"Circadian Rhythm" Drabbles

[MMADfan]

Notes: This consists of four sets of five drabbles, one set for Morning, one for Afternoon, one for Evening, and one for Night. The vignettes presented occur on different days, and even in different eras, and feature many of our favorite characters from the HP universe, including FFPS and ADMM!

Genres: Humor, Romance, Angst, Fluff, and Drama!

Rating: Teen (many are quite "kiddy-safe," though!) Two of the drabbles will be available to read only in the "Lemons" forum because of their, ahem, adult content.

Characters: Different for each drabble, with some "repeats," they feature Filius, Pomona, Albus, Minerva, Severus, Remus, Hermione, Poppy, Tonks, and others, including a couple of "surprises."

The final drabble in "Five Mornings" is the first FFPS fiction I ever wrote, and I did so with the unintentional inspiration of OSUSprinks! I have since grown rather fond of the couple.

I hope you enjoy these little vignettes! (If you recognize them, you may have seen them over at the ADMM boards.)

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Five Mornings

Healing
The man looked at the dawn sky, waiting. The old wizard had said to expect him. He swallowed; pain coursed through him. He hadn’t believed he would need him and had scoffed at the notion of waiting. Yet now he did need him, and although he didn’t hope he would come, for he could hope for nothing, neither did he scoff. Perhaps he wouldn’t come from the sky at all.

The young wizard leaned against the ancient wall, closing his eyes, even that movement painful. Then with a flash, Fawkes was there, weeping over his Hippogriff wounds, bringing healing.

---

Monday
What was it about Mondays? It wasn’t even the beginning of the workweek for him. Of course, it would be nice if it were, or even the middle of it. Still, malaise was stealing over him and he wasn’t even up yet. He had work, important work; that should be enough. But it would be nice to be having a collegial cuppa with co-workers, grumbling about this or that, or sharing what they’d done over the weekend. Not that his weekends were any different.

Sighing, he pulled on a bathrobe and padded to the kitchen.

Remus smiled. “Hello, Tonks.”

---

Awakening
Standing and stretching, he regretted falling asleep in the staff room again. He would have to remind the others to wake him before they left for their beds. He felt distinctly peculiar that morning, though. Not nearly as stiff as usual, even when he’d slept in his own bed. It had been nice and warm by the fire, though. Oddly, he didn’t feel warm now, or cold.

A sudden shriek interrupted his reflections; the Herbology teacher was standing stock-still in the doorway. Without a word, she pointed at the chair behind him, where he still sat, in eternal slumber.

---

Response
Minerva read the letter, pausing only once to reread the request at its end. She pulled out a sheet of parchment and her favourite quill. This would be one of the shortest letters she’d ever written. There would be time later for the questions she would no doubt have once she’d had time to consider what it all meant. But for now, this would do:

“Dear Professor Dumbledore,

“Yes.

“I will give notice today and begin as soon as possible.

“I was very sorry to hear of Headmaster Dippet’s demise, but offer my congratulations to you.

“Sincerely,

“Minerva McGonagall”

---

Surprise
She forgot she’d been elbow-deep in fertiliser only moments before and sprang up from where she knelt by the bed of Mandragoras. A broad smile on her face, she trotted toward him. Such a surprise in midmorning! Other than at meals, which they took in the company of others and so it hardly counted, they were only able to spend their nights together, and precious few of them. Duty called them both. But today was Sunday! Her eyes gleamed; she thought of her potting shed and a few easily Transfigured burlap sacks.

Bending for a kiss, Pomona murmured, “Filius!”

---

[laundrybasket]

Aww... all are lovely. I liked "Awakening" the best. . . a moment not many author's recreate. And "Surprise" was so sweet. Poor Fil and Mona, getting so little time together! All of the drabbles are wonderful. I can't wait for more! *goes off to look up "circadian" in the dictionary*

[OSUSprinks]

I do like Awakening, but my favorite (this readthrough at least) is Surprise, which isn't one, I know. lol Wonderful job and thank you for sharing them here!

[MMADfan]

admin said:

I do like Awakening, but my favorite (this readthrough at least) is Surprise, which isn't one, I know. lol Wonderful job and thank you for sharing them here!

Haha! Only on this readthrough? *grin*

Thanks! I'll put up "Five Afternoons" today!

[MMADfan]

There's a little bit more FFPS in these drabbles! Thanks for your comments!

Five Afternoons

Flowers
No witch had given him flowers before. It would be carrying coals to Newcastle to give this particular witch flowers, so Filius had given her chocolates the first time he’d called and elderberry cordial the next. He was nervous throughout lunch, wondering whether the flowers had been a good sign, and whether his sentimental tears on accepting them had been fatal to their burgeoning relationship. When Filius suggested a postprandial stroll, Pomona shook her head, smiling. Now, as he lay beside her, tickling her tummy with a rosebud, he knew the flowers had been a very good sign, indeed.

