For the Light it up like it's the 4th of July Event on TGS ("Firework" by Katy Perry)
Beauxbatons, Barbegazi
Word Count: 369
The bandages fall away. Her once beautiful face is marred.
Lavender cries when she looks at her reflection.
…
The war changed her. She tries to be the girl she used to be, but it's no use. Where she once felt pride, there is only shame.
Lavender hides away. Monsters should not show their faces.
…
She carries on, aimless. Visitors come, but her mother is kind enough to turn them away. She makes up excuses.
Lavender is resting.
She is too tired to see anyone.
Truthfully, she misses the company. But the thought of being around people makes her want to break.
…
Parvati is stubborn. She pushes past Lavender's mother, ignoring the woman's protests.
"Something to cheer you up," Parvati says, her arms laden with dresses, makeup, and magazines.
Lavender wants to smile. It's things she once enjoyed, but she doesn't enjoy anything anymore.
…
Parvati doesn't stop coming around. Lavender tries to hide away, but her best friend won't let her.
"Why do you keep doing this?" Lavender asks.
"I miss you," Parvati answers.
…
The dress feels strange on Lavender's body. She's painfully aware of the scars on her shoulders, exposed by the fabric. Parvati places a shawl around her.
"There. You can pretend," she says before dotting Lavender's face with foundation.
Lavender almost smiles. She almost feels like herself again.
But almost isn't enough.
…
"I don't know about this."
Parvati shakes her head. "It's a banquet to honor those who fought," she insists. "You should be there."
Lavender swallows dryly. She doesn't want to be there. She wants to hide away, to return to her dull life in the shadows.
But, really, she's tired of hiding.
…
She steps into the room, and her heart races. If only she could run away, but Parvati holds her hand tightly.
They stare at her. She expects pity, but she's only met with warmth.
"Good to see you again."
"I missed you!"
Each step she takes, she feels that old confidence return until she feels as though she might burst.
She smiles for the first time in what feels like forever. Laughter spills easily from her lips.
She is radiant. She is happy. She is herself.