Written for the "Choose Your Path" Challenge.
1. Write about someone's last words.
Someone once told me that saying good bye is one the hardest things that you will ever do in your life. Looking back, I don't think it's true. There are plenty of things that I have said and done, that were much harder than saying those two simple words.
Maybe it's because I've been through so much. I was right beside Harry and such during the Final Battle, you know. I've always been for them; I never was on Voldemort's side. I didn't know much about it though, so it wasn't like I had much choice. I listened to my friends and believed them. It's as simple as that.
I think I was talking to Hermione at the time the thought crossed my mind. To be honest, I'm rather ashamed to admit that the thought of my twin's wellbeing hadn't even crossed my mind until a good few minutes of duelling.
I was quick to find her. After yelling a quick message to Hermione, I dashed off in the direction from where I could hear high-pitched yelling. I was hoping that that would be Lavender Brown, and if that was so; I could only pray that Parvati would be near by.
I was in luck. Parvati was busy flinging hexes to a Death Eater, as if it was a daily occurrence. Her black hair that was, as always, held in a long plait swung from side to side as she waved her wand in the air. Lavender was beside her, flinging a few weaker spells in the Death Eater's direction. I can't remember what spell I cast, but it must have been a good one, for the Death Eater fell to the ground, and I heard Parvati breath a sigh of relief.
Lavender gazed around the room, not looking me in the eye. "I'm going to help Seamus!" she called, before sprinting off to help her fellow Gryffindor.
"Are you alright?" I asked after she was out of hearing distance. I had pulled Parvati into a safer corner, and my eyes were darting around nervously as I tried to keep an eye on the war around us.
"Yes, Padma," she told me, trying to assure me. I always was the worrywart. She gripped my shoulders, forcing me to face her. "I'm going to go back and fight. We'll probably get separated."
"Let's not separate," I begged her. I didn't want to let her out of my sight. But then, could you blame me? We were never close, but for Merlin's sake, she's my sister. I didn't want to see her die. I wanted to be there to protect her.
"No, Padma," Parvati said firmly. "We'll have to. Come on, it won't be so bad."
She was right, for once. I was being pretty silly. I knew she was a skilled witch, and I knew she could take care of herself. But I was terribly frightened. It wasn't so much that I was worried for her, but more due to the fact that I wanted someone there for me. I felt like I was a little girl again, and needed someone to hold my hand. I needed the reassurance that everything would be okay.
"Padma…" Parvati trailed off, rubbing her fingers against her temples in circles. "I love you, you know that right? We've got to split. I've got to help Lav, and you should go help Morag. Look – she's not doing so well over there."
I followed her gaze as she pointed out my friend, who was struggling as she fought. She was right, for the second time that night. Morag looked as if she was about to pass out. I had to go help her.
I turned to Parvati with tears in my eyes. It was then when I did the hardest thing I've ever done. You see, it's not saying good bye that's the hard part. The hard part is saying good bye...
… And then leaving.