fmlheyyo

[fmlheyyo]

Prompt: Write a short story set in a restaurant kitchen.

"Service please!"

Another plate taken to hungry customers. I sigh, has the day just started?

"It's your last day Ron. Don't mope around now. You'll be free from all of this rush soon!"

Ah Melody, the head chef. Her shoulders are bent with the weight of all the years we worked in this place.

Wow. 25 years sure is a long time. To think that I no longer would be drenched in sauces and sweat. Do I really want to be free from this?

My body is used to this kitchen. Wash the carrots. The peeler is never in it's place. Yet, it's always in it's place, right beside the oven. Peel the potatoes. Slice them. Put the pot on heat. Wait, did anyone order this?

I look up to find no papers on the spindle. Well, that's why I'm returning I guess.

Being young and ambitious, cooking filled me with life. This mess, this chaos, it's what I chose. Once you get in, it's like an addiction. Coffee never really worked for me. But the moment, I stepped in through those swinging doors, I was wide awake.

Was it always easy? Hell no! I bear literal scars to prove that. Sleepless weeks, bandaged limbs, sore muscles. There were days when I visited my home. Come on, which job has busier weekends?

There's this window in the kitchen. I remember looking through it, searching for the destination of the order I just sent out. Waiting for that first bite, praying that this plate of food I poured my soul into gives them some joy.

Whatever it was, a smile, a nod or sometimes even a frown, take it in and move on. That used to be my ritual. Somewhere along the way, time robbed me of those small moments. The last time I peeked through that window, well we'll never know.

My family loves it when I cook. They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Trust me, it works with women as well. If you ask my wife if she fell in love with my cooking or me, she'll say that there never was an 'or'. It's all or none. Whatever it was, she's with me from more than two decades. I'll take that as a win.

I wonder why I never dated Mel. No one can deny her beauty even after all these years.

"Helloo? Ron!? Do you want me to fire you on the day you are retiring?? Get to work!", she slams an order on the counter.

Well, that solves the mystery.

Picking up the paper, I smile.

'Potato salad'.

[fmlheyyo]

Dearest Lils,

Happy Birthday ♡

From all these years, nothing's really changed huh Evans? Sorry! Mrs. Potter. Well, yeah except that and the fact that you're getting irresistibly pretty with time. But, do you know what's the same? The way I forget about everything else the moment you enter the room. The way my heart beats a little faster when I hear that beautiful laugh of yours, that hasn't changed. And those butterflies in my stomach everytime you look at me, well that's never gonna change.

Sometimes I still can't believe that this is real, that you really are here, by my side. The number of times I've asked Sirius to hit me(that git never hesitated) just to make sure that I'm not dreaming is unreal.

I love everything about you. I love that you will never admit that you can't dance even when every time we dance, my feet need armours of their own. I love that you try your best not to sleep whenever I go on a stride about quidditch. I love how excited you get for the littlest of things. I love how your eyes lit up when there's a candy shop in sight. I love how your hair glows in the sun. One would be a fool to think that this list will ever end. After all these years, I think you and I both know that I mean every word. I'm in love with you Mrs. Potter and nothing makes me happier than the thought that I'm getting to spend the rest of my life with you.

Lately, it's not the best out there. The war, the things we're seeing everyday...yeah it's bad. But everyday, as I wake up to this beautiful soul, holding my hand through everything, it's getting easier. To imagine good things happening. To imagine that ray of sunshine.  You give me hope, Lily. You help me believe that there is a better future waiting for us. You give me something worth fighting for. And I promise you, I will fight till the end. I will never give up on you, on us, our friends, our future. I love you.

Yours,

James.

p.s. I wrote the entire letter! Well...Remus did help a bit (well you know I always sucked at writing and I wanted this to be perfect. Gotta show this to our future kids right!)

[fmlheyyo]

Pov: Your sibling moves away from home

For the first time, I've managed to sneak out to pick up a  midnight snack delivery... by myself

Lock and got back in just before dad turned off the tv... by myself

Do I have to eat this alone... without you...

Even Theobrama brownies lost a bit of their charm without you by my side

There're always going to be firsts ig

Some not as happy as others.

[fmlheyyo]

Prompt: Write a prologue or first page for a murder mystery novel which immediately gives a peek into the said murder.

----------------------------------------------------------

"You guys go on, I'll catch up in a few", Josh took a turn to the lockers.

His out of tune whistling stopped ubruptly when he heard a shuffle and thump. It was pretty common for students to skip class hang out around there.

But that someone seemed really panicked.

He heard another set of pairs came in.

"Breathe, Adam! Damnit breathe!!"

"Sid..Sid..I..", Adam dissolved into sobs.

"Its.. it's okay.. we will take care of it..", came Sid's shaky reply.

