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Disclaimer

I own nothing of the Harry Potter franchise.

Glad to clear that up

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Daphne Greengrass, referred to by every student (and even some teachers) of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the Ice Queen of Slytherin, sat silently as their housemates laughed of Draco Malfoy's really bad jokes regarding the boy-who-lived, Harry Potter. Once again, Harry Potter saw himself in a heap of trouble after his name came out from the cup of fire. It was on Halloween, when the champions were being selected for the Tri-Wizard's tournament. Viktor Krum had been selected as the Durmstrang champion, Fleur Delacour as the Beauxbattons champion and Cedric Diggory as the Hogwarts champion. Daphne snorted when she heard the name. She really had no faith in the Hufflepuf. Still, she clapped with everyone else. School spirit, or something like that. But then, the cup lit itself a fourth time and Harry Bloody Potter's name came out of it.

The entire hall was shocked. Daphne herself was too. How on earth did he manage to even put his name in the cup? She saw how the Weasley twins got after tying to cheat the age line. After that, all hell broke loose. Potter became a pariah in the school, rejected by all, even by his best friends, Weasley and Granger. Somehow, they initiated a movement that saw Potter expelled from Gryffindor tower the very same night. Daphne didn't hate Potter. She didn't have any reason to like him either. Still, what the hell? His own friends betrayed him? Gryffindors betraying each other? That was such a paradox... Potter disappeared from sight that same night. He appeared only for classes and nothing more. He never showed up in the great hall for meals and he never spoke to anyone. There were rumors that McGonagall and the staff tried to coerce Potter into returning to Gryffindor Tower, ignoring the fact that he was banished by the entire house. The same rumors stated that Potter simply stated that he had quarters and that according to Hogwarts charter, a banished student would have to willingly give in and do what the entire house decided for him to do to regain his own pride and be able to return to the house. Since Gryffindor never made stipulations, the banishment was permanent. If they were so concerned, they should give him a new sorting. Of course, the staff refused and Potter politely returned to his own rooms, using a house-elf. That was another thing. Potter was the Lord Potter, he was entitled to have a couple of house elves but somehow there was something that didn't make sense and Daphne didn't like puzzles.

All that led to that day, November twenty fourth, the day of the first task. As usually, Malfoy was goading everyone against Potter and in just a couple of hours, they would be outside, watching the first task. There were rumors of dragons.

Daphne finished her meal and quietly left the great hall, ignoring the commotion and the excitement that took hold of the entire student's body. She exited the castle and slowly and lazily walked to the shores of the great lake, where she intended to sit a bit and relax before the time of the task.

When she got there, for her disappointment, she noticed that her usual spot was already occupied by a boy who seemed to be eating a sandwich. Not only that, at a distance, he seemed to be Harry Potter. Daphne snorted and cursed her own luck. However, somehow, she had a feeling. They never talked, not even jabbing each other. Usually she was a spectator in Potter/Malfoy wars and she never had the interest in stepping in. She wasn't selfless nor was she caring, especially for Potter and for some reason, she felt some level of sympathy for the gryffindor wizard. He was completely alone and if the rumors were true, he might even die against the dragons. No one deserved that.

Somehow she gave a first step in his direction. She hesitated, taking focus of what she was doing. After considering it again, she breathed in and walked in his direction. When she finally reached him, Potter had finished his meal and was simply sat with closed eyes. She wanted to say something but what? Apparently, Harry Potter made it easy for her.

- Good afternoon, Lady Greengrass. - he said, without even opening his eyes - How are you in this fine day?

Daphne simply gasped, widening her blue eyes.

- How did you know? - she asked, after recovering from the surprise.

- I felt your magic some minutes ago. - he said, as if it explained everything. In fact, it only created more questions that he didn't reply. He rose and turned to her. Daphne looked at him and couldn't help to notice that there was something weird about Potter. He still wore baggy clothes, unfitting of a lord of his station, his hair was still messy but his demeanor had change completely. He didn't smile nor he attempted to and his eyes, usually bright green were flaring. Daphne blinked twice, just to be sure she had seen right. His eyes were burning with green flames. She held her breath for a moment, before noticing he was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

- Greengrass, are you all right? - asked Harry, noticing how she was a bit off.

- I am fine, Potter, it is nothing. - she replied, hiding her insecurities behind her ice-queen mask - I noticed you and I was curious...

Harry chuckled and a very small smile shaped his lips.

- And how can I help you to fulfill your curiosity? - he asked her in a low and soft voice, making her uneasy. Daphne gulped.

- Are you aware that there are rumors concerning dragons for the first task today? - she asked, expecting to see surprise or fear in his eyes. She saw only amusement.

- Oh, I saw them, all right. - Harry replied with a smile, looking to the edge of the forest, inviting her to look in the same direction with a nod - Magnificent beasts, actually. Whatever they are preparing, they have a Swedish Short-Snout, a Chinese Fireball, a Common Welsh Green and a Hungarian Horntail. My guess is that they have a dragon for each champion to face.

