Disclaimer: And yet, much to my disappointment, I still do not own Harry Potter!

*** Mela thank you for your thoughtful review and also for the idea you gave.  It's an interesting idea, and I'm definitely thinking on what to do with it.  Thank you!  Ednyadove that's a really cool reason for having your screen name be what it is!  Cool!  Thanks for saying my story is interesting, it really means a lot to me!  Soupcann314 sorry it took so long for this chapter to be posted too!  It's been a long weekend but I finally got around to it.  I'm glad you still enjoy my story.  It really means a lot to me!  Celeste don't worry; your question about what they'll do about the others in the Infirmary is starting to be answered in this chapter.  I hope it clears up any questions you might have!  Thanks for the review!  SoAntigone is a really awesome name, if I haven't told you that already!  Thanks so much for the review and I'm glad you like my story!  It means so much to me!  Tinyinsectwithbriefcase is such a cute name!  You guys have such cute names!  Thanks for the review!  I'm glad you think Parvati is OK even though you're a fan of Ginny!  Slap me silly I'm glad you're still enjoying the story!  Muh it's so great to get your input on this!  I'm glad you think it's the right mix of "ingredients" let's call it to make it a good story.  Thanks a lot!  Poptart I'm glad you're OK with getting to know Parvati a little better in this story.  It means a lot to me that I'm not being shunned for making her a "likeable" character!  LOL!  Fiona Goldfeet you're right!  We should sue the site for not letting me get those chapters up last time!  LOL!  Thanks so much for the review again!  HogwartsHoe thanks for your review!  AND you've got a really great story too!  Actually, you've got a couple really great stories!  I haven't read your update yet, but I'm slowly getting around to it!  Ronaldrose I am sooo glad this is becoming one of your favorite stories!  That's so great to hear!  Thanks!  Princess-Pixie-Sugar-Stix is a great name!  Reminds me of the candy!  Man, I loved that stuff when I was younger!  LOL!  Thank you so much for saying I've got talent and it really is my pleasure, writing this stuff and sharing it with you guys!  I hope you enjoy this installment.  Shaunna thank you for saying this story makes your day better!  It means so much to me!  You're great!  Vanilla Baby both of your reviews made me laugh!  Thanks so much for everything; you are a truly awesome reviewer!  Hermiones-Twin (AKA Snwflakesweety) this chapter is for you because you've been one of my longest reviewers!  (AND I used YOUR poem that you sent me!  Thank you!)  Lani I'm glad chapter 1 made you laugh!  It means a lot to me that you found that it was humorous!  Thanks so much!  Pinkchicklet by the time your back from Mexico I may already been on another story but I just wanted to say thanks so much for everything!  You're a great reviewer and it means a hell of a lot to me!  Thanks!  Hope you had a good time in Mexico!  Maddy Leigh I read your story and I reviewed it to!  Let me reiterate that I think it's definitely an interesting idea for a story and it was interesting!  Good job and thanks for reading and reviewing my story!  Triniroo I'm glad you found that last chapter funny!  Thanks for the review!  Me considering I have no idea what I'm going to do about Draco/Pansy, care to offer an opinion?  It would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!  Danidancer you're right, I meant to get them OOC in those couple of chapters, and I had a lot of fun doing so too!  Unfortunately, no I don't live in NY but I think it's very cool that your mom is doing an article of fanfic writers!  Very cool indeed!  Thanks for the review!  Roseadra the reason I paired Harry with Parvati and not Ginny or Cho is because in all honesty, I'm really sick of H/G or H/C!  Isn't that awful of me?  But I'm glad you're still reading my story!  It means a lot to me!  Americanangel it's finally looking like spring out here!  I'm sorry the weather sucks where you are, I know about sucky weather!  I live in way the frick north Minnesota!  NOT fun sometimes!  Thanks for review; it means a lot to me!  Shans I'm hoping you like this chapter!  Thanks for the encouragement it means so much to me!  Jenny an entire course on Canterbury Tales?  That has to be a little bit boring!  And don't worry about not reviewing right away…I completely understand!  Hey, I'm a little behind schedule too, you know?  I haven't been updating daily lately either…I hope you enjoy this chapter!  Hermionereincarnated I'm so glad the Parvati/Harry thing works for you!  It means a lot to me that you think it works alright…I knew people would be skeptical of that pairing, but I rather like it now!  Thanks again!  Danielle glad you like the story!  Hope you like this chapter just as much!  Thanks to everyone who reviewed…and thanks for reading!  The small "poem" within the story belongs to Hermiones-Twin.  Thanks again, everybody!

Chapter 30:  Sentiments

Mitch Reed took a deep breath upon entering his dormitory.  His heart was fluttering and his hands were shaking.  He couldn't deny the jittering nerves any longer as his fist clenched and unclenched around the diary.  Katie's diary.

