May 27- Exposed

Lavender

Lavender pushed her hair forward compulsively as she sat outside the café with Katie and Alicia. Katie has basically forced her out of the house, claiming that some fresh air and sunshine was just what she needed. While Lavender had to admit it was a beautiful day, she couldn't relax. This was the first time she had been out in public since it happened.

"Will you stop?" Alicia said, rolling her eyes at the younger girl. "You are stressing me out! No one is looking at you!" Lavender quickly let her hands fall to her lap but just as quickly they returned to fidget with her scarf, almost against her will.

Alicia shook her head and lit a cigarette causing Katie to groan. "Do you have to, Al? I hate it when you smoke!"

Alicia just shrugged and got up, standing a few feet away from the other two as they sipped their pumpkin coolers.

Katie's face set in a tight frown as she looked back at Lavender.

"How're you holding up?" she asked and Lavender smiled tightly.

"I'm ok, really. I know I'm being mental about the scars but I just feel like everyone knows," she whispered the last word, glancing sideways as a family with a small child walked by.

Alicia snorted in laughter as she returned to the table.

"I doubt anyone in this Muggle suburb thinks you got bit by a werewolf! It just looks like a dog bite or something. Not that that's great but…" Alicia trailed off looking sheepish as Lavender saw Katie glare at her.

"I think what Alicia is trying to say," Katie went on, "is that you are imagining things. I don't even see them anymore and it's likely that anyone glancing over here is looking at Alicia's crazy hot pink 'do!"

Lavender laughed as Alicia modeled her new hairstyle, which was short and spiky with hot pink tips. Lavender would never do it, but she thought it fit Alicia, who had a bright personality and a loud laugh.

"I could do you if you want Lav!" Alicia said.

Lavender shook her head. "No thanks, I don't need anymore attention! I kind of just want to keep a low profile. It'll be hard enough if I take the job at Fred and George's." Lavender felt herself flush as she realized what she said. Alicia's smirk turned down sharply at the mention of her dead friend. Katie reached across the table to pat her hand.

"Um, sorry," Lavender said awkwardly. She was always putting her foot in her mouth when it came to the war. People had lost loved ones and all she cared about was her looks. Pathetic.

Alicia blinked and shook her head. "No, no worries. What job are you talking about?"

Lavender bit her lip and pulled Lee's recently delivered letter from her bag.

"Um well, Lee says that George needs some help with the books that um, Fred, well he used to manage them."

Alicia raised her eyebrows. "And…?"

Lavender felt another slight flush flood her face, this time from embarrassment. She had always been so confident and proud of her accomplishments but now she felt like a braggart.

"Um, I'm pretty good with that sort of thing. My dad is an accountant."

"Oh, that's right!" Katie said cheerfully. "I forgot! Plus didn't you get one of the only O's in Arithmancy in your year?"

Lavender nodded. "Me and Hermione were the only ones, actually. Even MacMillan got an E."

She glanced between the two older girls and saw they both looked impressed.

"So wait, why did you say if you take the job? You should definitely take it!" Katie said excitedly.

Lavender played with her drink. "Well, I don't know any of the details yet."

Alicia peered over the table at her. "What did Lee say?" but before Lavender could answer Alicia pulled the letter from her hands and made to read it.

"Hey!" Lavender protested, but Alicia gave her an amused look and turned away to read it.

"Relax, Lav, Lee is my cousin. I already know how much he fancies you."

Lavender felt the wolfish rage pulse through her at the statement. She took several deep breaths as Alicia read until she felt Katie's hand on her back.

"It's alright, Lavender. Alicia is not a threat."

Lavender exhaled deeply and when she looked back at Alicia she thought she saw a hint of fear.

"Um, sorry. Didn't mean to get you upset. You don't want to talk about Lee?"

Lavender felt herself deflate. "There's nothing to talk about."

"I beg to differ. Do you fancy him?"

Lavender looked beseechingly at Katie but her friend was looking just as curious as Alicia.

"I don't know! It's not like we spend any time together! It's just-" she reached over and yanked the letter out of Alicia's hand, "letters! That's all it is and all it will ever be."

Lavender found herself smoothing the letter out now so she could add it to the collection she had made.

"What a crock of thestral dung," Alicia said dryly and Katie's laugh made Lavender laugh as well.

"It's not! Even if you are right and Lee does for some reason fancy me, he likely fancies the girl he remembers from Hogwarts, the one with perfect skin and-"

"A creepy obsession with Ron Weasley?" Alicia cut in with amusement written all over her face.

"It was not an obsession!" she argued but upon looking at their faces added, "More of an infatuation, I think. Nevermind that! We aren't talking about Ron."

Alicia pulled another cigarette and glanced at Katie. "I need to be smoking when I give advice.
Back off Bell." She lit it and went on. "I don't think Lee ever really noticed you before, to be honest, Lav. Then at the battle I think he took a bit of a shine and then after, well, you've been so damn brave! Plus, I know Lee depends more on you for comfort than he even does from me. I don't know what you two write about but whatever it is, that's the girl he fancies, not some boy-crazy bird with a severely shortened uniform skirt."

Lavender stared back at her, feeling the emotions rip through her at full velocity. There was embarrassment about what Alicia was saying, yet she was also pleased. Lavender did want him to like her, like that, because she felt the same way, in all honesty. Yet the truth was disappointing.

"But I'm hideous, Alicia. I know you two see a scar on my cheek and think it's not so bad but the rest is much worse. How could I ever expect anyone to be attracted to me like this?!" She pulled back her scarf to show the mangled bundle of scar tissue on the right side of her neck. She looked to Katie to see that familiar look of sadness while Alicia seemed unfazed.

"Well, you shouldn't if you are going keep feeling sorry for yourself," Alicia finally said, stamping out her cigarette.

