Parvati took a deep breath and looked into the crystal ball that she had set upon the table in the attic. The fog cleared and she squinted to see more. Just as she did, she let out a gasp. This wasn’t good…
“Parvati?”
She got up from her seat and waded through all the junk, before reaching the stairs. “Coming, Harry!” She went down to her bedroom, to see him fumble with his tie. “Merlin, Harry,” she said, “come here.”
He grinned as she took charge. She had been terrified by what she had seen in the crystal ball right now, but she didn’t want to tell him about it. He was going to Hogwarts with the other Aurors to meet Ryan, Daisy’s brother. And if she told him that she was worried, then he’d definitely stay back. She had forbidden Hermione, Ron and Ginny to tell him about Hermione’s mistake, too. She couldn’t bear to see him more worried than he already was.
Parvati finally finished her job and smoothed his collar lovingly. She looked up at his face and into his green eyes. “Oh Harry…” she whispered, bending forward and hugging him. An uncomfortable sensation inside her told her that this was one of the last times that she would be seeing him. And after what she had seen in that crystal ball…
She took a deep breath and looked at him again, tears welling up her eyes. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” he replied, looking bewildered at the sudden wetness of her eyes. He ran a finger on her cheeks, wiping the tears away and hugging her again. “What happened? You sure seem pretty upset today.”
“I… I just don’t know…” she hesitated. “Harry, will you do something for me?”
“Yeah,” he said, looking even more confused.
“Okay,” she said and walked out. She came back after some time, with a bowl and spoon in her hand. The bowl was full of what seemed like curd. She spooned some. “Have this, Harry.”
“What”?”
“It’s curd with sugar. It’s for good luck with whatever you are about to do.”
He smiled. She knew that he didn’t believe in this stuff, but he was always sweet enough to not make fun of her, and accepted it. This was just one of the reasons why she loved him so much.
He opened his mouth and as she took the spoon close to his mouth, she lost her grip over the bowl. It fell to the floor in and shattered.
Naina woke up with a frightened squeal and groaned before dozing off again. Parvati looked at the child, at Harry and then the broken bowl as her hand flew to her mouth. “Harry… this is not good!”
He was confused again. “I… I don’t understand, Parvati. The bowl only fell. You can always get some more.”
“No… something’s wrong. Harry please, please take care, okay?”
“I will, honey, but””
She broke into tears and fell onto the bed, unable to bear her worries anymore. He was alarmed at this. Sitting down next to her, he held her close. “Is there anything that you have to tell me? Did you get another call? Has someone threatened or blackmailed you? Have you noticed something odd?”
She shook her head. “I just don’t feel right, today… nothing is going well.”
“The bowl only fell down,” he repeated. “It’s as simple as that. Nothing is going to happen to me, okay?”
She looked up at him and wiped her eyes. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then be very alert. Be very careful with everything you do, okay?”
He took her hands in his. “It will be okay with me. Promise. I’m going to be with the others all the time, and we’re trained to kill, if required. Don’t worry. And you know that Hogwarts is the safest place in the whole of Britain. Romilda will be staying back just in case, and Padma. Hermione and you can continue with your routines. Only don’t forget to contact me every hour. You can Floo call me at Neville’s office, too. I’ll be right there.”
“Ryan’s a Gryffindor?” she asked.
“No,” said Harry. “He’s a Ravenclaw, but Neville’s making the arrangements for us to meet and question him.” He got up and was about to pick up his coat, but he stopped midway. “Do you want me to stay, too?”
She smiled slowly. “I’ll be fine. Good luck. I know that you’ll crack this in no time.”
He grimaced. “I sure hope we do… nothing looks too good, now.”
She walked up to him and touched his cheek. “Take care.” She then hugged him again. They held on for a long time, and after they parted, she followed him to the hall where the others were waiting. Everyone else was dressed and well-equipped for the trip.
Romilda was down in the living room too, and she smiled at Parvati. “Do tell me when you have to go out. Harry has given me strict instructions to not let you out of my sight.”
“Merlin,” Parvati said. “He sure behaves obsessively, sometimes.”
The other woman laughed. “He’s such a good man. I’d do anything to switch positions with you, you know?”
“Would you?” asked Parvati quietly. Romilda quickly understood what she had said.
“Oh, I didn’t mean anything in that way… it was just that I did have a huge crush on him ten years ago. So did many others.”
“Oh yeah, that’s true,” she replied, and then turned to Harry as he prepared to go. “Bye, Harry.”
He smiled and nodded. “Bye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She waved along with Hermione, Romilda and Padma as they all walked out of the house and Disapparated one-by-one.
