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Disclaimer
I own nothing of the Harry Potter franchise.
Glad to clear that up
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Chapter 9
Harry and Daphne appeared on the chamber of secrets, not in the chamber rooms, but before the statue of Salazar and the skeleton of the basilisk. When they appeared, she was still looking wide eyed at Harry, enveloped in his arms. She noticed, however that his breathing was harder.
"Wha... How?" she asked before replacing her curiosity with a sneer "I see, another secret?"
"No." he replied, releasing her from his embrace. He gave a step back and breathed in, still feeling his heart pummelling on his ears.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, still sneering.
"We need to talk." he replied, looking at her. His face betrayed no emotion unlike hers who was both betrayed. angered, curious and hopeful.
"Now?" she asked, not stopping the tears from falling "Now you want to talk? What if I hadn't seen the memory, would you ever tell me?" he nodded.
"Eventually." he replied. She slapped him again.
"WHEN?" she shouted, slapping him again. Then she punched him in the chest, not hard but repeatedly "You made me like you. You helped me to get better and I really like you, more than everyone else. I thought I could trust you with everything... clearly it isn't mutual." he waited for her to finish her rant, feeling her punches in his chest. Her tears hurt more than all the rest "When? When would you tell me? Or was it just a game to you?"
He flinched, grabbed her hands and looked at her. Daphne flinched with the sudden outburst and looked into the green orbs of the wizard in front of her. He didn't even hesitate in his answer.
"Before I asked you to marry me on our seventh year or before, depending on how much trouble your parents would give us." Daphne lost her voice for some moments. Harry just stood there looking at her, softly letting go of her arms. There was no need in lying or hiding the truth anymore.
"Why?" she asked again with a softer voice, half of her anger gone.
"Because I wanted you to know everything and you're my partner. I'd always share everything with you, good or bad. You saw the memory in the pensieve, you know what you mean to me and you know the vows I wanted to say." he pleaded, seeing some of her demeanour change.
"And what makes you think I would accept your proposal? Or that my parents would accept your proposal for my hand?" she asked, crossing her arms on her chest, more to steel herself than defy Harry. She had to focus on her anger for a moment, just to be sure she wouldn't hug him for his words.
"I could only hope I would make you fall in love with me during the following years. Your parents would be easy, I needed only a couple of spells to convince them." he admitted.
Daphne widened her eyes before the blatant confession.
"You would use magic on my parents but not on me?" she asked, curious.
"Never against your will." he replied, looking at her shocked eyes.
"Why?" she asked again, softer.
"Because you're my everything and I love you too much to force you to love me. I will either have you of your own free will or won't have you at all." he said with a sigh and a tear fell from his eyes, falling through his face "Please, Daphne, I know you're hurt and angry with me but please, give me a chance to explain everything."
"Just... who are you? Really?" she asked and he smiled sadly.
"I am Harry James Potter, age fourteen, that didn't change. However, I am also Harry James Potter, age ninety-three, who sent his soul and his most loyal friend's back in time to their past bodies in a chance to change the future." Harry admitted and Daphne almost fainted. She was held by Harry in a blur.
Daphne looked into Harry's eyes and couldn't see any deception, only the concern and the love.
"But how? Why?" she asked again and he shook his head.
"The how's are unimportant for now, it was a ritual and let's leave it at that. The why's... well, that's a long story." he said, caressing her face. She couldn't stop staring to his eyes who in turn looked at hers."
"Tell me everything, please." she begged and he sighed, nodding slowly while moving a strand of her blonde hair away from her face.
"I will tell you everything if you really want it but you must promise me that you'll be strong enough to endure it, no matter what." She nodded and he shook his head "No Daph, say the words. Tell me you will be strong and not falter. You will hear everything, no matter how much you may be hurt."
"I will." she replied softly, almost a whisper. He nodded with a sad smile.
"I realize this may be awkward for you, but I do love you, Daph..." he whispered "I wanted this for so long and now... now I'm afraid to let go of you because the moment might just end."
To be perfectly honest, Daphne didn't know what to think about what she had been told. However, she was in Harry's arms and didn't really want him to let her go.
"You... you didn't lie to me today, did you?" she asked softly, grabbing his hand that was caressing her face. He shook his head.
"It was all true. It still is and won't change. Past, present, future, you're my partner in all things and that's all that matters to me." he replied. That solved Daphne's dilemma.
"Then, I'll be here." she said, leaning in as did he. They kissed for a moment and he held her tight on his arms once again while she embraced him by the neck.
When they stopped, Harry let go of her slowly and took her hand.
"Come, then, it will be better if you're sitting." he said, intending to go to the room chambers.
"Wait, before that, how did you apparate us down here? Hogwarts is supposed to be warded against apparition." she asked and he chuckled.
"Yeah, I forgot about that... I don't suppose I could obliviate everyone?" he asked with a smirk.
"Harry..." she admonished him and he chuckled.
"It wasn't apparition." he explained, having her full attention "There are several ways to magical travel under our own power, that means without portkeys and floo. Apparition is the most used by wizards and goblins, and the most widely known. It is so known that defences against it were created thousands of years ago." he lectured and she nodded "There is also Popping, as the house elves call their method and you may have noticed that they travel through most wards. That is because most wards are only keyed to apparition magic and let's face it, everyone underestimates house elves." That Daphne didn't know.
"Do you mean I could send Dobby to my house and get something for me?" she asked curious, to which he nodded.
"Yes, he could but unfortunately, other house elves add their own wards to their family's houses, preventing "invasion" from other house elves. Only a few elves can break other elves wards. In fact, only Azkaban is almost impervious to house elf popping. Dobby would be able to go in, no doubt." Daphne nodded, urging him to continue.
"There are other methods. The one I used is called Fading and it's so ancient and unknown that I can pass through most wards without them noticing me and travelling further distances. It is a more complex method than apparition and there is no risk of splinching, either. I believe it was originally created by a sumerian archwizard... It has a huge drawback, though, it drains me much quicker. You probably noticed I was short of breath..." Daphne nodded, curious and in awe "When I came back in time, almost a month ago, my old soul merged with my younger and my cores merged as well. It isn't fully merged yet, don't ask me why, and while it isn't, fading is more difficult. I used to be able to fade around five times in a row without small rests and now twice is my limit. I recover fast but ... that's one of the reasons I always pop around with Dobby, to bypass the wards. Also, I haven't apparate in a long time." he said sheepishly.
Daphne was amazed.
"You said one of the reasons. What are the others?"
"Dobby insists to be around one way or another to watch my back." he replied and Daphne smirked "Popping me around is amusing for him."
"Then, what now?" she asked and Harry shrugged.
"Either obliviate everyone, which is not doable at all or make up some story about accidental magic and maybe bloodline abilities unknown before... supported with some compulsion charms."
"Compulsion charms?" she asked, amused. That was borderline dark.
"Yes, by the way, the compulsion didn't affect you because of what I told you before, but I cast several compulsions on the great hall table and at the entrance of the common room to be more accepted at the beginning... after my resorting." he confessed and she widened her eyes in shock. He quickly added "I stopped using them a couple of weeks ago, after realizing I had been accepted and it changed nothing at all. The compulsions only worked to give me a chance, not love me unconditionally."
Daphne was shocked but considered his words carefully.
"But you're sure I wasn't affected by them?" she asked, almost glaring at him. He nodded.
"I keyed your magical signature to the charm, to act as an exception. You were immune to the compulsion." he replied and she nodded. She wanted to believe him.
"Is that even possible?"
"Very." he replied "Ask Dobby, you're his mistress and he'll tell you the truth if you order him."
"What do you mean?" asked Daphne, not understanding.
"We bonded in the future and he still recognizes your magic. That's one of the reasons why he calls you mistress." she nodded, understanding.
"What other reasons has he?" she asked, curious.
