Chapter 2: With New Sight
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5/2018: Chapter updated for content
Enjoy
Of Death and Fate
Chapter Two: With New Sight
Part One: Introductions and Explanations
August 14, 1994, Late morning in Harry's Hospital Room
Harry felt himself drift in a placid space. There was no time or worry. It felt a near century since the last thing he remembered from the waking world.
That last clear memory was of being surrounded by people. People he knew. Mr. Weasley was holding him. Hermione was screaming and crying. Ron and his siblings were all there. The girl he had saved was cradled in a man's arms, her father, Harry assumed. A girl near his age that he knew, she looked a good bit like the girl he saved. Then there was another man—someone Harry felt he should remember—he had a warm smile.
As Harry mulled over this memory, an odd feeling washed over him. He couldn't be sure if it was a memory or not, but it felt new and—yet old at the same time.
There were three women, and they had sung to him as they walked. He then 'remembered' a room and people he knew all sad. The girl he saved gave a hug to Hermione. He saw Hermione run from the room—and another girl followed her. Greengrass—Daphne Greengrass was the girl.
He felt something overtake him as he watched Greengrass comfort Hermione. Lights and tethers connected Hermione and Greengrass—and then they both were connected to him.
And then the world dropped again as Harry felt himself fall from his serene perch. This time instead of the still, calm nothingness, Harry rushed passed a surrounding carnival of lights and that wondrous song the women had been singing. He felt as his speed became exponentially greater, and then—
His eyes opened and his ears strained at the sudden loss of sound and light.
The place Harry found himself in was dimly lit, and quiet except for a low murmur consisting of two distinctly female voices.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust and for the sound of the conversation to focus, but Harry felt his senses hone in on the two people quick enough.
He could tell one of the girls was Hermione. The sight of her hair and tone of her warm voice was a dead give-away. She looked to have been crying at some point earlier given her slightly red nose and eyes.
The other girl was Greengrass. She stood with a hand on Hermione's back and looked to be rubbing comforting circles.
If Harry had been contemplating something other than the two young women, he may have noticed that his eyesight, while not perfect, was far and away better than it had been before he found himself in that particular bed.
As Harry watched them he took in the sight of Greengrass. She was tall, taller than Hermione which meant she was certainly taller than him. He was used to that though (sometimes he even found himself cursing his height merely for the fact that it left him feeling awkward in the Gryffindor boy showers within the quidditch pitch, because the Twins always used that to threaten hoisting him over the divider to the girl's side). Harry batted away his introspective tangent as he focused back on the girl. Greengrass was also thin—Harry thought on that for a moment before deciding it was wrong to describe her as thin as it gave the sense of the unhealthy—she was slender. He noticed that her hair was neither blonde, nor brown. It was more of a caramel—or even a butterscotch color. Light, but warm. In fact, at that moment, Greengrass was emanating warmth. She was comforting Hermione in a way that Harry would only reserve for friends. More specifically how Hermione comforted him.
Harry could not remember a time when he had seen Greengrass on friendly terms with anyone, other than one or two Slytherins. She was the haughty, reserved Slytherin. Even her expression always held a disinterested, aloof air to it, but at that moment her face was open and relaxed. Her voice had even lost the clipped nature as she spoke softly.
"Hermione—don't worry about that buffoon—I'm not worried about his insensitivities and you shouldn't be either." He heard Greengrass say. "Besides, we know Potter is fine—Healer Jones said it would only be a matter of when he wakes up—and aren't you the one who spent the better part of this past year telling me how resilient he is—he'll be okay." Harry watched as Greengrass smiled and Hermione moved instantly to hug the girl in a way that Harry selfishly believed was reserved for only him—and possibly her parents.
"I'm not worried about Ronald—he is just confused by this situation—I just wish he could understand—I wish they all could understand how unfair this is." Hermione sniffled into the embrace.
As they stood hugging, Harry began to hear a familiar music, and lights blurred his vision. Then he felt a warm tide of emotions sweep over him. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the unfamiliar sense self-worth and care.
When Harry allowed his eyes to open back up he met the surprised gaze of Greengrass. He watched as the girl stiffened in an instant and her expression shifted back to the aloof mask he knew from school.
"Daphne-" Harry heard Hermione ask into the girls shoulder before she lifted her head to look at Greengrass. "What's the matter?"
Harry watched as Greengrass broke eye contact with him and her expression softened slightly as she met Hermione's. With a slight tilt of her head towards Harry, Daphne released Hermione from their hug.
Then Harry played witness to a sight he had bared witness to on more than one occasion, but this time something had changed.
As Hermione turned towards him, Harry was gifted with observing the arc of emotions that played across Hermione's face. First there was confusion which quickly gave way to surprise. Then understanding blossomed marvelously in her expression as a bit of wetness crept its way into her eyes. Her mouth was what gave away the final emotion he was able to witness; the surprised gape that had originally appeared gave way to a watery smile as she moved faster than Harry had ever given her credit for in the past.
He sat there; the left side of his head cushioned in-between two—very womanly things—two things he felt like he should have noticed before this point in time, but he knew that girls usually changed during…Harry stopped his thoughts—as Hermione cradled his head and cried into his hair.
