For the Hogwarts Forum
Count Your Buttons: Padma Patil
Love in Motion: SuPadma
Trick or Treat: blouse
"I'm so sorry!" Padma says for the fifth time as she returns with a wet rag. "I didn't mean to."
Su just shakes her head and offers her a small smile as she accepts the rag. She careful dabs the violet wine stain that has spread across the stomach are of her white blouse. "You're nervous," she says simply.
Padma feels her cheeks heat with warm color. Nervous is an understatement. She's admired Su for years before she finally worked up the courage to ask her out. Now that she's finally secured a date, she's gone and spilled wine all over the girl.
"I'm-"
"If you apologize again, I might scream," Su teases, poking out her tongue playfully. "It's just a little spill. Mum has a potion that works wonders on stains."
This should reassure Padma, but it doesn't. She can't help but internally scold herself for letting her nerves get the best of her. She's always been like this. So awkward, so shy. She wishes she could be as confident as her sister. Parvati would never have spilled wine on a date. Hell, even if she had, she'd find a way to make it into something funny.
Su wraps her slender fingers around Padma's wrist, drawing the other girl out of her thoughts. "You worry too much," she says. "Relax."
"Easy for you to say."
Su shrugs. "I'm nervous too. Merlin! My stomach has been in knots since you asked me out. It's okay."
Padma studies her. She waits for Su to laugh and tell her that she's only joking, that she's as calm and collected as she appears. But there's only sincerity in her date's eyes.
Padma nods, though she's still on edge. "I, uh… Would you like some more wine? I promise I won't make you wear it this time."
With a grin, Su leans in, pressing a quick kiss to Padma's cheek. "That would be perfect."