To be Normal

Parvati was waiting on the steps in front of the Ministry when Harry approached. He'd rarely seen her in Muggle clothing before, she looked lovely. She wore black pants and high-heels, and she had tied a colourful embroidered scarf around her hips. Her jacket was purple and matched the scarf.

"Hi," Harry said. "Lovely evening isn't it?" Parvati agreed, smiling brightly. They decided to walk down the street and find a nice place to eat. Neither of them were familiar with the area yet, but they could see many "restaurant"-signs, and other people there.

They didn't have to walk far, one of the first ones they saw was a nice place that looked quite popular. The name contained a few weird letters, and neither of them could figure out how to pronounce it. They walked inside, it was warm and pleasant. The smell of food that lingered in the air was delicious, Harry instantly felt hungry. They got a table, and started flipping through the menu. They agreed that chicken with salad and rice seemed like a good, simple choice. While waiting for their food Parvati told him more about her year in India.

"My entire family went, we were very fortunate to have that opportunity. My dad runs his own business, but he doesn't have to be present all the time, he took a trip back once a month. He's quite successful actually, he started a restaurant in London when he was in his twenties, now he owns three in the area. Before you ask, no, I have not inherited his skills with food." Harry laughed. "We stayed with my sister's family. She's ten years older than me and Padma, and her husband is from India. He used to live next to my grandparents, so they'd known each other since they were kids. Their house is quite big, so it was no problem really. My sister, Aparna, was happy to have us there, she had just had her second child. Her daughter was three at the time, and quite a handful, but very sweet. I really miss her now."

"Sounds like you had a good time, I stayed with Ron and Hermione in my parents old house during the war," Harry said.

"Yeah, I did. I'm sorry about Ron, I know he was a great friend to you. I can't believe how much misery you've had to endure. When we sit like this and talk, it's really hard to remember that you are the one they write about in the papers, and the hero of our country." Parvati gave him a sad look, and seemed to have trouble finding the right words. The arrival of their dinner was a welcome distraction.

"This looks delicious, it's one of my favourites, even if it's not very fancy," Harry said with a smile. Parvati nodded in agreement. They didn't talk much while they ate, only occasional small-talk about their work at the Ministry. When they finished it turned into reminiscing about their days at Hogwarts.

"One can say many things about Umbridge, but if it wasn't for her Hermione would never have though of the DA. It's one of the things that stick out when I think back, I had a great time there. And made a lot of friends too," Harry said.

"Yeah, the DA was very interesting, and I would have failed Defence miserably without it," Parvati agreed.

"You did well there, remember when you reduced the table carrying all the Sneakoscopes to dust?"

"I had a brilliant teacher," Parvati said, her eyes twinkled brightly, mirroring the flickering light from the candle.

"Thanks." The compliment warmed his heart. "I also remember a little girl who was convinced that I was as good as dead in third-year," he continued. Parvati giggled, a little embarrassed.

"Anyone other than you would have been by now. That's really the problem with Divination, there's always room for interpretation, nothing's definite."

Harry proceeded to tell her more about what he was up to in school, a lot had to be kept silent for his own and others' safety then, but now he was free to tell her everything he wanted.

When they realised that it was getting late they apparated to Parvati's house. It was small, and part of a village nestled in a valley. Harry stood in the garden in front of the house and admired the nature around.

"You see that small mountain over there?" Parvati pointed at a round peak slightly higher than the rest. "The people in the village seem very fond of it, they have a path going up to the top. It starts near here." She pointed to the edge of the forest. "I see people there all the time, especially on Sundays. I was thinking of going up there myself sometime. Would you like to come with me?"

"Sure, it would be nice. I've wanted to go for a walk in the forest myself," Harry said.

"Great, maybe you can come over on Saturday? We can get an early start then, around twelve?" Parvati asked.

"Sounds perfect, I'll see you then." Harry waved and apparated home.

