28. : Time is no friend of mine-The Clock Shop

They called him the Cuckoo because he owned the only clock shop in Ottery St. Tempus Montre however did not care, no one ever complained about any timepiece he ever fixed. Muggles would walk in begging their heirlooms be fixed. And with his skilled hands and a bit of magic they would never tell false time again.

Tempus sat at his workbench, magical monocle over his right eye, surrounded by clocks (cuckoos and grandfathers) chiming the noon hour.

“He’s late,” he said to no one. The ministry courier was tardy to pick up the timeturners he had made for them.

43. : A trip to the candy store-Madame Sweet’s Candy Shoppe

The bell over the door tinkled the sound of a customer and the short portly vendor lady came out of the backroom. Expecting a muggle, she wore a courteous smile, on seeing the Hogwarts Headmaster she laughed as her face broke out in happiness.

“Again so soon, Professor,” she said, giving her old teacher his title.

“I’m afraid so Madame Sweet. No one else makes those delightful caramel peanut camels like you do.”

“You flatter me so,” she said. Taking her wand, with a flick opening a box she filled it with candy. Her caramel camels were the world’s best.

71. : Birthday Present-The Fountain in the square

The girl sat smiling by the fountain in the square. Behind her, a hero of the kingdom sat on horseback, the sounds of water rippling as it rained down into the coin-strewn fountain. Sitting before her a box, with a red bow and ribbons wrapped around it.

“It’s lovely uncle,” Sarah grinned.

“Boxes, ribbons and bows are nice, but untie it I think you’ll like what’s inside best.”

The girl pulled one ribbon, unraveling the bow. The top of the box disappeared in a puff of smoke the sides of the box falling. A puppy barked.

“Oh, Uncle,” Sarah smiled.

76. : A lesson in compassion-Drury Lane on the way to the Muffin Man’s House

“Zap,” said the muggle boy, as he ran around shooting birds and people and things with his tin space ray gun.

Ottery giggled, “Zap,” he said pointing his wand at a dog, sending it running across the street, barking scared.

The boy stared for a second, before he ran screaming, “Mum!” down the lane.

“Honestly Ottery,” Hermione chided as Ron, and Harry laughed.

“I only scared the dog,” he said.

“Zap,” said Hermione as she sent the boy jumping off the sidewalk with a shock.

He looked penitent, as he rubbed his bum, “Ouch.”

“Next time think of the dog.”

AN: Ottery doesn't condone cruelty to animals. T: But it's okay to play mind games with children? O: Sarcasm escapes them

21. : Daydreams or Thinking of you-The Burrow (The backyard, decked out for a wedding *Ottery’s crying*)

Bill and Fleur, everyone thought an unlikely match. He, a handsome lad, still, in spite of the scars; she a veela, one of the most beautiful. It shocked some that she stood there, resplendent in her white gown, shimmering pearls and white flower bouquet. Ron was crying (Fleur was going to be his sister-in-law, he couldn’t help it), Harry trying to avoid Gabrielle’s constant stares, and Ginny’s giggling.

Hermione sat, Krum between her and Ron. Her thoughts here, though a time far away, she wearing a white dress, Ron standing were Bill now was, holding her hands; Harry beside them.

AN: O: Always a bridesmaid never a bride T: I'll give you reason to cry at a wedding ... *smacks Ottery*

88. : Candy Wars-Madame Sweet’s Candy Shoppe

Their sweet tooths were world-renowned. Well renowned at least in the wizarding world. Professor Slughorn, Albus Dumbledore, and Ottery St. The headmaster was a genial fellow always ready to let you have the last chocolate frog, but it wasn’t so with the other two.

“Crystallized pineapple,” Professor Slughorn exclaimed.

Smirking evilly, across the way a dark haired boy smiled as he held open a candy box.

“All out Professor.” Madame Sweet said.

Horace Slughorn glared at the boy.

“I’ll take all your sugared strawberries,” the boy almost chocked, “and ice mice, and the never-ending chocolate lollipops.” This was war.

