Parvati Prevails

Chapter Nine: Serpents' Spell

And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I would like to say to you

But I don't know how

Because maybe

You're gonna be the one that saves me

Parvati's head rested against the cool glass as she watched the lush grounds of Malfoy Manor speeding away from her. The carriage rose into the cloudless sky, where the stars winked mockingly at her. Parvati sighed a small, defeated sigh. She'd always suspected that deep down underneath all that bubbly self-confidence that she was an idiot, and here was the proof.

What a fool I am. What a complete and utter fool.

She had been blinded, that was for sure. How disgustingly cliché it sounded. But she'd been so flattered by the attention that Parvati hadn't seriously wanted to consider the motives behind Draco's actions.

Why are you with me?

Because you let me.

He'd even said as much himself, but it was only now that she understood the real meaning of those words.

Parvati undid the clasp at the back of her neck and allowed the beautiful green and silver pendant to slip into her palm. Looking around for somewhere to put it, she suddenly realised that her handbag had been left behind. Angrily, she tossed the necklace onto the seat beside her, as far away as possible.

So stupid. Now she was without both a wand and lip gloss. Parvati was desperately in need of comfort, preferably of the chocolate kind. She remembered sharing hot chocolate at midnight in the kitchens with Harry, and wanted more than ever to burst into tears. He had been right about Draco all along; how could she ever face him again? He'd be sympathetic and pity her as well, and that made it all the more difficult to deal with.

Curled up against the window, Parvati considered that it wouldn't be such a bad thing if the journey were to last forever and she wouldn't have to return to school at all.

No such luck. Parvati wasn't really surprised; Luck was in a bit of a bitch with her lately it seemed. It was unfair, what had she ever done to deserve all this? Unless a lack of common sense was some sort of crime, in which case she should have been locked up a long time ago.

As the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts came into view, Parvati resigned herself to the inevitable. At least, she thought morosely as she climbed out of the carriage, she didn't have to talk to anyone until the next morning. Right now she could just crawl into her comfortably warm bed and pretend the whole miserable night had never happened.

However, all plans to fall straight into bed were suspended as Parvati reached the first floor landing. She was about to start up the second staircase when she heard a voice calling out from behind her, 'Stupefy!'

That was the last thing her mind registered before the whole world went blank.

*

Pansy stayed in the entrance hall as Parvati climbed into the Malfoy's carriage, watching it take off and speed away into the night. When she turned back, Draco had appeared with Blaise hot on his heels.

'She's just left,' informed Pansy, not without a tinge of satisfaction.

'Why didn't you stop her?' asked Draco.

'Why didn't you?' she retorted.

'It's alright. I don't think she's going to tell anyone, Draco.' Blaise placed her hands on her curved hips, as if this emphasised her point when really it only made her look stupidly melodramatic.

'Is that what you think?' said Pansy scornfully. 'It's not like you have the dirt on her, Blaise. Everything Parvati Patil does and more besides is school-wide knowledge. Not that I would bet half of it is true.'

'I meant,' Blaise sneered, 'that she won't get a chance to say anything to anyone.'

'What the hell are you talking about?' asked Pansy.

'Well, I happen to know that a certain stalker of hers is going to make a move tonight.'

'What stalker?' asked Draco impatiently.

'You mean you don't know? Where have you been?' Pansy asked, surprised. 'Everyone knows about that!'

'You're really useless sometimes, you know,' added Blaise.

'Shut up or explain, Zabini,' hissed Draco.

'Your little girlfriend is being stalked.'

'Since when?'

'Since you guys started "going out".' Blaise allowed herself an amused smile. 'Everyone seems to think it's me.'

'Is it?' asked Pansy curiously.

'Of course not!' said Blaise, unimpressed. 'I would never do anything so tasteless.'

'Of course not...' agreed Pansy dryly, earning a glare from the other girl.

'But what does this stalker have to do with anything?' asked Draco impatiently.

'I'm getting there, alright, calm down. Anyway, Patil-Parvati, that is, not Padma.'

'I KNOW WHICH ONE, BLAISE!' Draco fumed.

'See, I'm not sure you do,' she purred in reply. 'After all, didn't you tell your father she was Padma?'