"Encouraging me to make a move on you." admitted Harry and Daphne became a slight shade of pink.
"Where is Dobby, by the way?" she asked and Harry pointed to a shadow near the statue at the same time Dobby's voice replied from the same place.
"I'm here, mistress." he said, coming from the shadow. Daphne saw the sorrow on the elf's face, wanting to say something but not knowing what.
"You two came from the future." she stated and both nodded "Almost eighty years from now." Harry nodded and waved her to follow him. They walked in silence while Daphne thought about questions to ask.
"Dobby, get us a tea, please." asked Harry, waving his wand towards two wooden chairs, transfigurating them into more comfortable green and silver padded chairs "Camomile or lemon?" he asked Daphne.
"Camomile, please." she replied, amused how he had asked her two favourites and Dobby popped away. Harry sat at his chair after Daphne and looked at her, who was looking at him. For her surprise, he removed the glasses and placed them on the table. He noticed her curious look.
"I corrected my eyesight days after coming back in time." he explained, pointing at the glasses "Those are only normal glasses for misleading people." She widened her eyes but said nothing, giving him a appraising look and concluding that she preferred a glassless Harry Potter, as she had concluded by watching the memory of their bonding.
"Before I start my story, I want you to know that the ritual to bring us back into the past didn't work very well. While we came almost eighty years into the past, seventy nine, to be exact, I wanted to travel back to before I received my Hogwarts letter." that surprised Daphne.
"But why?" she asked.
"Several reasons. I would be able to cut some ties I didn't want, I would allow the sorting hat to place me into Slytherin given the choice and most of all, I would be with you sooner." he admitted and she blushed, noticing how interesting the velvet of the chairs was.
"Daphne, please, look at me." he asked her and she did. He had a sad smile in his lips "I had reasons to want to do this but there was a reason that topped all of them... That was you." he said and he sighed, predicting her next question.
"But why? What happened to me?" she asked as he knew she would.
"Remember what I told you when you asked me what was my greatest fear?" he asked and she nodded.
"Lose everything you love again." she quoted. Her eyes widened as she made the connection. Her reasoning was confirmed with a sad nod from Harry.
"I lost you and wasn't able to deal with it..." he admitted, looking into her scared sapphire orbs "So I tried my best and was able to create a ritual that would bring me back just to be with you and prevent it to happen."
Daphne shivered in fear and hugged herself. He rose to go to her but she stopped him.
"Tell me more, please." she said and he sat again, looking at her.
"First of all, there's another lie I need to rectify." he said, gaining her attention.
"Which is?" she asked.
"While I did find this chamber during our second year, after killing the basilisk, I would only take a book or two occasionally for my independent studies. It is true that I read Slytherin journals last year at the dorks common room, disguised as quidditch magazines but I only started to fully explore this chamber in our fifth year, with your help." he explained and her eyes widened "You see, there's a difference between my original timeline and this..." he started to explain "The first three years are the same, just like I told you. The main difference happened during the first task."
"What happened?" she asked, curious. Harry was embarrassed.
"I summoned my firebolt and flew around the dragon. The Dragon was angry and released itself, just like this time. The difference was that I flew away in my broom and it chased me throughout the grounds and actually crashed into the astronomy tower. I out flew it against the rocks and it crashed there. I think the dragon survived the crash but I'm not sure." Harry looked at Daphne who was having difficulties in believing what she heard "I can show you the memory, if you like."
"What could possibly possess you to do something that stupid?" hissed Daphne, almost rising to her feet.
"Believe it or not, it was a suggestion from Moody."
"As if that could explain it... Moody is a mad man." she replied, huffing, her fear forgotten "What changed this time?"
"You mean besides plus eighty years of experience and knowing full well what was going to happen?" he asked, raising an amused eyebrow and she was forced to grant the point "I also have more sense of self preservation."
"You could fool me." she mumbled, which he heard very well.
"Daphne, I was a Gryffindor, remember? 'Charge ahead'?" he asked with a smirk "Besides, that's nothing compared with some really stupid things I did in the past... my past..."
"Oh, I look forward to hear about them." she said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I know you will." he said with a small chuckle, remembering fondly how he was always chewed by an angry Daphne.
"So, after the task?" she asked.
"I forgave the Gryffindors and went back to their tower." replied Harry and Daphne widened her eyes in surprise "No, I wish I was joking but I was that stupid."
Daphne didn't comment, it was true enough.
"Time passed, I made some peace with Weasley and Granger, even if it wasn't what had been before, I was a hero for Gryffindor and for part of the school, I made peace with the duffers and their champion, especially because I told Diggory about the dragons a couple of days before the task. This time I didn't." Daphne just nodded.
"When the Yule ball was announced, being the idiot I was, I was too scared to ask anyone. I ended up asking Patil, the Gryffindor one and Weasley took her sister. The ball was a disaster but I assure you it won't happen this time." he added, seeing her glare. She didn't comment, she only listened "Then I had a clue from Diggory for the egg and found out the poem for myself."
"You already knew how to solve it... Why didn't you, then?" she asked, confused.
"I... I don't know, I wanted your help, even if I already knew it. I wanted you to be a part of it... I wanted you to test yourself, to have a brilliant idea like you always had... have." he tried to explain but the truth was he had no idea apart wanting to have her around and wanting her to improve herself. For her part, Daphne blushed.
"Fine, moving on..." she said and Harry nodded. Just then, Dobby popped in with a tray and a tea set for two, with cookies.
"Thank you Dobby." said Harry as the elf served them and popped away. Daphne picked a cup and listened to Harry.
"Dobby got me gillyweed and I had to save a person from the bottom of the lake." he started, embarrassed with the rest of the story "It was the pig Weasley."
Daphne gaped and then started to laugh. He didn't even try to stop her, sighing only. When she finally calm down, he was allowed to continue:
"Accordingly with Dumbledore, it was because he was my very first and suppose best friend." he explained and alarm bells echoed in Daphne's mind. She chose to keep the information for later "I ended up saving both him and Fleur Delacour's younger sister since I was afraid they would take them away after one hour. Thinking back, it was a little stupid but it motivated the champions, all right."
"I gained some extra points and then, in May, it after some strange shit happened, such as Crouch disappearance and reappearance here at Hogwarts, almost insane, calling for Dumbledore, only to disappear again in the same night before even see the old man."
Daphne frowned at that.
"What does it mean?" she asked and he smirked.
"I'll tell you latter on the story." she nodded and he continued "Then it was the time of the third task. It was a maze filled with obstacles set at the quidditch pit. I was tied for first place with Diggory after two tasks and we went first..."
"Hold up... you were TIED with Diggory?" she asked and he nodded.
"I got good marks for my flying on the first task and extra points for concerning with the other hostages." Daphne snorted.
"And you didn't consider to win this time?" she asked.
"I could but it wasn't my intention. Like Millie said, only the last task mattered and I have a plan for it..." Daphne looked at him and nodded him to continue "Both Diggory and I got to the center of the maze. I didn't want to win and he thought I should because I saved him against an acromantula. We decided to make a Hogwarts victory and grabbed the cup at the same time. And that's when the problems began." he said, having Daphne's full attention.
"The cup was a portkey and we ended up at a graveyard. When I saw the name on one of the graves, I knew we had a huge problem."
"What name was it?" she asked.
"Riddle." she thought about it and gasped.
"As in..."
"As in Tom Marvollo Riddle, our old friend Lord Voldemort, yes. It was his muggle father's family graveyard." he explained and Daphne was shivering "Diggory was hit with a killing curse by the rat Peter Pettigrew, remember what I told you about last year?" he asked and Daphne nodded. Harry waved the wand and the pensieve floated to the table, next to the tea. Harry removed a memory from his head and placed it into the pensieve, inviting Daphne to see it.
