My third update today! Yay!

I'm trying desperately to make up for leaving you all without an update for so long. Hope it's working!

Disclaimer: Nope, I'm still not the wonderful Jo Rowling, which means I don't own Harry Potter.

Prompt 9 Bridge

She stood with her eyes squeezed shut and her arms wrapped tightly around her middle. Her bottom lip was red and raw from the incessant gnawing on it. Her nails dug into her sides. Lavender felt queasy, like she was going to retch the second she opened her eyes and looked over the side.

Seamus thunked across the wooden bridge toward her, "Come on, Lav. It's just a wee bit tall is all. Nothin' ter be afeared of."

"Remind me again why I agreed to let you, of all people, help me get over my fear of heights?" she asked through gritted teeth.

The Irish-born wizard gave a little chuckle as he put his hand on her shoulder, causing Lavender to crack an eye open.

"You been right terrified o' heights e'er since firs' year. Ne'er would let anyone else 'sides me help you 'cross. You trus' me," his voice was soothing and gentle.

Lavender ground her teeth together. Sure, she trusted Sea. They had been dating for two years, and she really loved him. But she did not want to risk their relationship if she said something stupid and hurtful when she was frustrated. Trying to overcome her phobia was the perfect opportunity for that to happen.

"Sea, of course I trust you. I'm just.. Nervous- and a bit frustrated by this. I loathe heights. You know that. How am I ever going to get over it? Just standing here is making me want to vomit!"

He wrapped his big arms around her tense shoulders, "Relax, angel. It'll be jus' fine. Now, shut your eyes for me," she did, but remained as stiff as a board. "You're gonna haffta relax. Imagine a beach at sunset. A warm breeze. The colorful sky. The salty air and the sounds o' gulls." Lavender sighed and melted a bit. "Good, angel. Keep goin'. You can feel the sand on your feet and legs, your toes touch the edge o' the water. The ocean spray sprinkles o'er you like fairy dust."

Seamus guided her forward a step, and she tensed up again, "Ssh, angel. The beach, reme'ber? You step further inta the water and it washes away the sand, leaving those gorgeous legs o' yours soft and supple."

A few steps farther onto the bridge. Lavender's heart beats a million times per minute it seems, her arms were stuck to her side, palms sweaty. But the more Seamus described the beach, the more relaxed and at ease she became. Her arms swayed, her shoulders slumped slightly, her head held at a normal level. He guided her to the middle of the wooden bridge, talking to her the whole time, then lead her to the edge. Lavender's hands instinctively grasp for purchase when she feels her body lean forward slightly.

"Open your eyes," he coaxed; she did.

A slow, lazy smile of disbelief spread across her face. The silver river far below them wound through a forest of green countryside. Her blond locks flicked and danced in the wind, mirroring her inner happiness. The smile soon turned to one of relief, then one of joy. Lavender let loose a peal of melodic laughter, followed by a deeper one from Seamus.

"You did it, love," he kissed her temple as he stood behind her.

"No," she entwined their fingers and molded her body to his, "We did it, Sea."

They stayed on the bridge until the sun started to set, turning the sky brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple. They followed the river with their gaze until it was just a speck on the horizon. With a pop, the couple disapparated, but would return to the same spot every year to watch the daylight fade and celebrate a fear being chased away by love,

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-Princess