Padma's Quest Epilogue
by Poppy P
A/N: I must share with you all the basis of my inspiration for this last chapter. I'm currently at a crossroads (career-wise) in my life where I'm having to make some touch decisions (grad school? leave my job? move? part-time job? etc.) I'm scared, excited, nervous, but I keep reminding myself about 9/11 and thinking: everything in life's a risk, but it's worth it. You can't be afraid to do things `cause life's really a quest and you have to go out and make things happen. Hope that made sense, `cause that's the frame of mind I wrote this in. Cheers! This one's for Hinkypunk! Somebody's actually reading my story! Yay! Also, my apologies for uploading the last couple of chapters in the wrong order. Am I a goober or what?
"They've been in there a while, haven't they?"
Padma glanced at Cho, who was nervously chewing on her bottom lip, scanning the huge maze before them. Sitting in the stands directly in front of them were Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, also watching the maze tensely. Padma tried to comfort her friend. "I'm sure he's fine, Cho. And just think, whether he wins or loses, this tournament will finally be over and you can relax," said Padma sensibly.
Cho nodded, but her eyes retained their anguished, nervous look. Not that Padma could blame her. Everyone had heard Fleur Delacour scream and had seen her limp form levitated out of the maze. A short time later, Viktor Krum was carried out as well. Ludo Bagman had assured the crowd that the two students were okay, but still Padma couldn't help but wonder what horrible things they had encountered in the maze. Now only Harry and Cedric were left, and neither of them had been heard from in over an hour.
Padma chanced a quick glance around the stands. She spotted Hermione and Ron sitting nearby with the other Weasleys as well as two redheaded adults. They looked just as tense as Cho and the Diggorys. Ron and Hermione were sitting quite close, heads bent together in whispered conversation as they kept their anxious vigil. A couple of benches behind them sat Parvati with Dean, Seamus and Lavender. Parvati met Padma's glance and raised her eyebrows, eyes wide with uncertainty. Padma shrugged helplessly and turned forward again. If she hadn't felt so uneasy she might've felt sad about the way Dean had almost met her eyes just then, but glanced away quickly.
Padma glanced over Cho's head at Penny. Penny wasn't much comfort for Cho right now, having her own worries. She had told them about an alarming conversation she'd had with Percy's mother earlier. Apparently Percy was having a spot of trouble with his job at the Ministry, although Penny hadn't given them too many details.
Trying to distract Cho, Padma nudged her causing Penny to look up as well. "What do you expect's going on with Percy and the Ministry?" whispered Padma. Penny's eyes narrowed dangerously as Cho gestured frantically for Padma to be quiet. Cho inclined her head towards the Diggorys. Luckily, they did not seem to have heard her for they didn't turn around.
"Oops," murmured Padma apologetically. Penny rolled her eyes, shaking her head, but Padma was pleased to note that the corners of Cho's mouth had twisted into a small smile. Padma beamed madly at her two friends. Cho suddenly put a hand over her mouth, attempting to stifle a giggle, as Penny fought hard to control the grin that was threatening to burst out on her face. Padma was just about to tell her to give up the battle when a bright light flashed at the edge of the maze. Padma, Cho and Penny looked down in time to see two bodies slam to the ground. A ripple of noise went through the crowd as they registered their shock. Padma saw several teachers surround the two people on the ground. People stood up, including Cho who strained to see over the crowd. All of a sudden a loud screaming came from down on the Quidditch pitch.
"Cedric Diggory! He's dead! Cedric Diggory's dead!"
Padma and Penny caught Cho's arms as she swayed unsteadily. Mrs. Diggory gasped loudly. Chaos ensued. It seemed that the whole school was moving out of the stands collectively. Padma watched the Diggorys run out of the stands. She turned to Cho, who was shaking her head, her mouth tight in a smile of disbelief. "No, not Cedric. There must be some kind of mistake. Not Cedric." Suddenly she wrenched herself free from Padma and Penny, hurling herself down the stands after the Diggorys.
"Follow her!" shouted Penny, pushing her way through the crowd.
Padma followed, a sense of surrealism invading her senses. She shook her head, trying to make sense of the sights and sounds surrounding her, pushing ahead until she reached the pitch. They found Cho on the edges of the crowd surrounding Minister Fudge and several of the professors including Dumbledore. Padma strained to hear what Fudge was saying over the shouts and wails of the crowd. "Nothing to see here! Diggory's hurt. Move along now." The crowd milled around, unheeding.
Suddenly Padma heard Mrs. Diggory's piteous sobs over the din. "My boy! He's dead! My boy's dead!" Several girls in the crowd started sobbing loudly along with Mrs. Diggory. Cho merely stiffened, but did not say a word.
Professor Snape raised his wand over his head, which emitted several loud bangs and sparks. "Stand back! Students to your common rooms at once!" At the sound of his voice several students stepped back, opening a path towards the Diggorys. Padma and Penny followed Cho as she made her way towards Mrs. Diggory's cries.
Padma slapped her hand over her mouth as she tried to choke back a scream. It was the worst sight she had ever seen. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory were on the ground sobbing over Cedric's body. Cedric's eyes, his beautiful, gray eyes, were open, staring vacantly at the night sky. Padma threw her arms around Cho, attempting to turn her away from the horrific sight, but Cho remained transfixed.
Professor Snape rushed towards them, wand outstretched. "I thought I made it clear, all students to their rooms! Now!"
"Please Professor..." began Penny, but Spane's outburst had caught Mrs. Diggory's attention. She looked up from her son's body, eyes streaming and reached out to Cho.
"Cho, beautiful Cho. He's gone. Our Cedric's gone!" cried Mrs. Diggory.
