Chapter Four:

Tears, Telepathy & Terry Boot

Dear Diary,

Welcome to a new brilliant day in the life of Parvati Patil. It's the weekend! This has been a long, traumatic week and now it is time for rest. Rest had been on my mind as I wandered freely into the empty Hogwarts courtyard. No one was up yet, except for nasty Filch, who Lavender and I nicknamed Mr. Filth. So, I strolled along the flagstone path humming my favorite song (Flight of Fancy, by: Hanky Panky Karma) and guess who I bumped into. Guess!

All right, I understand I'm questioning an inanimate object. It was Terry Boot, Padma's lover. Here I was thinking it was time to take a break from lying and deceiving handbook candidates and I walk right into one. This was an opportunity I could not miss.

"Hi…uh…Padma," Terry said, his eyes flitting about.

I stood still. Oh well, no harm. I'd be helping Paddy.

"Hi, Terry," I said in a very sophisticated manner, very un-Padma. Terry looked like he wanted to escape.

"How many OWLS did you receive?" I questioned, like any brainy person would do.

Terry's brow furrowed and he looked cute. Padma's taste in guys is not that bad. Only, if I were she I would opt for a more dangerous and sophisticated guy instead of nerd extreme.

"8," he murmured unhappily.

"Well that's great. I got 10," I replied, I knew for a fact Padma had been devastated at only getting 10 OWLS. As for me, I actually was quite happy with my 7 OWLS.

Terry seemed suddenly very shy. "Look, Padma, I know you're the one who wrote me the notes—" he stared at the ground. "—A-and I accept." He smiled bashfully and continued to walk, leaving me astounded.

Paddy was a quick worker, I thought. Now, it appeared that I had some sort of date with Terry Boot. Hmm, not bad for something to do over the weekend.

I returned to Hogwarts, a grin plastered on my face. I decided I should practice flying a bit because Harry would be quite angry with me.

Surprise! When I walked into the pitch, there Harry was, soaring through the skies. I couldn't help watching him for a bit. I wondered why my heart, as well as my stomach did little cartwheels every time I saw him. The answer was obvious. I liked Harry. I sighed and mounted my broom and zoomed off, join him.

"Hi, Harry," I said tentatively.

Harry did a little fancy Spellman Spin. Show off, I thought inwardly. "Hello Padma!" he said cheerfully, tossing me the snitch. I caught it, scowling as it spread its tiny wings and sped off again. Harry shook his head and then hurtled towards the golden snitch. I followed him, my stomach easing as I enjoyed the ride. I went in circles and I tried flying upside down. It was a rather peculiar feeling, but I was energized as we streaked across the sky trying to capture the snitch. To tell you the truth, I don't think we were putting much effort in the chase, but oh well.

Finally we stopped when Harry seized the walnut-sized snitch.

"It's Parvati! " I said. Harry grinned.

"Sorry," I said sincerely, "I'll come to Quidditch practices from now on."

Harry cracked a dry smile. "Hey, I'm not captain. I heard you were with Seamus, though."

"That didn't go too well," I said truthfully. "He likes Lavender, anyway," I meant it to sound nonchalant, but came sounding wistful.

Harry stared at me carefully with his intense green eyes.

Honestly, my heart should enroll in gymnastics.

"Well, we better head back." He suggested abruptly. Now he thought I liked Seamus Finnegan, of all people.

Lordy leftovers!

Later

Since it is Halloween in couple of weeks, we have a Halloween Hogosmeade visit today. I caught Lavender and told her news about Seamus. She was so elated she asked him out on the Hogosmeade. Seamus winked at me as they headed off arm in arm. I also confronted a dreamy Padma about the Terry situation. She told me that she had been secretly sending him admiring notes and giving him hints.

"But…I want you to check him out, remember?" she said cheerfully, "he accepted my date for Hogosmeade today."

I sighed. I had been looking forward to having a shopping spree at the Boutique. "O-okay," I conceded.

This time I went plain and simple with flowery bright pink dress to wear under my boring black robes. After braiding my hair into two plaits, like Padma does, I applied very little blush and a tint of pale pink lip-gloss. Padma surveyed me. "You look good, twin. Thanks." She hugged me and told me she would play Parvati Patil while I was 'Padma'.