***
Parvati pushed the trolley round a corner in the supermarket and reached the vegetable section. Tearing off a polythene bag from above the tray of potatoes, she opened it and stowed a few potatoes inside. She placed it in her trolley and proceeded towards the fruit section.
She was feeling unnaturally restless again. Why did she keep feeling that something was wrong…? What was that obvious answer which she was missing?
She took a deep breath and steadied herself. She followed it up with a series of short breaths and finally felt the worry drain out of her. Nothing could go wrong. It was a perfect day today, despite all those bad omens. There was nothing to be worried of. Everyone was safe. But then, she knew that someone was watching her. Someone had been following her today. She could feel someone stalking her around, looking at each and every activity of hers. Or was it just because Romilda was there with her?
Having completed her shopping, Parvati went to the look for Romilda, to tell her that they should head home. She was just at the frozen section, when she ran into a familiar face. “Hi, Daisy,” she said, smiling at the girl. Daisy, though, looked unnaturally pale and slightly nervous. But she smiled.
“Hi, Parvati. How are you?”
“I’m good,” replied Parvati. Why was Daisy so nervous today? She looked into the teenager’s dark eyes and saw something. But then, she couldn’t go further. She remembered how Ginny had told her about Daisy being able to mask her feelings and looked up at the girl. “Is there anything that you have to tell me? Right now?”
Daisy shook her head. Then she hesitated. “Take care.”
“I will. Give Pari and Chris my love.”
She nodded and turned away, as Parvati stared after her.
Romilda was waiting for Parvati at the checkout counter. It had a slightly warming aura about it, mainly due to the presence of a large number of people. Over the beeping of computerised cash registers, the laughter and chatting of people around her comforted Parvati to a great extent. They walked over to the counter at their turn, paid and walked out through the automatic doors with the trolley. Then she turned to Romilda. “Listen, I need to go somewhere before coming home.”
“Where?”
“I” I need to be alone. Don’t worry about me. Just go home.”
“I need to be with you all the time. Harry has told me””
“Hermione will be home, and it’s not good to leave her alone, Romilda.”
Romilda hesitated. “Okay. But don’t take long.”
“I won’t.”
Romilda took the shopping bags and Disapparated with a smile. Parvati in the meantime, decided to visit another place before going home.
She got into the car and pushed the keys into the ignition. In a minute, the vehicle was meandering smoothly on the level roads of London, the wind coming in howls and whipping her face. It was a windy noon and even though the sun was overhead, its heat was neutralised by the coolness of the winds. Finally, she pulled in before a glimmering building made of marble- the very temple where she had been married to Harry.
She walked through the gates and halted before the stairs leading to the temple doorway, to remove her shoes. Keeping them safely in one side, Parvati ascended the stairs and walked into the large hall. She rang the bell at the entrance and proceeded towards the furthermost area of the hall, where the deity was placed. Kneeling down, she bowed forward with joined hands and uttered a quick mantra under her breath, after which she dropped a few pounds into the donation box and took the Prasad from the priest. At last, she settled herself cross-legged on the ladies’ section and closed her eyes in deep meditation.
She meditated for around twenty minutes and decided to get home. She felt pretty secure, now. She also recollected one of the many values that her mother had imparted to her. Whatever happens, happens with a good cause. Getting up from her place, Parvati stepped out of the temple and walked to her car after putting her shoes on. She got in and placed the keys in the ignition. She was about to turn them, when she realised that it was already an hour after her last talk with Harry.
She smiled. Harry was worried sick about her these days and she could do nothing but assure him every hour that she was alive and well. She pulled out her wand. ”Transmittere.” It glowed red and Parvati spoke into its tip. “Hi, Harry.”
“Hey,” Harry’s voice said, from the other end.
“So, satisfied, Harry? I’m still alive!”
“Yeah, I’m glad that you’re okay,” Harry replied.
“Did you give my love to Neville?”
“I did. Do you want to speak to him?”
“No… let it be.” There was a pause and suddenly, Parvati heard laughter from the other end. It was unnerving and unnatural. It was also very familiar. She froze, as she recognised that laughter.
“Harry, who’s laughing?” she asked, trying to sound indifferent.
“Irene. Ron said something really funny just now” you know him. Why?”
Parvati gasped. She recognised the voice very well. It was the same laugh that she had heard on the phone. But… how was this possible?
“What’s it, honey? Are you all right?” Harry asked concernedly.
“Yes” yes, I’m okay,” answered Parvati. “Irene’s laughter is uncanny, though.”
“Yeah, sends chills up the spine, doesn’t it?”
“Uh huh.”
“Okay then, I think I’ll get back to work. We’ll speak in an hour, okay?”
“Right, bye Harry!”
“Bye!”