'Did you?' exclaimed Pansy.

'Padma's Ravenclaw,' said Draco shortly. 'She would have been safe.'

'You really do like her.' The tone of Pansy's voice was mostly astonished, and only a little bit sad.

'Draco genuinely liking someone? Impossible, Pansy.'

'Get to the point, Blaise,' said Draco. 'Is Parvati in danger?'

'She's been getting these letters. Death threats, mostly. Telling her to stay away from Draco Malfoy.'

Pansy rolled her eyes. 'Maybe the stalker was just a friend with good advice.'

'I don't think so,' Blaise inspected her nails. 'Friends don't plan to kidnap and kill each other. Unless you're talking about our friends. Anyway, I did a little research.'

Pansy and Draco exchanged significant looks. They both knew all too well that Blaise's research methods rarely involved the usual subtle means of blackmail or bribery, but rather evil seductive techniques.

'And?'

'This stalker is a psycho. She's seriously off her rocker, you have no idea-'

'Who is it?' cried Draco and Pansy together.

'That Hufflepuff, Hannah Abbot.' Blaise shuddered. 'She's in love with Ernie McMillan.'

*

Ginny walked quickly and silently through the empty hallways of the school. She knew that her Prefect's badge allowed her to stay out after curfew, but thanks to Fred and George, Filch had little patience for any of the Weasley clan regardless of whether they were breaking school rules or not. Better to make it back to Gryffindor tower without running into the horrible git.

Just as Ginny rounded the corner at a steady pace, she collided painfully into someone who was clearly in more of a hurry than she was. The unfortunate meeting resulted in both parties sprawled ungracefully in a heap on the floor.

'Weasley? What are you doing here?'

'Malfoy!' squawked Ginny. 'Get off me!'

In one graceful movement, Draco backed off and stood towering above her. Ginny was forced to help herself up.

'You know, most decent people would apologise,' she said witheringly.

'I guess that's why you haven't said sorry yet.'

'I'm not going to stand here and listen to you, Malfoy, you're not worth my time.'

She hadn't gone more than three steps before Draco called out, 'Ginny!'

Ginny stopped and looked back out of shock. A second later she gathered herself and said slowly, 'Don't call me that.'

'Look, have you seen Parvati?'

'Why should I tell you?'

'Well other than the fact that her life is currently in danger, no real reason,' snarled Draco.

'Why should I believe you?' asked Ginny.

'Why would I make something like this up?'

'Because you're Draco Malfoy?' she suggested, eyebrow raised in contempt.

'Oh. True,' he conceded.

Ginny's eyes turned to the ceiling expressively.

'Just forget it,' Draco muttered, and left.

When he was halfway down the stairs, she started to run after him. She didn't know what was possessing her, but Ginny was a Weasley and calling her impulsive would have been a great understatement.

'Malfoy! Wait!'

He looked up. 'Why should I?'

In between gasping she asked, 'What's going on?'

'My girlfriend-well, ex-girlfriend, has apparently been kidnapped or is going to be kidnapped-'

'Ex?' asked Ginny confusedly. 'Wait, what happened?'

'It's a long story I don't have time for,' Draco snapped. 'I'm this close to strangling your pretty little neck, Weasley. Now tell me if you know where she might be, or fuck off.'

'I-I don't know,' answered Ginny, eyes wide. 'But we should check Gryffindor tower.'

*

Harry was surprised when he stepped out of the portrait hole and came face to face with a rather out of breath Ginny, and a Draco Malfoy looking daggers at him. Which wasn't really all that unusual, but you didn't often see the two together.

'Harry!' cried Ginny. 'Parvati's in trouble.'

'What?' exclaimed Harry.

'We've got to find her!' said Ginny urgently.

'Oh, way to state the obvious,' drawled Malfoy.

'In trouble?' echoed Harry. 'Is she in the school?'

Ginny looked towards Draco, who said, 'Most likely.'

'Hold on.' Harry turned and disappeared back through the portrait hole.

'Has Harry the Hero gone to collect his mighty sword, now?' Draco inquired nastily.

