Smile

Author's Notes: This is the first one of the many other drabbles that I'll be doing on the HP series. This is actually based on the characterizations of the canon characters from a RPG that I'm a member of. If you would like to know more why these two are acting like… well, them or like that, go here http(colon)/www(dot)greatestjournal(dot)com/liberibellumrpg and look for the members bluetwin and skirtchasing.

This has no fluff or anything resembling that. The conversation took place after one of the students were injured at Hogwarts just a little after curfew and was seen early in the morning the next day unconscious.

Disclaimer:I don't own the characters Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil. They're JK Rowling's creation. I'm merely using them for my own entertainment purposes and perhaps, for the enjoyment of others. Characters' personalities are based on a journal-based RPG over at GJ.

"I can't believe I'm actually saying this, much more to you," Padma Patil started, her voice tinged with disbelief and irritation. "But I fear the future," she continued, her voice dropping and quivering a little.

She was on patrol with her Housemate and co-Prefect Anthony Goldstein, doing their rounds on the East wing while Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan were doing theirs on the West. The four agreed to have separate patrols this night as this way, they'll be covering more grounds before their duty ends.

Padma has stopped walking when she spoke up, her eyes cast downwards. And then with a shake of her head, her eyes closing briefly as she did, she continued walking, her eyes roaming the hallway carefully as she always did, as if nothing happened. As if she has never spoken.

Anthony would have dismissed the sudden pause of his patrol partner if he didn't hear her quiet revelation. He was surprised, for when they go on patrol before, they would only be doing either of the following: they talk about classes, he would tease her for being serious, she would reprimand him for being lazy (or acting like one), or they would argue over the smallest things like Padma's non-existent love life or Anthony's sudden end of skirt-chasing days.

But tonight was a night full of surprises. There was the assignment of prefects from only two Houses (not the usual mix of four since the accident) and from the same year (not the usual mix of year levels). Then the agreement of covering more parts of the castle by separating and patrolling on opposite wings. And now, Padma's confession.

Slowing his pace a little to let his co-Prefect catch up, he glanced at her and said, "Well, I'm touched that you chose me to share your worries with." His was teasing her, in an effort to lighten her mood. He even turned his body slightly to her so she could see that he placed his left hand over his heart.

Padma rolled her eyes and said, "I knew I shouldn't give in to my sudden urge to voice out my thoughts to you." And she hit his arm quite hard before facing forward again. But it wasn't quick enough for Anthony not to notice that she smiled briefly.

"I made you smile!" he said triumphantly, after which he jogged forward and faced the shorter Ravenclaw, who was now glaring at him.

"I did not," she retorted, ignoring his grin as he walked backwards so he could continue looking at her.

"Admit it, Padma."

"Psh. I'm not admitting anything."

"Just say that I made you smile."

"No."

"Paaadmaaa… Come on and admit that I, Anthony Goldstein, made you smi – Ow!" He wasn't looking behind him to see where he was going as he was busy taunting his co-Prefect that he failed to see the pillar which he crashed into.

He was rubbing the back of his head while simultaneously feeling for a bump when he heard it. He looked up and saw her grinning, her shoulders shaking due to stifling her laughter.

Minutes later, when they were continuing their patrol, Anthony brought up the incident.

"I have not only made you smile… I also made you laugh!" he declared, glancing at his partner.

Padma sighed. "I hate you, Anthony." But she said it with a smile.

"I know."

And they started heading back to the Prefects' lounge to meet up with the two Hufflepuff prefects and exchange reports.

End.