48. : The Salesman & Mrs. Bickering-Mrs. Bickering’s Residence No. 67 Contrary Ways

“Lawn leprechauns? And just what the devil would he do, just sit on my lawn? I don’t have enough problems with garden gnomes ...”

The plaid dressed wizarding salesman smiled falsely.

Sure, she was old but she wasn’t stupid. Youth on the other hand hid its idiocy badly.

“Of course it doesn’t just do that ma’am. This here lawn leprechaun’s equipped with warding spells, assorted jinxes to keep pests out of your garden. Rabbits, cats, weasels, you name it. And just tween us … they work on burglars too. Comes equipped with a cannon.”

Suddenly Mrs. Bickering was very interested.

65. : Como quisiera poder vivir sin aire-The Lovegood Household Garden

“An ooze charm?” Neville asked.

“Well technically it was supposed to be used for stopping oozing,” Luna explained.

Ottery giggled.

“Yeah, but now instead of stemming the flow of blood from a wound …” Luna continued.

“You break out in boils oozing oozy stuff. Oh and your nose won’t stop snotting either,” Ottery interjected.

“Is snotting even a word?” Luna asked.

“Wow.” Neville said clearly impressed.

“I tell her she should sell it to Fred and George, lord knows what those two could use with a spell like that,” Ottery remarked.

For his part, Neville was watching Luna very impressed.

AN: Title from a song by Mana if you don't listen to 'em you should.

91. : Wow, or if tomorrow ever comes-The willow by the old country lane leading from Ottery St.

Ottery had just said something ponderously epic about the future leaving everyone with jaws open, wondering, in uncertain pause.

Ron leaned against the old willow, blushing as he sneaked a glance at Hermione who watched the moonlight dancing through the trees. Harry looked up the country lane leading to the burrow, wondering about home. Ginny looked away from Harry, thinking it silly to still think those things. Neville’s face furrowed deep in thought, Luna the only one who looked as if she had missed what was said, while Cedric stood there watching them.

The dark haired boy shrugged, “Just kidding.”

15. : Memories do haunt us-6th avenue

Her room remained the same as the day she left it. The bed in it’s place, the curtains always closed but letting the sunlight into the pink walled room, with the white carpet. Above the bed, a shelf sat with her old stuffed toys; the music box still sat on her bureau.

He could close his eyes and still fool himself, thinking he could hear the gramophone playing.

It was true she would never be coming back, but it was easier to think she’d only left for an errand than to face the reality that she wouldn’t come home again.

AN: Jason Mraz in the post titles yo!

62. : You are my sunshine-1936 down the streets of Ottery St.

His walk was more of a lope. Charles happily strolling down the streets of Ottery St. he had asked Marissa out to the movies.

It was difficult not to grin. He waved at ‘Old Cuckoo’ bent over his workbench. Smiled at Mercurial Topper as the little man tipped his hat frightening ladies who didn’t know about his dormouse.

“The fountain at six,” Marissa had said.

He stepped out into the street and stopped just as quickly as a black cat ran past him. A car stopped honking barely missing Charles. Smiling at the cat in gratitude, the cat winked back.

AN: Uhm, no. The title IS NOT from the song you're thinking off *just knows someone out there ...*

23. : Fly away or getting down tonight-Stoatshead Hill on a starry night

Cedric had fallen asleep, above him the black cat was sitting on the tree his tail swishing beneath him watching as the Gryffindor boy and the Ravenclaw girl sat on the grass of the hill the telescope in front of them and the whole heavenly sky draped like a mural before them.

“I’ll get you for this Fred!” the dark haired boy screamed far off in the distance, holding on to the enchanted broom for dear life.

The Gryffindor boy giggled then stopped suddenly as Luna leaned over and placed her head on Neville’s shoulder, their astronomy homework already forgotten.