Across the room he saw the slip in Greengrass' face. Another small smile made an appearance before she regained her emotions.
He could hear the mumbling phrases Hermione let loose into the crown of his head. None of them were properly cogent, but from the inflection she was a wash of overlapping thoughts.
"Potter." Greengrass said in a controlled voice as she nodded slightly to him.
Hermione's sniffles and whispers stopped in an instant, and Harry felt her lift her head from his. She, however, did not remove his head from its current placement in her bosom.
"Greengrass?" Harry intoned his slight confusion into her name.
"Daphne—" Hermione's own voice held a pleading quality that Harry was quite sure he had never heard come from her before.
Greengrass simply gave a slight shake of her head; Harry assumed it was to whatever silent question Hermione was making towards her.
"Potter—My father, Lord Cyrus Greengrass, has asked me the senior daughter of the House of Greengrass, Daphne Calliope Greengrass, to recognize on behalf of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass—that in the early morning hours of August the twelfth of this year nineteen hundred and ninety four; Harry James Potter, last scion and heir apparent of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, willingly risked his own life to rescue a scion and daughter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass, one Astoria Ophelia Greengrass, from possible death and certain bodily harm." Greengrass took a steadying breath. "As such the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass wishes to acknowledge the Life Debt owed and will on its honor strive to meet any demands of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter in order to repay the precious gift which your sacrifice has allowed our house to keep. My Father will meet with you at your earliest convenience, and wishes your recovery to be quick and healthy." Greengrass gave a short curtsey and met Harry's eyes.
"Daph—" Harry heard Hermione whisper out softly. Greengrass gave another short shake of her head to Hermione as she kept Harry's gaze.
Harry understood in part what she was saying. What he did not understand was the formality of the situation. The one thing he understood completely was that the tension in the room was far beyond comfortable. Harry was already in a hospital bed with his head pillowed between Hermione's—breast (not as tightly as before, but still rested against them), something that attributed to his own stress at the moment. Added to that was the unblinking forget-me-not blue gaze of Greengrass holding his own. So to diffuse the tension Harry felt the need to ask a question.
"Is your sister okay then?" He asked as he blinked and unfocused his gaze from her eyes to take in her expression clearly.
Greengrass' eyes moved back to Hermione for a second before she tilted her head and gave him a slightly questioning look before letting another tiny smile slide onto her face. "Yes, she is perfectly fine," the smile widened slightly before an oddly strained look passed her eyes, "Thank you, Potter."
Greengrass gave another small curtsey, "I expect you two would like privacy." She moved to the door.
Harry felt Hermione move away from him slightly and her hand stiffen where it lay upon his shoulder. Then he noticed the small quiver Greengrass' chin gave as she reached for the door.
"Greengrass—" He said his voice mixing with Hermione's panicked "Daph" and for the first time since she moved towards him Harry looked to Hermione. Her eyes were a wondrous sight of red-rimmed pools of deep cinnamon and tawny brown. Those eyes held a begging quality of unspoken want—need to have the other girl in the room. In a moment of unparalleled insight, insight that one day he could see himself be proud of, he knew he had no want to question Hermione's connection with Greengrass. The girl obviously held a place of importance to Hermione—and from the look of it the reverse was true as well.
"Greengrass." Harry said again as he turned to see where she had stopped with her hand on the door, and despite the voice in the back of his head that sounded like Ron threatening a full-on bollicking he said, "Daphne—If you don't mind—I could do with the company." He smiled as she met his eyes. Her own eyes widened slightly as she gave a nod in reply. Next to him, He could hear a slight whimper.
He turned to Hermione and noticed that her eyes were in the process of moving to Greengrass—Daphne as a wide smile began to take over her face.
"Thank you; I would like that—Harry." Daphne said as she moved to stand at the foot of his bed.
A small silence overtook the room as Hermione stood next to him nearly vibrating with excitement, anticipation, or nervous tension; given the energy she was emitting it was quite possibly all three.
He watched as the girls exchanged a seemingly silent conversation with minute head movements and the slight narrowing or shifting of eyes.
Harry finally felt the need to say something—or more succinctly approach the hippogriff in the room. "Hermione?" He asked his friend and waited until she looked down to him, "Perhaps a proper introduction is in order? Considering—" He smiled sheepishly to Hermione as he motioned to the air in-between himself and Daphne.
"Oh!—Yes!—Daphne, this is my best friend Harry Potter!" Hermione's hand found his as she said this, "Harry, this is Daphne Greengrass my—" Hermione paused and seemed to have lost her normally eloquent command of the English language. Her free hand was frozen in the air, in the direction of Daphne.
Daphne's face was a mask, but her eyes held that same quality of need that Hermione's had held just moments before.
"Other best friend—I'm guessing?" Harry supplied for Hermione with a small grin.
Hermione sharply met his eyes, her own wide. She tentatively nodded her head before slowly looking back at Daphne; whose eyes had eased and appeared a bit watery. "Yes, Harry—my other best friend." She stated as she moved to the other girl and took her hand. They must have looked an odd sight in the moment of silence that passed. Hermione's arms wide along the length of the bed as she held both of their hands.
Of Death & Fate
Perhaps if they were more cognizant of the auras around them, they would have noticed a slight flare in Hermione's as she gripped both of their hands.
