Before the Dark Arts

Parvati cleaned herself up quickly after helping me. Now I was just following the bob of her ponytail as she waltzed towards Defense against the Dark Arts. As much as I wanted to stare at her behind as I followed. More pressing questions presented themselves.

"Will anyone tell me what the plan is," I said? Parvati didn't stop.

"Why, are you excited," said Parvati? She was teasing me? I just thought I should know the damn plan seeing as how I was the focus of the whole thing!

"And where are we," I said? We were in some tower. This wasn't anywhere near DADA. I don't think Aurora appreciated truancy.

"Idius," said Parvati. Parvati turned and leaned against a wall.

"Calm down," said Parvati, "we are where we're supposed to be." Parvati took a deep breath. "The next few weeks are going to go by extremely quickly. Harry and Hermione have calculated a course of success. We have prepared a script for you. Most everything that happens, and what you need to do and say is written in it. Just follow the plan and everything will go perfectly." I wasn't the biggest fan of plans like that. And why didn't I have any say in the plan? Parvati pulled out a piece of parchment, and handed it to me. The words looked expertly written, probably by Hermione if I had to guess.

"Don't lose it," said Parvati, "Hermione said it took all night to write out for you." Parvati could see the uncertainty in my eyes. Could she tell how much I hated being directed by others like this. Some partnership this was.

"I thought you would be happy," said Parvati, "the plan involves me being your girlfriend for the next few weeks." That wasn't bad news at all. But I naturally wondered why Padma wouldn't be my pretend girlfriend for the next few weeks. She was honestly already playing the part.

"I insisted," said Parvati answering my question. Parvati grabbed onto my tie, pulling me closer to her. I placed my hands on the cold stone of the tower.

"Just follow the script, "said Parvati, "and maybe I will let you keep me after this is done." I had a feeling Parvati hadn't told Padma of the 'keeping me after this plan was done.'

Padma had no problem with me seeing her sister, but that was without labels. No doubt Padma wouldn't like any girl getting to be my girlfriend. I would worry about that later. I just needed to keep this scrip at my side. Nobody was a more hawkish protector than Idius Halfhwit!