word count: 728
"You know, if I wanted a lecture, I would have gone to our mother," Parvati grumbles as she and her twin walk through the card yard, trekking through the blanket of snow as fresh flakes drift from the sky.
Padma just waves a dismissive had, dark eyes rolling. "I'm tired of seeing you pining away when she's doing the same bloody thing, Parvati."
Parvati's cheeks flood with warmth, and she looks away, awkwardly tugging at her braid. Is Padma just giving her a hard time? Surely she must be. Parvati thinks she would have noticed if her best friend was pining for her. Lavender can't be; it would be too perfect, and that sort of perfection only ever happens in romance novels.
"One way or another, this needs to be dealt with today," Padma tells her, tucking her black hair behind her ears and giving Parvati that look. "Trust me, okay?"
And Parvati does. Padma only ever wants what's best for her, after all. She wouldn't do this if she didn't believe it was the right choice. Parvati nods. She's trembling on the inside, but she wears a smile. "You are absolutely right. What's the worst that could happen? Actually, don't answer that."
…
Parvati rehearses everything she's going to say on her way to the library. It will be easy, she thinks. After all, she and Lavender are best friends. Even if Lavender doesn't feel the same, it doesn't mean anything. They'll just laugh it off and carry on.
She hopes. Because the idea of Lavender freaking out and abandoning her is terrifying, and Parvati can't stand the thought of it. She has to hope for the best and believe something good will come of it.
The moment she sees Lavender sitting at the table, so angelic in her pink jumper with her honey-blonde curls pulled into a loose, messy ponytail, Parvati feels like she might melt into a puddle. All her courage seems to fade as she approaches her best friend. "Sorry I'm late," she says.
Lavender looks up, offering her a smile that makes her heart flutter. "It's okay. I'm nearly done, so you don't have to stay unless you want to."
Is Parvati imagining the hopeful look in Lavender's eyes? Is she just projecting her own hopefulness onto her best friend? She can't be sure, but she doesn't want to risk it, so she takes a seat. "You look nice today,' she says.
A soft pink stains Lavender's cheeks. "Thank you."
Parvati feels that fluttering inside her chest again. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It's ridiculous that one person can have such an effect on her, but, really, she thinks she doesn't mind.
Silence falls between them. It's a comfortable sort of silence, not a strained, awkward silence that needs to be filled with stained chatter. It reminds Parvati of how far they've come, how close they've gotten.
Several minutes pass before Lavender finally closes the book and pushes it aside. "Thanks for waiting with me," she says.
"Of course." Parvati offers her a small smile. "I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be."
Lavender grins, climbing to her feet and setting her parchment in her bag. "I can. It's lunchtime, and I am absolutely famished!"
Parvati stands, following Lavender to the door. As they approach the doorway, she notices the decoration hanging overhead. It feels like a sign, like this is all meant to be. "Mistletoe," she says softly. "You know what that means."
Lavender looks at her, blush returning. "Are you saying you want to kiss me?" she asks.
There's no use denying it. What else can she do? Simply laugh it off? Where's the fun in that? So she just nods. "If you want."
"I've wanted that for a very long time."
Maybe Padma was right. Parvati tries not to begrudge her twin for it, especially when it's worked out in Parvati's favor. She leans in, kissing Lavender gently. Her heart races almost painfully, and it sounds so loud in her ears that it's a wonder Pince hasn't swooped in to shush them.
When they pull apart, Lavender is smiling, and Parvati knows she must have enjoyed it too. "So… We should do that more often."
"We can do it whenever you want."
Lavender takes Parvati by the hand, leading her into the corridor. "After lunch."