Chapter Eight

Quidditch, Scares and Spin the Bottle

Dear Diary,

Hi, it's Parvati Patil reporting for The Diary Times. The feeling of competition and excitement fills the air in the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. Houses, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are about to go head to head in a grueling game that involves several balls and brooms. Let the match begin!

Ok, so there is no 'Diary Times' and that was just me being daft, but there is a game and I'm very excited! Katie ordered us all to rise at dawn today and hurry down to the pitch for her 'pep talk.' As the clock struck five, I threw off my covers and literally bounced out of bed. Quidditch is something I'm quite good at and I can't wait to show off.

I showered and dressed into my neatly ironed pair of Gryffindor Quidditch robes and then strolled down to the common room. Harry and Ginny were waiting for me when I arrived.

You know, the love potion worked out wonderfully. If Ginny had given Neville a chance at the last ball, they would have really hit off.

"Hi!" I greeted cheerfully. Harry and Ginny raised their palms in a wave.

"Are you ready?" Harry questioned.

I bobbed my dark head eagerly. "You're aren't a least bit nervous?" prodded Ginny nervously.

I shook my head confidently. "Why would I be? It's Hufflepuff and plus we're a great team,"

Harry shrugged. "That's true, but ever since Hufflepuff gained that Zacharias Smith bloke Hufflepuff isn't as easy to beat."

Ginny punctuated his sentence with a groan.

"Oh come on, we're going to do fine," I declared. Honestly, I should be giving these pessimists the pep talks.

Anyway, we hurried down to the pitch and waited patiently for Katie to start. Katie wrung her hand, looking at our faces anxiously. "We are going to do it, everyone," she stated, not very convincing. Andrew Kirke and Jack Loper did a little chant, the followed the tune of Weasly is our King.

Gryffindors the King,

We're going to win

Our chasers rule,

Our beaters rock,

Our seeker is the best

And our keeper can't miss!

We all hollered the chant a few more times and felt a lot better. Then we tramped inside the great hall to gobble down some breakfast. Well, a couple of us. I suddenly felt nauseous looking at food and imagining myself fifty-feet high. I didn't eat a bite. Hermione kept sliding food into my plate.

"Parvati, apple turnovers, yum," she murmured, carefully placing them in the center of my plate.

Lavender suddenly broke into a cheer. "Go Gryffindor! Go Lions! ROAR! " I managed a tiny bit of the apple turnover, smiling at Lav's antics.

Padma came over, her face shining. "Good luck, Parvati!"

"Who are you rooting for?" I asked doubtfully.

Padma was a little taken aback. "My sister, of course,"

I felt a lot better after that.

I decided to spend rest of breakfast time watching Harry nibble on his toast.

"You don't want to eat either, do you?" I asked, smiling slightly.

Harry turned toward me. "Yep, it's almost like a tradition. Never eat before Quidditch."

I laughed at that and before I knew it…it was time for the match. Yikes!

We streaked into the air and hovered in the air. Katie and Zacharias shook hands, wearing forced smiles on their face. Madame Hooch let out the Bludgers, then the walnut sized snitch and finally the Quaffle.

"And there goes Bell for Gryffindor, streaking across the clear blue sky and hesitating before she--"

"Enough with the poetry, Thomas! Tell us what's going on!" snapped Professor McGonagall.

"And she scores! 10 points for Gryffindor!" cried Dean. The sea of scarlet and gold cheered loudly.

I smiled. I caught a glimpse of Harry speeding downward and I stopped to watch.

"Move, Patil!" screamed Ginny. I whirled around to see a Bludger heading straight for me.

"Aha!" I shrieked and dodged out of the way, just in time.

"A near catch for Bradley of Hufflepuff! Patil dodges it," Dean exclaimed. My heart still thudding I intercepted a pass from Tennant to Bates and I tucked the Quaffle under my arm.

"There she goes, faster than a speeding rocket flying against time--"

Professor McGonagall threw Dean a look.

"And she hurls…ooh…nice save by Vladstone!"

The Gryffindor crowd groaned and I felt utterly dejected.

Dean continued with his commentary.

"Oh, I think Potter sees the snitch. He's zooming towards the bit of glistening gold with Smith right behind."

I gasped. "Come on, Harry!" I cried and out of nowhere flew a possessed Bludger.

"Ouch!" I yelped with pain as it collided with my shoulder.

"And that's Potter's famous Wronski Feint! Smith was fooled."

Fifty feet below, I could see the crumpled form of Zacharias Smith. The form however got right back on his broom. I groaned inwardly. Ginny threw me the Quaffle and gestured toward the posts. I flew as fast as I could, took proper aim and tossed.

