IAIN KELLY

EXPECTO PATRONUM

She watched him, sitting quietly in the corner, a book in front of him, lost in his imagination. She willed him to look up, to notice her. They were kindred spirits, him and she. Every day she saw him in the library. They were both lonely lovers of books, seeking the fulfilment of magical stories, the wholeness of the perfect tale to fall in love with, the perfect character to obsess over.

She approached. ‘We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided..’

‘Harry Potter sucks.’ He got up and left.

Copyright Ted Strutz

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

I never got Harry Potter, or the obsession with it, but many continue to love it! The girl’s greeting is a quote from the books. Expecto Patronum is a spell that uses a happy memory to conjure something positive. Or something.

85 responses to “EXPECTO PATRONUM”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Nice one, Iain. The character she had created in her mind was not quite the one that existed in his body

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A similar delusion I suffer from in life often too.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Not a fan of HP!?😱

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I know, there are some who don’t enjoy it out there! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        Bad taste. It means that they weren’t suited at all.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Things aren’t always what they seem, are they? Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    Reply
  4. quiall Avatar
    quiall

    HaHaHa! Unexpected and hilarious!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    What? How can you not? I tease. To each his own. She needs to find another kindred spirit…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe the library isnt the best place to look for love in real life! Thanks Dale.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Hey… ya never know… 😉

        Liked by 3 people

  6. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar
    Yamini Ali MacLean

    Hari OM
    LOL – nice one! I did, eventually, get around to reading them all, but as a devotee of both Tolkein and Pratchett, I found so much that was ’emulative’ (that is being gentle) about the first book I nearly didn’t persevere. YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I confess to not reading the books beyond trying the first one. The films I saw I didn’t enjoy. Just not for me, and I too am a massive Pratchett fan 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  7. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Potterheads are not always recognizable at first glance. Time for her to wander out of the Chidren’s library….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They should have a special symbol to easily identify each other 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Liz H Avatar
        Liz H

        😆😆🤓

        Liked by 1 person

  8. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    I read the first book and was not lured to the second. I love the way you ended your story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    A classic case of imagination writing checks that reality can’t cash. Wonderful storytelling in just a few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    All I can say is that at least she wasn’t reading Twilight!! lol. She’ll find the right book nerd some day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, another series that was lost on me!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    I’m not a fan either!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It certainly seems to divide.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    Libraries are such interesting places. So much can be found, so much decided. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bill

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
    TheDreamGirlWrites

    Oh how could he!!!
    He could have just said bye or not interested…
    Tragic
    (I think HP deserves that hype. Especially the books. And especially if you are on of those (like me) who grew up reading these books!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Lol, it certainly seems to be a childhood memory for many, perhaps I was just too old when they first appeared.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
        TheDreamGirlWrites

        But have you actually read the books anytime or were you not able to get through the books?
        It is very in the fantasy genre!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        I tried the first one once. Just not interested, never made it to the end. Not a patch on Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
        TheDreamGirlWrites

        Oh no :/
        Oh, what’s that about?

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Oh, you need to read Pratchett if you like fantasy. I will leave it for you to investigate and discover.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
        TheDreamGirlWrites

        I’ll add it to my to read list! Thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

      6. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
        TheDreamGirlWrites

        Okay, so I just searched for his books.. and all of them seem like a big part of the series Discworld!
        Do I have to read them in order or can I jump in anywhere?

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Either works. I would read in order, and they get better as they go along.

        Liked by 1 person

      8. TheDreamGirlWrites Avatar
        TheDreamGirlWrites

        Okay! I’ll do that 🙂
        Thanks!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    Thank goodness she found out before wasting any time with someone so unsuitable!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Better to know sooner! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    You built the anticipation nicely, and then punctured my lovely romantic balloon, making me grin. Nice story, Iain
    PS I don’t ‘get’ Harry Potter either, although it’s done a massive amount to bring kids to be avid readers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It certainly has done good in that way. Glad you enjoyed Penny.

      Like

      Reply
  16. CGraith Avatar
    CGraith

    A memorable little tale! Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much!

