lotus_blossom (lotus_blossom) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-11-24 09:37:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, padma |
The universe is change
Character: Padma
Summary: It's time to go...
It had been a quiet week since she and Faelan had ended things, though it had seemed to drag along. The first thing Padma had done after she'd finished crying had been to go to Parvati and tell her everything. Parvati had listened, quiet and serious, and when Padma was done, had held her tightly and told her she was making the right decision in leaving for a while.
Padma was worn down enough that Parvati had gently suggested that, since there was no Faelan to bring her back right away, she travel for a while, and Padma had acquiesed. It was with profound relief that Padma had handed over control of her travel plans and let Parvati take care of it. So now she was to stay in Spain for a month as originally planned, but then would move along the iternary that Parvati had arranged.
Together with Naresh, Parvati's husband, they had arranged to make Brenna the shop manager and hired help for her. Parvati insisted that they not sell the shop, that Naresh would take care of things while she was gone. Padma agreed, though she had a feeling that she wouldn't be back. There were just too many bad and painful memories at the shop and in Hogsmeade now.
After glancing around her now-bare flat, Padma gathered up the letters that she'd written to Harry, Neville and Luna, and Barty; she'd debated whether to talk to people face to face, but decided that she couldn't handle it. Each letter was a variation on a theme: I'm leaving, I'm sorry, I don't know when I'll see you again, best of luck with life. She walked down the stairs that led to her backroom. All the rare and dangerous books had been removed to Parvati's, and the books to be repaired had been carefully packed away to travel with her. With a sigh for all the bittersweet memories of Faelan that now inhabited the room, Padma exited the back room and shut the door firmly behind her.
The shop was dark, closed for the night, and Padma took a deep breath as she drank in the quiet scene. She would miss the shop, miss the books and all the regular customers, miss having tea with friends in quiet moments. The bonsai trees Neville had given her were packed carefully away, and the plants Padma had replaced them with didn't seem to fill the void their seemingly small presence had left. That morning Padma had changed the window display for the last time; on a whim, she had filled broad window with travel and geography books.
She might be back after her long journey, but not in the near future, unless something changed. She still had a half-hope that Faelan would come after her someday, but he hadn't come by all week... and she had a feeling it was simply over. She breathed a sigh of sadness, and pushed aside the feelings of love and regret that threatened to overwhelm her. She looked around the shop as she walked out from behind the counter and to the front door. The books stirred a little as she passed, and before she knew it, she was at the door. With one last glance over her shoulder as she opened the door, Padma silently said good-bye to the bookshop and to one of the best and worst years of her life. Taking a deep breath, Padma stepped outside and closed the door behind her.