Padma's Quest Chapter 6
By Poppy P
A/N: Gee, I wish I was creative
enough to come up w/ chapter titles, but well…Anyway, another chapter of this
continuing saga. Padma goes to
Hogsmeade with Dean, surprises abound! More of my rambling at the end of the fic. Oh yeah, Cho and Penny are back. Standard disclaimer applies, I own nothing, I am not making a profit off
of this. It's for entertainment
purposes only. Everything belongs to
our hero, JK Rowling. Once again, this
was beta-read by the wonderful Zsenya. Cheers!
"You look really nice Cho," said Penny wistfully.
Penelope Clearwater sat on Padma's bed watching Padma and Cho Chang getting ready for their trip to Hogsmeade. Cho had just slipped several of Padma's thin, gold bangles onto her wrists. They tinkled merrily with every move she made. She stepped behind Padma and began running a brush through Padma's hair.
Cho turned to Penny with concern. "Are you sure you don't want to come with one of us, Penny?"
Penny smiled wryly. "Oh that would be fun, tagging along with one of you on your dates."
"I'm not going on a date," protested Padma. "I'm just hanging out with Dean because my sister's going on a date and I don't want to hang around with Mandy and Lisa and plot against Hermione Granger."
"Are they still going on about that?" asked Cho. "Here Penny, hand me those clips please." Cho pointed at a bag of iridescent butterfly clips on Padma's bedside table. Cho began pinning the tiny clips throughout the back of Padma's long, dark hair.
"Yes," said Padma angrily. "I told them that I heard it from Hermione herself that she isn't going out with Viktor or Harry."
"It's just an excuse to express their bigotry," said Penny calmly. "I heard them this morning when I was coming up here. They were going on about 'that stupid Mudblood'."
Cho gasped. "They didn't use that filthy word, did they?"
Penny nodded grimly. "They certainly did."
"They used that word in front of you Penny?" asked Padma in alarm. "I mean you're…you're…"
"Muggle-born,"concluded Penny. "Yes, I expect they were quite surprised to see me when they turned the corner. I took two points from each and warned them not to use that word again."
Padma frowned at her reflection in the mirror. "It's strange really, how narrow minded some wizards are when it comes to Muggles." Padma glanced at Penny apologetically, "Sorry Penny, but my father's one of them. He thinks wizarding pride means we're better than Muggles." Padma added hastily, "Not that he supported You-Know-Who or anything. But he always goes on and on about wizard superiority. Parvati finally got the stones up to tell him to shut up at dinner one day.
"Did she really?" asked Penny with admiration.
"She did." Padma smiled with pride.
"I know exactly what you're talking about," said Cho. "After some of my parent's friends found out that my brother was a Squib, they started acting strange, as though we had some kind of infectious disease or something."
"Is that why your family retreated into the Muggle world?" asked Padma.
"Yes," Cho flashed a radiant smile, "and it's the best thing they could've done. Bing excels in Muggle school. Why, his professor sent a note home not too long ago telling Mum and Dad that Bing was an absolute wizard with, what's that word again? Oh yes, computers." The three girls chortled merrily. "So you see, lack of magic doesn't make you less of a person, only different." She patted one last butterfly into Padma's hair. "There Padma, you're all finished."
Padma strained to see the back of her hair while the mirror assured her that she looked lovely. "You have the spell down, right Cho?"
"Yes," said Cho, pulling out her wand. "Ready?" Padma nodded. Cho waved her wand over the back of Padma's hair and cried "Alatus Liberato!" Instantly the butterfly clips began gently fluttering their tiny, plastic wings.
Penny exclaimed, "Oh Padma, it's beautiful!"
"Thanks, I borrowed the clips from Parvati, but I wanted to do something different. Thanks Cho."
Cho smiled at Padma, "You're welcome. But why are you going to all this trouble for Dean if you're not interested in him?"
Padma flushed scarlet. "Who says it's for Dean? I told you, I only said yes to Dean because I didn't want to go alone, and besides, this will give me a chance to trail Ron and see what he's really up to."
Penny and Cho exchanged a look.
"Padma," Penny began, "are you still going on about Ron? Why?"
Padma hesitated. Why was she going on about Ron? "Well…you know, he's cute, he's brave and you know Penny…he's a Weasley!"
"Can't argue with that I guess," said Penny with a mock sigh.
"Well, I can," said Cho obstinately. "Are you sure you like Ron Weasley, or the idea that he's Harry Potter's best friend?"
"I…I…" Padma spluttered.
"No, hear me out," said Cho. "I must admit I was terribly flattered when I noticed that Harry," Cho blushed, "had a crush on me. I even toyed with the idea of going out with him. But I'm glad I didn't. It was just the idea of dating Harry Potter which attracted me. And I'm so glad I said yes to Cedric. He's wonderful! He may not have defeated You-Know-Who, but he's kind and brave and smart and…"
"Handsome!" interrupted Penny, making Cho blush again. The girls laughed. "Seriously Padma, if you truly like Ron, then go ahead. Just make sure it's what you really want."