"It's not okay. It's never going to be!", he sighed,"Do..you think he'll be okay..?"

"I don't know man.. He hit the wall pretty hard"

"What have I done Sid! What's going to happen now!", more sobs rang through the room.

'Well that was just weird, gotta get out of here'

"Mr. Gilbert, do we have your attention?"

"Yeah..yeah..sorry"

"Do you remember anything out of ordinary happening on 13th of this month?"

"Uhm no.. nothing of such", Josh let out a shaky breath.

The officer looked at him with suspicion.

"Can I go now? "

"Yes you can. If there's anything you'd like to say, you know where to find me son."

[fmlheyyo]

Pressing on that volume button even when you know that the volume is on full

Yeah, I felt that..

[fmlheyyo]

When you realise that you've found someone who made you forget about that notes app on your phone

[fmlheyyo]

Exhaustion

//tw throwing up

"Fuck"

Remus groaned as he stretched out his arms.

Books and parchments layed in a mess in front of them as the four boys sat on the ground studying. Full moon was just a week ago and Remus hadn't moved from his place for quite a bit of time making his body stiff and achy.

Sirius looked up and grinned. "Growing old Moony?"

Remus shot a glare at him and looked back down into the big book sprawled open on his lap.

Sirius laughed and got back to whining about how hard potions was

Their O.W.Ls were within a week and Remus wanted to prove that he belonged in Hogwarts. He was never seen without a book those days, often ignoring sleep and meals. James, Sirius and Peter joined him during the acceptable hours. But even their efforts in convincing Remus to take a break were in vain.

It was already midnight and the marauders retired to their beds with sleepy good nights. Remus acknowledged them with a nod and went back to studying.

The clock in the Gryffindor common room read '3:05', when he looked up. Rubbing his eyes, Remus collected his stuff and put them in his rucksack. He yawned and stretched as he got up. He had been feeling sluggish from a couple of days and decided to hit the hay. Getting up, he turned around to make his way up to their dorms. Suddenly, the room spinned. His hands and legs became numb and prickly. Everything became incoherent as he closed his eyes. When he next opened them, he was on the floor. He blinked a couple of times as everything became clearer.

Grabbing the handle of a nearby chair for support, Remus pulled himself up and waited a few seconds for the tilted room to become horizontal. He slowly made his way upstairs taking the support of the wall.

Dragging himself to his bed, Remus fell asleep too tired and confused to register that something was wrong with him.

"Remy! We're late for breakfast! Get up!"

"Ughh...stop shouting Sirius! I'm up!"

Remus groaned as Sirius left for the Great hall, telling him to get up. He lifted his hand to his face surprised to find that it took a lot of effort to do so. He then noticed that his body was aching and his limbs felt like they were made out of metal. He felt awful.

Remus got up slowly, before he could go back to sleep. He couldn't afford miss classes now. Not with exams right around the corner.

A sudden wave of nausea hit him as he was trying to sit up. Clamping a hand to his mouth, Remus ran to the wash room. Clutching the toilet seat, he heaved, bringing up his last meal. His body shook with quivers as he threw up everything in his system. He stopped after five minutes, since there was nothing left in him to be brought up. He sat there on the bathroom floor, his head resting on his knees. After what felt like an eternity, Remus got up, cleaned himself and changed into his robes.

Going down for breakfast was a task easier said than done. He slumped down beside his friends and layed his head on the table. That took a lot of effort out of him. His hands and legs still felt numb and weird. He felt like it was the full moon all over again and with more intensity. James shaked his arm and asked if he's alright.

"I'm fine James, just sleepy"

"Yeah sleep Moony, you look like a zombie", Peter joked.

Remus layed down refusing to eat anything as he was afraid he'd puke everything afterwards. He didn't tell his friends about that, he didn't want to worry them. God knows they worry enough about him as it is. Sirius woke Remus saying that it was time for class. He grudgingly followed his friends to attend classes which turned out to be painful. His body refused to co-operate even a bit.

Soo it was lunch. Lily persuaded him into eating something saying that he was pale. He chewed his food slowly trying to keep everything down.

Potions was the class after lunch. Unfortunately for Remus, it was a practical lesson. Remus partnered with Lily as they set up their stations and started getting ingredients. His movements were slower than the usual and he was trying hard not to startle his already weak stomach. As they started brewing their potion, an unsettling smell spread throughout the classroom. That did it for Remus and his efforts went down the drain as his stomach churned painfully. He got the metallic taste in his mouth. Slapping his palm to his mouth, he ran out of the dungeons. He found the boys' restroom just in time as he threw himself onto a toilet bowl and started throwing up. After a while, only bile came up. After dry heaving for a few minutes, he got up slowly and washed his mouth. Swaying and not completely aware of his movements, Remus walked out of the restroom and clutching the walls for support.

