Pairing created by mew-tsubaki.

This is for Nathan. I don't know whether he liked Harry Potter, or even FanFiction, but I started to write this thinking about him. This story doesn't really reflect anything about the accident two weeks ago, but like I said, it just came to me whilst thinking.

Rest In Peace.

"You're gorgeous, you know that, right?"

Day by day Lorcan pulled her aside from the gathering families, playing with her hair and whispering meaningless love songs in her ear. She liked the thrill of it. Oh, Parvati knew it was wrong. But she wasn't getting any younger, and Lorcan offered her something that no one else had. Who was she to refuse the affection that her teenage years had deprived her of?

Padma had always been the centre of attention at home, thanks to her brains. At school, she was in the house that included the Golden Trio. With them, who would pay attention to her? Other than Lavender Brown, of course. Even being friends with her was difficult. All the boys swooned over Lavender's golden locks and perfect smile. Parvati didn't fit in the picture.

"No one will spot us, I swear."

It frightened her – being with someone so much younger. It wasn't moral, and if someone found out she'd be shunned for sure. Luna, her friend, how would she react to know that she'd be snogging her son behind her back? They wouldn't find out though, Lorcan promised they wouldn't. Apparently he went to great lengths to keep their illicit relationship a secret. And he did it all for her.

Sometimes she wished it was all hush-hush, and that she could tell everyone that she, Parvati Patil, had found someone that loved her for her. They would be shocked. If it was anyone other than Lorcan, probably in a good way. But because it was Lorcan, a boy young enough to be her son, their shock would most likely be bad – very bad.

"You're not worth the effort. It's too hard."

She'd always known how difficult it was to keep their cover. She knew why nobody could know. What she didn't expect was that Lorcan would give up on her. For some insane reason she thought that maybe someone found her worthwhile – worth holding onto. Of course she wasn't though. Wishful thinking, right?

"She's younger, prettier, and it's love."

Parvati would like to think she saw it coming, and that when she saw Dominique Weasley clinging onto her Lorcan's arm, it wasn't a surprise. It was though, and she literally had to bite her tongue to stop herself from crying. From the start, she knew that Lorcan and her wouldn't work – that something would tear them apart. Yet she'd still held onto that thread of hope that maybe – just maybe – a miracle would happen and she'd get her big wedding, little cottage and white picket fence.

But she was older, worn, and just not good enough for his love. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was heartbroken.