      Like

      Reply
  17. CGraith Avatar
    CGraith

    A memorable, little tale. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Oh dear, perhaps she should have quoted something from 50 Shades of Grey!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Now that’s a different story, as they say!

      Like

      Reply
  19. Pooja Mahimkar Avatar
    Pooja Mahimkar

    Love Love Love Haryy Potter!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      He was definitely not for you then!

      Like

      Reply
  20. Vartika Avatar
    Vartika

    I am a big fan of HP.. so I can feel girl’s disappointment. I like the the story. Nicely done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. liz young Avatar
    liz young

    I was too old really to appreciate Harry Potter, though I read all but the last two books. My era was Enid Blyton!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Now there is a good children’s author 😀

      Like

      Reply
  22. oldentimes Avatar
    oldentimes

    I can relate to that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      😉

      Like

      Reply
  23. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    We don’t always get what we want. A most enjoyable read, Iain. I liked it very much.
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    And she learned never to judge a book by its cover. Love the ending. (Also the beginning.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Poor thing! Her bubble was burst. He wasn’t what she imagined him to be. Has happened to me a time or two. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      People rarely live up to imagined expectations! Thanks Brenda

      Like

      Reply
  26. jillyfunnell Avatar
    jillyfunnell

    Ah, things not jelling one bit with this pair then. Perhaps like your MC – and definitely like some others here – I can’t compare JK’s work with the glorious other-worldly imagination of Pratchett.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jilly

      Like

      Reply
  27. i b arora Avatar
    i b arora

    i could never read more than ten pages of any HP. for me Alice in wonderland is the wonder book

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      An excellent choice 😀

      Like

      Reply
  28. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Looks like that was exactly the wrong quote with which to woo him 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Or exactly the right quote to rule him out as an acceptable friend! Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    what a turn down. i didn’t expect it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      No happy ending this week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    So she’ll be more careful about judging people by what she’s longing to find. I’ve had my life nearly ruined so many times by someone imposing their expectations on me that I’m afraid I have no sympathy for her. On the other hand, he really didn’t need to be so rude about it, so she’s better off. Very thought-provoking, especially judging by some of the reactions you got.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It was intended as humorous rather than a thought-provoker, but yes, it has provoked some interesting replies, depending on which side of the Potter debate you sit on!

      Like

      Reply
      1. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
        Eugenia Parrish Author

        It’s interesting that rather than laughing, so many of us had memories of misguided expectations or disappointment. You struck a nerve, I think, without meaning to. But yes, a lot of the disappointments were related to friends and loved ones who just don’t get HP! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  31. mjlstories Avatar
    mjlstories

    My daughter read Harry Potter and my son didn’t but enjoyed having them read to him by his Dad doing various voices. I think they’re a good read but suffer from hype – they are only books!!! These two library loners might just have got on if they’d got past the books!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, I agree, I think the over hype is part of the problem, and a fanatical fan base that won’t see past some flaws or that other books exist out there that might be better!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    Ah, apparently shared interest does not always a good enough glue make… 🙂
    Well penned! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, sometimes a shared interest can lead to conflict!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ouch! Her heart broken in a single moment. Well done. So he wasn’t quite as perfect as she’d imagined

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Few people ever are!

      Like

      Reply
  34. GHLearner Avatar
    GHLearner

    That was fun. Poor kid though, and she went to so much trouble to pick out a good quote.
    I used to be a huge HP fan, but didn’t like the later books. There’s a lot of fun and imagination in there, but also bullying, prejudice and classism of an unexpected kind. And the conclusion was simply awful, IMO.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  35. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    You can’t judge a book by its… Hmm…

    I found Harry Potter entertaining, but not obsession-worthy. Outside Tolkien and Martin, I’m not a big fan of fantasy and magic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  36. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Haha. I have definitely been there with human interaction. Well, okay, then. Thanks for a fun read.

    Like

    Reply
  37. larry trasciatti Avatar
    larry trasciatti

    Harry Potter has never appealed to me either. Maybe someday very soon each will find an available bookworm with truly compatible tastes

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Wouldn’t that be nice!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  38. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Poor girl! So much for the dream in her head. Stupid guys ruin it all the time! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Stupid guys ruin everything! 😉

      Like

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        😄😄

        Like

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