Title: Syllables
Rating: G
Challenge: Doodle
Characters: Harry and Hermione, and a passing mention of Hermione's poor, dead, plot-contrived parents
Word Count: 100
A/N: Okay, I swear I'm not off in a little corner of depression. I saw Brokeback Mountain last night. So, woe.

Her parents were gone. Nineteen days she saw them in two years, nineteen floorboards for nineteen days.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

A clock assisted. Tick nine tock teen. Nineteen.

The door eased open nine and clicked shut teen.

Harry. He was the only one she’d let in.

He crossed the room, floor cracking in pain. Nineteen. Nineteen.

“I’m sorry.” Two words broke her resolve, her nineteens. Tears began pouring out. “I’ll kill him.” His voice shook. I’m sorry.

“Later,” she whispered. “Stay with me.” I’m sorry. I’m sorry. “Please.”

He pulled her closer, replying simply, “Okay.” He was the only one she’d let in.