Greengrass manor

Harry ran past several adults to get to the source of that shout. His own heart almost stopped beating when he saw Alphard sitting on the ground with Daphne's head resting on his lap. Her face was almost as white as chalk and her short night gown was covered in too much blood. Behind Alphard his wife Isla had turned Astoria away from the scene and she was urgently talking to the younger girl. Before he could ask anything a hand grabbed his shoulder and unceremoniously pulled him away. He crashed to the floor but swallowed his protest when he saw that Alice was now kneeling next to Daphne, she was the best healer of his parents' group.

James crouched down next to him: 'Are you alright Harry?'

'Yeah, I'm fine.' He shortly replied, he did not really care right now. 'But Daphne?'

James shook his head: 'I don't know Harry. I'm sure Alice can help her. And Sirius, Amelia, Remus and Tonks are looking around for a professional healer.'

Harry just nodded, but he kept staring at Daphne. Alice was forcing some red potions through her throat before she started waving her wand over Daphne's body. She kept shaking her head though, which could not be a good sign. After a short while she asked Alphard: 'Do you know what caused this?'

The man desperately shook his head: 'No, there were too many curses flying. Can you please help her? She was absolutely brilliant during the fight.'

Again Harry nodded, of course she was. Daphne was one of the strongest fighters of the DA. It didn't really help right now though. After a few minutes Alice started to talk again: 'I healed most of her external wounds, but there is some internal damage that I can't work out. We need a real healer, and fast.'

'Can we transport her? The wards are down, so we could apparate or portkey to St. Mungo's.' James suggested.

Alice immediately shook her head again: 'No, I wouldn't risk it right now. If no healer shows up in the next five minutes or so it may be our only option though.' She kept waving her wand around in slow circles, although Harry wasn't sure if she was still casting spells or if it was just a tic. After a while she looked up and asked: 'Isla? Are you and Astoria alright?'

Isla only nodded, her reply was interrupted by a commotion at the entrance. Harry turned around and saw Sirius pushing random onlookers aside while pulling two sleepy looking men behind him. He was shouting: 'Healer coming through, make way! Make way!'

One of the men knelt down next to Daphne and started to wave his wand around in a very complicated pattern. Meanwhile Sirius explained: 'He's a Russian healer. I think I just caused a new cold war when I pulled him and his friend away from the other Russians, but I was in a hurry. Amelia is trying to calm things down.'

'Nono. No war.' The other Russian stammered.

Sirius nodded to him: 'Oh, and I brought him as an interpreter. The healer guy doesn't speak English.'

James just shook his head in wonder. Eventually he asked: 'Where are Remus and Tonks?'

'Tonks apparated to St. Mungo's. She said she was going to flash her badge around and recruit some healers. And Remus is still looking around.' Sirius explained, he wanted to add something else, but suddenly the healer started to talk in fast Russian. Harry couldn't understand a thing of it, but the man sounded worried.

They all looked at the other Russian who slowly tried to explain: 'He says… There is lot of damage… But inside. Hard to heal… He needs a second healer… If he heals just one spot he can't keep other spot good at the same time.'

'Can you do that Alice?' James asked.

Alice shook her head: 'I don't think so. How long do we have?' She asked the last question to the healer, who just looked confused. The other man translated Alice's question and then translated the answer: 'He says ten minutes. But longer it takes, longer girl will be sick.'

'Sick is fine, we can handle that.' Alhpard muttered, clearly just as relieved as Harry felt. Of course, they still needed a second healer, but ten minutes seemed like a lot of time with Tonks already at St. Mungo's and Remus still searching. However, when a new group entered the tent none of them was leading it. In fact, there was no healer with this group.

There were an awful lot of official looking people though. Some English, some Russian. Amelia was with them and immediately ordered two aurors to throw the people that were still crowding around the entrance out of the tent. Immediately one of the Russians, a small man, at least compared to his companions, fired some questions to the healer, who of course replied in Russian as well. After a short while the small man nodded and turned to a short portly man with a lime green bowler hat: 'Alexander says the girl would have died if that man hadn't brought him so fast. We will not file complaints.'

