"I never meant for this to happen," you insist, tears feeling your eyes.
Your throat is raw and sore from screaming. Why won't she listen? Can she hear you at all.
Lavender's eyes narrow at you, her beautiful face twisting into a scowling mask of anger. "Like your meaning matters," she says at last.
And maybe she's right. Maybe you should have done more to protect her. If you hadn't looked away for even a second, Greyback never would have had a chance to touch her.
An apology rises through your throat, but it sticks. You gasp and sputter, your heart racing until it feels like it might rip itself from your chest.
All you can do is scream.
You're still screaming when you wake up, bolting uptight.
"Parvati?" Lavender sits up beside you.
Moonlight spills through the window, bathing her in a silvery glow, and gods, she is practically perfect in every way. It doesn't matter that the scars have twisted and contorted her flesh; you barely even notice anymore. Lavender Brown is a goddess, and you want nothing more than to worship her until the end of your days and into the next life.
"Nightmares again?" your lover asks, her soft fingertips slowly trailing down your arm.
You nod mutely. Nightmares. Of course that's all it is. Somehow, despite it all, Lavender does not blame you. It doesn't matter that you've spent months hating yourself for not being fast enough, for not being able to save her from suffering.
It's all your fault.
But she swears it's not, and she always kisses you like she's trying to suck those insecurities from your soul. Some days, it works; tonight, it doesn't.
But you still relax against her, relishing her warmth and softness. Maybe she doesn't chase away the nightmares, but you can pretend.