He had thought about what the three Gryffindors had told him the entire length to his dorm and he still didn't understand what he was doing with this leather-bound book.  Katie's leather-bound book.

Why did they want him to read this?  Why would they give to him in the first place?  Everyone knew Katie was in the Infirmary, that she had been for awhile.  It was also common knowledge as to why: she was in love with Lee Jordan but hadn't worked up the nerve to tell him.  Surely they knew that.  They had to know too.

Again he re-opened the diary and again her name was written in the finest gold.  He wondered if it was possible her handwriting and that she had enchanted the diary to write her name whenever opened.  It was possible.

There was an odd urgency to read the words she had written—to read her innermost thoughts and he felt as if the urgency Parvati and her friends had had stayed behind with him even after they were far away from the Ravenclaw wing.

And yet there was another part of him that was telling him Katie Bell was, is, a lady.  And a lady deserved to be treated right.  He was fairly sure reading a lady's diary was not the proper way to treat a lady.

But then again, she was in the Infirmary, which meant that she wouldn't know he had read anything of hers, right? 

Blast his father for teaching him women were the jewels of the earth!  Mitch had three sisters…three spoiled, bratty sisters but that had never bothered him because they were jewels…its how he was brought up.  And upbringing does affect one, even later in life.

This really was just one big pain in the ass, he decided moments later while he flipped to the first page.  There was an inset right away, and it was one Katie had obviously thought of, or found and liked.  He could appreciate that. 

Only you can make me smile
Only you can make me cry
Only you can wipe away the tears
That are falling from my eyes
Only you can make my dreams come true
If only I knew what to say
But this secret's locked inside my heart
Only you can open it someday

It was so the Katie he wished he knew, whether she made it up or read it somewhere that his heart warmed just at the thought of her hands, rough probably from playing Quidditch for years, writing the sentiment down.

Well now what, honestly?  Was he supposed to continue reading this?  He supposed it didn't matter…oh to hell with it!

August 23.

School is starting in a week.  Exactly one week.  I'm looking forward to it, even if I don't sound like it here. 

I'm just tired, I guess.  I'm tired to not telling Lee how I feel, maybe I should?  I don't know!  I just don't know!

I've been owling Angelina and Alicia, both of them have "boyfriends," although to be completely honest, I don't know if I'd consider George Weasley boyfriend material, nonetheless Alicia Spinnet girlfriend material.  They are both too…too…well, too "something" to be going steady, especially with each other.

Angelina and Fred though, they make a cute couple.  And they are good for one another, I've observed.  Fred isn't the most level-headed person, neither is Angelina, but they do each other good.  They keep each other grounded.

And then there's me.  Me and Lee.  Neither of us are dating anyone…as far as I know Lee isn't dating anyone, anyhow.  I should hope he isn't!  That might very well kill me dead, not that that would be such a horrible thing sometimes with the way I feel.  Sorry.  I'm rambling, getting off topic—

Anyhow, he's so adorable!  I love everything about him but I'm much to chicken shit to tell him anything, although I'll try any one of Fred 'n George's inventions before its even complete.  Stupid, I know, but it's the truth.

This year I'll tell him.  I really will.  I'll tell Lee Jordan that I think I'm in love with him…and I think I'm going to be sick just thinking of telling him that, so never mind.  It'll be our little secret, how about?

Damn, he hated reading this!  He hated reading about her crush/love/feelings about Lee!  And then he vehemently denied any feelings toward the brunette girl-woman.  Reading about these feelings made him want to punch something and he had an idea that was probably not the way to go about it…

***

"How did it go?" Harry asked as his three friends appeared through the portrait hole. 

Parvati smiled.  'Well, aside from the fact he thought we wanted him to date you, I think it went pretty well."  The shocked look written across Harry's face was cause for a fit of giggles.

"It's OK mate, Parvati here cleared up that little mess for you," Ron said, chuckling through his words.

"Oh well…good," Harry finalized.  His voice was firm and threw Hermione back into laughing. 

"It was rather funny Harry!" she said.

Harry gave Hermione a poor imitation of Snape's death stare, which sent her and the others deeper into laughter.

"Well, I'm so glad you all can laugh at my expense.  It's great to know that I'm funny," Harry said dryly.

The three sat down, Parvati on the floor below Harry's feet and Ron in the stuffed chair across the way, Hermione sat on the arm of the big chair.  "Have the twins started talking with Natalie?" she asked.  Harry was planning on talking to them today.

"I haven't seen them all afternoon," he answered.

"Have you seen Angelina or Alicia?" Ron asked.