'Maybe,' said Ginny, biting her lip anxiously. 'But it is quite big, it'd probably slow him down in this kind of situation.'

'What? You mean he actually has his own fucking sword?'

'Well, actually it's Godric Gryffindor's sword.'

'Right,' said Draco blankly. 'Of course. And so now, with Godric Gryffindor's sword, he's going to rescue my girlfriend?'

'Ex,' reminded Ginny distractedly.

At that moment Harry reappeared, a scroll of parchment in hand.

'And that would be...?' asked Draco.

'Map of Hogwarts,' Harry replied.

'How does it work, Harry?' asked Ginny.

'It's a map, Weasley,' drawled Draco.

'It shows where everything and everyone is in the school.' Harry explained. 'Why is Parvati in the dungeons? With Hannah Abbott?'

'Potions dungeons?' questioned Draco, frowning.

'No, other end of the school. No one ever goes there.'

'Hannah? She's the stalker?' Ginny exclaimed. 'Why would she-?'

'She's in love with McMillan, apparently.'

'Let's go,' said Harry grimly, leading them towards the stairs.

'Who put you in charge, Potter?' challenged Draco.

'You're not helping, Malfoy,' said Ginny. 'He's got the map.'

'Oh, I'm sorry, I hadn't realised he has the map-'

'Can't you stop being a smug, arrogant bastard just for two seconds? Or is that really too much to ask?'

'Could you guys shut up?' asked Harry, ahead of them.

'No,' said Draco defiantly.

'Well, if you can't stop bickering, at least come up with a cover story while you're at it, in case a teacher catches us.'

'It doesn't matter, we're all Prefects anyway. Oh, except for you, Potter-'

'Harry, don't listen to him! He's just bitter,' said Ginny viciously. 'I'm sure getting dumped would put anyone in a bad mood, Malfoy, but it doesn't explain your behaviour all the rest of the time.'

Harry stopped suddenly in his tracks. 'What?'

'Come on, Potter!' snarled Draco, as Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him along after them. The three hurried down the darkened corridor where there were no torches to light the way, their footsteps echoing loudly on the stones.

*

'It's here,' said Harry when they reached the last door.

'What are you waiting for, Weasley?' asked Draco, who was standing behind Ginny.

Ginny glared at him, and grabbed the handle.

No one expected it to be hexed. As soon as Ginny's fingers touched the door, the rest of her was forced backwards, knocking into Draco, as the two of them flew into the opposite wall. They were both unconscious; Harry only had time to check that they were still breathing before he heard yelling from inside.

Entering warily, Harry saw the long walkway stretching onwards. He started to run.

*

Parvati awoke to find herself tied up in a dimly-lit dungeon, predictably. It was freezing, and not particularly comfortable because her nose was really itching quite badly and dammit, she knew she should have picked the other dress! Of course Parvati was aware that choosing the most inappropriate footwear, clothing items or accessories would always come back to bite her in the ass, but still she stubbornly refused to wear anything sensible. It was tempting Fate, not that Fate needed much tempting anyway because she was a hateful slut who got off on other people's pain and...Shit, thought Parvati. Padma was right: too much dessert really did put her in a bad mood.

Parvati saw shadows flickering around the corner and a moment later someone entered the dungeon, carrying a wand.

'Hannah?' she cried in surprise. 'Hey, is this some sort of joke? Because it really isn't funny. Listen, I've had a really bad day if you could please let me out now-'

'Shut up, SHUT UP!' screamed Hannah quite suddenly. 'You're such a selfish bitch! Can't you stop thinking about yourself for ONE SECOND?'

Parvati gaped at her.

'Wh-what? You...you're the stalker?'

'Finally figured it out? Took you long enough.'

'B-b-but...what? Why?'

'Because,' said Hannah coldly. 'I hate you.'

Parvati's head was hurting. This was all a little too much for her to process in one evening...

'What have I ever done to you?'

'EXACTLY!' spat Hannah. 'What have you ever done to me? Nothing, NOTHING! Do you even notice that other people are alive, and that they have feelings? No, you're so wrapped in your own life, you don't even care that people are in love with you!'

'You're in love with me?' she exclaimed, shocked.

