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"You know I hate this," Lavender mutters, adjusting her yellow scarf so that it rests much higher than it should.

Parvati knows why she does it, and it breaks her heart. The war left them all scarred, though Lavender's scars are physical, not just mental. The scarf doesn't hide her scars completely, and no amount of makeup can ever seem to fade them enough to make Lavender happy.

"I know," Parvati says with a heavy sigh, sipping her coffee as they walk through the park. "But the Healers say it's good for you. A bit of fresh air is good for the soul!"

Lavender has been hiding away since the war, and Parvati understands. She can't even begin to imagine the trauma Greyback left her girlfriend with. Despite all her best efforts, Lavender may never truly be herself again. It hurts because Parvati is so hopelessly in love with her, but she knows she will still love her, no matter what has changed.

"I don't have a soul anymore."

Parvati sighs. "Lav, don't say that," she says softly. "I know Greyback took a lot from you, but you're still you. You're still the girl I fell in love with in our third year."

Lavender opens her mouth like she wants to say something but seems to reconsider. She snaps her jaw shut once again and turns her head, unable to look Parvati in the eye.

"Mummy! What's wrong with that girl's face?" a little girl asks.

Oh no.

She sees the way Lavender tenses. It happens all the time. Mostly, people just stare, and it's easy enough to ignore them. Parvati has mastered the art of walking a little faster than necessary in order to catch up with Lavender again. But then there are moments like this, and Parvati isn't quite sure what to do.

"That's Lavender Brown," the mother answers, and there's a note of excitement in her voice.

Parvati looks up, surprised. She knows Lavender's photo appeared in the Prophet a few times after the war, but it's still strange for someone on the street to recognize her.

"She fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, and she got really hurt by a very bad man," the woman continued. "She's a hero."

Parvati turns to see Lavender's eyes are damp, and the faintest smile plays at her lips.

"Am I a hero?" Lavender whispers so that only Parvati can hear her.

Parvati laughs. "Of course you are, silly."

She knows this isn't the miracle she's been hoping for. One small incident isn't going to erase the grief and trauma that rests deep inside Lavender's bones. But maybe that doesn't matter. This is the first time she's seen her girlfriend smile in what feels like a lifetime. Maybe, just maybe, the healing has finally begun.