Friday went by like a wind, everyone in Harry's office were busy. Harry was out nearly all day. When he got home he was exhausted. He couldn't be bothered to cook anything, even with the help of magic. A few days earlier he bought a pizza that he could just put right in the oven. He was rather pleased with the result too, it was surprisingly tasteful. He ended up falling asleep in front of the TV early, after discovering that there was nothing good on anyway. The last thing he remembered doing before he dozed of was cursing the rain that started pouring down. Hopefully it wouldn't last.

Parvati was already waiting in the tiny garden when he arrived. Both of them had done their best to find comfortable clothes and shoes to walk in. The weather had been lovely again when he left, and according to Parvati it hadn't rained at all in her area. They set of, happily chatting. They were both strongly reminded of the Care of Magical Creatures class when they smelled the fresh air between the tall trees.

After a while they reached a clearing, Parvati's house was visible from there. Parvati sat down on a rock, and ran her fingers over the moss.

"This is a really fascinating country, I feel so free and inspired. When I get home I might have to sit down and write a poem. It's a useful way of preserving memories, like pictures," she said.

"You like poetry? I didn't know that, I'd love to read some, even though I'm not usually into it myself."

"I'm sort of shy about it, I usually don't let people read it. I'll consider it," Parvati said. "I'm not really a great writer, but I enjoy it from time to time, my poems are usually short though."

"Like haikus?," Harry asked jokingly. Parvati giggled.

"Not that short." Parvati got up, and continued walking.

The last part of the path was so narrow, they had to walk in line. Harry was in front, so he was the first to notice that they'd reached the top.

"We're almost there," he said, then grabbed Parvati's hand. They both jogged the last fifty feet. Then they stopped short, amazed by the view. They could see Parvati's tiny house, and the place where they entered the forest an hour earlier. A lake lay stretched out, and they could see the river leading the water into it, and a couple of small boats. Harry turned to look at Parvati. Her hair was slightly damp, and she was breathing heavily from the long walk up there. Her cheeks were blushing red in the wind, and she looked very cute.

The moment was so perfect, before Harry had time to think he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. He looked into her eyes for a second, then both started laughing with excitement and let go of each other's hands.

"It's beautiful," Parvati breathed. For a while neither said anything, they just enjoyed the view. Then the chilling wind started creeping through their clothes. Harry felt his body shiver a little.

"It's getting cold, maybe we should get back?" Harry suggested. Parvati turned and looked down the path to where they started. She let out a small sigh.

"Apparate?" Parvati suggested. Harry laughed at her.

"Yeah," he said, and a moment later they were standing outside her house again.

"I had a great time, but now I really need a shower," Parvati said. "I usually have lunch around eleven o'clock, maybe I'll meet you on Monday?"

"I'll try to make it, I had a great time too," Harry responded, smiling. Parvati turned and started walking towards the door. Harry followed her with his eyes for a moment before he went home.

Harry didn't have time to meet her on Monday, right before lunch they got a call. Tuomas was in and answered the phone.

"Vittujen kevät!" Harry raised an eyebrow, didn't take a genius to figure out that what he said wasn't pretty. "We have a rather large job on our hands. A store in Copenhagen that sells shoes has gotten loads of complaints because their shoes seem to shrink when walked in. Several people has had to cut their shoes off. The store-owner's best guess is that he pissed someone off, and the cursed all his shoes. I think we're both needed here."

They didn't get back until before it was nearly time to go home. They only had time to file the paperwork. The next day Harry went to lunch as early as he could. Parvati showed up at precisely eleven. Harry quickly explained why he hadn't been there the day before.

"I see, I thought you just blew me off," she said, laughing, although somewhat nervously. Harry assured her that he would do no such thing, hoping that she wouldn't bring up the dreaded Yule Ball they went to together. He still felt bad about spending most of the night with Ron, looking at other girls. He'd been astonishingly stupid back then.

