A/N: There are two mistakes I made that make this slightly AU. One I realized the moment after I put up the first chapter and started the second: that Luna isn't in the same year as the other main characters. I decided to just stick with it, though, for the sake of the story. Then, after posting the third chapter, I realized that Dean shouldn't even be at Hogwarts since he's a Muggle-born and was on the run during DH. So my decision now is to simply make it slightly AU. Very sorry about these mistakes that you or may not have realized: hope it doesn't ruin it for you. But yeah, enjoy.

"So, class, you will be split up into pairs of two to present projects on Human Transfiguration. This is very much like the kind of projects those of you who went to Muggle grade school should be familiar with," Professor McGonagall explained to her seventh-year class. "Oh, and I'll be choosing the pairs."

Her class gave one long groan. McGonagall ignored them, and began calling out pairs. "Padma Patil and Ernie Macmillan, Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown, Seamus Finnegan and Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson, Gregory Goyle and Hannah Abbott, Parvati Patil and Dean Thomas…"

Parvati turned around and smiled at Dean. "Hey, partner," she said pleasantly.

"Ready to work?" Dean joked.

"Oh, yeah, Dean, you're real hardworking."

"You know it," Dean said.

"Well, here's to being partners," Parvati said, holding out her palm for a high-five: a Muggle custom Dean had taught her years ago. They did their handshake: two slap fives, a fist bump, and then "Patchow!"

"Ms. Patil, Mr. Thomas. Flirt on your own time," McGonagall scolded.

The class laughed and Dean smiled at Parvati jokingly. (Secretly he wished it were true.) But Parvati's face was completely flushed as she answered McGonagall, her tone stony. "We're most definitely not flirting, Professor."

xXxX

After class, Dean walked alongside Seamus and Neville, both of whom were discussing their partners for the project.

"Can't say I'm complaining, Seamus. Lavender Brown is perfectly fine in my book."

"I only wish I was you," Seamus complained, referring to his hopeless crush on Lavender.

"Yeah?" Neville said. "I wish I could trade with you."

Dean shook his head. How hopelessly crushed the three were.

"At least you have Parvati as a partner, Dean," Seamus remarked.

"Oh, yeah! Gonna make some moves finally, Dean?" Neville asked.

Dean feigned a smile. "We'll see."

xXxX

Parvati walked with Lavender to lunch after Transfiguration.

"So, Dean," Lavender said. "Good or bad?"

"Good!" Parvati answered. "We've been close friends since third year, you know that."

"Right, just friends," Lavender giggled.

"Lavender," Parvati's tone turned stony again. "We're just friends."

Lavender's face and tone turned serious too. "Whoa, I'm sorry, I just…"

"It's okay," Parvati exhaled. "You don't want to know, believe me."

"Um, okay," Lavender giggled nervously. "So I've got Neville. Should be workable."

"Yeah, but it'd be better if it were Herbology." Both girls laughed, and didn't notice the blonde-haired girl come up behind them.

"Hello!" came the dreamy voice.

Parvati and Lavender turned around. "Oh, hi, Luna," Parvati greeted.

"How are you?" Lavender added.

"Pretty fine, thanks. And you?"

"We're just great," Lavender answered for the both of them. "Happy with your Transfiguration partner?"

"Oh, Seamus? Yeah, it should be fun."

Lavender's face flamed at the mention of Seamus's name. "Oh, you got Seamus?" she asked casually.

"Well, yeah, you heard the Professor."

Parvati laughed into her hands at Lavender's red face.

"Well, Luna," Lavender attempted to regain her composure. "Good luck." Then she dragged Parvati into the Great Hall.

"Calm down, Lavender."

"Can you believe Seamus is paired with Loony Lovegood?" she shrieked.

"Lavender, please. Like Luna is a big flirt or anything. Maybe if you'd just put on the charm for Seamus, something would get going with you two!"

"Completely besides the point," Lavender lied, sitting down at the Gryffindor table.

Parvati sat down next to her. "Besides," Lavender added, reaching for the steak-and-kidney pie. "You're not the one who should be talking."

xXxX

Dean sat with Seamus and Neville, trying not to stare at Parvati, who looked miserable while Lavender yapped on and on beside her.

"Quit staring, mate, and just talk to her," Seamus remarked at the end of lunch, when Parvati got up alone.

"I will if you will," Dean responded, gesturing towards Lavender, who now sat alone.

"Deal."