Only You

Chapter Seven – First Love

It took everything in her willpower not to ram her elbow into his jaw as he stood closer, much to close. Theodore Nott had been a thorn in her side since the second year of school, constantly leering after her and trying to win her affections, no matter how many times she told him to back off. He had all but told her in their sixth and seventh years that when the dark lord took complete control, he would reward Nott with her as his bride, willing or otherwise. She remembered claiming he would have to marry a corpse if that were the case since she would rather take as many death eaters with her than be trapped by him. Even after the fall of Voldemort however, he kept coming at her.

"When will you learn, I said, never" she hissed at him, her glare cold as ice. He smirked and tried to touch her chin, but she backed away swiftly, one hand reaching for her pocket. Before she could find her wand, however, Theo grabbed her wrist and hand his own wand pointed at her navel, to an outsider looking in, this situation would've have looked as dangerous as it had become as he had both their backs turned away from the party.

"I love it when you look at me like that, that heat in your gaze, that defiance" he breathed into her ear. She felt like she was going to throw up with his disgusting warm breath flowing over her skin. "You'll be calling out my name from underneath me, begging for me, stop playing this game" she whispered.

"Get off of me you pervert!" she snapped and tried to shake him off. No one at the party seemed to notice her plight.

"Listen to me Daphne, you will go.." He began, sneering at her, his wand pressing to her stomach.

"I trust everything is alright here?" came another voice, much to Daphne's relief. However, the stranger was earning himself a rigid glare from Nott, Daphne then suddenly realised that her saviour, was none other than Harry Potter. The glare from Theo was murderous, barely hiding the contempt in his eyes, whereas Harry stood his ground without so much as a flinch, she felt herself relax just a little, Theo was highly unlikely to pull off a stunt now.

"What do you want Potter! Perhaps you should mind your own business for once, this does not concern you!" Theo snapped.

"I think you'll find it does, you have drawn your wand at an event in which the minister of magic is in attendance. As an auror in charge of security here I could arrest you right now" Harry replied sternly, causing Theo to back up a bit and away from her, his wand steady. "Whatever your thinking of doing Nott, I wouldn't. Leave now and I won't put you on your back and into a cell, your family does not need more attention" Harry offered, coldly. Theo for a moment looked like he would strike out, yet after looking to Daphne once more who glared coldly back, he turned on his heel and marched towards the exit. She made sure he had left before she turned back to Harry, smiling in thanks.

"Thank you, Lord Potter, I assure you I had him in hand, however," she said politely with a small smile. At least she would have had, if the bastard hadn't had his wand ready, he seemingly expected her to be difficult.

"Of that, I had no doubt, however with the minister here I had to step in, not a reflection of your own ability to look after yourself, miss?" Harry replied, at first, she was mildly offended that he didn't remember her, but then why would he have done? He spent most of his time clashing with Draco Malfoy to pay attention to any others.

"Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass" she replied, wondering if it would have any effect.

"Ah I thought you were familiar; didn't we have a couple of classes together? Potions and DADA?" Harry asked as he poured himself another drink, keeping his eyes on her for a moment. She noted how intense his gaze was, and how green, it was strangely addictive to look at. Maybe the fan club had a point?

"We did indeed, though we never spoke. You lions never played nice with us snakes" Daphne replied, smirking as she did so.

"I recall you snakes not playing nice with us either. I remember you were quite the hand in potions "he quipped back. She was strangely flattered he had remembered that fact about her, she excelled at most of her studies however, not just potions. It was a valid point about paying nice however, both houses were as bad as each other when it came to inflame the rivalry, to the point it had gotten out of hand sometimes.

"And you were rather formidable in DADA, though judging by your feats that class was never going to trouble you, you weren't too awful at Quidditch either" she commented.

"I wasn't too bad was I, only beat your house every time I played," he said with a wink, um, he was rather cheeky with a little bit of charm at the same time she thought. Then he suddenly shifted a little and looked at his drink "I thank you for your time, I would say if anyone troubles you, come and find me but, you look like you can handle yourself just fine" he said with a small smile, though he didn't really look like he wanted to go.

"Bored of me already?" she asked as he made to turn away, as Harry turned, she was to be truthful, a little disappointed he was choosing to leave. She didn't know what it was, but all she knew is she quite wanted to get to know Harry Potter, something she never thought she would ever say.

"The opposite miss Greengrass, I would like to speak with you further, however, you of all people know how much people like to gossip I fear the papers will be full of my mystery lady should I stay any longer" he winked, causing her face to heat up. What the hell? Blushing? Really, Daphne, you've spoken for two minutes.

"You only inflame the rumours if you pay them notice but go if you wish" she replied casually, trying to act unmoved.

"Would you like me to go?" he countered.