Of Death & Fate
As the moment passed Hermione turned back to look at Harry.
"How—how did you know?" She asked with a shy look.
Before he could think too long, a whisper from somewhere deep inside him brushed past his mind and burst from his mouth, "You've always seemed to know what I am thinking, and always seem to know more about me than even I do—perhaps I'm just finally catching up."
As soon as the words had left his mouth, he felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Hermione, similarly, flushed bright as she tightened her grip slightly on his hand. Daphne raised a delicate eyebrow, accentuating her elfin face, and sent a small smirk to Hermione's shifting eyes.
"Oh! Well—I" Hermione began, but stuttered on the thought.
Harry could feel the tension slowly rise again, and allowed his thoughts to flow unbidden once again as he looked to Daphne.
"Thank you for comforting Hermione." He said with conviction. "I'm not so great with things like this, but I'm glad she has someone close enough and that she trusts enough to accept it from." Harry gave Daphne a smile.
The Slytherin girl gave him a wide-eyed nod in return before moving to meet Hermione's gaze.
Once again they held a small conversation that was not vocalized, and Harry felt himself angry that he never noticed her friendship with the other girl. He was not angry that they had the friendship, but more to the fact that he had apparently not held up his end of Hermione's and his.
'How long had they been friends?'
'How did they become friends?'
'How was he so blind that he did not notice?'
The questions flowed through his mind as they held their non-verbal conversation. The last one to go through was 'What were they saying about Ron?'
As he looked up he noticed their looks were becoming sporadic as they shifted their eyes to him every few seconds.
"Hermione? What were you saying about Ron a few minutes ago?" He asked watching her expression darken slightly and Daphne's mask slip back at the mention of his other friend. "What happened?"
"Ronald seems to be under the misconception that he has a right to question my friendship with you, because of my friendship with Daphne." Hermione replied hotly as she finally released both of their hands and crossed her arms in a huff. "I mean honestly! He can be the most infuriating fool! How dare he say what he did and insinuate that! And all the while acting as if I didn't care that you were—" She continued as she built up a head of steam. Daphne's hand touching her shoulder seemed to calm her slightly.
"Weasley had a few choice words about my character—in all honesty I'm surprised it was not worse than it was." Daphne offered, mask still in place.
Harry furrowed his brows. Yes, Ron could be insensitive and rash with his words, but deliberately hurtful. Not that Harry had much room to judge on that front. The other girl was in Slytherin, but she had never been blatantly prejudiced against them. To his memory she had also never been part of Malfoy's little group.
"I'm sorry for whatever he said. Ron doesn't always think before he says something, not that it is an excuse. In all honesty I normally have the same problem" Harry supplied quickly. Hermione turned to him with widened eyes. Daphne's mask fell slightly as she quirked her eyebrow again. "I don't know how you two came to be friends—" He noticed them dip their heads and exchange a look, "But it's obvious to me that you are indeed friends, and I would personally like to know how that came to be—and how long I've been here." He offered, what he hoped to be, a reassuring smile.
Hermione's smile was somewhat odd as she shifted her eyes. He suddenly found himself hoisted up slightly as she buried her face into his neck; which he noticed at that moment was bare like the rest of him under the sheet.
Daphne's reaction was much more reserved, for obvious reasons, as the girl gave him a questioning smile and, what he imagined to be, a relieved nod.
"Oh Harry, yes, we'll tell you everything," Hermione said as she broke the hug, "You've been here for three days—it's the fourteenth now." She smiled as she moved to sit on the bed next to him.
He shifted himself, and the sheet, to sit up and cover his-self fully.
Daphne moved to sit in the chair next to the bed, her left knee touching Hermione's right.
"You—well let's just say that it was a rough few hours after they brought you in." Hermione's expression was a mixture of a grimace and a smile as her eyes tightened and watered. "I was so scared when we saw you—Harry they said you were gone for a few moments and you were in the emergency medical healing wing for so long. They only moved you in here yesterday." She whispered the last bit as she leaned in and hugged him tight again.
Harry was confused slightly at the news of his apparent temporary death, but had other worries. For instance despite being a, now, fourteen year old male, and naked, but luckily his body did not have the reaction he worried about given Hermione hugging him while he was nude besides the heavy sheet covering him.
"I'm okay Hermione." He said as her soft sobs slightly shook them. Daphne seemed to be watching him with expectation. Expectation of what; he was not fully sure, but he would try his best. "Really, I'm fine. In fact—" he took a moment to really give himself an internal check; there was soreness on his right side but that was it, "I feel pretty good." He nudged her away from him to get a good look at her.
She obviously had spent a good amount of time crying in the two days prior. He took in the dark circles behind the red-rimmed eyes and the tired quality her watery smile produced. He was amazed at the raw emotion Hermione was showing him—but he was also amazed at the clear vision of Hermione.
"Hermione—where are my glasses?" He asked.
"Oh Harry I'm sorry." She moved to the table next to his bed and pulled the wire-framed glasses.
