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edenfallingThis seems to be a post-OoP character study of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, from Harry's point of view. Consequently, it's a bit dark and negatively biased. Harry's not in a happy frame of mind, after all. (325 words)
[ETA: The AO3 crosspost is now up!]
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The Only Game in Town
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Hermione and Ron treat life as a contest, as a game where the object is to earn the most points. They treat the world as if it's fundamentally fair. Harry wonders, sometimes, how they can still act that way.
Hermione wants to know the most, to be first in all her classes, to do things right. The rules of the game are laid out by the professors, with marks and house points as the scorecard. Her prize? Probably being Head Girl someday, and getting a job doing prestigious research after Hogwarts. She believes in the rules, believes in the way she's organized her game. She's certain her prize will be waiting at the end, and as a side-benefit? If she knows everything, she can help Harry win his game with Voldemort.
Ron wants to be known, to be recognized, to be admired. He's playing a game with his family, and the prize is to be more famous than any of his brothers. He doesn't consider Ginny a threat; he probably doesn't even consider her a fellow player. The crazy thing, though, is that he keeps following the moves his brothers have made before him instead of striking out on his own. He didn't learn anything from the Mirror of Erised; no, he's still trying to be a great Quidditch player and proud of his prefect badge. He doesn't care about the way he plays chess, or the way he'll face death just to stand by his friends. No, to him that's Harry's game.
Harry isn't playing games anymore. He used to think he was, that Hogwarts was like an obstacle course, but he knows better now. He can see the way people invent their games, invent their contests and rules. Maybe if he'd realized this years ago, he would have helped Ron and Hermione win their games, but now? Now Harry will settle for just keeping them alive.
They can win or lose on their own.
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Inspired by the 14 March 2004![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
15minuteficlets word #46: competition
As to why I'm up and writing before 6am? Insomnia sucks. Don't try it.
[ETA: The AO3 crosspost is now up!]
---------------------------------------------
The Only Game in Town
---------------------------------------------
Hermione and Ron treat life as a contest, as a game where the object is to earn the most points. They treat the world as if it's fundamentally fair. Harry wonders, sometimes, how they can still act that way.
Hermione wants to know the most, to be first in all her classes, to do things right. The rules of the game are laid out by the professors, with marks and house points as the scorecard. Her prize? Probably being Head Girl someday, and getting a job doing prestigious research after Hogwarts. She believes in the rules, believes in the way she's organized her game. She's certain her prize will be waiting at the end, and as a side-benefit? If she knows everything, she can help Harry win his game with Voldemort.
Ron wants to be known, to be recognized, to be admired. He's playing a game with his family, and the prize is to be more famous than any of his brothers. He doesn't consider Ginny a threat; he probably doesn't even consider her a fellow player. The crazy thing, though, is that he keeps following the moves his brothers have made before him instead of striking out on his own. He didn't learn anything from the Mirror of Erised; no, he's still trying to be a great Quidditch player and proud of his prefect badge. He doesn't care about the way he plays chess, or the way he'll face death just to stand by his friends. No, to him that's Harry's game.
Harry isn't playing games anymore. He used to think he was, that Hogwarts was like an obstacle course, but he knows better now. He can see the way people invent their games, invent their contests and rules. Maybe if he'd realized this years ago, he would have helped Ron and Hermione win their games, but now? Now Harry will settle for just keeping them alive.
They can win or lose on their own.
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Inspired by the 14 March 2004
15minuteficlets word #46: competitionAs to why I'm up and writing before 6am? Insomnia sucks. Don't try it.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-17 08:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-18 06:17 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-18 04:45 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-18 06:25 am (UTC)I guess a little depth is a good thing. My sister's always telling me that, anyway :-)