"Harry, we have to match." Parvati tugged on his sleeve as they walked down the corridor to Herbology. He'd been shocked to find her waiting for him when he came down to breakfast that morning, but he quickly warmed to the idea of her hanging around him more often.
"Match?" Harry asked, a slight blush spreading across his cheeks. He'd never been good at meeting girls' romantic advances.
"Our outfits for the Yule Ball, silly," Parvati replied, rolling her eyes. "You should've asked me, we could've coordinated it all together. I'm sure we could find an Indian-inspired theme. I know just the place to get clothes."
Harry nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what an "Indian-inspired" outfit would look like. Perhaps it was just a Muggle thing, like Parvati's clothing was? He'd never been to India, but he supposed that he had Indian heritage, just like Parvati did.
"Let's go shopping after Herbology," Parvati said, patting his arm. "I'll get some of my friends to cover for me in class."
Harry wasn't sure what she meant by that, but he nodded anyway. His classes were boring, anyway.
*
"This is gorgeous," Harry said, holding up a long, white sherwani to his body, and turning in the mirror. It was so bright and vibrant, and it made him feel like he was glowing.
"You like it?" Parvati asked, smiling as she came up behind him. "It's a little bright for me, personally. But it suits you."
Harry turned to face her, opening his arms wide. "Does it make me look like a prince?"
"More like a Maharaja," Parvati replied, giggling at Harry's confused expression. "It's an Indian title. Like a prince, but more important."
"Oh," Harry said, feeling a bit disappointed. He'd always wanted to be a prince, and he'd never thought he could be one.
"Don't look so down," Parvati said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You look like you're about to cry."
Harry scowled, and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "I'm not. I just wish I was something more."
"Like what?"
"Like Indian." Harry shrugged, turning back to the mirror. "I mean, I'm half-Indian, right? But I've never done anything Indian."
"What do you want to do?" Parvati asked, sitting down on the end of Harry's bed. "I can help you with that."
Harry sighed, and sat down next to Parvati. "I don't know. I just feel like I should know more about my heritage. It feels like something I should know more about, but I don't. I don't know anything about it."
"Well, we can fix that," Parvati said, grinning. "I know a great place to shop for Indian clothing. I'm sure you'd look good in some of those. And I can teach you a little bit about our culture, too. I know some dances, and songs, and stuff."
"Really?" Harry asked, hope blossoming in his chest. "That'd be great."
*
"You look like a prince," Parvati told him, smiling as Harry walked out of the room to the common room. He was dressed in the white sherwani, and a bright red stole draped across his shoulders, and the bottom of the dress trailing behind him.
Harry grinned, and turned in a circle. "Do I look like a Maharaja now?"
"Much better," Parvati replied, giggling as Harry jumped down the stairs. "Come on, we'll be late for class."
Harry followed her out of the portrait hole, a spring in his step.
*
"Harry, I've been meaning to ask you something," Parvati said, as they sat in the grass after Herbology. Harry had thought that the outfit would be itchy, but he'd gotten used to it rather quickly.
"Go on," Harry replied, grinning as Parvati turned to face him. He'd been hoping that she'd ask him this.
"Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"
"I would love to," Harry replied, smiling as Parvati squealed, jumping up and down. "But you have to match our outfits."
"I know," Parvati replied, grinning. "I was hoping you'd say that. I've got a great outfit picked out for you."
*
Harry smiled as Parvati met him at the top of the Ravenclaw tower. She was dressed in a long, shimmering lehenga, and Harry felt a bit nervous as she held out her hand.
"Are you ready?" she asked, giggling as Harry nodded. He felt a bit awkward in the long, pleated skirt, but he'd gotten used to it over the past few weeks. He'd never felt so free.
Parvati led him out onto the grounds, and Harry felt his breath catch in his throat. They were surrounded by floating candles, and in the distance, a huge, sparkling chandelier hung in the air. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"Parvati, this is amazing," he breathed, turning to face her. She smiled, and took his hand, leading him to the middle of the clearing.
"I'm glad you like it," she said, pulling him close. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he placed his hands on her hips. "Now let's dance."
Harry closed his eyes, and moved his feet, following Parvati's lead. He felt like he was flying, and he never wanted to stop.
"You're a natural," Parvati said, giggling. "I knew you'd be great at this."
"What else do you have planned for me?" Harry asked, grinning as Parvati pulled him closer. Her body was pressed against his, and he couldn't stop smiling.
"You'll just have to wait and see," she replied, smiling as she rested her head against his chest.