"Oh, hi, Parvati," Harry said offhandedly.
"Are you coming to the next Duelling Club meeting?" she asked. Parvati had been hanging about Harry close ever since that first chaotic meeting over a week ago.
"Of course. I just hope it will be less eventful than the last one."
"Oh, I don't know, I thought the last one was pretty interesting," Parvati said with a smile.
"Not for me," Harry grumbled.
Parvati laid a tentative hand on his shoulder and said, "You shouldn't listen to those people who're saying you're a dark wizard, Harry. Parseltongue is just a—"
"I know, it's just an ability that some people have." He kept walking, pulling away from her. "It's just that I've already got enough to be famous for."
"Well…I guess…but you should embrace your abilities, Harry," she said, sounding disappointed. "Just look what you've done with Quidditch."
"Yeah…well…I'll think about it, Parvati," he said, continuing on his way. "What's her deal anyway?" he asked softly when they reached the Common Room.
Hermione gave her brother a patronising look and said, "Oh, Harry, I think Parvati has a crush on you because you're a Parselmouth."
"What? Seriously? How do you figure?"
"Because I'm not blind—and I do room with her. Do you remember how she said Parselmouths are respected in India? I think it's a little more than 'respected'."
"Oh, great. Just what I need: someone else who likes me for something I have no control over."