Padma frowned as she suddenly had a vision of Hermione Granger flash before her eyes. No, Hermione had never actually said she liked Ron. Cho's voice broke through her revelry.
"Oh my," Cho glanced at her wristwatch. "We'd better get going."
The girls grabbed their cloaks and said good-bye to Penny. They rushed down the stairs towards the entrance hall. The portrait of the centaur on the third floor called out to them, "Hey girls! Nice butterflies. Wish I were a flower. You can land on me anytime!"
In the entrance hall Cho found Cedric and said good-bye to Padma. Padma glanced around nervously. She spotted Ron flanked by Harry and Hermione. They were engrossed in a whispered conversation, oblivious to everyone else. Padma edged closer, hoping to catch Ron's eye. She noted a strong smell of chicken that seemed to be coming from Harry. That's strange, thought Padma. She eyed the bulging knapsack Harry was holding. Perhaps, thought Padma, they were having a picnic. She shuffled closer, hoping to catch some of their conversation, but just then there was a bit of a commotion as an excited murmur swept through the crowd. Padma looked up at the marble staircase and saw why. Seamus Finnigan and Lavender Brown were descending the stairs, holding hands. Lavender had the front of her robes opened to reveal a mauve colored sweater underneath. But it wasn't the sweater that was causing the commotion. Lavender's chest looked three times its normal size! Her sweater was scandalously tight, straining against her enlarged proportions.
Padma heard Ron say, "That's a…nice sweater!" in a strangled voice.
Harry agreed and added, "She should wear that more often!"
Hermione snorted. "She's worn that sweater all year and I've never heard you two dunderheads mention it before! She's obviously gone and used an Engorgement Charm."
Padma didn't hear the rest of their conversation as Parvati sidled up to her, followed by Dean. "Hello," said Parvati brightly. "Doesn't Lav look great?"
Dean smiled, his single dimple prominent on his cheek. "She looks like she's going to tip over."
Padma burst out laughing. "Yes, and Seamus doesn't look too steady either."
Indeed, Seamus appeared to be so enthralled by his girlfriend's new chest that he actually missed the last step on the stairs and tripped. He stood up sheepishly and red-faced as the assembled students roared with laughter.
The crowd began to thin out as students made their way outdoors. Parvati spotted Mathieu and waved good-bye to them. "We'll meet at the Three Broomsticks in an hour. Have a good time!" Parvati looked significantly at Dean when she said this, much to Padma's annoyance. Dean's smile faltered nervously and he said, "Er…shall we go then?"
They stepped out into the sunshine without speaking. Padma was trying hard to keep her eyes on the three backs in front of her. She noticed that Ron walked with a spring in his step that seemed to be typical of tall boys--Dean walked the same way. Padma wondered if a person's walk said anything about their personality? Ron's was long and springy. Hermione's was quick and purposeful. Harry's was just as quick as Hermione's, but with an added boldness. Padma strained to catch tidbits of their conversation, but Dean kept up a steady stream of chatter.
"Those butterflies look awfully pretty. Did you do the charm by yourself? Parvati says you're really clever, but I guess you would be seeing as how you're in Ravenclaw and all. Do you like being in Ravenclaw? Is it hard being separated from your sister? I know I miss my older brother David. I'm from an all Muggle family, you know. First wizard in the family. I reckon my parents were kind of shocked at first, but they're all right with it now. Cleared up a lot of questions too. Like the time I was playing football and I was running with the ball when suddenly I found myself at the other end of the pitch, one moment I was at one end, the next I was at the other!
Padma answered his questions absentmindedly, wishing he'd be still. They reached Hogsmeade's main street where students divided as they strolled into the different shops. Dean asked Padma, "Where would you like to go?"
Padma spotted the trio slipping into Gladrags. She tugged on Dean's arm. "I need…a new hat!"
Dean blinked. "A new hat?"
"Yes," said Padma. "Gregory Goyle sat on my hat during Herbology and now its all bent and crooked." The part about Goyle sitting on her hat was true, however she had simply repaired it using a Reparo charm. Apparently Dean wasn't aware of this charm because he led Padma over to Gladrags without further question.
The loud clang of the bell above the door grated on Padma's nerves. She quickly scanned the crowded shop and spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione at a rack of socks. Unfortunately, the sock display was exactly the opposite direction of the hat display. Padma stifled a scream of frustration.
"Padma, I think the hats are over there." Dean pointed.
Padma looked over the store quickly and pointed out a display of a silvery cloak next to the sock racks. "Oh! An Invisibility Cloaks! Isn't ot lovely? Let's go take a look." Padma hurried over to the display and pretended to admire the cool, shiny material. Dean stood irritatingly close to her, speaking in a voice that seemed unusually loud to Padma.
"This is nice. Probably cost a pretty Galleon too. I wonder if it's long enough to cover me?"
Padma gasped. "That's a great idea Dean! Why don't you try this on? Here," she said and yanked the cloak off of the rack, "go try this on."
Dean took the garment skeptically. "You want me to try on an Invisibility Cloak? But I'm not going to buy one," he protested.
"Pretty please?" wheedled Padma, fluttering her eyelashes. "For me?"
