Disclaimer: I do not own HP or anything to do with HP! It's all J.K. Rowling! I am not profiting from this in anyway.

Author's Notes: Hey! How are you? It's me again! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! I really appreciated it! I have a feeling that the next chapter will be up shortly (We get some info on this mystery guy Parvati's supposed to marry!). Sorry for taking so long to update! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Take Care!

Hugs,

Sanji

Chapter 2

It was after the sorting hat had assigned all the first years to their respective houses and Parvati looked at Lavender and Seamus, who were both sitting across from her, wistfully. Deep down she envied the fact that Lavender had found someone to love, and she felt even more jealous now as she considered her situation.

She would have loved to fall in love with someone and not have it be forced and done out of convenience. Why couldn't her parents just let things be? This was her last year and now instead of just worrying about the N.E.W.T.S. and You-Know-Who, she was also worrying about getting married!

She couldn't even think of herself as a wife – atleast not yet! She didn't even know him and he was from India. He must have a different mentality since he grew up in India…and maybe even some weird habits, she thought defeated. He wouldn't be able to understand me.

"What's wrong, Parvati?" It was Hermione, who was sitting next to her on her right. Hermione's forehead was a bit creased as she looked at Parvati. Parvati always thought Hermione was a nice person and VERY smart. Ever since the beginning of their sixth year, Hermione and her had become quite close and Parvati appreciated her concern.

"Nothing, Hermione! I was just thinking of those N.E.W.T.S." Parvati replied and then wrinkled her nose for added effect.

Hermione gave a small laugh and said, "I'll help you study for them, don't worry!"

"Thanks, 'Mione." Parvati said sincerely and then gave her a big smile. Atleast now she didn't have to worry as much about the N.E.W.T.S.

"Anytime, Parv," Hermione said returning the smile.

"Don't tell me you've already begun to talk about the N.E.W.T.S!" Ron exclaimed beside Hermione. Hermione just rolled her eyes and turned to him. "I'm beginning to feel jealous! You think more about the N.E.W.T.S. than me!" He said jokily, but kept a puppy-dog expression.

"How could I even think of the N.E.W.T.S. when I was spending the whole summer with you, Hun?" she teased him lightly, as she nuzzled her nose with his.

His cheeks became a little red and he smiled happily. "That's true. I would be quite offended if you were thinking of anything else but me!" He gave her a big peck on her cheek and she giggled.

Parvati sighed. She couldn't help it. Now she had both Lavender and Hermione to be jealous of, even though she didn't want to feel this way. Hermione and Ron, the perfect couple. They were destined for each other and it was so obvious how in love they were. They had the perfect high school romance and everyone was sure that it wouldn't end there.

Parvati rested her head on her palm and looked back at Lavender and Seamus, who were sitting closely and whispering to each other. This was getting very depressing again. Every time she managed to feel a little better, something would always be there to make her feel even worse.

'Are you sure nothing's the matter, Parvati?" Harry asked. He sat to her left and she turned to him.

Harry Potter, the bravest and honest man; what a man he had become. The effects of the growing war were seen on his face. Every year he had matured more than any normal male wizard, but with each year, he was stronger. Parvati felt sympathetic towards him. She would have loved to be the girl that brought a smile to his lips and helped him take away the heavy load that was on his shoulders. Heck, all the girls-well, most of them- at Hogwarts would love to be in that position. But she realized it wasn't meant to be ever since the Yule Ball. She was feeling a bit sour at him after that, but when their fifth year started, she realized that she shouldn't have blamed him and she let it go. Then she joined the DA and that was one of the best choices she could have made. Harry was a comfort when he was around, she always felt safe, and she loved him for that. She was just very surprised when three years after the Yule Ball and still Harry hadn't fallen in love. People kept thinking it would be Ginny Weasley, but now it seemed that Ginny's long-time crush had finally taken its toll. 

"I'm fine, Harry. You know how it is, the first day being back at Hogwarts," She gave him a small smile and he put a comforting hand on her arm.

"You know we're all in this together right?" he asked seriously.

