When Gabrielle had stormed out of the Great Hall, she had no actual intention of wiping her hands clean of the situation. Harry was her friend, her mentor...and hopefully would become something more. He was an important person to her and there was no chance in hell she was going to let some snake take advantage of him when he was at his weakest.
Hence, Gabrielle kept her distance and surreptitiously hid behind corners as she carefully followed Harry and Professor Greengrass down the numerous hallways of Hogwarts. She growled in annoyance at the fact that her Potions teacher seemed to be enjoying the physical contact with Harry a bit too much, but Gabrielle quickly put a hand over her mouth to mute the sound. The action was unnecessary, however, as Harry was off in another world and Professor Greengrass was focusing all her attention on keeping him as grounded as possible in this one.
Finally, they came to a stop at what Gabrielle assumed to be Harry's bedroom and Harry seemed to be telling Professor Greengrass something. The Veela advanced forward just a bit to try to hear what they were saying, but their words were still undecipherable.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Professor Greengrass blushed and before she knew it, Harry was kissing her.
Her blood boiling, Gabrielle marched forward resolutely to break up the situation. However, just as she was about to speak, her words were taken right out of her mouth.
X
"Stop, Harry."
Daphne broke off the kiss almost as quickly as it had started, but even then, her cheeks were still rosy from the brief contact. With her chin tucked in to avoid making eye contact with Harry, she gently pushed him off her.
"This isn't right...go to bed, Harry."
She opened his door for him and he stumbled in as if on reflex. As soon as he did, she shut the door behind him and quickly walked away from his bedchamber. She came to a sudden halt after just a few steps, but saw nothing out of the ordinary when she turned around quickly.
Was it just her imagination, or had she spotted something out of the corner of her eye just as she left Harry? Her mind was still in a haze so maybe it was playing tricks on her...she decided to leave it at that and restarted her brisk pace away from the man who haunted her dreams.
X
Harry did not stumble into the Great Hall the next morning, but his laborious gait left no doubt that last night had left its mark on him.
"Ughhh..." he said as he sat down in his customary spot.
"Good morning to you too," said Daphne, looking perfectly done up in the image of a porcelain doll.
"So...from the glances I've been getting, I'm guessing I decided to swing by the Great Hall yesterday evening?"
"That would be correct."
"I didn't make too much of a fool of myself, did I?"
"No, I shepherded you back to your room as soon as you made your appearance."
"And that's all that happened?"
Daphne focused her gaze on him, her steady stare amplifying his anxiety.
"You really don't remember anything from last night?"
"Not a blip."
"Well nothing happened. You were the perfect gentleman while drunk."
"Phew!" he exclaimed, eagerly digging into his breakfast with his mind now at ease.
Daphne watched him quietly with a neutral expression.
X
Tonks walked with trepidation towards the Defense classroom, on the one hand, because she'd never taught a class, and on the other, because her real reason for visiting was waiting behind that door.
When she'd made the request to Headmistress McGonagall to give a guest lecture, the guileless old witch had slowly arched an eyebrow before accepting the offer. McGonagall undoubtedly knew that Tonks had ulterior motives, but did the Auror the favour of not inquiring into them, for which Tonks was tremendously grateful.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Tonks knocked on the door.
"That must be her right now," she heard through the door. "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to Auror Nymphadora Tonks."
The door opened before her and she found herself blushing as she exchanged smiles with Harry.
"Thank you, Harry – I mean, Head Auror – I mean Professor Potter."
A few laughs punctuated the polite clapping of the students, causing the tips of Tonks' hair to turn bright pink.
"Hey, how'd you do that?" asked a boy near the front.
"You mean this?" said Tonks, transforming her nose into an elephant's trunk.
This time, the students' laughter was unrestrained and genuine curiosity lit up their eyes.
"As you all can see," said Harry, "Miss Tonks is one of the few living Metamorphmagi. As such, no one is more qualified to be giving this lecture on the art of subterfuge and disguise."
Tonks smiled at the praise.
"You're too kind, Professor Potter. Anyhow, I suppose we should get this show on the road! So kids, let's talk glamours..."
X
"You know, you didn't have to arrange a guest lecture just to get into contact with me," said Harry, after the class had ended and all the students had filed out.
"I know, but I thought it would be fun to give teaching a shot and I admit it was a pleasant surprise. Besides, I wanted to show you how serious I am about what we have, Harry."
"And what do we have, Tonks?" said Harry, looking intently into Tonks' eyes.
She matched his gaze before replying.
"I love you, Harry. I have for a while, and I don't expect that to change any time soon. I think that's why I may have overreacted when I got the letter from Daphne."
"Wait, you got a letter from Daphne?" said Harry, mulling over that new information.
"Yeah, that's how I learnt you spend every morning with the Veela girl."
