The Subtle Waft of Lavender

Ron was bored.

It was Divination and Trelawney was prattling on about the mystic something or other in line with the star of some planet. It didn't make a lick of sense to Ron nor did it interest him in any way, and judging by the look on Harry's face, he wasn't the only one who felt this way.

The one way Ron amused himself in this horrible class was to watch people. It was amusing to see what people did when they were bored half to death, although not amusing enough to lift Ron from his stupor.

Parvarti Patil and Lavender Brown were gazing up at Trelawney in awe, their mouths agape as they watched their favourite teacher explain some type of hogwash, gasping and nodding in appreciation at all the right moments. Ron watched Lavender for a little longer, watching her flick her thick hair over her shoulder as she smiled appreciatively at Trelawney.

A cough from a few seats across from Lavender and Parvarti snapped Ron out of his dumbfounded gaze. Dean Thomas was the culprit, clearing his throat as though he was choking slightly, probably on boredom, Ron thought. Next to him Seamus was picking his nose with great interest, and behind him Neville was dozing, his head resting on his hands, which would slip and cause him to wake with a start, then start dozing off again.

Ron slowly looked back at Trelawney. She was throwing her arms around like a lunatic, ranting about some disaster that probably would never happen. Actually, Ron would bet his life it wouldn't happen.

Ron's gaze slowly slipped back to Lavender. She was staring at her favourite teacher, eyes wide with shock and surprise. Maybe it was the stifling heat of the Divination classroom combined with the softly wafting scent of incense and perfume, but Ron started to doze off himself and he found himself dreaming.

He was walking by the lake, by himself, humming softly. It was a beautiful summer day, not a cloud in the sky and the only sound was of birds twittering and bees buzzing.

"Ron..." a soft, familiar voice cooed to his left. Ron whipped round, but saw nothing but his reflection in the lakes smooth surface. Again, the same voice calling his name. He squinted his eyes, there was someone in the lake, and it wasn't the giant squid! It was a girl, and she was coming towards him. Once she was about 10 meters away from Ron, she stopped and he recognised her face: Lavender Brown.

Ron smiled coyly, and stepped into the lake, forgetting he was fully dressed. As he waded into the cool water, he noticed Lavender didn't seem to be wearing much; in fact the only thing that seemed to be covering her was the water itself!

Ron dove under the water and emerged beside Lavender; he too was now only wearing the water. "Hello Ron," she said quietly.

"Hello Lavender," he replied bashfully. They smiled at one another and moved closer together...

"Mr Weasley!" Trelawney exclaimed, jolting Ron from his dream. He looked up stunned by the sudden outburst. Everyone was staring at him, some with smirks, others with wide-eyed looks of embarrassment on their faces. Ron knew what had happened, but he hoped, dear-God, that he hadn't said that name out loud.

The one person, though, who was last to turn away, was Lavender, who had a coy smile playing across her face.

Ron would never leave his dormitory again.