Chapter One:
Tryouts, Turmoil and Devious DeedsDear Diary,
I must admit that this is the first time I'm actually recording anything that happens to me. I could go all pompous like Padma and dutifully document my rather boring, miserable life or…I can actually be myself (which I hardly am.) They don't call me drama queen for nothing, you know. Where should I begin…?
At the beginning, your majesty, Drama Queen.
Ha, Ha, Ha...so funny (not.)
That was my twin sister, Padma, who was looking over my shoulder then snatched my pen and wrote in my diary!
I have every right! I gave it to you for our birthday.
And again!
Now that Paddy has disappeared through the Gryffindor portrait hole, I can start. I'm Parvati Patil, drama queen and loon. Yes, I suppose you already know that. I'm Indian; both my parents are Indian. I'm also half-blood. My dad, the muggle, vanished when Padma and I were about 5 years old and never returned. I personally hate his guts because my mother was completely miserable for a long time thanks to him. My mother, well, works for a muggle company called ATNT. She's given up on magic, I suppose. She was very reluctant to allow Paddy and I to attend Hogwarts, actually. I like Hogwarts very much. My best friend is Lavender Brown (the coolest name ever!) Lavender doesn't score very high in the brains department, but she is a sincere and trustworthy friend…most of the time….
"Hi, Parvati!" Lavender squealed when she saw me scribbling in this book by the fire.
"Uh…hey," I said unenthusiastically, slamming the book shut. Lavender didn't even notice. "Guess what?"
"What?" I asked, trying to sound interested. Suddenly I find Lav quite boring. All the girl thinks about is boys, clothes and more boys.
"He asked me out! He asked me out!" Lavender shrieked doing some weird kind of dance that involved a goofy smile.
See?
"Not Seamus…again? Won't the git ever back off? And you're happy?"I questioned incredulously.
Lav laughed. "No silly!" she cried. "Not Seamus…Ron!"
"Ron Weasly?" I exclaimed, all the more baffled.
Oh, lord, who had entered at my best friend's mind and stolen her brain!
"Yep!" Lavender declared proudly. "I've always liked him, you know."
I rolled my eyes. Sure, Lav, I'm sure you've even considered liking Ron Weasly only for the past ten minutes. Lavender began giggling. "We're going to Hogosmeade…together…alone…" Lav began to giggle insanely. I joined in, but it was a nervous, forced giggle. It was so obvious that Ronald Weasly was infatuated with Hermione Granger, smartest witch in our year. He was obviously using Lav to make Hermione jealous. Stupid git! I always thought he was nice, though immature like most boys.
Should I go and give him a piece of my mind…or…wait! I have a plan! A really stupid one—so stupid—it might actually work.
"Harry!" I caught up to a skinny, robed figure with the messiest hair you've ever seen. Harry Potter is probably the most famous wizard, in our school, apart from Dumbledore of course, because he is the boy who lived. He defeated the dark lord, Voldemort when he was barely one with only a lightning bolt scar as a memory to his tragic past. Anyway, back to the account….
Harry wheeled around. "Parvati?" he questioned, wearing a curious expression on his face.
True. We usually don't interact. Harry thinks I am a foolish girl who he can invite to Yule balls just as an accessory—not that I'm one to hold a grudge for too long. "Urgent!" I whispered, tugging on his sleeve. Harry looked suddenly worried. "Is it about DA—" he began anxiously.
"Have you heard, Ron asked Lavender out?"
Harry began to laugh and his worried expression disappeared. "That is so urgent, Parvati!" he answered back sarcastically. I frowned. Why does everyone think I'm a brainless giggle machine? Sort of like Lavender? Seeing, my expression Harry became serious again. "Listen, Potter," I hissed, "your friend asked my friend to make another one of your friends jealous. Not mentioning any names here." I completed dryly. Harry frowned, comprehension finally dawning on his face. "Really? Ron looked like he really liked—"
"Was Hermione there?"
Harry was silent. Then, "I never thought Ron could sink so low."
"Yeah, Lavender was extremely happy. She was even dancing," I added sadly. Which is would be quite humiliating to do if I were Lavender.
Perking up according to plan, I piped up, "I have a plan,"
Harry looked wary. "I don't want to get involved."