'That's very friendly of you.' The portly man nervously replied.

'Yes… Well…' The small Russian said, then he shook his head: 'I'll leave two of my aurors to escort them back.' And without waiting for a reply he turned around. Three of the other Russians followed him, but two of them stayed behind and took positions near the entrance. Both of them were grim-faced bearded men of easily seven feet tall. And Harry wondered why they even bothered with wands, they looked like they could simply pick up their opponents and pull them apart.

Amelia positioned several of her own aurors around the two Russians before she joined up with Sirius and started to angrily whisper something to him. It looked like Sirius pretty much ignored her comments. Meanwhile the man with the green bowler hat looked around and asked: 'What on earth happened here Alphard?'

The man didn't look up from Daphne but replied nonetheless: 'Death eaters attacked us minister. A while ago they warned me that my family was drifting to the wrong side, but I ignored them. I guess they decided to take a chance while we were out of the manor.'

'Death eaters?' The small man, now identified as minister Fudge, frowned: 'But you-know-who was killed years ago, why would they still gather together?'

'I'm sure Dumbledore shared his suspicions with you minister.' James suggested from next to Harry.

Fudge impatiently waved that suggestion away: 'Ridiculous nonsense. No one can return from the other side… I think those escaped prisoners were behind it.'

Amelia stood up and said: 'Two of the attackers were captured and have been brought to auror headquarters. We might learn some interesting things. However, it doesn't really matter if Voldemort returned or if his followers are forming an army, we do need to invest in the auror force immediately.'

Fudge looked to her for several seconds before he reluctantly nodded: 'Maybe you're right. We should discuss it tomorrow. However, it seems like once again their attack was quite ineffective if they didn't even manage to take down one family.'

Alphard positively growled before he said: 'We were lucky that help showed up so fast. And to be perfectly honest without Daphne and Astoria we would have already lost by then.' He finally looked up from his daughter and nodded respectfully to Harry: 'It seems you taught them well in that DA thing Harry. Especially Daphne, she stunned two before I even realized that we were under attack. I guess it helped that they didn't want to kill us, but still.'

'DA?' Fudge wondered while looking at Harry. Harry nervously swallowed and explained: 'It's a defence club at Hogwarts, we formed it in first year when we had a very bad teacher. And everybody really liked it so we kept it running after that.'

Somehow, the minister seemed not to like that. But he slowly replied: 'I see.'

Again, there was some tumult at the entrance. Harry pulled his eyes away from the minister and saw Tonks flashing her badge and pushing both British and Russian aurors away while leading a small team of five people dressed in medical robes into the tent. The team was led by an old lady with dark gray hair. She immediately took command: 'Bill, Claire, help this gentleman.' Then she looked around and frowned at the crowd: 'Everybody who is not related to this girl should leave the tent right now! That includes you minister!'

Next to Harry his father stood up and pulled him up as well: 'Come on Harry, there is nothing we can do and we would only bother the healers. Daphne will be fine, don't worry.'

He reluctantly followed his father and the others out of the tent. But he was quite happy when they only walked some twenty feet to join with his mother and the others of their group. Only Tonks and Amelia had stayed with the aurors near the tent entrance. Hermione was the first to ask: 'We heard Daphne was hurt?'

'Yes, but she should be fine now that the healers have arrived.' James calmly replied, before adding: 'Although she might have to stay in bed for a few days or so.'

'That's a relief.' Hermione sighed, and most of the others nodded their agreement.

Lily changed the subject: 'Did I see Fudge leaving just before you?'

Sirius snorted: 'Yeah, I caused a bit of an incident when I pulled that Russian healer to Daphne. It worked out though. The stupid moron still doesn't believe that Voldemort is back. He said he would discuss the idea of investing in the auror squad tomorrow, which means that Malfoy will talk him out of it before noon.'

'Voldemort?' Edna wanted to know.

Suddenly all the magical people exchanged nervous glances. Eventually Lily replied: 'He's a terrorist. For a while we thought he was gone, but he returned recently.'