"Well, all right," said Dean. "Although I don't know if there's any point in going to the dressing room. It's not like I'll be able to see myself."
"That's the fun part," said Padma, reaching up to pat him on the shoulder. Dean sighed, but headed for the dressing room. Once he was gone Padma continued to rifle through the nearby displays, moving around the racks until her back was to the sock display and she could hear Harry, Ron and Hermione laughing.
"You really going to buy him all these socks Harry?"
"Course I am. He saved my ar…"
"Ooh Harry! Look at these! They wail when they get too smelly!"
"Cool!"
"Hey Harry, you ought to get a pair of these for your Uncle Vernon."
"Nah, they'd never shut up! Seriously, don't know what I would've done without Dobby."
"That was really clever of him. I still can't believe I didn't think of looking up magical plants. I might of come across Gillyweed."
"I can't believe there's a plant you haven't read about, Know-it-All."
"Shut up Ron!"
"Say, isn't it about time?"
Padma stood on her tiptoes, inclining her head towards their conversation.
"Better go pay for those. Don't want to keep Si-I mean Snuffles
waiting."
Padma frowned, utterly confused by their conversation. Suddenly, she started as she felt a hand on her arm and heard Dean's voice right next to her.
"I guess it fit well enough. Couldn't see anything…"
Padma swayed dangerously off balance. She reached out to steady herself on a rack men's robes. Unfortunately, the rack wasn't meant to hold up anything heavier than the robes. The rack pitched over hitting the floor with a loud clunk and rustling of material. Dean only just prevented Padma from tumbling with the rack by pulling her towards him. Every person in the shop turned and stared, including Harry, Ron and Hermione who were at the counter. Padma registered the fact that Ron was staring at her standing there in Dean's arms and she got a sudden idea. She reached up, threw her arms around Dean's neck and pressed her lips to his surprised mouth. After several seconds she finally pulled away, breathless, and turned towards Ron to see his reaction. To her dismay, he was walking towards the door with Harry and Hermione. To be sure, all three of them were still goggling at Padma and Dean. Hermione was frowning slightly.
"Honestly! Snogging in the middle of a shop!"
"Was that Parvati, or Pad…?" Ron's question was cut off as the door slammed behind them.
"What do you think you're doing, eh?" The red-faced shopkeeper came towards them, shaking his fist in the air. "You get more disrespectful by the year, you Hogwarts kids!"
Dean quickly grabbed Padma's hand and pulled her towards the exit.
"And stay out!" the shopkeeper cried.
Outside, Padma desperately scanned the crowds of students. Finally she spotted the back of the familiar red head and started to follow when Dean caught her hand and whirled her around. His dark eyes were shinning happily.
"Padma, I had no idea you felt the same way. I can't tell you how happy you've made me."
Before Padma could answer Dean had pulled her into an embrace and leaned down to kiss her. Through the shock Padma's mind registered how soft and warm Dean's lips felt on her. She found herself leaning her body towards his. He responded by tightening his hold on her, his hands firm and heavy against her back.
Suddenly, Padma remembered Ron and roughly pushed Dean away. "What do you think you're doing?" Padma wiped her hand savagely across her mouth.
Dean's eyes widened in shock. "But I…I mean…you kissed me!" Dean's voice broke in disbelief.
"Only because…I…because I…er…was happy you kept me from falling." Padma realized she sounded ridiculous and it made her angry. "Besides, didn't you kiss my sister too? What kind of sick game is this? Are you going to brag about snogging twins?" Padma jabbed an accusing finger at his chest.
Dean spluttered in disbelief. "I…but I…"
Padma knew she was being unreasonable, but was beyond care. She ignored the way Dean's intensely, brown eyes darkened with disbelief.
"I never want to speak to you again, Dean Thomas!"
Padma turned and ran down the street. She didn't stop running until she was out of Hogsmeade and the gates of Hogwarts loomed before her. As she slowed down the day's events flashed through her mind with disconcerting clarity. Ron, laughing with Harry and Hermione talking about things that only they understood. Ron's shocked face when he saw Padma in Dean's arms. Padma's utter humiliation when she heard Ron ask if she was Padma or Parvati. Padma found the next scenes disconcerting but for an entirely different reason. Dean, towering over her, leading her through the shop with such self-assurance. Dean's lips on her…
Padma reached the lake and stopped, letting out a frustrated exclamation. She ran her hands through her hair helplessly and realized she was still wearing Parvati's butterfly clips. She ripped them off out of her hair one by one and watched them flutter powerlessly before plummeting into the lake, unable to keep their little plastic bodies aloft.
They fell heavily, like tears.
A/N 2:
Peaceful Storm: Actually, Padma is like me! I'm just as klutzy!
Bluemeenies (Thank you soooo much!), Evil Lady (interesting reviews! I don't want a mad raven to peck my eyes
out, so I'll hurry, okay?), Caitlyn (you're a sweetheart!), Lyta P (I think I'm
a Ravenclaw at heart as well), Crystal S. (aw go on! No, really…), you guys are awesome! You make it all worthwhile!