I narrowed my eyes. "I see," I said briskly and began to turn around. Naturally, Harry having that heroic instinct in him, predictably called,
"Parvati! Wait! Just tell me the plan."
"Alright!" I said, smiling charmingly. "It's very simple. All you have to do is ask Lavender out."
"What!" Harry sputtered. Again, predictably.
"I've got Seamus riled up to serenade her tonight and bribed Dean to send her love letters secretly, Neville to compliment her and if you ask her out…."
"The point is?" Harry asked, not quite understanding.
I sighed. Boys are so oblivious sometimes. "I know Lavender. She'll suck it all up and be so flattered by all the attention, she'll forget all about Ron and the date."
"Why me?" Harry cried. I sighed again. Boys can also be very stubborn sometimes. "It'll work, trust me," I said.
"And if doesn't?" Harry asked, cocking his head and shooting me a smile. Suddenly I felt tongue-tied.
Grr you, Harry Potter. He was the one that asked me to the Yule Ball two years ago, and mostly ignored me and here I was stupidly falling for him. Snap out of it! I blinked. "Then I'll hide Lavender's shoes." Lavender loves her shoes, I knew she wouldn't go anywhere without them Boutique heels. Abruptly, I wheeled around before those emerald green eyes could draw me in. "Thanks," I called, as I walked away.
Yours,
Parvati
Dear Diary,
This is late at night and I am writing under the covers. Seamus just serenaded Lav in the common room. Much to my surprise, she was appalled, disgusted and performed a Bat Bogey hex on him. Obviously, Lavender's head is too up in the clouds this time. Yikes! I just realized, Seamus is not going to be happy with me tomorrow. Why am I cursed with a know-it-all sister, a ditzy best friend and no boyfriend? Sure, I have these flings, but the guys are so tedious…it's like a History of Magic class with extremely bad kissing.
You get the idea.
I'm not really sleepy, so I'll just continue writing in here. Everyone seems to think a book + me no book, but ha, they don't know the real me….
Well…Quidditch tryouts tomorrow and this is an impulsive decision, but I've decided to try out.
I'm sure when I appear on the field with my designer Quidditch robes everyone will swoon at the sight of me.
Or they would just laugh inwardly and talk behind my back, which is more likely. Anyway, I've decided to try for Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I'm quite good with the Quaffle since my Mum, Padma and a few of our cousins used to play Quidditch all the time. Then, Padma didn't like it, and we were inseparable at the time, so I quit too. When I look back at the things I've done for Padma and things she's done for me…wow, we were close!
Then we came to Hogwarts, she got her group of friends and I got the ditzy blond, known as Lavender…. I could say we led supremely happy lives until last year when things changed. I changed. I, who had been known to spend lunch hours with Professor Trelawny and Lavender, began to get bored. I want to do something useful. Like an idiot I told Lav this (excluding the being bored part) and she giggled and recommended me to help Hermione Granger with her weird house elf Spoof thing. Knitting elf hats and socks to free house elves…honestly! I know I am a good with my hands, but Hermione always makes me feel kind of stupid. Hmm…it's a possibility though, if I feel kind enough to venture upon it. Yawn. I really am tired now after scribbling what must sound like utter nonsense. Quidditch tryouts…tomorrow…wonder who's the capt—(Next Day—I fell asleep, by the way.)
Yours,
Parvati
Dear Diary,On Saturday, I overslept and nearly missed the tryouts! It was a wonderful day though. I hurriedly grabbed my Nimbus 2000 broomstick and raced down to the Quidditch pitch. When I reached I saw a group of 12 assembled in line. Trying to push away Professor Trelawny's superstitions, I took my place as the thirteenth. Lord, I can't imagine I believed in that last year! Three of the previous year's team was right before us. Ron was keeper, Katie Bell, Chaser, Andrew Kirke and Jack Loper were Beaters and Harry, seeker. I glanced down at my feet. Apparently Katie Bell was captain and she informed us that there were 2 positions up for grabs. "2 chasers will be on the team. Now, you'll pair up with partner and come up and face another two people. The Quaffle will be let loose and the team who scores first will proceed to face the other winners. We'll keep going until we have the official winner. Take a minute to find your partner, please." There was a flurry of scrambling, while best friends shot knowing glances at each other, I sighed.