AN: Thanks to Eureka 7 Dude the theme songs for that show r0x0rs LOL

50. : Fear becomes her-the Fawcett Residence

It was her secret joy. It was her silent sin. But on some nights, the young Ms. Fawcett would walk out of the house, a cloak covering her night robe from the evening cold, to see it.

Hidden away in the old abandoned garden shed—it had been years since mother had picked up a spade—a boggart had taken up residence.

She liked being scared; the thrill of fright always waiting behind the shed doors. Peculiarly it was always something different that frightened her.

Tonight she opened the door carefully, it creaked, wand in hand she stepped inside …

54. : Love’s Dare-The Burrow

It was a silly little dare. If you had asked her why she had done it, Ginny daring her too, would not have been the reason. It was because she’d wanted too.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Ginny said laughing.

Luna had turned to the giggling girl. Ginny was holding a handful of posies and Luna handed her buttercups for her to hold walking over to where the boys were sitting about.

“Hey Luna,” Ottery said. She walked past him to Ron who was sitting next to Harry on the back porch steps.

She leaned down and kissed Ron on the lips.

89. : Se me olvido otra vez que solo yo te quise-El Noa Noa (an Ottery St. Pub)

The past haunts.

“I hear he’s waitin’ for someone … s’why he tends bar here.”

“Someone he lost a long time ago.”

“I think it’s romantic,” Meredith said, sighing watching the old pub keep, dark haired his hair was flecked with streaks of gray, sadness in his smile. He wiped the counter oblivious to them.

“Was some red head … I heard.”

“He’s never left town, lives the same place … seems this place was special to them.”

“Sigue esperando en el lugar de siempre, en la misma ciudad, con la misma gente …” the waitress said serving another round.

AN: Song title and that last line taken from the song by Juan Gabriel. It makes more sense if you can understand it but ... *shrugs* it's a drabble, no room.

57. : The trouble with girls is they're trouble-The Otter river which runs by Ottery St.

“Don’t just gape boys, give a girl a towel,” Fleur’s American cousin said as she walked out of the lake.

The dark haired boy was about to hand her his towel when he felt a tug at the other end as if it were caught on something. He turned to find Ron pulling the other end of the towel.

“Sorry Ron, didn’t know it was yours,” Ottery said blushing.

“It’s not,” Ron said, “But she asked me.”

Hermione was glaring at the boy’s furiously, while Ginny laughed and threw her a towel. She turned to find Harry wisely watching only her.

11. : Learning from the past-Love’s Lane No. 25 the Lovegood Household

“I think it’s a very sad story actually,” Neville said.

“Oh?” Luna asked.

“He died of heartbreak … didn’t he?”

“It doesn’t say that in our History of Magic textbook,” Luna replied picking a daisy and handing it to the boy.

“Still … I mean,” Neville kicked the grass, “He died here after she left.” He looked away. “He didn’t do anything else after she left.” He paused, “Heroes don’t die that way ... away from adventures.”

Luna turned on the boy suddenly startling him, and making him jump back, “Then maybe he should have told her he loved her.”

♥

18. : Old memories - the Witch’s Brew Café

The passing of years pushed friends apart, and those same years brought them together. Life is a funny game.

“I left Hogwarts after my sixth year,” the dark haired man said, sipping his coffee.

The blonde haired man smiled at his friends crown hat, “You gave up. And I didn’t hesitate.”

“The war was going on then. A lot of things were happening. Things were wild and crazy. Everyday it seemed someone was dying or in danger. I thought they would win. But you? What happened with you two?”

“I asked her to marry me … under the whomping willow.”

2. : On The Street Where You Live - The Fountain in the square

“Hermione I’m bored,” Ron complained as he dropped another one of Ottery’s pennies in the fountain.

The frizzy haired girl sat by the fountain’s edge taking notes in her tiny book.

“I’m doing research for Muggle Studies, Ron,” she replied.

“Hermione, you live with muggles! Do we need to be here?”

She turned on the boy, glaring and snapped, “Is there something else you’d rather be doing Ron?”