---

Tea
He was coming over that afternoon. She’d stuff him with sandwiches and biscuits, pretending to be even battier than she was.

Arabella looked over at her fireplace; her other guest should arrive soon. She’d bought the finest smoked Irish salmon that morning, knowing her guest wouldn’t deign to eat what she normally served her cats. Arabella would make her report, noting that Harry was as normal a nine-year-old as possible given his unfortunate environment. And when Harry sat having tea, a tabby cat would curl up beside him, place her head on his knee, purring as he pet her.

---

Accuracy
Ever since she played Chaser in a miserable pick-up game of Quidditch, Minerva realised that, although her paw-eye coordination was excellent, her hand-eye coordination had suffered after years of wand-use. She now took every opportunity to ensure that the next time she played Quidditch, she could aim the Quaffle. Minerva had become so familiar with her wastebasket, she could accurately toss a wadded parchment into it from anywhere in the room, whether she could see it or not. Now, on a leisurely afternoon, feet up, reading Transfiguration Today, she tossed her apple core behind her.

“Ouch!”

“Oops! Sorry, Albus!”

---

Heat
His eyes returned to her. He quickly averted them. He’d only recently noticed what a voluptuous figure she had. He knew he shouldn’t look at her like this. There was the large age-difference, for one. And his Dark Mark. Not to mention that if she realised he was looking at her, his gaze always falling somewhere other than her face, she’d slap him, then hex him, before finally laughing at him. If it weren’t such a hot afternoon, if she were more covered up, he could resist.

“Everything all right, Severus?”

“Fine, Poppy, fine,” he said irritably, looking away.

---

Summertime
Posted in the "Lemons" forum because of its content!

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Note: There are two drabbles that are too explicit for the general forums, so I will post them over in "Lemons." Thanks for reading!

[MMADfan]

laundrybasket said:

Aww... all are lovely. I liked "Awakening" the best. . . a moment not many author's recreate. And "Surprise" was so sweet. Poor Fil and Mona, getting so little time together! All of the drabbles are wonderful. I can't wait for more! *goes off to look up "circadian" in the dictionary*

Congrats! I love it when people actually use their brains and look something up. And that they're willing to admit they don't know something is admirable, as well. But then to look it up instead of just shrugging is really, really cool! (Not that I would expect anything else from laundrybasket! BTW, how'd you get that moniker? Just trying to think of a username and you happened to look at a laundrybasket, or was there more to it? I've been curious for a while about that . . . .)

[laundrybasket]

First I shall review all five afternoons, then I have some questions to answer, it seems. . .

Flowers: Oh, how sweet! Just the beginning of their relationship, and he's so nervous. The last bit about the rosebud was priceless

Tea: Very nice. Mrs. Figg isn't really the old bat we usually see her to be, eh? She really does care about Harry, and you showed it in such a nice way. The tabby cat curling up next to him was great! Loved that.

Accuracy: Ha, that was funny! Minerva. . . she can be so good at tossing parchment into wastebaskets, yet she manages to hit Albus with an apple core. lol. That was cute!

Heat: I liked it. Sev/Poppy isn't something I usually read, but you portrayed it very well. Sev really needs something else to think about, doesn't he?

Summertime: yet to read! I shall review it in the Lemons Forum!

Yes, I did finally find out what "circadian" means! It means "pertaining to biological cycles occuring at 24 hour intervals." Huh? Huh? I did my research! lol.

And about the history of laundrybasket: I was registering at some site (I don't even visit it anymore ) and needed a name. So I sat at the computer thinking and not getting anywhere, when my mom passed by with a laundry basket! So, ding ding ding, you are correct! That is the origin of my name

I'm off to read Summertime. . .

EDIT:

Ack, I cannot get to the Lemons Forum, it seems, as I need to be 17, and I am off by about 4 years. Sooo, I'll leave it to the other's to review "Summertime."

[MMADfan]

laundrybasket said:

First I shall review all five afternoons, then I have some questions to answer, it seems. . .

Flowers: Oh, how sweet! Just the beginning of their relationship, and he's so nervous. The last bit about the rosebud was priceless

Tea: Very nice. Mrs. Figg isn't really the old bat we usually see her to be, eh? She really does care about Harry, and you showed it in such a nice way. The tabby cat curling up next to him was great! Loved that.

Accuracy: Ha, that was funny! Minerva. . . she can be so good at tossing parchment into wastebaskets, yet she manages to hit Albus with an apple core. lol. That was cute!

