Author's Note: Written for cranky_crocus's Sapphic Stocking on hpsapphicappeal. The request that I filled was Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown (especially post-Battle), female friendship and support.
)O(
Hogwarts castle was still half in ruins, and Parvati and Lavender stared at it while they waited on the Hogsmeade platform for the train that would take them away from their school for the last time. Parvati looped her arm through Lavender's and rested her head on her shoulder.
"It's just as well that we're leaving now," she commented idly. "I don't think Hogwarts could ever be the same after..." She trailed off, and Lavender felt a little shiver go through her.
"No, I don't think so."
Parvati raised her hand and touched the scars that ran down Lavender's cheek. If it had been anyone else, Lavender would have slapped their hand away and told them off, but after seven years of friendship – and after the war – Parvati was so close to her that her hand might have been her own.
"But it's over." That had been all anyone had been saying since the end of the battle – it's over, it's over, as if by repeating it, they would ensure its truth. And as if Voldemort's death really meant that it was all over. Lavender knew that wasn't true, and she suspected Parvati knew as well: Lavender's battle scars were visible, but even the people who didn't have a single mark on their skin would never forget the war. And as long as there were people who bore scars on their souls, it wouldn't ever really be over.
"Well," Parvati amended, as if she'd read her thoughts. "as close to over as it's going to be."
"That's true." She squeezed her hand and smiled at her. "No more Dumbledore's Army. No more being afraid that one of us is going to get taken into the Headmaster's office and never come out."
Parvati shuddered visibly at the thought.
"No more," she echoed. "We can finally get on with living our lives. Together. Until we're old and grey."
"Yes," said Lavender, and she nuzzled her scarred cheek gently against Parvati's smooth one. "Together."
)O(
Fin
