So I will try...
Don't give up, they say, and she denies their accusations every time. But it is true. The moment she'd seen her face in a mirror after the battle, she'd given up.
Lavender had always held pride in her beauty, and all her plans had revolved around it. As a Pureblood, she had been guaranteed to be married in a well-off family because of her looks. Discounting that, too, she could have made a fortune being the pretty-face for any of the cosmetic or closing businesses.
It had not been shallowness. Her looks had been her gift, until Greyback had clawed it away.
She had survived the attack, but Lavender had been left feeling lifeless.
Now, though, as Lavender stares at herself in the mirror, it finally clicks, what has been swivelling in her thoughts for days, months. She realises that she wants to do more with her life than just give up.
Her gaze falls on today's copy Daily Prophet that lays, unopened, in front of her, untouched, just like all other copies from the past few months that are stacked on the table. The front page is filled with images of players zooming in and out, and the headlines speak of the upcoming Quidditch matches.
It's not the news that concerns Lavender. She's already getting to her feet, though, because inspiration struck her the moment she laid eyes on the Prophet.
She had been a decent, if not great, flier when they had flying lessons in the first year, but she had never pursued it beyond the classes because of how the wind damaged her hair.
Now, though, when beauty is inconsequential…
Lavender knows it will take a long time and a lot of hard work to achieve what she has in mind, and there's a great chance she may not succeed, but she hasn't wanted to do anything for a long time now, and she's willing to take a chance.
.
She strides into the Quality Quidditch Supplies with a purpose. Soon, she's at the cash counter, and Oliver Wood, who is working part time at the shop while being a reserve to Puddlemere, gapes at her.
Lavender tosses her hair over the shoulder. "I want to play."
Wood, it seems, recognises the determination in her eyes, because he doesn't question her. When he hands her the shrinked package containing her purchase, he wishes her luck.
Lavender smiles.
.
It takes longer to learn than Lavender wants, but she's happy with her progress. As the months pass, her moves get smoother, and she pulls up closer to the ground each time he dives.
When her friends learn of it, they turn up and practice with her, and Lavender is grateful. Harry teaches her how to keep a lookout while hovering above other players; Ron helps her with her nerves; they even get George to finally pick up his beater bat and aim the Bludger at her as she flies.
A year and half of daily practice and more than a few broken bones later, Wood pep-talks her as she awaits her tryouts at Chudley Cannons.
Another two years later, when her hand closes around the snitch in the semi-finals of the British and Irish League Cup, Ron's cheers are among the loudest.
Lavender feels glad she dared to try.
547 words
TGS Anime Week :: Prompt: Write about an unlikely character trying out for and getting a starting position on a Quidditch team. Bonus Prompt: (character) Lavender Brown
TGS Through The Universe :: Prompt: Oblateness — (character) Lavender Brown