CHANCE AT LOVE

Author's Notes: I've been wanting to explore what happened to the Ravenclaws in Harry's world and I've always thought Padma would end up with Anthony, or Theodore Nott, Jr. Maybe even Zacharias Smith. So here's my take on these minor characters from the last chapter of Deathly Hallows and the Epilogue.

Also, there may or may not be a ball of sorts but I imagined there should be a sort of celebration, especially after 10 years of peace.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and associated characters are copyright JK Rowling, Warner Brothers Studios, Scholastica, Bloomsbury, etc.

Padma Patil looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She had not done this in three months, two weeks, and four days. She was in no way, as vain like her twin sister but there's something entirely different when you were looking at scars. Battle scars to be exact. They weren't that visible unless one looks closely but she knew where each and every one were. They let her remember that fateful night of 1998. She remembered Hogwarts Castle little by little crumbling down. She remembered her teachers' faces: resolute and determined to defend the school and protect the students, especially the younger ones. She remembered her friends and schoolmates. They lost a lot but she was grateful her sister and her closest friends were spared.

Gingerly, she traced a thin scar on her left temple down to her jaw. It was unnoticeable, especially if she put on concealer, but tonight she wouldn't. She didn't usually make an effort but tonight, it didn't feel right to hide them. Today was the tenth year anniversary of the battle and tonight, she will be seeing friends and comrades. That scar, and the rest on her chest, arms, a few on her legs, and that long slash on her back were remembrances of what she went through, and reminders that she was alive. And so were the important people in her life.

Sighing, she looked away from the mirror and opened her closet. It was an improvement, honestly, as she used to stare at herself in the mirror every time she took a bath and then would promptly break down. Thoughts of leaving the thick part of the battle early and focusing on helping Madam Pomfrey crossed her mind every time. If only she left when she was still able, she could have helped Madam Pomfrey in healing the injured. If only she didn't fire that first hex she wouldn't have been drawn outside. If only she headed straight to the infirmary, knowing the outcome of battle. If only, if only. But she chose to fight. And in the end, remembering she was alive, and so were her sister and friends and that it was over, she pulls herself together and removes traces of tears from her face, lights lavender scented candles, turns on some soothing music, and lowers herself in the tub.

Now, deep breaths calm her and it was good as she needed to get ready. She picked up a simple beige, semi-sheer chiffon jumpsuit, that has a loose spaghetti strapped top, elastic waist, and loose pants. It was comfortable, and the racerback lends a subtle sexiness to the outfit. She wore it and accessorized with gold: a pair of gold hoop earrings, a slim gold watch on her left wrist, a gold infinity thumb ring on her right hand, a gold wire bangle on her right upper arm, gold rope belt, and single strapped gold high-heeled sandals. She let her thick, black hair down, taming it a bit with a spell, letting the waves fall naturally against her back hiding her scars. She turned around and looked at herself in the mirror again. On second thought, she gathered her hair up into a high ponytail, secured it with a black elastic and wound a thin strand of her hair around the elastic for a more polished look. Scars be damned. Her outfit did not cover those on her chest and arms anyway. Plus, she was probably the only one who notices them. Satisfied, she then worked on her makeup, keeping it as simple as her outfit, choosing to line her eyes with kohl, curling her lashes and applying mascara, dusted bronzer on the apples of her cheeks, and applied natural colored lipstick on her lips. Glancing one last time at the mirror, she nodded and went out into the hallway.

Slowly descending down the stairs, Padma discovered Dean Thomas sitting on the sofa, silently manipulating a Muggle toy she and her twin Parvati had both taken a liking to: the Rubik's cube. While she and her sister didn't use magic to turn the faces of the cube, here was Dean, brows knitted together as the cube hovered in front of him, flicking his wand to turn a face, swishing it around to see if he made progress. He hadn't even heard her coming down the stairs, despite her heels making a noise. Grinning, she continued down and upon reaching the wizard, tapped him lightly on his shoulder.

"Dean," Padma said quietly, so as not to startle the bloke too much. But as expected, Dean gave a yelp and the cube fell on the table. He looked up and grinned sheepishly when he recognized it was her.