"It would be best if you just saw what happened." he said, giving her his hand. The both of them went into the pensieve and the memory played for them. Daphne saw it all, Diggory dying, Harry being stunned, Voldemort's resurrection ritual, his taunting of Harry and his admission on being a half blood with a muggle father, the summoning of the death eaters, Voldemort addressing them by name and his mock duel with Harry. She was so proud and in awe of Harry, seeing a fourteen years old boy standing against the darkest dark lord of the century. Then she saw the priori incantatem, that Harry explained to her, and saw the echoes of the spells and Voldemort's victims appear, especially Harry's parents. She was in awe and saw the echoes attacking Voldemort, giving Harry time to escape by the cup portkey recharged by the echoes magic, carrying Diggory's body. Daphne saw Harry collapse in Hogwarts and declared that Voldemort was back, no one listening to him. Then, the memory ended and the both left the pensieve.
Daphne was in shock and shivering in fear. She grabbed Harry and hugged him tightly, almost crying for him. He held her tight and comforted her enough for her to ease her hug.
"You were great." she mumbled and he chuckled.
"I was terrified." he admitted "But I guess it is true, a person can only be truly brave when he's scared." Daphne looked at him with even more respect and caring.
"What happened then?" she asked and his eyes got darker.
"Moody took me away and pretty much admitted that he wasn't Moody at all but a convicted Death Eater called Crouch Jr under polyjuice. He was the one that put my name in the cup under Voldemort's orders and had been the one to make his father mad and disappear and yes, we have been learning from Crouch Jr, convicted Death Eater, escapee from Azkaban thanks to his father, Crouch Sr." Daphne gasped and mumbled a couple of words.
"I neutralized him, in a manner of speaking." explained Harry, confusing Daphne "I cast a spell on him that acts as the imperius curse. He's unable to resist me and he doesn't even know that he's under my spell because I obliviated that knowledge from his mind." Daphne looked shocked at Harry, who admitted to cast a unforgivable type spell without a care "He's under my orders and is to continue Voldemort's plan as if nothing had happened, not to hurt you under any circumstance for association with me, to act as usual and to suggest a duelling club for next term for some extra activity and extra training for me and you." explained Harry and Daphne was confused " He's also to feed the real Mad-Eye Moody that is imprisoned in his trunk for polyjuice ingredients and make sure he is alive and stable." Daphne fell on her chair, looking at Harry completely shocked and in awe. She also found it sweet that he managed to protect her, not to mention thankful.
"Dumbledore captured him but before he could be questioned, Fudge came in with a dementor that kissed him." Daphne gasped "My godfather could have become a free man that night and the ministry could have believed in Voldemort's return but because that incompetent asshole, that didn't happen."
"I see you're not fond of Fudge." replied Daphne and Harry snorted.
"Remember me to tell you about my interactions with him afterwards." she nodded and he continued "So, pretty much, the tournament ended, Voldemort returned, Diggory was killed by Pettigrew, I managed to survive and comeback to Hogwarts, everyone ignored my warnings, I won the tournament and fourth year ended."
Daphne flinched.
"That's what we can expect this year?" she asked and he shook his head.
"I have already initiated steps to finish his lordship as soon as possible." replied Harry with a cold and sarcastic voice "I will explain you later on but I don't intend to allow story to repeat itself again." Daphne found herself trusting Harry. Why wouldn't she?
"I went back to my "Oh-So-Loving-Muggle-Relatives" for summer and was put in a lockdown, with no communication with anyone by order of Dumbledore.
"What? Why?" asked Daphne, not understanding.
"Well, Dumbledore reunited a group that he had to fight Voldemort the first time around, called The Order of the Phoenix and those idiots decided that I should be protected and be kept in isolation. It changed after I was attacked by two dementors in the middle of the street while their lookout was either asleep of out for some shady business."
Daphne paled with his words.
"Dementors? In a muggle neighbourhood?" she asked and he nodded.
"They also almost kissed me and my cousin. I cast a patronus and got rid of the two of them but alas, I was expelled from Hogwarts for violating the statute of secret a second time and performing underage magic." Daphne widened her eyes "It didn't help that the minister was out for my blood, managing a smearing campaign on the Prophet against me and Dumbledore for saying Voldie was back."
"Voldie?" asked an amused Daphne and Harry chuckled.
"Sorry, force of habit. Voldie, Moldyshorts, Dork Lord, Tom..." Harry shrugged "I tried not to say the name... too many people flinching. That becomes annoying."
Daphne chuckled and he smiled. She changed her demeanour quickly.
"You said you were expelled?" she asked and he nodded.
"Moments later of receiving the expulsion order, I received another two, one from Dumbledore telling me not to give anyone my wand and another from the ministry, revoking the last one and summoning for a trial for underage magic. I was collected by the Order of Phoenix and taken to their headquarters, which happened to be my godfather's ancestral home and guess what, my godfather and my uncle were there, as well as Granger and the Weasleys, all with orders not to contact me because it was, and I quote, very dangerous."
Daphne gaped.
"Dangerous? It's owl post." Harry shrugged.
"I don't know. All I know is that I was angry with them and there was a lot of shouting. It was strike two for them. I was a really broody teenager, I'll tell you that. I can't wait..." he said sarcastically and she smirked "They were bored out of their feeble little minds while I was fighting for my life against dementors and... well, moving on." another clue that Daphne decided to keep.
"I stood trial before the whole wizengamot for a case of underage magic and Dumbledore intervened in my favour. If he hadn't, I'm sure I'd been expelled."
"The whole Wizengamot?" she asked, surprised and Harry nodded "Well, that's a new one, for a simple case of underage magic..."
"What can I say? It was Fudge. He even managed to get me late in hopes of discredit me and condemn me." Daphne huffed, crossing her arms. She knew the man was an idiot "Well, we came back to Hogwarts and it was our fifth year, OWL year. Want to take a guess on the type of DADA teacher?" he dared with a grin, making Daphne sigh.
"Useless?" she asked and he grinned.
"Ten points to Slytherin." he replied "Madam Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge, appointed by ministerial decree." Daphne tried to associate the name to a face but was unsuccessful. "It's a woman that looks like a toad and is always wearing pink, following dear Cornelius around and is an extreme biggot against pretty much everything non pureblood." Harry's sneer said much more "The woman was a joke and had us reading a book by a guy named Slinkhard for classes. According with her, the ministry stand was that there was no dangers outside Hogwarts and therefore no need to practical classes."
"What a load of dragon dung." Daphne mumbled and Harry agreed.
"I was also very vocal on my disagreement of her and was appointed several detentions with her... writing lines with a blood quill."
"But that's illegal!" shouted Daphne in shock and Harry agreed "Tell me you told someone!"
"Oh, everyone knew. Her detentions were always the same for everyone non Slytherin and we were told not to say anyone or it would be far worse. I did told McGonagall, though, but the bint only told me to keep my head down and that she would speak to Dumbledore. I didn't even managed to speak to the old man because the bastard had been avoiding me since the summer."
Daphne furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why?" she asked with a sigh. She seemed to be saying that a lot.
"He believed that there was a mental link between Voldemort and me that would have been empowered with my blood being used in the resurrection ritual." Harry explained and Daphne lift an eyebrow in curiosity "He decided that I should learn occlumency."
"Occlumency is always a good skill to have." replied Daphne, crossing her arms and Harry smirked.
"True, but try to learn it with Snape and then we'll talk." he replied, mimicking her. She lift an eyebrow.
"Not a pleasant experience?" she asked and he snorted.
"My lessons were pretty much a warning to clear my mind and a barrage of legillimancy attacks. His excuses were that I wouldn't be given time to prepare myself." Daphne was appalled "While I do grant him that he was right in that, he gave me a book to read but refused to answer my questions, telling me to do my research."
"Those lessons took how long?" she asked.
