A/N: I'm trying something new this chapter… I'll be switching back and forth from Harry's POV to Parvati's. Thanks go out to Marta for the brilliant suggestion, and to Kate for your input.

A/N 2: This chapter contains some strong language.

Chapter 24 - Unknowing

"Parvati's gone."

Harry stood dumbfounded. He looked from Ron to Hermione and back again, while Padma continued sobbing into his chest.

"What?" Harry croaked.

Hermione eyed Padma hesitantly. "We don't really know what happened. We just heard that she was taken," Hermione replied.

"Taken?" Harry asked.

Padma pushed herself away from Harry's chest. Her sobbing had gone from hysterical to quiet sniffling. Harry looked down at Padma, guilt spreading to every corner of his body. Padma was staring at the floor, her chin quivering.

"It was Death Eaters," Padma said quietly. "They took my sister."

Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron stared at Padma silently. Harry felt a lump rise in his throat. Padma looked completely lost, as though a part of her were missing. The four Gryffindors stood awkwardly as Padma stared at the floor, lost in her thoughts.

Hermione broke the silence. "Were you there, Padma, when they took her?" Hermione asked gently.

Padma jumped, as though she were surprised to see them there. Her eyes traveled from Hermione, to Ron, to Ginny, and rested on Harry. Padma's eyes were not as accusatory as they had been, but they still held a shadow of resentment. She moved her gaze back to Hermione.

"No, I wasn't there. Not at first, anyway," Padma replied sadly.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ginny asked quietly.

Padma's eyes began to fill with tears again. "Parvati had left on her own to check out an obscure shop I had never heard of. Professor Trelawney had recommended it. I offered to go with her, but since… well … all week she's been spending a lot of time alone," Padma began, her eyes darting angrily to Harry. "She was supposed to meet Lavender and me in front of the Three Broomsticks. That's where I was waiting for her when … " Padma paused as tears slid down her cheeks, "when I heard her scream."

A bone-chilling silence filled the Entrance Hall. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stared at Padma wide-eyed. Padma continued.

"I ran to look for her. I followed the sound of her voice and saw her at the end of a side street. I called to her, but she was surrounded by Death Eaters. They were… holding her … by the th-throat. They were yelling at her. Then… then they all … just disappeared."

"Did you hear what they were saying?" Hermione asked.

Padma turned her gaze to Harry. "All I heard was Harry's name."

Harry felt as though a rock had been dropped in his stomach. Death Eaters had taken Parvati and the only clue led straight to him. Guilt overwhelmed him. Somehow the Death Eaters had found out about Parvati and him, and because of that, they had taken Parvati. Padma was right. It was Harry's fault. Harry's stomach twisted painfully.

"Padma," Harry began, taking a step towards her. "I'm sorry."

Padma took a step back, a look of fear crossing her face. "Stay away from me, Harry."

Harry stopped. Padma's voice cut through him like a knife. He swallowed and nodded. "Right."

Harry turned on his heel and walked away. He ignored Hermione and Ginny's pleas for him to stop. He couldn't stay. He shouldn't stay. Padma had made her feelings clear.

Harry ran up the many staircases to Gryffindor Tower. He muttered the password to the Fat Lady, threw himself through the portrait hole, ignored the curious glances by the students in the common room, and ran up the staircase leading to the boys' dormitory. Harry fell onto his bed, burying his face in his arms. Anger pulsed through his body. He wanted to scream, yell, fight. He jumped to his feet and kicked his bed angrily. He tore the hangings around his bed off their rod and ripped them in half. He grabbed his alarm clock and hurled it against the wall. Finding nothing else to destroy, he began pounding his fists into the stone wall beside his bed. He ignored the pain, the blood.

"How the hell do you expect to catch the Snitch if your hands are broken?"

Harry turned to see Ron leaning against the doorjamb.

"How long have you been there?" Harry growled.

"Long enough to see my star Seeker destroy his hands," Ron replied.

Harry slumped down against the wall, leaning his bleeding hands over his bent knees, scowling.

"Why'd they take Parvati?" Harry muttered.

Ron walked over and slumped down beside Harry. "Don't know, mate. Doesn't really make sense, does it?"