"Remus!", he heard a shout behind him. He turned around to find Sirus running towards him. That abrupt turn cost him dearly. He lost his balance as the room started tilting. Worried grey eyes were what he last saw as his knees buckled and eyes rolled back, plunging him into darkness.

Remus's pov:

Ugh... I feel as if I was trampled by a Hippogriff. My head's pounding. I shift a bit and slowly open my eyes. Bad bad decision. The room's too bright.

Wincing, I brought my arm to shield my eyes.

I heard someone move and turned to look. A friendly face smiled at me.

"You're up Remus! Tsk tsk, I hoped not to see you here more than usual", Madame Pomfrey repremanded him gently. I smiled awkwardly as I felt myself reddening. She handed me a glass of water and I drank it gratefully.

"But really Remus, you should take care of yourself. You were out for a whole day. Working yourself till you get sick is never the answer. I hope that you're getting the seriousness of the consequences"

"Yes mam", I mumble.

She gave me a couple of potions and left for her office. That's when I noticed the boys. They were asleep. Sirius with his mouth hanging open and a book on his lap, James with his glasses ajar, leaning on Peter who looks a bit uncomfortable but asleep anyway. Remus couldn't stop himself from letting out a chuckle.

Sirius shifted and yawned at the sound. He rubbed his eyes and looked around in a sleepy daze. His eyes widened as he saw me.

The next moment, I was attacked by a mass of black hair.

"Remusss!!!", he shouted probably waking up the other two.

"Yes Sirius. The one and only", I replied smiling.

James and Peter joined in on the hug.

"Uhm guys.. I can't breathe..", I wheezed.

They let go off of me, mumbling apologies.

My gaze locks with Sirius' and his shy smile drops. His eyebrows furrow into a frown.

'uh..oh..'

"What the fuck Remus? Why don't you ever listen to us?", he shouted.

"We get it okay! We get that you want to get good grades and prove and all of that shit! Even though we don't agree, we get it! But working yourself till you pass out? This isn't okay Moony!", James snapped.

Peter was standing beside them with a sad expression on his face.

Sirius sighed, " Do you know how worried we were? You were out for two days Moony! Two whole days!! "

Shit. Two days.

"Yeah Moons..two days. Scared the shit out of us", James said as if he read his mind.

"I know..I'm sorry, I should've taken rest. This is entirely on me guys. I'm really sorry. Never meant to worry you", I mumbled fidgeting with the sheets.

Sirius extended his arm, a honeydukes chocolate bar in his hand. I look up to see him smiling.

"It's okay Moony. You know we can't be angry at you for long. But yeah please don't let this happen again"

I smiled and nodded.

James turned and chuckled. Confused, I turn in the direction he's pointing only to see a readhead in the doorway.

Lily.

Her hands were folded to her chest and she was tapping her foot. She looked angry.

Oh no.. I need to go through another round of scolding now.

The boys laughed and moved aside to let her through, while I facepalm.

[fmlheyyo]

Grimmauld Place, a house with a history as dark as it's name, stood tall in the middle of the night. Invisible to those it considers beneath it's occupants, with eerie walls and rich interiors.

A small giggle broke the silence of the night.

"Shh Reg..climb up here slowly" .

The five year old took his brother's hand and climbed up the roof. The elder black beamed at his younger brother and showed him 'the lights' as he called them.

Sirius ruffled Regulus' hair as they both sat there admiring the city lights and the stars. Feet dangling in the air, the black brothers were happier than in any party their parents hosted.

Soon it became the place where many secrets were shared, midnight snacks enjoyed and tears wiped.

Then came the day they knew was inevitable, the day Sirius's letter came and Regulus found himself sitting alone on that roof.

The day before he took the Hogwarts express, Sirius took his brother to the roof and showed him a star which was shining brightly, "That is Sirius star. It's always going to be with you when I'm away. When ever you are afraid, look up and it'll be there just as I'm going to be there in here", he said pointing to Regulus' chest.

"You'll never leave me?", Regulus looked at his brother with tears in his eyes.

"Never", Sirius said.

"Promise?"

"I Promise"

.

.

After a lot of shuffling and turning, a seventeen year old Gryffindor gave up and got out of his bed. Stretching his arms, Sirius looked at the window. The sky was filled with stars. Draping his mate's invisibility cloak, he started to the astronomy tower.

Turns out that he was not the only one up. He saw a figure sitting on the wall of the tower staring up. Before he could act upon his curiosity, he heard it.

"You promised..".

The voice Sirius would recognise even in his sleep, the voice which laughed with him, the voice he'd never forget.

'Regulus...'

"You promised you won't l-leave me...", Regulus choked.

"You promised..."