Heat: I liked it. Sev/Poppy isn't something I usually read, but you portrayed it very well. Sev really needs something else to think about, doesn't he?

Summertime: yet to read! I shall review it in the Lemons Forum!

Yes, I did finally find out what "circadian" means! It means "pertaining to biological cycles occuring at 24 hour intervals." Huh? Huh? I did my research! lol.

And about the history of laundrybasket: I was registering at some site (I don't even visit it anymore ) and needed a name. So I sat at the computer thinking and not getting anywhere, when my mom passed by with a laundry basket! So, ding ding ding, you are correct! That is the origin of my name

I'm off to read Summertime. . .

EDIT:

Ack, I cannot get to the Lemons Forum, it seems, as I need to be 17, and I am off by about 4 years. Sooo, I'll leave it to the other's to review "Summertime."

It's a mild lemon, but still at least "R" rated. (Good for you -- you're honest, too! I may just faint! LOL!)

In "Tea," Minerva was Arabella's second guest, and she's the little tabby that curled up next to him, Harry still completely clueless about the wizarding world . . . .

Glad you enjoyed them!

[MMADfan]

Five Evenings

Duty
He’d waited for this evening all year. It was always important, only ever coming once a year, but he still quivered in anticipation at helping decide the fates of dozens of witches and wizards. They actually determined their own Houses; he only identified what was in them. Even at over nine centuries old, he felt a thrill each time he became the centre of attention. He sighed for the days when he was carried in on a pillow. At least this Deputy didn’t grab his crown, but held his brim. She was here for him now; he was ready.

---

Waiting
She moved the curtain aside again, looking out across the grounds, thinking he might Apparate to the gates rather than arrive by Floo. Soon the sun would set, and she would be unable to see him walking up the long path. She wanted to meet him when he arrived, greeting him as he returned from one of his mysterious trips. “Adventures,” he called them. They were too adventurous; at his age, he should avoid such risks. Dusk approached; she transformed and sat on the windowsill, tabby eyes glowing, ready to leap down and sprint to him when he returned.

---

Invitation
Filius fiddled with his quill. He hadn’t courted a witch in so long, he’d forgotten how. Perhaps that was just as well. But to know whether his attentions would be welcome was as much a conundrum now as it had been when he was young. He could just ask her to dinner . . . her response would say it all. A knock interrupted his reverie. A flick of his wand opened the door.

“Good-evening, Filius. Would you like to go into Hogsmeade for a drink?”

“Just the two of us?”

Pomona nodded, smiling. “If that’s all right . . .”

“That would be delightful!”

---

Diversion
His lips fascinated her. She wanted to take them between her own, taste them, lick them, nibble them. Then do the same thing to other parts of him, parts she had yet to see. Sitting here across from Remus in the dimly-lit kitchen, distractedly listening to Kingsley repeat what she already knew, her gaze inevitably reverted to those sweet lips. She tore her eyes away and turned to look at the dignified Auror as he spoke. Her attention wandered back to its preferred preoccupation, and brown-gold eyes caught hers; each stared, then blushed. Remus averted his gaze; Tonks winced.

---

Devotion
Hermione arrived at twilight, silently offering an invaluable gift. Now his fingertips grazed the ancient manuscript, tracing words written by an obscure but talented wizard over eight centuries earlier. She was right: this presented him . . . not salvation, perhaps, but certainly a large measure of relief. Severus didn’t believe for a moment it had been a mere serendipitous find. Hermione was methodical. She’d likely devoted herself to its pursuit, not knowing exactly what she was looking for, ever since that day she’d noticed him gripping his left arm, grimacing, and he’d so rudely dismissed her. He looked up. “Thank you.”

---

Notes: I hope you are enjoying these! No lemon in this set, but who knows what "Five Nights" may bring! ;D

[laundrybasket]

All of these are great! I'll review them all seperately:

Duty: The Sorting Hat! Aww. He should like being the centre of attention. At least Min is nice to him

Waiting: Sweet! Min waiting for Albus to get back. . . she really does worry about him. Adorable!

Invitation: Yay, more FF/PS! lol. Fil was so nervous, but Pomona ends up making the first move

Diversion: RLNT? Ah! You know I loved it! lol. Tonks studying his lips. . . I can totally see that.

Devotion: Hermione does care about Severus. . . aww. lol. He has to have love too, right?

[OSUSprinks]

I love that your Pomona is always so... I can't find the word really. I guess honest and bold would work. And your Filius is so cute as he over thinks everything.

I loved all of these, but the moment between Remus and Tonks was probably my favorite! Thanks for sharing!

[Smaug]

Oh I'm very behind. Bad Elo for not reading these earlier. I looked up Circadian, because I'd never heard of it before and even though the definition was something to do with biological prosesses every 24 hours I think I understand now, the latin was more helpful. It's an interesting name.