Parvati knew that he knew how scared she was of the Second War that had already begun in their fifth year and was getting ever more prevalent in England and spreading all over. She nodded and said, "I know, Harry…and thank you for everything."

Harry looked a little surprised as his eyes widened a bit and then returned to normal. "Well, Parv, whatever it is I did, anytime, just remember that," and then he gave her a genuine, happy smile.

Parvati giggled at his reaction and his words. He was really sweet. If things had worked out differently, she wouldn't have been sorry.

"Alright, Phoenix's Tear, in ten minutes we're on-stage!" Dean said, as he walked to the table. Everyone turned to greet him and Seamus pushed up so that Dean could sit on his left, which put him across from Hermione. "Thanks, mate."

Parvati noticed his excited voice and nervous smiles, although he was very hyper, but in his calm-Dean-manner. Dean, her best friend's boyfriend's best friend; that's how Parvati had identified him as in her sixth year when Lavender had gotten together with Seamus.

    Yet, after a year of actually being around Dean, Parvati thought that she might have understood a bit about his personality. He was a calm and easygoing person, he always nice, sweet, and very diplomatic as she had heard from Harry. He was very artistic and one thing she knew for sure about Dean Thomas was that he loved his guitar.

She couldn't wait to hear how the band sounded, even though she did remember hearing them practice a bit.

"I'm so nervous!" Ginny said truthfully.

"Don't worry, Gin, we've practiced all this already, and you're a great singer." Dean said to her, trying to comfort her.

Parvati smiled at Dean, even though he wasn't looking in her direction. He really was a sweetheart, though it was a wonder why he didn't have a girlfriend yet. In the seven years that she had known him (or rather been in the same house and class as him), he had never had a girlfriend, or at least none that she had ever heard of.

"He's right, Ginny!" Seamus and Colin exclaimed.

The four girls giggled and the boys chuckled lightly. It seemed that the Gryffindor table was in high spirits at the start of the year.

"Alright, thanks guys." Ginny said affectionately. "I think we better go now."

The other three boys nodded in agreement and they all stood up. Everyone wished them luck and Lavendar gave Seamus a quick kiss on the lips for good luck.

Parvati also told them good luck and smiled at each of them. Seamus and Colin both winked at her and Ginny gave her a big smile of appreciation. When she turned to Dean, she saw he was looking at her and she looked him in the eyes, so that she would be able to wish him luck.

"Good luck, Dean!" She said and gave him a smile. Saying that reminded her that she had already told him good luck on the train.

"Thanks, Parvati." He said and gave her an excited smile.

They all turned away to go to the stage, and Parvati was left with her thoughts, as the others around her started talking to each other.

Thinking about the train, she thought back to her conversation with Lavender, and then falling asleep, and then waking up to see Dean sleeping in the same compartment as her.

She had woken up a little disoriented but then she had realized that she was on the way to Hogwarts. After talking to Lavender, they had both stretched out on the separate benches and she had fallen asleep. Parvati didn't even hear when Seamus and Dean had entered the cabin.

She was surprised to see Dean fast asleep and a little embarrassed, because she thought that maybe she had drooled a bit since she was so tired. She felt a little uncomfortable when she thought about it, because she was very self-conscious. This muse brought her right back to square one- how was she supposed to be comfortable with someone she didn't know? Surely, after marriage he would expect her to sleep in the same bed as him.    

She groaned inwardly. Why me? At least her sister was spared this burden, atleast until after Parvati got married, which is what her mother had told her, since it would be too expensive for both of them to get married at the same time.

Thinking of her sister, she looked to the Ravenclaw table and saw her sitting with her friends. She was talking to one of them, but then mid-sentence she looked at Parvati instinctively. Over the years, Parvati and Padma had developed this strong twin-bond (as some people called it) and it had come very handy over the years. The only thing the missed was being telepathic, but being witches they could probably work around that too. Yet, before Lavender, Padma was Parvati's best friend and she knew her better than anyone else ever would, even Lavender.

