Works by KDSanders

Long time no drabble

2008-10-29T02:43:50Z

I havn't had time to write in a while because of work, but I found a little time and needed to have a little fun. This was writtin for checkmated.com...the prompt was "cozy"

Title: It's Snowing
Author: Butterflychaser85
Rating: G
R/Hr or Gen: R/HR
Word count: 224

A sudden chill woke him without warning. Blinking at the pale sunlight through the window he saw flakes of white floating down.

“Hermione,” he whispered softly. “Hermione, wake up.”

The sleeping beauty beside him stirred.

“What is it, Love,” she asked without opening her eyes.

“Wake up,” he said nuzzling up close to her, “It snowing.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and then closed again. “So it is.”

“Let’s get dressed and go out.” She moaned in protest. “Oh, c’mon. It’s the first snow of the season.”

She still didn’t move.

“Our first snow as husband and wife.”

Her eyes finally opened as she smiled at him.

“You’re absolutely right and you know what I want to do on my first snowy day as a wife?

“What’s that,” Ron said thinking of snowball fights and laughter.

“I want to snuggle with my husband in our warm, cozy bed.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes,” she said wrapping her arms around him, “just the two of us all warm and happy in our bed, drinking hot coco.”

“But you’d have to get up to make hot coco.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow. “That’s funny, I thought I was a witch.” She retrieved her wand from the nightstand and flicked it towards the Kitchen.

Seemingly satisfied Ron laid back down and kissed Hermione’s neck.

“Okay,” he sighed happily. “You win.”

A new fic for a checkmated challenge

2008-08-15T05:19:44Z

Written for the Checkmated "Ron/Hermione Through the Eyes of Another" Challenge. My story is through the eyes of Hestia Jones.

As a wedding invitation arrives by owl post Hestia Jones recalls years of watching a certain young couple hiding thier feelings for each other.

Even Strangers Could See

The envelope was the finest example of frill and femininity, something she was sure the bride had nothing to do with. The silver calligraphy shimmered as she moved it in the light and a smile graced her lips as she read the names again.

“About bloody time,” she said to the inky black tabby cat curled up on the kitchen chair.

She threw herself down on a second chair and scratched the cat behind his ears.

“Nothing in this world is sadder than two people who can’t see what they’ve got, eh Soot? Well I suppose they’ve figured it out before it’s too late.”

Stretching in her chair, she let her mind drift back to the first time she had met them. Just children then, though not very much younger than they were now, they’d already been through more than someone of their limited years should have suffered. She remembered thinking how difficult it must have been for them. All they wanted to do was finish school and find their way in the world, while at the same time the world sought to destroy their dreams and futures before they even had a chance to develop. Seeing them was refreshing, they knew such evil, but retained their childish innocence.

The first time she saw them, she’d arrived early for an Order meeting and was in the kitchen having tea with Molly.

“If you do it one more time Ronald, I’ll hex you,” the young girl shrilled, marching after a gangly redhead in a tattered jumper. “Do you hear me? Don’t you touch him again!”

“I told you to keep that ruddy cat out of my room. He’s been eyeing Pig like he hasn’t eaten in weeks. I don’t want to lose another pet to that thing.”

Her mouth hung open in honest shock.

“Wormta-,” she stopped, almost biting her tongue. “Scabbers was not Crookshanks’ fault and you know that. He was trying to protect us.”

Ron threw his hands up in defeat. “Alright, alright, I won’t kick him again. Just keep him away from my owl.”

Hestia's eyes moved quickly from the door through which the quarreling pair had just left to Molly's knowing grin. Smiling back, she said nothing.

As the weeks passed and meetings became more frequent, Hestia found it quite entertaining to watch this magnificent dance. Perfectly choreographed to show the viewer exactly what was going on inside the dancers’ heads, but so subtle that the dancers themselves seemed oblivious to the motions.

Their quarrels were simple, yet fought with such passion that it appeared as if the future of the world relied on the outcome.

One particular row she recalled had centered on a book that Hermione insisted Ron had taken, but later found in the bottom of her school trunk.

“I told you.”

“Yes you did.”

“But you had to keep at it. You insisted I had to have moved it.”

“Well, I had seen it last while you were straightening in the second floor study.”

“And that means it had to be me that lost it.”

“It seemed like a reasonable explanation at the time.”

“Reasonable doesn’t make it right, does it Hermione. Where did you find it?”

“Ron, really, do we have to…”

“Where did you find it?”

“In my trunk.”

“And who has access to your trunk?”

“Only me.”

“Because?”

The two carried on steadily, oblivious to their large audience. Following a lengthy meeting about how to best procure Harry from the Dursley's, Ron’s family and various Order members had adjourned to the sitting room for tea where they now sat in silence as the exchange continued.

“Because it’s been enchanted to open only for me since first year.”

“So reasonably, who had to have put it in your trunk?”