"You know, I've lived here for more than two months now, and I still have to spend an hour in the store when I'm shopping for grocery. Yesterday it took me forever just to find spaghetti, toothpaste and juice," Harry said, Parvati giggled.

"I have the same problem, and I worry when I'm going to try something new. Who knows what animal the meat's from! I don't think I've eaten dog-food yet though, but that's always my main concern." They continued talking until they realized it was time for work.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner sometime? I have spaghetti, at least I'm pretty sure I do," Harry said with a grin.

"That would be nice, I have to work late this week, how about Friday?"

"Since you don't know where I live, I'll come pick you up."

"Okay." Parvati got up. "I'll see you then."

"Bye," he said.

Harry knocked on her door the following evening, and Parvati opened at once.

"Hi," she said brightly. "Why don't you step inside for a moment?" Harry followed her into the warm living room. She told him to make himself comfortable, then headed for the bathroom. Her house was very different from his own house, smaller and more colourful. The walls were painted red, and she had several decorative lamps that Harry was sure had to be from India. There weren't much furniture in the room, it was a small space after all, but she had a rather large couch with a table in front that looked very comfortable. In the corner he spotted a tiny TV. Before he had time to look any further Parvati returned, she was wearing a low-cut green sweater, and a beige skirt. Her gold necklace and bracelets had green stones on them.

"You look lovely, are you ready to go? I should get back to the kitchen," Harry said, beaming.

"Thanks." Her smile widened. "Yeah, I'm ready." He took her hand and they disappeared. In a moment they were both standing in Harry's living room. The contrast between this room and the one they just left was huge. The walls were cold and white, and although he had more furniture he didn't have a lot of stuff to put on them. He brought some from Godric's Hollow, a few plants and pillows, but wasn't enough. He also put a lot of pictures up on the wall, most of them were moving. Parvati walked over to admire one of Harry's parents, it was taken on their wedding day. Harry had put it over the couch and felt comfort in watching them hug each other while waving at him.

"Are those... your parents?" Parvati asked in a low voice. Harry nodded. "I'm so sorry. They look incredibly happy."

"Yeah, they do," Harry answered, then changed the subject. "My place looks so empty and cold compared to yours. I don't really know what to do with it."

"I'm sure it will be great, you know, once you've settled in properly."

"I was considering getting a cat, I'm so used to Crookshanks now, it feels weird without him," Harry said.

"That would be nice, you might want to think about finding one that's a little bit cuter though." Harry laughed.

"I'll go get the dinner ready, you just make yourself comfortable." He gestured to the couch. Then he flicked his wand at the table and plates, glasses and cutlery appeared. Harry was thankful that Hermione taught him that one.

A few minutes later Harry came back with the spaghetti. Parvati was still looking at the pictures.

"What would you like to drink? I have water, coke and a bottle of wine."

"How about water with dinner, and then a glass of wine after?" Parvati suggested.

"Sounds great," Harry agreed. A moment later he came back with a mug filled with water in one hand, and a bottle in the other. "I don't know anything about wine, but I picked this up today at that place they sell alcohol, the Vinmonopoly or something. The lady who worked there recommended it. It's quite weak I think, but I'm not that used to alcohol anyway."

"I'm sure it's fine." Parvati took the bowl of spaghetti he held out to her.

Afterwards Harry cleared the table with another flick of his wand, again sending a silent thank-you to Hermione. He poured them each a glass of the red liquid, and carefully took a sip. He discovered that it didn't taste bad as long as he drank it slowly.

"So, when do you think the first snow is going to fall?" Parvati asked.

"It should be pretty soon, it's nearly December. I'm starting to see Santa Claus all over the place now." Parvati nodded.

"Yeah, yesterday I bought some candy at the store, a Santa made out of chocolate, and a fat white marzipan pig. They also have big cases of soda with very christmasy labels. I tried a bottle of that too, it was really good."

"Wow, you are getting brave, I haven't explored that much. My biggest discovery's that a Grandiosa is a perfectly good meal after a long day at work," Harry said.