There were times like this when I wish Lav were here. I quickly spotted Ginny Weasly and was about to ask her to be my partner, but Neville Longbottom beat me to it. Damn Neville.
Colin Creevy—oh no, was with his brother Dennis.
Joanna Sparkers—this really nice girl in fifth year, great fashion sense—with Seamus. And Seamus looked rather grumpy, mooning over Lavender and cursing me, I suppose. I clutched my broomstick, feeling rather forlorn, and only now realizing what a loner I was.
"Does everyone have a partner?" Katie Bell questioned brusquely.
I gulped and slowly pushed my hand in the air. Oh misery…everyone's eye was upon me, as I declared myself a leper.
"Well, Parvati, there were 13 of you," Katie said, trying to be kind. Like it's my fault.
"Harry, be Parvati's partner, will you?" Katie commanded, seeming slightly impatient.
Harry looked a little taken-aback. " Alright," he conceded, probably pitying me, "but I'm not a chaser."
Katie shot him a glare. Meanwhile, I was wondering why fate had such funny ways. Here I was, trying to avoid Harry Potter in fear of losing my calm and collected exterior and here he was, being pushed on to me!
Ooh, everything's just fine! Except for the fact that I'm cursing myself for trying out for Quidditch and doing something useful, while knitting with Hermione might have been much easier and not so degrading to ones' self esteem.
Harry came stood next to me. Relax…not worth it…history of magic… I kept telling myself. The history always puts me out.
"Why don't you just ask Hermione to ignore Ron?" he whispered. I was concentrating on not giggling because his breath was tickling me and I happen to be very ticklish.
"Huh?" I replied, sounding like such an intellectual.
"You know…Lavender & Ron…" Harry explained. I felt like I was in kindergarten. Then….
"Oh right." Truth be told, I had forgotten.
"Well, I don't know. Hermione and Ron should tell her himself that he likes her," I said weakly.
Harry seemed to be contemplating on something and I just realized this one of the longest conversations I've had directly with him for six years.
"Your plan seems kind of—" Harry paused, searching for a kind word to fill in, I presume.
"Dumb!" I burst out suddenly, "well, that's what everybody thinks I am, isn't it?" I had been wanting say this for a long time.
Harry ran a hand through his messy black hair. "I was going to say complicated, but ok,"
I stared determinedly ahead. Why do I always have to make a fool of myself? Aragh! Ginny and Neville were up. Neville, I'm sorry, was hopeless. He kept dropping the Quaffle, but Ginny was superb. She might actually make it to the team. Harry was watching her too. "She's good," he murmured appreciatively.
"Yeah," I agreed, feeling slightly lost.
"Why are you trying out, Parvati?" he suddenly asked.
"Because I want to do something useful for a change!" It just came out—my mouth has a mind of its own. Harry also seemed to be playing a key role of irritating me totally. We were up next, so Harry had no time to question my sanity. I nervously mounted on my Nimbus while Harry mounted on his Firebolt. We were against Joanna and Seamus. Just my luck.
Seamus looked ready to knock me of my broom.
We kicked off into the air and I tried a couple of spins. It felt so great to be in the air after so long. "Show off," I heard Seamus mutter mutinously. I just felt giddy. The Quaffle was released and I raced down to snatch it. With the Quaffle safely tucked under my arm I headed for the goal posts Ron was guarding. Thinking of Lav, I prepared to—Then, I remembered Harry. We were teammates; it would look bad if I didn't pass to him. I hurled the Quaffle at a startled Harry, but Joanna managed to make it hers. Jack Loper thrashed a Bludger right at her. Jack was on our side….! Poor Joanna, I thought only for a second.
Sadly, Joanna didn't lose grip on the Quaffle and it was still with her. Seething, I flew down and intercepted it as she passed it to Seamus. Harry was open, I tossed it, and he caught it. Yes! I could punch the air. I swiveled to see Seamus with Quaffle under his arm.
Aragh! Harry wasn't much of a Chaser was he?
I soared down to the goalposts. Seamus was heading that way with a very smug, satisfied expression plastered on his face. Harry was waving madly. I tried to signal back, what the hell was he trying to convey?