“Me.”

“Which means?”

“You didn’t misplace it.”

“Which is what I told you three days ago.”

She closed the large tome on her lap with a great huff. “Yes I know! I WAS WRONG!”

She punctuated each word as if it were taking all of her strength to speak them.

Ron stood in stunned silence as Hermione buried her flustered face in the giant book dominating her lap.

“Well,” Ron stammered, “alright then.”

A stifled giggle spread through the room like a virus, passing from person to person, becoming more contagious and severe as it traveled.

By the time it passed from Molly to Hestia they were holding their sides in hysterics.

“One thing you can say for her,” Hestia commented after Ron and Hermione had fled the room in opposite directions. “She knows how to shut him up.”

“That she does,” Molly giggled. “No one can silence my Ron like Hermione can.”

Things had gone on this way for the rest of the summer, with the later weeks seeing Ron starting fights more often as Harry’s presence usurped Hermione’s attention.

When summer ended, the pair went off to school and Hestia only heard of them during afternoon tea with Molly or random meetings at the Ministry with Arthur.

When she was given surveillance detail in Diagon Alley the following summer, she once again found herself with a front row seat for the dance she knew as Ron and Hermione. Things had changed over the school year; Hestia could see that. Their arguments were more deliberate, intended to entice a reaction from the other, rather than prove their own point. There was more tenderness and bashfulness there too. Ron was a sight when Hermione made him blush, which seemed to occur with increasing frequency. Hermione was also no longer the blatantly bossy girl she had been the summer before. She offered guidance and advice wherever she felt appropriate, but it now seemed to be in Ron’s best interest instead of her constant need to be right.

Another school year had passed before Hestia had seen them again. Hestia felt somewhat guilty for noticing the pair that day. She was attending the funeral of a dear friend and mentor; she should have been mourning, not people watching. Still, she couldn’t help but notice. There was such poignant beauty in the way he comforted her. She couldn’t help but feel that the moment shared by this young pair was something Dumbledore himself would have stopped to notice.

She did not see them again after that. Shortly after the funeral, the world fell apart and Ron and Hermione’s wonderful dance disappeared from view. She heard very little of the pair during the chaos of the second war. What she did hear was highly suspect. The last time anyone had seen them was the night of Ron’s older brother’s wedding, an event Hestia had missed for her assignment of Muggle-sitting Harry’s atrocious family. Rumor was that shortly after the death of the late Minister Scrimgeour, a party of Death Eaters crashed the reception. In the excitement, Harry, Ron and Hermione had disappeared. The initial suspicion was that the three had fled together, but in the weeks that followed, the stories began to fly.

Ron, word had it, would not be attending Hogwarts that year due to an unfortunate case of Spattergoit. Sources reported that Hermione and her family had disappeared without a trace, and that Harry, 'Undesirable Number One', was on the run. As time progressed, the rumors alleged that Harry and Hermione were on the run together, leaving faithful sidekick Ron to suffer his ailment alone.

“More scandal about the boy, eh,” Harry’s Uncle Vernon had said one day while reading the Prophet over her shoulder.

“Word about Harry,” Petunia had said, almost sounding worried. “What does it say?”

“Nothing of consequence,” Vernon shrugged. “Someone spotted him and that girlfriend of his.”

“Girlfriend?” Hestia scoffed.

“You know, the frizzy-haired girl with the big teeth.”

Hestia had to excuse herself to the loo for a laugh. She couldn’t believe that she had finally met someone more clueless than Ron and Hermione. Hermione with Harry, it was laughable. Even if one took Ron out of the picture, Harry and Hermione were like brother and sister at the most.

When the war ended, the truth had surfaced that the trio had successfully escaped on the night of the wedding and had been, as Hestia always assumed, together the entire time. When the smoke cleared and the trio was left standing, Ron and Hermione were standing together.

Remembering all of this, it came as no surprise to Hestia that she was receiving this invitation. The dance had been going on for years now and it was reaching an expected, exciting new phase. The song was changing and the dancers were now aware of their motions, finally noticing for themselves what even strangers could see.

Two new drabbles and seedling

2008-06-19T03:18:32Z

Ok two new drabbles for sugarquill.

First. Prompt was Hesitate.

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“Expelliarmus!”

Her shout broke his trance and snapped him back into reality. Seconds later his wand flew from his hand and he was thrown back wards, colliding into a bookcase.

Her hands covered her mouth in shock as she saw what she’d done.

“Are you alright,” she said running to his side.

“Yeah,” he said, pride hurting as much as his backside. “I’m fine.”

“You hesitated.” She extended a hand to help him up. “You can’t hesitate. You can’t hold back because I’m a girl.”

“I wasn’t. I…” he stopped. This excuse was better than the truth. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Her expression was stern.

“You can’t do that Ron. I need to be prepared. Death Eaters won’t care weather I’m a girl or not, they won’t hold back, so neither can you.”