"Hang out with Gryffindors, okay? And don't act all brainy," I warned.

"No, I'll just be you," answered Padma cynically.

And that was that.

Terry was waiting for me by the Willow and Buff statue. He looked surprised when he glimpsed me striding out from the Gryffindor portrait hole.

"Hi Terry,"

"Hi, Padma. You look very nice."

"Thank you, Terry. I was just visiting my darling twin, Parvati."

Terry's eyebrows rose. "Really? She is in DA too, right?"

I nodded, smiling shyly, very Padma. "We are very against Voldemort," I said in hard voice. That fact is true of course.

We continued to talk about the Dark Lord as we walked hand in hand. Yes, hand in hand. I figured I would get things heated up so Padma could pick up from there. It was quite pleasant actually. Terry wasn't as nerdy as I thought. We went into Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer, still holding hands. Terry's hand was so soft. We sat at a tiny table, our noses almost touching. Terry had a very uncertain look in his eyes as though he were... I gulped and sipped on my butterbeer, consoling myself I was helping Padma. We walked along the sidewalk, laughing. Terry was really funny in a subtle way. Then I got tired of limping in my Ganglee heels, so he offered to give me a piggyback. It was really sweet…. People were staring, though. Cho Chang, a friend of Padma's winked at us, but had a wistful look in her eyes. Terry let me down and I began tickling him. It was really great, but something didn't feel right.

I had this same uneasy feeling as Terry kissed me tenderly and I returned it. Truth—we started snogging under the tree.

It was a feeling that an absolute moron has when she is attracted to her twin's crush. I let go of Terry, gasping for breath.

Terry had a gentle look in his melt-worthy brown eyes. "I really like you, Padma, you know."

I winced. "Me too, Terry," I whispered.

"Tomorrow do you want to study together?"

A glow spread through my face. "Sure…how about the courtyard?" I suggested innocently. Terry nodded and walked with me to the Ravenclaw portrait hole. "Vincotti Bole," he murmured. We entered a cool blue room with several Ravenclaws chatting or lounging on the comfortable couches. "Hi, Paddy," Georgia Dynes, Padma's best friend, greeted me. "Hi!" I squeaked.

"Listen, Terry. I told Pa—rvati that I'd meet her now… Ok, see you in a few, Georgia!"
Georgia watched me through narrowed eyes. I walked confidently, but my heart was thudding. I can't believe I actually liked Terry. What am I supposed to tell Padma? Honestly more than a drama queen, I'm the trouble queen, or something! How do I get myself into these things!

I could tell her…nothing. I couldn't hurt her.

One more date, I pleaded in my head.

I began running, wanting nothing more than to bury myself in homework. Peeves the Poltergeist cackled something wicked above me and I felt something-cold splatter on my head. I didn't care that my hair was soaked with god-knows-what, I kept running and bumped into a pillar. I shook my head to clear it up a bit and then and walked quickly to Gryffindor Common Room.

An eager Padma greeted me. "Hi! Parv, you're all wet! What happened?"

"Peeves."

Padma grimaced.

"Well, I hung out with Ginny Weasly. It was quite fun, actually. How was your thing with Terry? How was he?" she chirruped brightly.

I took a deep breath. "Well, he is a tough nut to crack. I might need one more date…"

Padma squinted up at me and then broke into a smile. "Sure, Par, but what did you do today?"

"Wandered around Hogosmeade and got a few drinks. Terry is very nice and he likes m—you."

Padma squealed. "Great!" she hugged me.

"By the way, you might want to talk to Ginny Weasly a bit more because we got really friendly today."
"Yes, yes. It would seem completely odd if I started ignoring her suddenly." I finished off.

Padma winked and bounded off. I sank into a nearby armchair. Lavender came up to me excitedly. "Ohmigod!" she exclaimed, doing her famous hyperventilating fanning moves. "He is the one, Par! Thank you! Ohmigod! Thank you! Seamus is the most perfect person in the world! I can't believe I found him annoying…. Ooh! Par, I'm heaven! He is the one! Thank you! THANK YOU!" Lavender shrieked. She began giggling.

I forced a giggle and hugged her back.

"I'm happy for you, Lav,"

I rubbed my eyes, trying to get out the image of Terry kissing me.