"Patil attempts another goal, but Vladstone is just too good! Smith is up on his broom and flying again!" declared the magnified voice of Dean.

What was wrong with me? I had always scored before. Ginny shot me a sympathetic glance, before seizing the Quaffle and rocketing towards the goal posts.

"Weasley scores! Gryffindor is at 20 points and Hufflepuff at 0!"

And if Ginny can score… My heart started to thud. Bates was headed this way, with the Quaffle tucked under his arm.

I immediately flew down and tailed him to the goal posts. I willed the Quaffle to drop out of his grasp, but it didn't. Then suddenly a flash of red spiraled down wards. I immediately dashed after it.

"There goes Patil chasing the Quaffle, but is too late. Caught by Tennant, who scores! 10 points for Hufflepuff! Nice Try, Ron!"

Later in the match Gryffindor was up 50 and Hufflepuff close behind by 40.

I hadn't scored a single goal and Katie had called timeout. Harry came up to me. "Parvati? Are you alright?"

"I don't know…." I moaned miserably. 'I thought I was good at Quidditch,"

"You are, you're just nervous," intercepted Ron Weasley.

"I've messed every single pass thrown to me so far," I mumbled.

"That's true," agreed Andrew Kirke. Ginny threw him an angry look.

"Just have fun, Parvati and don't think about screwing up," Harry said sensibly.

We went back out to the blue skies and crowded stands. I took a deep breath. I could do this. Then, my chance came. Ginny tossed the Quaffle to Katie, who in turn passed it to me. I caught it and tucked it under my arm, heading toward the goal post. Seized with determination, I eyed the burly Hufflepuff Vladstone and aimed for the left hoop.

Vladstone hovered near the left one, eyeing me beadily. I gazed straight at her and flung it straight into the right. Vladstone had no time to react! I was cheering madly--I had scored!

"And Patil scores!" Dean announced happily. "Gryffindor is up 60 points,"

I fluttered about in the air, still giddy. Harry was speeding toward me his eyes wide behind his glasses. Smith was far behind, hurriedly trying to catch up. I looked down and the snitch was flitting by my leg. Harry reached for it and grabbed it out of the air. The Gryffindor stands exploded into cheers and hollering.

"Harry Potter catches the snitch! Gryffindor wins!"

I don't know what got into me, tears started streaming down face and I hugged him.

"And Potter and Patil seemed to have--" began Dean slyly, but thankfully Professor McGonagall snatched the microphone out of his hands. Plus everyone was hugging everyone else anyway. My spirits soared as I let go of Harry. True, he smelt of perspiration, but those are one of the things you tend to look over when you like someone. I just felt so squishy and cuddly inside. I can't describe it.

But it's weird how one day you can be in the depths of despair and the next day in happyland.

Yours gladly,

Parvati

Dear diary,

This is the best day ever! After the match all the Gryffindors declared a party. Ron and Harry nicked all sorts of food from the kitchens and even Hermione magicked some streamers and balloons into the air. Lavender scrawled her cant on a banner and hung it up.

I cocked my head, smiling as I read:

"The Gryffindors gave it go! And now they go, ROAR!"

I helped myself to several servings of lunch, ravenous since I hadn't eaten any breakfast. It was tremendous fun. Everyone was going wild, dancing to some Hanky Panky Karma & Cadaverous music. I joined in, laughing. After awhile, though, I got tired and went to join Lavender, Seamus, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Dean, Joanna Sparkers and Harry by the fire.

"Hi everyone," I greeted cheerfully, flopping onto the carpet beside Joanna.

Joanna suddenly squealed:

"I know! Let's play Spin the Bottle!" Several people looked confused, including Ron and Ginny.

"What's that?' Neville inquired.

Joanna clapped her dainty hands together. "It's soo much fun! You spin the bottle and the person who it lands on, you have to kiss!" she chirped brightly, her blonde curls bobbing as she nodded enthusiastically. She was irritating me thoroughly.

"That's fun?" Ron asked, with a completely disgusted expression on his face. Hermione nodded her head. "That does seem kind of…frivolous. Anyway, Ron and I have prefect duties."

They walked out of the common room gladly, hand in hand.

Joanna pouted. "Well, it was just a suggestion,"

I frowned. She might have fashion sense, but she was such a tart!

"Actually, let's play," Lavender inputted.

I raised my eyebrows. Lavender just wanted a chance to kiss Seamus some more, I suppose.

Joanna clapped her hands together again. "Ok, guys, form a circle,"

Harry got up. "I think I might go to bed," he said hurriedly. Joanna ignored him, pulling him down. I couldn't help smiling at the girl's nerve. Everyone else shifted restlessly.