"Really, what's that?"

"A pizza, you've seen them, the yellow boxes."

"Yeah, I think I have. They seem popular," Parvati said.

After several more laughs and half-way into the second glass they decided to turn on the TV, Harry switched through the channels, as usual on Fridays it was hard to find anything good. They ended up watching a comedy about two women going to their high school reunion, and by the time they flew off in the geek's helicopter, Parvati was leaning on Harry's shoulder. He turned his head to look at her, and when she noticed, she turned too. Parvati placed her hand lightly on his cheek and lifted herself up to kiss him. The kiss lasted for a while, then Parvati got up.

"It's getting late, I should get home now," she said, then stifled a yawn.

"Okay, it was nice to have you around, I hope we can do it again sometime."

"I'd like that, good night." Parvati vanished.

Over the next weeks they got together as often as possible, and they grew steadily more comfortable with one another. They watched a few more movies, better ones, they went sightseeing in Oslo, and had dinner together.

Late one night it started snowing. Harry walked outside, after looking at the snow falling for a minute, he apparated to Parvati's house. She looked confused when she opened her door. Harry grabbed her hand, and a moment later they were both standing on Harry's balcony.

"I wanted you to see this," he said. She smiled, shivering slightly in the cold. Harry put his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close, giving her a little bit of his warmth. He leaned over and kissed her, their lips where cold and wet from the tiny snowflakes. Afterwards he brought her home again and bid her a good night with pleasant dreams.

The next morning an owl came to his window while he was preparing some cocoa to warm himself up. He let it in and removed the tiny note.

"My house, 7 o'clock?

White clouds above

So frail

The mountain

Solid beneath

In between

Two souls

So fragile

One kiss

Promising

-Paro"

He went over to her house at precisely seven that evening, but he had to wait a while for her to open the door. When they were walking into her kitchen she asked him:

"Did you get my owl?" Harry smiled at her nervous expression.

"Yeah, I did. It was beautiful, and so true to what you said about preserving special memories." Her face lit up in relief. "I was surprised though, I though you didn't want me to see it?"

"It was time."

They were standing close together in the narrow kitchen. Harry lifted his hand and let his fingers run through her long hair. For once it was hanging freely, with only a thin braid on the right side of her face. His hand came to rest on her curvy hip. He pulled her as close as possible, and kissed her on her forehead. She lifted her head so their lips could meet instead, and the kiss was very soft, but seemed to last forever. She lowered her head again so she could kiss his chin, then his neck while her arms wrapped around his waist.

"What about dinner," Harry muttered, not that he really cared.

"It's only a salad, it can wait," she told him, and let her lips find his again, like she wanted to shut him up. Her hands found their way under his shirt and slowly stroked his back, while his came down to the back of her jeans.

She took a step back and her fingers found the top button in his shirt. It came undone, so did another one and a third. She leaned in to kiss the exposed skin. Harry pulled the shirt off over his head and it landed on a convenient chair next to him. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her top slightly upwards, he didn't dare take it off, it was so tight, but she took the hint and removed it herself. They moved closer once more, gently caressing each other's soft skin.

After a long, deep kiss Parvati grabbed Harry's hand, and lead the way into her bedroom. Most of the space was covered by her bed. Parvati let go of him and walked over to her bedside table, she pulled out a small bottle from the drawer, and drank all the pink liquid inside. Then she lay down on the bed. Harry joined her. Slowly they exposed more of each other, and discovered increasingly more intimate spots, while the soft sheets and cold air teased their skin.

Harry tried to do what came naturally, hunting down evil wizards had consumed the time normally spent on exploring the opposite sex, so he was unfamiliar with the sensations he now felt. Thankfully he felt at ease in Parvati's presence. She seemed a little awkward too sometimes, not really knowing where to put her hands. Harry found great comfort in that, kind of like they were on the same level. When he saw his own pleasure mirrored in her eyes, he was sure that it was impossible to be any happier.