"I find you pleasant, that and if Nott were to come back … It wouldn't be so terrible if you were here" she said before looking away and sipping her wine nonchalantly. Well played she thought to herself, her mother would be so proud.

14th of November 2002

What was wrong with her? There was a handsome, charming, lovely and caring wizard by the name of Harry Potter, asking her out on a date, well sort of date? He hadn't said the words as such, but he was inviting her none the less, what's worse is he was being bloody sweet by ensuring his widowed elderly neighbour had company. And then there was her. Daphne couldn't look the man in the eye suddenly, the ice queen who instilled fear in all but the stupid, and then even they backed away after trying it on, couldn't face him.

"Why are you such an idiot Daphne!" she scolded herself. She knew why, this was her father's fault, yes that's it, his fault. "Don't lose focus with boys Daphne, don't be another broom closet brag Daphne" she muttered. For god's sake she was nearly twenty-two years old and she'd never even kiss a man.

"You wouldn't mind snogging Potter though? Find a nice cosy broom closet" spoke her treacherous mind. She pushed that thought away, mainly because since the man arrived at the school her feelings had changed. Like at the lakeside she couldn't pinpoint it, yes at the ball she was grateful he stepped in when he did, and yes, she did notice he was rather attractive, rugged almost. But that was the whole of it back then, she thought he was good looking, that's all. Then came the letters, oh the letters! They showed he was not everything that the rumours had portrayed, not that she was completely stupid to believe them all of course.

The first couple of letters were entertaining, then as the weeks had gone by she found herself struggling to focus on a Thursday or Friday, the day depending on when his letter would reply to hers. More than one occasion in class, had a student nervously asked her to carry on when she was caught daydreaming. In the last month or so she had come to accept she was very fond of the man, well in the sense that he was on her mind daily, and whenever she read the paper and it made a hint that Harry had been seen with another woman it caused a rather unsettling feeling in her stomach. And then he showed up, that did it.

The few lectures she had sat in on with her students were impressive, he was confident and engaging, yet not arrogant. His personality instantly caused the students to warm to him, hell even she wanted to ask some questions, but refrained from doing so, naturally. Whenever his eye greens pointed towards her she felt that façade she put up around her shatter, like he could see right through it and straight at the nervous and insecure women she could be behind that wall of ice. It lit a fire in her chest, something no boy or man had managed before.

But it mattered not now did it, he would likely give up on her now after the way she had been acting these past three days. She felt strangely lonely at that; would the letters stop. Would he give up on her and go elsewhere? It was only when she noticed her cheek was damp, she paused and reached for her face, tears? The mere thought of not having those letters, those innocent words upon paper, had caused that? Before she could ponder further, however, there came a knock at her door. Without thought she opened the door, to find none other than her future brother-in-law leaning on the doorframe with a warm smile.

"Draco" she greeted evenly, she wasn't overly thrilled that her sister was marrying him, but then her sister always did try to see the good in everyone. Whereas Daphne tended to judge those for their actions.

"Daphne, may I come in?" he asked with a smile.

"If you must, though if this is something Tori has cooked up for us to have some in-law bonding time" she started as she walked into her apartment and allowed Draco to follow before turning back to him. "I will be happy to tell her that we had a wonderful chat and that we are much better for it?" she finished; her eyebrows raised.

"I don't think she would by that really" he replied with a thoughtful expression.

"No, you are quite right" she murmured before sitting down in one of the armchairs in her living room. "What do I owe the pleasure then" she continued.

"Merely doing a favour for a friend" Draco spoke before reaching into the back pocket of his trousers and pulled out an envelope, causing Daphne's eyes to widen slightly and her heart to hammer in her chest. "Harry asked if I could pass this on? He would've done it himself, but Flitwick pulled him away for a demonstration, he passed this on to me, something about work?" Draco spoke and held out the letter which she took gently. Was this it, was this him calling it off?

"Did he tell you what was it in?" she spoke, for once not caring how she sounded, for all she knew she was just about to read that Harry was done with her, not that they had anything to be done with she thought.

"No, as I said, he just said it was work stuff" Draco shrugged and stepped back a few paces. "I'll er, better go make sure he isn't causing any trouble" Draco chuckled and made for the door.

"Since when did you become friends? I get you got paired together for auror duty, but it seems there is more to it than that" Daphne called out, anything to delay opening that cursed letter. Draco paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle.

"Honestly? Once I got over everything my father told me, what that bastard Riddle spouted, I saw the wizarding world for what it was" he started, looking over his shoulder at her. "Full of bigots, backstabbers and false friendships. Yet, Potter, no Harry was always surrounded by friends, even with all the shit he had to go through he still found room to smile, to laugh you know?" he continued, god if the old Draco could see him now, hell if his father could.

