When Seamus had met up with Parvati to go shopping, he had certain expectations. Now that he thought about it, as she greeted him with an enthusiastic hug, he acknowledged to himself that his expectations were widely divergent. He had some wishes, like another kiss like their first kiss, but he didn't expect that. No, what he expected was rather simple. He'd expected them to go from shop to shop picking up everything on their list and maybe get a few scores at the bookstore. They'd chat like they did last year. It would be back to normal. They way things had been during their first year.
Things hadn't been normal since Neville's birthday. He'd apparently come home from that birthday party in the words of his mother, totally besotted. His mother was still teasing him about that. She really should give him a break. It had been his first kiss, and he liked Parvati, he liked her a lot. That kiss, and when his hand had found her bare bum, well, there had been dreams. It hadn't helped that Parvati had managed to get grounded for it and a long phone call.
But the grounding was over now. His father had apparently had a chat with her father, and well he was sure that Parvati was wearing under things today. The hug ended just after his arms around her had managed to confirm that. The hug neatly transitioned into his arm around her waist, and her arm around his, as they turned towards the entry to Diagonally. "Still think we should start with Blots?" he asked.
Their was a sudden clearing of throat, and Seamus looked up to discover that Mr. Patil was right in front of him, looking down at him with an unreadable expression, his thick black goatee serving to convey an expression of seriousness. Somehow Seamus got the message that you didn't cross this man before he opened his mouth.
"Mister Finnigan," Mr. Patil drew out in a cadence that would not have been out of place in a dirge. "I am entrusting my daughter to your care. I expect her to be well treated, and excuses for an change in her physical or emotional states will be accepted only rarely. I expect a happy and healthy daughter back at the Leaky Cauldron no later than half past six. Forget the time, and I shall transfigure you into a pocket watch for my daughter."
Seamus could only nod his agreement. He'd never had such orders made of him before.
"Parvati, I do not have to repeat your rules?"
"No father."
"Then I shall see you both no later than half past six for a dinner with all the parents, and the signing of your courtship contract." With that, Mr. Patil appariated away, leaving behind only a wisp of purple smoke.
"He just has to do that effect as he leaves," Parvati groused. "Come on Seamus, we need to start on our lists. Madam Malkin's here we come."
Parvati's pull of their joined hands towards the robe shop reminded him of one thing he had forgotten when he'd agreed to join her for shopping. Parvati loved fashion. Seamus groaned, he'd already let Parvati know that his mother wanted him to get some more formal robes for some reason.
Entering the shop, Parvati had such an expression of glee as she let go of his hands, and headed right for the formal robe. "Come on Seamus, we need to match, and Father gave me a great budget."
"Pardon me, Parv, but I need to talk to Mister Finnigan," Parvati's older brother Parviz interrupted. "I won't take long."
Seamus took a big gulp as he found himself suddenly in a conjured tent, alone, with Parviz. The big brother who was in the British India Magical Army. The big brother who had faced down and apparently dueled a Dark Lord of Kashmir. The big brother who regularly practiced with a pair of swords which he'd watched just a few hours ago when they'd been at the Patil home.
The conjuration didn't last long, though. Parviz barely had enough time to move to loom over Seamus before it was dispelled by shop keeper. Seamus could see the disapproving glare of Madam Mulkin, more over, he could see Parvati step up to her older brother, her wand out, pointing it at his chest, static snapping down her wand arm. He'd never seen Parvati quite so scary.
"No," Parvati said firmly. "You've had enough time to scare him, and will have more this evening. This is our shopping time. Stand back and watch us if you want, but no more, not after the swords. Come on Seamus, we're supposed to pick up something traditional, and something not. What do you expect to see with traditional Irish formal robes?"
Seamus latched onto Parvati's question, trying to ignore the tremor that her older brother's actions had created. "Yellow under robe, usually a dull shade of that, and a vest like over robe, colors generally dark. Richer colors indicate richer people, and the Finnigans, well, we're not that rich. We're small landholders, who barely held onto our land when the English invaded back in Medieval times."
"So, not pure jewel hues, more off colors, and a bit towards the dull shades," Parvati summarized. "I think I can work with that. What do you think of artichoke?"
"I hate artichokes," Seamus replied puzzled.
"I was thinking about the color, but now that I think of it, let's toss that and asparagus too," Parvati said. "Colors are okay, not spectacular, but now that I think of it, I wouldn't want to say that was the color we chose. Shamrock's too much of a jewel color, so that's out. Maybe tea green – no, reseda green. Is there any problem with the under robe being a bit more towards gold?"
Seamus at least knew what color gold was, he had no idea what those other colors were. That being said, he trusted her when it came to clothes. "I'd be willing to go all the way to gold if you think it would look good."
"Oh, it will look good," Parvati said. "Especially since I'm going for a more modern traditional dress instead of a full robe. Hopefully our picture will end up beside the announcement. It might be one of the few good things started by my paranoid older brother, who awaked the traditionalist soul in my father."
"I think you might want to blame your mother's romance novels too," Seamus said. "I particularly point out, The Cheerleader's Baby and Pudding Club Ranch which happened to be on the end table next to your mother's chair this morning. I'm pretty sure they aren't yours, your sisters, or your sister-in-laws."
"And how are you sure about that?" Parvati said, raising her left eyebrow, as she came to a stop next to a set of under robes with puffy sleeves.
"I know your reading taste, and Padma isn't too far off that, or so you've told me. "Kaamilee was reading The Hound of the Baskervilles, so I doubt those are hers." Seamus said as she pulled out one in a gold shade and held it up to him.
"You're right, mum wanted a large family, but couldn't have any more after us," Parvati said, shaking her head. "Less gold, more yellow, for you, I think. As soon as she finds out Kaamilee is pregnant, she'll have no peace."
"Which is why, we're not telling Mum until Kaamilee is safe at Hogwarts," Parviz interjected himself back into the conversation. "Not to tell anything about that plan, Kaamilee will let you wear the necklace you so liked that was her mother's for the picture."
"She's already promised me that, Parviz," Parvati replied.