Who: Parvati and Oliver Where: Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch What: Masks, Quidditch and Kindred Spirits? When: Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw Quidditch Match Rating: G Status: Complete
Having debated for two days about what she was going to wear, Parvati finally made her way towards the quidditch pitch, she ended up wearing a very warm woolen coat with her Gryffindor scarf wrapped snuggly around her. Walking into the chill she was thankful she had remembered her muffler and scarf. The cold wind blew around her and stung her cheeks slightly as she walked anxiously towards the predestined spot.
Not sure of what she was expecting, she could barely hold in the smile that threatened to forgoe her normal practiced calm when dealing with boys.
The old, ratty Gryffindor scarf draped loosely around a woolen peacoat did nothing to muffle the wind that played with Oliver's black locks and brought a flush to his pale cheeks. He stood precariously at the northwest corner of the Hogwarts Pitch, balanced just so upon the cane held tightly in his fist. He'd Apparated to the edge of the school grounds and made the laborious walk with time to spare so the sweat could dry and the weariness could leave his aching joints. Parvati needed to see a young man -- hell, he was young -- not a cripple.
The young Gryffindor pulled her scarf up slightly to deflect a bit of the wind from her own ruddied cheeks, her hair pulled into a tight plait now dancing behind her in the wind. Her smile grew, thankfully hidden underneath the scarf as she saw a famaliar face at the corner of the grounds. She tried not to let her brow furrow when she saw the cane supporting the young man's weight. Do not let him see you worry. she thought to herself as she approached.
Her heart fluttery with the sight of him again, she bounded towards him happily, pulling her scarf back down. "Wood!" called out the raven haired seventh year. "You beat me here!" she said playfully. She stopped a few feet from him, not sure if she should embrace him or be on her better behavior.
"Parvati," he said, smiling and more than slightly amused at her exuberance. "Well. Are you going to hug me or not?"
Her soft voice seemed to brighten even more at his words. "I'd better! It's bloody freezing!" a giddy fit of laughter left her lips as she leaned in to hug the taller boy somewhat gingerly for fear of hurting him.
When she leaned in, he wrapped his free arm around her slender waist and brought the arm holding the cane to her shoulder. Her laugh was, by all accounts, infectious as he stood back and gave her a studious glance. "You've grown up, haven't you?"
She pulled away quickly, a hot flush having risen in her cheeks. He's winning...too soon...come on Patil...get back in the game. Her long braid whipped over her shoulder as she pulled away and she coyly flung it back into place. "I certainly hope so." She looked him over as well for a pregnant moment as she contemplated how handsome he was. Looking at him one would never suspect that he had been injured at all, his strong countenance seemed to fill a space far larger than his own body and was magnetic to be near. He looked more handsome than ever. "You don't look so bad yourself Wood...a little old...but not to shabby." she winked playfully.
" ... we'll blame that on the circumstances," he said good-naturedly and slid his hand from her waist to a comfortable position on her shoulder. "But good things can come of that. Instead of being in Prague with the team, I'm here." Pause. He let his pale eyes linger upon the landscape. "I thought it'd be looking different, you know. After what happened."
She moved her arm boldly around Oliver, not anticipating such a remark from the normally upbeat young man. An uncharacteristic dark shadow passed over the young girl's face for an instant, as many memories she normally kept so well hidden were thrown to the front of her thoughts. just as quickly they were swallowed up whole again by the near indomitable spirit that was Parvati Patil. "Oliver," having never been this close to him, nor speaking his first name, she felt a bit foolish, but she wanted to see his eyes dance as they usually did. At least while he was here, with her.
"It's important that we keep moving forward. They all would want us to. The world is in a bit of a state...but hope is what keeps us moving...what keeps us fighting."
"You're right, Parvati." He shook himself vigorously as if the simple physical action could rid him of the dark thoughts that pressed in on his mind. This was no time to think of other things. With a soft kiss pressed to her cheek, he took a few steps forward and groaned dramatically as the bleachers rose before them. "Don't make me walk all the way up!"
As his lips pressed to her cheek, the chill seemed to vanish. A sudden warmth rose from the center of her being and directly to flush her auburn cheeks. The glittering gem between her brows paled in comparison with the sparkle in her eyes. Distracted and off guard, she turned awkwardly towards the stands. "Um...you can apparate, an I'll meet you there?" she suggested, hoping not to offend.
" ... Apparition wards," he says wryly. Lifts a shoulder and then turns upon her with a blazing smile. "Hell, Parvati. I'm thinking to be doing it. What would a few measly steps hurt?"