'Oh.' Edna looked worried: 'Is Hermione in danger?'

'Not really.' Lily immediately reassured her: 'Both Hogwarts and Lionfire Hall are among the safest places in all of the magical world. And for now we don't expect Voldemort to enter the muggle world.' And even if he did they had placed extensive wards around both the Granger home and their dentistry practice, but when Lily didn't mention those Harry figured she had a reason for that. So he stayed quiet as well.

They kept on talking for a while, but Harry simply ignored them. Instead, he kept looking at the Greengrass' tent. It seemed to take a long time until finally Alphard walked outside. He looked around and when he saw them he walked over and smiled: 'I don't know how I can ever repay you. Without you Daphne would have died, and most likely the rest of my family as well.'

'She's okay then?' Harry immediately asked.

Alphard smiled at him: 'Yes, she is still sleeping though. I think she would like it if you came to visit her tomorrow. Most likely she would like all of you to visit sometime, but according to the healer one visitor at a time would be better.'

Harry looked up at his parents, who exchanged a quick glance before Lily replied: 'I think we can arrange something. Will you be alright Alphard? I mean, it seems your family is a target.'

The man simply nodded: 'Our wards may be less impressive than those of Lionfire Hall, but they are strong enough. And we have a lot of allies that are connected to those wards, so if they are under attack they will be automatically alerted. I guess I should have realized that we would be vulnerable here…'

'So, your daughters will stay with the DA?' Frank wanted to know.

Alphard looked thoughtful for a few seconds, then he shrugged: 'I think that if I try to stop them they will prove more dangerous than the death eaters. Beside that, I was impressed by them tonight… So, yes, they will. And you can tell your mother I would like to have a meeting with her before the next wizengamot session.'

Frank smiled: 'She will like that.'

Alphard nodded and returned a very small smile. Then he said: 'Well, if you'll excuse me I go back to the tent. My family is heading back to the manor as soon as possible. I'll see you tomorrow then?'

Harry nodded, but it was his mother who replied: 'We'll be there at two PM if that's alright with you.'

'Sounds good.' Was all that Alphard replied before walking back towards his tent.

— The next day —

Harry had followed his parents to the Greengrass house. It was smaller than Lionfire Hall, but looked more formal. He had politely listened to the conservation between the adults for a while, but after Isla explained that Daphne was alright he had pretty much ignored the rest until Alphard suggested that Astoria should show Harry to Daphne's room.

He followed the small girl up to two stairways and through a small hallway to a nondescript brown door. Astoria didn't even knock, she simply opened the door a bit, put her head around it and asked: 'Are you awake?'

'Obviously.' Daphne dryly replied, then she added: 'Is Harry with you?'

Astoria didn't answer but pulled her head back and looked at Harry: 'See, she doesn't even care about me anymore.'

Harry chuckled: 'I'm sure she does.'

Astoria ignored his reply and said: 'The healer only allows one visitor at a time. So I guess she's all yours.'

'Thanks.' Harry replied before entering the room. He was pleasantly surprised by Daphne's room. It was not even half as girly as Hermione's room, although also far away from Susan's mass of quidditch posters. Instead, there were a few large cupboards, a simple brown desk with a matching chair and two small paintings, both depicting flowers, on opposite walls. There were two huge windows above the simple bed. Beside that the room was much more orderly than his own room would ever be. Although a crumpled up Daily Prophet was lying in a corner. Daphne just carefully laid her Daily Herald aside on her bed when Harry entered the room.

'Hey Harry, nice of you to visit.' She smiled at him. Harry couldn't help but noticing that she still looked rather weak. Her skin was a lot paler than usual. And her eyes clearly showed her weariness. After a few seconds he finally replied: 'Of course. How are you feeling today?'

'Frustrated.' Daphne simply replied, 'I keep wondering if I could have done something differently. And beside that the healers are telling me I should stay in bed for two weeks at least. And even after that I will still have to be careful. Some of my organs and bones are still healing, and very vulnerable while they do so. I'll be so far behind all of you when we get back to Hogwarts. Oh, take the chair by the way. I'll get a sore neck if you remain standing.'

