A/N: This chapter is done from Parvati's perspective for no other reason then I felt like doing it this way. I think ya'll will like it though; I'm quite happy with it!
Disclaimer: Nope, I'm not J.K. Rowling…I am however quite poor…
*** Thanks to: Cupid, for reviewing even she didn't know exactly how to and I am flattered that you would call me an inspiration; thank you to Hermione Weasley don't worry about the curse, I promise someone will fall soon (once I figure out who to give it to anyway…); Victoria, riveted, eh? That's a really cool word! I'm so happy that you like it and I can't express my thanks for pointing out my little error. I hope you like this chapter! Fiona Goldfeet, once again thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story, it means a whole lot to me! Snwflakesweety, you have a really good start on your stories and so I wouldn't let anything negative anyone says to you get you down, most people who blatantly say "you suck" without giving reasons just means they are incompetent idiots. You go girl! Pinkchicklet, I can't stress enough how much your name makes me smile and brings back good memories! I am so glad you've been waiting for this next chapter! Claire, I can't help it, I'm a sucker for Parvati. I don't know why, I just really like her character and hope it develops even more in these last three HP books. Triniroo, I don't know how they'll tell each other…how about you tell me? LOL! I need ideas! Actually, I've got a pretty cute idea in mind but I'm not so sure yet…; Shaunna, I SO definitely know what you mean about getting in the "right mood" to read a fic (or book even). Thank you so much for reading! Roxy, yes actually I am currently writing a World War II series that I hope to send in for publication. Fantasy isn't my thing (I could never really make anything up) so thank you so much for that nice little compliment! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing guys, you are great!
Chapter 18: Parvati's Observations
A red-eyed Ron looked to Hermione and stifled a yawn. He was really tired. Harry was really tired too, because for the second time in those early Thursday morning hours he fell asleep at the library table.
Ron grinned sleepily at his sleeping friend. He returned to the book in front of him and caught Parvati also watching Harry. There was an odd sort of look written on her face but Ron didn't think anything of it.
Hermione yawned and stretched her arms over her head, reaching for the ceiling. "I am so tired!" she said through the yawn before leaning her head comfortably against Ron's shoulder.
Ron's heart caught in his throat as the vague scent of rose drifted upward toward his nose. He felt like he could breathe her in, like she was his oxygen. His eyes fluttered shut and he forgot they were in the school library.
Parvati saw this act of trust on their part and smiled at the pair. They were adorable really. She smiled and feeling this was a moment between the two of them alone, she contented herself to looking at the sleeping Harry.
He really was kind of cute, she decided as she watched him sleep with his mouth hanging open. It was so silly that he slept softly snoring. She didn't somehow imagine the savior of the Wizarding World snoring while he slept. It was something too ordinary for The-Boy-Who-Lived.
She sighed quietly. She and her sister Padma had grown up hearing stories of the Great Harry Potter, much as Ron had. She never imagined knowing him. He wasn't like what she had grown up fantasizing about him. He wasn't really a debonair gentleman like she had dreamed he would be, but he was rather kind and soft spoken, unlike Ron. Her gaze flitted back to Ron, who still had his eyes closed. Parvati's roommate looked as if she was sleeping contentedly against her friend's shoulder. Those two really should admit their feelings; Parvati would have thought that even if there hadn't been a curse.
Her parents had known Lily and James Potter; they had even attended their wedding. Parvati had grown up hearing the story of their wedding too; she had been taught to believe Lily really was the Head Girl she was and that James was the great Seeker he was. She now knew it was true. There was no way two people could create such a wonderful son if they themselves hadn't been wonderful.
For example, her parents also knew of Molly and Arthur Weasley. Parvati's mum and dad, Nila and Mustafa Patil, were thrilled to hear that their daughters had gone to the Yule Ball with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley for both had thought highly of the Weasleys and Potters. They had been so happy in fact Parvati never told them she had had a terrible time at the ball until she left Harry seated at a table. As far as Parvati knew Padma never told them she had had a horrible time either. Then again, Parvati hadn't really spoken much to Padma about the Yule Ball. She hadn't had to either, for there was such a strong connection between the two of them they didn't need to say anything for the other to know what they were thinking, or at the very least what they were feeling.
She sighed and flipped the page subconsciously. It was hard not to drift into her own little fantasy world in the dark library. Parvati decided she needed to move a little bit and there was a tempting window just a few feet away.
And so she stood and walked over to the window. She must have been seated there for a while because as she walked she felt she knew what her grandmother felt like when she complained of creaking bones.
