Embers

Chapter One

Parvati had never wanted to disappear more in her life; her stomach erupted with butterflies and her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from her friend as she stood, nervously awaiting Parvati's input.

"Well, don't just stare! What do you think?"

Parvati cleared her throat. "You look beautiful, Lav. Obviously."

Lavender squealed, turning and surveying herself in the full-length mirror. Her dress was steel blue with white flowers decorating the bodice and bottom of the tulle skirt. It contrasted nicely with her brown skin, which now glimmered under the influence of some beauty spell she had cast.

Lavender twirled, faint sparkles in her dress catching the light, and the straps, which tied on her shoulders, slipped down her arms.

"Oops. Ti, I can't get these to stay. Could you tie them for me?"

Wordlessly, Parvati stood, holding her breath as she reached for the straps. She tried her best not to touch Lavender's skin, but her fingertips brushed her soft shoulder as she tied the bow.

"Turn," Parvati murmured, and Lavender obliged with a wide smile.

"Can I do your hair?" Lavender asked as Parvati tied her other strap.

"Of course. Do you really think I would trust anyone else with it?"

"And your makeup?" Lavender asked, spinning around to face her and grabbing her hand.

Parvati smiled. "You didn't even have to ask. You're a thousand times better at makeup than me."

Within a few minutes, Parvati was sitting on the floor beside Lavender's bed, listening to Lavender as she rifled through a bag of hair products.

"I was thinking that we could do, like, a half-updo? And a few braids, if possible?"

"That sounds perfect." Lavender dropped her feet onto the ground on either side of Parvati. "Your hair's so long!"

Parvati's ears grew hot as Lavender cupped either side of her face and tilted her head back.

"Where are your robes?"

"Erm, they're hanging on the door."

Parvati found it hard to breathe as Lavender's warm fingers brushed her temples, pulling her hair away from her face. Her scalp tingled and her heart raced, but she leaned back onto the bed and closed her eyes as Lavender got to work.

Parvati, without looking, flicked her wand so the radio turned on, and listened with a smile as Lavender sang along to a song she didn't recognize.

"I'm so glad Hermione introduced me to Muggle music. I was getting bored of The Weird Sisters."

Parvati laughed as Padma and Hermione entered their dorm, thankful for the distraction.

"How much longer, Lavender?" Padma asked, sitting on the bed in front of Parvati.

"Twenty minutes. You look nice, Padma," Lavender said. "When are you gonna get ready, Hermione?"

Hermione shrugged, a secret smile on her lips. "In a few minutes. It won't take long; I'm not doing much. I love your robes, by the way."

Padma beamed. "My mum made them. Parvati's are pink."

"My favorite." Lavender turned Parvati's head, humming as she tied off her final braid. "You have the prettiest hair."

Parvati's cheeks burned as Lavender hopped off the bed and tugged her onto her feet. "I know I do."

Lavender laughed. "Makeup."