Disclaimer: Oh, you know.

A/N: Ahh! Sorry for not updating in such a long time! I'm horrible. I moved up to New York and it's been incredibly hectic, to say the least.
This chapter contains a slight spoiler for HBP at the end.
Also, lyrics from Oasis' song "Wonderwall" are used in this chapter. Cliche, I know, but it's a cute song...

Pettybureaucrat: Thanks for reviewing! I thought it was about time for Lavender to do some growing up.

Princess of all things sweet: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked this chapter.

The Milk of Human Kindness: I'm so glad you like the story and that you're still reviewing. You are the coolest person ever ever ever. Seriously. I don't know if you still read this, since it's been MONTHS since my last update, but you're still awesome in my book.

The Divine Miss K: Thanks so much for the review! I agree, there should definately be more Hermione/Parvati love out there! If only people would realize the fanfiction possibilities of being roommates...haha.

Kttykiwi: I'm so sorry for the lack of updates! I really am!

Untitled207: I know, it's been ages and I'm really sorry!

Miss H. Granger: Thank you for the review! I'm so glad you liked it.

Later in the day, after regaining composure and a much-needed nap with Parvati, Hermione went off to lend Harry her notes from Herbology. She decided to tell them right then and there about what was going on.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Parvati asked her, somewhat nervous.

"Positive," Hermione replied, grabbing Parvati's hand and intertwining their fingers, "I'm just tired of hiding it. It's better that they know anyway."

"But what will they say? What if-"

"Shh," Hermione said, putting a finger to Parvati's lip, "It doesn't matter what they think, what anyone thinks. People are going to say things no matter what. We might as well just go with it."

"Alright...well, as long as you're sure."

She pulled Parvati closer and kissed her softly. Parvati rested her head on Hermione's shoulder and they stayed like that for a moment. Hermione said such sweet things to her all the time. Parvati hoped that she wasn't fooled. Hermione pulled back and looked at Parvati, still keeping her arms around her.

"I love you, Parvati. I mean that."

"I love you too, Hermione. I'm so sorry that I ever doubted us."

After Hermione had left, Parvati went over to lay on her bed. She couldn't help but think about all the fun that they had just the other night. She got this comforting feeling that, somehow, everything was going to end up alright.
About ten minutes later, Lavender entered the room.

"Hey Lav," Parvati called out, sitting up in her bed.

"Hey," she replied, "So is everything alright with you and Hermione now?"

"Yeah, I think so. She just went to tell Harry and Ron about it, so I'm still waiting to see how that turns out. I mean, I know I said I'd stop caring what everyone thought, but it's easier said than done, really. I don't know. I hate contradicting myself."

"Don't worry about it. If anything, they'll be jealous," Lavender said, laughing.

Parvati began to laugh. She was glad to have a friend like Lavender, who made her laugh all the time, and only once cry.
After being silent for a minute or so, Lavender asked the question that she had been wondering ever since she saw Parvati and Hermione kiss.

"So, you're a lesbian, then?" Lavender asked Parvati as she took a seat on a chair facing her.

"I'm not sure," Parvati replied, twisting a strand of hair with her finger. She had never given the concept of being a lesbian much thought before, and quite frankly, she was confused about how to respond.

"Parvati, it's alright," Lavender responded, "It's not going to make things between us weird or awkward, I mean, you're my best friend for sobbing out loud. I'll be there for you no matter what."

Parvati almost started crying. Whether Lavender meant it or not, and Parvati supposed she did, it was good to know that Parvati had a friend who would support her despite the others who would look down upon such a relationship. All of this was bound to be a potential struggle, but Parvati promised herself that Lavender would be a bridesmaid at her wedding no matter what.

After a short silence, Lavender said, "You know, I'm glad you found someone. I always hated seeing you so hurt after the various boys that would screw up their relationship with you. She really makes you happy, doesn't she? I can tell."

"Yeah, she does," Parvati said, smiling a little, "I...I love her. I'm not sure about a lot of things, but I'm pretty sure of that."

Shock was the general sentiment shared by those who knew about Hermione and Parvati's relationship at Hogwarts. No one could really believe that it happened. Ron Weasley was probably the most shocked out of everyone. There was a point in time that he loved Hermione. Perhaps he still did, but now it felt odd to think that she was currently involved with the Gryffindor Patil. His relationship with Lavender didn't last, although everyone pretty much saw that coming, even Lavender herself. She knew that they wouldn't stay together long enough to see a six-month anniversary, and she was okay with that. This, of course, did not stop Ron from persuing Hermione later, but that is a completely different story.

Parvati was still somewhat hesitant to see how all of this would turn out, how everyone would react to this relationship that was apparently taboo. She wondered how her life had gotten so off track from how it was "supposed" to be and who she was "supposed"
to be with. Hermione made her feel so happy and so content that it was hard to believe that people would write the two of them off as being "wrong" without completely knowing. All of this had been Parvati's first taste of what real "love" was. It was all so simple and unplanned and she had no idea what Hermione was thinking when they first got involved, but it turned out to be so amazing for the both of them But perhaps all of it isn't wrong. Perhaps, in life, there isn't really a right or wrong. It becomes so hard to draw a line between those two things which all ultimately ends up a blur. Whatever happens, even though it may not be planned, perhaps it's right. who is to say what is good or bad or right or wrong or normal anyway? She was sick of all the labeling and sick of hearing about how things should be.

The rest of the school was bound to find out at some point, sooner or later. Hermione didn't seem too concerned, but Parvati was still a bit nervous about it. Still, she decided that she had to stop caring so much. Homosexuality wasn't exactly an uncommon thing. Everyone had heard rumours about the Quidditch boys, two Hufflepuff boys that shall remain nameless, and let's not even get started with Pansy Parkinson and her "Slytherin Girls Gang."

They'd deal with the backlash later, but for now, as the two girls walked into the Great Hall, Hermione Granger held Parvati Patil's hand. And until Parvati's parents took her and her sister out of school following the death of Dumbledore, Hermione didn't let go.

"I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now.
And all the roads we have to walk are winding,
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding.
There are many things that I would like to say to you, but I don't know how.
Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me And after all, you're my wonderwall."