"Hullo, Padma," Dean greeted as he stood up and pecked her cheek. "Sorry about that," gesturing to the toy. "I got here early and I know Parvati takes a long time to prepare and I've always wanted to finish it so…" He was rambling and he stopped talking when he realized it.

Padma grinned. "It's okay, Dean. I suppose we've left you alone too long." She walked towards the table and picked up the cube, turning it around. "And you almost got it," she exclaimed, passing the cube to Dean. "If I hadn't come down now, you probably would have it sorted out before we leave for the party."

Dean blushed. "Don't tease, Padma. Parvati told me how you've solved this loads of times since the two of you bought this."

Padma laughed. "It's been with us for ages and I've always liked to challenge myself." Then quietly, she admitted, "I honestly slept very late the first few weeks until I managed to solve it."

Dean's smile brightened at this admission when they heard a voice call out for help.

"Paddy!"

Padma winked at Dean. "I'll be right back." She saw him pick up the toy as she went back up the stairs as fast as her heeled feet can carry her. Knocking on the door to her twin's bedroom, she slowly opened the door to find herself suddenly pulled in quickly, the door closing behind her with a slam.

"Vati?" she asked cautiously as her eyes adjusted to the too bright lights in her sister's bedroom.

"Do I look okay?" Parvati Patil asked her twin sister breathlessly, hands clasped together over her chest. Her long thick hair cascaded down in waves and curls, framing her face softly. Her eyes were lined, her eyelids had a bit of shimmer. Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips were a lovely shade of mauve. She was also wearing beige, a short saree-inspired dress: a sleeveless wrap that ties at her left shoulder, with the edges trimmed in gold. Her feet were clad in gold high-heeled pumps.

Padma laughed. "We do think alike every now and then." She reached out and gently tucked a stray hair behind her twin's ear. "You look lovely. What's gotten you worried?"

Parvati sighed as she sat down on the chair of her dresser. "I'm nervous. I feel today's the day." She said this while twiddling her left ring finger.

Padma's eyes widened with excitement. "But how do you know? Did you look at tea leaves?" she asked teasingly.

Parvati stuck out her tongue. "You know that's hogwash. But I actually did," she confessed. "Only because I feel it's coming. And I've been feeling it strongly since the invitations had been sent." She was wringing her hands now, visibly agitated and before losing the urge the keep on sitting and not stand up to pace, her twin grasped her hands as she sat so they would be level.

"Parvati, relax." Padma crooned soothingly, squeezing her sister's hands gently. "Is it that worrisome? You've loved him since we were 15 and you've been together for five years after 5 years of tiptoeing around each other." She earned a playful punch at that. "Is it the waiting? Or you're changing your mind?" The former Ravenclaw Prefect asked quietly.

"No!" Parvati answered surely, earning a smirk from her twin. "It's just… I don't honestly know why I'm a wreck. It's… look at me, Paddy. I'm ugly. My stomach's a tangle of webs, I have that red patch on my back, and my face. If I don't use a charm…" she trailed off, not wanting to continue for fear of breaking down.

Padma stood and sat next to her sister, squeezing in the small chair. Gently, she smoothed her sister's hair before grasping her twin's chin so they'd be facing each other. "Parvati," she started, softly but firmly. "You are beautiful. We are, after all, the prettiest in our year, yes?" She smiled. "And what do those scars do but magnify your beauty? They show what's inside you. That you're brave. That you're selfless. That you care. That you're beautiful inside as you are outside." Padma knew she was telling these to her twin but it felt as if she was also telling these to herself. "Besides which, I know for a fact that you've been intimate with Dean loads of time and…" She wasn't able to finish her teasing as her sister playfully punched her again.

"PADMA!"

Padma laughed. "Oh, hush. I'm your twin. Even if you've been very careful with charming this room, remember that I'm just at the other side. And proximity means…"

"We feel each other's powerful emotions better."

"We feel each other's sexual tensions stronger."

"PADDY!" Parvati shrieked, laughing and hitting her twin on the shoulder.

"What?" Padma asked, trying to keep a straight face before breaking down to a giggle. "Come now. Dean's been waiting and I think he has just solved the cube." She added as they heard a loud, "Yes!" coming from downstairs.

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