"Actually." Harry started as he lifted the glasses to his face. Before they were even halfway up the bridge of his nose he could see the difference in focus between not wearing the glasses and wearing them. For some reason not wearing them was much better at that point. "I don't need them—at least not with that prescription" He pulled them back off and folded them, "I can see well enough now—earlier when I first woke up—you and Daphne were a bit blurry, but I can see you just fine at the moment." He smiled at her calculating look. He could practically see the wheels turning at speeds that would put the Hogwarts Express to shame. "Hermione." She looked up to him as he said her name. He looked over to Daphne then. "I believe you two were going to tell me how you became friends."
Hermione's head swiveled from him to Daphne and back. "Harry I know you're trying to distract me, but I did say we would tell you." She narrowed her eyes slightly and he could not help but smile at the look she gave him. "But we probably should have made Healer Jones aware of you being conscious as soon as you woke up." She made to stand, but Harry moved quick in taking her hand.
"Hermione." He said catching her eye. "As soon as you tell them I'm awake—I'm going to have to deal with answering a lot of questions—I'm going to have to listen to whatever has been happening—and to be honest I would really, really much rather hear this story. It would be much more interesting to know how you and Daphne got to know each other." His smile, if he was privy to information that passed in the girl's lavatory, was the thing that made a fair few of the female population of Hogwarts week-in-the-knees on its rare occurrence.
Hermione smiled and blushed as she ducked her head and looked over to Daphne, who smiled and met Hermione's eyes. Then Harry saw that same flash of worry cross Hermione's smile as she had earlier.
"Okay then Harry, but I'm going to get Healer Jones the minute we finish this okay? And if you still want me here I'll be happy to stay." Hermione gave him a wry grin when he nodded.
Of Death & Fate
Part 2: How the friendship came to be
Mid-October 1993, Hogwarts Library
Daphne and Hermione were sat in a rarely used corner in the Ancient Runes reference section of the library.
Daphne had been watching her for the past month and a half and noticed quite quickly that Granger was doing the impossible given the new standard scheduling for third years. Just the year before it was made mandatory, by the board of governors, not to allow for all subjects to not be taken at the same time. Too many students had suffered breakdowns during both OWLS and NEWTS examinations. So the fact that Granger was able to do this according to all the information available made Daphne suspicious.
They had been assigned as partners for not only the Arithmancy project of building a basic charm formula, but were given their current project of building a rune cluster of the beginning Nordic script they had been studying.
This amount of time together was what had originally made her notice the other girl's seemingly impossible schedule, and also gave her the opportunity to question her about it.
"So Granger—" Daphne started as she waited until the other girl looked up and met her eyes, "how is it that you're in every course offered when I know you could not possibly be in Divinations when you are in Ancient Runes with me, yet I have it on very good authority that you are, in fact, in both classes. And have yet to miss a period of either." Daphne would be lying if she said she did not enjoy the way the girl's mouth flopped open and her face took a heated quality as she snapped her mouth shut. Right before she could speak Daphne cut her off, "Going to try and deny it. Okay then, let's look at the facts. On top of what I already know, I quiet easily remember seeing you in here right before lunch period began not three days ago—yet I took the quickest way down to the Great Hall. You were still here reading when I left, but still you somehow managed to beat me down and be halfway through with your meal all in three minutes. I've considered many things, but none make sense—not even a very advanced potion called polyjuice." The other girl opened her mouth again to try and retort, but Daphne beat her yet again. "I wondered how that could happen, so I ran back up here—do you know what I saw? —You. Sitting right where you were when I left. Not one thing different except your page I bet. And that has happened every day since, more than likely you're down there now—perhaps we should run down and check." Daphne leaned back and enjoyed the way the Granger's eyes shifted about their reclusive alcove.
For her part, Hermione was rather quick on the uptake of figuring out that this moment was the one McGonagall had prepared her for when she was first given the ability to take her classes. After her quick scan of the area she met Greengrass' eyes. "How are your privacy charms?"
"Superb." Greengrass said and quirked her eyebrows as she drew her wand. Her face never gave way her impassive expression as they both cast the necessary charms.
After setting down her wand Hermione asked the question she already knew the answer to, "I don't suppose you would let this go?" After receiving the negative headshake from the other girl she steeled herself. "I have questions before I tell you how I have been able to handle my class schedule."
Greengrass nodded again.
"First, will you be using this information to lord over me or blackmail me in anyway? I ask because if so we will be having a problem." Hermione intoned as much authority in her voice as she could.
"No, Granger—I don't intend to lord it over you." Greengrass replied with a smirk.
"Okay, good!" Hermione's sigh of relief may have been louder than she intended. Even if she was not sold on the girl's honesty, the blanket hope of her agreement was a slight lifting of weight. "Second, do you intend to notify others of this information?"
"No, Granger—I have no intention of doing anything with this information." Greengrass smiled slightly, "You and I are very similar Granger."
"How so?" Hermione bristled a bit at the flippant tone of the other girl.
