Chapter Three: Parvati's Fury

"In all my years of teaching, I have never seen such a horrible fight. You two should be ashamed." Professor McGonagall boomed. Ron lowered his head. He was clenching his stomach. Malfoy had hit him hard. Malfoy was sprouting a bloodied nose. "I am calling up both your parents. 50 points from Slytherin and Gryffindor, and you will both receive detention." Ron looked shocked. "But why? We didn't do anything that bad!"

"Mister Weasley, you know that fighting in the corridors is not tolerated here. This is a very fair punishment, and if you don't be quiet now, I will take 50 more points from Gryffindor!"

Malfoy looked satisfied.

"Now both of you run along to Madame Pomfrey. I will notify your date and time of detention soon"

The two walked all the way to Madame Pomfrey, taking nasty glances at each other every few seconds.

Meanwhile…

Harry and Hermione looked dismayed. Ron has still not come back from the nurse's office. After some while, Hermione departed to her common room. Along the way, she saw Parvati looking enraged. Hmmm…I wonder what is wrong with her…Hermione thought. Parvati made her way to the Gryffindor boys' common room. Harry was sitting on the comfy chair by the fireplace. He didn't notice Parvati standing by the door. When she shrieked, "Harry James Potter! I am going to kill you!" he finally saw her.

"What did I do?" Harry asked calmly.

Parvati grabbed his collar and hissed at him, "I thought you were nice! I thought you weren't like any of the other guys. I asked Hermione to tell you today…but in case she didn't…" she gasped and took a deep breath and continued, "Stop following me. Just stop it! I am tired of all you insensitive guys behaving like this. All of you idiots only like me because I am rich!"

Harry looked miserable and replied, "I don't know what--why would you say--uh--um…"

"Remember when we were younger? You know…second year…third year…even fourth year, I used to like you a lot. I was the one following you. I thought you were brave, nice, and handsome. You never payed any attention to me. You only liked pretty and rich girls like Cho Chang. I was thrilled when you asked me to the Yule Ball. You were the one I wanted to go with, and I could have gone with anyone, but I rejected all the other guys, just so I could go with you. I spent the whole day dressing up nicely, and when you said I looked nice, all I said was thanks, but inside, my heart was jumping. But, you made the Yule Ball miserable for me. You stared at Cho Chang the whole time. You didn't even dance with me. How is that supposed to make me feel, huh? At that moment, I promised myself I wouldn't even look at jerks like you. But, I am forgiving…so I treated you like a friend. And now, when I am suddenly rich, you notice me! Do you know what impression I get? I think you are only after my money! So, just leave me alone! Go run after some other girl, because I am genuinely not interested!" Parvati gasped. She had not planned any of this, and she made quite a speech.

Harry stared at her, and Parvati stared at him. After a few moments of silence, they heard clapping behind them. "Bravo! Really Parvati, that was some speech. You go girl!" Ron said smiling. Parvati looked at Harry indignantly, and she left the room. Ron sat down on one of the chairs, smiled, and said, "Wow, she must like you a lot…to come up here personally and tell you to bugger off."

"Listen, I am going to bed early now. I'll see you tomorrow morning," Harry responded softly.

"Don't tell me she upset you! Come on man! How about a game of wizard's chess?"

"No, I am going to bed. Goodnight," Harry said, slowly walked up the creaking stairs to his four-poster bed. Great he thought. Another problem to deal with…