'What? No!'

'Oh.' Parvati couldn't help but feel a little relieved. That would have been a very awkward situation indeed, seeing as she was currently tied up and without a wand...

'Everyone thinks you're so bloody perfect,' said Hannah in disgust.

'I'm really not-'

'I KNOW THAT! DO YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?'

Parvati was starting to get a little bit scared. 'Er...listen, Hannah, I think you've got the wrong idea here. Not everyone is in love with me, okay?'

'Yes they are,' Hannah retorted. 'You're gorgeous, and people are always laughing at your jokes-'

'Okay, well I'll give you that first one,' Parvati conceded. 'BUT...people laugh at me because I do really stupid things...'

'They still don't care. They still love you...'

'Who? Name one person.'

'Draco Malfoy. Harry Potter. Ernie...'

If Parvati hadn't been firmly tied onto the chair she would have fallen off in surprise.

'Draco definitely doesn't love me. Harry...no. Er, no. Ernie...well, let's just say he's an idiot if he hasn't noticed how wonderful you are. He doesn't love me. He doesn't even know me.'

Hannah looked as if she might cry. 'He does love you. He's written poems and songs for you. Pages and pages in his book, I've seen it.'

Parvati fought the urge to shudder. She wondered how she had gotten herself into this ridiculous mess. Because this was a fairly big crisis, not the usual dilemmas of losing her favourite handbag or failing History of Magic. No, this was BIG. She was actually trapped in a dungeon with a barmy person who had a lot of anger and wanted to hurt her. How often did that kind of thing happen...? Potions lessons with Snape notwithstanding.

She considered her options. Nobody knew that she had returned to school early except the Slytherins, but they were in Malfoy Manor anyway and if they'd known they most likely would have been glad of it. That meant her friends definitely wouldn't notice she was missing, since they were all expecting her to return much later that night. It seemed hopeless.

Well...if no one was going to save her, then she had no other choice but to try and save herself, right?

Parvati figured her best bet was to distract Hannah with her talking and...no, wait, she needed a wand for that. Fuck.

If I ever get out of here alive, I'm making the DA take Muggle self defence courses. And even though I'm not in charge, I'm TOTALLY kicking Hannah's ass out anyway.

'It was killing him to see you with that snotty shithead, Malfoy. Did you know he stopped eating? And sleeping? After he found out about you and Malfoy, there were hundreds more songs and poems...I listened to all of them.'

Parvati was reminded of why she didn't go out with artistic-type guys, no matter how fit they were. Talk about overly emotional.

'That wasn't as bad as when he broke his ukulele, though.'

It would have sounded so much more impressive if Ernie had broken his guitar. Did he even have a guitar, though?

Hannah was starting to get slightly teary...Maybe...just possibly...she could talk her way out of this. Parvati reckoned she had quite good people skills when she could be bothered. Seeing as Hannah's well-being was now directly linked to her own, that was enough to make her care. And Parvati was quite skilled at manipulating others to make them do what she wanted, too.

'I thought I could help him. I thought, if he only had you, then everything would be all right. You could make him happy...'

'I wouldn't make Ernie happy,' she told Hannah. 'He thinks he's in love with me, maybe. But he just likes the way I look. That's all most people like.'

'Isn't that...horrible?'

Parvati attempted a dejected shrug. 'Well, I get free chocolate from Honeydukes when the guys are working there.'

Hannah sniffled. She was definitely in Hufflepuff for a reason. No, it wasn't Hufflepuff stupidity (well, possibly in Hannah's case), but sensitivity and empathy. Yeah, Parvati didn't really understand that selfless kind of thing, but she did know how to use it.

'Forget him, he's not worth it,' she said gently.

'He's my best friend,' choked Hannah. 'And he doesn't even know...'

'So let him know! Do something to completely stun him. Start going out with other people! Actually, start going out with Slytherins...'

'Or not,' said Hannah.

'Yeah, it's probably better that you don't...Oooh!' squealed Parvati, suddenly hit with inspiration. 'I know! We'll give you a makeover! I mean, you're pretty enough, but you'll look amazing afterwards, trust me. Makeovers fix all my problems.'