Wearily, I reached out for my Transfiguration textbook and placed a really useful spell on myself that tuned out everyone around me.

The Best animals as Animagi

Remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you. This factor will make transformations easier. Remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you…. Other aspects to consider when thinking the perfect animal form would be their habitat, food, and communication with-- Remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you--

"Aragh!" I exploded, unable to get that simple sentence out of mind.

Remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you.

"Stop!" I pleaded, feeling insane. I reversed the tuning out spell and lugged my textbook upstairs so I could sleep in peace.

Yours,

Parvati

Dear Diary,

I feel better today, even though it is a Monday. Nothing much happened yesterday. Terry postponed our date because he had Ravenclaw Quidditch practice and Captain, Cho Chang wouldn't let him cancel. Well, I'm slightly disappointed, but this Friday I suppose. Anyway, we have Transfiguration class first thing, so maybe I can put my useful reading skills to contribute to this session NEWTs torture. You know NEWTs can also stand for New Exciting Ways to Slaughter…poor students like Parvati Patil? I'm going crazy with all this work. My life is not all fun and boys you know. I have a DA too, soo not looking forward that. Terry and Parvati will be there. Also Harry makes my heart still do cartwheels, even though now I'm officially over him because I like Terry. Terry Boot. Parvati Boot…I mean Padma Boot.

Parvati Potter….

MY LORD, what the hell is wrong with me. Insanity is taking over, I tell you!

Ok, later, before I drive you and myself even crazier.

"Has everyone read pages 598 to 612 of A Standard book of Spells (6)?" questioned Professor McGonagall sternly.

We all nodded glumly.

"Most tedious," Lavender whispered. Actually, I was surprised Lavender graduated from using boring to tedious. Maybe hanging out with Hermione has rubbed off.

Professor McGonagall picked on Lavender as usual, to hand out the frogs. Lavender was positively terrified. "Eurgh!" she cried, lifting the slimy amphibians from their crate. I shot her a pitying glance, prodding my frog, Bulgy Eyes, with my wand.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "Hurry up, Miss Brown," she said impatiently. Finally, Lavender's torturous task was over and she slumped in her chair beside me. "Alright now it is your assignment to change your frog to a lizard." There were gasps across the room. Professor McGonagall raised her hand. "Animal to animal transformations are difficult, but human to animal to transformations, which we'll be tackling soon, are much more tedious."

"Most tedious," nodded Lavender seriously and then we erupted into giggles.

"Miss Brown, Miss Patil would you like to share something about animal/human transformations with the class?"

"Uh…erm…" began Lavender.

"Oo-okay, remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you. This factor will make transformations easier. Other aspects to consider when thinking the perfect animal form would be their habitat, food, and communication. Species like owls are usually only visible in the night to muggles. It is wiser to pick an animal that blends in." I recited smartly. Then I blinked, surprising myself. Maybe insanity improved your memory. Everyone was staring at me, with identical shocked expression plastered on their faces. I was never thought to be brainy.

"And just remember it is important to choose an animal that interests you, not one that you might puke looking at." I said finally to make it like a joke. A few people chuckled.

Professor McGonagall wore a very faint smile. "Nice to know you think that reading the first paragraph of a chapter is all you need to do to, Miss Patil," she commented dryly.

I made a face at her retreating back.

"I saw that!" said Professor McGonagall.

After rather tedious attempts to turn Bulgy Eyes into Amber Eyes, the bell rang shrilly. As I was gathering up my books, Professor McGonagall summoned me to her desk. "Miss Patil, I want you to work on a rather special project."

Curious, I leaned closer.

'What is it?" I asked. Could Minerva McGonagall actually look excited? "It will probably commence later in the year, when you become of age…."

I was getting impatient now. What was she getting at?

"Turning into registered Animagi, of course."

"What!" I blurted out disbelieveingly.

"Why me?" I squeaked, surprised.

Professor McGonagall smiled thinly. "You could recruit few of your smarter friends, I suppose. I've already talked with Miss Granger and she thinks it's a fabulous idea. I just think it will be a huge milestone for you NEWTs and you personally, Miss Patil. You're quite handy with your wand…if only you'd use it for less frivolous things such as curling your eyelashes, or unfogging the future," said Professor McGonagall sardonically.