Harry shrugged, watching the blood from his knuckles snake its way down his fingers. "They must've known that we dated."

Ron frowned. "But you've broken up."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, well Voldemort knows how I love to play the hero. I'm sure he realizes that I'd blame myself if anystudent from Hogwarts was taken. Taking my ex-girlfriend just makes it more personal."

"You would think if he really wanted to rile you, he would have taken Hermione or me. Or even Ginny, Neville or Luna. They were all at the Department of Mysteries. The Death Eaters would have surely passed that information on," Ron commented.

Harry groaned. "Who knows why that bastard does what he does."

Ron nodded. "True enough. But Harry, you can't blame yourself about Parvati."

"Can't I? Didn't Padma say that the only thing she heard when the Death Eaters took Parvati was my name?" Harry argued.

Ron leaned his head back against the wall. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "You can't blame yourself for something that is completely out of your control. There was no way for you to know that Parvati was in danger. There was no way for you to stop it from happening. There was nothing you could have done, Harry. It's not your fault."

Harry pushed himself to his feet and began pacing. Drops of blood splattered on the floor as it fell from his fingertips. "But it is my fault. If I could just get rid of Voldemort for good, then everyone would be safe."

Ron snorted, lifting himself to his feet. "Harry, it's not up to you to 'get rid of V-Voldemort'. Don't put that on yourself."

"Maybe it is up to me," Harry muttered under his breath.

"Pardon?" Ron queried.

"Nothing," Harry mumbled, waving his hand at Ron dismissively.

Ron surveyed Harry. "Harry, you don't have to be involved in this."

Harry glared at Ron. "I'm already involved, Ron. I've got this fucking scar on my forehead as proof. Don't tell me I'm not involved."

Ron shook his head. "You know, sometimes I think you like being in the middle of everything."

Harry looked at Ron incredulously. "What?"

Ron nodded, gaining momentum. "It's like you can't stand that the Death Eaters went after someone else. It always has to be about you, about the Boy-Who-Lived. Maybe it's not about you. Maybe Voldemort has some other sick plan that has absolutely nothing to do with you. This war is not only about you, Harry."

"You don't have a fucking clue," Harry spat.

"So, tell me," Ron yelled. "What's with the mystery? What's with the mightier than thou attitude? What makes you better than the rest of us?"

"I'm not … I didn't say … you don't understand," Harry growled.

"How could I? I've never had what you have. The fame, the glory, the adoration of our teachers … you're right, Harry, I don't understand. You've never given me the chance to try and understand. You take everything on your own shoulders and don't think twice about anyone else. And we've tried, Harry. We've tried to understand. Did you even notice the rest of us fighting by your side last spring? Did you care that we risked being expelled, never mind killed, when we went with you? Did you even think about the fact that Hermione almost died? Did you ever wonder what effect those brains had on me? Did you ever question why Ginny has no closefriends in her own year? No, you haven't because you're so wrapped up in your own world where everything centres around the Boy-Who-Lived that you can't even see what's in front of you. We've put ourselves on the line without hesitation, and for what? When do we get our glory, Harry? When do we get recognized for our part?" Ron ranted.

"You want recognition?" Harry blasted. "You want the fame and the glory? Take it! I don't want it! I never asked for this. Don't you think it kills me that all of you have been dragged into this? I tried to push all of you away this summer, but you wouldn't let me. I didn't want you involved. I know what you and Hermione and Ginny have done for me, and I know I don't deserve it. But there are things you don't understand. There are things you don't know."

"Tell us, Harry," Ron pleaded. "We can't help you if we don't know."

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "I… I… I can't."

Ron groaned. "Fine. You want to fly solo, go ahead. But don't expect us to put up with this bullshit. We're tired of this same charade being played over and over again. We're tired of trying to convince you that you're not to blame. When you're willing to climb out of this pit of gloom you've thrown yourself in, you know where to find us."

Ron stormed out of the dorm, leaving Harry glaring after him.

Parvati moaned softly as she struggled to sweep cobwebs from her mind. She felt groggy and cold and sore. She struggled to form coherent thoughts. Her brain would not cooperate; she had no idea where she was or how she got there. She lay face down on a hard, dirt-packed floor, her body aching and heavy.