Cho slumped to her knees and silently crawled over to the Diggorys. She stared at Cedric's lifeless face in disbelief. After a few seconds she took Cedric's limp hand and pressed it to her lips. Eyes closed, she stayed that way for several seconds. Padma finally turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer.
"Miss Chang may stay, you lot get to the castle now." Professor Snape's voice was softer now.
"But Cho..." sniffed Penelope, "I'm her Prefect. I should stay with her."
Snape nodded tersely and Penny rushed forward towards Cho. Snape reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Padma saw the sleeve of Snape's robe fall back, revealing his thin, white arm. Her eyes widened in incredulity as she caught sight of a dark spot on Snape's left forearm. Was that a tattoo? Snape caught sight of Padma's gaze and quickly put his arm down, rolling down his sleeve before Padma could make out the shape of the tattoo.
"Patil! Your common room, now!"
Padma turned and stumbled blindly towards the castle. Despite everything, she couldn't help but marvel over the fact that Parvati's vision about Snape getting a tattoo had proved true.
Parvati!
Suddenly Padma remembered that she hadn't seen her sister since Cedric's body appeared. Padma pushed through the groups of students screaming, "Parvati! Parvati!" Blinded by her growing dread, Padma stumbled.
"Are you all right?"
Padma felt two people pulling her up. She looked up to find Parvati and Dean looking at her with concern. Parvati flung her arms around Padma. "Padma! I couldn't find you! What's going on? Is it true about Cedric?" Parvati asked breathlessly.
Padma pulled back and looked her sister in the face, then slowly nodded. Parvati burst into tears and clung to her again. "It's true," said Padma heavily, "I saw him." Suddenly, Padma found herself shaking uncontrollably. Her teeth chattering, she asked, "What about Harry? Is he..." Padma couldn't finish the thought.
"We don't know," said Parvati, glancing at Dean. "Some of the professors herded us into the castle, but it's total chaos. Nobody knows what's going on. Harry's missing. Ron and Hermione weren't there either. And then I found Mandy in the entrance hall, but she said she hadn't seen you, so I asked Dean to help me look for you."
Padma glanced briefly at Dean. For the first time in two months, he finally held Padma's gaze. "Parvati was...really worried about you," he said awkwardly. Dean finally looked away, glancing over the girls' heads to the castle. "We'd best head back. Maybe the professors will finally tell us what's going on."
The three of them made their way back without speaking until they reached the entrance hall. They found that many students were still milling around in a state of shock and confusion. Padma hugged herself tightly, unable to shake the tremors that had overtaken her outside. "I'm s-scared. What do you suppose happened in the maze?"
"I dunno," said Parvati just as Professor Flitwick came up to them.
"Girls, please go to your common room now. We're trying to get a head count." Flitwick's normally excited, squeaky voice sounded hoarse and tired.
Padma turned from Parvati to Dean. "Thank you Dean, for coming down with Parvati. Good-night." She turned to go, but stopped when she felt a hand on her arm.
Dean hesitated, then bent down and awkwardly bent down and placed a kiss on the top of Padma's head. "I'm glad you're safe," he said quietly.
Padma felt that under normal circumstances Dean's gesture might have caused her heart to burst from happiness. As it was, she tried to give him a wan smile but failed. She stood back and watched Dean lead Parvati up the marble staircase, then turned and walked slowly towards Ravenclaw.
***
"She still won't come down?" Padma looked at Penelope with concern. They had just sat down for breakfast at the Ravenclaw table. It had been three days since the third task and Cho still refused to come down to the Great Hall for meals.
Penny's face mirrored Padma's worried look. She pushed her long, curly hair out of her face with a sigh of frustration. "No," she said, "and it's not so much her lack of eating that worries me, I've been taking her food to her room, it's the fact that she hasn't...she won't...cry," Penny's voice trailed off.
"Not even at the funeral?" whispered Padma. She glanced around, but nobody was paying attention to them. Students tended to be quiet these days, keeping to themselves as everyone tried to make sense of the aftermath of the tournament. The professors still hadn't given them much information. Dumbledore had spoken to them the morning after the tournament, but only to tell them that Harry would be in the hospital wing for a couple of days and not to bother him for details. Penny had accompanied Cho to Cedric's funeral the day before. Since her return, Cho had remained in her dorm room, preferring to be by herself.
Penny's eyes flooded with tears as she described the funeral to Padma. It had been a private ceremony in the little town of Ottery St. Catchpole. Penny said several Ministry officials had attended, including Percy's father, Mr. Weasley. "But Cho, she just stood there like a stone," sniffed Penny. "She didn't even cry when Mrs. Diggory gave her Cedric's Prefect badge. Said Cedric would've wanted her to have it." Penny surreptitiously wiped away tears. "Oh Padma, I don't know how Cho's holding up. If that happened to me...I couldn't bear it!"
Padma pushed her half-eaten plate away. "I have to go. I can't believe they're still making us go to class this week. At least we don't have to go to Moody's. I'll look in on Cho later."
As Padma made her way out of the Great Hall, she saw that Draco Malfoy and his friends had blocked the exit. They were facing Ron and Hermione in some kind of altercation. The rest of the fourth year Gryffindors were crowded behind Ron and Hermione.
"Where's your friend, Weasley?" sneered Draco in a challenging tone.
Ron glared at Draco, but said nothing to him. Instead he turned to Hermione. "Let's get out of here," he said tersely.
Draco laughed. "That's right Weasley, better get Potter's little girlfriend out of here if you know what's good for her." Crabbe and Goyle guffawed as though they had never heard such a funny joke.