Anyway, I really love them all, they're all really different and you say so much in so few words. It's a like a whole story from just a scene. My favourite morning is Awakening because the second paragraph made me laugh. Accuracy is my favourite afternoon, because it is ADMM afterall. And cool. Ohh but I loved Tea as well, it was nice to see they looked after Harry. Duty was very origninal and diversion was really good, I liked that a lot and I like RLNT. I'm looking forward to Nights.

[MMADfan]

Thank you all for the nice reviews -- I especially like knowing people's favorites, and why they like them best. It's interesting for me.

Here's the next installment, and once again, there's a little FFPS drabble!

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---

Five Nights

Waxing
Moonlight splashed through the window. The weary wizard looked out at the palely-lit courtyard behind the old house, where a young witch lounged, leaning against the garden wall, watching fireflies, her hair changing colour in rhythm with the flashing lights around her. Remus smiled.

He joined her under the gibbous moon. Her hand sought his; he let her take it.

“I thought you didn’t like moonlight, Remus.”

“I was attracted by something else entirely.” He touched her hair.

“I thought I would have to come to you, like a female firefly seeking her mate.”

“Not tonight, Tonks, not tonight.”

---

Fortuitous
Why she’d been sent with this midnight message was beyond comprehension. She could barely stand being in the same room with the dog. He was a prime example of arrested development. Literally. Snickering, Hestia started up the stairs to find him.

She tripped over his slippers and fell into his arms.

“Do you always leave your slippers there?” she groused.

“Why? Would you like to find out?” His voice was dark and hoarse in her ear.

Suddenly aware of his earthy scent, like fresh loam after spring rains, she looked up, seeing Sirius as if for the first time.

---

Presence
He turned in the darkness, waking when he encountered an unexpected fragrance, like jasmine and rose with a hint of spice. Reaching out, he found another surprise. Soft hair, soft cheek, bare neck, bare shoulder. Slowly, memory seeped into his sleepy brain; he smiled. He touched her cheek again, reassuring himself of her reality, her continued presence. Rousing to his touch, she breathed deeply, letting it out with a content sigh, and moved closer to his warmth.

Her arm around him, Minerva whispered, “You’re really here.”

“For as long as you will have me, my dear.”

“Forever,” she replied.

---

Love
Pomona stepped from the shower, cocked an ear, then smiled. Filius was singing. She couldn’t make out the words, but it was probably one of those popular Muggle tunes he had recently taken to. Wrapping a towel around herself, she carefully opened the door and peeked into her bedroom. Her smile grew. Filius was dancing, nude and happy, with a pair of her knickers, holding them out before him as he sang, “She loves me, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves me, yeah, yeah, yeah!” It seemed those were the only lyrics he knew. Or the only ones that mattered.

---

Home
Look for this drabble in the Lemons forum!

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Note: Hope you enjoyed these! Let me know!

Just a little FYI: In some species, female fireflies seek their mates, which remain stationary; in contrast, in other species, the female fireflies remain stationary while the male fireflies fly to them. Fireflies are usually referred to as "glow worms" in Britain, but they're also known as "lightning bugs," "fireflies," and even occasionally as "fire beetles."

[Smaug]

Hmm I'll review here too I keep re-reading Presence and love to decide, and each time I read each one I decide upon that one, then read the other and change my mind. They're both what makes a fic truly wonderful without, seemingly, even trying. They just have something that grabs your heart strings. So so lovely. *Happy Elo*

[MMADfan]

eloquentphoenix said:

Hmm I'll review here too I keep re-reading Presence and love to decide, and each time I read each one I decide upon that one, then read the other and change my mind. They're both what makes a fic truly wonderful without, seemingly, even trying. They just have something that grabs your heart strings. So so lovely. *Happy Elo*

Aw, thanks! I, too, really like those two. I think they are my favorites of all of them. *smiles & blushes*

[OSUSprinks]

I have to agree with Elo. I love Love and Presence. They are just both perfect for their respective couples. I did like the fireflies one, though. hmmm so hard to decide!

Aside: I read glow worm and remembered this green worm thing I had as a baby that, when you squeezed it, would light up. My friend's baby got one for her 1st birthday in January and now they play songs and stay lit for a while after you squeeze. I have to say, I'm jealous. lol

[jayejaye]

I used to have one of them Mona...

I think Prescence is my favourite of this last set, It's just so comforting somehow. How do you manage to tell a whole story with just 100 words?

[laundrybasket]

I keep going back and re-reading Love and Prescence. . . both are wonderful! I also liked Waxing. Love was so sweet! Ack. I may just have a cavity now. lol.