How had Daphne known about Gabrielle, let alone Tonks? But it was all starting to make sense now and at the heart of it all was Daphne Greengrass...he should have known.
"Come on, Tonks. She's my student and she's seventeen, you can't seriously believe I would even consider starting a relationship with her."
"I know, but I was just so filled with jealousy when I got the news and it took me a while to figure that out. That's why I'm here now, Harry."
"Listen Tonks, I don't want there to be any doubt in your mind as to my feelings for you. If you want me to make a magical vow that I'll stay true to you, I will."
"No, Harry," she said quickly, "I trust you. And I know that Gabrielle is a good person, since she's the one who got me to see things clearly and arrange this whole meeting."
Harry smirked; once again, he should have known – it seemed the witches in his life were running his life.
"I think so, too. She's a bright and talented witch and I'd like to continue being her mentor. But what about Daphne?"
Tonks hesitated for a moment.
"Again, I trust you, Harry. Our relationship will never survive unless we both trust one another. So if you still want to be friends with Daphne, I have no problem with it."
"I love you," said Harry, trying to pour all his feelings into the words.
Tonks face burst into a smile and a few tears of happiness came to the corner of her eyes.
"I love you, too."
The reconciled couple kissed, only to be interrupted by the shocked squeal of little Dorothy, who had come early to her favourite class.
Tonks quickly broke off the embrace, embarrassed, but Harry simply put his index over his mouth and winked at the young witch.
"Shhh, you can keep a secret, right?"
Dorothy nodded fervently, still looking back and forth between the two adults in disbelief.
"Thanks, Dorothy," said Harry, mussing up her hair. "How about we meet again on the weekend, Tonks?"
"Sure, Harry, I'd like that. I'll see you then."
X
"Will you be at the Quidditch match?" Gabrielle asked after she and Harry had finished that morning's practice and were stretching out their wonderfully sore muscles.
"Of course! Gryffindor versus Slytherin, it doesn't get any better than that! Besides, my protégé will be playing."
Gabrielle snorted in a dignified manner that was so befitting of her upbringing.
"Pfft...protégé? I seem to recall beating you more often than not in our little practice matches."
"That's only because I was taking it easy on you," Harry said with a smile.
Gabrielle punched him on the shoulder.
"Honestly though, you've been a tremendous help – thank you, Harry."
"My pleasure, though I should be thanking you for keeping me in shape while providing wonderful company for my morning exercise."
Gabrielle flashed him a smile that lit up her entire face.
"Based on your chipper mood these past few days, I'm assuming you and Tonks are back together?"
"Yes, and I should thank you for that. Are you sure you weren't supposed to be sorted into Slytherin?"
She jabbed him again on the shoulder.
"Would a Slytherin have the guts to punch the Boy Who Lived?"
"Touché."
X
The match was a blow-out. Gryffindor's Chasers were scoring seemingly at will and dodging Bludgers with contempt. When the flyers in red and gold were up by over 100, Gabrielle Delacour suddenly turned and started flying directly towards Harry.
He stood shocked, having no clue what the Veela was doing. Before reaching him though, she gave him a wink and just as suddenly took off, the Slytherin Seeker hot on her heels in a desperate attempt to salvage an otherwise hopeless game.
A moment later, the match was over.
"That cheeky little witch," thought Harry, as the crowd all around him erupted in cheers.
X
Gabrielle was still basking in the afterglow of victory later that night as she prepared to go to sleep. To her surprise, however, she found something waiting for her on her bed.
Moving closer, she realized it was a portrait of her and Harry laughing together after one of their Quidditch practices. She turned the frame over and read the note scrawled there.
Congratulations, Gabby! I knew you could do it and would make Gryffindor proud! I wasn't sure what to get you that you don't already have or couldn't easily afford, so I got you this gift: I've always thought that memories and experiences are the most valuable things in life. Anyway, enjoy the moment and share it with friends and loved ones – that's what makes it all worthwhile.
Yours,
Harry
P.S. I had Hagrid (he can be surprisingly sneaky!) snap this photo of us after one of our practices.
Gabrielle smiled at the little note before hugging the picture tightly to her chest. She had no idea how Harry had gotten it to her room, but then again, he was Harry Potter after all.
His gift was perfect and as she settled into her bed, she quickly muttered locking and silencing charms to ensure her privacy. When that was done, one dainty hand slid underneath her covers, while the other held the picture of her and Harry close to her face.
She licked her suddenly dry lips as she stared at Harry's toned muscles, which were accentuated by his tight T-shirt and the fact that the latter was drenched in sweat and thus nearly see-through.
In no time, the hand beneath her covers accelerated its pace and Gabrielle let out little whimpers, gazing into happy emerald eyes as she reached the precipice...