Suddenly Dean stepped in front of Draco. Looking down at him he said, "Why don't you go crawl back under the rock you came from, slimy snake?"
Draco's pale, pointed face turned even whiter with fury. Crabbe and Goyle looked Dean up and down menacingly. Draco looked over Dean's shoulder to make sure none of the teachers were in earshot. His cold, gray eyes focused on Dean. "You're pretty confident for a Mud-blood, Thomas. I'd be a bit more careful if I were you. Your kind's not going to be welcome here for much longer. Besides, I was talking to Weasley."
Padma had heard enough. Before she could stop to consider, she'd pulled her wand and found herself facing Malfoy. "Don't you ever call Dean that filthy name again! His blood's as magical as yours or mine. Besides he's brave and talented. In fact, he's more of a wizard than you'll ever be!"
Draco stared at her uncertainly, then glanced over her shoulder at Professor McGonagall who was fast approaching them after finally noticing the altercation. Draco barely had time to giver her a cold glare and mutter, "I know your sister's a Gryffindor," he spat, "but I thought you were the smart twin." He slipped out of the Great Hall seconds before McGonagall reached them.
Padma quickly pocketed her wand
"Is there a problem here?" asked McGonagall sternly.
"Not any more, Professor," said Dean quickly.
Professor McGonagall eyed them beadily but did not say anything further as she left the Great Hall. The group started to disperse, leaving Padma, Parvati and Dean looking at each other awkwardly.
"He's right, I thought I was the brave twin," said Parvati finally with a sheepish smile.
Padma burst out passionately, "How dare he? He just makes me so mad! I wanted to hex him into next week! I..." Padma suddenly realized that Dean and Parvati were gaping at her. "I need to go to um...class now," she said lamely. Padma hoisted her bag higher on her back and ran for the doors. At the top of the steps, Padma paused to glance back at Dean. She was so startled to see that he was smiling warmly at her that she neglected to look ahead and smacked right into Hagrid, who was just entering the Great Hall.
"Padma! You all right?" asked Hagrid with anxiously.
Padma shook her head to clear her vision and murmured, "I'm fine," before rushing past Hagrid. She had a strange, light-headed feeling the rest of the day. Padma wasn't sure if it was because of her run in with Hagrid or Dean's smile. She hoped it was the latter.
***
The leaving feast seemed to be a catharsis for Cho. When Dumbledore asked them to raise their glasses to Cedric's memory, Padma turned to Cho and found her friend crying silently, great, glistening tears sliding down her pretty face. Padma reached for Cho's hand and gripped it tightly.
Cho reached with her free hand to grip Cedric's Prefect badge, which was hanging on a silver chain around her neck. She looked at Padma and whispered, "It' hurts." Padma was startled to hear the note of wonder in Cho's voice. "I never knew it could hurt so much," said Cho in semi-awe. Penny put her arm around Cho as she continued to weep silently, finally releasing the tears she had been unable to shed all week.
Padma swallowed hard as the lump in her throat threatened to engulf her. Cho's pain was unbearable. Then Dumbledore made the announcement that sent all of their hearts galloping with dread. You-Know-Who was back! What were they going to do? Were they all in danger? Padma glanced around the four house tables at her school mates. Would they all return for the next school year? She glanced back at Cho, wondering how many more witches and wizards were going to mourn a loved one. Padma thought about the two people at the Gryffindor table that meant the world to her and wondered what she would do if she lost one of them. She decided she didn't want to know.
***
Padma stood on the castle steps waiting for the carriages that would take them into Hogsmeade to board the Hogwarts Express for home. She mused sadly that this would be the last time that Penny would ride the train with them as she had just completed her N.E.W.T.s. The one bright spot in the whole week had been when Penny had received an owl confirming her acceptance as an apprentice Medi-witch at St. Mungo's Hospital. Penny was cautiously happy about this development. She had always wanted to be a doctor, but she was frightened by the current situation and the way it might affect her profession's future. Indeed, thought Padma, what did it mean for all of their futures?
Just as Padma prepared to board a carriage with Penny and Cho she felt a tentative tap on her shoulder.
"Padma?"
She turned and saw Dean looking at her with a serious expression. "I know you probably want to sit with your friends on the way home, but I...er...I was hoping you might ride to the station with me." He smiled expectantly.
Padma smiled back and called out to Penny and Cho that she would see them on the train. She followed Dean into a queue for another carriage. A few carriages over, Padma saw Parvati watching her. Padma rolled her eyes as her sister gave her a thumbs up sign.
Dean looked slightly embarrassed as well. He muttered to Padma, "Let's wait for the last one, shall we?"
They held back and waited until everyone had found a seat, and then climbed into an empty carriage near the back of the procession." Dean gazed back wistfully at the castle as they pulled away. "Weird," he said, "I've never felt so gloomy about going on summer holiday before."
Padma turned away from the castle to look at Dean sadly. "I guess it's to be expected with everything that's going on."
"How's Cho holding up?" asked Dean with concern.
Padma thought about the dream Cho had described after they left the feast. She said she kept dreaming the same dream since she returned from the funeral. In her dream it was right before the Yule Ball and this time Harry and Cedric came up to her at the same time to ask her to be their date. Cho said that in her dream, she knew Cedric would not survive the third task, but still, she kept choosing him over Harry. Cho said the dream comforted her somehow. "She's doing better. It's so difficult though. I mean, I just don't know what I'd do if..." Padma stopped and found herself gazing intently at Dean. He stared into her eyes, matching her intensity. Padma felt her face grow hot and turned away from him, feeling quite breathless. She scrambled to collect her thoughts. "I'm going to visit her this summer you know."
"Oh," said Dean inclining his head thoughtfully.
