Old Dog, New Tricks
Dec. 9th, 2005 07:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Note the day, my dear LJ friends - Friday night. Sobriety not guaranteed.
I just participated in my first ever timed writing event last night, as part of the
hpshortfics comm. Here are my attempts at writing something short with the clock ticking.
Fics entirely composed of letters - Challenge: War letters, Percy/anyone
On Behalf of the Ministry
Ministry of Magic
Department of War Survivors
Diagon Alley
London
Dear Mr and Mrs Finch-Fletchley,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Justin. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
On behalf of the Ministry, I shall meet with you at your convenience to discuss burial arrangements and any benefits due to your family accrued in the line of your son's activities on our behalf.
Most sincerely,
Percy Weasley, Assistant to the Deputy Minister
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
It's been far too long since I've put quill to paper. In the past few months, I've been promoted to Assistant to the Deputy Minister of the War Survivors Department. It's a position for which I've worked long to attain, and I've been putting in long hours to fulfill my duties to the Ministry. I believe my work is beginning to attract favorable notice. Although you and I do not work in the same part of the Ministry, perhaps you've heard good reports, Dad? I was thinking, perhaps, I could pay a visit to the Burrow-------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr Wood,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Oliver. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know it's been too long since I've written to you. I've been busy in my new job as Assistant to the Deputy Minister. It's an important position – one of my tasks is to notify the families of those killed in the War. I can tell you all about it sometime - I'd like to come home for dinner one of these nights----------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr Lupin,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your wife, Nymphadora. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your wife was not in vain....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm sorry for the slowness of my letter to you. I have a new job at the Ministry. I want to tell you all about it. Can I come to dinner? Maybe tomorrow night? I had to visit Remus Lupin today about the death of Tonks. It was horrible. I know you'd know what to say, but I certainly didn't. I wonder if I'm fit for this job at all on days like today, when I have to look in someone's eyes and try to tell them why their son or wife or father or sister-------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr and Mrs Weasley,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son,
Charles....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for cutting myself off. I'm coming home.
Percy.
__________________________________________________________
Fics entirely composed of letters - Draco, Harry, Neville, Ron or Hermione - The letter desired rather than the one in hand
A House is Not A Home
Redmund, Hall, and Strongfellow
Solicitors
Diagon Alley
London
Dear Mr Longbottom,
On behalf of my client, Mr Draco Malfoy, I would like to convey thanks and satisfaction for the property you've arranged to sell to him. The condition and location are both entirely suitable to a man of Mr Malfoy's position and taste. We hope to expedite the arrangements as soon as is feasible.
With regards,
Erastus Redmund
*****
Neville fished through the legal documents, imagining something else, something hand-penned, perhaps, something friendlier.
*****
Dear Neville,
Imagine my surprise to discover that I'd be buying my London home from you, of all people. I know you saw how startled I was when we met face to face for the first time in over ten years. I admit I didn't recognize you at first - you're nothing like the boy who chased his toad up and down the Hogwarts Express, or drove Professor Snape to distraction by ruining more than a few of your potions. But then, I'm nothing like the boy you knew then, either. I suspect if I spent more time with you and got to know you, I'd find we have a lot more in common than we ever suspected.
In fact, I think that's a good idea, don't you? I'm planning on a housewarming next Friday, just a few close friends, and I think it would be wonderful of you to join me as an honored guest. Would you like that as much as I would? I'll expect your owl in the near future, then. Please don't say no. You can show me all of the secrets of my new home that only a former owner would know.
Here's to the start of a new relationship,
Draco
________________________________________________
Fics comprised entirely of letters - Challenge: Minerva/anyone, rejecting a person's advances.
Between the Lines
My Dear Dear Mr Hagrid Rubeus Hagrid,
It was withutter shock some surprise that I received your invitation to the Leaving Ball since we're all supposed to be there as chaperones, you silly sod. I think you have lost your marbles might have slightly misunderstood what an idiot I find you my feelings towards you. Although we've been colleagues far too long these many years, I still think Dumbledore was an idiot to allow you to teach impressionable children hold you in some horror regard. Make no mistake about that.
I wouldn't go to the Leaving Ball with you if you were the last human on Earth.
I'd have to be mad to even consider it.
I wonder what Flitwick is doing that evening?
Or possibly the Bloody Baron.
Even the squid is looking most attractive under the circumstances.
What time would you like to call for me?
I can't believe I'm doing this. Kill me now, please.
Warm Regards,
Minerva
I just participated in my first ever timed writing event last night, as part of the
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
Fics entirely composed of letters - Challenge: War letters, Percy/anyone
On Behalf of the Ministry
Ministry of Magic
Department of War Survivors
Diagon Alley
London
Dear Mr and Mrs Finch-Fletchley,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Justin. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
On behalf of the Ministry, I shall meet with you at your convenience to discuss burial arrangements and any benefits due to your family accrued in the line of your son's activities on our behalf.
Most sincerely,
Percy Weasley, Assistant to the Deputy Minister
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
It's been far too long since I've put quill to paper. In the past few months, I've been promoted to Assistant to the Deputy Minister of the War Survivors Department. It's a position for which I've worked long to attain, and I've been putting in long hours to fulfill my duties to the Ministry. I believe my work is beginning to attract favorable notice. Although you and I do not work in the same part of the Ministry, perhaps you've heard good reports, Dad? I was thinking, perhaps, I could pay a visit to the Burrow-------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr Wood,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son, Oliver. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your son was not in vain, but was a brave and noble act that will lead us to eventual victory over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I know it's been too long since I've written to you. I've been busy in my new job as Assistant to the Deputy Minister. It's an important position – one of my tasks is to notify the families of those killed in the War. I can tell you all about it sometime - I'd like to come home for dinner one of these nights----------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr Lupin,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your wife, Nymphadora. We at the Ministry want you to know that the sacrifice of your wife was not in vain....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm sorry for the slowness of my letter to you. I have a new job at the Ministry. I want to tell you all about it. Can I come to dinner? Maybe tomorrow night? I had to visit Remus Lupin today about the death of Tonks. It was horrible. I know you'd know what to say, but I certainly didn't. I wonder if I'm fit for this job at all on days like today, when I have to look in someone's eyes and try to tell them why their son or wife or father or sister-------
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr and Mrs Weasley,
Please accept the condolences of the entire Ministry of Magic in the death of your son,
Charles....