Sirius moved a bit closer and saw the tears stream down the younger boy's face.

He couldn't forget that expression on Regulus' face when he left Grimmauld Place, those eyes accusing and pleading him not to go.

He lifted his hand to place it on his brother's shoulder,  when Regulus got up and wiped his tears.

For moment their eyes locked and Sirius held his breath. But, the greyish blue eyes shifted past him, staring at the brightest star in the sky.

In a blink of an eye, Sirius was alone in the Astronomy Tower.

Years later, a man with sunken grey eyes and shabby beard sat on the roof of No 12 Grimmauld Place staring at the sky.

"I'm sorry..."

Secrets buried deep in its roots, the air dense with unsaid words, Grimmauld Place stood, in a memory of the brothers who were not so true to their name.

[fmlheyyo]

Tw anxiety, depression, death

"Harry.."

Someone's calling me...

A hand on my shoulder brings me back to the present. I blink and look up to find brown eyes filled with worry.

"We're here. Are you okay?"

I didn't even notice the train stop. It doesn't surprise me. I don't pay attention to lot of things anymore.

I put on a smile. "I'm fine guys. Come on let's go". That seems to satisfy Ron and Hermione and we get down the train

Thestrals. I see them again. Cedric. Sirius. Everything comes back. Did it ever leave me?

Just smile and walk.

I do everything. Eat, attend classes, hang out with my friends. But why does it feel like I'm watching a movie and am not actually here.

Sleep doesn't do any good. With all the nightmares and visions, I feel scared to even close my eyes.

But, I try. I try to be normal. Because if I don't, I raise questions. Questions I can't answer.

I want to cry. To scream and ask 'why me'!

I want to cry for everyone I lost. For being the reason of losing them. My parents. Cedric. Sirius...

But I don't. After many years of crying for love and attention, I lost the ability to.

"How are you?"

A question so simple yet complex. How am I? I.. I don't know.

I miss you Sirius...

Before you came along, before I knew that I had someone who loves me and does not see me as a burden, I would've said that I'm fine. But now, I don't know.

I want to cry, shout, sob, scream. Anything other than this numbness. I want to feel something. The ache in my heart doesn't seem to reduce. Maybe it would if I let go. But, I don't know how to.

The walls are closing in. I can't breathe. I need to get out of here. I'm tired of being exhausted. I'm tired of putting on a facade. I want to stop living like this. But when they ask,

"How are you Harry?"

I say,

"I'm okay"

I'm not okay...

[fmlheyyo]

Jily walking on side of the street

James unconsciously pulls Lily to the other side of him, so that he's on the side of the road where vehicles pass them.

Meanwhile, Lily wonders how that arrogant kid turned out to be such a loving and caring boyfriend.

[fmlheyyo]

In a muggle supermarket;

James accidentally pushes a bottle down while talking to Lily,

A Lady starts shouting at him even though it has nothing to do with her.

James apologizes. That lady doesn't stop yelling.

Lily pushes James aside;

Lily(giving a menacing look giving Talk to me , I talk back! Vibes): Yeah! so what's the problem?

Lady: I...uhmm.. it's okay, I'll go...

James : My knight in shining armour.( Gives Lily a cute kiss)

[fmlheyyo]

James( comes in all excited) : Guess who lit a bed in our dorm on fire!!

Lily( Raises her eyebrow)

James(gulps) : If you guessed me,...then you're totally wrong...umm.. it's definitely not me!

Sirius(comes in just then) : Prongs! Look, the flames are still going strong!!

James : Shh Pads...

Sirius ( notices Lily's death glare) : Run mate!

[fmlheyyo]

Molly- caring mother, brave woman, loves Harry like a mum and many more.

Harry's pov for the first two books:

Molly- The lady who  tells him to run straight into a pillar or stand in flames. What in the actual--

[fmlheyyo]

Harry's first time using floo :

Molly: Don't forget to say where you're going very very clearly!

Harry: Diagonally.

Molly (facepalms) : God knows how I raised 8 kids!

[fmlheyyo]

If they had snapchat in the marauders era :

Marauders and the girls taking pictures with the dog filter on and going on and on about how cute the pictures are, just to annoy Sirius.

Meanwhile, Sirius (pouting): I am such a cute dog. No-one here appreciates my cuteness. That filter is not even in my league...

[fmlheyyo]

Sirius : You have nothing to worry about Prongs! With me by your side, I'll be surprised if anyone will even dare to touch a strand of your hair.

Lily ( giving fierce eye contact to Sirius while ruffling James's hair and placing her hand on his cheek..)

Sirius : Prongs, you gotta support me mate!

James (staring dreamily at the ceiling ) : Padfoot... Lily touched me...

Sirius( facepalms)

Lily : He does know that we've been together from three months right.