For the '10 drabble, 10 topics' challenge on HPFC.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Drabble #4 Femmeslash: Daphne Greengrass/OC
The Boneless Beast
by padfoot
...
She was always angry. Angry at everything and everyone. It was as if she were a beast, cornered at a precipice, teetering on the edge, able to do nothing but growl and snarl as the others threatened to devour her.
"Daphne, what's wrong with your hair?"
"That dress is terrible, Daphne – change it!"
"Hey, Daphne, were you born with that nose, or did a squib's potion fall on your face?"
"Shut up!" she'd roar, bellow, scream at them all. And, because they knew she was nothing more than talk, they'd scatter away, all turning their backs to the boneless beast.
All except for one.
One of them didn't run. Instead, she stayed, and stared. Stared hard and serious and for so, so long.
"I don't think your nose is ugly," the girl said, fiddling with her black and yellow tie. "I think you're very pretty."
"Go away, Mudblood!" Daphne snapped. But she was the one who turned away, cheeks hot and tears biting at her eyes.
I think you're very pretty.
It became a mantra. A chant that echoed with every beat of her heart. A thread of string to hold onto, a tiny line that bound her to the cliff top, stifling her fear of falling.
"Your marks-!" "It's so tragic-" "Have you never even seen-?"
The words still hurt. But very pretty, very pretty beat on in her chest, giving her hope.
"Hey, Daphne-"
"Shut up!" she roared, bellowed, screamed.
"I'm sorry." The girl was tugging at her tie again. "It's just that- you dropped this."
In her hand was a battered quill. Daphne grabbed it harshly. She ignored the thrill that shot through her fingers, up her arm. Into her heart.
I think you're very pretty.
"Thank you," she said.
And, deep within, something began to soften.