"Oh don't take offense Granger, I meant none. Just that birds of a feather, flock together." She gave a slight giggle. "You and I are the top two students in our year. With you edging me out by a few Outstanding." Greengrass leaned over the table. "But more to the point we are also a bit different from our predominantly Ravenclaw competition; in that our drives are very similar. You, no matter how much you may disagree, wish to prove yourself better than what others like Malfoy claim you are." Greengrass stopped her from trying to retort. "Now, now. We both know his second hand ideologies are pure drivel based not only on the fact we have you as evidence, your dear friend Potter's Mother is a prime example of their fallacy." Hermione's eyebrows rose as Greengrass said this, "I am driven to prove my family is indeed better than those who see us as not deserving of our title." Greengrass gave a wan smile. "My family's roots are mixed English and Icelandic. We still have ties to Iceland and my mother is originally from Keflavík, which all the other 'pureblood' families see as a sullying of the line. And they have no problem expressing this during the lovely parties they decide to invite us to." Greengrass tilted her head and gave a quirked eyebrow. "Any more questions?"
Hermione watched the girl for a few moments and though she had many questions only one really bothered her. "What do you plan to do with this information? I know you said it was a personal curiosity, but—"
"Why would you want to know if the situations were reversed? What would you do with it Granger?" Greengrass said suddenly. "I've worked out that whatever it is; a professor gave it to you. More than likely it was Professor McGonagall; after all you're her favorite. Which means you were allowed this—so there is no point in telling someone as it would just mean it would be taken from you which would leave no one in a good position for anything.. On top of that you obviously know what you're doing if I'm the only person who has figured it out—and that is only because we've been made partners in two classes." Greengrass leaned back in her chair again. "As to what I want to do with the information; nothing. I see this as a simply sating a curiosity; and possibly finding a foothold into cordial acquaintance-ship with a person I will more than likely be working with for the next five years if Professors Babblings and Vector go by alphabetical order—not that I would mind as you are the other most intelligent person in our year, so we are assured O's on every project." Greengrass finished with a smile.
Hermione knew she had no other option, but she also felt as if she was betraying McGonagall in being found out especially so quickly.
Greengrass must have sensed her trepidation because the other girl offered this, "If you would like I will offer a binding oath on my magic to keep your secret." Greengrass already had her wand in hand and at the ready.
"NO!" Hermione screamed as she dove across the table and shoved the other girl's hand down. "I've read about those! You could lose your magic!" Hermione said indignantly.
Greengrass laughed lightly, "Granger— that is the point of doing it. I am sure of my ability to keep this a secret. So I do not mind making the oath."
Hermione kept her hand on Greengrass's for a moment and pondered the girl's sincerity. Greengrass, in Hermione's opinion, did not come up wanting.
"No, I don't think that is necessary." Hermione released the other girl's hand and sat down properly. She reached into the neckline of her jumper and pulled the chain and time turner out. "This—this is how I have been doing it. It's a—"
"Time turner." Greengrass smirked. "It was my best guess , but I didn't know how McGonagall could get one." Greengrass shook her head. "She either did some very, very questionable things on behalf of her favorite student, or she called in a large favor from someone within the Department of Mysteries—either way I'm impressed—and a bit envious." Greengrass finished with a surprisingly genuine smile as she leaned forward and looked at the object. "I bet your schedule is relentless even with this—I'm guessing you regulate where you can be within the castle at any given time period." Greengrass looked up to her.
Hermione nodded, and if she was honest with herself she was also preening slightly on the inside with Greengrass's praise.
"Okay Granger, my curiosity is appeased." Greengrass smiled. "Now, I have to tell you. You need to get some more rest—you look like you've been drug about by that large dog the groundskeeper has in his cottage." Hermione moved to interrupt, but Greengrass kept going, "Look, I'm not going to force you—but you and I are partners as well as competitors for top spots. I don't want to lose the person who challenges me for that. If you are not sleeping or resting at least, you will not be able to keep up." Greengrass finally let her wand down on the table. "Look I—I really would like to have a cordial—friendship; especially given our position at the moment. It would be easier if we were to keep it confined to our work and this library, but I wouldn't mind if it were a friendship of outward expression—especially considering it would give Malfoy a puzzle for his pitiful excuse of a brain to try and figure out." Greengrass smiled.
Hermione smiled as well at Greengrass's observation. "Okay I will attempt to find more time to rest, I had originally planned to possibly get a few extra hours of sleep around the time of exams anyway." Hermione extended her hand to the other girl. "I will promise to try and make sure I maintain a proper schedule to keep the standard of our apparent competition—and it's Hermione."
Greengrass smiled and shook her hand in return, "Glad to hear it—Hermione. I'm Daphne."
Of Death & Fate
For the next few months the tentative friendship of the girls grew to an actual surprising depth.
Hermione had explained the situation to Professor McGonagall, and the usually strict woman had simply smirked at the two girls as she awarded points to Daphne on being an upstanding example of a concerned peer.
They both found solace in the secret they shared. Hermione in particular enjoyed the fact that she had female companionship, and it was not convoluted with the giggles and talk of makeovers Lavender and Parvati always seemed keen on bringing into their conversations.
Daphne enjoyed the companionship and conversation that Hermione always provided. Her other friend Tracey was a great girl, but their interests were always divided when it came to academics. Tracey was much more a fan of Care of Magical Creatures and an adamant lover of true Divination (though she was not a fan of Trelawney's class).
