Chapter 13: Selfish

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the related characters. The Harry Potter series is created by J.K. Rowling and owned by Warner Bros. Pictures. All rights of Harry Potter belong to Warner Bros. Pictures. This entire story is a work of fanfiction and is meant for entertainment purposes only. I am not making a profit from this story.

Notes: This chapter is inspired by the song "Selfish" by Virginia to Vegas.

Summer 1999

My mouth watered as I inhaled the delicious aroma of fried fish pakoras that Sarika had kindly asked me to arrange on an ornate silver platter when Parvati and I reached her house earlier than expected. She was organising a surprise birthday party for Shahid and had invited their cousins and friends. A more formal gathering with parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents was scheduled for the following weekend.

Parvati was helping to hang the decorations in the backyard and I was assisting with the food preparations in the kitchen. Sarika was now more careful with how she asked us for favours, acknowledging the trauma we'd both experienced during our final year of school and at the Battle of Hogwarts. Thank Merlin that caring for Raj also kept her quite busy these days, so she meddled less in the affairs of others. She was actually upstairs putting him to sleep right now. Shahid's mother was supposed to drop by later to pick him up around the time the party started so it wouldn't disturb his sleep.

I had just finished tastefully arranging the pakoras around a small bowl of mint-coriander chutney for dipping on the tray. I briefly wondered if it would look better with a couple of lime wedges on the side, so I opened the sliding door to Sarika's walk-in pantry and went in to look for some. It was much cooler in the pantry than the kitchen and it was definitely cooler in the outdoor pool that Sarika set up due to the nice weather we'd been having lately.

Parvati and I had preemptively arrived in our swimsuits, ready to take a dip once the party was in full swing. She was wearing her signature pink one piece. It had faded in colour over the years, but she didn't seem to care too much. On the other hand, I had no intention of donning the hideous frilly yellow tankini my mother bought for me when I was fourteen ever again.

I ordered a proper bikini for myself last week. It consisted of a black twisted bandeau top with matching bikini bottoms that were scalloped along the edges. I also selected a sheer mid-thigh black kimono with a pretty rose gold flower pattern to go along with it. I could hardly contain my excitement when my owl, Athena, returned with my package. I remember how she cocked her head to the side in confusion and patiently waited for her treats while I went to wash it so I could try it on right away. There was something so seductive and mature about black swimwear. It flattered the figure and shrouded the wearer in a cloak of mystery.

Terry would be joining us later because he had to run an errand earlier today. My parents didn't oppose my outfit choice either and told us to have fun without much concern for our safety. This was for the most part a family event for the cousins and they trusted Terry. A few of Sarika and Shahid's former Hogwarts classmates would also be here.

Speak of the devil…

I was about to summon a basket of limes from the top shelf when a shadow fell over me. I dropped my wand and swallowed hard as the familiar scent of sandalwood and ocean breeze permeated the air. My skimpy bikini now made me feel more naked than confident, but I resisted the urge to tighten my kimono.

"Hey Dev, how's it going?" I casually asked, remembering the promise I'd made to myself on the train ride home after the war. Don't lose your cool…

"How did you know it was me?" he asked with amusement lacing his tone.

"Your aftershave. Or soap? Whatever you use," I admitted as I turned around, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Dev boldly stood at the entrance to the pantry with his hands planted firmly on either side of the doorway, effectively caging me into the small room. He wore a pair of black trunks with a pouncing red dragon design on the right leg. I felt rooted to the spot by his piercing hazel eyes, which had now darkened with desire as they swept up and down my exposed body.

He turned around to furtively glance behind us at my sister who was threading streamers around the gazebo outside. We could faintly hear Sarika hushing Raj upstairs as he wailed in protest of his bedtime.

Dev furrowed his brows in contemplation before the biggest shit-eating grin I had ever seen slowly spread across his face. He promptly stepped into the pantry and slid the door shut behind him. I sharply inhaled as he placed his hands on either side of my head and leaned forward. I could feel waves of heat radiating off of his warm body and couldn't help but notice the chiselled muscles in his biceps and abdomen.