'Really?'

'Well no, not really. But they make you feel loads better.'

Hannah burst into loud sobs and threw her arms around Parvati in an unexpected hug. 'I'm so sorry for tying you up! And the notes, and stuff...' she hiccuped. 'I just get so crazy sometimes...'

'Er, yeah, I understand,' Parvati gasped. 'PMS and all that...It's a real bitch.'

Hannah pulled back and flicked her wand. The ropes fell off, allowing Parvati to stretch her arms.

'Thank god, that really hurt.'

'I'm so sorry,' said Hannah tearfully. 'I feel so bad now-'

'Stupefy!'

Hannah dropped to the floor and Parvati swivelled around. Harry stood in the entrance of the dungeon, wand outstretched.

His presence was so unexpected that for a moment all she could do was stand and stare in shock. Then she breathed a sigh of relief. A wave of inexplicable comfort was washing over her...crazy, how calm she felt now. Was it entirely wise to feel so safe with a boy who was constantly being hunted by Death Eaters? Parvati couldn't say why, but she certainly thought so at that moment.

'Harry!'

Parvati was walking hurriedly towards him when she tripped over what felt like invisible string; there was a flash of bright light as ground opened up. Harry rushed forwards but didn't reach her in time, and she fell.

Quite a deep pit had formed in the centre of the dungeon, Harry could see the vague outline of Parvati lying at the very bottom.

'Are you okay?'

'I don't think so!' shrieked Parvati. 'Omigod!'

'What is it?' asked Harry. 'Hold on a second...Lumos!'

The light from his wand illuminated just exactly what Parvati was crying about. There, right in the pit, were about half a dozen hissing snakes, all on the verge of advancing angrily.

Parvati screamed. 'Get me out of here!'

Harry was already jumping. He landed hard, and stumbled into Parvati, so that they both ended up sprawled on the floor with limbs in odd places. Not that either of them had time to register the fact, because just then Harry turned to the snakes and uttered what sounded like: Sssss Sssssssssss!

It sent a shiver down Parvati's spine to hear it. She had to admit that partly, Parseltongue was very sexy...but mostly it was just plain creepy.

The snakes retreated to the other end of the pit and stayed there like obedient, well-trained dogs. It was unnerving to see how much control Harry had over them.

'I think.' Harry bit his lip. 'My leg isn't going to function properly.'

'Is it broken?' asked Parvati fretfully.

'Not sure...'

'Levitate us up, first. Away from...them.'

'You know they won't hurt you anymore.'

'I don't care!' she spluttered. 'Please...just...I really don't like snakes...Please...'

Once they were safely on ground level again, Harry found he wasn't able to stand up straight and had to lean on Parvati.

'We'll have to get you to the hospital wing,' she told him. 'Merlin, this is awful.'

'It's alright, it's not like this has never happened to me before,' shrugged Harry. 'Still hurts like hell, though...'

'When have you hurt your leg before? I don't remember that.'

'Yeah, during fourth year. Actually, Ron broke his leg in third year and...Oh yeah...Ferula.'

Bandages sprung out of thin air and wrapped themselves around Harry's leg. Parvati recoiled slightly, looking nervous.

'That's right...you don't like Mummies much either,' he said, faintly amused. 'What else are you afraid of?'

'Um, bad hair days?' Parvati deflected the question with a joke, and quickly changed the subject. 'What are we going to do with Hannah? I can't believe you stunned her.'

'I can't believe she sent you death threats and kidnapped you. What happened?'

'She's...a little bit confused. A lot confused.'

'And that's why she wanted to kill you?'

'Yes...she's also REALLY insane. I think she needs serious help. Or some hormone control potions!'

Harry made a face. 'I'm not even going to ask. Don't wake her, just to be safe. I'm not sure we should trust someone who can set trap jinxes like this one,' he said, gesturing towards the pit. 'You should have seen what happened to Malfoy and Ginny.'

'What?' exclaimed Parvati. 'They came with you? Where are they?'

'Outside...we'd better hurry, I think they're okay but I'm really not too sure.'

As quickly as they could, Harry and Parvati left the dungeon and headed back towards the entrance.