Parvati kept her wand back inside her pocket and clutched the steering wheel of her car. She knew it now. She had known it since morning, hadn’t she? Her life was going to come to an end in a very short time. Perhaps that very afternoon.
No. Why was she even thinking like that? She would live. She would fight. If not for herself, she had to live, at least for Harry and Naina. Calming herself down, she finally drove home.
Parvati felt slightly dizzy as she entered the guest house in Bath. She was not scared, she was absolutely terrified. And this was not fear for death. This was fear for her family. Would Harry and Naina be able to carry on, if anything happened to her? Parvati walked to her room and sat on the bed, thinking of Daisy and the tiny message that she had conveyed to her. And as she thought more, a shattering realisation struck her. Merlin… how would she tell them?
Parvati looked around her room wildly for anything that she could convey this to Harry with… anything that wouldn’t be noticed by unwanted people. Her eyes then fell on the bookshelf in her room. She had always liked to read.
She suddenly had the solution. Praying that Hermione, if not Harry, would make out whatever she had to convey, she pulled out two books from the shelf. Then she placed it inside Harry’s wardrobe. She also conjured a piece of paper and scribbled on it before placing it over the books. Then taking deep breaths, she settled on her bed, her wand ready in her hand.
***
Daisy stared blankly at the television, not taking in a word of anything that was going on in the movie that Pari, Rebecca, Chris and she were supposed to be watching. Rebecca and Daisy had become friends after she and Chris had gotten together again, and all four of them had decided to spend an afternoon together with a movie to get their mind off things. But Daisy’s mind was not in the movie. She was just too anxious today.
Pari giggled and pushed Daisy slowly. “Daisy, I must say that Mrs Stevens is an incredible actress, don’t you think?”
Daisy came out of her reverie. “Oh… what? Oh… Mrs Stevens, yeah. She’s too good. Yeah…”
Pari raised an eyebrow. “Have you been paying attention at all?”
“I” I yes… excuse me…” Daisy stood up and walked to the toilet. She bent over the wash basin, turning on the tap. She then removed her glasses and splashed water over her face. What was she doing…? Why was she doing this?
And then, she was suddenly attacked by a wave of unexplained weakness. Her legs refused to keep her standing and she bent forward, grasping the basin at the sides. “Chris…” she slurred, unable to maintain her balance anymore. He obviously didn’t hear her and she fell to the floor, resting her head against the wall. She then heard footsteps.
“Oh shona…” In a jiffy, Pari was next to her, stroking her back slowly. “Chris, can you come here?”
“What’s wrong?” asked Chris’s voice from the living room.
“She’s ill!” Pari called out.
“Oh Merlin…” Daisy heard him come in, as she took deep breaths to steady herself.
“Chris…” she whispered, trying to stand up, but swaying as everything began to reel. He held her and Pari stopped comforting her as she stepped out of the bathroom. Then she felt his arms around her as she walked unsteadily to the living room, with Pari and Rebecca following them closely. He half lifted her to the couch and sat down next to her.
She opened her eyes, to see him look at her worriedly. “What happened to you?” he asked, “you were okay five minutes ago, weren’t you?”
She grinned weakly. “I think it’s a bit of acidity… I skipped breakfast.”
“Why?”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
“Good lord, Daisy, you must never skip breakfast, understand? I’ll go home and get you a good medicine.”
“I’ll come with you,” Rebecca said, going to him. “In that enormous house, it’s going to be a miracle if you can find anything soon enough.”
Daisy nodded as she felt better and sat up, picking up her wand from the coffee table. “Come back soon, okay? Both of you.”
They nodded and then they were gone. Daisy looked at Pari, who had narrowed her eyes for some reason. “What happened, Pari?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You know very well.”
Daisy swallowed. This was the moment. She had made this decision that very morning, and she would abide by it. Taking a deep breath, she said, “The plan has worked.” She paused, and then she started to narrate the story to Pari.
***
Parvati stood up with a start. There had been a small sound from the living room” as if a chair had been pushed slightly. Breathing fast, she listened intently and another faint rustle reached her ears. What was that?
Heart pounding against her chest, Parvati tiptoed out of her bedroom. She knew that she was not alone in the house, anyway, and the sound may have been made by the others. “Hermione? Naina? Jess? Jay? Where are you guys? Romilda? Is that you?”
And it probably was, said the cautious voice inside her. Was it Romilda in the living room? Parvati thought she had known it the moment Romilda had said something odd that morning.
“He’s such a good man. I’d do anything to switch positions with you, you know?”
She wished that she’d tried harder to push through Daisy’s shields. She knew that Daisy had deliberately told her about that single thing, but it seemed of practically no use, now. Parvati called out to the others again, but there was no answer. They were probably asleep. Or so she hoped.