Out of nowhere Andrew Kirke's damned Bludger slammed into my arm with full force. "Ow!" I exclaimed painfully, wanting to cry. Gathering my self, I rushed down to retrieve the Quaffle, which had been knocked, out of my hand. Searing with pain, I shot up, my eyes barely open and flung the Quaffle at the goal posts. For a moment there was silence as it traveled through the air in slow motion, Ron made a wild dive to save it, but the Quaffle made it through. I shrieked with joy and then I fainted…
The first thing that registered to my brain, as I woke up, was:
"Blimey! Must have been…what…80 feet!" I heard Ron exclaim.
"Shush, Ron, she's stirring…." Hermione snapped. Ooh, their chemistry was undoubtedly certain. I smiled to myself. "Parvati! Parvati!" I heard Lavender shriek. My eyes flew open to see Lavender, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny peering down at me. I grinned feebly. "Hey everyone,"
Madam Promfrey came bustling in at that very moment and forced some disgusting concoction down my throat and bustled out. "What happened?" I asked curiously, propping myself against the fluffy pillows. "Well, you and Ginny made the team," Ron said. Hooray for me!
"Congrats, Ginny,"
Lavender forced a smile, clinging onto Ron's arm. Hermione frowned. Ron looked confused. "You never told me you were going to try out."
I tried to shrug, but it was too painful. "Ouch!" I winced.
Ginny looked concerned. "Andrew feels really bad, you know."
"Yeah, well…"
There was an awkward silence. Suddenly Padma burst through the doors.
"Parvati, are you okay?" she cried, pulling me in a bone clacking hug.
"Ow…ow…ow!" I yelped. Paddy let go of me, cringing at her thoughtfulness, I'm sure. "Sorry."
"Quidditch is dangerous. Why did you even try out?" she lectured, looking upset. Lavender, Ron, Hermione and Ginny murmured a few excuses and then they were out. "Why is everyone asking me that! I just wanted to do something different for a change." I said vehemently when they were out of earshot.
Padma looked surprised, "alright, but you've never been sporty."
I chose to ignore that. "How did you know?" I queried instead. Padma plopped onto the chair beside my bed. "Harry told me."
"Really? I was wondering why he wasn't here." I froze.
Oops, I shouldn't have said that.
Padma raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow. "You know," she began amusedly, "it's almost has if you like him."
I folded my arms with difficulty. "No, it's almost as if you like him." I snapped. Yes, I'm world renown for my clever comebacks.
Padma chuckled. "No wonder you tried out for Quidditch. Something different, my foot!"
I blushed a little, but denied it. "No, it's not him. I don't even know him. He is so intense…." I shuddered.
Padma twirled her wand still smirking. "And you're not."
I shook my head vigorously. "Definitely not. I care about crystal balls and clothes and shoes and earrings, not to mention handbags."
Padma looked upon me pityingly.
"When are you going to learn? It's just a disguise, isn't it?"
I slumped back onto my pillows. Of course, Padma would be the first one to uncover my secret. "What do you mean?" I tried innocently.
"You're not like that. You never were like that."
"Maybe, but I still like curling my eyelashes with my wand," I grinned feebly.
Padma didn't grin back. "Be yourself, Parvati. Like you promised your diary."
"Right." Now, I was just wishing my twin would go back to her life and leave me with my own.
Yours,
Parvati
Dear Diary,
Today is Sunday. Lavender's big date. Whoopee! Apart from all my efforts with the letters and serenading, Lavender cannot stop about Ron.
My hopes are on Harry, who I have not talked to since yesterday, but oh well. Just as a precaution, however, I have hidden Lavender's shoes also her handbag. Lavender was going frantic.
"Parvati! Have you seen my shoes and my Boutique handbag! I have to meet Ron in 10 minutes!" She was practically in tears. Tears inject the guiltiness into your bloodstream like nothing else. "Look in the common room," I suggested innocently, purposefully bending over my Potions essay for Professor Snape, instead of looking at Lavender. The good thing is I happen to be a good liar.
Lavender tromped down the stairs and I eyed my trunk. Sighing, I got up from bed and undid the clasp. The bad thing is I happen to be very susceptible to guilty shots. I brought out the gorgeous Boutique heels and handbag and tucked them under my arm. As I prepared to run down to the common room, Lavender came clambering up. Uh-Oh! She was in tears.
"I threw the heels and handbag onto the ground. Lavender didn't even notice.