Joanna brought out a bottle from within her bag. I wondered if the girl went around forcing people to play silly games.

"I'll start!" she chirruped and spun the bottle, her eyes shining. We all watched the bottle slowly revolve around the circle. The bottle landed right on…Harry. My blood ran cold. I gazed helplessly as Joanna crawled up to Harry and grabbed his face and pressed it against her own. Harry came up gasping for air, his face crimson. I clenched my fist, repeating in my head that I was not jealous. Which was absolutely untrue, but oh well. I've become the envious queen lately, haven't I? First Ginny and now Joanna…at least Harry didn't like Joanna.

I took a deep breath. Joanna giggled sweetly. "Wasn't that fun? Your turn Harry,"

Harry hesitantly spun the bottle. I watched interestedly and then gasped. You won't believe this…the bottle was pointing at me.

I glanced up at Harry who was a wearing a very embarrassed, but shy smile on his face. He advanced a few steps, leaning closer and closer. I was about shut my eyes, when I heard my name being shouted.

"Parvati! Parvati! " I jerked up, startled, blinking my eyes open.

It was Hermione and Ron looking very worried. Harry, who was frozen in place, in the middle of the circle, gazed up at them.

"What happened?"

"What's wrong?" I said quickly, still in shock.

Hermione took a deep breath. "It's Padma," she began.

My heart started beating very fast and room seemed to spin around me.

"Padma?" I choked.

Ron glanced at me carefully. "We saw her being taken to the Hospital Wing in a stretcher. We heard Dumbledore say that some had attacked her."

I stared at them, open-mouthed. "Attack? Who would attack Padma!" I gasped.

Hermione and Ron exchanged glances. "Dumbledore said it was an outside source. She was with Zacharias in the courtyard."

The room was still spinning and I felt sick to my stomach. "Zacharias!" I muttered.

"I don't think it's him, Par. He seemed very worried," Hermione added.

Lavender crawled toward me and gave me a hug. "Is she okay?" she asked Ron.

Ron nodded. "I think so. She's just in the Hospital Wing for minor cuts and injuries.

I felt a solacing, reassuring hand on my shoulder. I knew at once it belonged to Harry, but at that moment, I did not care. I jumped up to my feet. "Can I go see her?"

Hermione and Ron nodded wordlessly. "That is why we came to get you,"

I hurriedly dashed out of the common room and the last words I heard were Joanna's whine:

"Guys, can we please get back to the game now?"

…

I ran all the way to the Hospital Wing, feeling very afraid and a million thoughts running through my mind. Who had attacked Padma? Why?

I skidded to a stop in front of the Hospital Wing and entered the large room, searching for Padma. However, my eyes first fell upon Zacharias Smith.

"Is Padma okay?" I questioned worriedly.

Zacharias nodded numbly. "We were just walking and talking and this invisible force stuns Padma, and I managed to grab a hold of her before the thing could do more damage…" Zacharias moaned pathetically. And you know what, I believed him.

"Thank god you were there," I whispered softly and progressed over to Padma's bed.

She was lying stiffly on the bad, her head propped against many pillows, her face was very pale, but her eyes open.

"Padma!" I cried, relief flooding through me. I hugged her, very carefully. Padma attempted a smile.

"It was so scary, Parvati. It was so sudden. I'm glad Zach was there," she murmured with difficulty.

I suddenly felt guilty. Where was I while Padma was in danger? Playing Spin the bottle with Joanna Sparkers, that's what. I didn't even receive one of the telepathic messages…and for some reason it made me feel guilty that Zacharias hd been there and I hadn't.

I squeezed Padma's hand. "I hope they find who it is. Meanwhile, I'm not letting you out of my sight," I vowed.

Padma smiled affectionately at me. "Thanks for looking out for me, sis," she whispered. Just then Madame Promfrey barged in to shoo me away.

And surprisingly Zacharias Smith escorted me back to the Gryffindor tower. "Thanks," I said, looking up gratefully at him.

Zacharias nodded and departed and I entered the Gryffindor Common Room to be bombarded with questions. I answered them the best I could and scuttled upstairs to fall into a nightmarish sort of sleep.

Author's Note: So…what did you think of this pretty short chapter? I just thought I'd inject a little mystery for fun. Have you noticed the pattern between Parvati and Harry? Did you like the Quidditch bit? Do you want to know who attacked Padma? Find out in the next chapter of Parvati Patil's Diary: Eavesdropping, House Elves & the Elaborate Feast. As always, I'm welcome to reviews! Till the next chapter, then--FFlamingo