With everyone's eyes on them Harry began to feel nervous. He felt Luna grip his arm tightly, assuring him that everything will be fine. To distract himself he started looking for his friends in the crowd. While everyone else was cheering and shouting for the four couples, Harry spotted Neville and Susan standing behind some students but Hermione and Gohan weren't in sight. He felt a bit worried but then saw Neville eye-gesturing him towards his back. Taking a full walk of the hall Harry, when he turned back, saw Hermione and Gohan standing in the front of everyone else. They both looked really good together. While Hermione's beauty was challenging every other girl's beauty Gohan appeared to be the luckiest guy. Well, he was and Harry wished then to end up together. But then his eyes fell on Ron who was eyeing Hermione with open mouth. Harry saw nothing but lust in his eyes and his blood boiled when he heard the music begin.

The four couples took their places, twirling on their legs, taking measured steps with their respective partners as the music went on. Harry was surprised he was maintaining himself this good as he saw the reassurance on his friends' faces. They were all smiling at him and that was all the encouragement he needed. The nervousness went away and a new confidence kicked inside him.

As the music went on the four couples ended their turns, letting the others a chance to dance when Harry for the first time saw his fellow champions with their respective partners. Out of nervousness he hadn't noticed them before. Cedric was with Juliana Anders, his fellow Hufflepuff classmate. She was beautiful and the two looked good together. Krum was with a girl from Beauxbatons and Fleur had come with Roger Davies.

Grouping up with Gohan and Hermione Harry and Luna shared some talks and Harry hid the fact that Ron was gaping at Hermione because he wasn't sure what Gohan might do to him. With the fact that he had almost killed Cormac and threatened Krum Harry could not take a chance with Ron. With the whole school knowing the feud between him and Ron and Ginny he was sure if anything happened to Ron he would be asked the questions first. And even though it wasn't for him, he knew whatever was wrong with Gohan it was very dangerous and needed to be solved and removed. But first he needed to know what it was.

Dumbledore walked through the corridors wondering about the upcoming task. He was worried about Harry's treasure. He had thought Harry would bring someone to the Yule Ball whom he harbors some feelings for but he had not. He could have the Granger girl as Harry's treasure but then he wasn't sure how Gohan would react and from the way he had observed tonight that boy had feelings for Granger. Maybe Granger could be the ideal choice but he would have to see to it. The third task was to take place in a week from now and he had to report to Bagman with the names of the treasures in three days so that preparations could be made to abduct these treasures for the task. Krum and Fleur will have their younger siblings as their treasures and Cedric will have Ms Juliana but for Harry he was worried…and angry.

With the formals coming to an end the disco and rock songs replaced the slow and romantic ones and everyone danced like there was no tomorrow. Everyone forgot their partners and danced with their friends.

Ron and Ginny sided from the crowd. Ginny had come with Colin but Ron could not find any partner for himself. Parvati had reluctantly agreed but when Ron told her that he could not change his suit she had denied going with him. Later, in the dance he had seen her with one of the fellow Gryffindor he actually didn't recognize. How dare she do this to him? He was angry on her and he was even angrier on the fact that he could do nothing about it.

Harry came out of the great hall, needing some fresh air. Outside was cold and it felt relieving. The moon was full, lighting up the clear sky. As much as the beauty of the night mesmerized him the moon also reminded him about Remus. Right now he might be curled up somewhere, waiting for the night to be over. As he pondered over Remus' condition at the moment he heard someone's muffled cries at a distance. With the doors of the great hall closed there was nothing but silence in the empty corridor. Silence and the muffled cries of someone. And it was coming from his right. Wondering what it was he started walking towards the source of the sound which with each of his steps got louder and louder until he could make it out that someone was crying. And it was a desperate need of cry and that, too, of a girl. Quickly taking out his wand Harry turned at the end of the corridor, casting a strong lumus, lighting up the entire place in a blinding light. What he saw was shocking as well as disgraceful. Crabbe and Goyle were on top of a girl whose face was turned away from Harry. They were forcing themselves upon her. Beside them, standing and watching was Theodore Nott who currently had his eyes closed like everyone else. The girl's clothes were torn from several places but she had somehow prevented her prestige and respect until now but Harry could see that he was about to give up and lose to these loathing boys.

Not waiting to cast a spell, knowing that the three boys, especially Nott would attack him with nasty dark curses, Harry, instead, sprinted towards them, his wand still gripped tightly in his hand. Dodging the spells which came flying at him with ease he swiftly connected a punch in Crabbe's face, throwing him away from the girl's body. He had used a bit of his magic in that punch so wen Crabbe landed hard on the castle floor he was out. Not wasting another moment a kick from Harry threw Goyle high up in the air, too and a swift motion from his wand saw Goyle land hard on the floor, conscious but unable to move.

