I've had a lot of work for school lately, but the love has still been pouring in. Thank you all so much! I get so excited when I get notifications from FF now. You guys make me so happy! :D

Dear Lavender,

Seamus glanced across the hall at Lavender as she touched up her makeup and adjusted the scarf she had wrapped around her head.

"Mental." He muttered, shaking his head.

"What's mental, mate?" Harry asked, taking a seat across from him and Dean, followed closely by Ron.

"Lavender. Just look at her. Got a great bloody disguise on."

"Well, I reckon she doesn't want people to see her scars."

"Why the ruddy hell not?" Seamus asked, incensed. "There's nothing wrong with them. They're a part of who she is. She's as much a Gryffindor as any of us, and those scars are proof of it."

"Chill out, mate. Nobody's disagreeing with you." Harry said hastily.

"Except maybe Lavender." Harry smacked Ron upside the head as Seamus shot him a look. "I'm not saying they're bad, but well, she is a girl, and girls are vain." Harry shook his head, but said nothing.

Lavender rose from her seat, and began to make her way out onto the grounds.

"Go after her." Ron said, watching Seamus following her progress. "Don't wait seven bloody years like I did."

Seamus nodded and rose from his seat. He exited the castle to find Lavender sitting by the lake where the memorial had been held that morning. As he approached he noticed she had added large sunglasses to the ensemble, making hardly any of her face visible.

"Why do you wear that get up, Lav?" He asked, settling down beside her. Her head turned slightly toward him, but the glasses prevented him from seeing her eyes.

"You know why, Seamus."

"No, I don't actually. In fact- Accio glasses! Accio scarf!" She shrieked as the objects flew into his hands and he proceeded to vanish them. He directed his wand at her face, and she froze.

"Seamus Fin-" She felt a slight tingling on her face. "What did you do?"

He conjured a mirror and held it out to her. "I want you to look at this and tell me what you see."

She picked it up, and felt tears fill her eyes as her gaze locked on her face. He had vanished her makeup. "I see an ugly girl who will forever be alone, and will own about ten cats, and work the back room of an apothecary where nobody will have to look at her."

"Well, d'you want to know what I see?" She sighed and motioned for him to go on. "I see a beautiful girl, who lived through one of the most horrific battles in history. I see a brave, loyal Gryffindor, who's smart and funny, and an amazing friend. " He gathered all his courage and leaned in and placed a soft kiss on one of her scars.

"Seamus I-" She was silenced as he traced one of the scars on her cheek with his thumb.

"With or without the scars, I think you're the prettiest girl Gryffindor has ever seen."

He grinned as she smiled, and leaned in to give him a real kiss.

With or without the scars I think you're the prettiest girl Gryffindor has ever seen.

Love,
Seamus