Padma gave her sister a warm smile and gave her a flying-kiss. Parvati smiled at her sister's crazy ways and gave her a wave. In return, Padma winked.

"I would like to introduce a new addition to this year's Feast traditions right before dinner is served…and so give a round of applause to Phoenix's Tear!" Dumbledore's voice boomed happily and then he sat down.. Cheers sounded immediately after.

Padma and Parvati's "conversation" had been interrupted by the Headmaster and now both were watching the stage.

It was a bit unclear and only the silhouettes of the band members could be seen, but then it cleared up and the music had already started.

They look good up there, she thought, as she watched each member. Ginny's confidence had won over in the end and she was singing with great power. Colin was banging on the drums and enjoying himself, his usually quiet personality changing with each time he hit his drums. Seamus was smiling as he played and he was skillfully maneuvering his hands over his guitar. Dean, on the other hand, had a serious expression on his face and it showed that he was really into the music. His hands were calm and confident as they strummed each note and she couldn't help but feel a small flutter in her stomach.

Bloody hormones, she thought frustrated. The last thing she needed was to start fancying one of her housemates, especially since she was going to get married to some other bloke.             

She looked away from Dean and decided to just keep her eyes on Ginny and her thoughts on the lyrics.

"You're really lovely underneath it all, and you want to love me underneath it all…"

Dean felt like he was getting off an incredible high – not that he had ever smoked or anything, but the adrenaline rush he was feeling was indescribable. He felt great! The performance had gone really well and the cheers were unbelievable. He even thought he saw a few Slyths getting into the music. After the performance, the Gryffs had cheered loudly and kept on congratulating them on their performance.

It was the end of the feast and all the students had gotten up and were walking back to their respective houses. Dean was walking next to Seamus, who was walking next to Lavender. Next to Lavender was Parvati. Both girls were engrossed in some conversation while the boys were still talking excitedly about their performance.

"That was great! Can't wait til the next time we perform!" Seamus said ecstatically.

"Me either!" Dean agreed. They gave each other a high five and then calmed down a bit. They were all walking slowly to their common room.

"Is my bloke too busy thinking about his performance to give him a little snog?" Lavender asked from beside Seamus.

"Oh, Lav-love, you know I'm never too busy for that!" Seamus teased and he put his arm around her waist. She giggled in response and then they started whispering to each other.

They were really in love, Dean thought, and he didn't mind Seamus leaving him and going with Lavender because he knew he would have Parvati for company.

That's how it usually was in their sixth year, yet, Parvati and him still hadn't gotten that close and usually they didn't know what to say to each other sometimes, but they did talk about school work a bit.

There was a small gap between them and they both looked at each other and smiled. Dean decided to fill the gap and so he went closer to her, all the while his heart was pounding. They then walked in silence for a minute.

"I loved the band." Parvati said to him.

Dean turned to her and said, "Thanks, I'm really happy with how tonight turned out!"

"You should be!" Parvati said and Dean just smiled in response. They walked in silence again. 

He loved the way her voice sounded, so sweet and kind. She had grown into such a young woman. He remembered watching her sleep and thinking just how beautiful she really was.

A question came into his head as he remembered that. Why hadn't she been sleeping well? He remembered Lavender saying something like that when Seamus and him had come into the cabin. Dean was very curious but wasn't sure whether it would be right for him to ask such a question.

They were going up the long stairs and still Dean was itching to ask her the question. He looked at her sideways and saw that she was looking straight ahead a little lost in her own thoughts, or so it seemed.

They were both walking at a calm pace up the stairs and then she gave a little gasp and fell forward, but before she could really lose her balance Parvati straightened up.

Dean looked at her in surprise. He didn't expect that and eventhough she had straightened up, reflexively he still put his hands out by her waist to steady her.

She blushed and looked quite embarrassed at tripping. "I guess I missed a step there." She said, attempting to crack a joke.

Dean gave a low chuckle to show her that it was no big deal and that he didn't think any less of her because she missed a step. "Don't worry about it, Parv, it happens to the best of us."