"I removed my jealousy, my bigotry and I saw a guy who would willingly die for his friends, who would stop at nothing to protect anyone. My first day at the training school, I walked in and within seconds I had abuse hurled at me, tripping jinx and all sorts thrown at me before I even sat down" she could tell he wasn't looking for comfort, Draco knew he would get little from Daphne. "Harry came in shortly after, saw what was going on and floored the lot of them rather impressively, and then came over and just sat next to me" she felt her chest go warm at the tale, Draco had done some horrid things to Harry and his friends during school, most people would've joined in, or done nothing at the very least, but not Harry. The mood had grown a little sombre after Draco's retelling, and an awkward silence followed until she spoke again.

"Oh my god, your gay for Potter aren't you!" she said dramatically, earning a laugh from her future brother in law.

"Well I could do much worse" he chuckled before pulling a thoughtful expression "The guy does have an impressive body … Like, Incredible" he said with a grin towards Daphne.

"Great, now that thought isn't going to leave my head," she thought to herself, his clothes did highlight his form and when she had touched his arm, that had hinted at what lay beneath. Focus Daphne!

"Do I want to know how you know that?" she asked.

"Our pervy instructor had us all strip naked and swim in a freezing lake. Anyway, I'll see you later, duelling practice shortly!" he replied before leaving the room quickly. Leaving Daphne to imagine a rather naked Harry, cursing Draco for the thought. She sighed and looked down at her lap at that dreaded letter.

"Oh just open it" her mind screamed, and with a swift tear of the seal she pulled out the letter and began to read.

Dear Daphne,

I hope you are ok and that my asking you to come with me to Cornwall hasn't made you feel uncomfortable.

I may have miss-read the signals in your other letters and for that, I am deeply sorry. I have come to really enjoy our weekly updates and if those were to stop due to my blind error, then I would be beside myself for messing up such a wonderful friendship. On that note, if I have, by chance completely ruin this relationship we currently have, I may as well go the full distance and be frank with you also.

When I met you at that ball a year ago I was alone, my relationship had failed, all I had was my career, my friendships were well a little strained with Ron and Hermione at the time. I went to that party at the urging of Draco and at the time I hated him for it, but now I feel I should donate half of my fortune to the man, for without him doing so I would not have met the most beautiful witch I have ever laid eyes on. Then I spoke to you, and it got better you intrigued me, you weren't just a pretty face, you weren't just another person seeing my name and not me, it was the first time in a while I felt I genuinely connected with someone.

Then came the letters, and with each passing week I looked forward to each one more and more, I can't quite pinpoint it but somewhere along the way, I started to feel something other than companionship towards you. I've never been great at expressing my feelings, and to be fair I wasn't sure how to word them into words tonight. I guess what I'm trying to say, Daphne, is I am attracted to you, not just for your beauty but also for your wit, your charm and the person that writes those letters.

If you do not feel the same way I of course understand, and if you wish me to step back I will, of course, respect those wishes. I don't expect a letter back, I just wanted to clear the air and express how I felt. I know from Draco that you have had people try to woo you in one way or another and I hope you don't think me just another one of those idiots.

Anyway, I have rambled enough. I hope I can see you on the weekend as planned, but I understand fully if you do not wish to attend given this letter.

Yours,

HP

She was such an idiot! With each word she read her heart was jumping up into her mouth, many people had called her beautiful in some vain attempt to get into her knickers, but when Harry said she was beautiful the little girl inside of her squealed with delight. He had admitted in his letter that he was attracted to her and that had done it, her body grew warm and she felt her blood pump faster when she thought of his charming smile and expressive eyes. She jumped up and grabbed the nearest piece of paper she could find and readied her quill.

Dear Harry,

I have been a royal idiot! Your letter made me see that! You see, every boy when I was growing up wanted one thing so I pushed everything away. Then you came into my life and well, you just wanted to talk, wanted to get to know me. Your letters became a part of my life that I never knew how much I wanted.

You have not miss-read anything Harry, it's just been my fear to really embrace what I've been feeling. I don't want your letters to stop, I don't want you to stop.

When you stepped in at the party I was relieved as I have said before, but never did I think that a year later we would be here as we are now, never did I think I would look forward to speaking with someone as much as I do you.

I look forward to Sunday, and I hope this letter puts you at ease.

Yours

Daphne sat up for a moment and pondered something, wondering if she would be so bold to write what she wanted to at that moment. With a deep breath and channelling the lion, she pressed her quill to the page.

Always yours,

DG

You can thank Dorothea Greengrass for my sudden spurt of motivation! Check out their works for some masterful HP/DG!

The next three chapters are going to be exciting, Chapter 9 being a personal joy when I sit down to write it!