Chapter 49


"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. His friends jumped with joy and the whole Gryffindor Common Room erupted into cheers. "Well done mate," Fred said clapping Harry on his back.

"Saved your godfather from Azkaban," George finished. Wood was too busy with his Quidditch models and he only nodded respectfully at Harry and continued planning new strategies. Harry chuckled and went back to his friends. "That was some court hearing," Neville said. Ron was quiet and Harry understood why. His own pet rat was a killer in disguise.

"Don't worry Ron, it isn't your fault," Harry said trying to sound nice. Ron nodded feebly and stared at the fire.

"Get a grip Ron," Neville hissed. "He belonged to Percy as well but look at Percy, he's happy that the traitor was put in his place. Forget about it. Ron nodded and sat down quietly, looking at what was going on around him.

The Great Hall


Everyone was whispering gossip about Harry and some of it was really wild. Some said he went back in time to solve the mystery involving his parent's death and others said he had help from fairies and spirits. In all, Harry thought it was crap as he started poking his chicken with his knife. Harry looked at the staff table and he could see Remus Lupin eating happily and talking with the teachers. Harry felt happy for his uncle because, he had found some happiness at least. Harry looked at Snape and he noticed he was in his usual sour mood and he kept on shooting filthy looks at Remus. When Harry saw his head turn to look at him, he quickly looked at his food and tried to ignore that feeling he had when Snape was staring at him.

Harry stole a peek at the Slytherin table and saw Daphne Greengrass eating her food slowly. She had come around a bit and she talked a little with Tracey, Blaise and her sister and not once did she turn to look at the Gryffindor table. Harry felt depressed and he ignored that feeling he was having. 'Love is a distraction,' he thought.

THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT


"Expecto Patronum!"

A bright light filled the room and that majestic lion stood in the center looking around for any signs of danger. It moved around and growled softly, and then slowly it vanished into thin air. Harry relaxed for a while and closed his eyes. He was practicing his Patronus charm and he actually wanted to produce two Patronuses at once, but when he tried he felt drained and could only produce a ball of white light. The clock in the room chimed and Harry saw the time was one in the morning.

He closed his eyes and tried again. "Expecto Patronum," the lion came out again and prowled around growling softly and then it vanished into the air again. "It's beautiful," a voice said. Harry turned around in a flash and saw Daphne Greengrass standing in the doorway. She came in and shut the door behind here.

"Don't bother asking how I knew you were in here. Dobby told me." Harry turned away from her and took his shirt. "How could you?" Daphne complained.

"Excuse me -"

"How could you do something like that? Is it because you are a Gryffindor so you decide to throw yourself in any stupid thing that pops up in that useless thing you call a brain?"

"Don't you fucking dare talk to me like that, you bloody bitch!" Harry retorted.

"I'll talk to you however I please you useless dick head! What would I have done if you died? It was the highest window for God's sake. You could have died trying to have your retribution. Why couldn't you leave it to the Aurors?"

"Yeah cos they did a mighty good job didn't they?" Harry shot back. "I don't need your permission to take certain actions Greengrass, get that in that head of yours." Daphne walked briskly to Harry and slapped him. Harry looked at her and he was itching to punch her but Daphne started throwing her fists and hitting his chest. "You stupid arsehole! You need my permission," she said sobbing. She pushed Harry on the floor and was hammering on his chest.

"I love you Harry, and it's what people do. They ask each other things before they take certain actions. Don't do that again!" She threw a last blow and hit Harry's jaw and then she collapsed on top of him sobbing on his chest.

"Shhh", Harry said trying to comfort her, patting her back awkward. "I thought I made myself clear at the Ministry Greengrass. I'm sorry. Dumbledore made me realize how wrong I was to throw you aside and practice dying skills." Daphne was sobbing and slowly she stopped. The training room that Harry put there changed to a hall. "What is this?" he asked.

"My hall at home," Daphne whispered. Daphne was still on top of him and he didn't know what to do. He had watched a couple of movies at Privet Drive where the characters found themselves in awkward positions such as this and they just played with each others hair and then kissed. Harry put his fingers in her hair and played with them. "I want you to understand everything Greengrass, so listen to what happened." Harry told her a brief history on how he met Sirius and how he learned magic so fast and the plan to get him captured so that, Harry could hunt Pettigrew.

"Really Harry?" she asked after he was done.

"Trust me; you don't want to see him when he's mad". Daphne giggled and they lay on the floor in silence. Harry was getting the tingles as Daphne drew imaginary lines on his chest and Harry suddenly spoke up.

"How did you find my birthday?"

"It was by chance. I was in the hospital wing and I was sent by Snape to get some ingredients. I was actually waiting for Madame Pomfrey and then, the wind blew your file to me. I just caught a glimpse of your birthday before I handed it over."

"What is the meaning of YMG anyway," Harry asked. Daphne giggled and replied. "We were playing a shadowy, mysterious game so I decided to subscribe YMG meaning, Your Mystery Girl." Harry chuckled and continued playing with her hair.

