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Author: Mira Miracle Story: Prediction Practice Rating: Everyone Setting: Pre-DH Status: Completed Warning: None Reviews: 10 Words: 1,830 “Parvati!” “Shush, Seamus, I’m practicing.” “What are you practicing? It’s the weekend.” The door to Parvati’s room (her condition when she had moved in with Seamus) flew open to reveal a young man who looked as if he had just crawled out of bed. Since it was Seamus, and since they had been out the previous night, he probably had. “Oh no, you’re not doing that mindless stuff again, are you?” “I have a talent, Seamus. Professor Trelawney said that I have the Inner Eye.” Parvati, already neatly dressed, didn’t even bother to turn around. They had this argument nearly each weekend since they started sharing a flat. Seamus was funny and a good boyfriend, but when it came to Divination, she was under the impression that he simply didn’t want to understand her at all. He, after all, had got a “D” on most of his Divination exams, which, she reckoned, must have spoilt this branch of magic for him forever. But, just because her boyfriend didn’t approve of it, she wouldn’t give up her favourite hobby. After all, she didn’t enjoy Quidditch, but she still allowed him to go to the matches, didn’t she? “It smells like my Gran’s goat barn in here.” Seamus wrinkled his nose. “Why can’t you at least take off these horrid curtains and open the window?” Lavender always said that Parvati’s room was cosy – in Seamus’ opinion it was a dark den. He liked light and air and it had taken him months to find a suitable flat with big windows in every room. But the first thing Parvati did after moving in was to hang up curtains in front of them. And, even worse, they were a dark violet. “You know that it disturbs the aura. Just stop shouting, I can’t concentrate.” Parvati stared intently at the crystal ball in front of her. A normal wizard would probably only See white fog, but she discovered so much more – was this a human form? “No wonder you can’t concentrate in this fug. I can hardly breathe.” In a swift movement that seemed impossible for someone so sleepy, Seamus stepped towards the window and drew open the curtains. “Come on, Parvati, let’s have breakfast and then…” “Seamus Finnigan, how dare you!” Parvati’s screeches sounded uncannily like a Banshee’s. “Get away from the window this instant or I’ll hex you into Monday!” Furiously, the girl jumped up, drawing her wand. Fortunately for Seamus, she collided with her small table, which drew her attention back to the crystal ball that she had nearly thrown over. The man she had seen was gone, and white clouds were swirling inside the ball instead. Obviously its aura had been disturbed so heavily that she wouldn’t be able to use it for at least a week. “Darling, come on.” Seamus’ voice sounded flattering. “It’s only Divination, you know it’s rubbish. Just make me a nice breakfast.” He put his hands around Parvati’s waist, pulling her nearer towards him and placed a light kiss on her neck. But Parvati didn’t seem to be in the mood for caresses. “Divination isn’t rubbish,” she declared earnestly, taking his hands off her and turning around to look at him. “It’s an obscure branch of magic, but there have been amazing prophecies. Just think about Harry. You only think that Divination is worthless because you don’t have the Inner Eye.” “Ok, Divination isn’t worthless; it’s one of the most complicated and fascinating magical subjects.” Seamus didn’t sound very convincing. “Can we have breakfast now?” “You don’t believe me.” A look of sadness flashed suddenly in Parvati’s eyes. “You just don’t accept that it’s my hobby.” “Parvati, don’t talk such nonsense. Of course I believe you. Of course I accept your hobbies.” Once again, Seamus tried to hold her tight, but was rudely pushed away. “No, you don’t. You only say that to calm me down. And keep your fingers to yourself!” Parvati backed away to create at least a small distance between herself and Seamus. “Oh, bollocks,” Seamus sighed. This was just ridiculous. He couldn’t understand why Parvati made such a fuss about her Divination. “Darling, I do believe you.” He tried to catch her eyes. “So, you really believe me?” whispered Parvati, letting him come nearer to her again. “Yes, I do.” Relieved, Seamus took her into his arms, enjoying the fresh scent of her flowery perfume. “Prove it.” Parvati met Seamus’ eyes with a provoking look. “What?” Her boyfriend was so startled that he didn’t even try to kiss her, although their faces were only inches apart. “Prove it,” she repeated. “Let me See something for you.” “Oh yes, please.” Seamus’ voice was full of false enthusiasm. “But can we have breakfast first? I’m starving.” “Of course. I can read the tea leaves for you!” Parvati threw her arms around him and leaned in for a good-morning-kiss. ****************************** “So, Mr. Finnigan, what would you like to know?” Giggling, Parvati fingered her cup. Seamus groaned inwardly. He had been hoping that she would forget their small quarrel, but apparently he had to let her predict something, or she would be sleeping in her room the next week. Just what should he take? He didn’t want Parvati to See