Harry pulled the chair away from the desk and sat down before he shrugged: 'I'm sure you'll catch up soon enough. And if I have to believe your father you and Astoria were fantastic yesterday.'

Daphne actually blushed: 'I'm not so sure about that. I mean, I got wounded didn't I?'

Again he could only shrug: 'You were outnumbered by adult wizards as well. Anyway, I was thinking… Since you are the first of the DA who actually was in a fight, maybe we could study it sometime? In a pensieve I mean?'

Daphne looked thoughtful. Eventually she said: 'Why not I guess. If it helps someone in another fight… I'll ask my parents to help me store the memory. Oh, and I actually thought of something for the DA… I noticed how the death eaters were hindering each other while trying to get into the tent. We should work on fighting as a team, even in cramped areas.'

Harry nodded and made a mental note of it. Most of the time their practice fights had been in large open areas. It made sense that not all real situations would be like that. Daphne used his short silence to ask: 'Can we see what happened with the basilisk as well? I wondered about it ever since I saw your mother in that suit.'

Harry hesitated: 'I guess. I should ask my parents about it though.'

'Why?' Daphne wanted to know.

'Well, there might be some parts of that memory that we don't want Voldemort to know about.' Harry tried to explain, 'And while we trust all of you, my parents like to keep those things hidden.'

'Oh, right. Involving the prophecy?' Daphne wanted to know. Harry just nodded and she continued: 'I guess I can understand that. That was shocking to hear about by the way. I mean, I always knew you were special. But destined to fight against you-know-who?' Harry didn't really know what to say to that, and Daphne continued: 'Have you thought about what you're going to do after you defeat him?'

Harry snorted: 'To be honest I only wonder if and how I will be able to defeat him. Oh, and call him Voldemort please.'

'Of course you will win.' Daphne firmly replied, which would have sounded more impressive if she hadn't interrupted herself for a huge yawn halfway through her reply.

'Are you getting tired?' Harry asked, half rising from his chair.

'Oh no, don't you walk away on me!' Daphne protested.

With a chuckle Harry sat down again. He tried to answer her earlier question: 'To be honest I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do if I survive against Voldemort. Maybe quidditch.'

'Not interested in politics I guess?' Daphne asked.

Shrugging he replied: 'Not really, why?'

'Because after you defeat V… V… Voldemort-' She paused for a few seconds, clearly surprised that she had actually said the name, 'you will be at the same spot were Dumbledore was after he defeated Grindelwald. And I'm sure he could have easily been minister of magic after that if he wanted.'

Harry shrugged uncomfortably. Eventually he said: 'I don't know for sure yet, but I don't think that I would like that job.'

'Fair enough.' Daphne said, then she suddenly changed the topic: 'Did you read the papers today?'

'Only the sports section.' Harry admitted. Well, the Prophet had only mentioned the world cup final on page nine. They had been too busy complaining about how the ministry failed to protect their people to spend any amount of time on the most important quidditch game of the year. But the Herald had dedicated several pages to the match, including interviews with players and experts.

'Oh, I didn't reach that part yet.' Daphne said, then she pointed towards the crumpled up Prophet and explained: 'I started with the Prophet, but got a bit too angry about the way they tried to blame the ministry. I'm not saying that the ministry did brilliantly yesterday, but I'm not sure how they could have expected this. And the way I remember it the whole thing was over in five minutes.' Harry just nodded in agreement and Daphne continued: 'Beside that, the Herald actually sent a journalist to ask us some questions. The Prophet printed a reply from my father as well, but they never talked with him, and he can't remember saying it.'

'Odd.' Harry frowned, it looked a bit strange to him to actually make up quotes for a newspaper article. Then he continued: 'I guess the Herald simply is the better newspaper. What did your father tell them?'

Now Daphne frowned: 'It's strange. He's clearly picking a side now. I mean, he told the journalist that he was going to meet with Madam Longbottom, who is considered as the leader of the light families in the Wizengamot.'