As Harry took out the two boys he barely dodged the nasty bludgeoning spell thrown at him by Nott. The spell connected with a nearby wall and the blast echoed throughout the empty corridor. Turning around, Harry saw straight into the eyes of Theo. The boy flinched for a moment and by the time he could see the coming punch it was too late. He swore his nose had broken when he felt the punch's impact on his face. Then came another punch, targeting his solar plexus. As the air left his body the pain jolted him so hard that he lost conscious before falling on the ground. Harry turned to fire a Stupefy on Goyle, rending him unconscious as well and only then did he turned to see the girl who was still on the floor, weeping and trying to cover herself. Her face was down so Harry couldn't see who she was. He quickly flicked his wand, conjuring a large piece of cloth around the shaking girl ad then took a step towards her. He saw the girl cower in fear and so he stopped.

"Hey, it's alright now," Harry whispered slowly. "You are safe." He heard the girl whimpered as he took another step towards her he knew she was terrified. Who wouldn't after an experience like that? And it angered him that he had no idea what to do so he tried to be honest. "I really dot know what to do now and you crying isn't making things easier for me, too. Please, don't cry."

The girl stopped crying and gripped the cloth around her body real hard. But her whimpers didn't stop. Harry came by her side and looked around. The corridor was empty and it wouldn't be safe for them to be here. He quickly looked around, finally finding an empty, unused classroom and helped the girl on her feet. She stood up easily, with shaky legs. Harry could say that she had given up now. But at least she had protected her prestige until the help had arrived. Pushing the door open he mentally requested Hogwarts to light up the room and a moment later the room lit up. Clearing away some broken furniture he brought three-four desks together and helped the girl sit on them. Then he went and closed the door. The girl was still crying though, Harry noticed, that her tears had stopped. And in that light did he saw her for the first time. It was Daphne Greengrass.

He was shocked. There were several questions currently in his mind but he let them at rest. She was more important at the moment. Unable to initiate a talk to distract her he conjured a tumbler and some water in it and handed it to her.

"Here, drink," he said. She didn't budge. "Drink, Daphne," he said a bit firmly this time causing her to flinch but then she took the glass from him and took a sip and then a gulp of the liquid, finally emptying the container. Harry took the glass from her and wondered what to do next. He could always call Hermione and Gohan but thought otherwise. He presumed that the last thing Daphne would want was some more people to know of her condition. Maybe it was better not to call anyone. But he didn't know what else to do. "Erm," he began to say. "Um, listen; I have no idea how to handle a situation like this. All I want to say is that you are safe now. They won't hurt you again. You are safe…" he paused, thinking of more words to say. He then remembered that he had some chocolate. Ever since Remus had told him about the 'it will make you feel better' quality of chocolate he always kept some with himself. To his surprise it really worked the chocolate. It helped take off his mind. So reaching out to his pocket he took out a small chocolate bar and tore away the wrapper. He then handed the bar to Daphne.

"Here," he said, "have this. It will help you feel a bit better."

"Better my arse, Potter," she said all of a sudden, catching him by surprise. "Do you have any idea what I've been through a few minutes ago?"

"Listen," Harry said, more careful this tie, all the while keeping his voice as gentle and low as possible, "I know what you just experienced. I know it is not a good experience but I also don't know how to handle situations like this…"

"Then don't!" she said. "Go."

"I could but it appears you are in need of some company," Harry said gently. "I accept that I don't know how to handle these types of situations but I know that eating this chocolate will help you distract your mind. Believe me, it helps me a lot and that's why I always keep some with myself."

Taking her hand he placed the bar on it. "Now," he said again, "what happened?"

"Why should I tell you?" she said. "A Slytherin was being manhandled by her fellow house not to mention year mates. I bet this will be a story you Gryffindors would enjoy very much, the thing that my house doesn't have a house unity like yours." She then began to cry.

"I never said I would use this situation for my advantage, taking a revenge on your house," Harry said. "Besides, what Draco does to me and my friends I would rather not take it all out on the entire Slytherin house. That's simply not fare. Also, not everyone in your house is Draco Malfoy. And I only hate him and those who follow him blindly. I hold no grudge against the entirety of your house. So I guess it won't be proper to say that I would rather enjoy sharing this…this unpleasant and sick thing with my friends and housemates. Believe me, some of my housemates are worse and I sometimes really wish them to be in other houses. And now tell me does it make you feel better or not?"

"It does," she said after a moment taking a second bite from her bar.

"Then, your welcome," Harry said. "So, would you like to tell me what happened? It helps, you know, sharing. And I am not someone who will run away, shouting this to everyone."

"It was Crabbe," she said after a moment's pause. "He tried to forcibly kiss me while everyone was dancing. I prevented him from doing so. He called Goyle and the two dragged me out, here, in the corridor. Theo saw us and he followed as well, making sure no one else followed him. By the time he had caught up to us Crabbe and Goyle had…" and then she burst into tears. Harry gripped her in a tight hug, rubbing her back gently and patting it from moment to moment.

"You were brave," he whispered, "very brave."

"I still feel so very dirty!" she said between her cried. "I could not fend them!"

"You were outnumbered," Harry said slowly. "They were all physically stronger than you and you also had no wand with yourself. And yet you fought them bravely and that's what counts, not the fact that you lost to them. You didn't. You kept fighting them off until helped arrived, of course. Ow!" Daphne hit him on his chest. "Well, I have to give credit to myself since you won't do that. But, hey, you were brave back there and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Now, what do you say we go back? Or are you not feeling up to it?"

