To Sleep—Perchance to Dream
She ran her hand over Lavender’s soft pink cheek. Their legs were intertwined, the soft sheet twisted around them. The morning sun was just beginning to sneak through the hangings around the four-poster bed. Parvati leaned over kissing her girlfriend’s lips. “Wake up. We need to go to class.”
Lavender moaned. “No class today. Just lay with me.”
Parvati laughed. “Lav, we skipped yesterday. We can’t again today. We have to get out of bed at some point.”
“Counterpoint.” Lavender rolled, bringing herself on top of Parvati, Lavender’s legs straddling her hips. Her plush lips found Parvati’s clavicle, kissing it slowly.
“We”
She dropped lower, pressing a kiss right over her heart.
“Stay”
Her tongue darted out, lapping over her belly button.
“Here.”
Parvati moaned. “You are very convincing.”
Lavender laughed. “I try.”
They stayed right there. They talked about their future, the home they would buy, and the jobs they would get. They laughed, sharing memories from their years in school. And when they got bored of talking, they fucked. Lavender’s tongue, so talented, making her body quake and bringing her off over and over.
The two of them together, it was magic—true magic, not the weak, useless kind they taught in charms or potions. This was something powerful and life-altering.
Hours later, Parvati wasn’t sure how long, the door to the dorm opened.
“Ugh, she’s back,” Lavender groaned, making a gagging face.
Parvati laughed. “Shh, she’ll hear you!”
“Parvati, can I pull back the curtain?” Hermione asked, close, just on the other side of the velvet fabric.
“No. We're naked. Hermione. Don’t be weird.”
“Whose we?” Hermione asked, her voice strained.
“Don't be daft. There are only three people who stay in this dorm. Who else would be here with me besides our roommate, my girlfriend.”
Against her wishes, Hermione pulled the curtain back. Her face was pulled tight, her under-eyes were puffy. “I want to stay in bed all day, too, Parvati. Pretend none of it ever happened, but we have to move forward.”
“Fuck that,” Lavender spat out.
Parvati laughed. “I agree.”
Hermione smiled “Good. I’ll grab you some fresh clothes.”
“Wait, why? You’re not making any sense.” Parvati turned to Lavender, “Do you think she’s gone mad?”
Her beautiful girlfriend shook her head, blonde curls scattering. “No love. That’s you, I’m afraid.”
A chill ran through her body. She closed her eyes, blocking out the feeling. “Don’t joke like that, Lav. It’s not funny.”
“I’m so sorry,” Lavender told her, her voice sounding wrong, pained.
Parvati opened her eyes, and her breath was stolen from her lungs. In bed beside her was Lavender, but not. Her face was bloody; claw marks ripped deep through her flesh. She was pale, motionless, a corpse rotting in front of her face.”
“You died,” Parvati screamed, reality coming back to her like a punch to the gut. “Fenrir. He mauled you, killed you.”
Lavender, just a moldering skeleton now, nodded. “Yes, little love. You’re seeing ghosts again.”