Chapter 6
Somehow Hermione had wrangled to get herself an invitation to Kashmira's little party. Harry was surprised. Also slightly annoyed at Hermione's new interfering manner. Although another larger part, didn't really mind, if it meant he could see Parvati again. Harry suddenly felt shameful, he shouldn't see Parvati, he should say something had come up.
As though summoned, Hermione appeared at the door, freshly apparated. "Harry! You cannot cancel!" she yelled. "You haven't been happy since…" she paused, trailing off, not wanting to mention Ginny. After all she had lost her best girl friend when Ginny had died.
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The day of Kashmira's party arrived faster than anything Harry could remember. He had reimbursed Hermione for buying Kashmira a present for him. Because honestly, Harry was terrible at giving presents.
Ginny had always smiled widely whenever Harry tried gift-giving. Said she loved it, then secretly return it and get something better. Harry didn't mind, after all he always forgave her. It was love.
Parvati's townhouse was decorated like a regular English home. But today the home was an explosion of purples, golds and reds. Kashmira had on a pink child's sari. Parvati wore a similar outfit, in turquoise.
Kashmira was running around and various ethnic children were racing around, playing tag, probably. Harry leapt away from some sort of toy broomstick, zooming around the room. Kashmira noticed this broomstick and hopped on and was flying around the living room and kitchen.
Parvati grabbed the bristles of the toy broom and the broom sunk down wards, sending Kashmira into her mother's arms. The daughter grinned and when Parvati placed her back on the floor she resumed the game of tag.
The adults looked amused. A couple of them had a bottle of firewhiskey, and were continually sipping. Harry wondered if they should have been drinking at a children's party. The doorbell rang and Hermione appeared inside. The loud cracking noise associated with apparition, came about a second delayed, and everyone winced as the crack went off.
"Hello, Hermione!" Parvati said, looking a bit startled that she had arrived. Hermione and Parvati hadn't been the closest friends at Hogwarts, since Hermione and Lavender were always at odds. If it hadn't been a difference in pet beliefs (3rd year) or Ron Weasley (6th year).
Hermione quickly scoped the room and didn't see Lavender anywhere and her mood brightened considerably from her already happy mood. It was a good party, although Harry didn't get much time to speak with Parvati because she was busy being the hostess. But, unconsciously, his eyes were darting over towards Parvati's direction, and Hermione noticed.
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Hermione also noticed that when Harry was talking to Kashmira because she kept insisting that Harry sit next to her, Parvati looked over at Harry with certain eyes, eyes that Hermione had seen Ginny use, the eyes got Harry every time.
But Harry, she noticed, was studiously avoiding eye contact. She wondered what that was about. She figured that Harry was afraid of commitment with Parvati, if he was still in love with Ginny. (She had a muggle aunt who was a therapist. They talked frequently so Hermione knew a fair amount about therapy and the human psyche )
Hey, Hermione hadn't been the smartest girl in her year at Hogwarts for nothing!
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