“Alright,” he said, “sorry. No more hesitation, I promise.”

He took his stance again. He wasn’t trying to go easy on her. He wanted to take this as seriously as she was, but each session proved more difficult than the last.

They’d been at the Burrow for weeks now without Harry. In those weeks Ron was constantly reminded of things he was trying to hide.

Suddenly every touch became significant. Every look became a glimmer of hope. Most of his days were spent in contemplation. He wondered if it were possible that she could feel the same. He wondered if he should make a move. If he made a move, when and how should he do it? Questions only brought more doubt and doubt brought -

“Expelliarmus!”

- hesitation.

“Ron, you’re still doing it!”

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Second. Prompt was a quote. "His priority did not seem to be to teach them what he knew, but rather to impress upon them that nothing, not even... knowledge, was foolproof.
-J.K. Rowling"

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“It’s absurd,” she said reading the letter again. “She can’t be serious about this.”

“I don’t know Hermione. You know once she gets an idea in her head she’s got to see it through.”

“This is a little extreme, even for her.”

“Luna knows what she’s doing.”

“Does she? She turned down three job offers to wander around looking for a creature that doesn’t exist.”

“Who knows, she may find something, this isn’t some second rate creature hunt, it’s sponsored by the Scamander Foundation for Natural Discovery. Dad says Scamander grandsons is heading the expedition.”

“Well,” she sighed, “maybe once she gets finds something she’ll give up on that Crumple-Horned Snorkack.”

Weeks passed then turning into months, and before they knew it Luna had been gone for over a year. She missed Ginny’s first League title with the Holyhead Harpies and the party celebrating Neville’s appointment as Herbology Professor, not to mention a total of four weddings.

She would send letters once or twice a month, filling everyone in one her trip. She was making friends and finding all sorts of interesting things, but every letter ended “No sign of the Snorkack yet, still holding out hope. Yours truly, Luna.”

Hermione’s reply was consistent as well. She spent most of her letter trying to convince Luna to come home.

On a morning when Luna’s absence was rounding the eighteen month mark, Ron entered the kitchen and silently place at news paper on the table in front of Hermione.

Lovegood and Scamander Discover New Species in Sweden

Hermione stared breathlessly at the headline, studying the picture of Luna, the bespectacled man she could only assume was Rolf Scamander, and a creature she hadn’t believed in until that very moment.

“Well,” she said in the purest state of shock. “I guess I was wrong.”

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Now for the seedling. I'm calling this a seedling because it started as a drabble but is growing into a one shot. Don't get to attached to it as it is, it is currently undergoing massive changes.

Written for Checkmated for the Prequel Celebration.

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She sat quietly in her chair as the people around her talked, hands busy with knitting needles.

“Septimus,” Arthur suggested. “He would be the seventh, it seems appropriate.”

“Come now Arthur,” Mrs. Prewett said, “Septimus is a lovely name, but, I believe one Septimus Weasley is enough for this world. I still say Artemius. Artemius Weasley, see it has a rather nice ring to it.”

“Artemius is a nice name,” Arthur said, “but Molly and I have decided that it just doesn’t fit with the other children’s names.”

“He has a point dear,” Mr. Prewett said. “Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Artemius, it is a bit out of place.”

“You wouldn’t have to call him Artemius. My great uncle Artemius was called Artie. If you don’t like that you could call him Art.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Or not,” she shrugged.

“We told you the last three times Molly,” Gideon said, “and we still haven’t gotten a Gideon or a Fabian.”

“No,” she said eyes still on her knitting, “but you’ve got a George and Fred. That is my homage to you dear brother.” She looked up and smiled. “That’s all you get.”

“What makes you so sure,” Mr. Prewett asked, “that it will be a boy? Seventh time could be a charm.”

“I would love a daughter,” Arthur said, “but there hasn’t been a girl born to the Weasley clan in many generations. Years of family and six attempts of our own suggest that in a matter of weeks we will be welcoming our seventh son.”

“All the same,” Fabian said. “You should at least think of a girl’s name. You never know.”

“How about,” Gideon paused for a moment, thinking, “Ginevra?”

“Ginevra,” Fabian said. “Why, that’s a beautiful name. We could call her Ginny.”

“I suppose,” she said still knitting, “in the unlikely event that we have a girl.”

***

“Oh, Arthur,” she said throwing open the door as he provided the correct pass phrase. “I was so worried. Gone all night and no word, I didn’t know what to think. The paper says there was a battle, that there were deaths. Everyone is going mad with worry. The children hardly slept.” She stopped seeing his expression. “What is it? What’s happened?”

“Molly,” he swallowed hard, “perhaps you should sit down.”

“What is it Arthur, tell me.”

“There was a battle,” he confirmed, “and there were deaths.”

She gasped, sinking into a chair. “Who,” she asked, afraid to hear.

