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 is everyone doing? Here's the next chapter! Hope you like it! Please read and review, it's always greatly appreciated and it helps motivate me to write faster and post sooner.
First, let me thank those who have reviewed before when I first started this fic. I apreciated them all! Now onto those who recently reviewed after I posted by Chapter 3:
Adela H: Thanks for taking the time out to read my fic, after I suggested it to you! I really appreciate your review! I'm glad you thought it was a nice fic! Can't wait to see what you think of the rest of it! Merci beaucoup!
Anji: Hey Anj! You're the bestest twin I could ever have ;) Thanks for the review! I know you're waiting for chapter 5 and I can't wait to see what you think of it! You have a really good Ron/Hermione story, so cute! Merci, sis!
kay343: Hey! Thanks a lot for the review! I find that they are a cute couple too! They need some nice stories too ;) Haha, soon enough, I think, you will see his reaction! Hope to hear more of what you think of this chapter! Take care!
twizlers...( free2rhyme): Aw, you love this story? Yay! Thanks a lot! I am going to try and update faster, sorry for the wait though, and thanks a lot for coming back and continuing to read my fic! Haha, yes, I will tell you, but you'll have to wait til chapter 5! Grins Take care!
I appreciate all of your reviews and I hope to hear more from you, after I post! I was really happy after reading these reviews! One review makes a difference! Thank you! Hope you enjoy this chapter! I did re-edit this chapter! Just a few minor changes which I will mention:
- added dialogue/minus a sentence, or phrase.
- the common room is in the middle while the boy's dormitories are on the left and the girls on the right, so S/L and D/P could not walk up the stairs together to get to their rooms.
Thanks to my bestest beta-reader, and great friend, Phoenix!
Paix and Love,
Sanjana
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Chapter 4
"So what's the update about the Order?" Neville asked.
"It seems that Voldemort is planning something for after our graduation, maybe until we are out of the safety of Hogwarts and Professor Dumbledore." Harry started, "So I think it's best if we prepare ourselves for the worst."
It was a Sunday night and the Gryffindor DAs were in the common room. The common room was empty expect for them, since tomorrow was a school day; therefore, no one was to be found at one a.m.
Dean felt a bit nervous in his stomach when Harry said that. Everyone else was quiet until he asked, "So when will we start the DA meetings?"
"I'm not sure." Harry answered. "Any suggestions?" He looked around at the members.
Dean felt lucky to have the privilege to know a bloke like Harry. He was a great friend and ever loyal. Dean did feel bad for Harry sometimes, because both his parents were killed by Voldemort, and he had Voldemort after him specifically. Even after all that, he knew Harry was much stronger, and found comfort in knowing he was there.
Dean always wondered about why Harry didn't get into a relationship. Something that would make him happier and make him less worried. He remembered in their fourth year Harry had escorted Parvati to the Yule Ball. He did feel a little jealous when he watched them walk in together, and had thought that he had lost his chance with her.
He had watched her the whole night and was hopeful when he saw that Harry wasn't paying much mind to Parvati (although he couldn't understand why). Then he saw her approach some Beauxbatons boys and was discouraged. He had been by himself most of the time since Seamus was busy with Lavendar and Neville with Ginny. He didn't feel like conversating with anyone anyway.
"Well, with the Quidditch season starting next month, I think we'll have to work around the practices." Ron said, breaking Dean's train of thought.
"And we only practice once a week at 9 on Saturday nights, since we don't have classes on Sunday." Seamus said. They had practiced yesterday night; it was a nice atmosphere, just playing a few tunes to warm up. Dean couldn't wait until the next Saturday.
"Isn't there a Quidditch meeting with Madame Hooch next week?" Ginny asked.
"I reckon there is." Harry said. "I think after that meeting, we should get the Gryffindor team together and then set up practicing hours. Then after that, we can set up our DA meetings in the Room of Requirement."
"I'll tell my sister about this and then she can pass it on to the other Ravenclaws." Parvati said, as she flipped her long plait over her shoulders. She was sitting on the edge of the couch, while Dean was seated next to her on a chair.
This was the first time that Dean really looked at her that night. She looked beautiful as always. He looked into the fire and was lost in his thoughts.
He remembered how it was just six days ago that she had rested her head on his shoulders. He wasn't sure how to act after that and waited to see how she would act in the following days.
That day, they had sat together for about half an hour, not saying much to each other. Then, Hermione entered the common room with Ron and Parvati got up to say she was going to rest in her room. Dean bid her goodbye and then she gave him one big smile and left.
The days after she was feeling a lot happier and she looked it as well. Also, after classes on three evenings they had sat together in the common room and done their homework together. He looked forward to those times that he spent with her, and each time he felt more confident about confessing his feelings towards her.
The conversations were going on around him, and so he tried to tune into what they were saying and concentrate.
"And I can tell Hannah about it, so that she can pass it on to the other Hufflepuffs." Lavender offered.
"Excellent!" Harry exclaimed softly.
"I wonder what Voldemort's planning." Neville wondered aloud, after a small pause.
"Speaking of which, Dumbledore told us that Snape found out that the day before our graduation, all the sons and daughters of the Death Eaters will be initiated. Which means we better be on alert, especially around those Slytherins." Harry informed, looking around at each one of them, his mouth formed in a straight line.