"Harry would you teach me how to produce a Patronus?"

"Of course, but you must have a lot of happy memories. It's not that easy doing it."

"Yeah I know. Last time I checked, a few people in my family can actually produce a Patronus. I want to learn it to," Daphne pleaded.

"You sound like a baby Greengrass, I'll teach you." Daphne kissed his chest and Harry cringed hard and almost threw her off. "Why is it when I was on you all this while, you didn't cringe till now?" Daphne asked.

"I don't know. I guess my mind wasn't alert that time." Harry closed his eyes and reflected on all that had happened. Family was restored, traitors were put where they belonged and the power of love and friendship still prevailed. Harry looked at Daphne's outline and sighed. He heard her screams when he jumped from the window and Harry now knew what Dumbledore was trying to explain. He now understood those feelings he had when Greengrass was near. He understood it all now - it was love. Her love for him was what made her break the House rules. It was what made her captured by Malfoy and it was that same emotion that made her stand up to him some minutes ago and speak her mind. It was what made her scream when he jumped. Harry could feel his blood rushing everywhere. His heart was thumping in his chest and he looked at Daphne's figure and understood it all now.

He was in love. He turned her over and looked her in the eye. "Harry what was that for?" she giggled.

"Greengrass, I've got something to say to you and I think you need to hear me out now. I love you ok, it's what I've not been able to realize and accept all this while and I've now understood why you broke certain House rules just to see me," Harry whispered. Tears were in Daphne's eyes and she was smiling at Harry.

"And I you," she whispered and Harry brought his lips on hers and kissed her like he meant it. Daphne poured all her emotions in that kiss trying to make it feel important and Harry did so as well, forgetting all his convictions and principles.

Daphne giggled and looked at him.

"What?"

"The rumour is you are scared to touch a girl," she whispered. "They say when we went to Hogsmeade teh best you didwas shake my hand at the end of the day." Harry chuckled and shook his head.

"That's messed up. Greengrass."

"Please, it's Daphne. Call me Daphne."

"As you wish, Daphne". Harry chuckled and kissed her as they turned each other around on the carpet that had appeared in the room. Hogsmeade may not have worked out, but having each other alone was enough for them.

THE SEVENTH FLOOR CORRIDOR


Severus Snape was awake early and he was in a bad mood. He was walking about the castle and trying to take his mind off certain things. Black was free and he was definitely going to infect Potter with his careless attitude as if Potter hadn't enough of that already. He was on the seventh floor corridor now and he came to a door.

"Hmm," he muttered, "I haven't seen this door around here before, wonder what's in." He took a step forward and opened it and what he saw startled him. For a moment he thought he was in the hall of Greengrass manor but then he remembered waking from bed so he was still at Hogwarts. On the white carpet was his god daughter and that bratty boy, Potter kissing each other passionately and professing love to each other. Severus looked at them for a while and left the room slowly. He understood what they felt and if his god daughter loved Harry Potter, it wasn't his problem. After all, she was a human being. Memories of Lily Potter brought tears to his eyes as he entered his office. He opened his drawer and poured a glass of cold beer and sighed, "Lily."

THE ROOM OF REQUIREMENT


"What about this contract Daphne," Harry asked. "I don't know what father would do yet Harry. I just hope the bloody parchment catches fire."

"Don't worry Daphne, you won't marry that sick bastard," Harry said firmly. "That's my knight in shining armour," Daphne giggled. Harry chuckled and kissed her again. He stood up and carried Daphne in his arms and placed her on a king sized bed that the room provided.

"Let's talk now Daphne," Harry said as he made himself comfortable. "Tell me something, why did it have to be me?"

"Because Harry, you are different from them all. I see it in you all the time and that's my answer." Harry removed his wand and threw it on the floor. "I've been thinking of a way to get Malfoy for molesting you," Harry started.

"Yeah me too. I'll make sure he gets it one way or the other. The term has almost ended and amidst all this confusion, I couldn't come up with a plan." Harry kissed her forehead and hummed.

"You are bloody firm Harry. Do you work out?"

"Me? No I don't. I'm not firm, what do you mean by that anyway?"

"Ah look at you. Ignorant of the things a girl likes. You've got it all Harry. You are good looking, dangerous, wild and you've got a nice body. Girls love these things."

"Thank you, I guess" Harry replied shyly and grew red.

"Merlin's beard! she exclaimed.

"What is it?"

"You just bloody blushed. Harry Potter just blushed at a comment I made," she pointed out and laughed.

"Isn't that normal?" he asked.

"You are Harry Potter. People think you don't have a heart, that you are invincible and you don't even shed a tear," she explained. Harry shook his head and looked out the window. "Sun's rising Daphne, don't be late for breakfast. Why don't we go together?" Harry threw his shirt on and Daphne straightened her skirt and arranged her hair and after another long kiss, they sneaked out of the room and walked hand in hand to the Great Hall.


Please tell me you loved this chapter. Do you think Snape should open fire on Harry one day, maybe fourth year on Harry's love session with Daphne? Review.