"Lav, are you okay?" I was genuinely concerned.
Lavender hiccuped, looking completely miserable. "Harry asked me out—"
I froze.
"—but Ron heard him and got angry for ruining his plans."
I bit my lip.
"—then Harry said that Ron was the blockhead for using me!"
I patted Lavender comfortingly, wondering how I would get through this one.
"—then Seamus said something about you. The stupid git. I thought he just wants to blame you."
I was getting really nervous now.
"—that was what I thought until Neville and Dean started complaining about you too. Now Harry and Ron are in a fight. Professor McGonngal is going to find out and Gryffindor will lose points. What have you done Parvati?" Lavender looked like an angry poodle with her white-blond bunches.
I squirmed uncomfortably. "Well, um, Lavender. When you told me on Friday it was obvious to me that Ron was going out with you to make Hermione jealous." I said tentatively. Lavender turned a violent shade of puce.
I held up my hand, hoping I hadn't caused too much damage. "So, I asked Dean, Seamus and Neville to help out by sending you letters and Harry by asking you out. I thought you would be flattered and forget about Ron, you know. I'm stupid. I'm so sorry, but you were so happy. I didn't want to see you get hurt."
Lavender was staring at me, like she had never seen me before in my life.
Humbly, I left the dormitory, feeling so scared, I could barely breathe. Harry and Ron were in a fight…. Lord, I had scarred Lavender's life, ruined a friendship, and go knows what else.
As I step upon the last step, what met my eyes wasn't a pretty sight. Harry and Ron were involved in Muggle fight, where you don't use wands, but fists. They had bloodied each other already. Hermione and a few others were yelling at them to stop. I gulped, but reached for my wand. "Kaerb Tirapo," I muttered, waving my wand at the two fighting figures. Harry and Ron were flung apart. "Why didn't I think of that!" I heard Hermione mutter. Ron and Harry both turned towards me, approaching me with identical furious expressions on their faces. Lord, will I die at an early age?
"Look, I can explain," I said weakly, backing away.
"You'd better!" Seamus spat.
Ron with his bloodied nose stared me angrily. "Why did you do that?" he said thickly.
"I didn' t think you really liked her and I didn't want her to get hurt. So, I came up with a plan." I replied quietly, now feeling extremely stupid.
"A dumb plan…" Harry murmured, not looking me in the eye, but his eyebrows were knitted together in a frown.
"You said it was complicated," I accused.
Hermione stepped forward. "Why didn't you just tell Lavender that you're were concerned—" she shot a dirty look at Ron "—instead of getting you into such a mess?"
"I don't know…!" I moaned, feeling terrible. "I feel horrible. I don't think about what I do sometimes. I know it was wrong, but it's confirmed that I the rest of my melancholy years as an outcast locked away in my tower waiting to meet my doomed destiny. " Everyone sort of stared. I, however, wheeled around and walked right out of the common room.
Sigh. Here I am in the room of requirement. I wished for a comfortable place where I could spend the rest of my life. Aragh! I feel like such a loser. I've got to do something so I can make it up to Lavender, Ron, Harry, Seamus…the list goes on and on.
Later
I returned to the common room to find that everyone had left for the Hogosmeade trip. Glad to just collapse in my bed, I retreated to the girls' dormitory to find Lavender there. "Hi…" she said when she saw me enter
"Hi…" I replied awkwardly, "how come you didn't go to Hogosmeade?"
"We always go together, don't we?" Lavender said simply.
So not true! There was many a time when Lavender's ditched me for a boy, but I nodded anyway.
"Sorry," I said hollowly, perching on my four poster bed.
Lavender's mouth was turned down. "Now I see it about Ron Weasly and feel extremely doltish."
"What I don't understand is why you just didn't tell me instead of going to so much trouble." Lavender continued with pursed lips.
"I thought you would get mad." I replied foolishly.
Lavender shrugged. "Let's just put it behind us, ok?"
I nodded in agreement and we hugged.
What a day, I'm seriously tired.
Yours,
Parvati
Dear Diary,
Monday and a school day. Lavender is the only decent one here. Everyone else can't seem to stand the sight of me. On top of that, Monday's happen to be completely awful. Double potions with slimy Snape to greet us first thing in the morning—what a refreshing thought.
