Blood and Healing

A/N: This is part of the rpg Blood and Healing located at bah-rpg on lj. All post will be posted there first, then here a day later. The RPG is DH compliant and runs in real time.

Parvati Patil- A Model's Beginning

They say that all the world's a stage and all the people merely players. I say that all the world's a photo shoot. I don't know what all the people are, but I know what I am. A model. Too short for the catwalk, I don't mind. I prefer the flashes of the cameras.

I love the makeup and clothing. It's hard to believe that ten years ago, I was so different.

Before I can talk about that, I should start with my first year of Hogwarts. My twin sister, Padma and I used to be close. We spent all of our time together. Then, at school, we were put into different houses, so we didn't see each other as often. I started to grow close to Lavender Brown and she became my best friend. We talked about everything, including wizards. We invited Padma to join us, but she didn't seem to find the same things funny as we did. Sometimes, I think Ravenclaws grow too serious. Padma kept going to the library and when it was just the two of us, it seemed like old times. However, we didn't have as much to talk about. Only in D.A. did we seem close like before.

Now, back to what I was saying before. Ten years ago was the fall of He-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named. While Harry Potter was the one that killed him, many of us fought. Padma and I were living in the Room of Requirement. Our parents were hiding in India. They wanted us to leave school at the end of our sixth year, but we convinced them that we wanted to stay. By the time we realized how the war was going, there was nothing anyone could do. We had to stay and they had to go.

Padma and I fought along with our friends and I even managed to help Dean Thomas when he was fighting a Death Eater. Yet, one person I couldn't help with Lavender. She was attacked by Fenrir Greyback. Luckily, she survived.

After the battle, Padma and I went to India. I liked it there at first. It was so different from England. The sights and sounds. The clothing was also much more colorful. And the jewelry was stunning. Of course, I bought a lot. There was a club in the village we lived. Though it was more than a village. It was a city, yet, it had only grown in recent times and since our home was on the outskirts, it felt like a village.

Padma was odd, spending her time in the jungle and then with a young boy. He was only nine years old. I invited her to join me, but she always declined and disappeared with a journal, which she started writing in while we were in the Room of Requirement. I don't know how she wrote so much, but she had at least three that I know of, while we were in India.

Then, the boy was hurt by a werewolf and Padma started to have nightmares. She'd wake up screaming, and wake the whole house up in the process. I suggested a change of scenery and was surprised she agreed.

We moved back to England, London specifically and got a wonderful flat. Padma stayed inside for quite awhile when I went out. It was there that I got my break.

I was trying on clothes for a club, remembering I had the perfect earrings to go with it. I started to pose, seeing how the outfit looked from all angles and I liked what I saw.
I was approached by a man then who gave me his business card, saying it was always looking for talent, such as models. I was thrilled. I rushed back and told Padma. She said she thought it was a sham and to forget it. I didn't want to.

With some help from a local photography studio, I sent headshots to various model agencies. Once the idea had been placed in my head, I couldn't think of anything better. I only received an answer from one. I was interviewed and was soon represented by the agency. Also, Padma was right, the man I had spoken to was a con artist.

These people weren't though. It started slowly, but my career is taking off now and I love every moment of it. Padma might prefer to work long hours at St. Mungos or her nose buried in a book. I am out almost every night. Sometimes at a club, sometimes at a party. However, being a model is not all about parties. It can involve long hours, but I love every moment. I used to like having attention in school, but this is different. In fact, people now recognize me on the street. Padma used to be mistaken for me, and I think that is why she cut her hair. She claimed it was easier for work, but she doesn't like being the center of attention.

Padma and I used to argue about my choice. She said I could do so much with my magic, but this is what I love. Not all of us can be healers. She seems unable to move on from the war, focusing on the past. I chose something I love and I focus on the future. Maybe I didn't see modeling in my crystal ball, but I don't need divination to see the future is bright. With the light of camera flashes.