“A group of Death Eaters were attacking a muggle family. We’ve been getting reports for weeks and our sources led us to a neighborhood in Epsom. When we arrived the house was on fire. The family was trapped inside.”

“Oh, no,” Molly said wondering where this story was going.

“Moody and a few of us began putting out the fires while others went inside to evacuate the family. Frank and Benjy got the mother and father; it was left to your brothers to collect the children.”

“No!”

“They had just gotten the children out when we were attacked.” His voice was labored, but he knew she needed to hear it. “There were about nine of them, I can’t be sure. We had them out numbered, but we had injured people to protect. Emmaline and Sturgis ushered the family to safety while the rest of use fought. Some of them fled, a few of us gave chase. Three of the remaining Death Eaters were casting at Dorcas, she was injured and they had her surrounded. Gideon and Fabian charged in.”

Her hands covered her mouth.

“They fought bravely, gave her time to apparate to safety. Moody returned to find them taking on five Death Eaters. He hurried to join the fray, but it was too late.” His voice was horse from crying. “I’m so sorry Molly.”

Her sobs were heavy and violent. Her words, if they were words, were incoherent. With a great effort Arthur helped her upstairs, where she all but collapsed onto the bed.

***

“Don’t dwell on it, Dear,” Mrs. Prewett consoled her daughter at the funeral, “Gideon and Fabian were my boys and I loved them more than words can express, but they knew the risk when they got involved. We should be proud of their sacrifice. They died so that your children could live freely. Weep for them as much as you need to, but honor their memory. Honor them by going on with your life. Play with your children. Take joy in the world your brother’s fought to save.”

***

The boys rushed in, fighting for the first peak at the new baby.

Mrs. Prewett entered holding Ron and smiled sadly as tears of sorrow and joy fell from Molly’s eyes.

“What’s her name, Mom?” Bill asked.

“Ginevra,” Molly cried. “Her name is Ginevra.”

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A new drabble.

2008-06-07T23:10:23Z

Sugarquill had some bugs...but it's back now and so are the drabbles.

Prompt was Rumor.

A Hush of Whispers

There was an unfamiliar air about the castle. She knew that it would be different coming back, but she hadn’t known just how much until a hush of whispers followed her into the great hall, once more when she came into Gryffindor Tower, and again in every class she had that day.

She could never make out all that was being said, but the subject was obvious when every murmured conversation turned up the name “Ron.”

She was shocked at first wondering just what sort of things people where speculating about the two of them. What did people know? What conclusions had that leapt to? What rumors were flying?

Still, it wasn’t all bad, she realized.

She’d been the subject of rumors before, having supposedly dated both Viktor and Harry, and had tragically broken both of their hearts. The idea was completely laughable to Hermione. She wasn’t interested in Viktor or Harry and she certainly had never broken either of their hearts.

This time though she relished in the thought that she was part of a plausible rumor. Not just plausible, she thought, but mostly true.

The next day, as the whispers continued at breakfast she wondered if she should confirm everyone’s suspicions and put an end to all the talk or enjoy the limelight.

Just then the room was filled with fluttering wings as owls flocked in to deliver the morning post.

Pig zoomed in circling the Gryffindor table until Ginny reached up and snatched him like an oversized Snitch.

“I got a letter from Harry,” she said untying a letter from the owl’s tiny leg. “Ron sent you one too,” she teased handing over a second letter.

Hermione smiled to herself as she looked at her name in sloppy script across the envelope and heard the whispers start again.

A new day, a new chapter.

2008-05-31T19:17:11Z

I'm really on a roll here.

Chapter 9: We’re Listening

New chapter....i have a sickness

2008-05-30T05:57:06Z

Seriously

Chapter 8: Clinging Tightly

New chapter....can you tell i have no life.

2008-05-29T03:46:56Z

Seriously! I have NO life! Read this...make me feel like less of a loser...lol

Chapter 7: What If We’re Too Late

Yet another new chapter in the CSI/Criminal Minds fic

2008-05-27T05:03:29Z

Here we go.

Chapter 6: We’re Getting Somewhere

New Chapter in CSI fic

2008-05-24T05:12:41Z

Chapter 5 is up now.

Chapter 5: Let’s Make It A Game

Another new chapter in the CSI/Criminal Minds fic

2008-05-18T22:15:38Z

Geez....find a beta, find your stride. Having Lauryn Brook here to read my stuff and bounce ideas off of has sparked a fire under my butt. Time between chapters 1 and 2 was months...2 and 3 was about a week...now its down to a matter of days.

Chapter 4: Speak His Language

Two new chapters in the CSI fic.

2008-05-17T03:16:54Z

Chapter 2: Noticing Differences

Chapter 3: I Told You I'd Be Here

Hope you like it.