"Twice, three times a week for nearly two months. He ended the classes after deeming me a lost cause and after I saw a memory of his during his school years."
"I guess he didn't like that."
"Not at all. Luckily, by then, I had a much better teacher." he replied with a smirk.
"Who?"
"Who else? You." he replied with a grin, shocking her.
"Me?" she asked and he smirked.
"We have to go back to the first month of classes, way before I even started my occlumency lessons." he explained with a fond smile "You have to understand, despite everything, some people believed the bashing the ministry portrayed and some actually believed that I had murdered Diggory. Since Voldemort didn't come forward, no one was the wiser, except a few purebloods that were approached by his agents. Considering that, I was seen by a few as a pariah, a loony and murderer." Daphne shook her head in disbelief but said nothing "I was able to spend a lot of time alone because of that and it was thanks to that that you approached me one evening, when I was alone in the library. You passed me a note, asking to meet me in an abandoned classroom and told me it wasn't a trap. Naturally, I was suspicious and took a Slytherin approach to your invitation."
"Meaning?" asked Daphne, surprised with her actions.
"I have an invisible cloak, an heirloom from the Potter family. I followed you to our meeting and entered with you in the room, unseen and unheard. I stood there, watching you closely, trying to understand your motives." Daphne was actually surprised and impressed "It was only after nearly half an hour, when you believed that I wouldn't appear and that I was sure that it was no trap at all that I chose to reveal myself to you."
"Impressive... and well done." she whispered.
"Yes, you said the same thing. You even mentioned that you weren't sure that I would appear at all." remembered Harry with a smile.
"What did I want then?" she asked.
"You told me that you believed me and that you knew I was right. You asked me for help with DADA and duelling." he explained and Daphne actually nodded "Initially, I wasn't sure... you even offered me deals, to be my spy in Slytherin, pay me in gold or even pay me in books and knowledge."
"Which one did you take?" she asked, flinching and he looked at her.
"None." she gaped. She wanted to say something but he rose a hand, stopping her "You were desperate, I could tell just by watching you. We made a deal to work together in DADA and you still offered me insight over what was happening in Slytherin and taught me about the wizarding world and its costumes. It was you that originally told me about me being the Lord Potter, something that if I had known, would have saved me a lot of trouble." Daphne was surprised, for sure "We decided to meet twice a week at first in abandoned classrooms but then a lot happened that cut our time significantly, namely the DA in October and my occlumency lessons latter on."
"DA?" she asked, not recognizing the term.
Harry chuckled.
"The DA was the 'Defence Association', also known as 'Dumbledore's Army.'" Daphne rose an amused eyebrow "I know, it's a dumb name but back then, the ministry decided that Dumbledore was building an army with school kids so we decided to stick it up to the ministry and call it that." Daphne snorted, amusing Harry "It was also a study group for dorks, duffers and claws. Slytherins weren't invited because most were at the ministry side."
Daphne huffed. "Naturally."
Harry decided to ignore the comment.
"The idea came from Granger, who wanted to make a study group and practically put me in charge to teach the practicals."
"And you accepted it?" she asked and he shrugged.
"It was fun." he replied "Besides, I managed to arrange it in a way that I had time for you, for quidditch, occlumency and the DA and let's face it, you were always my best student." he said with a proud smile, making her blush "I would usually try something with you and then take it to the DA."
"How good was I?" she asked and he smiled.
"You became almost as good as me." he explained, smiling at her "You got yourself an Outstanding in your OWL because you decided to keep your Patronus a secret. I believe your words were that no one needed to know and that it could make people realize about our deal."
"What do you mean, I got an outstanding because?" she asked, curious.
"You could have got an Outstanding with extra credit. You didn't, I did and I got the highest grade registered in the last years." Daphne nodded and understood.
"What was my patronus?" she asked after a moment.
"A fox." he replied and saw her surprise.
"Why a fox?" she asked and he shrugged. He closed his eyes, trying to remember something "Foxes are a symbol for patience, wisdom, intelligence, adaptability, femininity, illusion, shape-shifting, magic... In other words, you." he said, opening his eyes and seeing her blushing "It's only the truth."
She mumbled something but before he could ask her to repeat, Dobby popped in the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have been monitoring the great hall's reactions and the students have left to the common rooms. Slytherin house is actually starting a house assembly with Snape, trying to find out where you two are. The staff is actually searching through the castle as we speak." the elf explained. Harry sighed.
"I forgot about them." he replied, turning to Daphne "I suppose we should make an appearance to calm them and maybe tell them a story to convince them... What do you say?"
"I guess." she replied, looking at him "The story isn't finished, though."
"Not by a long shot." he replied with a very serious tone, making her shiver "You still have a lot to know. We can continue tonight, after everyone go to sleep or tomorrow morning."
"Today." she replied eagerly, making him smile.
"Today, then, as soon as we are able. Call for Dobby to bring you here. I'll be waiting for you." she nodded and he rose, offering her his hand. She took it and rose as well from her chair.
"I have to say, you are taking all this quite well." he said, giving her a smile.
"True, it is hard to believe but somehow I want to trust you. Especially after seeing the memories. You could have planted them but you would need to know how to forge them..." she mumbled and he rose her chin, looking at her eyes.
"I am telling you the truth, Daphne." he replied "But your doubts are understandable. I can swear you an oath or order veritaserum, if you'd like."
She nodded.
"I believe you." she whispered and he smiled again, kissing her softly, much to her surprise.
"Now, what do you want to tell them?" he asked, picking his glasses and putting them on his face.
"Me?" she asked, surprised "You're the one that has been..." she considered her words "misleading everyone." he chuckled.
"What about accidental magic when I willed us to be somewhere safe to speak? An unknown, accidental ability?" he proposed and she sniffed.
"Do you really think anyone will believe that?" she asked, doubtful "Besides, you did it twice. Not really accidental."
"Do you want to tell them the truth?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She sighed. Maybe he should obliviate everyone.
"Fine, you were emotional and somehow you did it the first time without even noticing. You grabbed me while wishing us to be somewhere safe to speak. Where?" she proposed. Harry waved around.
"This is the safest place in the castle, I'd wager." he replied and she nodded.
"Fine, let's go, then." she replied but Harry held her for a moment.
"Wait, I forgot one thing, how good is your occlumency?" he asked. She rose an eyebrow.
"Pretty decent." she explained, crossing her arms "I can hold off my father attacks."
"What about Snape's or the headmaster's?" he asked and she suddenly understood his reasoning.
"Good point." she mumbled "I have never felt anything around Snape or Dumbledore."
"Do you feel sure about your abilities?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Her hesitance said everything "Would you allow me to cast a spell on you to protect the memories of this conversation?"
"What kind of spell?" she asked, curious.
"It would work as an occlumency barrier. I would add a guardian, so to speak."
"What kind of guardian?" she asked again.
"The same I have as my own guardian, the difference is that it would be powered by my magic and eventually fade unless you maintain it as your own occlumency defence."
"And that would be?" she asked, revealing some impatience.
"Bael." he replied simply, making her raise an eyebrow, forcing him to explain "Remember Zael?" she nodded, obviously "Bael is a basilisk I keep as my main defence."
"Uh..." was her reply "You have a basilisk as your mind defence." he nodded "You have one of those snakes in your mind, acting as your mind defence." Harry noticed she was finding it hard to believe.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, no, they are not snakes." he explained, embarrassed.
"Really?" she replied sarcastically "Well, they really look like it."
"That's not... yes, they are snakes but not really snakes. They are golems crafted as snakes. I issue commands in parseltongue and they do my bidding as if they were real snakes." Harry explained and Daphne was really surprised.
"Golems?" she asked and he nodded.
