Quilting Appreciation: LeePadma

Word Count: 415

Lee is reasonably sure that love can happen anywhere, but a battlefield should not be one of those places. And yet it is.

He's noticed Padma before. Though she tries to blend in with the background, there's something about the Ravenclaw that's always caught his eye.

Now, it's hard not to notice her. The girl who has wrapped herself in silence and hidden behind books is front and center now. Her wand is drawn, and she stands tall and proud. In the midst of battle, she is no longer the quiet girl with curious eyes and a shy smile; she is a goddess of war, and Lee wants nothing more than to worship at her altar.

But not now. There is a war to fight, and he cannot allow his heart to lead him astray. Somehow, Lee keeps his attention focused, and he makes himself a promise.

If he survives this, he will ask her on a date.

A grin tugs at his lips as he dodges a curse. It's just more motivation to stay alive.

…

He finds her in the wreckage that was once the library. Shelves are overturned. Books litter the floor. And Padma stands among it all, looking like she's on the verge of tears.

"We made it," Lee says softly.

Padma turns, a frown on her lips. The fierce goddess is gone, and the shy Ravenclaw with the soft voice has returned. "Not all of us," she says sadly.

Lee winces. He can still see Fred's lifeless eyes and final smile. The war is over, but the casualties are great. "I know," he whispers.

"Do you think there's any hope?" she asks, gesturing at the chaos and destruction that surrounds them. "Will things go back to normal?"

On a normal day, Lee wouldn't hesitate. He's always lived world where the sun shines and all it takes is a smile and joke to chase away the storm clouds. Now, he hesitates. War has changed them all, and he can see the pain and darkness around him.

"One day," he finally answers.

She almost smiles at that. "It doesn't feel like it."

"Baby steps," he says. "Things will fall into place slowly but surely."

Now, Padma does smile, and Lee feels his heart flutter. "Baby steps," she echoes.

He nods. "Like, maybe a date would be a step toward normalcy."

Silence. Her lips purse, and Lee wonders if he's said the wrong thing. Finally, she relaxes and nods. "I like that idea."