"Is it all of the Slytherins?" Parvati asked, her voice cracking a bit. Dean looked at her. He knew how scared she was of Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
"You know the usual: Malfoy, Pansy, Blaise; I reckon it'll be most of the seventh years and some of the sixth years." Harry replied, and then gave her a warm smile.
She smiled back, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. It faltered and she bit her lip. Dean wanted to try and ease her concerns.
"Aw, Parvi," Dean whispered, and he leaned closer to her, "don't worry, we're all here together, and...I'm here for you." He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.
She smiled at him gratefully.
Seamus, who sat next to Dean on his right, nudged him in his side teasingly. Dean, blushing, let go of her hand. He then turned to his friend and briefly glared at him. Seamus, in return, grinned and gave him a wink.
--
Parvati was a bit disappointed when Dean let go of her hand, but for a moment, she did feel better. She realized that she had come to look for his friendship more frequently after that day when they sat together.
She realized that time was short and she was very lucky to have a good circle of friends. She didn't want to be sad anymore about her future marriage. She wanted to enjoy her last year at Hogwarts, so that she would have no regrets of it having been wasted on being depressed.
She would write to Rajai soon, once she had the time. Right now she was busy with all her homework and studying, spending time with Lavendar, the DA, and others. But she would write back, she realized she wasn't the only one being betrothed and it wouldn't be fair to Rajai either if she didn't respond to his letter.
She looked around the room and saw everyone was silent.
"Looks like Voldemort is building up his army." Colin said, breaking the silence.
"I think we should start branching out a bit, what do you think Harry?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, I agree, we need to match Voldemort's army." Harry agreed. A few involuntary shudders were given when Voldemort's name was mentioned.
"Will we be able to trust the others? How will we know they're faithful to our cause?" Ginny asked. "Don't forget what happened two years ago."
"Don't worry, Gin." Harry said. "Hermione here will come up with a good way to make sure history doesn't repeat itself, won't you?" He asked and turned to her.
She smiled. "Of course! Also, we can count on the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff members to recruit the students from their respective houses."
"You're bloody brilliant, Hun!" Ron said, and then he kissed her on her cheek. Hermione beamed at his compliment and nestled her head in the crook of his shoulder.
They were really cute as a couple, Parvati thought. She was sure that they would get married once they thought the time was right. She hoped that she and Rajai would click and be in love as these two were.
"I wonder if there are any Slytherins who would come to our side." Lavender wondered. "I mean I'm sure not all of them are with Voldemort, right?"
It was quiet for a while, as everyone thought this over.
Parvati didn't know if there would be any. She didn't want to be prejudiced against Slytherins in general, but then again she didn't really know what to think. Even though, she didn't really see many positive aspects of having Slytherins in the DA. There would be too much confusion as to who could be trusted and who could not. Even a certain Ravenclaw couldn't have been trusted.
"Even if they wanted to, it would be quite a risk." Harry said.
"Do you think we should try and recruit a few?" Dennis asked.
"That's too risky." Hermione said, repeating Harry's sentiment. "We can never be too sure. I think we should just stick to the other three Houses."
"But, these Slytherins would probably know more about Voldemort's plans, since their parents might be giving them information," Ginny started, "they could be very useful to our cause."
"Imagine if we got Malfoy on our side." Dennis said. "He would be able to tell us a lot."
"Malfoy!" Ron said incredulously. "Bloody hell! That git! He's probably the first one in line to get the Dark Mark!"
"Ron, relax!" Ginny said. "Don't be so narrow-minded!"
"There's no way in hell Malfoy would join us. He's practically a junior version of You-Know-Voldemort!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, Hun, don't exaggerate. He's not that bad." Hermione said, as she took his hand in hers. "But I do agree with you, there's no way he'll come to our side…"
"I hope we beat Slytherin!" Neville exclaimed, unexpectedly.
"Don't worry we will, Neville!" Ron said confidently. "We have Harry as captain!"
Harry smiled widely, his eyes alive with the thought of the Quidditch season starting. "I can't wait until the season starts! We'll start practicing right away!"
The boys started talking about Quidditch maneuvers and brooms, while the girls added a few comments to their conversation.
Parvati yawned softly and covered her mouth politely. Soon enough Lavendar started yawning and then slowly the Domino Effect came into play.
"Well, this was one interesting night." Lavender said, after the yawns had subsided. She rose from her chair. "But two-thirty in the morning is as late as my body will let me stay up, considering we do have classes in a few hours." She got up and stretched.
Parvati also rose from her chair. "I agree. Goodnight, fellow Gryffs!" she said, giving them all a sleepy smile.
"I think we'll head off too, right Dean?" Seamus asked and then yawned widely.
"Good idea." Dean agreed. They both rose from their chair. "Goodnight, mates!"
Seamus then walked to the right with Lavender, to drop her off at the entrance of her dormitory. Parvati looked at Dean and grinned, "I guess you're stuck with me."
Dean smiled a bit, and...was he blushing? Parvati wasn't sure. He then stepped closer to her and put his arm out, "Mah Lady, shall we?"
Parvati giggled, "Dean, you're crazy." They then followed Seamus and Lavender.
They stood away from Lavender and Seamus, so that those two could have their privacy.
"Sweet dreams, Parvi." Dean said softly.
Parvati liked it when he called her Parvi, which was his nickname for her, which only he used and was the first to use.
"Night, Dean." She whispered to him. She gave him a smile and then turned to go to up the stairs to the girls' dormitories, while he turned the opposite direction to go to the boys' dormitories, which was across the common room.