"She asked me to accompany her to visit the Diggorys," said Padma quietly.
Dean frowned slightly. "So, I guess you're going to be busy this summer, eh?"
"Not too busy," said Padma hoping she didn't sound as eager as she felt. "Why?"
Dean flashed a relieved grin, revealing the little dimple in his cheek, "Good," he said. His grin faded and he suddenly looked quite nervous. "You see, I talked to Hermione and she..."
"What's that on your robes?" interrupted Padma, pointing at a fuchsia colored badge that clashed horribly with his red and gold Gryffindor tie.
"This?" Dean squirmed slightly, looking very sheepish. He covered the button with his large hand. "It's...er...it's a Spew badge," he finished.
"It's S.P.E.W. and why would you join?" asked Padma incredulously.
"Why shouldn't I join Spew?" asked Dean indignantly. "I care about elfish welfare too!"
Padma snorted with laughter.
"Okay," admitted Dean over Padma's laughter, "if you must know, I joined for the same reason you did."
Padma cocked an eyebrow skeptically and assumed an air of mock seriousness. "You joined because you think you have a crush on Ron Weasley?" Padma snorted again, unable to keep up her severe look at Dean's outraged expression. Tears of mirth slid down her cheeks.
Finally Dean grinned, unable to withstand Padma's laughter. When they managed to control themselves he said, "I joined because I want to be close to you, Padma."
"Really?" asked Padma, all playfulness aside.
Dean nodded, taking Padma's hand. "Hermione told me she was going to try to hold some Spew meetings during the summer, and I thought it might be a nice opportunity to see you, since you're a member as well."
"Really?" asked Padma again. She was feeling quite breathless now as she was leaning close to Dean. She tried not to stare at his mouth, but it was difficult.
"I wouldn't wear a badge that said `Spew' otherwise." Dean was leaning closer now, sounding just as breathless as Padma.
"It's S.P.E.W. Dean," chided Padma, involuntarily running her tongue over her bottom lip.
"Well," said Dean, he was staring at her mouth now as well, "I'll just pretend S.P.E.W. stands for something else."
"What?" asked Padma, wondering why she was panting.
Dean suddenly pulled back from her, scrunching his brow in thought. "Hmm...how about, `Special Padma, Enchanting Witch?"
Padma had no idea how it happened, but she was suddenly in Dean's lap, kissing him frantically. Dean matched her ardor with every kiss and caress. "That was a horrible anagram," gasped Padma between kisses.
"I know," murmured Dean close to her ear. "But I meant it."
Padma pulled back to look Dean in the eyes. "You do?" she asked.
"You know I do. But...Padma, why are you crying?" asked Dean uneasily.
"Because," sobbed Padma, "because I've wanted this," she gestured at them, "for so long, but now...with everything's that's happened...I mean, You-Know-Who...aren't you scared?"
Dean leaned forward to rest his forehead against Padma's. After a minute he said, "I just think life is about risk, you know? It's like when I found out I was a wizard and that I would be coming to Hogwarts. I was scared, excited and nervous. But I've never regretted it. Even now, with You-Know-Who back, I still feel lucky to be here," he tightened his embrace on Padma, "especially with you."
Padma sighed and turned slightly to plant a kiss on his warm, soft cheek. She thought about Cho's dream suddenly. "I guess we'll leave predicting the future to Parvati," she giggled through her tears.
Suddenly a loud voice made them both start. "That's right! And I predict you two are going to miss the train if you don't stop snogging and get off that carriage now!" They looked down to see Parvati smirking at them, her hands on her hips.
A thoroughly embarrassed Padma and Dean emerged from the carriage, which they just realized, had reached Hogsmeade. Padma spotted Cho and Penny waving and gesturing at her through the windows to indicate they'd saved her a seat. She waved at them and turned one last time to Dean. "See you on the train later?" she asked.
"Definitely," he answered, beaming at her.
After a few seconds of watching them grin at each other, Parvati threw her hands up and declared, "First Lavender and Seamus, now you two!" She spotted Neville securing his toad under his hat and rushed over to him. "Say, Neville, are you sitting with anybody?" she asked, grabbing his arm and dragging him into a compartment.
Padma laughed. "You'd better go save Neville," she said climbing onto the steps to her compartment.
"Life's about risk, remember?" Dean called out as he dashed up the steps that Parvati and Neville had taken. The train began to move with a hiss and a groan of metal.
Padma made her way to her seat, smiling, thinking that Dean was right. Life was a big risk, a quest really. And if one found friends and love during their quest, then they were fortunate indeed. She took her seat next to her friends, feeling hopeful for the first time in days, confident that she could face whatever lay ahead.
THE END!!!
A/N 2: Was that the cheesiest thing you've ever read, or what? PQ was so much fun to write though. My vision of Padma is cute, funny, clumsy, scared, confused... Hey! She's just like me! Okay, so maybe I'm not quite as cute as I described her, and there's the whole magical issue, but...I am clumsy! And my hubby has a single dimple on his cheek that shows when he smiles :) If you'll all forgive me, I really must thank all of the luverly people who reviewed PQ along the way: Zsenya (beta-reader extraordinaire), Jabroniette (hope ur still out there), Lyta Padfoot, Evil Lady, bluemeanies, Midgee Dumledore, Peaceful Storm, Crystal S., Stardust Firebolt, Trinity Day (you wonderful, special reviewer you!), Praseeda and last but certainly not least, Hinkypunk.