"Ambition" drabble

2008-05-02T03:39:14Z

Title: It's Not That Simple
Prompt: Ambition
Percy has the chance of a life time...but something is holding him back.

It’s Not That Simple

“There shouldn’t be a question here,” he said in frustrated confusion. “The answer is yes. Of course the answer is yes.”

“It’s not that simple,” he sighed.

“Not that simple? You’ve just been offered the job that could make your career. Personal assistant to the Minister and it’s real this time. Nothing to do with keeping you close and watched, nothing to do with who your family is and what information you can offer. This is for you, your merit, and your talent. This could be your spring board in the future. You can’t let the opportunity pass you by.”

“I know dad, but…”

“But nothing Percy! What are you so afraid of?”

“I’m afraid of losing you again!”

Arthur’s face grew serious as tears streamed down his son’s face.

“I’m afraid that if I take this job, it will take me over and I’ll be that same-” Percy swallowed hard, choking back tears. “That same power-hungry moron I was before.”

Arthur closed his eyes as if those familiar words physically stung.

“That’s what this is about? He wouldn’t have wanted this, Percy.” Arthur placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Fred loved you. He wouldn’t want you to throw your life away because of what happened to him. He would want you to be the absolute best person you could be. Do this,” he begged, “the right way this time. Do this for Fred.”

"Noise" drabble

2008-04-28T03:51:21Z

Title: I heard a noise
Ron/Hermione
Missing moment from Deathly Hallows.

I Heard a Noise

His eyes squinted trying to adjust to the dim firelight. Looking instinctively to the makeshift bed of cushions next to him, his heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

His mind was racing as he leapt from the floor, not caring if he woke Harry. Gripping his wand tightly he bolted out of the room expecting the worst.

Hermione jumped as she Ron rounded the corner nearly running into her.

“What are you doing up,” she asked as she finally calmed herself.

“I was looking for you. What are you doing wandering around in the middle of the night?”

“I heard a noise and I got scared.” She looked slightly embarrassed.

“So you decided to go investigate by yourself instead of waking one of us up to check it out?”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Trust me, I would have preferred that to waking up to an empty bed next to me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said in earnest, “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Well, do you want me to take a look around?”

“No, I think it was just Kreacher.”

They made their way back to the sitting room and back into their beds.

The creak of a floorboard caused Hermione to jump.

“Hermione,” Ron said putting his hand on hers, “it’s just the house settling. There’s nothing to be afraid of. No one can find use here and if they did, they’d set off the alarms.”

Hermione took a breath.

“Ready to get some sleep?”

Hermione nodded.

Ron moved his hand, but she reached for him.

His eyes were full of hopeful confusion as she intertwined her fingers with his.

“Just until I fall asleep,” she pleaded.

Ron nodded.

Drifting into sleep he tried not to let his heart hope, but smiled at Hermione’s hand in his.

"Substitute" Drabble

2008-04-12T05:44:06Z

Sorry it's been a while...lol...a week is a while. Now that I'm working this is pretty much gonna be the norm.

New drabble for sugarquill. Prompt was "Substitute".

A Nice Substitute

She turned over with great effort, still not accustom to moving the added weight at her rounded midsection.

It was hard sleeping. The bed was unfamiliar, though she remembered sleeping in this very bed many times before. The house was too quiet; the droning snore usually next to her was noticeably absent. Something was missing. Someone was missing.

When Harry and Ron had been called away on assignment, Hermione thought it would be no problem. Ron had gone away during training. When it was announced that they’d be gone for two weeks Molly had insisted that she and Ginny were coming to stay at the Burrow.

“The pregnant wives of Aurors should not be left unprotected,” Molly had insisted, “you’d be prime targets. Not to mention Ginny shouldn’t be taking care of James by herself in her condition.”

She appreciated the concern and the company. She would have probably spent a good deal of time at the Burrow anyway, but it didn’t make it better.

Hermione had been having trouble sleeping for the last few months. Her body had changed so much; it was almost as if it wasn’t her body at all. She felt so foreign, so strange. The only peace she could find those nights was the weight of Ron’s body next to her, the steady sound of his breathing, and his strong arm draped over her.

Just then, James shifted between her and Ginny. Throwing his little arm over Hermione he snored softly.

Laughing to herself she closed her eyes. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a nice substitute.

"book" drabble

2008-04-01T01:26:44Z

Title: A Special Book
written for sugarquill. Prompt was book.

Hermione sighed, relieved to be alone for the moment.

Suddenly a knock came at the door.

“Come in,” she called reluctantly.

“Oh good,” her soon to be Mother-in-law said stepping in, “I hoped I’d catch you alone.”

Molly pulled a small beautifully wrapped package from her robes.

“I wanted to give this to you before the wedding started, when we could get a moment to ourselves.”

Hermione pulled away the wrapping to expose a delicately handcrafted leather book.