The two girls found themselves in a great partnership when it came to their projects. Daphne's family held, what she called, the largest personal collection of runic text outside of the Egyptian Head of Gringotts Library. She herself had spent most of her free time as a child within her grandfather's study going over his personal notes on Sanskrit versus Hieroglyphic text and conversing in Old Nordic tongues while her grandfather fed her too many sweet treats in her mother's opinion.
Likewise Hermione had a natural propensity for Arithmancy. Because of her primary school education and her father, Richard, she had learned quite a bit of both Geometry and formula manipulation within algebra. While neither of them were keen on the divining portion of the subject the magical theory and spell creation possibilities it brought out caused great glee for both.
As such the two girls had long since passed the first part of their projects while the others in the two classes were just beginning to break through their first understandings of the subjects.
Most of their free time was spent talking over their shared interest in academics and sharing information about the muggle and wizarding world. Hermione did under the umbrella of their burgeoning friendship share the truth about her and Harry's adventures (Ron's contributions were mentioned, but Daphne found them unimportant).
Daphne expressed her worry over the two boys' lack of not noticing Hermione's schedule and behavior. Specifically she questioned about Harry to Hermione's discomfort sometimes. Daphne did make sure to not push Hermione's very strict boundaries when mentioning the Boy-Who-Lived.
This young friendship did receive a sudden growth in the days following the first of the new term.
Of Death & Fate
Early-February 1994 Hermione and Daphne's table in the Ancient Runes section
Daphne was quite angry during this time period. Not at Hermione, but at her supposed two best friends. Especially at Harry Potter.
"I mean honestly Ronald just blamed Crookshanks without any real evidence. I admit that Crookshanks has never been fond of the rat, but he's also not gone after him after I told him not to. Besides I know for a fact that Crookshanks goes in there to see Harry all the time so his infernal rat was safe all of those other times. This was no different!" Hermione's rant was understandably longer than usual.
Daphne's anger had been growing since she had returned from the Holidays to find Hermione overworked and moping over the incident with Potter's broom. Then that time of silence between the boys and her friend had lasted until yesterday when her friend had tried to approach Potter only to be interrupted by the pompous redhead. In retrospect she may have bitten off more than she had originally planned when beginning her friendship with Hermione, but now she was invested in the girl and was thoroughly pissed at the way her friend was being treated.
"Hermione —is their friendship even worth it?" Daphne asked a little louder than she had planned, but their area was warded properly so she did not worry. "I mean are they really worth it? Weasley is a buffoon of immense proportions, and Potter, despite everything you've said, has no backbone when it comes to defending you from the idiot. And neither seems to care enough to see how you've been so withdrawn and tired this past month. They haven't noticed anything about your schedule. For Merlin's sake they didn't even celebrate your birthday! So why, on all of Gringotts gold, do you put up with them?" Daphne huffed.
"Daph—they—Harry was my first friend—I know he is a bit stubborn and he didn't listen to why I did what I did about the broom, but he's my best friend." Hermione had, the now common, tears coming from her eyes. "Ron and I have never gotten on that well, but he doesn't —"
"Don't tell me he doesn't bother you when he says those things." Daphne said, surprised that she was even beginning to cry. "Just like I know it hurts you when Malfoy runs his mouth. I know its worse because Weasley is supposed to be your friend; and worse off Potter doesn't defend you."
Hermione's chin wobbled slightly as she began to wipe furiously at her eyes. "Daphne —I can't give up on them —especially not Harry." The first sob shook her hard, and Daphne found herself moving to her friend. The Slytherin girl was not used to giving comfort to anyone but her sister, and yet on instinct and need she found herself wrapping Hermione in her arms and putting her own head onto the girl's shoulder. "I know, more than Ron or anyone, that he —how much —how much he hurts —how much those people —." The girl's sobs were testing their privacy charm's strength. "He's my best friend, Daph. And I can see it. It's there and no one else seems to notice it."
Daphne was not sure what Hermione was fully talking about, but she had always followed the unspoken rule about not bringing up anything about Potter and his seemingly complicated life beyond the surface. And given the girl's current state she figured that moment would be inappropriate to delve into the issue, so she did what she felt was right. She allowed Hermione to hold onto her for dear life until the girl had finally calmed down enough to speak to.
"Hermione, I'm sorry that I brought up the situation like that." Daphne smiled apologetically, "how about we pack this up and go to the Room of Runes? You can take a kip on that lovely sofa in there and we can relax for the afternoon?"
As soon as she had mentioned a rest, Hermione had let loose a large, involuntary yawn and followed it up with a wan smile.
"It's okay Daph —and a nap sounds lovely right now." Hermione smiled. "Thank you, for this though." Hermione blushed slightly, "I'm not used to 'girl' friends —and it's quite nice to have someone who understands."
Daphne had a light laugh as she pushed their collective books into each bag. "Yeah, it is nice. Tracey and I get on well, but we don't really get to spend time like this."
As the two dropped their wards and made their way out of the library they each were secretly pleased that the stressful event brought them closer.
Of Death & Fate
In the months following the Scabbers incidents Daphne was still quiet about Hermione's friendship with the boys. She of course would bring up how she questioned their intelligence and loyalty to not notice Hermione's schedule situation, but she would not overtly bring up major instances.
