Even with Harry miserable, the weeks passed quite quickly. He got closer and closer to being fully covered in feathers and he thought his head shape might be changing. He learned basic spell chains, he was eventually able to change the whole of the Headmaster's office floor into ice, and he was getting silvery wisps when he tried to summon a Patronus.
Classes were difficult, especially Ancient Runes, and Harry was constantly busy. In fact, he barely had time to scan books in, let alone spend time with Ron and Hermione or rather Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and Parvati.
That's not to say he was left entirely alone, while they rarely went to the library with him they seemed to grow more used to the idea of being friends with him after the trip to the Dragon Reserve and he was informed that the next time there was a field trip he was taking Dean and Lavender, which he agreed to.
Parvati meanwhile was adamant about sitting as close to him as she could. Even in classes she bumped into him constantly and batted her eyelashes at him.
It made him feel very awkward.
What made him feel even more awkward was how she sidled up to him when they were walking to the carriages to go down to Hogsmeade Village and linked their hands together with a happy sigh. He had been on edge about the whole thing since historically Halloween was not a very good day for him and while it was not yet Halloween, it was only the thirtieth, he still found himself very on edge. That flew out of his mind though when she linked their hands and he just felt awkward.
The whole trip down she distracted him from his worries by chattering about what they were going to do while there. "We'll have to go to Gladrags, of course, maybe get some matching hats or something. And I owled ahead a month ago and got an appointment at the hair salon for eleven. Then we'll have lunch at Madam Puddifoot's. Then the Shrieking Shack, of course, and then I suppose we can go somewhere you want to go. Maybe the bookstore? You seem to like books a lot!"
Harry nodded as they climbed out of the carriages, "The bookstore sounds great."
Parvati squealed a little bit, "Oh this is going to be so much fun!"
They got into line to give Professor McGonagall their permission slips. All the while Parvati held onto his hand like it was going to fall off if she didn't keep a tight grip on it.
When it was finally their turn she accepted Parvati's permission slip with barely a glance but studied Harry's like it might be a forgery. "What's the last name? I can't make it out."
Parvati shifted, no doubt knowing that her own father's signature was also barely legible.
"Jennifer Connelly," he said, keeping a straight face with great effort.
She squinted at it one more time before nodding and waving them through.
"That was weird," Parvati said.
Harry just nodded and then asked, "Where to first, again?" not wanting to talk about it.
Excitedly Parvati went through the itinerary again.
Gladrags turned out to be a clothing store, which Harry supposed he should've guessed from the itinerary description. Harry followed after Parvati with boredom as she gleefully bounced from rack to rack, exclaiming over the latest fashions. Occasionally Harry would be asked his opinion of things and he always said he was sure it would look good on her, which got him multiple kisses on the cheek.
Finally, Parvati found two matching hats that she thought would look 'delightful!' on them and brought them to the checkout. After a pointed look from her, he paid for the hats and then put his on.
Next was the hair salon where it turned out Lavender had also gotten an appointment for eleven. He was left to sit in the waiting area with all of their bags, and Parvati's new hat, and he wondered why people seemed to enjoy dates so much. It was the most boring thing he'd ever done.
Finally, they left the hair salon and went to Madam Puddifoot's. The place was garish, with everything some shade of pink or purple and little confetti hearts falling onto the tables from the lamp fixtures. Couples were making out at nearly every table. It made Harry feel even more awkward.
Parvati insisted on a booth and they were soon smooshed up against one another. After ordering, Parvati asked, "How does my hair look?"
Harry had yet to be able to figure out what exactly had been done to her hair but said, "Brilliant."
She preened, then leaned in and kissed him.
Not sure what he was supposed to be feeling or doing Harry kissed her back for a moment then pulled away. Parvati sighed happily and pulled Harry's arm so that it was wrapped around her shoulders. Harry supposed cuddling like this felt nice, even if the kiss had felt weird.
Their tea and biscuits arrived moments later, not nearly enough food for lunch but Parvati didn't complain so Harry forced himself not to as well.
