Harry broke off from Hermione when he spotted Parvati in the distance. This year had been tumultuous, and he was yet again about to run headfirst into danger, but he couldn't do that when he and Parvati were still at odds.
"We need to talk," Parvati said once Harry was within reach.
Harry was surprised by her enthusiasm but gestured for her to speak first. He prayed that she wasn't about to break up with him, even if he thought that might be for the best and keep her safe.
"I'm going with you. With all of you."
"Parvati, it's too dangerous," Harry said somberly, the thought of her going with him sent a cold icy shiver down his spine, "We don't know what we're up against. I can't risk-"
"Risk what? Me getting hurt?" she cut him off, her voice passionate, "Harry, we support one another. We don't leave each other behind!"
Harry's face softened when he realized the depth of her conviction. He needed to find the right words to convince her otherwise.
"But it's not just that. This…it's dangerous," his concern was evident in his voice, "I can't bear the thought of putting you in harm's way. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you. Besides…" he said as the memory of their previous conversation floated into his mind, "Why would I make you do something you didn't want to do?"
"Who said I didn't want to go? Just because I think this is a bad idea doesn't mean I don't want to be there to support you. I can help," she said insistently.
Harry looked at his girlfriend, torn between his protective instincts and acknowledging her skill, "It's not about you being capable. It's about the risk involved," he sighed, "I can't-"
"Just because you think you're some badass wizard doesn't mean you can actually protect everyone all the time, Harry!" she said fiercely, "I want to be there with you, fighting alongside you. I don't want to be stuck here waiting and worrying about what might happen!"
Harry looked into Parvati's eyes and saw the sheer determination. He knew she wouldn't back down, "Okay, but promise me you'll stay close. We'll stick together, watch each other's back."
Parvati nodded, "We'll get through this together. Everything is going to be fine."
Harry appreciated her optimism, it was one of his favorite things about Parvati, her ability to see the light in the darkness. But he wasn't sure she was right this time.
*
Parvati walked through the darkened, dusty aisles filled with white spheres on golden stands. The tip of her wand was lit with a soft glow that combined with the others offered a little light to guide their way.
Harry led the way followed by Hermione and Ron. Parvati was in the middle followed by Neville and Luna in the rear. The only sound that could be heard was their breathing and the soft squeak of shoes on the tile floor.
"He should be here!" Harry called out once he reached the spot where he believed Sirius would be, only to find it empty.
Parvati looked around, her body tensing when she heard a low rumble in the distance.
"Harry," Neville said softly but his voice echoed in the chamber, "It's got your name on it."
Parvati looked beside her and saw Neville staring, entranced, at a swirling white orb covered in a fine layer of dust.
Harry approached and reached out a hand to grab the orb when Parvati stepped up and gently held his wrist, "I don't know if you should touch that," she whispered.
"It's something to do with me, isn't it?"
"Don't, Harry," said Neville, agreeing with Parvati.
"It's going to be fine, but I've got to know why it has my name on it," said Harry. He closed his fingers around the orb and plucked it from the shelf.
Parvati wasn't sure what she expected to happen but the fact that nothing did astonish her. Harry just stood there and stared at the orb for just a moment before Hermione called out.
"Harry!"
Parvati spun around, along with the others, and pointed her wand and the cloaked and masked figure that slowly walked toward them.
"Where's Sirius?" Harry demanded and Parvati could hear the tremor in his voice.
"You should really learn the difference between dreams, and reality," a rough voice said softly. The cloaked man pulled his wand and his mask disintegrated revealing the face of Lucius Malfoy, "You only saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see," he gloated.
The tense interaction only got worse as a shrill cackle was heard and Bellatrix Lestrange sauntered into view. Parvati reached out to hold Neville back. She could feel the anger pulse through him but luckily, he stayed where he stood.
Slowly Parvati looked around and realized that they were now surrounded. Two masked figures had slowly appeared behind them, and more on either side. She reached out and gently rested her fingertips on Harry's back so that he knew they were here, that they were together, as he dealt with Malfoy and Lestrange up front.
They all started to turn, back-to-back, as they prepared for what was to come. Malfoy had started a slow approach as he tried to talk the orb out of Harry's hand, but the others had tightened their grip on their wands and readied for a fight that they were ill-prepared for.
"I've waited fourteen years," Harry whispered.
"I know," Malfoy said, a greedy gleam in his eyes.
"I guess I can wait a little longer. Now!" Harry yelled out and at once they cried out, "Stupefy!" and spells flew from their wands.
Harry reached back and held on tight to Parvati's hand as they ran down the aisles to get away from the Death Eaters. Neville and Luna ended up separated and off on their own, but Hermione and Ron took up the rear as they ran.
A man with a crazed gleam in his eyes ended up beside them and grappled with Harry for the prophecy orb.
"Stupefy!" Parvati yelled and it caused the man to let go to shield himself.
"Thanks!" Harry gasped as they continued to run. Parvati could hear Ron and Hermione casting spell after spell, but the Death Eaters never stopped. They ended up colliding with Neville and Luna once more and they were together again. A group of Death Eaters were in front of them, ready to pounce.
"Let's bring this place down," Harry said darkly, and Parvati nodded. They stepped in front of their friends and together aimed their wands down the aisle.
"Reducto!" They cried out as one and when their spells hit a flash of light erupted before the shelves started to collapse and orbs smashed onto the ground.
"Come on!" Hermione yelled as she led them through the collapsing aisles, "Through here!" she yelled and pushed a black door open.
The room inside was pitch black, even the light from Hermione's wand didn't increase their field of sight but without hesitation, every one of them flung themselves through the door. They all plummeted through the air and Parvati saw the floor they were flying towards getting closer and closer. She closed her eyes, ready for the pain, but they stopped just a foot from the ground, mid-air.
When Parvati stood up she saw that they were in a large chamber and the only thing in the room was a stone archway. She saw that everyone else had stumbled to their feet as well, but they didn't have a moment to catch their breath as the room filled with black smoke and the Death Eaters apparated into view.
When the smoke cleared Parvati was being held by a man who had his wand pressed against her neck. She looked over at Harry, who now stood alone in front of the archway. He looked devastated to see everyone he loved held in the arms of killers.
"Everything is going to be alright," she mouthed to him, but he just shook his head.
Malfoy approached Harry once more, but Parvati was too focused on trying to find a way out of this mess. Her wand was in this man's left hand, but she had no hope of pulling free and grabbing it before he blew her head off.
"I can't fathom how you believed that children stood a chance," Malfoy sneered, his cane clicking against the stone as he walked, "against us."
"The prophecy. Now! Or watch your friends die a most gruesome death," Malfoy demanded when he saw that Harry made no move.
Just as the prophecy orb touched Malfoy's hand a bright white light lit up the darkened chamber. Sirius Black stepped out of the light directly behind Malfoy.
"Get away from my godson," he growled, reared back, and punched Malfoy with such force that he collapsed to the ground and the orb dropped out of his hand to smash on the stone floor in front of his face.
More and more white smoke entered the chamber as Parvati and her friends were freed from their captors and members of the Order flooded into the room.
Parvati ran towards Harry and helped him up off the ground, "See, I told you everything was going to be alright!" she yelled over the sounds of battle.
Harry just rolled his eyes and the couple stumbled forward to join the fray.