"Do I have your permission to add a Bael to your mind?" he asked again and she nodded. She had even more questions. Harry told her to close her eyes and focus on her mindscape. She saw herself in a field and felt foreign magic. She didn't fight it and saw a huge shape take form in the field. The form became a huge basilisk, as huge as the skeleton that laid in the chamber. The basilisk hissed to the air and coiled itself, remaining still. Daphne was brought back from her mindscape, amazed.
"That's Bael, or at least one of them." explained Harry, making sure she was all right.
"Will it work?" she asked.
"Remember that potions class after the first task?" she nodded "That was when Snape met Bael. I'd say it's damn efficient."
She chuckled and he smiled.
"What now?" she asked. Harry held her hand and nodded for her to grab Dobby's.
"Send us to outside the common room. We can avoid scare people and get cursed." replied Harry and Dobby nodded, popping them away.
They appeared on the corridor of the common room entrance. Dobby left them and Harry looked to Daphne.
"Are you ready?" he asked and her reply was the squeezing of his hand.
"No." she admitted, sounding scared. She looked at him "But for some reason, I feel safe with you." He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad." he said. Both walked to the entrance and Harry hissed the door to open. It did and the two saw themselves looking at the entire house and professor Snape.
"POTTER! Where the hell have you two been?" hissed Snape, silencing all the questions from their housemates.
"I don't really know how to explain it, sir, but we have been discussing it and we think that I, somehow, used some bloodline ability that took us to the chamber of secrets. All I remember is being angry and terrified. Then I was holding Daphne and willed us in a safe place to talk." Daphne was impressed. The ease he was able to lie was amazing. She was able to see the amazement on the faces of several of their housemates. Snape, however, was finding it hard to believe. She noticed he was glaring at Harry, who was looking back at him. Then Snape stumbled, looking pale.
"If you are done with your legilimancy, let me tell you that next time I'll let Bael get you... I wonder what would happen." said Harry in a low, menacing and curious tone. Daphne gulped, realizing what had happen. Snape tried to take the information from Harry's mind by force. She steeled herself and her own shields, hoping that Snape wouldn't attempt to check her memories. He did look at her but didn't try anything.
Some of the older Slytherins looked appalled to the professor while others looked confused.
"Daphne, are you all right?" asked Tracy, stepping forward. That seemed to attract everyone's attention to her.
"I'm fine." she replied, squeezing Harry's hand, who squeezed back. The gesture was almost imperceptible.
"Be as it may, I want you to accompany me to the hospital wing and make sure of it." replied professor Snape "We don't know what Potter could have done to you, considering you were so angry before and now you're... fine with him."
"Are you accusing me of something, professor?" hissed Harry, throwing caution through the wind.
"Be careful with what you say, you arrogant boy." replied Snape with a sneer. Before Harry could reply, Daphne spoke:
"Professor, what happened during dinner was my fault." she said, having the whole house attention "I saw one of Harry's memories, without his permission, out of context and I misinterpreted it. I reacted badly and Harry already explained everything I saw into context. I was wrong, he was right, I apologised to him and he forgave me." she said, adding mentally I think.
"You saw one of his memories?" asked Snape, raising an eyebrow.
"I have a pensieve in the chamber." Harry replied dryly. He didn't like Snape's tone "And I forgot to put back a memory. Is that so hard to believe?"
Professor Snape glared at Harry but refrained to make further comments.
"I don't believe in your accidental story, Potter. Detention, tomorrow at nine." Harry scowled but only nodded "You are to meet the headmaster, now. Greengrass, you're going to the hospital wing with me for a check up." said Snape, walking towards her.
"Harry comes with me." she said and most of the members of the house gaped while others smirked. Snape sneered.
"He will not, he will go to the headmaster." answered Snape.
"The headmaster can meet us at the hospital." replied Harry in what seemed a defiant tone.
"Fine, start moving." Snape replied with a sneer and the two teens started to walk before him, leaving their surprised house members behind.
"I do believe I had bet they would be dating on this Hogsmeade weekend?" said Brian Carrick, turning to Amelia Yaxley with a grin.
Yaxley scowled.
"You don't know for sure."
"Fine, we'll wait until they are back to be sure." Carrick said with a chuckle, sitting back on his chair, next to Alistair Pince and Eliza Culberth. The three nodded among them.
Harry and Daphne were following their head of house, who had passed them after leaving the common room.
"How did it go with Krum?" asked Daphne, realizing they hadn't talked about it yet.
"It was fun." replied Harry with a smirk "He's good and actually gave me a couple of ideas for our training." Harry noticed a change in Snape's posture, as if he was listening their conversation.
"Such as?" asked Daphne, looking at Harry.
"Physical training. Dodging spells mostly." he explained and Daphne looked at him.
"Unless you are proposing to have one of us cast as much spells as possible for the other to avoid..." she started and he chuckled.
"Could be." he said "I was thinking more of colour charms thrown among us. Harmless and quick to negate. The one more painted in the end looses." He heard Snape snort "You don't approve, professor?"
"The idea is good, the concept of the exercise is interesting but the execution leaves to desire." he replied without turning back. In truth he found it amusing but wasn't about to tell him that, not to Potter.
"What would you suggest, then?" Harry asked.
"Something that would add more motivation to avoid instead of colour charms." replied their head of house.
"Stinging hexes?" asked Daphne.
"Five points to Slytherin for a smart suggestion on how to improve a training routine." replied Snape, still not looking at them "What is this about you meeting Krum, Potter?" asked Snape, slightly turning back.
"Krum invited me to train our duelling today in the morning. We had a practice round today at six before dinner."
"Your thoughts?" asked Snape.
"He's a capable dueller." replied Harry.
"I see." replied Snape, clearly wanting to know more "What about your preparation for the second task?" the potions master asked.
"I know the clue from the egg and know what to do in the task." he replied. Professor Snape turned back to him surprised.
"Already?" he asked, looking at the boy.
"I had help." shrugged Harry with a smile, looking at Daphne who blushed slightly. She also had help, she didn't do it on her own. Besides, Harry already knew either way, not that the professor would know that.
"I'm glad to see that someone is making sure you don't make a fool of Slytherin house, Potter." sneered Snape "Five points for helping to solve the egg, Ms. Greengrass."
They walked in silence until they reached the hospital wing. When they went in, They were met by a frantic Madam Pomfrey.
"YOU! What have you done this time?" she asked, seeing Harry. The teen flinched and Daphne actually smirked.
"Poppy, would you do a check up on Ms. Greengrass? I want to make sure she's fine." asked professor Snape, walking back outside to summon the headmaster with a patronus. Madam Pomfrey nodded and waved Daphne to follow her. She did and so did Harry whose hand she was still holding.
"You can let go of him, dear." the healer said, believing she was frightened "I won't hurt you."
Daphne looked confused at her.
"What are you talking about?" asked the teen witch, thinking fast "I'm just making sure this idiot doesn't do anything stupid." she managed to sound natural, too. Or maybe she was telling the truth. Harry pouted.
"Hey." he said, indignant while Poppy laughed. He could swear that Snape smirked.
Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over Daphne and was able to see that the young girl was fine and not under the influence of any spells or potions. She did the same for Harry and the same was also true, although she was curious with some of the results.
"You seem to be in better shape than the day of the first task, Mr. Potter." said the healer, her curiosity clear on her voice "What have you been doing?"
"Eating well and sleeping better." Harry replied, crossing his arms.
"Mh..." was the matron's reply "They are both fine, Severus."
"I see." has the potion master's reply.
"Try not to sound so disappointed, professor." said Harry, receiving an elbow from Daphne for his cheek.
"Believe me, Potter, as much as it hurts me, your well-being is of my concern." replied Snape with a glare.
"Very well." replied Harry, looking at the entrance "Should we go and meet the headmaster or should we wait here?"
"We can wait. Sit down and do what Ms. Greengrass tells you to." the older man replied amused for taunting Potter and Harry nodded.