She could see her reflection a few feet away from the window and smiled softy at her disheveled appearance. Her dark hair had been piled on top of her head spilling curls in the cutest of fashions earlier today or yesterday or whatever you wanted to call it, and now the curls had gone limp and large chunks of strands of hair had fallen from the cute up-do. The makeup she had so carefully applied had mostly smeared off but Parvati didn't care this early Thursday, which she would be first to admit that it surprised her. She looked horrible, absolutely horrible in fact but couldn't have cared less.
Coming up to the window she pressed her nose and forehead against the glass and stared out the pane for a long time, watching the night give way to a lightening sky until she heard a soft rustling sound behind her.
Parvati picked her face up from the glass window and stepped back. The reflection in the window told her it was Harry who was moving. She turned around slowly and leaned against the wall as he moved closer to her, rubbing his nap away from his eyes.
She had never seen him without his glasses before and needless to say it was an interesting sight. She definitely liked the glasses on him.
"What time is it?" he asked groggily he said as he wiped dust away from his glasses.
Parvati shrugged. "I have no idea. Early in the morning though, I think," she admitted in a whisper.
He looked at her and his eyebrows raised but he recovered quickly and jerked his thumb behind him. "What is with those two?" he asked.
She smiled mysteriously. "What do you think?" she retorted quietly. "They like each other, obviously," she answered herself.
"Well I knew that!" Harry exclaimed softly. He took a long look at her then. "What are you doing awake at this time? Shouldn't you be sleeping over there too?" he asked, indicating to the table with a jerk of his head this time.
"I don't know," she said with a shrug. "You tell me." She turned back to face the window and once again pressed her nose and forehead against the glass. The cool glass felt good against her warm skin.
She let out a soft poof of air. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted quietly.
"I have trouble sleeping too," he said.
Parvati smiled grimly. "Yeah, but it isn't the same thing. You have a reason to not be able to sleep. I, however, don't." She removed her nose from the glass. "I don't have nightmares chasing after me or Dark Lords wanting me dead. Or at least I hope I don't."
Quiet fell upon them for a moment until Harry found his voice again. "How-how did you know about the nightmares?" His voice, if voices had color, paled.
She turned to face him again and crossed her arms across her chest. "Harry Potter, Lavender and I hear you and Ron whispering and making jokes in Professor Trelawney's class all hour. Don't think we don't know you think it's a bunch of bull. It's not," she said flatly.
Harry shivered. If she could see that he had nightmares or read that he had nightmares, then what else could she see?
"Wh-what else do you…read?" he wondered. He was partially interested and partially scared to death of knowing.
Parvati thought for a moment and then grinned wickedly. "I know you have a crush on Cho Chang…but don't worry, I didn't read that. Everyone just knows that," she added, as if that was supposed to help.
He sucked in a deep breath of air and Parvati quietly laughed. "I know you hated going to the Yule Ball with me too…but I didn't read that either. I just figured that," she said.
Harry ran a hand through his thick, untidy hair. "Was it that obvious?"
Parvati smiled. "Don't worry; I had an absolutely horrible time too," she said and Harry smiled too, knowing that she didn't hold any hard feelings against him. "But I think those two had an even worse time then we did."
Harry knew who she meant.
"Harry, do you think they'll be able to figure this curse out? Or if nothing else, figure out what happened to Lee? They never said in all those books you were researching before what happened if both people fell under the blessing-curse?" she pondered.
"No, not that I know of," he replied slowly.
Parvati watched his eyes widen. "What?"
He pointed out the window and Parvati turned around. She felt Harry move closer to her and they both peered out the window to watch an amazing sunrise. "It's beautiful," she murmured, causing a tremor in Harry's spine.
For the longest time they gazed out that window, allowing their thoughts to rise with the sun.
For those of you who are wondering, I do not know if Harry will actually "end up" with anyone. See, I just really like Parvati at this moment (I don't know why) and I don't even mean to come across as if she likes him or anything in this chapter. I just meant for you know her observations. So, what do you think? Do you like it? I hope so! Please review. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Oh, and for those of you who care, I'm not a huge Ginny/Harry fan (I like Ginny/Draco much more…but that will not happen in this fic) but there is still hope for them, just don't get your hopes up for anyone but Ron and Hermione in this fic, OK? OK.
*** As a side note, please pray/light a candle/meditate/whatever-it-is-you-do for America and England in light of the war…and not only for American and British soldiers but also the innocent Iraqi lives that will be lost. Remember, it is not Iraq we are against, but Saddam Hussein. I apologize if this request has offended you.
I want a kinder, gentler nation.
~ Former President George Bush, Sr., 1988