She grinned softly at him and leaned in close, so as not to be overheard. "Just say when, alright?" She gently squeezed the arm around his waist, lending credence to her support. Her smaller frame unable to completely support him should it get to that, but definitely able to lend balance, should he need it. She wanted him to enjoy himself and if she was the shining beacon on his arm, so be it. She threw another dazzlingly confident smile at him and waited for his response.
Well, what else was there? He took a step. And before him was another, so he took that one too. Pride would only let him balance lightly on Parvati's shoulder as his knees protested the strain. But he bit down and finally reached their place before sitting heavily. He grinned, whistling out a sigh between his teeth. "Never sat here."
Parvati grinned and sat down next to him, bristling against the chill. "I should have brought spiced hot cider from the kitchens." She looked over to him, hoping concern was not terribly apparent on her face. "Thirsty?"
His arm wrapped around her shoulder as he pulled her in. Parvati was pretty, no doubt about that. And he had some inkling of why she'd invited him. He'd let every eye upon them positively feast. "Only if you are."
She felt positively childish looking up at a boy she had once greatly fancied. His arm safely tucked around her, she felt the pangs of safety looming over precariously. She lost the world again to the feeling that for a split second, she was someone's, she was special. An admiring look washed over her as she looked into his eyes, trying very hard not to feel light headed and flighty. "I am fine...thank you." a whimsical and sing-songy voice seemed to come from somewhere else before she cleared her throat uncomfortably. "I mean...if you're not thirsty...I am alright myself."
Slowly, he nodded and watched the emotions travel through her face. There was a slow vacuous space in his heart that made him wish that she could read thoughts; that wondered vague and dark if she would sit here with him were she to know who he had entertained some days ago. No, no he pushes the thought from his mind and concentrates on the shining jewel of a girl before him. All light, all smile ... he'd fight away that tinge of darkness that stained the outer sparkle. If he could only fight himself.
But there were other things to think on, other things to say. He motioned to either end of the pitch draped in the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw house colours. "So, who has the better team?"
Parvati laughed out loud. "I have friends on both teams...Merlin, I can't pretend that I know a thing about this sport. I like watching, mind you, but only to see my friends have fun."
"Shall I explain, then? Or leave you to the wild, whirling clouds of blue and yellow?"
She grinned happily and leaned into him, her eyes cast thankfully to the grounds. "Please do, seven years at Hogwarts and you'd think I would know what you all are doing."
Absently, the tips of his fingers stroked her shoulder as he set to explaining his life-long obsession. "I think you know the object of the game and what catching the Snitch does. One hundred and fifty points automatically. You make or break the game with the Snitch. It's really mostly strategy. You defend your goals, take the Quaffle and fly mad." He glanced idly at the clock. Two minutes to start.
She smiled happily and listened to him speak about a sport she denied knowing anything of. Merlin, people really do think I'm daft. She warmed at the hand on her shoulder, but more at the smile on Oliver's face as he explained the game to her. She would gladly play the fool for a chance to see him smile at her. "So what are the lads with the bats for?"
"You're not fooling me, Parvati!" he nearly crowed and buried his face in her shoulder to keep from laughing. The teams took to the platform and waited for Hooch to give the signal. "You know a Beater from a Keeper, I'd wager."
Her facade being completely torn down, she let loose her lilting laughter. Feigning innocence, she looked at him incredulously. "Who me? Parvati Crystal-gazing-tea-leaf-reading Patil? If it isn't in Witch's World magazine, I've little knowledge." she looked at him desperately wanting many things, most of which was to see that fabulous smile again.
The faint scent of jasmine oil filled his lungs as he sucked in a cold breath and smiled lazily. Just for her. "You put a good face to the world. Sometimes I wonder when you let it down."
"When I've reason to." she responded faster than her internal editor could stop her. She stiffened under his arm for a moment, hoping she hadn't ruined what was thus far turning out to be a fantastic day.
His lips curled. "Good answer."
She looked back at him, perplexed at his response. "What does that mean?" she asked curiously.
"It was honest, wasn't it? You let me see a little bit of you." Just a smile as he turned his eyes and watched the players spiral higher and higher. Someone had the Quaffle and the Seeker took a dive, though he didn't know if it were true or a feint.
A few times lately, Parvati had found herself in silence. Watching Oliver's eyes dance while watching the players take the field, she found herself lost in thought. Hoping that she would not see his smile fade today. Perhaps she'd never be a true Seer, but she knew people and she felt particularly adept at wanting to help brighten their lives...even seemingly perfect lads like Oliver Wood.