Ron startled by her sudden attentions blushed and moving back fell into the fountain.

Hermione was giggling at sopping wet Ron.

Walking past Ottery asked annoyed, “Not bath day yet, is it?”

99. : The business end of a duck or Come rain, sleet or snow - All around town over the skies of Ottery St.

Michael yawned, climbing his broom higher. Sunrise still lay ahead, most of the muggles sleeping, but the wizarding world never slept. He blinked. Howled as he almost slammed into the rear end of a duck.

“Sorry,” Michael exclaimed.

Well most of the time the wizarding world didn’t sleep.

He had to wake up early though to deliver newspapers. Sure, you could get them by owl but where was the fun in that? Muggles had paperboys why not the wizarding world?

Mr. Lovegood had been kind enough to buy the argument and had given him the job, the first wizard paperboy.

7. : Saturday Night’s All right for Sushi - Joe’s Crab Shack & Sushi Palace

“Care of Magical Creatures,” Ottery said without preamble.

Ron, Luna, Neville, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione all looked at the boy as if he had just swallowed a live squid. The calamari was still in his bowl wriggling its tentacles.

“What? You all thought I was gonna say Potions?”

“You like that class, mate?” Ron asked. “It’s just … ”

Ottery shrugged.

“Beats wrestling plants, playing with poison, or trying to write horoscopes. Besides, transfigurations easy,” he pointed his wand at a plate turning it into a snail.

Hermione glared at him.

“I meant to do that …” he replied blushing.



AN: Because you're wondering it anyways, Joe who owns the shack is one of Ottery's Uncles

14. : Memories of love - Far in the future, The Burrow

Looking for something to read to the children in the study, her fingers stumbled on it. A copy of Hogwarts, A History. She pulled the book from the shelf, a note slipped out. Ginny bent down to pick it up, read it and blushed. Ron had written that?

Ginny opened the book. On the back of the front cover in tidy scrawl was Hermione’s signature; of course it was her book. Flipping through it, Ginny came across one of Colin’s photographs.

Hermione was turning her back on Ron, who was trying to put Harry and Ginny between himself and Lavender.

♥ ♥

31. : In the blink of an eye - The Burrow

New dress robes and the fool boy had forgotten to pack them. Mrs. Weasley muttered about the silly things her boys did. She folded the package closed and sat down tired on Ronald’s bed.

Drops fell on the paper, clinging to the strings tied around it, like dew drops on a spider’s web.

Mrs. Weasley cried.

Her boy’s were all gone now, and soon Ginny too. Where had the time gone? Why had it taken all her children from her?

The End of School Ball would be lovely, she remembered hers, but it hadn’t been so long ago, it seemed.

84. : Strike while the Ember’s still hot - the Witch’s Brew Café

“You would sing to her under her window.”

“While you played Romeo reading her poetry,” Marius remarked.

“She liked your singing better didn’t she?” the dark haired man replied smiling into his coffee. “It used to make her father so angry,” he laughed.

Marius’ smile fell into his tea. “I won because you left. In that way I didn’t really win.”

“I heard she married you,” his friend said quietly.

“She also left me.”

“You could always try winning her back.”

Marius looked at him with a look of incredulity.

“I’ll lend you my old poetry book,” His friend said.

70. : Do not add water - Barnaby Ruddles Pet Shoppe

“Dear God in heaven,” Ole Barnaby was Catholic. “Peter what happened?”

“You see Mr. Barnaby,” I was trying to reply but the old guy’s turning all kinds of puce … it’s an icky color, looks as bad as it sounds.

So here I was stupid wizard boy straight out of school and I get a cushy muggle job at a shop. I decide to start selling Pygmypuffs to the kiddies, well … seems you dip ‘em in water and they multiply.

“Shop … teeming … with … with tribbles?”

I got to keep the job, lucky me Barn’s a Trekkie.

-------------------------------------------------
AN: Wherein Ottery experiments with point of view and cheats a little.