"I think I would rather go back in y dorm and sleep," she said.

"After everything that has happened to you?" Harry asked when he remembered something and mentally had a small conversation with Hogwarts. "What do you say if I take you to someplace better? And don't you think that I am taking the advantage of the situation."

"Where?" Daphne asked.

Harry got off the table and brought forward his hand. "You'll see," he said.

Thinking for a moment Daphne took his hand and got off the table. Her legs were still shaking with fear and disgust but she felt a lot better than she felt a few minutes ago. Harry took them both out of the classroom and towards the stairs. Ten minutes later she realized they were on the seventh floor. It was a bit scary as there was no one at this floor at this hour. Even the portraits were empty, too as they were all present in the great hall, enjoying the Ball.

"What are we doing here?" she asked in a shaking voice.

"You'll see in a minute," Harry said as he made them two stop in front of a wall. He then thought of the room which he thought would be ideal for Daphne at the moment after she had experienced these things a few minutes ago. Daphne gasped when she heard the rumbling noise and saw the wall in front of her started to change shape until there was a huge door in front of them. Harry pushed it open and called her in. she hesitated. "There's nothing in here that would bite you, you know?" Harry said.

Slowly she entered the room. It was dark but then light suddenly filled at once, blinding her for a moment. Once her eyes adjusted to the light she could clearly see where she was and she could not believe it.

"My room?" she said.

"Exactly like yours?" Harry asked.

"It is!" she said. "Where are we? What room is this?" she asked.

"I'm glad you asked but I would have to ask you to keep this a secret from others," Harry said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because it's very important that not many know about this room," Harry said. "All I know is that you need to keep the knowledge of this room a secret. Can you do that?"

"Alright," she huffed. "I promise I won't tell anyone about this room. Can I now know what this place is and how my bedroom got here?"

"This room is known as the room of requirement," Harry said. "It creates almost everything you can think of but I didn't know it would be this good."

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.

"I asked for the room to have a place where you will be most comfortable," Harry asked. "I didn't know it would create your room."

"My room actually is my temple," Daphne said.

"I can see why," Harry said. It was a large yet cozy room and was built as per Daphne's likeliness, as far as Harry could tell. He could see there wasn't a lot of green or Slytherin-ness inside her room. T was a pretty normal, cozy and comfortable room with a queen sized bed full of teddy bears and fluffy cushions. There was a study table on the right and a bed side table on the left of the bed. A window was also on the east side of the room which was actually just a representation at the moment as the room was a recreation. What surprised him was the fact that there were many muggle items in her room.

"You know," he said after having a look around, "I never thought you will be this girly."

"What do you mean?" she asked in a menacing tone.

"You know, with all the teddy bears and stuff toy scattered on your bed? It doesn't suit your personality," Harry said. "I mean, you act always cool and confident…"

"I am cool and confident, thank you very much," she said. "And I am impressed."

"Sorry?"

"With this room," Daphne said. "I am impressed, Potter."

"I suppose that's a good thing?" Harry asked.

"It will do," she said, looking at him with a gentle smile. "Thank you."

"Your welcome," Harry replied with a smile. "So, dinner?" he asked. "The Ball would've been over already and I am pretty hungry."

"Yes, please," she said.

They ate in silence. Only the clattering of the utensils could be heard inside the room. The food was delicious. Daphne had wished for her favorite, Indian and the room had provided her with that. Harry had wished for Mexican. Once they had finished, Harry prepared to leave when he was stopped by Daphne.

"Stay."

He had turned around to look at her and saw the same fear in her eyes.

"Are you alright, Daphne?" he asked.

"Please," she said. "Stay. I don't want to be left alone."

Harry thought for a while. "Alright," he said and started walking towards the small couch that was in the room.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To sleep?" he said, pointing at the couch.

"You will sleep here," Daphne said, patting the bed side.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?" he asked.

"Please," she said in a shaky voice.

Harry nodded, now walking towards the bed. It was soft and comfortable and warm. He turned to the other side when he felt Daphne closing up to him and wrapping her arms around him. He felt his breath stop and a tingling sensation ran though his body. He could feel her warm breath on his back. She had taken the support of his back to rest her head.

"Thank you, Harry," Daphne said.

Harry could hear her cry softly. He turned to face her and lifted her face. Those blue eyes stared longingly and with gratitude back at him and he felt his guard going down. He felt his breath hitch. And he felt her warmth. But then he smiled. "I did what was right," he said and gently laced a kiss on her forehead. Daphne didn't stop him. He saw there was an expression of content and comfort on her face. She had fallen asleep and he hadn't noticed. He smiled, looking at the innocent face of her. "Good night, Daphne," he said before drifting off to sleep.

0000

A/N: Well, here it is…the next chapter. Took some time and I apologize for that. Do tell how it was as there are others to come, too. Also, I am not that good in the romance stuff so please give me some pointers and do tell how did you like the last parts of this chapter…you see I am trying to build a relationship between Harry and Daphne…

Thanks for reading…..