Parvati pried her eyes open, only to be met with an inky blackness. She pushed herself up, balancing her weight on her hands as she sat and peered into the darkness around her. Her head pounded furiously, drumming a steady rhythm in her ears.

Parvati drew her knees into her chest and hugged them tightly. She fought against the pain in her head; she struggled to remember. Parvati grasped to the first memory that flashed through her mind – Hogsmeade.

I was in Hogsmeade … I was … alone. Harry couldn't go … Harry …

Parvati's heart ached dully as her thoughts moved to Harry. Although she had played the well-adjusted, moving-on-with-my-life, ex-girlfriend role extremely well, Padma and Lavender didn't buy it. They remembered how Parvati had talked about everything and anything Harry Potter for the past six months. They knew how embarrassed she had been when she kissed him out of the blue after a Potions lesson, and how elated she had been when he had kissed her in Care of Magical Creatures. And then … he had finally asked her to be his girlfriend. Parvati had been thrilled. And she had never been more devastated than the day he dumped her. Padma and Lavender knew this as well.

Parvati had not been completely surprised by Harry's actions. She had noticed early on how his demeanor always changed as soon as Ginny Weasley was around. Parvati had at first believed it to be coincidence, but eventually realized she was only fooling herself. Harry was obviously attracted to Ginny, whether he was willing to admit it or not. The fact that Harry seemed to be forcefully denying it is what gave Parvati hope. If Harry did not want to admit his feelings for Ginny, wouldn't that mean he would want someone else? And why couldn't that someone else be Parvati?

Parvati sighed. She knew she had been a fool. She knew she should have walked away when she first realized Harry's heart was elsewhere. She knew she was acting desperate and pathetic, and she felt ashamed. But, she couldn't let go. She held on to the faint hope that he may eventually notice her. Really notice her. Like he noticed Ginny. But, Parvati's hopes were never fulfilled.

Which led her to being in Hogsmeade alone. Both Lavender and Padma had tried to keep her company, but she did not feel like pretending. Truthfully, she knew she did not have to pretend with either of them. However, she did not want to have to put up with their sympathetic smiles or knowing looks. She didn't have the strength. They had tried to convince her that she shouldn't be alone, but she had been adamant. They acquiesced only after Parvati had agreed to meet them at the Three Broomsticks in the late afternoon.

Parvati replayed what she could remember of her afternoon in her mind.

Parvati walked to Hogsmeade with Padma. Padma kept the conversation light and Parvati decided to go with her sister into a few shops. Parvati could tell that Padma was trying to cheer Parvati up, but Parvati knew what she really needed was some time alone. They eventually parted ways with Padma reminding Parvati of her promise to meet Lavender and her later at the Three Broomsticks. Parvati slipped into a few shops, and then made her way to a small shop called Navigating Nostradamus. Professor Trelawney had recommended the place, and, upon entering, Parvati immediately determined why. The small shop was crammed full with books, crystal balls, tarot cards, candles, an assortment of teas, telescopes, among many other objects that Parvati could not identify. Parvati took her time and examined the items on the shelves in awe.

Parvati eventually found herself in a fascinating conversation with the shopkeeper. A tiny, slight witch with long, frizzy, blonde hair and bright blue eyes talked excitedly with Parvati about the various artifacts in the shop. When she learned that Parvati was from Hogwarts, they fell into another conversation about Professor Trelawney. The shopkeeper told Parvati that she was scandalized when she heard that that horrible Umbridge woman had nearly run Trelawney out of Hogwarts. Parvati and the shopkeeper shared their love of Divination and their belief that Trelawney was a remarkable teacher. They talked for over an hour, oblivious to the other people in the shop; oblivious to a pair of wizards in long black robes listening intently to their conversation.

The chime of a clock on the wall alerted Parvati to the fact that she was supposed to be meeting Padma and Lavender. She said goodbye to the shopkeeper, promising to stop by the next time she was in Hogsmeade and to pass on a hello to Professor Trelawney.

Parvati left the shop with a distinct bounce in her step. She was feeling better than she had all week. It was refreshing to find someone to talk to about her passion. Sure, Lavender enjoyed Divination as well, but Lavender much preferred to talk about boys, and Parvati wasn't too keen on that subject at the moment.

