Tien Len Competition: Team One, Clubs, Card Jack; The Fat Lady, outrage; WC: 630

War on Elemental Song Quotes: Light, "Put on your face and let's pretend these killing lights won't kill us all again." -AFI, "The Killing Lights"

Interesting Word Challenge: 7. abditory - a place into which you can disappear; a hiding place

Disney Character Challenge: Muses


The Fat Lady usually loved her job as Guardian of the Gryffindor Common Room.

It entertained her to watch the students come and go. She could here snatches of conversation, could catch up on all the latest gossip. Some of the ones who weren't rushing off to their next class would stop to talk to her, answering her questions about the day with an easy air that made her feel youthful again.

She could recall some of those conversations even years after they had happened. For instance, the one between the Potions Master and the Chosen One's mum-that had been a sad one. She honestly felt sorry for the man. She could tell by his eyes-and the looks he gave her each time he passed by the portrait-that he had only ever loved the redheaded girl. Watching the friendship between the two of them had been a difficult one to watch-but also a very memorable conversation.

She also recalled the first conversation she had had with the Chosen One himself. He had been such a sweet child, asking wonderingly how she could talk, and listening patiently to her tirade about magical paintings. He had truly been curious, and he actually listened to her. Not many people did that anymore. She loved it when she found a student who loved the sound of the Fat Lady's voice just as much as she did.

But this-this child, this bumbling idiot-he enraged her so much. Begging for the passwords of the entire week, because he would constantly forget them. She finally gave in when he started sobbing, because the little boy was so sincere. He was embarrassed to be so forgetful. So she finally pitied him.

And what did he do? What did he do with the extremely important information she gave him?!

"HE GAVE IT TO BLACK! SIRIUS BLACK!"

Vidia startled in the portrait next door. The Fat Lady's shriek had come out of no where.

Oh. She had said that out loud. Oops. Well, best continue it now that she had their attention.

"I've been slashed, and violated, and I shall never be the same again! I shan't be able to guard the portrait hole with such a dangerous criminal on the loose! Those poor children! I wish I could protect them, but what can a mere portrait do?" The Fat Lady sobbed with vigor.

The other portraits weren't paying much attention to her, instead whispering about someone coming up the stairs.

That just outraged her even more. She had been attacked! She had been violated! She had been betrayed!

They couldn't abandon her in her most desperate times now, could they? She needed them, their attention.

"My dear Fat Lady, I've come-"

"I will NOT go back, Professor Dumbledore! I have been betrayed, I have been violated, I have been harmed, and fouled, and I will never be the same again! How could you expect me to go back to the scene of the most traumatizing moment of my life?! I will never go-"

"The children miss you. They loved talking to you. You were a very special portrait to them, dear Fat Lady, and without you, they find it difficult to continue on with their studies. My dear, you were, and still are, the bright light in their lives. The soothing voice they hear at the end of the day. Please, dear, I know it is hard, but accept their attentions once more?"

Attention. The darling students wanted to give her attention again!

She simpered prettily, "Of course, Dumbledore. Anything for my darling students!"

She could be the center of attention again.