A/N: The first in a random little collection. Taking place maybe a day or two after the Battle of Hogwarts.
In Time
Story 1: Coming and Going
He was in fact, a coward, and had always been one. He didn't like the term 'coward' though. He was…well, prudent. He saved his own ass and didn't bother with anyone else's.
He was passed out on a park bench. Running out on the battle was stupid enough, but he hadn't even gone home. He was lying on a park bench overlooking a vast expanse of tombstones and grave markers.
"I figured you'd be here."
His eyes snapped open. He smirked a little.
"I can see up your skirt." She huffed. He pushed himself into a sitting position, pushing his blond bangs out of his eyes.
"You're so out of order," she hissed, sitting down.
He turned to her, studying her carefully. She was beautiful. Of course that's the first thing anyone noticed. But she was also stubborn, stuck-up, intelligent, quirky, caring, funny, sarcastic and talented.
But he didn't care about any of that.
She was beautiful.
"You left."
He nodded. "I never signed up to die for Harry Potter, you know."
She smiled. "I know…I was just worried about you."
"I tried to get you to leave."
"I wanted to fight."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I never said anything against it."
"Yes you did!"
Realization dawned and he grinned. "Yeah."
"That's nothing to smirk about, Zach!" she said, her voice rising. "If I remember correctly, your exact words were 'you're so stubborn, you suicidal lunatic'."
"And that hurt your feelings, why?" he asked.
"Because…" she faltered for a second.
"You care what I think?"
"No, I don't!" she said.
"Padma. Quit being stupid. You do."
"Why should I? You left! I could've died and you walked out like it was no big deal!"
More like ran out like my arse was on fire…he thought bitterly.
"But you know what makes all the difference?" he asked, his face lighting up with an epiphany that was both brilliant and utterly terrifying.
"What?" she said, standing up, her long braid swing behind her, arms folded over her chest.
"You came back."
Padma groaned in defeat and fell back onto the bench, hiding her face in her hands as she burst out laughing at the sheer irony of everything.