I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand…

The next morning, Harry woke up, and saw Parvati leaving his bed. She looked around, and quietly, started sneaking out of the room.

"Hey," Harry whispered. "Where are you going?"

"Oh, Harry. I must get back to my room. There's only so long I can stay up here before the girls start thinking things," Parvati said. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, a few strands falling on her face. She had a slightly dazed look on her face, as she headed towards the door. She was still in the bright red dress she wore to the party that night, and her remaining make-up was smudged around her eyes. She picked up her shoes and wand, and slowly tip toed out the door. As she slowly closed it, she blew Harry a little kiss, and crept down the stairs.

"So, late night?" Ron asked. Harry turned towards him, and threw his pillows on his bed.

"Yeah. Another wild party. Another drunken girlfriend. Tell me this, what's the point?" Harry said. "You know, I might just have to end it."

"What you and Parvati?" Ron asked. "But, you guys have been-"

"I know, I know. But I'm sick of it! I'm sick of the hangovers, I'm sick of the pretending! That's what I'm doing! I'm pretending. I want a real relationship. I want a relationship with meaning. With depth. Someone I can have a real conversation with. Someone I'll stay with after Hogwarts. Someone who will be there for me!" Harry and Ron walked out of the common room, down into the great hall. Most of the students were enjoying a hearty breakfast under the summer morning sky.

"Well, did you have anyone in mind for this real relationship of yours?" Ron half joked.

Instantly, Harry's eyes flashed on Ginny. She was sitting with Hermione, Lavender, and a now cleaned up Parvati. Lavender and Parvati were laughing about something, while Ginny laughed uncomfortably, but then went back to reading a book with Hermione, pointing at the different passages. Parvati caught Harry and Ron's attention, and waved for them to come sit with them. Ron and Harry's eyes met, and they nervously walked over. They sat down, and Parvati gave Harry a kiss. He barely kissed her back, and Ron rolled his eyes.

"Harry, I was just telling the girls about that funny thing happened at the party once Lavender left. Do you remember? When Dean was drunkenly saying hexes? Well, I was just about to say…" Parvati continued her story. Harry wasn't really paying attention. He would sometimes nod, or give a small chuckle at the right times, but his attention was fixed on Ginny. She was immersed in her book. Harry was looking at her, and Ginny would occasionally look up, and notice he was looking. They would both immediately look away, and go back to whatever they were doing.

"Harry. Harry?" Parvati looked at him questioningly. Are you ok?"

"Oh, yeah," Harry answered. "I'm just, er, not feeling well. Must have had a few too many Butterbeers." Parvati gave him the eye.

"No, really. I'll be fine. Why don't you head over to Charms. I'll be there soon. I promise," Harry assured her. Parvati went in for a kiss, but Harry stopped her, and gave her a hug instead. She looked hurt, but soon recovered, and went off to Charms with Lavender, chatting away.

Harry got up, waved goodbye to his table. Hermione and Ron got up, and followed Harry.

"Look, Harry. I told Hermione about, well, err, what we were talking about this morning," Ron said.

"I agree," Hermione chimed in. "No offense to Parvati, but, you could do better. Maybe you should just break up with her today. You know, get it over with. Plus, you don't want to get her hopes up. Just let her down easy."

"Well?" Ron asked.

"I guess I'll do it tonight. We're supposed to go to another one of those parties, but, I'll just do it before then," Harry finally agreed.

"Well, we're behind you," Hermione said.

"Yeah, mate. We're here 100 of the way," Ron agreed.

"Well, I guess we'll just see what happens," Harry said. They walked into Charms, unsure about their futures.