A/N: Here we go again!  Round 2 of the Autumn Ball! 

Disclaimer:  I own nothing.

*** Hands down go out to: Marjojo, thank you so much for saying mine was one of the better ball fics she's read, it really means a lot to me and I appreciate it so much!  AND, I hope you continue to write your own stories, if for nothing else it gives you something to do!  Meliflames, I inspire you?  That is so nice and I appreciate it like you wouldn't believe!  If there is every anything you want me to read just tell me and I will as soon as I get the chance (in fact, everyone, if you want me to read something, I will and I will happily review it too—I just like reviewing, actually).  Hermione Weasley, thank you so much for once again reviewing!  It all means so much to me!  I am so glad you enjoyed it!  Nichole, thank you for saying I am an amazing writer!  You guys flatter me with your compliments!  Fredngeorgegirl, a new name!  It's so great to see new names!  AND, thanks for the suggestion…I'm definitely going to use that song…I'm just not quite sure when…hmm…you've given me something to think about definitely!  Mela, the story gave you butterflies?  That is so amazing!  I've always wanted to do that to a reader!  You've fulfilled my wish!  Shaunna, I think it's pretty cool that you I think alike and I think it's cool that you want to be a romance novelist; I want to be a historical fiction novelist and they aren't too different.  So I say keep going until you got what you want!  Vanilla Baby, another new reviewer!  That is so cool!  Thanks so much for putting my story under your favorites!  It really does mean a lot to me!  Jenny, he he!  You're review made me laugh!  I'm so glad you thought the last chapter was "Beautiful."  I really tried to make it "Beautiful" but didn't know if I did a good job or not!  Spicey, just let me say this: all things will be answered SOON.  VERY SOON.  Slap me silly, thank you once again for your review…it still means a lot to me and ya'll are just so faithful!  Triniroo, I cry at really romantic moments too…I'm so happy you liked it!  It's great to know I did my favorite couple justice!  Pinkchicklet, all I have to say is that your story is very sweet and I think PEOPLE SHOULD READ IT!  Just to let everyone know!  Keep up the good work and thanks for the review!  Desdemona47, isn't it funny how many songs work?  I'm glad you thought the song I chose worked OK…I was worried it wouldn't!  Danidancer, here is the update you so kindly wished for!  Alayna, thanks for saying I wrote that kiss really well, once again I wasn't sure how well that worked and so it means a lot to me that you thought it was good!  Shans, you guys are so cool!  I hope you enjoy this part of the ball!  Hermiones-Twin, thanks for your review…and for the poem…I think I may have an idea for it and I kind of like it so…we'll see how that all goes!  Thanks again!  Andie, you're right I did kind of ignore the curse for a bit but only because I wanted to get away from it, for a chapter.  And remember, the Autumn Ball is still going on…and I will continue to "Write on!" (By the way, I think that's kinda cute!)  Also, thank you so much to Yuichan for reviewing!  You're a new reviewer too!  It means so much to me!  Thanks!  Fiona Goldfeet thank you for reviewing!  You guys are so wonderful!  Thank you everyone for everything!  It means so much to me!

Chapter 24:  Only You

It was a peculiar feeling Harry thought; this feeling of complete oblivion as he danced with Parvati.  He hadn't remembered ever having this feeling before…well maybe that wasn't entirely true.  He had forgotten what it was like to see Cho.  He felt on a high then but this kind of high, well this was different.  This one was alright because at least for the night there was no chance he would fall and break his head or worse, his heart.

He closed his eyes and gently leaned his chin on the crown of her dark hair.  It was nice to be this close to someone.  To her.  He could feel her heart beating even through the layers of robes between him.

Harry inhaled deeply and was overcome with the scent of her.  She smelled like his Aunt Petunia's roses, which wasn't altogether a bad thing.  While he hated living there he couldn't deny his aunt's green thumb. 

She sighed, relaxing even more against him and he felt truly content for the first time in months.  Always, always Hogwarts was his favorite place in the world, even with Voldemort, but he hadn't felt truly comfortable there after what happened with the Tri-wizard Tournament and had kept mostly to himself.  Sure he had listened to Ron and Hermione's friendly and sometimes not-so-friendly bantering like he did every year and he still slacked off with Ron in Divination.  He had made that bet?  And where were those two anyway? 

Parvati shifted again, drawing him closer to her and well, who the hell cared about Ron and Hermione anyway?

