For the One Character Only Competition (PadmaHannah. Optional Prompts: Hogwarts, book, fear)
Also for the Hogwarts Forum
Writing Club-
Showtime "I Didn't Know I'd Love You So Much" (save)
Badger Day (write about a Hufflepuff)
When Padma notices Crabbe and Goyle corner a second year boy in the library, she decides it's time to leave. Without bothering to consult with Madam Pince first, she grabs the book she's been copying notes from, tucks it under her arm, and hurries away before the Slytherin bullies decide to turn their cruel attention to her.
It's cowardly. She knows this, but it doesn't matter. Parvati is the bold one who knows how to jump in and play the hero. Padma is the clever one who knows that keeping her head down is the only way to survive at Hogwarts now.
She holds onto the book for dear life and hurries along the corridor. Head down, mouth shut. She silently repeats the mantra in her head.
This isn't like when Umbridge had been in power. Umbridge is a kitten compared to the Carrows and their twisted sense of punishment. Padma can't bring herself to join the uprising that has begun, no matter how much her friends, sister, and girlfriend had pleaded. With Umbridge, there had been a chance. She's too smart to deny that Hogwarts is now a battleground, and they have no hope of being victorious.
As she rounds the corner, she freezes when she hears a familiar voice. "Stop… Please…"
"Do you ever wonder if your mother begged for mercy?" Amycus Carrow sneers. "I bet she did. Crucio!"
Padma watches in horror as the Cruciatus Curse grips Hannah's body. Her girlfriend writhes in agony, her screams echoing through the corridor.
Padma knows she should walk away. She can find Hannah later and offer her comfort. Intervening will only bring her trouble. Head down, mouth shut. Head down, mouth shut.
Hannah screams again. Her body trembles pitifully as she tries to sit up, only to collapse again from exhaustion.
"Do you miss your mummy?" Amycus taunts. "I can arrange for you to see her again."
His words send a fire through Padma. Maybe it's an empty threat, just a way to break Hannah down. Padma doesn't care. He's threatened the girl she loves, and Padma refuses to stand idly by.
She doesn't even think as she acts. The book falls noisily to the floor, drawing the wretched man's attention her way. "Move along, little girl, or you're ne-"
"Stupefy!" Padma screams, watching in satisfaction as her spell collides with his chest and causes him to topple over.
Her excitement is short lived, however. Realization dawns on her, and she swears under her breath. She's attacked a teacher. Worse still, she's attacked a teacher who can have her locked in the dungeons and tortured until he grows bored with her pain.
"Pa- Padma?" Hannah whispers.
Padma fights down her panic, forcing herself to move forward. She kneels beside Hannah, her hand trembling as she caresses the Hufflepuff's cheek. "Merlin, Hannah," she sighs. "Are you okay?"
"Better now that you're here," Hannah manages, offering her a shaky smile.
"We should go before he… before he…" Padma trails off, shaking her head. She had been stupid and impulsive. Maybe her twin would be proud, but all Padma can feel is icy fear gripping her insides.
Without another word, she helps Hannah to her feet. Hannah rests her head against Padma's shoulder. "My hero," she whispers.
Padma wishes she could smiles. She wishes she could as cool and confident as Parvati and laugh it off like she's some suave heroine in an epic novel. Instead, she swallows dryly, helping Hannah move through the corridor. "He saw me," she groans. "I'm dead, Hannah."
Hannah shifts slightly so that she can press a gentle kiss to Padma's shoulder. "We can hide."
Now, Padma manages a scoffing laugh. Hide? Hannah makes it sound so simple. Hogwarts might be a huge place, but this isn't a game. There's no safe haven for them, and there's no way that they can run away together and live happily ever after for the rest of their days.
"Dumbledore's Army," Hannah adds. "Still recruiting."
Padma swallows dryly. Head down, mouth shut. It's been her motto since the beginning. Following Hannah's guidance will mean defying the phrase that has kept her safe.
But she's already done that. Amycus Carrow is still laying in the corridor behind them, waiting for someone to come along and reserve the spell. Padma safe anymore; no amount of caution can ever save her again.
"Room of Requirement," Padma sighs. "No other choice."
…
"You can relax now," Hannah tells her, plopping down on the mattress beside Padma. "You're safe."
Padma rolls her eyes at that word. None of them are safe. It's only a matter of time before they're found, just as they had been found during Umbridge's days at Hogwarts.
She doesn't remind Hannah of this. The Hufflepuff is too kind, too gentle. Even the thought of mentioning such negative things makes Padma feel guilty.
Instead, she remains silent and takes her girlfriend's hand and presses a kiss to her knuckles. "I am relaxing," she grumbles.
Hannah laughs and frees her hand before stroking Padma's dark hair. "You sure fooled me," she teases. "I know you, remember? I can tell when something is bothering you."
Padma leans in, nuzzling against Hannah's side. Maybe she should tell Hannah all of her troubling thoughts. She's one of the few people who has always listened to Padma without judgement. And yet, Hannah seems happy now. Padma can't bring herself to ruin that.
"How are you feeling?" she asks, desperate to change the subject.
"I have you. I'm fine."
Padma doesn't quite believe her. It doesn't matter that Hannah loves her; she's been through hell, and there's no way that Padma's presence can magically change that. She doesn't argue, though. She simply sits there, snuggled up to Hannah, watching the hustle and bustle and hoping that one day they both really will be fine.