Snape went outside after looking at the both of them and Madam Pomfrey told them to sit down and be at ease, starting to go through other tasks. Daphne observed with curiosity while madam Pomfrey checking a teen girl with a broken arm, probably an accident in one class. Daphne noticed Harry smirking at her and rose an eyebrow. His reply was a nod, telling her to go.
Daphne was surprised. She was curious over healer's work and had been considering it as a possible choice for her future. Apparently Harry knew something because he really did encourage her with his nod.
Encouraged, Daphne went to madam Pomfrey and watched her work, making some questions that surprised the elder healer, forcing Daphne to admit that her mother had been a healer for a couple of years before getting married. She still received a healer's magazine, ICW endorsed, although she had given up on practice, that Daphne read during the holidays.
"Yes, I think I remember her, she was Persephone Wilkins, correct?" Daphne nodded and madam Pomfrey started to explain that the girl, a fifth year Ravenclaw had an accident while practicing a bone breaker curse and shattered the bone.
"That means that you had to remove it and give her skele-grow, correct?" Daphne asked and Poppy nodded, looking happy at the girl. The two continued for some time more until Dumbledore came in, followed by McGonagall, Snape and Moody.
"Mr. Potter." called Dumbledore, attracting the attention to himself and angering Poppy in the process.
"Headmaster, this is a hospital wing and I demand quiet." Poppy said, her anger starting to show. Harry, who had laid down in his usual bed smirked, noticed the annoyed look on Daphne's face. She looked to be enjoying herself.
"You are correct, of course, my dear Poppy." apologised Dumbledore, focusing on Daphne "Miss Greengrass, Mr. Potter, I would like you two to explain me what happened a while ago in the great hall."
"We talked about it and concluded that it had to be some kind of accidental magic, sir. Either that or some special talent that I may have." Harry noticed the looks on their faces.
"Mr. Potter, you managed to apparate inside Hogwarts, not once but twice, something that should be impossible, even for the headmaster and you are saying that it was purely accidental?" asked McGonagall, baffled. Harry shrugged.
"The first time I didn't even notice it. I just needed to stop and talk to Daphne. Then, I had her in my arms and I just remember willing to talk with her in a safe and quiet place. I grabbed her to beg her to listen and then... we were in the chamber of secrets." Daphne was looking at Harry and was able to see the slight twitch of his fingers, making his voice sound more powerful. Dumbledore, however, looked slightly confused, suspicious and somewhat amused.
"Considering what happened, why was Ms. Greengrass so angry at you? And why does she seem calmer?"
"As I said to professor Snape." Daphne said, everyone turning to her " I saw one of Harry's memories, without his permission, out of context and I misinterpreted it. I reacted badly and it was rude of me to do it but Harry explained everything while we were in the chamber. Then, after his explanations, Dobby took us back to outside our common room and professor Snape made us come here."
"I see." mumbled Dumbledore "And what memory was it?"
"None of your business." snapped Harry in a cold and angry tone, shocking the professors.
"Mr. Potter, respect the headmaster." replied McGonagall with a huff.
"The memory is personal and I don't want to share it with either of you." Harry replied, ignoring McGonagall's outburst.
"But Harry, you shared it with Ms. Greengrass and if it is important, I believe that..."
"What I decide to share with my girlfriend is between me and her and no one else." replied Harry in a cold tone. The adults in the room, as well as the hospitalized rose their eyebrows at the revelation in shock while McGonagall spluttered a couple of words.
"Girlfriend?" she asked, turning to Daphne, who blushed "How? When?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Again, none of your business." Harry replied, looking curious at Daphne "I mean, unless you decided to..." she understood what he meant and shook her head with an embarrassed smile, making him grin.
"Ah, young love." replied Dumbledore with a grin of his own and a grandfatherly tone "Very well, you may go. I understand it was an emotional moment for you and that may have been used to fuel some magic... I would, however, like to know more about that amazing apparition method, Mr. Potter, as well as attempting to recreate it. If you would be so kind, would you be available tomorrow after dinner to discuss it in more detail?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I have detention with professor Snape at nine because of it." Dumbledore turned to Snape.
"I believe professor Snape won't mind to place your detention to me, my dear boy." the older man replied, making Snape raise an eyebrow, although he nodded "Very well, tomorrow at nine, in my office. The password is Kit-Kat."
Harry chuckled about the password while others looked strangely to the headmaster and him, Daphne included. McGonagall rolled her eyes.
"Ah, I see you are aware of such delicacy?" asked Dumbledore with an amused tone.
"I prefer Crunch bars, myself." replied Harry and someone in the back agreed with him. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Very well, I do believe that that can be all. I'll be seeing you tomorrow then. Now, off you two go to your common room and try not to stop in a cupboard on your way."
While McGonagall glared at the older headmaster for his bad joke, almost ready to chew him, Snape and Daphne saw Harry flinch for a small moment, changing to a cold smirk.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, headmaster, I've spent too much time in a broom cupboard already. Ten years, in fact." he said, making the headmaster and McGonagall flinch and the others look strangely at them. Without any more words, Harry approached Daphne and extended his hand, which she took with a smile, although she was still thinking about what he had just said.
"We need to talk about your relatives." she mumbled and he sighed with a nod.
"Oh, Ms. Greengrass, should you be interested, you can come back any time or you can approach Ms. Ursula Corwin, a seventh year of our house. She would also be able to help you with healing if you'd like. Besides, if you're staying around that trouble-magnet, I'd want to conscript you to keep him in shape."
Daphne blushed and ignored the smirk on madam Pomfrey's face. Harry and Daphne left, leaving an amused madam Pomfrey to return to her work and four teachers mumbling between them, after a wave of Dumbledore's wand.
"The brat is lying." said Snape and Dumbledore nodded.
"I believe it too, Severus." he said "In fact, had it not been for his magical oath, I wouldn't believe that young man is Harry Potter at all. Besides, the way he held Ms. Greengrass before disappearing from the great hall indicated it wasn't accidental at all."
"But what will we do, Albus?" asked a shocked McGonagall.
"We keep watching. I worried that Mr. Potter may have started the dark path but now I'm not so sure." the headmaster confessed.
If Daphne wanted to hurt the Dursleys, now she wanted nothing less than kill them for all they had done to Harry. Forcing him to have a cupboard under the stairs as a room for ten years, make Harry work as a house elf, belittle him, beat him for accidental magic and having him being the escape goat for all their problems... prevent him to have friends, underfed him... psychological torture... not even the death eaters were that vicious. If only people knew.
"How did it affect you... you know, before?" she asked, hoping he would get the reference to his former life without more details. The walls did have years.
"Made me malleable, always wishing to please and gave me a sort of a white knight complex." Harry admitted and Daphne had to suppress her anger, squeezing his hand.
They walked in silence for a while until Harry chuckled.
"I missed Dumbledore's passwords." he admitted with s grin "Muggle sweets, classic."
"What is a Kit-Kat?" asked Daphne and Harry chuckled.
"A chocolate bar with cookie inside. It's quite good." he explained, seeing her frown.
"And a Crunch bar?"
"A chocolate tablet with crisped rice mixed with the chocolate." he decided then to get her one of each the next morning.
They arrived to their common room and Harry hissed again. Daphne had to admit that it was handy. At least he didn't have to remember the passwords.
The entire house was there, each handling their business but still, in the common room, waiting for the two fourth years.
"Ah, you return, at last." replied Brian Carrick, who sat with Alistair Pince and Eliza Culberth. The entire house stopped what they were doing and turned to the two "Now, first things first, are you two dating or not?"
"How's that important?" asked Daphne, crossing her arms.