any nonsense about his job, their friends, or – the worst possibility imaginable – their relationship. “And now we’ll be listening to Beat Back Those Bludgers, Boys, and Chuck That Quaffle Here, sung by the famous Celestina Warbeck,” the radio announcer chimed in, disturbing Seamus’ thoughts. “The Quidditch league is about to start again this weekend! Titleholder Puddlemere United with their captain Oliver Wood are playing the Wimborne Wasps this evening. Other matches, taking place tomorrow afternoon, are: Falmouth Falcons versus Caerphilly Catapults, Chudley Cannons versus…” “Oh, can you See something about the Quidditch matches this weekend? Who’ll win?” Seamus asked nonchalantly, tuning the radio down with a flick of his wand. “Just tell me the results. Puddlemere versus Wasps?” He half expected Parvati to tell him that it was impossible to See the results, that the Inner Eye only saw important things like life and death. But, she had already picked up her cup, turned it around numerous times and made strange clicking sounds with her tongue. “Puddlemere will win,” she declared finally. “570 to 130.” Grinning, Seamus scribbled down Parvati’s prediction on his napkin. This was the perfect opportunity to prove her that she wasn’t a Seer after all. Puddlemere was good, but the Wasps were, too, and there was no way they would win by that much. Parvati, however, didn’t seem to share his doubts about her talent, as she told him in her misty voice that the Falcons and the Caerphilly Catapults would achieve a draw, because the Falcons would knock out the other team’s Seeker half an hour into the game. Seamus chuckled – there hadn’t been a draw in the British / Irish Quidditch League in ages. His girlfriend wouldn’t dare to say “Divination” ever again. According to Parvati, the other results were: a Chudley Cannons victory over the Montrose Magpies; the Holyhead Harpies hammering the Appleby Arrows 170:0, the Snitch being caught less than 10 minutes into the game; the Wigtown Wanderers simply thrashing the Tutshill Tornados; a narrow victory after a daylong match for the Kenmare Kestrels against the Ballycastle Bats. At this announcement, Seamus’ stomach did a somersault – as much as he hoped to prove Parvati wrong he wanted the Kestrels to win. He had been supporting them forever, and they hadn’t won against the Bats for as long as he could remember. “Any more questions?” Beaming all over her face, Parvati looked up from her cup. “Oh, Seamus, you have written the results down? That’s so sweet of you! You have to bet on these!” Startled, Seamus dropped his quill. Of course, he was going to bet, he did that each time, but he hadn’t intended to do it with those results. Now he was going to lose all his few spare Galleons – there was no way to escape Parvati. She would cling to him until he placed his bets on exactly these results. And, if he refused to bet, she would probably throw another tantrum. It wasn’t a very comfortable choice, but Seamus preferred to keep his girlfriend and not to spend the next few days in St. Mungo’s. Well, it was Parvati’s bad luck, then – he had intended to buy her a ring so he could propose to her (not that he had told her), but if she wanted him to gamble the money away… “Yes, darling, of course I’m going to bet on your results.” At least he was rewarded for the loss of his Galleons with a long kiss. ****************************** One week later “Shush, Seamus, I’m practicing.” “I only need a minute.” The door to Parvati’s room flew open to reveal a young man who grinned sheepishly. “You’re doing it again?” “Yes, I’m doing it again. What’s the matter? Breakfast is in the kitchen.” Parvati didn’t bother to turn around. Last weekend, she had been certain that Seamus finally accepted her hobby, but apparently he had only been teasing her. “I needed to see you.” Seamus’ voice sounded soft and loving as he stepped into the room and sat down opposite to Parvati. He could see her reflection in the crystal ball. Confused, Parvati looked up. What was he planning? “Parvati, I’m in love with you.” Did her eyes fail her or was Seamus Finnigan indeed blushing? “I wanted to ask you… well, would you… wouldyaliketomarryme?” “Excuse me?” Parvati tried to catch Seamus’ eyes, but he was fumbling with a small box. “I asked you if you… if you… ah, darn!” Finally the box had snapped open and he held it over the crystal ball. “Just see for yourself.” “A ring? Seamus, you don’t want – you want?” Slowly, comprehension dawned on Parvati’s face. “Oh, Seamus!” This time, the crystal ball really landed on the floor with a loud “clunk” as Parvati threw her arms around Seamus’ neck, but she didn’t care. There were more important things to do now. “Here, put it on.” Seamus gave her the ring. It glittered even in Parvati’s dark room. “Seamus, is this…” “Yes, a diamond.” Gently, he caressed her hand before putting the ring on her finger. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” “Yes, it is. But – how were you able…” “Shush.” He silenced her with a kiss. “Just continue giving predictions like last week, and we’ll soon be richer than the Malfoys.” Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. That distinction belongs to the amazing JKR. |