updates from Bill and Charlie. George tethered him to sanity, restrained him when he became reckless. How odd, Ron thought as he sat, teeth chattering, that the former experts in doling out mayhem would now bring such comfort.

"It's not over, Ron."
"We're in this together."
"For Mum, and Dad."
"And Ginny, and Hermione."
"Even Percy, on a good day."
"We won't let you die on our watch."

And then, for a little while, Ron would rest, before fear snatched one of them away; an owl from the front lines (please, sweet Merlin not Harry too); a new casualty report (no, no, not Dean- he's too young. I'm too young.)

Over time, Ron sank into surrender. Sheltered by chaos and twilight he made his way to the perimeter of the camp, a small mirror in hand. He propped the disc against a tree and pointed his wand unwaveringly at it, heady with the words of the killing curse as they crouched, waiting on his tongue.

"Ron!"

The voice was oddly singular.

"RON!" The dirty red mane of hair shook around his face as the figure ran and approached him, gasping.

Ron stared into bloodshot brown eyes.

"No, Ron," Fred choked, and pulled Ron's wand from his hand. "No. Not on my watch."

As he looked at Fred's filthy, tear-streaked face, Ron suddenly knew the fear was forever banished. He clasped Fred around the waist, supporting him as they slowly walked back to the camp.

Comments

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

yay! a ficlet/drabble from my first line! [*preens*]

fabu as always my dear. love your characterizations. ron is v. v. ron

Raw, untamed rage chased away most other emotions, though it was tempered with the constant, insistent drumming of self-preservation.

[*adores*]

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed. Sorry there's no Draco, but he is much more tempermental and more challenging to write. The Weasleys (well, Fred, George & Ron anyway) seem to live in my head, and their dialogue is easy to write. Hated to do that to Ron, but given your first line, there needed to be a source for the fear.

One of these days I'll try to do you justice with our fair-haired friend, but he's so private and inaccessible. Hard for me to work with, quite honestly. Oh, and he's a pureblood, so there's that element, too. Hope you enjoyed hearing from him in the meme-thing; it was fun to respond to your questions.

Your cooking skills amaze me, but I still don't know how anybody can have a smaller waist than yours since you're usually under 100 pounds.

*shakes head*

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i don't expect my lovely from you, though when you do write him i love it. and yes, i did love hearing from him. i always do [*dreamy smile*] love your weaselys and your angst. ♥

and yes, i agree, no one should have a smaller waist than me unless they are a child. especially not nicole....

must go eat something from a tin (since i still need to get to the grocer)

[*snuggles*]

Wonderful!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

LOVE the story! I am in lust with your entire perspective of the war and the atmosphere and ache you paint around it. Way to go, m'dear. I'm back from Montana, trying to get ready for Rhode Island. It's Monday, so I must be in Tennessee. :) Hugs to you.

Hey, ever considered writing more of Arthur? I'd love to know how he manages, since he's a very different kind of personality, it seems to me....

Re: Wonderful!

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you, my dear! ♥

I can't believe you've taken the time to look at my LJ given the kind of week you're going to have this week. I emailed this to you, but I had a card written, but there's no mail running today. :(

Hey, ever considered writing more of Arthur?

Y'know, I hadn't. He, and Harry, are pretty much nonentities in my little Weasley arc, but he must have been as affected by losing Fred as Molly was. A very interesting idea- maybe there could be a Ron, Arthur, George conversation or something. I've recently written a confrontational!Ron/Remus/George conversation in NBtC which was fun. Now I have bitter Snape & George off in the Hebrides. Wheeeee. It would be easier for me to write, I think, if I hadn't woken up at 4:00 this morning and was at the office typing a letter to Tseen at 6:30 a.m. Now I'm a bit fried, but it may be just the mood for a short drabble as requested by applegnat who has decided her new OTP is Neville Longbottom/Fingon. o_0 Slightly older Neville, that is.

I'm so glad you're back safely, and try not to cram too much in before your next trip! I'll email soon.

((hugs)) and thank you so much for your feedback on this little ficlet.

[magnifica7.livejournal.com]

As usual, you delivered! Weasley-fics - how I adore them! :)

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'd totally forgotten about this short vignette. Thank you very much for your kind words!!