Tired of the pedestrian dives, he cut his eyes sidelong back to Parvati and caught her watching him. "What do you divine, O Seer?"
"That there's a lad with his arm around me that could probably have sat next to any girl he wanted...so therefore he must have taken a bludger to the noggin to be sitting here right now."
" ... nonsense." He squeezed her shoulders gently. "Bloody nonsense at that."
Whether it be the chill in the air or something else, Parvati leaned into him. She looked directly at him, the cheers of the crowd a dull roar, but there was only one person in the stands for a few moments. More to herself than anything she muttered. "Then why are you here?"
"Because you asked -- " because I'm scared of losing myself to all of this blankness widening out before me. "Because -- " When the students around them stood, he shook his head. "Why did you ask me?"
Still seated among the leaping crowd, she looked at him with soft inquisitive eyes. "You'll laugh." "I won't, I promise. Unless its funny." "I had a vision." "Go on ..."
"After I read that you had been...well. After that last match. I dreamt that a part of you was hollow."
She watched his expression, expecting him to laugh at her, as do most of the other students.
Yet he merely stared, almost taken aback by her astute sixth sense. There was no violation, no condemning of her on his part. Only a soft kiss to her forehead as he closed his eyes for a moment. " ... what part?"
She slowly brought her hand to the center of his chest. "This one." she paused for a moment. "I know this may sound ridiculous...but it seems that you are lonely. That Quidditch isn't completely making you happy."
Warmth spread from beneath her palm as he covered it with his own and slowly filled his lungs. "How can it make me happy when it might be lost? And -- " Oh, those other things. He kissed her forehead again.
She lowered her eyes demurely, feeling rather foolish and vulnerable as the handsome boy paced delicate kisses upon her forehead, the gently sparkling crimson bindi seeming to burn with each kiss he places above it. Yet, she had to know. "And what, Oliver?" she whispered to him amid the cheers and announcers.
" -- and nothing," he replied quickly, breaking the eye contact as a Beater swooped right over the bleaches and hit a Bludger at the Chaser who missed the effort with a corkscrew to the right.
Parvati nodded. Masks firmly back in place. she noted to herself. "As far as happiness being lost...Wood, anything and everything worth having is so because it can be lost. That which is constant will never be as cherished as much because you don't have to fight for it. If you know you can lose it, it becomes more sacred, lest it be taken from you." Parvati pulled her arm from Oliver back to her muffler and looked out at the game she had previously been ignoring.
Oliver felt the tightness return to her body and respectfully withdrew his own arm to fold over his chest. Ravenclaw was winning, there wasn't much time left. He threw her a tiny, half formed smile of thanks and sat up to catch the last of the game.
Parvati let out a heavy and disappointed sigh. She caught a glimpse of him and saw exactly what she had hoped she'd never see. The smile had faded. There was something so terribly tragic in the moment that a truly happy smile faded from a person's face and Oliver was no exception. She had hoped she was fooling herself to think that she had seen pain in his eyes. Having hoped that she was trying to see things that weren't there, she seemed terribly let down with the thought that she had seen a very honest glimpse of Oliver Wood and let it go. Her left hand escaped the muffler and landed gently above his knee, seeing as how his hands were tangled over his chest.
The deep brown eyes of the younger Gryffindor looked at him with a bit of sadness, rarely seen in Parvati. She leaned in one last time and whispered closely in his ear, lest anyone overhear them. "In my dream, Oliver...I was hollow too." Her hand rested timidly as she slowly moved back to sitting.
Damn the game, anyway. He saw the Hufflepuff Seeker catch the Snitch just as she leaned into his ear. "Parvati ... " weary, yet resolute he took her chin in his gentle grasp and tilted her gaze to meet his. "You have to fight it. I'll help you fight it."
She looked into his eyes amid the peals of cheers for the dramatic conclusion to the match. She dropped her signature smile and showed him her true visage, honest and vulnerable. Her voice came out in barely a whisper. "And I will help you..."
"Hogsmeade," he said gruffly. "I'll find you there. Owl me whenever you want, use those ruddy journals. We'll talk," was a promise that he sealed with a long, long hug. He would not let a light like Parvati be lost to a gaping maw of vacuous apathy. He'd fight for both of them.
She let him hug her at first...not wanting to hurt him, but it became apparent he was no paper doll. She hugged him tightly back, wondering if they could freeze this moment, or stop time for just a little longer before they must return themselves to their masks, their respective social walls. The year wasn't over yet. They had time...and she had hope for them both.