Unicorns
Challenge Twelve: March Madness
Title: Unicorns
Author: seaislewitch
Wizard/Witch: Justin Finch-Fletchley/Lavender Brown
Rating/Warnings: G/PG
Genre: Romance/Drama
Word count: 500
Prompt: shopping excursion
Summary: Justin wonders if Lavender actually cares about him.
"Oh, look!" Lavender pushed past Justin to get to a display of handbags.
Justin rolled his eyes. Now What?
Their frequent shopping excursions in Muggle London were a way of coping with the wizarding war. Justin enjoyed buying her pretty things, but lately he was feeling a bit -- used. After four months of dating, Lavender had yet to express her passion for him completely, but she had no problem relating her need for expensive baubles.
"I'll take the pink floral and the lilac too. They'll be perfect for spring!" Lavender squealed.
The saleswoman quickly said, "Did you see the matching lipstick cases?"
"One for each bag, right, Justin?" Lavender said, batting her eyelashes at him.
"All right."
"Unicorns! I love unicorns!" Lavender was at the jewellery counter.
This has got to stop! Justin thought, marching over with the shopping bags.
"Crystal unicorn figurines, Justin," she said, leaning against him and searching for his kiss.
He couldn't resist and gave her the kiss -- and the unicorns.
~ * ~
At lunch, she couldn’t stop talking about the figurines and even showed the waitress. "I'll keep them on my bedside table. They'll be the first thing I see every morning!"
Justin rolled his eyes again.
Without warning, there were screams at the front of the café. Two Death Eaters were methodically cursing Muggles. A stray spell hit Justin, throwing him to the ground.
"Contengo!" Lavender cast a shield over them and managed to subdue one of the attackers by yelling, "Evinco!" Grabbing Justin's hand, she used Side-Along Apparation, taking him to St Mungo's.
~ * ~
"There's been another attack! My boyfriend is hurt!" Lavender screamed at the staff.
"Lavender..." Justin moaned.
"Don't worry, Justin; you'll be okay."
The Healer gave Justin a Pain-Stopping Potion before repairing his burnt flesh and broken collar bone.
Lavender told the Auror on duty about the attack, while holding Justin's hand.
"He may go home if someone will care for him," the Healer said.
"Take me to my parents..." Justin mumbled.
"I'll take care of him," Lavender insisted.
The Healer hastily gave Lavender two healing potions to administer and moved to her next patient.
Lavender helped Justin to his feet and Side-Along Apparated with him to her flat. He collapsed on her bed, and she nursed him through the night, giving the potions as prescribed.
~ * ~
Justin was disoriented the next morning. He had never been in her bed before, but now she was laying next to him, holding his hand.
"Justin? How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Thank you for..."
Lavender burst into tears. "Nothing bad can ever happen to you again. I won't let it!"
"It won't," Justin said, brushing away her tears.
"No one would put up with me the way you do, Justin."
"There's no putting up with you. It's my pleasure. Where are the unicorns?" he asked, glancing at her bedside table.
"The unicorns?" Lavender shrugged. "I don't know. I had to get you to St Mungo's."
"We'll just have to get more unicorns."
"Justin, I love you."
~ The End ~
Author's Notes: Thank you, ladywhitehart, for proof-reading. Contego means to cover or shield. Evinco means to subdue.