Parvati walked down the small roadway leading to the main road in Hogsmeade. In the distance, she could see students crossing the street ahead of her. She picked up her pace, anxious to meet Lavender and Padma and tell them about her amazing conversation with the shopkeeper of Navigating Nostradamus.

Parvati was nearing the main road when she felt an unknown force throw her to the ground. The sting of a hex ran through her as she fought to catch her breath after being winded by her fall. Parvati felt someone grab her arms and yank her to her feet. Panic set in, and Parvati screamed as her eyes fell on the masks of two Death Eaters. One of the Death Eaters gripped Parvati by the throat and yelled at her.

"You best be keeping that mouth of yours shut," he growled.

Parvati fought to breathe as her windpipe constricted by the force of the Death Eater's grip. Tears ran down her face as she nodded her head.

The second Death Eater pointed a wand in Parvati's face. "This can be easy, or this can be difficult. Keep quiet and we may not hurt you," he snarled.

Parvati struggled against the hand around her neck. She thought about her wand inside her robes, but knew she couldn't get to it fast enough.

"Wh-what do y-you want?" Parvati choked.

"What did I tell you? Keep that mouth of yours shut, you stupid girl!" the first Death Eater shouted, his grip tightening. Parvati began to feel light-headed, barely conscious of the fact that several other Death Eaters had appeared. Parvati closed her eyes against the rain of voices around her.

"Are you sure that's the one?"

"No doubt about it."

"How can you be sure?"

"I'm sure. Heard her talking and everything. She's definitely the one."

"Are you going to get us what we want?" sneered a Death Eater. Parvati opened her eyes and found the mask of a Death Eater inches from her face.

"We can't do this here!" shouted one of the new Death Eaters. "Even with Potter not here, the place is swarming with aurors!"

"Parvati!"

Parvati recognized her sister's voice. She fought against the Death Eater's grip, flailing her arms and kicking her feet in earnest. She tried to call out, but the grip on her throat closed around her tighter. She fought against the haze that was filling her brain. She was vaguely aware of a strange feeling behind her navel. Colours and wind assaulted her eyes before she felt her body slam onto a cold, hard floor and everything went black.

Parvati shivered. Her face was wet with tears. She had been taken by Death Eaters. She was alone. The impenetrable darkness closed in on her. She could hardly breathe. Her fingers sought out the pocket in her robes. Empty. She was being held by Death Eaters, and she had no wand. She closed her eyes and sobbed into her knees, as despair engulfed her.

Harry sat with his back against the same wall where he had sat beside Ron less than an hour ago, before things had got completely out of hand.

Harry groaned as he banged his head against the wall. He had said horrible things to Ron, and Ron had said his fair share. They had both been completely irrational. Harry could see that now. But seeing it was one thing, admitting it to Ron was another. Of course, Harry wasn't sure if Ron regretted the things he had said. Harry guessed that a lot of what Ron said had been lying under the surface for some time. Harry understood how Ron felt frustrated by … well, everything. Things had not been fair for either of them, although in completely different ways. Harry always got the glory (or blame) and Ron was always overlooked. This was how it had always been, and neither of them could do anything about it.

Harry winced as he clenched and unclenched his fist. His knuckles had stopped bleeding, but were swollen considerably. He considered going to the hospital wing, but wondered how long it would be before someone else assaulted Harry with accusations of being the reason for Parvati's kidnapping. Wasn't Padma right? She had heard Harry's name. Didn't that implicate Harry as the guilty party?

Harry groaned and leaned his head back against the wall. He closed his eyes. What if Ron was right? What if the attack had absolutely nothing to do with Harry? No. There were too many coincidences to remove Harry from the situation completely. He was definitely a part of the plan that took Parvati away.

"Still skulking in sorrow?"

Harry's eyes snapped open. Ginny stood in the doorway, her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised.

"You shouldn't be here, Ginny," Harry growled, fighting not to notice how cute she looked when she was mad.

Ginny studied Harry thoughtfully. "Ron said his talk with you didn't go so well."

Harry snorted. "That's an understatement."

Ginny walked in and sat cross-legged on the floor in front of Harry. He stared determinedly at his knees, avoiding her eyes at all costs.

"Want to talk about it?" Ginny asked.

"No."

