A/N: The usual disclaimers still apply. This story is also a bit different from the others, as it actually incorporates the word itself, rather than just the idea it creates. I hope I've done so in a way that makes sense, and creates an enjoyable story.
mann vasani - (n.) "petrichor" - the distinct scent of rain as it pours down on dry, warm ground of the earth [tamil]
A sniff of the air, and a smile crossed her face. This, more than anything else, was the smell of home. It took the perfect conditions to produce this smell, and if she could bottle it, she would. It reminded her of when she was a little girl back in India, before her family moved to Britain. A simpler time in a simpler place, a place Padma Patil would almost certainly be returning to once her apprenticeship was complete. For as many things were easier at home, the study of advanced magic was one of the few that was easier here. She heaved a rather annoyed sigh at that thought.
Whereas it was almost impossible for a young woman to find a magic apprenticeship in India, it was only extremely difficult to find one in Britain. Finding someone willing to train a non-pureblood raised the degree of difficulty somewhat, but Padma was fortunate that her head of house also taught the field she had the most interest in, and had no such prejudice on the matter. He did, however, require that she pass a series of his tests to even apply for the honor, a rarely used but perfectly acceptable method as outlined by the British Ministry of Magic for becoming an apprentice. She had heard rumors of other "acceptable" tests, and counted herself extremely lucky that she didn't have to apply for those fields.
Now, though, she was nearing the end of her five years as Professor Flitwick's right hand. It had been an enlightening five years, to be sure, but it had meant that she hadn't been able to go home as her sister Parvati had following graduation. Parvati had opened a small boutique in magical Mumbai, and had gotten engaged to a very nice Indian wizard; basically, everything she had ever wanted from life, while Padma was stuck in the Isles, lucky to leave the greater Hogwarts area more than a couple of times a month. Mostly, Padma was jealous that Parvati once again got to experience mann vasani, while she did not.
As she sat reminiscing in her private office, a partial stack of ungraded Charms essays on the desk in front of her, the door opened and Charms Master Filius Flitwick strode into the room. Parma, completely oblivious to the world around her, didn't notice the man enter until he levitated on top of her desk and poked her lightly in the forehead with his finger. "Miss Patil, are you in there?"
A startled Padma nearly fell out of her chair, but managed to stay seated and quickly regained her composure. "My apologies, Filius, I was thinking of home again. Did you need something?"
He nodded. "As a matter of fact, I need you to take a brief walk with me. You may leave the essays behind for now." Returning himself to the floor, Flitwick led Padma out into the halls of Hogwarts. He allowed them to move away from the bustle of students enjoying their Saturday afternoon for a bit before explaining why their walk was needed.
"I'm sure you've heard the rumors that Minerva has decided to retire as Headmaster?" She had; they'd been the talk of the castle for the last month. "The rumors are true, and while she has decided to stay on as Transfiguration Professor, someone will have to take her place. As of about an hour ago, the Hogwarts Board of Governors has chosen her replacement: myself. Therefore, Hogwarts will need a new Charms Professor, as I couldn't possibly try to hold both posts. Minerva warned me of such a thing happening to her, and I don't have any intentions of following in those footsteps."
Padma had been following the Professor rather blindly until now, as she realized he had led them up to the 7th floor corridor where the Room of Requirement was hidden. She was unaware that Flitwick even knew about the Room, but as the door appeared before her, it was clear he did. In the manner of a proper gentleman, he opened the door and bid her entrance.
Walking slowly into the room, Padma observed that it looked very much like her homeland. It was then that the smell hit her. Her eyes widened in surprise; not only had Flitwick restored the full capabilities of the Room, he had been able to make it recreate the part of home she missed so much.
"I know how much you miss India, Padma. And though you would certainly be welcome to return home at the end of your apprenticeship, I would greatly prefer that you instead do Hogwarts the great honor of becoming its Professor of Charms. I had been working on this project as a way to entice you to stay and take an Assistant Professorship along with some of my class load, but when word began leaking to me that I might have the big chair in my future, I doubled my efforts to make sure that you could go home without ever leaving here. What do you think?"
Padma was stunned speechless. As she looked around the room, noting every detail was just like home, she was overcome by a wave of emotions, causing her first response to be hugging her former professor. As she calmed enough to form coherent responses again, the words "becoming Professor of Charms" flitted back through her brain. "Y-you want me to be the C-charms Professor, sir?"
Flitwick gently patted her on the back. "You don't have to give me your answer right this moment, Padma. It'll keep for a couple of days. For now, just enjoy the Room as it is. I'll make sure an elf brings you dinner in here, if you'd like."
Padma nodded, and sat herself on the ground, looking around at everything and picturing her home once more. That wonderful smell filled her nostrils again, and as the quiet footsteps of Flitwick leaving faded away, she already knew that this wouldn't be the last time she found herself in here.