Word Count: 534


"You and I," Parvati says to the empty space in the compartment, "are meant to be. I think you know that, and that's…"

She scowls. It doesn't come out quite right. Lavender deserves only the best, but Parvati sounds like an idiot.

With a groan, she sinks back into her seat, staring out the Hogwarts Express' window. The rich countryside is hidden today, replaced by dark skies. Beyond the glass, she hears a roll of thunder.

"You are my sunshine. On the darkest days, you radiate light and… I give up."

"Sounds like you do this sort of thing all the time."

Parvati looks up. She hadn't even noticed her twin entering the compartment. Padma offers her a soft smile as she sits across from Parvati.

It's weird. Lavender usually sits there, but she chose not to come back to take seventh year over again. Parvati doesn't really blame her. They are still haunted by the war.

But Parvati is done with her studies now, and she has a job offer with Witch Weekly, so everything is starting to look up. She doesn't have a ring yet; all she knows is that she wants to spend the rest of her life with Lavender. They will have the most beautiful future together.

If only she can get the words right.

"You're proposing to Lavender," Padma says.

Parvati nods. "That's the plan, but I can't seem to remember how words work."

"Try it. Just… say what you think, okay? Wait. No. What you feel," Padma suggests.

Parvati takes a deep breath. Why is this so nerve wracking? It should be easy to talk about how much she loves Lavender, but it isn't. Not at all.

"Lavender, you are easily the most amazing person I know. Were I a poet, I might right you sweet sonnets to tell the world of your beauty. You're the sunshine in my life, and I want you to be my wife."

She doesn't realize that it all comes out as one jumbled string of nonsensical words until Padma laughs. "Slow down," she says with a grin. "I can't keep up. I think you lost me after 'poet'."

Parvati sighs, deflating slightly. It seems impossible. No combination of words seems to work. She's spent days trying to find the perfect proposal, but she seems to fall short, no matter how hard she tries.

"I have an idea. Don't plan it," Padma suggests. "You've always been the spontaneous one, so go with that. I think you'll find that it works better for you."

She has a point. Padma has always been all about thought, while Parvati favors action. Maybe Parvati should embrace her strength and use it to her advantage.

"Is she going to be at the station to meet you?" Padma asks.

Parvati nods. Lavender hasn't come out much since the attack. Even with all the time that has passed, people still look at her like she is some sort of monster. It's made Lavender prefer solitude.

"Good." Padma grins, holding her hand out. "In that case, I'm taking you both out to celebrate."

"She hasn't even said yes."

"She will," Padma assures her. "After all, you two were meant to be."