"Hey, Par, did you complete that Fargula & Sunbeam essay for Snape?" Lavender whispered urgently at breakfast that morning. Oddly, Harry and Ron weren't present and I wondered where they were.
"Sure, Lavender!" I answered chirpily, hoping that some of my chirpiness would rub of on the sullen expressions around me. Lavender rifled through my bag and began to scan my essay.
Seamus scowled. "I'm sure you had lots of spare time while contemplating your doom, Patil."
Dean Thomas laughed. "Lay off, Finnegan. It was kind of funny when you think about it." I mouthed thanks.
Lavender, as loyal as ever, stuck by me even though she should technically be the angriest.
"Now, I know you're such a jerk, Finnegan, I won't give you a second glance, much less—what is it—a millionth chance." Lavender announced airily.
Yay, Lav, I cheered inwardly. Hermione Granger, who was currently poring over a thick volume of 'Slavery through the Middle Ages', said:
"Lavender, you can borrow my essay if you like."
Lavender, like everyone around her, was surprised.
"You mean it?"
Hermione smiled and brought out her essay. "You probably didn't have time, so just this once." Lavender expressed her gratitude by promising Hermione her own pair of Boutique heels.
"Hey, Hermione," I whispered suddenly, as Lavender busily copied bits of Hermione's essay.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Do you want help knitting for your house elves?" I asked hesitantly. Hermione looked stunned. I took this as an insult and immediately started blabbering about how I just liked to knit and my hands and things like that.
"No, Parvati, I'd love it if you want to join S.P.E.W!" Hermione cut me off excitedly. Oh, so that's what it was called.
"We can make more than hats you know, like jumpers and gloves and things like that!" Hermione jabbered eagerly in my ear and I couldn't help smiling.
Hermione, Lavender and I strolled together to the dank and dreary dungeons. Hermione, still prattling non-stop about S.P.E.W and Lavender hastily trying to duplicate Hermione's exposition while she walked. Much to our amazement, Snape was present when we walked in. A rare occurrence, since he usually prefers to make dramatic entrances which seem to boost his level of malignity.
"Late, ladies?" Snape grunted. The Slytherins, who had managed to get themselves early, chortled.
"Perhaps we are not late…sir, you are early," I suddenly spoke up, without meaning too. A lull fell over the few Gryffindors that were assembled in Snape's classroom.
"10 points from Gryffindor, Miss Patil." Snape hissed, looking very sinister in Gothic black robes. "Take your seat!" he spat.
Lavender, Hermione and I scurried to our seats.
"What a fashion statement!" Lavender whispered to me.
I couldn't help giggling seeing Snape is his swishy Gothic black robes that made him look like a funeral conductor.
Unfortunately for me Snape heard it and swooped upon my desk. "I don't appreciate laughing in my classroom, Miss Patil." I shivered, as he departed. At least I had got any more points deducted. Looking around, while Snape warned the class about what consequences they would face if they got below an Acceptable on their essay, I spotted Harry and Ron.
"Hand in your essays now and begin working on the Draught of Dreams, the instructions are written on the board. But before that, I've decided to mix you up a little." The class groaned.
"SILENCE!" barked Snape.
"Miss Brown and Miss Parkinson up here." Lavender made a face, but gathered up her belongings and reluctantly made her way to the front. "Quickly!" snapped Snape.
"Mr Nott and Mr Weasly, right here." Snape's eyes gleamed at Ron's displeasure. He was having fun with this, wasn't he? Hopefully he wouldn't put me with a complete dolt.
"Mr Potter and…." Snape's inky black eyes rested upon me, "…Miss Patil."
Noooo!
I dragged my feet to where Harry sat, ignoring his unfriendly expression. Snape continued his vindictive pleasure by putting Hermione with Draco Malfoy, a Slytherin that will make you suffer and Neville Longbottom with Gregory Goyle, Slytherin sloth.
I turned towards Harry, preparing to resolve our whole conflict. "Listen—" I began.
"To Snape—" said Harry, staring straight ahead. I frowned; this might be harder than first perceived.
When one falls, keep trying to climb up again and again. This time I have a smart solution. Oh, I was going to apologize to Ron and Harry all right, but not weepy, woe-eyed. Parvati will perform…center stage…in other words the common room. Signing off for now, but I'll write later tonight.
Yours,
Parvati