Just a reminder (and a plug) PQ is a prequel to my other story' "I'm Like a Bird - A Percy Story". It is also a sequel to my other fic, "The Broom Shed Incident" which deals w/ some P/P naughtiness. If you liked PQ, check them out! Thanks all!
by Poppy P
A/N: I must share with you all the basis of my inspiration for this last chapter. I'm currently at a crossroads (career-wise) in my life where I'm having to make some touch decisions (grad school? leave my job? move? part-time job? etc.) I'm scared, excited, nervous, but I keep reminding myself about 9/11 and thinking: everything in life's a risk, but it's worth it. You can't be afraid to do things `cause life's really a quest and you have to go out and make things happen. Hope that made sense, `cause that's the frame of mind I wrote this in. Cheers! This one's for Hinkypunk! Somebody's actually reading my story! Yay! Also, my apologies for uploading the last couple of chapters in the wrong order. Am I a goober or what?
"They've been in there a while, haven't they?"
Padma glanced at Cho, who was nervously chewing on her bottom lip, scanning the huge maze before them. Sitting in the stands directly in front of them were Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, also watching the maze tensely. Padma tried to comfort her friend. "I'm sure he's fine, Cho. And just think, whether he wins or loses, this tournament will finally be over and you can relax," said Padma sensibly.
Cho nodded, but her eyes retained their anguished, nervous look. Not that Padma could blame her. Everyone had heard Fleur Delacour scream and had seen her limp form levitated out of the maze. A short time later, Viktor Krum was carried out as well. Ludo Bagman had assured the crowd that the two students were okay, but still Padma couldn't help but wonder what horrible things they had encountered in the maze. Now only Harry and Cedric were left, and neither of them had been heard from in over an hour.
Padma chanced a quick glance around the stands. She spotted Hermione and Ron sitting nearby with the other Weasleys as well as two redheaded adults. They looked just as tense as Cho and the Diggorys. Ron and Hermione were sitting quite close, heads bent together in whispered conversation as they kept their anxious vigil. A couple of benches behind them sat Parvati with Dean, Seamus and Lavender. Parvati met Padma's glance and raised her eyebrows, eyes wide with uncertainty. Padma shrugged helplessly and turned forward again. If she hadn't felt so uneasy she might've felt sad about the way Dean had almost met her eyes just then, but glanced away quickly.
Padma glanced over Cho's head at Penny. Penny wasn't much comfort for Cho right now, having her own worries. She had told them about an alarming conversation she'd had with Percy's mother earlier. Apparently Percy was having a spot of trouble with his job at the Ministry, although Penny hadn't given them too many details.
Trying to distract Cho, Padma nudged her causing Penny to look up as well. "What do you expect's going on with Percy and the Ministry?" whispered Padma. Penny's eyes narrowed dangerously as Cho gestured frantically for Padma to be quiet. Cho inclined her head towards the Diggorys. Luckily, they did not seem to have heard her for they didn't turn around.
"Oops," murmured Padma apologetically. Penny rolled her eyes, shaking her head, but Padma was pleased to note that the corners of Cho's mouth had twisted into a small smile. Padma beamed madly at her two friends. Cho suddenly put a hand over her mouth, attempting to stifle a giggle, as Penny fought hard to control the grin that was threatening to burst out on her face. Padma was just about to tell her to give up the battle when a bright light flashed at the edge of the maze. Padma, Cho and Penny looked down in time to see two bodies slam to the ground. A ripple of noise went through the crowd as they registered their shock. Padma saw several teachers surround the two people on the ground. People stood up, including Cho who strained to see over the crowd. All of a sudden a loud screaming came from down on the Quidditch pitch.
"Cedric Diggory! He's dead! Cedric Diggory's dead!"
Padma and Penny caught Cho's arms as she swayed unsteadily. Mrs. Diggory gasped loudly. Chaos ensued. It seemed that the whole school was moving out of the stands collectively. Padma watched the Diggorys run out of the stands. She turned to Cho, who was shaking her head, her mouth tight in a smile of disbelief. "No, not Cedric. There must be some kind of mistake. Not Cedric." Suddenly she wrenched herself free from Padma and Penny, hurling herself down the stands after the Diggorys.
"Follow her!" shouted Penny, pushing her way through the crowd.
Padma followed, a sense of surrealism invading her senses. She shook her head, trying to make sense of the sights and sounds surrounding her, pushing ahead until she reached the pitch. They found Cho on the edges of the crowd surrounding Minister Fudge and several of the professors including Dumbledore. Padma strained to hear what Fudge was saying over the shouts and wails of the crowd. "Nothing to see here! Diggory's hurt. Move along now." The crowd milled around, unheeding.
Suddenly Padma heard Mrs. Diggory's piteous sobs over the din. "My boy! He's dead! My boy's dead!" Several girls in the crowd started sobbing loudly along with Mrs. Diggory. Cho merely stiffened, but did not say a word.
Professor Snape raised his wand over his head, which emitted several loud bangs and sparks. "Stand back! Students to your common rooms at once!" At the sound of his voice several students stepped back, opening a path towards the Diggorys. Padma and Penny followed Cho as she made her way towards Mrs. Diggory's cries.
Padma slapped her hand over her mouth as she tried to choke back a scream. It was the worst sight she had ever seen. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory were on the ground sobbing over Cedric's body. Cedric's eyes, his beautiful, gray eyes, were open, staring vacantly at the night sky. Padma threw her arms around Cho, attempting to turn her away from the horrific sight, but Cho remained transfixed.
Professor Snape rushed towards them, wand outstretched. "I thought I made it clear, all students to their rooms! Now!"
"Please Professor..." began Penny, but Spane's outburst had caught Mrs. Diggory's attention. She looked up from her son's body, eyes streaming and reached out to Cho.
"Cho, beautiful Cho. He's gone. Our Cedric's gone!" cried Mrs. Diggory.