Holding out your hand I could feel /

Where I go tonight I know is not real /

Life without you could only be dry /

Love makes me nervous but I think I could try /

Harry lifted his head and courageously brought his finger under Parvati's chin and lifted her face so he could look into her bright, clear eyes.  There were depths in them.  Depths he hadn't even noticed before tonight.  He wondered what all her layers meant.  Was she not so shallow two inches deep into those eyes?  Did she really believe in Divination?  Did he really care if she did believe in Divination?

"What?" she asked softly, breaking his long thoughts.

He shook his head.  "Nothing."

Parvati smiled.  "Really Harry Potter?  Do you want to repeat that looking into my eyes?" she asked teasingly.

"Would you like to back to the Common Room Parvati?" he asked abruptly, surprising them both.  Parvati's right eyebrow rose but she nodded and let him take her to the Gryffindor Common Room.

They sat together for a long while on the sofa before another word was uttered from either of their mouths.

Harry rotated his body so he could face her better. 

She looked at him.  "Well?" she prompted quietly.  She wasn't so sure why he had brought her up her.  With any other boy she would have known he wanted to snog immediately but she wasn't so sure about Harry Potter.

He had an idea of what he wanted to say but what he did wasn't it at all.  "Tell me about you Parvati," he requested.  She looked surprised and Harry couldn't blame her.  "I mean, we barely know each other," he elaborated carefully.

Parvati nodded.  "What do you want to know?" she asked timidly.  She had never really gone into the inner depths of her life before now.  She couldn't imagine what he would want to know.

"Well, how about when is your birthday?"

She smiled.  "April twenty-ninth."

"Who is older you or Padma?" Harry asked.

"I am…by thirty-two minutes." 

"How about your parents; could you tell me what your parents are like?" he asked.  He couldn't help it; he had an insatiable desire to know about his friends' parents. 

She smiled serenely.  "My mum's name is Nila and my father's name is Mufasta.  My ancestry is from India."  Her smile turned shy.  "What is it exactly that you want to know?"

Harry shrugged.  "Do you get along with your parents?  Are they good?  What do they look like…where do they work?"

"Yeah, I suppose you could say my parents and I get along.  The four of us get along really well.  I've always liked my mum and dad because they're always so kind to people.  It doesn't matter if you're the rudest person in the world chances are they would still be kind and gracious to you."  Her smiled turned fond.  "My mum is the most beautiful lady I've ever met.  Outside and inside," she said fondly.  A silent tear slipped down her cheek.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, alarmed that she would cry.

Parvati shook her head.  "Oh nothing!  Thinking about my parents is making me cry…it's nothing you did Harry!" she exclaimed as she knew he would feel responsible.

Harry smiled weakly.  "Thanks."

"Oh but it isn't!" she repeated.  "I just miss them, I guess."  She wiped away at the stubborn tear.  "I think you would like my dad Harry.  He's a good father.  He's pretty big and he's really strong too.  It is funny to see him and Mum next to each other because Mum is quite petite.  But Daddy is big and tall and it's going to sound silly but he is a retired Auror even though he's so young.  And my mother's family is quite well off so neither of my parents work anymore.  I always worry about my father though because if they needed him, he could very well be called down again."

Harry nodded.  The worry was understandable.

She giggled.  "Pansy and I used to be friends before, well, before we each got our letter from Hogwarts.  Both of her parents were, maybe they still are, followers of You-Know-Who…they didn't like mine family because my father has come from a long line of Aurors.  They knew your parents while they were in school," she said timidly.  She didn't know how sensitive Harry was about his parents.

"Did they?" he asked.  "Did-did your parents ever talk about them?"

Parvati nodded.  "My parents went to your mum and dad's wedding.  They said it was beautiful," she told him earnestly.

Harry's heart was hammering.  "What did they say about it?"

Parvati had to reach way deep in her memory to remember exactly what was said and how they described it to her and Padma growing up.  "There were lots of flowers, I believe.  Your mother loved flowers.  She especially loved roses…Mum told me she once admitted that she and her older sister, the aunt you live with I suppose, used to play in the rose bushes for hours.  That was when they…cared enough to spend time with one another anyhow.  But your mum loved roses and there were bouquets filled with roses," she said.

Harry smiled at what Parvati told him.  Aunt Petunia grew roses; did that mean she somewhat still cared for Harry's mother?  It didn't matter anyway though because Parvati had continued to talk and Harry wanted to drink in everything she said quicker than the words could pour from her mouth.

"And your mother's robes were flowing white and Mum said she looked like an angel.  You're father and mother were very happy Harry.  They were always happy," she repeated solemnly.

She looked directly into his eyes and his heart fluttered lightly.

"If-if you want I'm probably going home for Christmas Holidays and, well, I could bring pictures back of your mum and dad's wedding?" Parvati suggested.