Ginny sighed. "Will you listen, then?"

Harry raised his eyes to look at Ginny. Her eyes reflected sadness and defeat.

"What's wrong, Ginny?" Harry asked, abandoning his own thoughts at once.

"I'm worried about you," Ginny said softly.

"You don't need to worry about me," Harry said stubbornly. "I'm fine."

"Harry, you can't keep pushing us away."

Harry sighed. "I know. Ron told me. I just need some time alone."

"What for? To wallow in self-pity?"

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, maybe."

Ginny chuckled. "Well, at least you'll admit it."

They sat silently. Harry stole glances at Ginny occasionally. She had pulled her knees up in front of her and rested her chin on them. She stared silently at a spot on the floor, seemingly lost in her thoughts. After some time, Harry broke the silence.

"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked.

Ginny's head shot up to look at Harry. "Nothing."

Harry smirked. "How is it that you can give me hell for not talking to you, but you don't have to talk to me?"

Ginny shrugged. "I didn't give you hell for not talking."

"Not this time."

Ginny rested her chin on her knees again. "I rest my case."

Harry studied Ginny. Something that Ron had said earlier flashed through Harry's mind.

"Gin?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you have any friends in your year?" Harry asked as delicately as he could manage.

Ginny looked at Harry questioningly. "Sure. Why?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I just wondered. Are you close with anyone in your year? Who are your best friends?"

Ginny frowned and seemed to hesitate. "Well, I've got Hermione … and … and you. You're my best friends."

Harry frowned. "But that didn't really happen until this year, and a bit last year. What about before then? Who were you close with for your first three years here?"

"Harry, I don't want to talk about this," Ginny said annoyed.

Harry pressed on. "Why, Gin? Tell me."

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "No, Harry."

"C'mon, Gin," Harry pleaded.

Ginny's nostrils flared as she glared at him. "Harry, no one wants to be friends with the girl that was possessed by Tom Riddle's teenage mind. That's a little scary for eleven year olds."

Harry's heart ached. "But Ginny, that wasn't your fault. Your classmates should be able to see that."

Ginny nodded, her expression softening. "They did, eventually. Don't worry, Harry. I survived. I don't need your pity."

Harry shook his head. "I should have been a better friend. I should have noticed. I'm sorry, Gin."

Ginny smiled and shook her head dismissivley at Harry. "We're friends now, and that's all that matters."

Harry's heart ached as he forced a smile to his lips.

"So, now that I told you one of my deep dark secrets, are you going to tell me what's really going on?" Ginny asked.

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ginny bit her lip and hesitated. "Ron said that you mentioned that there was something that we didn't know about. He thought it had something to do with V-Voldemort."

Harry looked into Ginny's dark eyes. He wished he could tell her. He wanted to tell her. He just couldn't.

"I want to tell you. I'm just not ready yet," Harry said softly.

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked quietly. "I know I'm not Ron or Hermione, but I am a great listener."

Harry smiled. "I know you are, Gin. But I can't. Not yet."

"But you will tell me? When you're ready?" Ginny asked.

Harry's heart thudded painfully. He wanted to share everything with her. He hated that he was making her feel as though she weren't a good enough friend to him that he would want to include her.

Harry swallowed hard. "Ginny, I promise. I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Thanks, Harry," Ginny said, smiling and giving Harry's hand a squeeze. Harry winced.

"What on earth have you done to yourself?" Ginny gasped, pulling Harry's hand towards her.

Harry fought to ignore the swirling in his stomach as Ginny clutched his hand. "Uh … I guess I took my frustration out on the wall."

Ginny clicked her tongue. "You need to have this looked at, Harry."

He sighed. "Yeah, I reckon I should."

"Come," Ginny said, pulling Harry by his arm to his feet. "I'll go with you."

"You don't have to," Harry argued, while secretly quite pleased.

"I'm not going to get any studying done. I might as well keep you company."

Harry smiled softly as Ginny's eyes met his. Ginny grinned crookedly at him. She added, "Maybe we could sneak into the kitchens and grab something to eat, too. I'm starving!"

Harry laughed. That sounded like a good plan indeed. He followed her out of the room, marveling at how she always managed to lighten his mood. When he was with her, anything seemed possible.