Title: Mark of Courage
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Bill/Lavender
Warnings: EWE
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 586
Summary: Bill gives Lavender hope.
Notes:
Triwizard Tournament Competition: Prompt Use – Lavender Brown
Lavender gazes at herself in the mirror. The ugly scar mars her once perfect face. She touches it with gentle fingers, wincing at first contact despite the fact it no longer hurts.
She sighs, turning away from the mirror. She used to love looking at herself in the mirror, but now it's hard for her to stomach her reflection.
She had always prided herself when it came to looks. She knew she was one of the most attractive girls at Hogwarts. Many of the boys wanted to get close to her. Now though, most people couldn't even look at her, and the ones who managed to look, couldn't stop themselves from gawking at her face. They probably couldn't believe how absolutely hideous she looked.
She has barely left her flat since the war, but today she has decided she needs to get out of it. She's not going too far from it, but she's going to the outdoor cafe that's down the street.
Once she gets there, she sees a familiar redhead. His scar is similar to hers, making Lavender feel comfortable for the first time since she received it.
She walks to his table and waves shyly.
Bill smiles kindly. "Lavender, how are you?"
She ignores the question and instead asks, "You're still in the country?"
Bill shrugs. "My family needs my help, especially with the loss of Fred. And family comes first."
Lavender nods. "Are you and Fleur doing well?"
Bill furrows his eyebrows. "You don't know?"
Lavender shakes her head.
"We were supposed to get married before the final battle happened, but we didn't go through with it. Even though she wouldn't admit to it, I think she had problems with the visible evidence of my fight with Greyback."
Lavender flinches, her left hand automatically going to her face. She wonders if she'll have the same problem. Will she find someone who can look past her physical imperfections? She knows she doesn't have much to offer in the form of brains, but she hopes she's attractive in other ways.
Bill notices the flinch. "Lavender, just because Fleur couldn't handle it, it doesn't mean you won't find someone who can. Not everyone is that shallow."
"It's hard," she admits.
Bill nods. "I know. I was always considered ruggedly handsome, and the scar enhances it somewhat, but I still hated it when it first happened. I started looking at it as proof of my courage, though. I got it fighting for something I believe in and nothing can be wrong about that."
"A mark of courage?" Lavender asks as she sits down, looking into Bill's eyes and for the first time since the battle, feeling pleasure that he's looking at her as if she's a normal witch, not horribly disfigured.
"You got the scar when you fought the good fight. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
Lavender smiles, eyes tilted down to the table.
"And you still have a beautiful smile," Bill finishes.
Her breath catches, and she wonders if maybe she was wrong during her sixth year. Maybe she showed interested in the wrong Weasley. Maybe Bill is the one she's meant for. She takes his hand, and Bill doesn't seem bothered by the gesture. He even squeezes her hand, his eyes intent in their perusal of her, and she finds herself not uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
Maybe, there really is someone out there for her. Maybe Bill can be the strength she needs. Maybe she should stop thinking and just follow her heart.