Crisscross
By Nanaho-Hime
For AphroditeAwry's Phobia Challenge
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Lavender Brown hates fur
She is clutching Seamus's arm her first time back in Diagon Alley, trying to hide her face from the inquisitive stares. She does not want to be here, she desperately does not want to be here, but Seamus is stubborn and resolute and he insists that it is time she try and get back out into the world. He promises to buy her a nice scarf from a new robe shop, and she relents because she knows he's right. Because she can't stay locked up in her flat forever, no matter how painful it is, no matter how terrifying it is. She must go out eventually.
A little gray kitten wanders along their path, most likely a stray; a scrawny little thing with matted gray fur.
She can feel herself begin to sweat, bad memories, repressed memories.
Sweat, and fur, and teeth and screams, and, oh God, she knows she is going to die.
She has stopped in the middle of the street and Seamus is asking her what's wrong, but all she can do is remember. She doesn't want to remember the searing pain, or the fur in her mouth, and against her skin. She can't stand fur, because it chokes you and stifles you.
She is screaming, screaming, screaming.
And Seamus puts an arm around her shoulders, and leads her into the nearest empty alleyway. She sinks to her knees, sobbing into her hands. Seamus kneels down beside her, rubbing circles along her back.
"Teeth, nails, fur," she gasps, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Lav," there is a pained look in Seamus's eyes, "It was just a cat, Lav."
She crosses her arms against her chest, shivering in the summer heat, "I hate fur Seamus Finnegan, I hate it."
Fur, sweat, teeth.
She kneels on all fours and vomits into the empty alleyway. Seamus holds back her hair, and holds her when she cries into his chest. She cries for a good few hours, before she is well enough to have him apparate her back to her flat.
Lavender Brown hates fur.
A/N: Reviews would be lovely so if you would?