"No.  I'm thinking they're off…doing…stuff, probably," Harry replied.

"How about Natalie then?  Have you talked to Natalie?" Hermione asked.  Parvati leaned her dark head against Harry's knee.  She was really quite tired.

"I only saw her once.  You guys talked to Mitch, eh?" Harry reiterated.  "Do you guys think it's possible he'll fall in love with her?"

"I think it's possible," Parvati mused.  "Anything is possible," she added softly. 

"You guys have Quidditch practice, right?" Hermione asked.

Ron nodded while Harry vocally answered her. 

"Alright, so then why don't you guys talk to Fred and George then?  They have to be at Quidditch and you can't possibly just practice the whole time," she stopped when the boys gave her a disbelieving look.  "What?" she asked indignantly.

"Wood may be gone, Hermione, but Angelina is like Wood reincarnated," Ron commented with a lopsided grin.

Harry silently agreed with his outspoken friend.  Ron stood up and stretched.  "In fact, we ought to be getting ready now, I suppose right Harry?" 

Harry nodded and Parvati shifted to the right, moving out of his way.  The boys made there way up the stairs to their room, where they would gather their Quidditch practice robes and Harry his broom.

"Well now what do we do?" Parvati asked.

Just then Ginny fairly flounced into the common room, coming to sit on the chair her brother had just vacated.  "The boys go to Quidditch?" she asked.

The older girls nodded.

"Hmm," she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest and then leaning back into the chair. 

"Well then, since we're all alone, can I ask you two something?" Ginny prompted.

Parvati opened her made up eyes and watched Ginny.  Hermione nodded.  "Sure, what is it?"

Ginny's face reddened.  "Well, um, I guess…how…well, how do you know if, um, a boy, um, likes you?" she managed to get out without dying of total embarrassment.

Parvati's eyes widened and it was a look Hermione knew well.  It was the look that eagerly awaited any gossip that might now tumble from Ginny's mouth. 

"Is there someone you like Ginny?" she asked interestedly.

Ginny's face went from red to nearly purple.  "Maybe…I don't know.  I think I, um, like him," she said.  Her words were punctuated with a loud gulp.

Parvati's eyes narrowed.  Hermione decided to would only listen to this exchange.  She would find out all her information through this conversation; and if she was a horrible friend she would have admitted enjoying watching Ginny squirm under Parvati's scrutinizing glare as she had suffered so many times.  Except for Hermione it had been Parvati and Lavender's scrutinizing glare.

"It's not Harry!"  The words spilled out of her mouth quickly.

Parvati's mouth dropped open.  "I didn't think it was Harry!" she said heatedly.

Ginny shook her head quickly.  "No!  I wouldn't want to do anything that might hurt you, Parvati—

"Bye guys!" Ron and Harry called out as they left Gryffindor Tower.

"Then who is it?" Parvati asked.  Her voice resembled that one of an excited schoolgirl. 

Ginny looked away and mumbled something under her breath.  Hermione looked at her boyfriend's sister curiously.  "What did you say Gin?" she asked.

Ginny turned full around and looked to both girls.  "I said that I don't actually know if I like him, but he is pretty nice…and he's even kind of cute, but it's, um well, Neville.  I was just wondering how I could tell if Neville likes me or not," she said in a very firm voice, plodding onward even though her face felt like fire.

Parvati squealed and clapped her hands gleefully.  "Oh this is so cute, Gin!  I always thought there might be something between the two of you, even after last year's ball!  And now, now after this year's ball!  Oh, this is so cute!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and moving quickly to Ginny.  She hugged the girl.

She pet her on the back.  "Thanks for your…support," she responded lamely.

"Do we want to know what's going on in here?" Seamus asked as he and the aforementioned boy walked into the sitting area of the common room. 

There was a definite twinkle in Parvati's eyes and Hermione had a hard time not smiling too.  It was rather cute, actually.

"No!" Ginny responded a little too quickly.

Seamus's eyes widened.  "Alright," he said in the defensive a little.  He shifted uncomfortably.  "So, ye know…what do I have to do for Lav?" he asked.  He was no longer embarrassed to mention his feelings for Lavender Brown.  He just wanted her to wake up.

Parvati and Hermione looked at each other.  "You need to admit how you feel about her…we could do that now," Parvati suggested. 

Seamus nodded.  His eyes were thoughtful and full of unspoken sentiments.  "Yes, lets."

OK, so was that really lame?  I thought it was kind of dorky, the whole chapter I mean.  But I would love your feedback, since you guys are the ones I'm writing for!  Sorry it took a bit to get this chapter up; I had a lot going on!  I will hopefully update tonight or tomorrow morning!  Thanks for everything!  Please review!

*** 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.

Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.

~ Former President John Adams