'What's wrong with that?' Harry wondered.

'Nothing really.' Daphne agreed, 'But it's strange. We always were a neutral family, I actually had to send five letters back home before my parents finally agreed that it was a good idea for Tracey and me to try and join the DA. And now they do this. I guess they should not have attacked us.'

'Five letters?' Harry wondered, 'What made them agree?'

'Remember what Tracey said when you asked her why she wanted to join?' Daphne asked in reply, 'I told my parents I would not leave her alone, so I had to work on my fighting.'

Harry had to think for a few seconds before he remembered. Tracey, as a half-blood Slytherin, had been warned by some of the older Slytherins that half-blood girls were in risk of abuse inside their house. The very idea still seemed sick to him, but he asked: 'Did the two of you ever have to use your lessons?'

'Not yet.' Daphne replied while shaking her head, 'But according to the prefect that warned us you're more or less safe during the first three years. Well, I would be safe until seventh year, but Tracey isn't.'

He shook his head: 'Well, if you ever need help just call us. Or maybe Sirius, he will teach DADA this year and most likely knows how to get into your common room.'

Daphne frowned: 'I think we will be safe. With Draco gone, most of our year turned a bit friendlier. And the younger years are on our hand as well. But thanks for the offer anyway. But how would I call you? Send an owl?'

'Oh… I totally forgot. I brought you a present.' Harry blushed. Suddenly, Daphne looked very shy as well. He pulled a small item out of his pocket and then pulled his wand out of his other pocket to enlarge it. Then he handed the simple hand mirror to Daphne and asked: 'Ever seen one of us talking into one of our mirrors?'

'Once or twice.' Daphne agreed while looking into the mirror: 'How does it work?'

'Just look into it and say the name of the person that you want to speak to. Then his or her mirror will heat up.' Harry explained, 'You can try and contact Hermione if you want to, I asked her to stay available today.'

'What do you mean? Stay available? Can you also block it or something?' Daphne wondered.

'Not really. But you do not have to pick it up if you don't want to. And beside that, it is possible to miss the signal. That's why we always keep it on a necklace, it's hard to miss when your necklace suddenly heats up against your skin.' Harry explained.

'Right.' Daphne nodded, before turning back to the mirror and saying: 'Hermione?'

Seconds later Hermione's voice sounded: 'Hey Daphne, took you long enough.'

Daphne smiled: 'Sorry, we were talking.'

'Oh, that's alright. How are you?'

'Fine, thanks.' Daphne replied.

Harry could hear Hermione's chuckle before she replied: 'I'll ask Harry for the details, I can imagine that you get tired about explaining it all the time.'

'Thanks.' Daphne said again, 'Look, I don't want to be impolite, but it feels weird to talk to you while Harry is looking at me.'

Again Hermione chuckled: 'I know the feeling. You two have fun then, I'll talk to you on the train. Or maybe before by mirror.'

'Right, see you then.' Daphne agreed, she watched the mirror for a few more seconds before she turned to Harry again: 'So, now I can contact all four of you?'

Harry nodded: 'And my parents, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Amelia, Frank and Alice. We were planning to give all members of our new circle one of those at Hogwarts. But I figured you'd like to chat with some people while you have to stay in bed. If you want I'll ask my parents if we can bring one to Tracey.'

'That would be great. And thanks.' Daphne smiled while carefully putting the mirror on her night table. 'I guess I should keep it on my skin as well eventually. But for now I still need a lot of sleep, so I guess this is better.'

'If I'm keeping you awake too long you should just send me away.' Harry offered.

'No!' Daphne protested, 'Stay a bit longer. We didn't even talk about fun things so far.' Suddenly she smiled mischievously, 'For example, did you make a fool of yourself when the Veelas showed up?'

Harry grinned: 'No I didn't, my occlumency shields protected me. Although according to my dad it won't work if I ever get close to a Veela. But I saw those two guys who…'

A/N: Bit of a sudden end of the chapter, but at least not a cliffhanger this time;) Next chapter will be the start of fourth year.

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