After eating they kissed one more time, and it was a bit nicer than the first, then they headed to The Shrieking Shack, holding hands the entire time.
As they approached they noticed two figures standing there. Getting closer Harry recognized them as Ron and Hermione.
"It's supposed to be the most haunted building in the country," Hermione was saying. They hadn't noticed him yet.
Harry stumbled to a halt, feeling stricken. Parvati looked between Harry and them, then pulled him back towards the village with determination.
"Who cares about a haunted house?" she said loudly, "There are plenty of ghosts at Hogwarts that we see all the time! And they're all gross and miserable!"
Harry nodded to this and tried to force them from his mind.
Soon they found themselves inside Tomes and Scrolls. Harry allowed himself to get immersed in looking for books. Parvati seemed a bit bored, but Harry had been very bored at the start of the date so he didn't feel too bad.
Harry ended up buying several books; a book on spell chains, a book on general dueling spells, two books on advanced transfiguration techniques, and some recommended supplementary texts for all of his electives.
"Merlin! You got a lot of books," Parvati said as they left.
Harry shrugged, "I like learning. And some of these will help with classes."
He still felt a little off balance after seeing Hermione and Ron. Why did they affect him so badly?
As they rode in the carriages to go back to Hogwarts Parvati said, "I can't believe I have a boyfriend! I'm the first in our class! I always thought it would be Lavender who got one first."
Harry frowned, since when were they boyfriend and girlfriend? Since they kissed?
"Why did you think Lavender would be first?" he asked, distracting himself.
"Oh well, she's the prettier. Everyone says so. I'm too exotic."
Harry blinked in surprise for a moment before saying, "That's ridiculous."
Parvati sighed happily, "You really think I'm pretty?"
Harry's eyes flicked over her and he nodded.
She lent over and kissed him again before dragging him out of the carriage.
Well after that he supposed he didn't have much of a choice now.
He had a girlfriend.
After that Parvati followed him around a lot more than she followed Lavender around, which included the library. She mercifully didn't ask him why he checked out so many books or follow him into the dorm when he said he needed private time.
She did, however, kiss him good morning and good night every day and kissed him on the cheek regularly throughout the day, even getting points taken off for doing it once during Transfiguration. Harry found himself enjoying the kisses more and more, even with having lost points for it.
Her hand was also always a comforting presence in his and he found it easier to ignore Hermione and Ron with her right there. The fact that she was quick to distract him whenever they saw them helped a lot.
The Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch Match came upon them quickly and Harry found himself dragged along by his new friends.
"You can't miss Quidditch!" was all Seamus said.
"For me?" Parvati asked, fluttering her eyelashes in a way that she was learning Harry found rather pretty.
"Oh all right." He agreed before running up to his room to grab his umbrella.
This turned out to be a very good idea as the rain was coming down hard. Parvati used this as an excuse to get closer to Harry. In fact, she was almost in his lap when they were sitting down in the stands. Lavender sighed longingly at the sight of them, rain pouring down on her.
With the rain so heavy it was nearly impossible to watch the Quidditch match and it was only Lee Jordan's commentary that let Harry know that Gryffindor was in the lead. Apparently, they'd been practicing in bad weather since the start of term.
Part way through though it started to get even colder and he pulled his hand out of Parvati's and wrapped his arm around her shoulders instead. She leaned in, shivering heavily as it got colder and colder.
Their breaths were visible in the air in front of them and Harry's ears started ringing. Quickly it changed from ringing to the sounds of screaming and Harry tensed looking around for the screams. Suddenly Parvati gasped and pointed into the stadium where the Quidditch players were being swarmed by dementors.
The screaming got worse and he felt like something was about to snatch him up and swallow him whole. He squeezed Parvati tightly, fear filling his heart as one of the dementors swooped towards them.
Suddenly a burst of light appeared in front of them and for a moment it looked like a phoenix before it charged the dementor. Harry watched in relief as the professors drove the dementors back further and further until they were all gone.
Harry slumped in relief.
"Harry. Harry! The umbrella!"
He shook himself out of his stupor and straightened the umbrella, his ears still ringing.