Cho slumped to her knees and silently crawled over to the Diggorys. She stared at Cedric's lifeless face in disbelief. After a few seconds she took Cedric's limp hand and pressed it to her lips. Eyes closed, she stayed that way for several seconds. Padma finally turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer.
"Miss Chang may stay, you lot get to the castle now." Professor Snape's voice was softer now.
"But Cho..." sniffed Penelope, "I'm her Prefect. I should stay with her."
Snape nodded tersely and Penny rushed forward towards Cho. Snape reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Padma saw the sleeve of Snape's robe fall back, revealing his thin, white arm. Her eyes widened in incredulity as she caught sight of a dark spot on Snape's left forearm. Was that a tattoo? Snape caught sight of Padma's gaze and quickly put his arm down, rolling down his sleeve before Padma could make out the shape of the tattoo.
"Patil! Your common room, now!"
Padma turned and stumbled blindly towards the castle. Despite everything, she couldn't help but marvel over the fact that Parvati's vision about Snape getting a tattoo had proved true.
Parvati!
Suddenly Padma remembered that she hadn't seen her sister since Cedric's body appeared. Padma pushed through the groups of students screaming, "Parvati! Parvati!" Blinded by her growing dread, Padma stumbled.
"Are you all right?"
Padma felt two people pulling her up. She looked up to find Parvati and Dean looking at her with concern. Parvati flung her arms around Padma. "Padma! I couldn't find you! What's going on? Is it true about Cedric?" Parvati asked breathlessly.
Padma pulled back and looked her sister in the face, then slowly nodded. Parvati burst into tears and clung to her again. "It's true," said Padma heavily, "I saw him." Suddenly, Padma found herself shaking uncontrollably. Her teeth chattering, she asked, "What about Harry? Is he..." Padma couldn't finish the thought.
"We don't know," said Parvati, glancing at Dean. "Some of the professors herded us into the castle, but it's total chaos. Nobody knows what's going on. Harry's missing. Ron and Hermione weren't there either. And then I found Mandy in the entrance hall, but she said she hadn't seen you, so I asked Dean to help me look for you."
Padma glanced briefly at Dean. For the first time in two months, he finally held Padma's gaze. "Parvati was...really worried about you," he said awkwardly. Dean finally looked away, glancing over the girls' heads to the castle. "We'd best head back. Maybe the professors will finally tell us what's going on."
The three of them made their way back without speaking until they reached the entrance hall. They found that many students were still milling around in a state of shock and confusion. Padma hugged herself tightly, unable to shake the tremors that had overtaken her outside. "I'm s-scared. What do you suppose happened in the maze?"
"I dunno," said Parvati just as Professor Flitwick came up to them.
"Girls, please go to your common room now. We're trying to get a head count." Flitwick's normally excited, squeaky voice sounded hoarse and tired.
Padma turned from Parvati to Dean. "Thank you Dean, for coming down with Parvati. Good-night." She turned to go, but stopped when she felt a hand on her arm.
Dean hesitated, then bent down and awkwardly bent down and placed a kiss on the top of Padma's head. "I'm glad you're safe," he said quietly.
Padma felt that under normal circumstances Dean's gesture might have caused her heart to burst from happiness. As it was, she tried to give him a wan smile but failed. She stood back and watched Dean lead Parvati up the marble staircase, then turned and walked slowly towards Ravenclaw.
***
"She still won't come down?" Padma looked at Penelope with concern. They had just sat down for breakfast at the Ravenclaw table. It had been three days since the third task and Cho still refused to come down to the Great Hall for meals.
Penny's face mirrored Padma's worried look. She pushed her long, curly hair out of her face with a sigh of frustration. "No," she said, "and it's not so much her lack of eating that worries me, I've been taking her food to her room, it's the fact that she hasn't...she won't...cry," Penny's voice trailed off.
"Not even at the funeral?" whispered Padma. She glanced around, but nobody was paying attention to them. Students tended to be quiet these days, keeping to themselves as everyone tried to make sense of the aftermath of the tournament. The professors still hadn't given them much information. Dumbledore had spoken to them the morning after the tournament, but only to tell them that Harry would be in the hospital wing for a couple of days and not to bother him for details. Penny had accompanied Cho to Cedric's funeral the day before. Since her return, Cho had remained in her dorm room, preferring to be by herself.
Penny's eyes flooded with tears as she described the funeral to Padma. It had been a private ceremony in the little town of Ottery St. Catchpole. Penny said several Ministry officials had attended, including Percy's father, Mr. Weasley. "But Cho, she just stood there like a stone," sniffed Penny. "She didn't even cry when Mrs. Diggory gave her Cedric's Prefect badge. Said Cedric would've wanted her to have it." Penny surreptitiously wiped away tears. "Oh Padma, I don't know how Cho's holding up. If that happened to me...I couldn't bear it!"
Padma pushed her half-eaten plate away. "I have to go. I can't believe they're still making us go to class this week. At least we don't have to go to Moody's. I'll look in on Cho later."
As Padma made her way out of the Great Hall, she saw that Draco Malfoy and his friends had blocked the exit. They were facing Ron and Hermione in some kind of altercation. The rest of the fourth year Gryffindors were crowded behind Ron and Hermione.
"Where's your friend, Weasley?" sneered Draco in a challenging tone.
Ron glared at Draco, but said nothing to him. Instead he turned to Hermione. "Let's get out of here," he said tersely.
Draco laughed. "That's right Weasley, better get Potter's little girlfriend out of here if you know what's good for her." Crabbe and Goyle guffawed as though they had never heard such a funny joke.
Suddenly Dean stepped in front of Draco. Looking down at him he said, "Why don't you go crawl back under the rock you came from, slimy snake?"