The two from that point did bond quicker and both let slip the last bit of their masks concerning one another. As they finished their projects and made use of their extra time the two began to slowly relay their earlier life experiences in mass.
Hermione was quick to explain her strict attitude about education, and how it was her safety net during primary school. She admitted to the bullying she had suffered within her muggle school. She had been quick to say that while she did not let it affect her during the day, at night, with her parents, she would often cry and enjoy the comfort of her parents love. Hermione expressed her want to bring Daphne into the muggle world and show the pureblood girl the real wonders of the mundane world.
Daphne, in turn, told about her family's life and the warmth of her family within the confines of their home. In the public world her father was known as a hard man, just like his father before him, and never supported a specific agenda outside of his export/import business. She explained the social structure of the 'pureblood' world and its hierarchy (though she was careful to bring up Potter's place in it as she wished to speak with her father about that). She promised to bring all of her books on the subject of wizarding nobility and proprietary practices to Hermione for the next school year.
The two girls enjoyed the time they had together, and once again their friendship deepened after the capture and escape of Sirius Black.
Of Death & Fate
June-two hours after Hermione is released from Hospital Wing- Their table in the library
"I, Daphne Calliope Greengrass, do hereby swear upon my life and magic that any and all information discussed by myself and Hermione Jean Granger during this conversation will remain only with me. I will not speak, write, or express in any fashion what I come to learn unless expressly allowed by Hermione Jean Granger or by Harry James Potter." Daphne said before Hermione could react. She then nonverbally cast a Lumos and Nox in quick succession as a preliminary proof of her offered promise.
"Daph! What the hell are you doing?" Hermione screeched.
"Hermione we've spent the last hour arguing over whether you are going to tell me why you're bandaged up, and why Potter, you, and Weasley were seen leaving the Hospital Wing today in your current condition. I know you've had another one of your ridiculous adventures, and I know it had to have been revolving around Potter and Sirius Black." Daphne kept her hard stare at Hermione. "So now that I have offered my oath and added Potter just in case, I want to know why I'm guessing your life, my —my best friend's life, was endangered yet again." Daphne allowed her stare to soften a bit when she finally allowed her formally unspoken level of friendship with Hermione to be aired out.
"Daph —" Hermione smiled at the new milestone of admittance. Inside she knew it was not her story to tell, and that Sirius' safety was a factor. But she also knew, somewhere where logic did not matter inside her, that Daphne was a true friend and confidant. The girl had kept her secret about the time turner and been the only other friend that was as close to her as Harry. But it was not her story to tell, and she could not give away what happened.
"How about this," Daphne started, "I will make a few educated guesses and you fill in what you're comfortable with."
Hermione thought for a second before agreeing to her friend's compromise.
Over the next hour Daphne guessed and let Hermione decide on what to clarify, deny, or remain silent about. Daphne noted that while Hermione gave details of their exploits the reason as to why they risked so much for a madman was not offered or as to what exactly happened to the man in the end.
"Hermione —" Daphne said a few minutes after Hermione finished the the last clarification. "Potter just cannot catch a break can he?" The blonde finished with an awed sense of respect for the boy. "I'm sorry to focus on this, but he drove off how many dementors? He cannot only produce a corporeal patronus, but one powerful enough for that?" Daphne watched Hermione nod. "Slytherins soggy shorts! Do you know what that means? I mean do you really understand?" Before Hermione could answer, Daphne continued, "Hermione, given everything. I need to talk to my father this summer —"
"Daph you made an oath!?" Hermione took hold of her friend and gave the beginning of a glare.
"No, not about this specifically Hermione. This is about something that's been bothering me a while now, and this —" Daphne shook her head, "story just made it more convoluted." Daphne made Hermione take a seat back down next to her. "Something is very wrong with what's happening with Potter —with Harry. Either both the wizarding world and muggle world have been making a long series of unimaginable cock-ups when it comes to him, or —" Daphne rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I'm not sure, but there are things that Potter should have been made aware of if I'm not mistaken."
"What things?" Hermione asked as her indignation was overpowered by her focus on anything to do with the mistreatment of Harry, a focus Daphne became keenly aware of during Hermione's story.
"I'm not sure I should say yet —" Daphne shook her head slightly, "There may be things I don't know, but given his family and its heritage." She scowled, "The Potters are an old family Hermione. Very old, and very politically powerful, and with very specific codes. I know there are strict guidelines for rites of succession, but he is the last heir." Daphne took in her friend's brow beginning to crinkle and the way her nose flared, "Hermione let me talk to my father. He deals with both the Wizengamot and the people of Gringotts. He'll know the laws better than anyone, and if not, Grandfather will be visiting in July."
Hermione nodded slightly.
"I won't tell them or anyone else what we spoke about today. Especially about what I suspect you're not telling me in regards to Sirius Black and why you two risked your lives to rescue him. I promised, you're my best friend other than Tracey, and I won't lose you." Daphne said with a shy smile.
"Good," Hermione replied. "Because I don't want to lose you either Daph." Hermione leaned over and gave Daphne the hug she had previously reserved for only her mother and father —and Harry.