I laughed. "Maybe…. I'd enjoy being a unicorn."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "I suggest you read the entire textbook, Miss Patil. Clearly the information present still hasn't sunk in."

I walked to double potions, feeling rather cheerful until I glimpsed Terry Boot with his arm around Padma. I felt I'd been socked in the stomach. Then I remembered Terry thought he was dating my twin. Gulping down the remorse, I hurried to the dungeons.

"Late!" Snape spat when he saw me enter.

"Professor McGonagall held me back," I returned coolly.

"Take your seat,"

Unable to keep my mind off Terry and Padma, I stumbled to my seat.

"Hi," Harry breathed in my ear. His soft breath tickled my neck and sent a tingle down my spine.

"Uh…hi," I said briskly, not feeling too friendly.

"Today we will tackle a potion that can change a person into an animal," Snape barked, his greasy hair clinging onto the side of his head like curtains.

The class groaned.

"Silence," hissed Snape and pointed to the blackboard and magically instructions appeared.

"It is called the Animagus potion, but unlike Transfiguration, the potion lasts only an hour. There is, however, a reverse spell incase of any unfortunate accidents," Snape smirked. "It is extremely tricky, but I expect that at least half the class complete it at the end of this hour. Work in your table pairs."

The class stared at Snape blankly, until Snape shrieked to 'get down to it!'

"So, any good at Potions?" asked Harry wearily.

I simply pursed my lips. "Maybe."

Quickly, in very concentrated mood, I got to work. Seeing Padma and Terry had brought me to reality. Sort of. I realized that I should probably act smart like Padma and maybe Terry would like ME.

I viciously chopped the leeltes into tiny snips and sprinkled over veela juice. Harry added a speckled frog leg to the basic mix.

"What animal do you think we'll turn into?"

I shrugged. "Probably a toad like him,"

"Working well, are we, Miss Patil, Potter?" Snape snapped sarcastically, surveying the contents of our potion. He swished past onto Neville Longbottom and Gregory Goyle, unable to find anything wrong with our potion. I measured a quart of gorgian milk and poured it into the claudron.

"A bit of hellebore," said Harry, dropping that in.

"Tongue of newt," I returned.

"Eye of dragonvera," said Harry.

"Feather of Phoenix tail, dipped fargle sauce," I added.

"Seven even pieces of Dreadmare," I continued, sliding that into the now steaming pot.

"A piece of your identity?" Harry chuckled, reading the board.

I dared not to question Snape, so with the kitchen knife, I snipped a tiny portion of my hair. Harry took cue and did the same. Sweating slightly, we stirred feverishly.

"A steamy light red colour must be issuing from your pot now. There should also be a slightly smelly stench," said Snape twenty-minutes later.

I looked around. A disgusted Hermione's and a smug Draco's pot was exactly like Snape had described. Clearly Hermione had done the entire job. Lavender looked tearful as green smoke billowed from her and Pansy's claudron. Theodore Nott and Ron weren't having much luck either. A steamy, but yellow, very smelly stench issued from their potion. Neville and Goyle hadn't even completed anything past the hellebore step.

Our pot looked just fine if you ask me, but Snape swooped down on us.

"This potions has been stirred by clumsy hands. It especially says to stir lightly." Snape said menacingly.

"It's fine," I objected.

"Yeah," added Harry.

Snape's eyebrows furrowed. "Then I suggest you test it, Miss Patil and Mr. Potter," Snape hissed.

" Of course," I scoffed.

Snape whirled around and whipped up a glass containing a bit of my potion.

"Drink," he sputtered.

Confidently I gulped down the nauseating potion, trying not to think about the tongue of newt and frog legs.

The Gryffindors watched nervously and the Slytherins began to snigger.

Snape stared at me, his eyes flashed dangerously. A whirling sensation and all of a sudden everything seemed so large. I blinked open the tiny slits I had for eyes, wondering what I was. I was climbing up something peachy and soft--oh--Harry's palm.

Giggles erupted across the room and Snape barked at them to shut up. All at once I was in the same position as I was before I took the potion.

Snape's lip curled.

"It turned out just fine, didn't it, sir?" I purred.

Snape looked positively frightful. "10 points for your cheek, Patil."

"What? Just because she got the potion right?" Harry jumped to my defense.