She finally reached the living room, only to find it deserted. I think I’m going mad, she thought. Then she took a quick decision. “Transmittere.” She brought the wand before her mouth.
“Harry?”
“Any problem, Parvati?” Harry asked, from the other side. He sounded worried.
“Harry… Harry s”something’s wrong!”
“What happened?!”
“They’re a”after me, Harry… I”I” think, r”right now…”
“WHAT?”
“Yes, Harry, please come here I” d”don’t know… please” AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!”
Excruciating pain hit Parvati, as something cut right through her back, blood wetting her rear and running down her legs. Her wand fell from her fingers and the connection broke. She turned around, to see a figure in loose black robes with a hood. “You’ll n”never… get… w”what… you w”ant!” she said, with all the strength she could muster. She pushed the person and tried to run, but strong arms gripped her and rammed her against the wall. She could feel one hand rise again to strike another time.
Tasting blood, now, Parvati pushed against the hand that held her and staggered sideways, but she was too slow. There was a flash of silver and then agony as she felt a blow on her stomach.
The pain was unbearable and she dropped to her knees, blood spattering to the floor. Everything was spinning now and she knew that she was dying. It was then that she realised something else. Something more dreadful. Merlin… this couldn’t be happening.
“W”who are… y”you?” she whispered, barely able to string the words together.
The person lowered their hood and Parvati felt a gasp escape her lips, as she looked into the eyes. This was worse. Worse than what the Aurors had even imagined. And how would she tell them? They were probably never going to find out on their own…!
The attacker walked away and Parvati had no idea of how long she lay, gasping for breath and hoping that Harry would come soon. But he’d have to run right out of the castle and into Hogsmeade to Apparate. Would she survive it? Could she stay long enough to tell him? Her vision began to blur and dim, just as there was the sound of someone Apparating outside. “PARVATI!”
Someone rested her head on their lap and through all the fuzziness; Parvati could make out the indistinct figure of Harry. “Hold on, please! We’ll take you to the hospital. Just a minute…”
“Harry…” Parvati sputtered, as he lifted her up and shouted something incoherent to the others. She could feel him run with her… out of the house to Disapparate. She had to tell him, now… “Harry, listen…” she whispered, but then she felt a sucking sensation as he Disapparated.
There was more shouting and she was on a stretcher… “Harry…”
He seemed to notice. “Yes… tell me.”
She coughed, and gasped for breath. “Killer…” The stretcher took a turn. She couldn’t see anything, now.
“What? Tell me, honey.”
“Killer,” she sputtered again. “I” H”Harry…” she was drifting away. She didn’t know what was happening. Then someone put her on a bed.
The hospital bed. It was in the hospital that Naina was born. She had been so tiny. And when she had opened her eyes, they had gasped in amazement at their pretty green colour.
“Parvati… listen to me… I love you…”
She loved Harry too. She wanted to tell him that. Hadn’t she told him just that morning? And she loved Naina. Both Harry and Naina were pieces of her. She felt incomplete without either of them. The pain of the stabs was numbing and she felt drowsy. She wanted more than anything else to go off to sleep. But something told her that it was important to stay awake.
“I’m sorry,” said a strange voice. “She’s slipping away.”
“NO! Parvati… sweetheart…” Harry’s hand squeezed hers. “Naina loves you… I love you… please don’t go…” his lips touched her closed eyes. She could also feel tears wet her forehead.
Why was Harry crying? It was so peaceful, where she was going to go. She was going to be so happy. And that was when Parvati saw that beautiful, incredible light. It was unbelievable… enchanting. She wanted to go on. On and away. Away from whatever had tied her to her world. She gave one last gasp.
“Harry…”
Killer Instincts by Ginny Weasley Potter
Chapter Notes: Hello, everyone!
*Takes a deep breath*
Okay... so the title says most of it... *looks down*
This is it.
And probably, you may want to kill me for what I've done here... :p
Guys, here's the turning point of the story... chapter 17. I had written some parts of this two years ago. I have changed and modified that one scene a lot of times. I have really been waiting to submit this. :D
But then, this is like... the beginning of it all, guys, so please don't think that the story is over ;).
Anyway, Pauie is the one who has made this readeable, so I'd like to give her a huge hug for it *hugs Pauie*.
As for Daisy and Chris... I know you guys are really happy for them, but I'm not. :D Haha. You'll know why they broke up after a while... somewhere near chapter 27 or 28. So... that's a long way, isn't it?
And slow updates... well, it has to happen, unfortunately. I'm in a med college and if I have to be a good doc, I have to work REALLY hard. ;)
And this chapter is for Ash... my lovely roomie :)