"Oh, Harry!" she screamed before the world collapsed around her and all she saw was stars. Gabrielle went to sleep with a beatific smile on her face, blissfully descending into a comfortable slumber.
X
As promised, Harry showed up at Tonks' place on Saturday afternoon and they shared a light lunch filled with easy conversation. However, right as they were finishing up their tea, Tonks' tone turned serious.
"You know, I've been thinking about what happened last time we met when we were caught kissing by that girl."
"You mean Dorothy? She would never break her promise and spread our secret, if that's what you're worried about."
"No, it's not that. It's just the fact that our relationship has to be a secret in the first place. Hasn't it been long enough after your resignation that we can come out to the public as a couple and end this whole charade?"
"I hate living a lie as much as you do, Tonks, but there's still one issue: what about the whole situation with Daphne and her parents?"
"Daphne is Potions Master at the age of 24 – you and I both know she'll figure something out."
"I suppose..."
"Harry, I trust you from the bottom of my heart, but I really think that this would be the best course of action in order for us to avoid having any more misunderstandings in the future."
"I get what you're saying and I agree...just give me some time to talk with Daphne – she deserves that much as my friend."
"Of course, Harry, but stay firm and don't allow her to change your mind."
Harry grunted his assent, hoping that Daphne's parents didn't marry her off to the highest bidder the instant they discovered that he and their daughter had "broken up."
"Thank you, Harry. I know how much you treasure your friends, but at one point or another, the web of lies you spun for Daphne's parents would have had to fall apart."
"You're right, dear. I'll talk to her next week, alright?"
"Okay, love, okay."
Harry ended their conversation by placing a sweet kiss on the lips of his girlfriend, but after a few seconds, the kiss quickly became more heated. Harry's hands traced down the outline of Tonks' body, committing to memory her wonderful curves. Finally, when their embrace had gone on for several minutes and neither had had the chance to take in a proper breath, they were forced to momentarily break apart.
"Bedroom. Now."
Harry did not need to be told twice, and quickly swept Tonks off her feet to carry her to her bedroom, eliciting a gasp of happy surprise from the woman now cradled in his arms.
X
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
Harry subconsciously checked his Occlumency barriers, thinking Daphne must have used Legilimency on him to read him so perfectly.
"You just look like even more of a clueless buffoon than usual, Potter."
Harry felt the anger rising up in him, but managed to push it back down; he was used to Daphne's games by now and would not fall for the bait.
"Awww, you're no fun anymore. Maybe I should fine some other victim to terrorize."
"Actually, Daphne, I wanted to talk to you about our relationship."
"Oh?"
"I talked to Tonks on the week-end and we decided to come clean to the public about our relationship."
"Both of you came to that decision, you say?"
Harry again checked his mental barriers; once more, they were completely untouched.
"It doesn't matter how the decision was made. We both agree that we can't keep living a lie, so I wanted to give you advance notice to figure something out with your parents."
"What if I say no?"
Harry wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly.
"Excuse me?"
"What if I don't want you 'break up' with me and publicly declare your love for someone else?" said Daphne with a hint of desperation and unbridled emotion.
"We couldn't have kept lying to your parents forever, Daphne," said Harry gently, using Tonks' argument to try to calm her down.
"I thought we were friends...why are you betraying me?" she said in a pained voice.
"Don't try to guilt trip me, Daphne. I still want to be your friend, but you can't make me choose between you and my girlfriend."
Daphne looked defeated and Harry was about to wrap an arm around her shoulders in comfort, but her next words stopped him in his tracks.
"Right, your girlfriend," she said, punctuating the last word. "Say, how long have you two been going out?"
Harry felt a shiver run up his spine. Now, he was really feeling paranoid and thinking that Daphne truly could read his mind.
"Last I checked, relationships between Aurors are strictly forbidden, are they not?"
"What are you implying, Daphne?" said Harry thinly.
"Well if you two want to come out with the truth –"
"Stop! Enough, Daphne, what do you want?"
"I've already told you – for everything to stay just the way they are."
"Are you seriously blackmailing me?"
Everything was absolutely quiet for a moment. Daphne looked at Harry with a regretful expression, which threw him for a loop, as it was the last thing he expected to see on her face. He shook his head; he would not be fooled by whatever act she was playing this time.
"You know, I honestly thought there was something special beneath that cool exterior of yours, that you were actually a kind person at heart. Now, I realize you're just like the rest of the scummy bastards borne from your House who only care for themselves. You make me sick."
Daphne Greengrass watched silently as Harry Potter stormed out of the Dining Hall. Her house of cards had collapsed in an instant, leaving her trapped in the wreckage. She felt something touching her hands and looked down to see what it was; the completely foreign substance should have shocked and outraged her, but all she felt was emptiness. As the tears continued to stream down her face and pool into her waiting palms, Daphne Greengrass cried for the first time in twenty years.