"It matters because the answer may grant me a significant tally." the seventh year replied with a smirk, laying back on his chair. Brian Carrick, a seventh year, tall and lean with brown hair and a hard look told her with a smirk. He was the enforcer in the house, as well as one of the two supporters for the prefects and the younger ones, responsible for execute punishments and house decisions, unlike Alistair Pince, who was the intra house arbiter, responsible for solving all problems inside Slytherin and bring them forward. Between them sat a girl with dark hair, looking amused at the two fourth years and at her boyfriend. Eliza Culberth wasn't a classical beauty but had pretty traces. She was tall and dotted with a cold intelligence. She was the diplomat, the link between Slytherin and the outside, responsible for gathering information throughout Hogwarts to protect the house of the snakes. She was also the other supporter and she was favoured over her boyfriend by the firsties. Individually, they were examples of true Slytherins. Together, they were the actual leaders of the house and everyone was subjected to their rule.
Malfoy aspired to a position in the triumvirate but there were things money couldn't buy, unlike a position in the quidditch team. Now, according with rumours, Daphne knew they were interested in Harry.
Daphne sighed and Harry chuckled.
"What's in it for us for sharing such valuable information?" asked Harry and Daphne smirked. Alistair chuckled and Brian rolled his eyes.
"As much as I enjoyed your reply, if you're like that with that question, I can only imagine with our other question." said Eliza.
Harry looked at her defiant look while Alistar started to talk.
"We called in a house assembly and we want to know exactly what happened two years ago when you allegedly went into the chamber of secrets." Harry's neck snapped to the fourth years with an angry look, assuming they had said anything. When he saw them, they were all pale, as if not expecting that.
"You heard me in Hogsmeade." was Harry's conclusion, turning to the triumvirate, who nodded with smirks.
"Do you know how the house assembly works?" asked Alistair, the de facto leader in such matters.
"I can either accept to answer or be a pariah for the rest of my time. I will not be forced, though and I may be asked to accept veritasserum to corroborate my story." replied Harry, turning to Daphne who was slightly scared for him, although no one else could see it.
"What say you, then?" asked Alistair.
"What if I showed you the memory of the event?" snapped Harry with a bored tone, surprising everyone.
"That would definitively be suitable, should it be free of tampering." replied Eliza and several whispers were heard among their housemates.
"And how do you suggest to do that?" sighed Harry while mentally considering how it could affect his plans. Worst case scenario, he'd have to take them all o the chamber...
"You can provide us with an oath." she replied and Harry considered it.
"Dobby." the house elf appeared next to Harry, already carrying an ornate pensieve, with several snake motifs carved in the stone. A table was pushed to him and the pensieve was placed on top of it, allowing everyone to see the works on the stone basin.
"That's a... interesting design." mumbled a sixth year.
"Blame Slytherin. I found it in the chamber." was Harry's reply, approaching the basin and ignoring the shocked looks.
"The chamber must indeed be a trove of artefacts and knowledge." mumbled Eliza, heard only by her other two peers.
Daphne sighed and stood by Harry. She really hoped to solve everything quickly and return to the chamber to continue to hear his story from his original timeline. Now, she had to see again the events of the chamber and she wasn't really fond of the idea. She preferred not to see Harry almost die again but in a house assembly, everyone had to be present, from the lowest firstie to the highest seventh year. Luckily for them, despite the term had finished the Friday the day before, the trip back to London had been schedule only for the following Monday.
Harry stood over the pensieve, ignoring the whispers and the comments, focusing on the memory he wanted to show them. He extracted it with his wand and placed it in the basin. If the length of the silver thread was any indication, the memory was quite long.
"If anyone needs to go to the toilet, go now." replied Harry in a cold voice, looking around "I will not pause it nor will I repeat it on a later date, unless is deemed extremely important."
The triunvirate members nodded and accepted his conditions. No one else moved.
"Very well, then." Harry said. He waved his wand and the lights of the common room dimmed. Then he tapped the pensieve runes with his wand and it started to glow, starting to project the memory.
While it started with Harry standing next to Granger in the hospital wing, showing him finding the page on her hand, eliciting a comment from someone about Granger ripping a book, Harry walked back to the wall, hiding himself in the shadows. Daphne, who had seen everything before, was next to him.
"I'm sorry, it seems I won't be able to continue my story for the day." he whispered as memory him was exposing his reasoning to Weasley.
"Yes..." Daphne mumbled with a sigh "We have time, though. I hope." she didn't notice that she said the last sentence loudly. Harry chuckled and kissed her forehead, embracing her.
"We have all the time, Daph." he whispered, ignoring the surprised sounds as memory Harry proposed to get Lockhart to help.
She smiled, looking to the memory.
"You didn't show me this part." she whispered, hiding a chuckle as they all saw Lockhart quickly packing to run away.
"I didn't thought it to be important." he replied, hugging her from behind. For her own surprise, she allowed herself to lean back to him, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The memory continued, showing Harry and Weasley forcing Lockhart to go with them, Harry talking to Moaning Myrtle and discovering where the entrance truly was. To say that everyone was surprised, appalled and in awe was an understatement. Everyone kept looking at the memory, not wanting to lose a single moment.
They laughed as they pushed Lockhart into the pit and were shocked as they found out the shed skin of the basilisk. It was bloody huge. Daphne felt her own uneasy at that moment, especially when she remembered how huge the basilisk truly was. Not even Harry hugging her from behind helped her to feel better. She couldn't leave, though.
They saw Lockhart admitting he was a fraud, turning on them and attempting to curse them with Weasley's broken wand. It wasn't a surprise, really, anyone smart enough could find that out, especially after his classes. The first and second years though, were shocked. Some of them had been raised with stories about Harry Potter and Gilderoy Lockhart. They all cheered and clapped as Lockhart spell turned on him and almost gasped when they saw the rock slide, cutting Harry from Weasley. They laughed as Weasley informed Harry what happened and saw Harry following alone.
Memory Harry opened the door to the chamber and entered, seeing the body of weaselette on the ground. Daphne held a breath as Tom Riddle appeared. Everyone saw the boy, recognizing his Slytherin robes but no one knew him. Some frowned when he mentioned he was a memory from the diary and all gasped when he revealed that he had forced Ginny Weasley to open the chamber and set the basilisk on the mudbloods and Filch's cat.
That Tom Riddle was Slytherin's heir. But who was he, really?
Then, Tom began to rant how Harry had found the diary on the bathroom, how he was the one person he wanted to meet the most, how he showed him his own memory of him framing Hagrid. Of course, Harry had to be a defiant one but then, when Tom mentioned that killing mudbloods wasn't that important anymore, a cold and dreary silence fell on the common room.
"For many months now, my new target has been you." Tom said and everyone gasped, looking at memory Harry swallowing air "How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magic talent was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?"
"Why do you care? Voldemort was after your time." replied Harry in a defiant tone. Everyone saw Tom smirk.
"Voldemort is my past, present and future." Tom started to write letters of fire in the air. Some of the eldest in the room made an association, a possibility that crossed their minds and made them pale. Those looked to Harry and saw Daphne Greengrass agitated in Harry's arms, as if she knew something. Harry was normal, hugging her from behind. They gulped. Tom stopped to write and waved his wand. Then, before all of them, where TOM MARVOLLO RIDDLE previously was, there was I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.
Some of the purebloods extremists grinned for a moment, beholding in awe how powerful their lord truly was, enough to leave a memory behind to finish his own work... only to see everything fall the following moment.
"Surely you didn't think I was going to keep my filthy's muggle father's name? "
"WHAT?" shouted Draco Malfoy while all others widened their eyes in shock with the revelation. The dark lord was a half-blood? a half blood with a muggle father? "You lie, Potter!" he shouted, almost drawing his wand. Luckily, for him, a seventh year petrified him just in time to listen Harry saying Dumbledore was the greatest wizard alive.
"I outgrew that, don't worry." Harry said after noticing a few mocking glares.
The memory continued, showing the dark lord speaking in parseltongue that no one understood. Then, from Slytherin's mouth, a massive basilisk came out and everyone gasped. Some even shrieked and there was even a couple of them who fainted seeing the basilisk.
