Chapter Two:

Parvati stared out at the grounds from way up in the Gryffindor Commons. Lavender Brown chattered at her, ignorant to the fact Parvati was completely distanced from the chatter. What was going to happen between Parvati and Draco Malfoy now?

Speak of the devil, Draco kicked off in to the air on his beautiful broom for Quidditch practice. She wondered what to say to him next. Sure, they were technically dating now. But, would he want it to stay secret? Would it be safer, secret?

"And, you know, he was so hot, that I said yes!" Lavender squeaked happily.

Parvati was quiet, tearing her gaze from the handsome Slytherin Quidditch player to the crackling fire. Eventually, she said, "I'm going outside on a walk. Classes don't start for another two hours."

"You want me to go with you?" Lavender asked. "I really don't want to go outside."

Parvati considered it, then shook her head. "Nah. I can go by myself."

"Don't let those Ravenclaws bother you again," advised Ginny. "I'm going to go find Hermione."

Parvati nodded absently, leaving the commons in a trance. She ended up at the doors, ready to go outside, much too soon, before she had planned where she was going. She opened the door and nearly ran in to a Slytherin thug - one of the Beaters' on the Quidditch team.

"Watch where you're going, mudblood," he sneered.

"You're an idiot - I'm pureblooded, for your information. Get out of my way," Parvati said coldly.

He smirked. "Not bloody likely."

"Hey, hey, let's not have a fight here," said a familiar voice. "Us superior Slytherins have to be in perfect condition or Flynt will kill us come game time this weekend."

The Slytherin grunted and moved from Parvati's way and walked to the boys locker room.

"Thank you," Parvati said, smiling at her savior.

"They only listen to me because I'm the seeker. Besides, you're much too pretty to get hurt, Parvati," Draco Malfoy said, blushing a little as he said it. "Want to go on a walk?"

"That's actually what I was doing," she said. "But I bet it would be better with you."

They walked for a few minutes in silence.

"You know," Draco said. "I know this great place to sit down, relax, and be alone. Want to go there?"

"Sure."

The couple walked until they got to a beautiful, secluded place by the lake, unable to be seen from anyone in the castle or at Hagrid's. Draco sat down and pulled Parvati down next to him.

"I think we should talk," Draco told her. "I was wondering, do you want to keep us a secret?"

"Um...I don't know. What do you think?"

Draco hesitated, and then said, "Well, I think that we shouldn't. If we want a real relationship, then we'll have to tell everyone eventually. Better now than never."

Parvati nodded. "I understand."

"You do want a real relationship, right?"

Parvati smiled, and nodded quickly and surely. "Certainly. There is no way on Earth that I would not."

"Good." He smiled too, looking very happy. "Good. I'm glad." Draco pulled Parvati up to him, and pulled her on to his lap.

Parvati giggled, and he kissed her, silencing her giggles but making her eyes shine with joy. She kissed him back, both of them blushing redder than tomatoes, but their eyes bright with happiness.

He lied down and put his head on her lap, playing with the tips of her hair. Draco smiled a little at her, his gray blue eyes staring up to hers. Parvati smiled at him, her brown eyes shining.

He sat up a little, putting his arms around her middle, urging himself up so he could kiss her.

She mumbled against his lips, "You're so hopeless, Draco."

He smiled. "Proud of it, Parvati."

"So, how will we break it to everyone?"

He grinned. "Oh, that's not going to be a problem. In fact, now could be a good time." He stood up, and then offered a hand to help her up too.

They walked inside, hand in hand, both blushing a little and smiling. The first person to come across them was Hermione Granger. Hermione stared, her mouth agape.

"Um, forgive me for interrupting," she said. "Parvati, what's going on?"

Parvati smiled truly happy. "He's my boyfriend."

Draco gave Hermione a polite nod, determined on being decent to Parvati's fellow Gryffindors.

"Oh." The look of total shock that came across the intelligent witch's face was absolutely priceless.

Parvati smiled sweetly. "We were about to go eat dinner. Are you going to the library?"

"Yes, actually," Hermione said, lightening up a little. "Ginny wanted to talk about something. She said you seemed a little...absent."

Parvati and Draco exchanged glances, and Parvati laughed. "Oh, Hermione!" she giggled, and sighed. "See you later." They walked on, hand in hand.

"The look on her face," Draco murmured to her, a smug look in his gray eyes. "Was absolutely hilarious."

Parvati giggled. "I know!"

When they walked casually in to the Great Hall together, their shoulders brushing and holding each others' hands, all gazes turned toward them. Parvati, who absolutely did not mind attention, smiled warmly and invited Draco to sit with her at her table.

Draco fidgeted a little uncomfortably when the teachers glanced their way. Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall did not look surprised or disappointed; instead, they were grinning from ear to ear. Cautiously, Draco allowed himself to see Professor Snape's expression. He immediately felt a little crestfallen, as Severus expression had fallen on complete disbelief and frustration.

"I think Snape is frustrated," Parvati said, echoing his thoughts, looking smug.

Draco was not so complacent, avoiding his teacher's gaze. He gulped. "Well, it's not like he can do anything about it. I'm not planning on letting you go away anytime soon."

Parvati laughed, smiling happily. "I'm glad, Draco. It's about time you figured out that." With everyone staring, she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

He blushed, and they sat down together at the Gryffindor table.

"So, you two..." Lavender stammered, looking absolutely horrified.

"This is my boyfriend," Parvati said pleasantly. "I'm sure you know Draco, don't you Lavender?"

Draco kept a straight face, surprised that Parvati was being sarcastic. "Yes, I know you."

"I know you too." Lavender was ready to be cold and rude, but Draco was determined to be decent.

He kissed Parvati's forehead tenderly, and then turned to his food. "Would you like to eat with us, Lavender?"

Lavender stuttered for a moment, and then managed to say, "N-no. Thanks." She left quickly.

"That was good," Parvati whispered to him, grinning.

"I'm really good, don't you think so?"

She blushed, giggling. "Eat your dinner, Malfoy."

"Why, Patil?"

"I told you to."

They rolled their eyes at each other, and then started eating.

"See what I mean?" he told her, trying to eat without much success. Being around her made him forget how hungry he was. "You are so beautiful and stubborn."

"If that makes you love me, it must be a good thing," Parvati said, grinning.