Thankfully, Harry didn't lose marks because the bell rang and it was lunch.

I couldn't head over to the Ravenclaw table because Padma and Terry were holding hands and making a public display. In the depths of despair, I unhappily settled beside Lavender, who was busy feeding Seamus part of her lunch meat sandwich.

I picked at my food, glancing at Padma and Terry repeatedly.

"Is something wrong, Parvati?" said a voice.

I swiveled my head to come face to face the vivacious, redhead, Ginny Weasly. "Hi," I said, forcing a smile, "I'm just a little preoccupied, that's all." I turned back to my salad.

"I know it was Padma that day, you know,"

"Why? Because she sounded smart not giggly?" I snapped harshly.

Ginny looked taken-aback. "Nooo, she seemed to hate Quidditch and talk about Terry Boot… a lot."

I groaned. "Padma…!"

Ginny smiled amusedly. "It must be fun to be twins."

I shook my head pathetically. "No…well yes…sometimes…" I sighed.

Ginny sighed. "I've been having some problems lately,"

"Really? Why?" It was better to hear other's problems, so perhaps it would make you feel better about your own.

"Dean." She sighed again.

"You guys are so cute together," I responded predictably, I suppose.

"Maybe," Ginny said resignedly.

"What's the problem?"

"He seems to be infatuated by Joanna Sparkers, that girl in my year, you know the one with the tiniest skirts. Then I found out he keeps pictures of her in his dorm and then they went out this time…. He told me he really liked Joanna." Ginny informed me glumly, a tear glistening in her eye. She quickly brushed it away.

"Oh, yeah…?" I replied, shooting Ginny a sympathetic glance and patting her comfortingly.

"Joanna is a proper tart." I added. She was actually called Sparky among the boys. That makes me wonder what they call me (if they call me at all). Patty? Tilly?

"Absolutely." Ginny agreed.

"And Dean's a jerk." Ginny nodded her head vigorously.

"And you are going to find someone that deserves you, Ginny," I declared.

Ginny raised her hands in victory. "Yeah! Thanks a bunch, Parvati. I got some serious dumping to do. See you at you-know-what!" Ginny winked and was off.

DA…of course I knew.

Terry and Padma…! Together…while I watched…torture…!

Shoulders hunched, I decided to go for a walk before History of Magic. Hand in my pockets, I wandered along my favorite path, cutting across the courtyard.

The first place I met Terry, I thought nostalgically. Well, he thought I was Padma… but still….

Then, like fate, I spotted a lone figure heading towards Hagrid's cabin. Struck by curiosity, I hurried forward.

"Terry?"

Terry wheeled around with a happy grin plastered on his face. "Padma?"

I nodded tearfully and our lips locked. I can barely remember what happened next. Terry and I were…'embracing', but then like a bad horror film, I heard a familiar shriek.

Terry and I broke apart.

It was Padma, with medusa hair and flashing eyes and a betrayed, shocked expression.

"Parvati!" she gasped.

"Parvati!" Gasped Terry.

"Padma," I said weakly, "I can explain…really…"

"What's going on here?" cut in Terry.

"You've been fooled by my so-called twin," whispered Padma coldly. Then to me she added. "I can't believe you lied to me…tough nut to crack…right. I trusted you! Now I know never to believe you again. You and your… stupidity!" Padma cried hysterically and stomped off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

Terry stared at me, bewildered. "You guys better find someone else to fight over." he said evenly and trudged dejectedly towards the castle.

I felt awful. Helplessly, I crouched on a boulder for a few minutes, wallowing in my misery. I closed my eyes for a moment and then I had a vision…

I couldn't see anything, but it was Padma's ear-splitting scream followed by a grunt. Padma was in trouble…I could feel it in my bones. My eyes flew open, my heart thudding; I sped towards the forest.

Harry, who was just coming out of Hagrid's hut, intercepted me.

"Hey, where are you going?" he asked, holding me back.

"Let me go…. Padma!" I shrieked.

"You can't go in the Forbidden Forest. It's…forbidden," Harry argued.

"Yes! I can! She is in danger!" I screamed and then bit him and rushed off.

I heard a faint (ouch!) and then the thudding of his footsteps right behind me. And so, we began the story of why the forbidden forest is forbidden.

Yours,

Vatty Patty