"That is the basilisk?" shouted Pansy, turning to Harry and seeing Daphne holding Harry's right arm, almost caressing it.
They saw Fawkes appear, leaving the sorting hat with Harry, which gave him the sword of Gryffindor, while Fawkes blinded the beast. They saw Harry run instead of charging and approved. They saw Harry trying to escape the beast and climbing Slytherin's statue, being almost bitten in half, only to stuck the sword in the basilisk's mouth. They gasped, seeing a twelve year old killing a seventy foot basilisk with nothing but a sword. They gulped, thinking about what they saw in the first task and what they knew about Potter.
Daphne saw the memory, knowing very well about the fang that would be stuck on his arm. When it happened, she squeezed Harry's arm and felt his arms holding her tightly. The rest of the house saw how Harry Potter had a basilisk fang stuck in his arm.
"How are you alive, Potter?" asked a seventh year in awe and for the amusement of some, memory Harry stabbed the diary with the fang, destroying the shadow of the dark lord forever. Then Harry fell on the floor while weaselette woke up and started to apologize and crying, only to Fawkes to appear and cry on Harry's wound, healing him of the poison.
The memory ended then and Harry waved his wand again, bringing the lights to normal. Everyone looked at him in shock, awe and confusion.
"You killed the dark lord's memory? For good?" asked a fifth year and Harry nodded, putting the memory back in his mind and ordering Dobby to take the pensieve again.
"You killed that freaking snake all by yourself?" asked a tearful third year, remembering the fear of those times.
"You all saw it and just to be sure, I, Harry James Potter do swear on my life and magic that the memory you all saw was real and not altered by any means. So mote it be." Harry said, glowing. He then cast strong lumos charm, reinforcing his words.
"Damn." mumbled Eliza. That was not what she was expecting to see. To be truthful, she had no idea about what she wanted to see.
"So, what now?" asked Harry, crossing his arms and looking to everyone in the house "I know some of you actually agree with Voldemort and that others are more mild in their views, so I'll ask, what happens now that you know what really happened?"
No one said anything.
"Someone might want to release Malfoy." added Harry, noticing that Malfoy was still on the floor, blinking madly.
Blaise released him and the blond got up quietly.
"So?" asked Harry again.
"The dark Lord was a half-blood." was a statement made by a fifth year, with a bit of amusement.
"He said so, yes." replied Harry and the same fifth year started to chuckle. His name was David McNair and had death eater ties in his family.
"Purebloods grovelled at his feet, called him the very best of us and he was nothing more than a half-blood?" he chuckled and many scowled, thinking about his words.
Harry shrugged. He didn't know want to say anything else that could be seen as a defending Voldemort... although he wanted to speak on behalf of the half-bloods.
Some, however, flinched with McNair's words.
"Oi, I'm a halfblood." retorted a seventh year out of nowhere "Potter is too."
Then the ruckus continued, ended only when Alistair asked Harry a simple question.
"Where do you stand in the blood feud?"
Harry considered his opinions calmly.
"I can honestly say that I currently know no muggle that I don't hate." replied Harry with a cold tone, surprising all and making some smirk. Harry noticed Daphne raise an eyebrow "But I am biased since I was raised by abusive muggle relatives and had no friends at all until I entered the Hogwarts Express in '91..." his confession rose more questions that he wasn't keen on answering at all "But there are a couple of things that the muggles have that I enjoy, namely movies, tv, games and music."
"What's a movie?" asked a firstie.
"What's a tv?" asked a sixth year.
Harry wanted to groan.
"Ask a half blood. Or a muggleborn." he snapped, looking careful at them "You know what I think... muggleborns should be integrated into our society and maybe we should learn more about them... if there is one thing muggles are good at, that's killing. I'm sure we all know about the witch hunters? And the muggle wars that engulfed Europe?"
Some nods gave him the answer he wanted.
"Muggles are dangerous." replied Harry, having the attention of everyone "What they don't understand, they capture and experiment upon, to understand... they commit atrocities if they have to and don't even care, trying to rationalize their actions to justify the deaths they caused. I wonder how many muggleborns were found by the muggles before they could be brought into the magical world? Or how many suffered for it?" he paused, looking at Daphne who was both curious and in awe of him, of how he managed to have their attention. She didn't get his point, though, although she did get that he was speaking from his heart. Maybe it had been something from his past life?.
"I think enough magical blood has been spilled." admitted Harry in a solemn tone "I don't care if you're light, grey or dark, purebloods, half-bloods or muggleborns, wizard, squib or creature, but I care if your blood has magic or not." Harry said, closing his eyes and losing his smile "But I won't stand for mudbloods, blood traitors, traitors and kinslayers." he said, opening his eyes and revealing the green flames behind them.
"I don't want anyone else to see what I saw and live what I lived." he spat with a cold and venomous tone, ignoring the shocked looks they gave him. Harry's words shocked everyone. He had only expressed his feelings upon such matters once, during the house elves strike and managed to impress a couple of elder students. That night, in the common room, Harry Potter seemed to have spoken from heart, favouring not the pureblood but the magical blood. He certainly gave everyone something to think, good and bad about himself.
"Well said, Potter." said a smooth female voice and many turned to none other than Ursula Corwin, seventh year and one of the most respected figures in the house. She wasn't a part of the triumvirate but she had power in the house. Sometimes, the triumvirate would ask her opinion on a matter and she would offer her wisdom freely. She was a pureblood with short blonde hair and brown eyes, tan skin and a thin figure. What many didn't know was that she lived close to muggles and her parents had dealings with them. No one knew but apart Potter, she was the one that knew muggles the better in the house of the snakes. For years she hadn't been a part of the conflicts, keeping to herself and ignoring what she didn't care about but Harry's words echoed her own feelings.
"Ursula, you agree with Potter?" asked Alistair with surprise to whom she nodded. That gesture alone gained the attention of many.
The triumvirate closed the house assembly after that and the students started to disband, most of them looking at Harry in respect or awe. He didn't care. He did notice the nod Ms. Corwin gave him, a nod of appreciation and respect. Harry nodded back and saw the girl lose interest on him, beginning a conversation with the triumvirate.
"That was a nice speech." said Daphne, approaching Harry and leading him to a corner. Harry waved his wand and rose a privacy ward. He looked at her and saw the admiration in her eyes.
"I lived something like it." he replied and she nodded. Somehow, she already knew that. "It's getting late. Would you like to meet tomorrow for breakfast and then continue our conversation?"
"I don't think there's a choice, actually." Daphne said and Harry nodded as well. As much as Daphne wanted to know more, she sighed, understanding what he truly meant "Get some rest. We both had a rough day." then she hesitated.
"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her uneasiness.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I broke your trust..." she started and he stopped her with a soft caress on her chin.
"There's nothing to forgive." Harry replied, softly kissing her lips, ignoring the silence that fell in the house once again. Apparently, they were being watched. Not that they cared.
"Thank you." she said with a small smile.
"I'll just ask you to trust me and to give me a chance." he said with a small smile, to which she smirked.
"I AM giving you a chance, Potter." she said and he smirked "Will you tell me how it happened in your...?" Harry nodded.
"You were already close to me but I'd say that the moment I knew I was sure I really cared for you was when you comforted me after my godfather's death." For a moment, Daphne didn't know what to say.
"Tomorrow?" she asked in doubt. Harry chuckled and nodded. Of course she needed to know more details.
Daphne leaned in and kissed him good night. Then, she ignored the stares and went to her room, not realizing the several girls going after her. Harry dropped the ward and went to his own room, ready to call Dobby to take him to the chamber. He ignored the boys following him.
In the common room, Brian Carrick was grinning.
"Was that enough proof for you, Yaxley?" he asked, hearing only some mumbling from said girl.