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for cutting myself off. I'm coming home.
Percy.
__________________________________________________________
Fics entirely composed of letters - Draco, Harry, Neville, Ron or Hermione - The letter desired rather than the one in hand
A House is Not A Home
Redmund, Hall, and Strongfellow
Solicitors
Diagon Alley
London
Dear Mr Longbottom,
On behalf of my client, Mr Draco Malfoy, I would like to convey thanks and satisfaction for the property you've arranged to sell to him. The condition and location are both entirely suitable to a man of Mr Malfoy's position and taste. We hope to expedite the arrangements as soon as is feasible.
With regards,
Erastus Redmund
*****
Neville fished through the legal documents, imagining something else, something hand-penned, perhaps, something friendlier.
*****
Dear Neville,
Imagine my surprise to discover that I'd be buying my London home from you, of all people. I know you saw how startled I was when we met face to face for the first time in over ten years. I admit I didn't recognize you at first - you're nothing like the boy who chased his toad up and down the Hogwarts Express, or drove Professor Snape to distraction by ruining more than a few of your potions. But then, I'm nothing like the boy you knew then, either. I suspect if I spent more time with you and got to know you, I'd find we have a lot more in common than we ever suspected.
In fact, I think that's a good idea, don't you? I'm planning on a housewarming next Friday, just a few close friends, and I think it would be wonderful of you to join me as an honored guest. Would you like that as much as I would? I'll expect your owl in the near future, then. Please don't say no. You can show me all of the secrets of my new home that only a former owner would know.
Here's to the start of a new relationship,
Draco
________________________________________________
Fics comprised entirely of letters - Challenge: Minerva/anyone, rejecting a person's advances.
Between the Lines
It was with
What time would you like to call for me?
Minerva
no subject
Date: 2005-12-10 03:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-10 06:47 pm (UTC)Such a creative idea way to portray this!
...
Ha, the words aren't coming to me. But I loved how it's Percy-sympathetic without overdoing the Percy-angst or inner turmoil, because it's hard to do that just right. It's subtle but really nails the unsettling and eventually desperate remorse I'm sure Percy must be silently enduring in the canon.
Good stuff. :D
I can't believe your wrote these under a time limit. I mean, you managed to change from real, hurting regret to mildly nostalgic wistfulness to a hysterically awkward Minerva/Hagrid (eeewXD!) moment -- all with limited time. Wow. :D
no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 04:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-11 11:11 pm (UTC)One typo:
I suspect if I spent more time with you and got to know you, I'd find we have a lot more in common that we ever suspected. Than.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 04:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 01:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-13 09:31 pm (UTC)Even a self-rightous prick like Percy is not carved
from granite.
Good you showed he has a heart.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-14 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-15 10:16 pm (UTC)-Twen
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:32 am (UTC)And I had one of those "aha" moments when I finally connected your name with your LJ name. I never said I was particularly clever at that kind of thinking. Er.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:41 am (UTC)Actually, I would have been surprised, had you figured it out quicker. It's not like I'm a permanent fixture in your life. But now that you know who I am, I hope do won't mind me dropping in every now and then :)
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:44 am (UTC)Please stop by anytime! I love to chat with folks reading my stuff.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:56 am (UTC)Aww, *blushes*. Well, we do like to think our education system is an effective one. Plus, when 70 % of TV shows on most channels are in English and subtitled along the movies, you're bound to learn something. I really admire the Germans, for example, who speak English so well, because they don't hear it as much as we do, with all the dubbing. They have work for it more.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 07:54 am (UTC)Next, Happy Birthday to a fellow Coloradan and someone darn near as ancient as I am to boot!
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:34 am (UTC)Instead I'll just say "thanks"!
no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 12:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:36 am (UTC)Thank you. Writers for
no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 07:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 08:08 pm (UTC)And Minerva. Too funny. And she accepted!
I hear it's someone's birthday (well, actually, saw it all over my flist, to which I paid a flying visit while stuck in the Valley of No-Broadband, or home) and just had to wish you a good one!
But don't drink any Flaming Homers.
Just because they look all pretty when on fire doesn't mean they're good to put inside your stomach.
♥
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:38 am (UTC)I only drank champagne! No flames were in evidence. It was a great birthday, thanks.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 10:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 10:12 pm (UTC)Twenty one years young, oh my!
*blows party popper in your direction*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-16 10:41 pm (UTC)I'd also like to say that I love 'A Thousand Beautiful Things' & 'Delicate Sound of Thunder'. Both are on my list of my most favourite H/D fanfics.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-17 07:33 am (UTC)But let's not forget:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! * throws confetti rice and tissue streamers*
Hope this year brings you much health, happiness and luck. :D
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:51 am (UTC)I was entertaining an idle fantasy the other day, that you took me along to one of your fascinating fashion parties, and people were wondering who I was. "Oh, yes," I told them, "I'm a geophysicist. Perhaps you've read some of my work? Like Aeromagnetic interpretations for understanding the hydrogeologic framework of the southern Espanola Basin? No? Pity."
Then they threw me out of the party.
Thanks for the birthday greeting! *basks in the luv*
no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 01:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-20 08:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-27 10:48 pm (UTC)