In Another World

Chapter Five: The Kidnap
 
Parvati was nervous. She had sent a note to Kodac to meet her by the tree at the lake. She hoped he would come.
 
There he was. He was coming down the steps. Kodac walked to the tree. Parvati’s heart slammed against her ribs.
 
“Hello, Parvati,” Kodac greeted her.
 
“Hello, Kodac,” Parvati replied. She shifted her weight uncomfortably. “Um, students are allowed to visit the village on weekends. Would you like to come to dinner sometime?” she asked.
 
“Sure, Parvati. I’d love to have dinner with you sometime,” Kodac answered. She looks so cute when she’s nervous, Kodac suddenly thought. What? Did I think that? I’m a knight, for crying out loud! Not to mention a gentleman.

 
“Parvati, you’ll be fine!” Lavender said exasperatedly. She was helping her friend get ready for her date.
 
Parvati scowled for a second. She was wearing a light blue robe she had found at Gladrags. She had put her hair up in an elegant bun at the back of her head. She didn’t care much for makeup, but she did put some blush on her cheeks. Lavender had snorted at this.
 
“But…” Parvati started, when Lavender interrupted.

 
Kodac tightened his bow tie. He was dressed in an exquisite tuxedo that he always had with him in his knapsack. Of course, he had to smooth out the wrinkles, but that was a simple matter. He pulled on his jacket. After checking the position of his sword (which he wore at all times, save bathing and sleeping), he combed his hair again. He was nervous. He thought back to the meeting with the king the day before he went into the cave.
 
“Sir Kodac, do you know why I called you here?” King Abers said without preamble.
 
“No, sir, I do not know why you called me here,” Kodac replied with courtesy.
 
King Abers looked a little uncomfortable. He then explained, “I called you here to tell that, if you wish, I would consent for you to marry my daughter, Princess Rose. If not, then I would wish that you stand by her at all times and become her knight.”
 
Kodac thought this over. He looked up when the king spoke again, “Of course, you may think about it awhile before you answer. I am getting old, and would dearly like someone like you to rule in my place. I am very fond of you, Sir Kodac.”
 
Kodac bowed. “Thank, my lord. I would like to think about it a while. By your leave, Your Highness,” Kodac replied. He turned on his heel and walked out of the throne room. He stopped at the door when the King called down to him.
 
“Think it over, Kodac. I find that I love you like a son, and would like an answer as soon as you have it,” Abers said warmly. Kodac bowed again, and walked out the door.

 
“Draco,” Lucius called. Draco turned to find his father at the top of the stairs. “Could I have a word with you? Alone?” his father looked at Crabbe and Goyle. Draco nodded at them, and they stalked out of earshot.
 
Lucius led him to an empty classroom. “Son, you do not like that Seabringean, whatever-his-name, am I correct?”
 
“Kodac his name, and yes, I do not like him,” Draco replied. “Have you a way to get him back?”
 
Lucius nodded. “I would like you to be spy on him.”
 
“Already have. He is going out with Parvati Patil this evening, Father,” Draco informed him.
 
“Thank you, Son, for this news. I can finally get him for my lord,” Lucius thanked him. With a nod from him, Draco returned to his friends, Crabbe and Goyle, and continued on their way to the library to work on homework.

 
Kodac walked self-consciously down the stairs. He just caught sight of Parvati, waiting for him patiently.
 
“Wow. You look great, Parvati,” he said as he climbed down off the last stair to the entrance hall.
 
“Thanks. So do you, Kodac,” Parvati replied, taking his arm. She led the way down to the lake, where they would have dinner. She had asked Dobby to bring some food there at 7:15 that night.
 
Parvati stopped under the tree, where they had met a couple days ago. She conjured a blanket on the ground.
 
“I thought we were going to the village?” Kodac inquired.
 
“I just thought that this would be better,” Parvati replied, sitting on the blanket. Kodac followed suit.
 
A small *pop* was heard, and Dobby and a couple of house-elves brought them their dinner.
 
“Is this suitable, Miss and Sir?” Dobby asked. Parvati nodded.
 
“Thank you, Dobby. Thanks a lot for this delicious-looking food!” Parvati exclaimed softly. Kodac nodded in agreement. Dobby bowed, then with another small *pop*, disappeared with the rest of the elves with him.
 
They talked about each other as they ate. Near the end of the meal, Dobby returned with a tray and put the dirty dishes on it. With another bow, he whisked them off to be washed.
 
“Thank you for dinner, Parvati,” Kodac said. Parvati blushed a little.
 
“I had a great time, Kodac,” she said.
 
“As did I,” he replied. He took Parvati’s hands in his own. She’s so beautiful, he thought.
 
He’s so hot, Parvati thought. Their faces were slowly getting closer. Their lips touched.
 
Kodac felt something like fire spread through him. He just realized that he loved her. Judging by the way she kissed him back, he knew she loved him too.
 
Kodac broke off the kiss. He smiled down at her. She smiled up at him. Parvati bowed her head shyly, then used her wand to pack up the blanket.
 
They had just started to head back to the castle when a noise startled Kodac. His right hand strayed to the hilt of his sword.
 
“What is it, Kodac?” Parvati asked.
 
“I don’t know. It feels like we’re being watched,” Kodac replied. He strained to pierce the darkness, but he couldn’t see much beyond a couple of feet, save the castle.

 
Kodac opened his eyes to see Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey standing over him. He felt groggy.
 
“Uh, what happened?” he asked, putting a hand to his forehead. Then he remembered.
 
“You were found stunned next to the tree by the lake, sword in hand,” Dumbledore informed him. He pointed to Kodac’s sword, lying on his bedside table. “Lavender magicked you here, and Madam Pomfrey has awakened you.” Lavender was sitting close by, head bowed. She sounded like she was sobbing.
 
“Kodac, can you tell us what happened? Lavender has informed me that you and Miss Parvati Patil went out to the lake tonight and was worried when neither of you came back by nine,” Dumbledore informed Kodac. “She went out to look for you two, and only found you by the lake.”
 
Kodac looked at Dumbledore. “We were packing up to come to the castle, when Parvati was kidnapped,” he explained. “I heard someone say 'stupefy' and I was unconscious the next moment.” Lavender sobbed again.
 
Dumbledore held up a note. “This is a note, found in your hand when Lavender brought you here. I think you should read it,” he told him. Kodac took the note with a trembling hand and read:
 
Kodac,
You have angered Lord Voldemort. He has taken Parvati Patil and will not return her until you come to him to pay for killing his pet. Come into the Forbidden Forest at midnight on Monday if you want her back. Come alone.