"Sorry?" Lavender said, defiantly.

"You are fucked up, I get it. None of us got out of that bloody war unscarred, Lavender. Lee lost his sister and his best mate, but there's something about you that makes it better. I think you are just afraid of what could happen if you let him in."

Lavender furrowed her brow. "I am letting him in. I'm trying, anyway. But even if he does think he fancies me, he doesn't know what he'd be getting himself into. I can be pretty mental," she argued solemnly, yet Alicia laughed.

"So are we or are we not talking about Ron?"

Lavender snorted. Lee was right, Alicia was really good at making light of any situation.

"Not, thanks. But, come on! Katie, you know what I mean! I can't control myself at times, I'm moody and irrational for no reason! And every time I look in the mirror I see nothing but a terrible mess!"

Katie looked at her gravely but then glanced in Alicia's direction and smiled.

"What?!" she finally snapped as the two good friends started giggling.

"Sorry, Lav, but you sound like a girl! Like any girl, not just one who was attacked. I mean, I feel the same way! I haven't let Seamus touch me in a month, you know that!"

Lavender wrinkled her nose at the thought of Seamus and Katie. Seamus had been Lavender's first kiss, way back in fourth year. She'd always see him as that fumbling, immature boy. Her attention was brought back to Katie when she added, "What I'm saying is that those things won't matter to the right person."

"How do I know that Lee is the right person?"

Alicia was the one who answered. "No offense, but I'm not totally sure he is. What I do know, is that he isn't going to quit until you give him a shot so why not see if there's anything more than just a friendship there. What do you have to lose?"

Lavender thought about this. Often, it felt like she had lost everything, especially when she was feeling particularly dramatic. Yet when she actually thought of it, she had her family and her closest friends. She was alive, she had survived the worst moment in her life. And wasn't Lee the one who saw her at her worst? If Alicia was right and he still fancied her after seeing that, well, maybe she should give it a shot. Finally Lavender looked up to see both girls staring at her.

"Ok, fine! I'll take the job! I'll see Lee! Will you two please drop it now?"

Both girls laughed at her exasperation. "Glad we finally got through that thick skull of yours!" Alicia cackled.

"Glad I could amuse you," Lavender said dryly as she carefully tucked the letter back into her bag.

Lavender was standing in front of the mirror. She had just walked away from the letter she started to Lee for the fourth time. She was starting to feel a little mental as several voices in her head were telling her what to do. She could hear Katie, assuring her that she was a good and beautiful person that anyone would be lucky to spend time with. She could hear Alicia telling her that Lee fancied her because she was brave and funny. But she could also see Ron, crying over the loss of her looks. She could hear her mother, whispering to her father about how it was understandable that someone as pretty as she would want to end it now, after what had happened. But what kept her writing was Lee. She still remembered that afternoon at St. Mungo's vividly, even though at the time she was drowsy from sleeping draught.

Lavender had opened her eyes to see the hazy outline of a tall thin figure with dark skin and long black hair.

"Parvati?" she rasped and then reeled at her throat grating against itself as though she was swallowing glass.

The figure chuckled and it was a deep, smooth sound. This person was not Parvati.

"I suppose I do look a bit like a girl, eh? It's the cheekbones, my mum says."

Lavender blinked several times to try and get the sleep out of her eyes. Her arms were heavy at her sides and so were useless. Finally the person moved closer and she could see his face now, smiling at her warmly.

"It's Lee. Lee Jordan? I overheard the mediwitch talking about the girl from Hogwarts in room seven so I thought I'd come in and check on you. How's it going?"

Lavender stared at him in shock. How's it going? Who was this idiot? She remained silent as her throat was still in pain from speaking earlier.

"Yeah, not great for me either. At least I'm getting released though. Apparently I'm not supposed to go running, tumbling, flying or Apparate for two to four weeks. My insides might start bleeding again. You need anything?" he added when she opened her mouth slightly.

Lavender furrowed her brow and shook her head ever so slightly. Lee smiled at her kindly and made to sit on the edge of her bed. She was shocked when he reached out and pushed her wild hair away from her cheek.

"It's going to be alright, you know? Just hang in there."

Lavender stared wide-eyed into the face of this boy who she had only ever seen in passing, usually in the company of Fred and George Weasley. She had listened to him on Potterwatch all year but didn't really know him. Now here he was, comforting her, smiling at her, even though his eyes were filled to the brim with tears.

She gave him the smallest nod even though her throat protested painfully.

"Good. I have to go before they find me. Reckon the sign on your door that says 'Keep Out: No Visitors' isn't merely a suggestion. Maybe I'll see you around."

She managed a small smile as he waved and walked back out of the curtain.

Lavender thought it had just been one of the several strange dreams she been having until she got his card a few days later.

Now it was a month later and she had since shared her deepest fears, her triumphs, her insecurities and her grievances with that same smiling boy in her dreams. She had also been able to give him comfort, advice and the occasional funny story. It was going to be alright.

Lee,

Yes, that does sound preferable to sitting around the house reorganizing my closet again. When should I come in?

I went out with Katie and Alicia yesterday. Yes, your Alicia. She did mention that she was impressed with your new look. You were right about her, she is quite funny. I can see how you two would get along.

Congratulations on the interview! I looked at some tealeaves with you in mind but I'm not telling you anything! Ha!

But seriously, let me know how it goes. Both because I'm interested and because I want to see if my divination skills are up to par.

Guess I'll see you soon.

Lavender

Author's Note: So much italics! This is my first attempt at writing a flashback. Hope it was clear.

Thank you again to all my new followers and favorites as well as everyone you reviews and sticks with this story! It is a pleasure to write knowing that there are people out there enjoying it!

Next up is Susan Bones, hopefully I'll have it finished quite soon.