Draco's pale, pointed face turned even whiter with fury. Crabbe and Goyle looked Dean up and down menacingly. Draco looked over Dean's shoulder to make sure none of the teachers were in earshot. His cold, gray eyes focused on Dean. "You're pretty confident for a Mud-blood, Thomas. I'd be a bit more careful if I were you. Your kind's not going to be welcome here for much longer. Besides, I was talking to Weasley."
Padma had heard enough. Before she could stop to consider, she'd pulled her wand and found herself facing Malfoy. "Don't you ever call Dean that filthy name again! His blood's as magical as yours or mine. Besides he's brave and talented. In fact, he's more of a wizard than you'll ever be!"
Draco stared at her uncertainly, then glanced over her shoulder at Professor McGonagall who was fast approaching them after finally noticing the altercation. Draco barely had time to giver her a cold glare and mutter, "I know your sister's a Gryffindor," he spat, "but I thought you were the smart twin." He slipped out of the Great Hall seconds before McGonagall reached them.
Padma quickly pocketed her wand
"Is there a problem here?" asked McGonagall sternly.
"Not any more, Professor," said Dean quickly.
Professor McGonagall eyed them beadily but did not say anything further as she left the Great Hall. The group started to disperse, leaving Padma, Parvati and Dean looking at each other awkwardly.
"He's right, I thought I was the brave twin," said Parvati finally with a sheepish smile.
Padma burst out passionately, "How dare he? He just makes me so mad! I wanted to hex him into next week! I..." Padma suddenly realized that Dean and Parvati were gaping at her. "I need to go to um...class now," she said lamely. Padma hoisted her bag higher on her back and ran for the doors. At the top of the steps, Padma paused to glance back at Dean. She was so startled to see that he was smiling warmly at her that she neglected to look ahead and smacked right into Hagrid, who was just entering the Great Hall.
"Padma! You all right?" asked Hagrid with anxiously.
Padma shook her head to clear her vision and murmured, "I'm fine," before rushing past Hagrid. She had a strange, light-headed feeling the rest of the day. Padma wasn't sure if it was because of her run in with Hagrid or Dean's smile. She hoped it was the latter.
***
The leaving feast seemed to be a catharsis for Cho. When Dumbledore asked them to raise their glasses to Cedric's memory, Padma turned to Cho and found her friend crying silently, great, glistening tears sliding down her pretty face. Padma reached for Cho's hand and gripped it tightly.
Cho reached with her free hand to grip Cedric's Prefect badge, which was hanging on a silver chain around her neck. She looked at Padma and whispered, "It' hurts." Padma was startled to hear the note of wonder in Cho's voice. "I never knew it could hurt so much," said Cho in semi-awe. Penny put her arm around Cho as she continued to weep silently, finally releasing the tears she had been unable to shed all week.
Padma swallowed hard as the lump in her throat threatened to engulf her. Cho's pain was unbearable. Then Dumbledore made the announcement that sent all of their hearts galloping with dread. You-Know-Who was back! What were they going to do? Were they all in danger? Padma glanced around the four house tables at her school mates. Would they all return for the next school year? She glanced back at Cho, wondering how many more witches and wizards were going to mourn a loved one. Padma thought about the two people at the Gryffindor table that meant the world to her and wondered what she would do if she lost one of them. She decided she didn't want to know.
***
Padma stood on the castle steps waiting for the carriages that would take them into Hogsmeade to board the Hogwarts Express for home. She mused sadly that this would be the last time that Penny would ride the train with them as she had just completed her N.E.W.T.s. The one bright spot in the whole week had been when Penny had received an owl confirming her acceptance as an apprentice Medi-witch at St. Mungo's Hospital. Penny was cautiously happy about this development. She had always wanted to be a doctor, but she was frightened by the current situation and the way it might affect her profession's future. Indeed, thought Padma, what did it mean for all of their futures?
Just as Padma prepared to board a carriage with Penny and Cho she felt a tentative tap on her shoulder.
"Padma?"
She turned and saw Dean looking at her with a serious expression. "I know you probably want to sit with your friends on the way home, but I...er...I was hoping you might ride to the station with me." He smiled expectantly.
Padma smiled back and called out to Penny and Cho that she would see them on the train. She followed Dean into a queue for another carriage. A few carriages over, Padma saw Parvati watching her. Padma rolled her eyes as her sister gave her a thumbs up sign.
Dean looked slightly embarrassed as well. He muttered to Padma, "Let's wait for the last one, shall we?"
They held back and waited until everyone had found a seat, and then climbed into an empty carriage near the back of the procession." Dean gazed back wistfully at the castle as they pulled away. "Weird," he said, "I've never felt so gloomy about going on summer holiday before."
Padma turned away from the castle to look at Dean sadly. "I guess it's to be expected with everything that's going on."
"How's Cho holding up?" asked Dean with concern.
Padma thought about the dream Cho had described after they left the feast. She said she kept dreaming the same dream since she returned from the funeral. In her dream it was right before the Yule Ball and this time Harry and Cedric came up to her at the same time to ask her to be their date. Cho said that in her dream, she knew Cedric would not survive the third task, but still, she kept choosing him over Harry. Cho said the dream comforted her somehow. "She's doing better. It's so difficult though. I mean, I just don't know what I'd do if..." Padma stopped and found herself gazing intently at Dean. He stared into her eyes, matching her intensity. Padma felt her face grow hot and turned away from him, feeling quite breathless. She scrambled to collect her thoughts. "I'm going to visit her this summer you know."
"Oh," said Dean inclining his head thoughtfully.