“Oh Molly, it’s beautiful.” Hermione ran her fingers over the letters scrolled across the cover. “Practical Spells Every Witch Should Know, I’ve never heard of it.”

“You wouldn’t have. This is a one of a kind book.”

Hermione looked confused.

“I’m sure Ron and Ginny have told you that Ginny is the first girl born in the Weasley family for several generations. Well, many years ago a Weasley wife, upon realizing she’d have no daughters, decided to impart her motherly wisdom in a different way. She began writing down her household spells and remedies in hopes of passing it down to the woman her son married. The book has been added to and passed on in this way ever since. Arthur’s mother gave it to me.” Molly placed her hand on Hermione’s. “Now I’m giving it to you.”

Hermione was stunned to silence. Finally all she could muster was “why.”

Molly laughed.

“I don’t mean it like that, it’s just you have other daughter-in-laws, and Ginny, why me?”

“The others were raised in wizarding homes, they will have learned from their mothers. Ginny, well, I made certain she learned it all. You didn’t have the chance they did.” Molly smiled. “There are things in here they never taught at Hogwarts.”

Hermione hugged her new mother, tears streaming down her face.

“Thank you."

"crisp" drabble

2008-03-24T05:18:47Z

Title: Mistakes of the past
Rating: PG
R/Hr or Gen: R/Hr
Word count: 173

“Stay still,” he said trying to attach a letter to Pig’s leg. “Take this to Hermione. As fast as you can.”

He opened the window letting the crisp autumn breeze caress his face as Pig flew away.

From the window of his flat he could see Hogwarts on the hillside and as he thought of how close Hermione was he praised his older brother as a kind and generous boss.

Looking down at a bouquet of flowers he’d picked up the night before he hoped that she would get his letter in time.

A few moments later Pig zoomed in, huffing and puffing, and extended his leg. Ron’s fingers fumbled to untie the letter.

I’ll be there.

Love, Hermione

Ron smiled from ear to ear. The date was on. He had his chance to make amends.

Rushing to his bedroom to finish getting ready he wondered if she realized exactly what day it was and if he could ever make up for what he had done on that very day the year before.

"decide" drabble

2008-03-24T03:27:11Z

New drabble for sugarquill. Prompt was "decide".

The Right Choice

“On to the next order of business,” he said looking at the list he’d scribbled on a coaster from the Leaky Cauldron, “the new line of Skiving Snackboxes should be hitting the shelves next week just in time for back-to-school shopping. We need to make sure we keep the shelves stocked and have plenty in storage. There are advertisements running on the WWN and printed in the Prophet and the Quibbler. There will be a prominent display in the shop window both here and in the Hogsmeade shop.”

A great sigh came from across the table. George looked up from his notes to see his brother gazing off into space, doodling thoughtlessly on the parchment in front of him. George nudged Lee at his side and motioned to Ron’s doodles. The page contained a few brief notes of today’s meeting, but was covered in hearts surrounding the letters R and H. Sometimes the name Hermione was scribbled with a smaller heart dotting the “I”.

George had noticed that his younger brother had been distracted off late and had gathered that Ron’s condition was caused by the rapidly approaching school year. He knew that Hermione had decided to return to Hogwarts and complete her seventh year. Ron, on the other hand, had not. She would be leaving in a week.

Ron looked up noticing that the conversation had stopped.

“Lastly,” he said trying to act casual. “As we will be opening our Hogsmeade location this week it is time to assign one of us as head shop keeper. Ron,” he said smiling. “I think you’ll do fine for that.”

Ron looked shocked.

“You’ll find that the flat above the shop is already furnished. You can move in as soon as you like.”

His brother blinked in surprise. George simply smiled knowingly.

"school's out" drable for Checkmated

2008-03-17T22:04:42Z

Title (if desired): Lonely
Author: Butterflychaser85
Rating: G
Pairing or Gen: Gen

He’d been ready for nearly an hour when she finally came down stairs.

“C’mon,” he urged. “We’re going to be late.”

“We’ve got an hour until the train arrives,” she said looking at the clock, “and it’s only going to take a moment to apparate there.”

“I know but what if the train comes early?”

“Ron,” she laughed, “when have you ever known the Hogwarts Express to be early,” she paused, “or late for that matter? It will be there at the exact same time it always is.”

“You don’t still have that time turner do you? Can it make time speed up?”

“What’s gotten into you? You’ve never been like this.”

“I just miss the children.”

Hermione shook her head. “I miss them too, but this is different. You weren’t like this the last two years with Rosie coming back from school.”

Ron looked at the floor. He could feel Hermione’s eyes on him.

“I miss Hugo!” He sounded disappointed in himself. “I love Rosie…don’t get me wrong. She’s my little girl, my world, but…” he looked up. “I miss having someone to play with. This last year has been torture. I haven’t had anyone to play quidditch with or someone to beat me at chess. I mean, I’ve enjoyed our alone time.” Ron blushed like a teenager. “It’s been really nice to just spend time as your husband. I just can’t wait to have my boy back home.”