Of Death & Fate
Part 3: Harry's Reaction and a Healer's Entrance
August 14, 1994, Just past noon in Harry's Hospital Room
Harry sat for a good few minutes after the explanation of how Hermione and Daphne became friends. Hermione had apologized profusely after admitting she had nearly revealed the truth about why they rescued Sirius on top of the truth of their adventures in the boundaries of Hogwarts.
In all honesty he was confused as to how to feel about the amount of information given and not given. It was not as if Hermione had disclosed everything to Daphne, and even if she had the girl had given an oath on her magic to keep it secret.
Inside himself he put the weights on the scale. Then very quickly a little part of his consciousness crept in and made him wipe the scales clean as he imagined how little it mattered in the long run of his friendship with Hermione. Even with an oath like that Hermione had kept the pertinent information of Sirius a secret between them. He knew he could forgive her for the barest amount of making him uncomfortable, especially when he looked back up.
He watched the two girls share worried glances as the silence lingered. The glances and the way Hermione's hand had left his halfway through the explication and was now firmly holding onto Daphne's for what seemed like dear life was telling.
The fact that Daphne had offered and given an oath that, if violated, could strip not only her magic, but most likely her life, was humbling in a way. Hermione had given her trust to the girl and the girl had not let her down. Daphne had actually taken care of Hermione in a way that Harry was ashamed to say he had not. His best friend had been a nervous wreck last year for the most part, and he had noticed but not done anything. Daphne on the other hand had cared for and offered a safe place to be herself.
Then Harry remembered the way he had acted during that month and a half after the Firebolt incident. He was ashamed of his reaction. Sure that had been one of the first real gifts he had ever received, but Hermione had only been worried. True, she should have just spoken to him properly about it, but in the end McGonagall had returned it soon after. It really was a situation that could have been handled better by both of them with actual communication.
For Merlin's sake he had not even celebrated her birthday.
Harry ran a hand through his hair as he looked back to the girls.
"I'm sorry Hermione." He said as his flip-flopping emotions threatened to get the better of him. "I —I didn't know how much I —" He felt the first prickling of pressure behind his eyes. "You always do everything, and I never thanked you —or even noticed!" He felt the tear slide down as he watched Hermione's face open into a surprised gasp. "I was a git about the Firebolt, about not noticing —that's a lie —I noticed the schedule, I just didn't think about it. I didn't question it. I'm not happy about the nearly Sirius thing…but," He pushed a few tears from his cheek before he turned to Daphne. "You've kept our secrets, but you also looked out for her when I should have. I've been a git when you consider all things." He watched Daphne tilt her head to the side. "I'm in debt to you. I never had a friend before I came to the wizarding world, and somehow I was too much of a prat to not truly be one to one of the few people who has ever actually given a damn about me." He turned back to Hermione; he had given up restraining his emotions for once in his life. "You were the first person who ever gave me a hug —I never told you that, but —Thank you Hermione." He tried to force a smile on his face as he admitted one of his closest kept treasures.
As soon as he had said it, Hermione was there pulling him into one of her massive, all-encompassing hugs. The sheet that had not fallen past his upper chest slid down to his stomach and he did not care. This hug just as amazing as that first one. She was cradling his head on her shoulder and running a hand over his back.
Through blurry eyes he could see that Daphne was trying to discreetly rid the evidence of her own tears.
Then he felt Hermione stiffen, and he felt where her hand was on his back. He could feel the way her soft fingers followed the unnatural dip of his skin for a second before she just hugged him tighter.
She pulled back and gave him a look, but did not say anything.
Daphne looked ready to ask about the way the cathartic emotional release was suddenly halted when the door opened.
"Ms. Granger, Ms. Greengrass! —Girls you were supposed to come and get me when he woke up!" The light haired beauty in Healer's robes said from the door, "I let you stay in here because I was under the impression that you would do as I asked." The woman took her hand from her hip and began to smirk. "But perhaps you decided to give him an examination yourselves?" She snarked as Hermione took in the way it must have looked and Harry yanked the sheet back up his chest as a furious blush overtook him.
"Healer Jones —Its not," Hermione started, "I swear, I —we" Hermione's blush was even worse than his. Daphne surprisingly looked calm and had a smirk of her own.
"Oh dear." Healer Jones laughed, "Darling I have charms tracking Mr. Potter's condition. I've known since the moment he woke up, but I heard talking and decided to let you have a few moments of peace before I came in given that I saw no cause for alarm in my readings." Healer Jones smiled at the huff of indignation Hermione threw her way. "But I really must check up on Mr. Potter now —so if you two would wait outside." The woman said as she moved away from the door.
"Of course Healer Jones, come along Hermione." Daphne said as she rose from her chair and pulled Hermione from the room. "We'll be right outside —Harry." The lighter-haired girl said over her shoulder.
Harry nodded and turned to the Healer.
"Mr. Potter, I'm Hestia Jones. I'll be you Healer from this point forward." The woman said. "We have a lot of things to talk about, but I'll need to do a full diagnostic check over you now that you're awake. This will take a few minutes, so just lay back and tell me if you feel uncomfortable at any point. Okay?" Her voice was kind and bed-side manners were a bit better than Madame Pomfrey's.
Harry nodded as she began to run her wand over the length of his body.
Of Death & Fate
A/N: Next chapter will see an introduction to Harry's new guardians and his reaction to some interesting developments.