"She asked me to accompany her to visit the Diggorys," said Padma quietly.
Dean frowned slightly. "So, I guess you're going to be busy this summer, eh?"
"Not too busy," said Padma hoping she didn't sound as eager as she felt. "Why?"
Dean flashed a relieved grin, revealing the little dimple in his cheek, "Good," he said. His grin faded and he suddenly looked quite nervous. "You see, I talked to Hermione and she..."
"What's that on your robes?" interrupted Padma, pointing at a fuchsia colored badge that clashed horribly with his red and gold Gryffindor tie.
"This?" Dean squirmed slightly, looking very sheepish. He covered the button with his large hand. "It's...er...it's a Spew badge," he finished.
"It's S.P.E.W. and why would you join?" asked Padma incredulously.
"Why shouldn't I join Spew?" asked Dean indignantly. "I care about elfish welfare too!"
Padma snorted with laughter.
"Okay," admitted Dean over Padma's laughter, "if you must know, I joined for the same reason you did."
Padma cocked an eyebrow skeptically and assumed an air of mock seriousness. "You joined because you think you have a crush on Ron Weasley?" Padma snorted again, unable to keep up her severe look at Dean's outraged expression. Tears of mirth slid down her cheeks.
Finally Dean grinned, unable to withstand Padma's laughter. When they managed to control themselves he said, "I joined because I want to be close to you, Padma."
"Really?" asked Padma, all playfulness aside.
Dean nodded, taking Padma's hand. "Hermione told me she was going to try to hold some Spew meetings during the summer, and I thought it might be a nice opportunity to see you, since you're a member as well."
"Really?" asked Padma again. She was feeling quite breathless now as she was leaning close to Dean. She tried not to stare at his mouth, but it was difficult.
"I wouldn't wear a badge that said `Spew' otherwise." Dean was leaning closer now, sounding just as breathless as Padma.
"It's S.P.E.W. Dean," chided Padma, involuntarily running her tongue over her bottom lip.
"Well," said Dean, he was staring at her mouth now as well, "I'll just pretend S.P.E.W. stands for something else."
"What?" asked Padma, wondering why she was panting.
Dean suddenly pulled back from her, scrunching his brow in thought. "Hmm...how about, `Special Padma, Enchanting Witch?"
Padma had no idea how it happened, but she was suddenly in Dean's lap, kissing him frantically. Dean matched her ardor with every kiss and caress. "That was a horrible anagram," gasped Padma between kisses.
"I know," murmured Dean close to her ear. "But I meant it."
Padma pulled back to look Dean in the eyes. "You do?" she asked.
"You know I do. But...Padma, why are you crying?" asked Dean uneasily.
"Because," sobbed Padma, "because I've wanted this," she gestured at them, "for so long, but now...with everything's that's happened...I mean, You-Know-Who...aren't you scared?"
Dean leaned forward to rest his forehead against Padma's. After a minute he said, "I just think life is about risk, you know? It's like when I found out I was a wizard and that I would be coming to Hogwarts. I was scared, excited and nervous. But I've never regretted it. Even now, with You-Know-Who back, I still feel lucky to be here," he tightened his embrace on Padma, "especially with you."
Padma sighed and turned slightly to plant a kiss on his warm, soft cheek. She thought about Cho's dream suddenly. "I guess we'll leave predicting the future to Parvati," she giggled through her tears.
Suddenly a loud voice made them both start. "That's right! And I predict you two are going to miss the train if you don't stop snogging and get off that carriage now!" They looked down to see Parvati smirking at them, her hands on her hips.
A thoroughly embarrassed Padma and Dean emerged from the carriage, which they just realized, had reached Hogsmeade. Padma spotted Cho and Penny waving and gesturing at her through the windows to indicate they'd saved her a seat. She waved at them and turned one last time to Dean. "See you on the train later?" she asked.
"Definitely," he answered, beaming at her.
After a few seconds of watching them grin at each other, Parvati threw her hands up and declared, "First Lavender and Seamus, now you two!" She spotted Neville securing his toad under his hat and rushed over to him. "Say, Neville, are you sitting with anybody?" she asked, grabbing his arm and dragging him into a compartment.
Padma laughed. "You'd better go save Neville," she said climbing onto the steps to her compartment.
"Life's about risk, remember?" Dean called out as he dashed up the steps that Parvati and Neville had taken. The train began to move with a hiss and a groan of metal.
Padma made her way to her seat, smiling, thinking that Dean was right. Life was a big risk, a quest really. And if one found friends and love during their quest, then they were fortunate indeed. She took her seat next to her friends, feeling hopeful for the first time in days, confident that she could face whatever lay ahead.
THE END!!!
A/N 2: Was that the cheesiest thing you've ever read, or what? PQ was so much fun to write though. My vision of Padma is cute, funny, clumsy, scared, confused... Hey! She's just like me! Okay, so maybe I'm not quite as cute as I described her, and there's the whole magical issue, but...I am clumsy! And my hubby has a single dimple on his cheek that shows when he smiles :) If you'll all forgive me, I really must thank all of the luverly people who reviewed PQ along the way: Zsenya (beta-reader extraordinaire), Jabroniette (hope ur still out there), Lyta Padfoot, Evil Lady, bluemeanies, Midgee Dumledore, Peaceful Storm, Crystal S., Stardust Firebolt, Trinity Day (you wonderful, special reviewer you!), Praseeda and last but certainly not least, Hinkypunk.
Just a reminder (and a plug) PQ is a prequel to my other story' "I'm Like a Bird - A Percy Story". It is also a sequel to my other fic, "The Broom Shed Incident" which deals w/ some P/P naughtiness. If you liked PQ, check them out! Thanks all!