I'm Glad For You

The twins sat side by side in the summer sun looking out over the lake, savouring the peacefulness of their surroundings. Padma liked these times with her sister - having spent her childhood virtually inseparable from Parvati, she still found their enforced separation at Hogwarts somewhat strange, even after all these years.

They talked about the news from home: how their father's magical imports business was faring, how their mother was coping with their gran's latest eccentricities and anything else they had gleaned from the weekly owls they received. Then they moved on to lessons and homework, comparing subjects and marks, as they always did when they met up.

They reached a natural pause in the conversation and sat in silence, watching the sunlight dance on the surface of the lake, shimmering and sparkling on the ripples caused by the stones thrown in by a couple of Hufflepuff first years.

After a while, Padma stirred from her reverie and squeezed Parvati's arm gently, as she asked, "So Sis, what's new in Gryffindor Tower?"

"Oh, this and that," replied Parvati vaguely.

But something in her demeanour gave her away: just a little too coy, not meeting her sister's eyes straight away. Padma cocked her head slightly to one side and fixed her sibling with a knowing look.

"Ah, I see," she smiled. "And who is it this time? Not Dean Thomas again, I hope."

Parvati hesitated, shook her head and smiled, more to herself than anyone else.

"No, not Dean," she answered with thinly veiled excitement bubbling in her voice. "It's... It's Ron - Ron Weasley."

"Ron Weasley?"

Padma's heart began to pound inexplicably.

Parvati nodded enthusiastically, her eyes alight. "Oh Padma, he's just so adorable - nice, and good-looking, and considerate - and so romantic too!" she gushed. "We've been seeing each other for a couple of weeks now. He bought me some gorgeous earrings last week, and he says they look beautiful on me, that I'm the most beautiful creature he's ever met. He's just perfect!"

"But Ron?" she queried with a puzzled expression, trying to keep her voice light. "Isn't he still going out with Hermione Granger? From what I heard, they were all set to announce their engagement after they leave school."

A shadow passed over Parvati's face, and she didn't answer straight away, but looked down at her feet.

"It's... um... a bit complicated..." She struggled to find the right words.

"Oh Parvati..." admonished Padma, a note of warning in her voice. "You mean you've started seeing him while he's still with Hermione? Are you sure that's wise?"

"Their relationship has been rocky for quite some time now," Parvati answered by way of justification. "You should see how she treats him in front of the whole common room, Padma - he really doesn't deserve to be constantly put down like that. He deserves to be happy. And maybe I'm the one who can make him happy."

Padma sighed and chose her words carefully, ignoring the knot in her stomach.

"Can't you see you're likely to end up getting hurt here, Sis? If not by Ron, then certainly by the others in your house: you'll be ostracised - Hermione'll see to that. You could end up with no boyfriend and no friends."

Parvati finally looked up at her twin.

"I love him, Padma," she said simply. "I know I always jump in feet first and head after, but this time it's different - it is, really."

Padma returned her sister's gaze and said nothing, but the inner turmoil she was experiencing continued to grow. She wanted to take Parvati by the shoulders and shake some sense into her, but who was she to do that? She was no better herself, really.

After all, hadn't she secretly fancied Ron for years now, since before he'd started going out with Hermione, since before that first Yule Ball even? She'd really thought her luck had changed for the better when Parvati had got them that double date with Ron and Harry. And even though he'd ignored her for most of the evening, she had been walking on air for days afterwards, remembering the touch of his hand on her arm as they walked into the Great Hall together, his endearing awkwardness at those awful dress robes he'd had to wear. She could forgive him that - he had grown up a lot since then. And how.

And hadn't she spent two days solid crying into her pillow when he had finally got together with Hermione? She had known all along that he would go out with Hermione - that one seemed to be written in the stars - but it hadn't eased the pain she felt when it happened. And wasn't she now secretly screaming inside, wishing she were in her sister's shoes? She pictured Ron's arms around her, Ron telling her she was beautiful, and the emotion welling up inside threatened to choke her.

No, she was no better really. Not that any of her dreams were feasible either; house structures and loyalties pretty much put paid to any inter-house relationships, even if Ron did happen to notice her, which he hadn't. And never would, she told herself firmly.

"Ron is the most wonderful man I've ever met," Parvati continued, the fervour evident in her voice. "He's got so much going for him - he needs encouragement, not being told his faults all the time. He's kind, thoughtful, loving. And so strong and tall - when he puts his arms around me, I feel protected, safe. Does that make sense?"

Padma nodded slowly, as she took a deep breath and fixed a smile on her face. It felt rigid and false, like some ill-fitting mask she knew she had to wear.

"It does. It's good to see that sparkle back in your eyes, Sis," she said as she leaned forward to hug Parvati. "If Ron is half as perfect as you say he is, then I'm glad for you."

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