Hermione just shook her head and smiled.

“Come on,” she smiled. “Maybe the train will be early.”

Also Love and Blue Roses is up on Sugarquill and Checkmated.

A story for "Badger Challenge"

2008-03-14T00:34:36Z

Title: Coming Back
Author: kdsander
Prompt: Marriage
Format and word count: One shot (though at this point it could likely develope into a chapter fic.)
Rating: PG
Warning: Deathly Hallows Spoilers
Genre: General/Drama/romance
Summary: Audrey Fraser is a muggle-born. This never bothered her Hufflepuff housemates or most of ther classmates in general, but four years after leaving school Audrey faced a sort of prejuce she'd never expected. One year after the fall of Voldemort the Ministry is getting back on track and Audrey returns to the wizarding world to find an unexpected friend.

Audrey sighed as she entered the atrium. She remembered the first time she’d seen it. It was less than two years ago now. She remembered keeping her eyes on the dark wooden floor, unable to look at the horrifying statue that loomed over the entrance. The structure that now stood conveyed a very different tone. It was a large marble basin containing a bright golden flame. As she stepped nearer Audrey could see that the smooth surface of the marble was covered in pictures. Kind faces looked out smiling and waving to passersby. Her eyes went upward to a thick silver band on the edge of the basin where the words “To those lost in the quest for freedom” were scrolled. A bittersweet tear rolled down her cheek as she moved on through the atrium.

After a few moments on a crowded lift she was deposited on level one where she was told she’d be met by a reprehensive from her department.

“Audrey Fraser,” a man asked walking towards her.

She nodded.

“Good to meet you,” he extended his hand, “Percy Weasley.”

Nervously she shook his hand.

“Follow me, please.”

Percy walked quickly pointing out various offices as they passed. A fair few of them were empty. A sign, Audrey assumed, of the new regime taking hold.

“And this,” Percy said leading her into a large office with two desks, “is our office. The Minister’s office is through there.” He pointed to a door at the back of the room. “Anyone wishing to see him must come through us first.”

Percy reached for the box she’d been carrying and placed it on the empty desk to the right of the room.

“This is your desk. You should find everything you need. If not let me know and I’ll see what I can do. Any questions?”

“No.”

“Alright then I suppose we’ll jump right in. I’ve been told you’re quite proficient with basic paper work, is that right?”

“Yes.”

“These,” he said jumping right in, “are the names of muggle-born witches and wizards who had their wands revoked. The Ministry has decided that as a small token of apology we will be replacing their wands. Most have been without them for over a year now. What I need you to do is write a letter to each of the people on this list informing them of this policy and providing them with information on how to claim their new wand. You’ll see that the names have been divided into groups and each group has been assigned a date. They are to visit Ollivander's Wand Shop at some time on that date. These,” he said producing a stack of small gold tickets, “are wand vouchers. They are to present this to Ollivander. If they cannot make that date or misplace their voucher they are to contact this office. Got everything?”

Audrey nodded.

The list was huge and in no visible order. Audrey supposed that perhaps the names were listed in the order in which their wands had been taken. She wondered as she looked at the list just how many of these people had been sent to Azkaban. Would they have returned home already? Would they trust a notice from the Ministry again?

After hours of writing countless letters Audrey was startled as Percy broke the silence.

“That’s good for now,” he said stretching. “What do you say we go grab some lunch?”

Audrey nodded.

Taking the lift back to atrium level Audrey followed Percy through a wide passage way into a large dining hall. It reminded her of the great hall at Hogwarts, only the four house tables had been replaces with smaller round tables. Witches and Wizards sat scattered around chatting and having lunch.

Percy led her to a table and handed her a menu.

“Pick something and ask for it. The food appears, like at Hogwarts.”

After a moment of looking she decided on a simple turkey sandwich and just as she requested it a plate appeared in front of her.

“So,” Percy said as a Yorkshire pudding appeared in front of him. “How long have you been out of school?”

“I take it,” she said looking at him, “that means you don’t remember me?”

Percy shook his head.

“I was in your year at Hogwarts.”

“Were you? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I would have been surprised if you had remembered. I was in Hufflepuff and well, a bit shy. Besides, you had other things going on.”

“Like being a prat who was too busy to pay attention to the people around him?”

“You weren’t that bad.”

Percy laughed. “That’s kind of you to say, but I have no illusions about the person I was over the last few years. I was too concerned with where my life was going to see how cruel I was to everyone else.”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do well for yourself.”

“There is when it causes you to hurt your family and friends. There certainly is when it blinds you to the atrocities people around you are committing.”

Audrey was silent. The Percy she recalled from school would have never been this forthcoming with a stranger. He’d always been a very proper, if not stuffy, sort of person. She could see that the last two years had affected him as well.