This was more than Harry had ever hoped for!  He couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't gotten to know her before.  Her eyes never left his face as he nodded.  "Mum and Dad also said your parents would be so proud of you Harry…" she added barely above a whisper.  She didn't want her words to bring him more sadness and pain than they surely did.

"Parvati," he started slowly, "would you-would you mind if-if I did something probably qu-quite st-stupid?" he stuttered.

Parvati giggled and shook her head.  "No," she said with a tiny laugh.

Harry leaned over and quickly kissed her full lips.  It wasn't but a fraction of a second long before he pulled his lips from hers but Harry had never felt better.

 I want to see your love that could live /

Next to me, we've got so much to give /

Her eyes had never shut; she was so surprised with his action.  Surprised and pleased.  "What was that for?" she asked.

Girls, does there have to be a reason for everything with them? 

Harry shrugged.  "Would you believe me if I said I have no idea?" he asked.

Laughter bubbled from her chest and she fell back against the arm of the sofa laughing.

Her laughter was contagious and Harry was quick to catch it. "Was it that bad?" he asked shyly as soon as the laughing actually died down.

Parvati's looks softened considerably and she tilted her head to one side.  "No, no, not at all," she protested firmly.  "In fact," and before he knew it, his face was between her very soft hands and her lips were pressed gently against his for the second time that evening.

He wasn't quite sure what to do with his hands and so he left them where they were on the sofa.  The smell of her lotion was dizzying and Harry felt like he was spinning in a good way. 

I don't want the neon lights and discos /

And finding someone new /

I don't want another day feeling the way I do /

There's only you /

There's only you /

He backed away slightly and they broke contact for a moment.  It wasn't a long moment until Harry's mouth eagerly pressed against hers again.  He just wanted to feel that way one more time.  He didn't want to think about Ron and Hermione and that stupid bet that he probably lost.  He didn't want to think about the Umbra Visius curse although he probably should.  He just wanted to concentrate on feeling like he was flying without a broom to hold him up.

Parvati pulled away next.  "Maybe we should go to bed," she said in a breathy voice. 

Harry supposed she was right although he cursed her conscious.

He nodded and leaned back on the couch.

She was slightly surprised that he gave into her; most guys would have fought with her to stay down here on the sofa with them.  She didn't want to leave.  "Harry, I had a really wonderful time with you tonight.  It wasn't at all like the Yule Ball."

He laughed.  "Thanks.  I had a good time too," he said, agreeing with her.  Tonight had been a lot better since the Yule Ball.

The old clock rang in the corner eleven times.  It was eleven p.m., almost time for the ball to be over with.

It's getting late and the night is too cold /

Without you it's dark and this crowd's getting old /

"Harry," she started.  Harry looked at her to find her fiddling with a loose string from the sofa. 

She looked at him nervously.  "I-I really don't know how to say this other than…well, I like you."  Her cheeks flamed red and from the look on his face she was sure she had just mortified herself.  What if that kiss from him really was platonic?

I want to leave, in your love I could dive /

Before I was dead now you keep me alive /

I don't want the neon lights and discos /

And finding someone new /

I don't want another day feeling the way I do /

There's only you /

There's only you /

Still he hadn't said anything.  Parvati stood up wearily.  It was time to go to bed, really it was. 

"I like you too Parvati," Harry whispered quietly.

She whipped around and her hair was considerably destroyed.  "What did you say?"

He took a deep breath and turned around to face her.  The sparks from the fire illuminated the greenness of his eyes.  "I like you too Parvati," he repeated slowly.

I don't want the neon lights and discos /

And finding someone new /

I don't want another day feeling the way I do /

There's only you /

There's only you /

There's only you /

"You do?" she whispered hopefully.

"Yeah, I do."

The portrait door swung open to reveal a panicked Hermione followed by a worried Ron.

Parvati sighed; she was slightly irritated they had been interrupted.  It had just been getting to the good parts too.  "What is it?"

Hermione was shaking they could see the closer she came.  "Parvati…its Padma.  She's been taken to the Infirmary."

OK, so I know it took me a couple of days to post but it was difficult to do this chapter and now see how I transitioned from the ball to the opening scene of the next chapter?  Well, what do you think?  I think it's pretty good if I do say so!  Thank you once again for reading and now, please review!  Oh, and the song belongs to Daniel Cage, for the record.

*** As a side note, please pray/light a candle/meditate/whatever-it-is-you-do for the Allied forces in light of the war…and not only for the Allied 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.

Rules are made to be broken, right?  When there are no more rules or categorizations, when there are no more blacks or whites, when there's just people…that's when things are going to be okay.