A/N: Dear Merlin. Everyone remain calm. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Two in one night? This one is worse than the last, but forgive me. I really don't like this one. BUT I REFUSE TO FAIL THIS CHALLENGE AGAIN. For the One Hour, Two Drabbles Challenge, as is the previous chapter, which I think I forgot to say. Oops.
And, yes, I know Lavender didn't die. But Parvati also wasn't in love with her, Harry wasn't shagging Draco and Regulus wasn't constantly seducing Remus. (Sirius and Remus were, however, in love.)
Pairing: Parvati Patil/Lavender Brown
Prompt: 16. Shock
You were always something. Always special.
Lavender Brown. Even your name foretold the kind of pretty you would grow to be, with your painted-pink lips and your skirt set low on your hips.
At fifteen years old, I fell in love.
You were scrubbing ink from your fingernails and I was laughing at the concentration burrowed into the lines of your face, the way your tongue was caught between your teeth, the way the water just wouldn't run clear. You were sighing.
You said, "I'm a fucking disaster."
I wanted to tell you that you were my disaster.
You always were.
At seventeen years old, I fell apart.
They said, "I haven't seen her since..." and I knew.
You were always gorgeous, Lavender. Always pretty. But they way he left you – you were a battered angel, a bruised and broken idol, a goddess with her throat ripped out, beauty with no holds barred; you were shattered perfection and I was clutching you tight to my chest, sobs pained, knees bloodstained – I couldn't let you go.
They said, "She was so beautiful," as if death has taken that from you, covered you in a veil of plain and ugly.
I said – always will say – quietly, but carefully, "She still is."
Because I know you, Lav. I know every wind chime giggle that hit me square in the chest, every lip curve, half smile, every freckle on your forearms. I know every scar on your hand from each quill you snapped in half when you were distracted by boys, I know every shocked eyebrow raise and every oh! when gossip comes your way, I know every whisper behind hands when you think no one is looking.
They are, Lav.
They were.
I was.
And I know you. I have always known you, and you have always been beautiful.
You were always something. Always special.
(I miss you.
I love you.
I need you.)