“What have you been doing since Hogwarts,” he said changing the subject.

“I was training to be a healer. I was nearly ready to start work at St. Mungo’s when the Muggle-Born Registration Commission contacted me and said I would have to stand trial.”

Percy’s face looked grave. “You were questioned by the commission?”

She shook her head. “They never got the chance. My trial was the day that Harry Potter broke in to the ministry. I was actually in the group he helped escape.”

Percy released a quiet ‘wow’.

“After that I decided the Wizarding world wasn’t safe. Surprisingly it wasn’t that difficult to hide. I cut and dyed my hair. I took on a false name and started living a Muggle life. My Aunt works for the office of the Prime Minister so she was able to get me a job. I was certain I’d spend the rest of my life as a Muggle.”

“So how did you find out it was safe to come back?”

“A friend from school. It was months before she found out how to reach me, that’s why I’m just getting back. I wondered if I should come back at all. I was so behind. I didn’t know how I’d find a job.”

“Well, apparently the Muggle Minister put in a good word for you with Minister Shacklebolt.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m not sure how he found out I was a Witch, but one day he called me into his office and said that he understood that I would be leaving soon and not to worry about a job when I returned, that he’d taken care of it. I never imagined he’d recommended me to the Minister himself.”

Lunch was full of conversation. Percy caught her up on the goings on in the Wizarding world in the year since Voldemort’s fall. They made small talk ranging from their time at Hogwarts to various aspects of their personal lives. Audrey was a bit surprised when Percy had said that he and Penelope Clearwater had broken up shortly after leaving Hogwarts. Percy insisted that it had been a mutual decision and that the two remained friends.

As lunch ended, they walked back into the atrium. Audrey headed for the lift but was confused when Percy walked past them.

“Where are you going? Shouldn’t we get back to the office?”

“We can slip way for a bit,” Percy said. “The Mister is out for the day. C’mon, you’ll like where were going I promise.”

They made their way to a vacant fireplace. Percy handed her a handful of Floo powder.

“Diagon Alley,” he said letting her step into the fireplace.

Once there Percy led the way through the crowded street. Audrey was excited to see people bustling back and forth as if there had been no war at all.

She hadn’t even noticed when Percy led her into a store.

“Ah Mr. Weasley,” a vaguely familiar voice said. “What kind I do for you?”

“Well, Mr. Ollivander we need a wand.”

Audrey looked at the old man she’d not seen since she was eleven.

“Yes. I see. I believe I remember you,” he said in thought. “It will have been about twelve years ago, am I right? If I remember correctly it was willow with Unicorn hair, eleven and a quarter inches.”

Audrey was in shock. How could he have possibly remembered that?

“I think we can find you something suitable.”

After trying four different wands to no avail Audrey finally got a reaction.

“Lovely, lovely.” Ollivander said. “Still a willow I see. Ten and a half inches with Dragon heartstring.”

Exiting the store Audrey smiled feeling whole for the first time in a long time.

“Thank you,” she said hugging Percy. “You have no idea what it means to have a wand again.”

“Don’t mention it. Besides, the ministry would have replaced yours anyway. I just jumped you up on the list.”

“Still though, thank you.”

They walked silently for a moment. Percy studied the ground awkwardly.

“Audrey are you -” he hesitated. “-are you doing anything this weekend?”

Audrey blushed slightly before saying no. “Why?”

“Well you see,” his voice cracked slightly, “there’s this wedding...my brother Ron’s wedding…and I was wondering if maybe you’d like to…”

“I’d love to go,” she said smiling.

"Persistence" drabble

2008-03-12T06:31:20Z

A new drabble for Sugarquill. I'm actually quite proud of this one. I don't really deal with Neville a lot.

Persistence is Key - Prompt was "Persistence." Neville Longbottom.

New story up on Sugarquill

2008-03-11T01:39:32Z

Love and Blue Roses is up at Sugarquill.

New fic and a drapple

2008-03-10T03:12:26Z

I have a new fic soon to be up on Sugarquill and Checkmated. For now it is just on Fanfiction.net.

Love and Blue Roses - After three years of marriage Ron finally meets his wife's extended family with they are invited to Hermione's cousin's wedding. How will Ron react in this muggle setting? How will a pregnant Hermione connect with a family she hasn't seen in years?

Also a new drabble from checkmated.

To Do List - Prompt was "goal". Ron/Hermione...in a way.

New drabble from sugarquill

2008-03-04T23:02:07Z

Only the Best - Prompt was "accomplish". A moment between Harry and Ron.

An new drabble

2008-02-27T04:30:47Z

Taking Risk - Written for Sugarquill. Prompt was "risk." Ginny Weasley

A new story in an old fandom!

2008-02-25T09:44:02Z

Ok, I got bored and was watching CSI, so I started a new Fic. It is a third story in the Anna/Greg series.

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