Castaway!AU, Muggle!AU, Daphne might be a little OOC.


"I can't believe we managed to find a pumpkin patch," Daphne said happily, bending to cut one free with her penknife. "I was hoping we could continue one of the traditions from back home."

"We don't even know what day it is," Blaise said. "It could be November. Time is unknown on this island."

"Oh, Blaise, if you just paid more attention to the fall of the leaves, you'd realize it's still autumn," Daphne said, sighing. "If it were winter, the island would be colder. Remember the last winter?"

"As if I could forget," Blaise muttered.

"Oh cheer up," Daphne snapped. "In fact, I have an idea. Go find a pumpkin of your own. We'll have a little competition."

Blaise would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued. "What kind of competition?"

"Carving." Daphne finished sawing through the vine and picked up her pumpkin, cradling it to her chest. "We'll each carve a pumpkin however we want, and whoever has the better design can, say…sleep on the cot for the next week?"

"...That's a lame idea," Blaise said dismissively. "I think we can find better things to do on this island than a silly little pumpkin carving competition."

"Does that mean you're too chicken to play?" Daphne's eyes gleamed. "I never pegged you as the cowardly type."

"I'm not cowardly," Blaise retorted. "Is that what you think of me? Then clearly you don't know me well."

"Then maybe you should participate in this 'silly' competition," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"Maybe I will." Blaise snatched the penknife from her and stalked away to choose a pumpkin, ignoring Daphne's laughter.


Carving pumpkins came naturally to Daphne. She'd been doing it since she could hold a knife. It helped that she had an eye for aesthetics. Her movements were refined, precise, almost hypnotic as she sliced through her pumpkin with deft strokes. She glanced at her boyfriend and saw him doing exactly the opposite — he was hacking away at his pumpkin as if he had a personal vendetta against it.

"That's really not the right technique," she commented. "You need to do it more delicately —"

"It'll do," Blaise snapped. "Go back to your pumpkin."

Daphne huffed, turning back to her pumpkin. "Sometimes I wonder why I ever wanted to be your girlfriend."

Despite himself, Blaise grinned. "Because I'm the only one besides you on this island."

Daphne rolled her eyes but chose not to respond, which Blaise counted as a little victory.


As night fell and the firelight dimmed, Blaise and Daphne finished carving their pumpkins. They sat the pumpkins side-by-side to compare, and Daphne had to suppress a giggle, which was terribly difficult considering that they were huddled together. "What in Earth's name is that?"

Blaise had mutilated his pumpkin beyond recognition; it looked more like he had carved a hole unevenly and tried to unsuccessfully pull out the insides. Next to his, Daphne's pumpkin looked neat and pretty.

"It was supposed to be you," Blaise muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "But it kind of got out of control."

Daphne's amusement melted into affection and she pressed against him, looping an arm around his waist. "While the pumpkin is…certainly interesting, it's the sentiment that counts."

He stared at the pumpkins for a couple of moments before lifting his gaze and looking at her. "I suppose you're the winner."

"As a matter of fact, I think I am," she said, shifting so that she was facing him. "But I am feeling particularly generous tonight, so I think I will share my prize with you." She drew him in for a kiss, which turned into two kisses, which led to him carrying her in his arms as they returned to their hut. There, they spent a wonderful night in each other's arms.

For Daphne, victory had never tasted sweeter. For Blaise…he didn't mind that he had lost, because he was rewarded anyway.


655 words

Written for:

Assignment 6, Beauty Therapy Task #1 - Round: Write about someone who is a natural at something.

Monster Petting Zoo - Nadia the Nix - Bully men with: (scenario) carving pumpkins

Pumpkin Carving - Designs - 1. Happy Face - (emotion) Joy

Murder Mystery - People - 10. Daphne Greengrass

Wine Tasting - Red Wine - 1. Chateau Laroque 2019 - (character) Blaise Zabini

Fortune Telling - Heart Line - 1. BlaiseDaphne

Trick or Treating - House Two: The Weasleys - 10. Goodie Bag - (action) carving a pumpkin

Apple Bobbing - Apple 6/Huddling for Warmth

Costume Party - Alice in Wonderland - 2. Madhatter: Action - Laughing

Leaf Picking - Orange 7 - (emotion) Joy

Talent Show - Fire Breathing - AU: Castaway!AU; Dialogue: "Is that what you think of me?"; Trope: Huddled Together for Warmth; Item: Penknife; Word: Hope

Witches Weekly - Bonus - Carving Pumpkins

Coming Out Day - 7. Violet - Word: Wonderful

Pop Figures - D151. Louis - Action: Snapping at someone