"Well, that didn't last long - not that I was expecting it to," Dev smugly murmured, lifting a hand to gently twist a lock of my hair between his fingers. I felt a mixture of confusion at his words and arousal at his close proximity.

"I can also recognise your scent by the way. You smell like coconut and lilacs. It's intoxicating," he hoarsely continued as his hand dropped from my hair to possessively caress my waist. My breathing became ragged from his musk and bare touch. I could feel heat pooling in my belly.

"What's the matter? I thought you found Kirin more attractive than me," he knowingly chuckled at my distressed disposition and dipped his head to brush his lips against my earlobe. I whined in disagreement at the statement I had spitefully made at my uncle's holiday party a couple of years ago. I knew he would make me regret it. My eyelids began to flutter closed.

"How do you feel about me?" Dev quietly demanded as he moved his head to ghost his lips over mine. Just a millimetre closer…

"I…"

"I'll just help myself to these pakoras!" a shrill voice boomed from the kitchen, cutting me off and causing Dev to jerk away. My eyes snapped back open and panic tore through my body as I immediately recognized the speaker. Pausing for a few seconds to collect myself, I forced a smile onto my face and slid open the door.

Mrs. Sharma, Shahid's nosy and controlling mother, was eating from the platter I had just put together. She wore a bedazzled orange saree and her bright red lipstick was smudged from the half-eaten fish pakora she was holding in her hand.

Sarika's mother-in-law was ten times more annoying than she was and a terrible gossip. She had been especially testy in the last year, because they hadn't named their son Pappu after all. I placed the limes onto the counter and politely greeted her, trying not to cough from her strong perfume.

"Hi Mrs. Sharma, how are those bunions doing? I just went to grab some fresh limes to garnish these pakoras," I calmly explained. Dev emerged from the pantry bearing a disgruntled expression and came to stand beside me. Mrs. Sharma gasped.

"Oooh what is this? You two were alone in the pantry?" She asked suggestively.

"I couldn't find my wand so he kindly helped me to get the limes from a high shelf," I fibbed, remembering I had dropped it inside. I'd get it later.

To my relief, Dev was actually holding the lime basket in his hands. Mrs. Sharma's shoulders slumped as she appeared to reluctantly concede defeat. I took the basket from him and began slicing the limes on the cutting board. Placing a couple of wedges on the side of the platter, I stepped back to admire my handiwork.

"I'm surprised Dev was able to reach them since he's so short, but I guess he's still taller than you. Oh man, my bunions are killing me! Yum, Sarika did a good job with these pakoras. Very tasty, though mine are still better. That girl used to be so bad at cooking, I was worried my Shahid would starve after they got married," she obnoxiously laughed, taking another one. Sometimes, I admittedly felt a bit sorry for my cousin.

"So, how long have you two been together? You make a nice match. I'm sure we'll be hearing wedding bells soon enough?" Mrs. Sharma bluntly asked. My jaw fell slack and Dev triumphantly smirked at me.

"We're NOT together. I'm dating someone else. My boyfriend is running an errand and will come here later," I quickly clarified. Dev's smile immediately vanished and he glowered at me instead. So that's what he meant earlier in the pantry. He thought Terry and I had broken up!

"Oh? What a shame. So then young man, who are you really with?" She questioned Dev.

"Just waiting for the right girl at the right time," Dev shrugged. My lips parted in shock at his familiar words.

I turned to look at him and my heart clenched when I saw the sadness and frustration in his eyes.

"Are the pakoras plated? Oh, they look great! I'll put the platter on the table outside. Hi Mum, here's Raj. Thanks for agreeing to babysit. You need to go now, Shahid will be here any minute!" Sarika exclaimed, briskly walking into the kitchen, handing off a sleeping Raj and ushering her squawking mother-in-law towards the floo.

I made a beeline for the back door and slipped outside to help Parvati with the decorations.

I could feel Dev's sharp gaze on the back of my head.

Notes: Things are getting spicy… :P