She looked at him gratefully and said, "I can't wait to go and sleep."

The opening he needed. "You haven't been sleeping good lately?" He tried his best to be nonchalant when he asked this question.

"No…" she answered truthfully.

He wondered whether he should press further and then decided against it. He didn't want to seem too much like a busybody.

There was a moment of silence and they were almost done walking up the steps when she turned to him and said, "You know with You-Know-Who running a muck right now, it's hard for me to get some decent sleep. I keep thinking he's going to break down my door and…" she stopped and looked down.

Dean didn't know she worried so much about You-Know-Who, though it would be a bit odd if she didn't worry at all about him. He felt horrid because now he knew that she was worrying and he couldn't do anything to make her feel better. But he would still try. "You're a great witch, Parv, have confidence in yourself." Dean couldn't believe how comfortable it was compared to the train ride incident. Maybe it was because he was caught off-guard that first time. Yet now he felt a bit more confident to talk to her, especially since during their performance he noticed her looking at him a bit longer.

Parvati's face showed a bit of surprise as she looked at him. He continued, "and if you ever need some bloke-company you can always call me." Wow. He had just given her an invitation to call on him. It was that protective part of him that wanted to keep her safe and that's why he said that to her.

She studied his face for a moment and then grinned, "Why, Mr. Dean Thomas, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought that you were trying to flirt with me." She teased.

Her mood switch from embarrassed to quiet to worried and then to teasing? She was very unpredictable! Dean didn't answer right away because he knew he didn't mean it in that way and at the same time, he knew she knew he didn't, but still what should he say? This could be his chance to let her know that he was interested in her. Maybe she felt the same way?

He looked her in the eyes and saw a small twinkle in them. She was so cute and sexy. Her hair really made her look sexy. Should he just tell her? Now, walking to the painting of the Fat Lady?

She was still looking at him, waiting for his answer. Then her face turned surprised and she said, "Oh, I'm sorry! Dean, you know I was just joking! I didn't meant anything by it!"

Dean's heart sank a little when he realized he had missed his chance of letting her know how he felt. She thought that she had offended him when in fact he was just thinking of the right way to respond to her teasing.

"Parvati, don't worry about it. I knew you were just joking." He said. He hoped she didn't hear the disappointment in his voice. He hated himself for not taking that first step.

"Oh, ok…sorry." She said as an after thought. She sounded a bit sad when she repeated it and he wondered why she worried so much about it. She looked straight ahead and they both continued in silence, again.

They reached the portrait and it was already open. The students were all filing in and there were many more behind Dean and Parvati. Dean remembered that he would ask Ron or Harry for the password since he missed it this time.

Hermione and the fifth year perfects were standing on the sides, watching all the students go into the common room.

Dean smiled at Hermione who was on his right and both Parvati and him walked into the common room. It was full of mostly second years and up, while many people were going up the stairs to their dorm rooms.

Parvati was still walking next to him and because there were so many people in the room, they were both pushed a little closer. It was stuffy, but he noticed that even the second years were leaving and soon enough the other students would too. 

He felt a bit bad because he knew that they had hit an awkward point in their conversation. There was something there that didn't feel right between them, but he didn't know what. She was friendly and she did confide in him, but the teasing…could it have meant something?

They walked to the fireplace where Harry, Ron, Ginny, Seamus, Lavender, Colin, and Neville were standing. The gang greeted them as they approached. Then they continued their conversations.

From the corner of his eye Dean saw Parvati turn to him and so he looked at her.

"Thanks for the company, Dean." She said and she wasn't looking him in the eye, more at his nose. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight."

Dean nodded and said, "Don't mention it, Parvati. Sleep good." She gave him a small smile after he said that and then she told everyone goodnight. Lavender then decided to go with her friend and after five minutes (with her and Seamus kissing their goodnights), both girls left for their dorm room.

"Yes, mate! We were good tonight!" Seamus exclaimed.

Atleast one thing Dean did right tonight, though he knew he would still keep beating himself up over the other thing he didn't do right.