The easiness in Potter's words shocked her. Was he insane?

- Are you... - she started, unable to finish the sentence.

- Insane? Afraid? - he supplied with a smirk - Actually I'm quite scared, to be honest, as I should. I'm a fourth year who saw himself drew into the tournament, against my will, squaring off against three other seventh year students, with the advantage of magic power and knowledge. I'll be lucky if I survive the afternoon.

Daphne simply looked at him.

- You meant it? - she asked quietly after some moments - When you said you hadn't put your name in the cup? - Harry nodded calmly.

- I didn't. - was his simple reply - Unlike what people like to think of me, I am not a glory hog seeker. Besides, how would I pass through the age line? Also, mind you that my name had no school associated, which leads me to believe that someone placed my name in the cup in a way that I would be chosen to compete.

- And why exactly would someone go to all that trouble just to put you in the tournament, Potter? - she asked, annoyed with his self important conspiracy theory.

Harry rose an eyebrow to her.

- I can give you a couple of reasons but my main idea is that someone wants me humiliated, dead or both. By making me participating in the tournament, they wouldn't even dirty their hands. - This time it was Daphne who rose an eyebrow.

- I see. - she replied, believing him an arrogant fool.

- You don't believe me. - he replied after quietly looking at her blue eyes - You think I am lying in this and that I am just an attention seeking brat with no sense of self preservation, as any pathetic Gryffindoor is.

- Actually, I do believe you didn't put your name in the cup. You clearly have no extraordinary power to go around Dumbledore's wards and he is supposed to be the most powerful wizard alive, apart You-Know-Who.

- Why can't you people call him Voldemort? - he sighed, without caring with the fact that she didn't flinch.

- Because I don't like to denounce my "bravery" or making me a target by calling him by his name. - she replied immediately, glaring at him - Especially in certain circles I am forced to attend.

- I see. - he replied, crossing his arms before him - And do you believe I'm a attention seeking brat?

- Why would my opinion be so important to you, Potter? - she asked, glaring at him, clearly unconfortable. Harry simply shrugged.

- It isn't. - he replied - I am simply curious and case you ever wondered, I loathe my fame and I would change it all for a mere day with my parents.

That stoke a nerve in Daphne, although she didn't show it.

- I guess people never think the true price of your fame, huh? - she asked him, her demeanor calmer, although not warmer.

- There is a phase among the muggles. - Harry started - I don't recall all of it but it ends something like "You can either die as a Hero or live long enough to become the villain.". I believe people no longer care about the boy-who-lived simply because they no longer have a use for him. - Harry explained, missing Daphne's raised eyebrows - Dumbledore became famous and took seats of power. People can look at him to seek guidance. The boy-who-lived is just a child. - he waved his hand as if he discarded a piece of trash - And therefore, useless to everyone.

Daphne didn't comment. She simply stared at him, a cold mask hiding her true feelings. She would speak but she heard a pop near Potter. She turned to the sound and saw a house elf. Unlike every other house elf she had seen, this was taller, and carried himself with more pride. Unlike the wide eyes of the house elves, this had narrower dark eye and wore a black uniform, very simple, carrying also two daggers at his belt. To her surprise, the house elf turned to her and bowed.

- My lady, how do you do? - the elf spoke in perfect english. Turning to Potter, the elf rose his head - My lord, McGonagall seeks you, no doubt for the first task.

Harry nodded and turned to Daphne once more.

- I apologize, my lady, but unfortunately we must cut our conversation short. I do hope we may resume it at a later date. - Potter extended his hand to Daphne, not for a mere handshake, but asking her politely for her hand. She recognized the gesture and was indeed surprised when Harry took her knuckles to his lips.

- Enjoy the show. - he told her, before turning his back on her and walk back to the castle.

Daphne Greengrass simply stood there, trying to understand Harry Potter.

It was time. People started to occupy the stands around the rocky clearing where the task would take place. The stands were full. Four of them, one to each house of Hogwarts and the guests and two others for all those who had bought tickets to watch the show. These included most purebloods. Daphne knew her parents wouldn't be coming and wasn't worried with that. Even if they would show up, they wouldn't miss their eldest daughter to bother and visit her.

Daphne sat with her fellow Slytherins and all were overjoyed, betting on Potter's death. Daphne noticed her friend, Tracy Davies, betting snog time with her boyfriend Theo Nott in how Potter would be hurt, to which he quickly accepted and even doubled. Malfoy, as usual, was being his idiotic self, taunting everything and everyone not on his side. Parkinson was simply giggling of all he said, making him puppy eyes. Daphne ignored the commotion on the Slytherin stand and simply looked around to the other stands. Hufflepuff supported in full their champion, loathing Potter. As she expected, no one in Gryffindor supported Harry Potter, everyone supported the Hufflepuff champion. In Ravenclaw, Cho Chang, the supposedly asian beauty of Hogwarts rallied most of her house supporting Cedric. It was clear that Potter wouldn't have anyone cheering for him.

Not that she cared.

And she didn't.