School: Beauxbatons
Year: 2
Technique: Clarity in writing
WC: 634
C/W: References to non-consensual physical contact
"Are you sure this is a smart idea?" Hermione asked, lining the center of their dorm room floor with old issues of the Prophet.
Lavender made a noise to indicate she was listening. On Lavender's lap was a library book on beauty charms. While she wasn't actively listening Lavender knew that Hermione appreciated that at least Lavender pretended to.
"You've said this for the third time today. It should be fine. Remember the dorm rules," Lavender said, pointing to the poster board that had been on the wall of their dorm since first-year.
In Parvati's neat handwriting and highlighted in three different kinds of ink was the last rule on the list, which read: In the case of an objectively stupid, yet harmless decisions, roommates have two days to change the persons mind and then have to let it go.
"I know what the rules say. But it's not like we're just trimming the ends. She wants it all cut off and between the three of us we only have one pair of working scissors." Hermione paused for a minute, to drag a chair to the center of the room. "Those safety scissors are blunt too, I checked last night."
Lavender shook her head. "This is what she wants and she is adamant that it is just hair. Besides, I have nail scissors. They should be sharp enough."
"They are sharp enough. I did my bangs in the bathroom last night," Parvati said. Her hair was wet and tangled. "Besides, it's just hair, it will grow back."
Lavender got up off the bed and let the book fall to the floor. Hermione winced at the sound and muttered something about "disrespect". Parvati rolled her eyes but sat on the chair and combed her hair out, strands fell onto the newspaper.
"How short?" Lavender asked.
"Short."
They stood in silence at Lavender worked. She twirled a few strands and carefully snipped portions of the hair. Parvati's long black hair grew shorter with a few rough chops and then shorter again as Lavender went in to do the final touches.
Around the chair clumps of hair gathered on the floor. The mounds were jet black and almost inky as the light shone off of them. Hermione hummed a Spice Girls song, but nervously shot glances over with the sound of every snip.
"Hermione, your mirror please?" Lavender asked, extending her hand out for Hermione's hand-held mirror.
Hermione nodded and went to fetch the mirror. Parvati took one look at herself and scratched her face. She closed her eyes and opened them again. Lavender wasn't really sure what her best friend was looking for when Parvati asked to get her hair cut, but this seemed to border something unpleasant.
"I want it all gone," Parvati said simply. Her breathing was heavy and Hermione gasped.
"All of it?" Hermione asked, the tone in her voice begged for Parvati to say otherwise.
"Yea, the beauty book has a charm for this specific purpose." Parvati pointed to the book that was on the floor.
"Are you sure you don't want me to call one of the boys? Maybe, they can help style it?" Lavender suggested, hoping to delay the decision, if even for a second.
"No boys, just one of you."
Hermione and Lavender exchanged looks of concern. The bags under Parvati's eyes seemed larger and her face, which had already been so pale over the last week, looked even less healthy. An ominous silence filled the room. They hadn't talked about that night and it was probably something the three of them would never mention outside of their dorm room.
"I just don't want to give them something to grab onto ever again."
"Ok," Hermione said simply. "Stay still and let me practice. It is only hair after all."