Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Shadow

By Silver Sailor Ganymede

Shadow. That's all I have ever been; my twin's shadow. She was older, more pretty, better at most things and had more friends than I did. She even had the better name – she was named after a Hindu goddess, and what was I named after? A white flower, that's what (1).

Yes, always have I been her shadow. Why, even my parents preferred her; I know they did, no matter how much they denied it. And they were so proud when she became a Gryffindor, why it was almost enough to make me vomit. You see we Patils have always been Gryffindors, just like the Weasleys. And what am I? A Ravenclaw; that's what I am, a Ravenclaw who should have been in Slytherin.

You know I almost wish that I had been placed in Slytherin; I would have fitted in better there than I did in Ravenclaw. But I digress; it is of no consequence now. And you know why? Because she is dead: Parvati is dead, dead at the hands of her own kin… dead at my hands.

Yes, I killed her, and I feel no remorse. In fact I am glad that she is gone. She, Parvati, chose the light… I, Padma, chose the shadows. But now… now I am no longer her shadow. I, the Maiden of the Shadows, have taken my place in the light where I belong.

(1) Padma is a Hindi name which means 'Lotus Flower'.