Lavender and Crimson
One: We all fall Together
You changed my world with a blink of an eye. That is something that I can not deny. You put my soul from worst to best. That is why I treasure you. It's funny. We almost never did cross paths. It's just kind of ironic, you know? How faith works. Look at us. We're both struggling to put back missing pieces. You need a shoulder, and so do I. I can take your hand, and allow you to cry on my shoulder, while I can cry on yours. It so magical those things you've made. To bring back my faith that almost faded. When I think there was nothing left. Drowning in my own grief..
That's when he saw her. Perched beside the eastern side of the lake. Her hands were poised in front of her. Her palms pressed into the grass. Her breathing labored, and the tears plummeting from the depths of her eyes. Ron didn't know whether to approach the girl in the feeble state she was in, or casually leave her to her thoughts. Quietly, Ron approached, still wanting to keep his distance from the distressed girl. As he drew nearer, her image had gotten clearer. Sleek and loose fitting was the pale lavender evening gown she wore. Long and left unrestrained were golden brown strands. Her face was hidden, lost in a soft array of sobbing.
That was.. Lavender Brown. Ron mused, and whispered her name out loud to himself in faint surprise. She was in his year, and they rarely crossed paths. No, Lavender had her own life while he had his own. Sure she would nod to him and Harry in the hallway at some points, her face hinting a smile as she bid her greetings. Yet there was no smile on her face now. Ron, suddenly very curious slipped up behind her and calmly bent down. His hands relaxing on his knees. For a few long minutes she took no notice of the redheaded boy who was watching her, that was until he spoke.
"Lavender?" He finally found the right time to speak. The girl froze in place, sharply turning her head to gaze at the boy seated behind her. Her face froze, as she quickly begun to wipe the tears from her eyes. They were a deep shade of indigo. Lavender would be considered attractive, at least by most boys' words. Ron wasn't one to just go "oh wow she's beautiful!" Only the shallow would do that. Instead, he wasn't dwelling on her physical appearance. Just feeling concerned. She was eagerly trying to gather herself; already pretty embarrassed that Ron had approached her in the state she was in. It showed by the faint flush in her cheeks.
"Ron?" Her voice was quiet, yet she sounded surprised.
"You alright?"
"Oh. I'm fine."
He frowned, and settled down beside her. "Then why aren't you inside, dancing it up with Seamus?" He stretched his legs out amid the grass.
Lavender was silent for a moment, her arms crossed as her eyes shut. She took a deep breath, and exhaled through her nose. Ron tilted his head, watching a faint breeze ripple the surface of the glossy lake. Feeling awkward for asking, Ron raised a nervous brow, and looked at her.
"I heard him speaking to Dean earlier." She begun, struggling to keep her voice from breaking. "I had.. left for a few minutes to talk with Parvati, and when I came back over, they didn't notice me. So I heard a bit of what they were discussing."
"What happened then?" Strangely, Ron felt his stomach jolt. He continued to look at her, watching as she tilted her head down to peer at her hands in her lap.
She sighed wearily. "He.. said he was just using me. To gain a better status. Says I'm one of the prettiest girls in their year, and that he was just hanging onto me for that. He never really cared for me at all!" She paused; a hand was pressed to her temple. Ron scooted closer. "That I was another brainless ditz." She concluded with self-loathing dripping in her words. Ron was dumfounded for a few moments.
Then, the boy felt something. Felt like he had been her friend ever since he had stepped foot in Hogwarts. Lavender had always been admired for her social status, and how well she carried herself. After all, she had many male admirers after her. She had chosen Seamus last year, for the Yule Ball. She had strived to keep their relationship going. For Lavender had fallen in love with him, but Seamus, saw only a comfortable ride. He suddenly hated Seamus Finnigan. Treating somebody like that. How could somebody use a girl's emotions for his or her own pleasure? The thought left Ron's opinion of the boy very bitter.
She was left in pain due to his foolish actions. Ron was smart enough to know not to play with somebody like that. She had fallen into his web, had showered him with affection. Only to have her heart broken in the end. Sort of like him. Only while he had the strong emotions, Hermione hadn't. It seemed to be a game of hurt, and weeding out who really is falling for one another.
"Then he did a very foolish thing." Ron grumbled, trying to sound calm. It wasn't really working all that much. Lavender turned her head to peer at him again, looking grim. Her face tear-stained. The boy struggled to say something else, but it was sort of awkward dwelling on a topic he knew little about. Instead he just offered his shoulder to his distressed friend. The other girl leaned against his shoulder, and continued to cry bitterly while Ron stared outward. He said nothing, but listened to her. Offering his hand, in her hour of need...
Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown grew a bit closer that night.