And the second chapter is here. I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Hogwarts: Harry's Second Year

The sky was a bright blue, the air crisp and cool. The smallest breeze chilled down to the bone. Even so, in a small clearing nestled between the Forbidden Forest and the Black Lake a lone Gryffindor student wandered. Harry sighed, and watched as his breath let out a small cloud. Harry pulled his wand out and pointed it towards the sky. Three blue balls of fire flew out of his wand and began to dance around him. Harry let out another sigh as he relaxed his grip on his robes.

The quiet peace was shattered by a loud splash followed by a colorful string of curses that filled the air. A blush came over Harry as he began to walk towards the cursing. Harry let the bluebell spell fade away as he walked through the trees. Coming out from behind a bush, Harry had to look away from the scene before him. Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin known for being emotionless, was soaked to the bone and was spitting mad. As Daphne became more creative with her profanity Harry's blush darken until he cleared his throat.

Daphne, who was in the middle of removing her robe, immediately froze. She looked up to see Harry standing before her and blushing red. Daphne's cheek redden as she watched Harry look anywhere but her. Pulling out her wand she pointed it at Harry. Harry in response held his hand up in surrender. The two stood like that until Daphne broke the silence.

"Can I help you, Potter?" Daphne snapped.

"No, I mean, I heard a splash and some, er, choice words and I thought I come by and help," Harry said still unable to look at Daphne.

"Look at people when you talk to them Potter," Daphne said with a huff, "and you better not tell a single soul about this. Otherwise, I will make you regret it."

Harry gulped before becoming a bobblehead, "Yes, of course. Not a word." Harry mimed zipping his lips.

Daphne huffed before turning her back towards Harry. Looking over her shoulder she said, "You are free to leave now Potter. As you can see, I am just fine."

Harry paused before speaking, "Are you sure? I can loan you my jumper and robes, so you aren't standing around in wet clothes. 'Specially when it's chilly like this. If that isn't too weird."

Daphne just stared at Harry for a long moment before nodding her head. "Leave your clothes on that rock," Daphne said pointing, "and turn around."

Harry shed his robes and jumper before setting them on the rock. Turning around, Harry walked to the edge of the clearing. As he stood there his eyes widen as an idea came to him and before he knew it, he was trudging through the forest again. Meanwhile, Daphne stripped herself down to her underwear and quickly pulled on Harry's jumper and robe. Thankfully Harry's jumper was baggy and ended at about mid-thigh. Daphne hung her clothes on a dry branch and sat down on the stone, wrapping herself up in Harry's robes. She sat there with her eyes closed before they snapped open and began to scan the clearing.

"Now where did Potter go?" Daphne wondered.

As if summoned, Harry stumbled out of the tree line. Daphne jumped at the sudden entrance before sighing. Harry walked over smiling as he held up two bottles of a golden drink.

"Butterbeer? How did you get a hold of that?" Daphne said taking an offered bottle.

"Perks of being friends with the Weasley Twins," Harry said with a shrug.

Daphne flinched before she carefully opened the bottle and took a sniff of it. Not smelling anything strange she took a sip. Harry's head was tilted as he watched her until he just shrugged and took a sip of his own. When Harry's eyes landed on the hanging clothes, Harry pulled out his wand. Daphne palmed her own wand as she watched Harry point his towards the sky. Once more, small bluebells of fire flew out of Harry's wand. Four of the bells began to dance around Harry and Daphne while two more carefully floated around Daphne's clothes. Daphne watched with wide eyes at the display of magic. With her free hand, she reached out and could feel one of the balls of fire warm it. Between the fire and the drink, Daphne could feel the chill fade away.

The two sat in silence as the soft blue light from the bells flickered over them. Harry had his eyes closed as he enjoyed the warmth of his spell and the butterbeer. Daphne's eyes were wide as she watched the balls of fire floated around her and the clothes. When she looked over to Harry, her eyes widen even more seeing his eyes closed and he relaxed.

"Just how powerful of a wizard are you?" Daphne asked in a whisper.

"Wha-," Harry said as his eyes snapped open, "what are you talking about? I am just a normal average student."

"No normal average student is able to conjure a fireball and just have them float around. Yet you have six floating around, and never have they once come close to burning or singeing us." Daphne said as she glared at Harry.

"Is it really that strange?" Harry sighed before slumping. "Why can't I just be normal?"

"What's so great about being normal?" Daphne said crossing her arms.

"Being normal would mean I didn't have to deal with people constantly staring at me. It would mean I wouldn't have to deal with people feeling they have the right to judge me because I am famous. It would mean people saw me as Harry Potter and not as the bloody boy-who-lived." Harry snapped. "I grew up as a freak, worthless to those who were supposed to be my family. Now, I am still the same freak. Just that people clamor for my attention like its worth something. I just… I am sorry, you aren't here to listen to my issues."

Daphne watched her eyes wide as she watched Harry curl up and pull himself as close together as possible. Daphne then looked out at the lake, her eyes unfocusing.

"Normal was how everyone would describe me growing up. I didn't stand out, I wasn't special, I was there, I was just normal. I hated being called normal, I hated that everyone would just acknowledge I was there and then ignore me afterward."

Harry stared at Daphne as she to curled up in his robe. When he saw her shiver the bluebells flared up and Harry reached over pulled Daphne into a hug. Daphne tensed at the touch before relaxing. Her eyes closed as she wrapped herself around Harry, letting the warmth wash over her. The two held each other for a long moment before pulling away. The smiles they had shined a little brighter as they looked at each other. The bluebells of fire were much bigger and danced around the two with great energy.

Daphne's eyes drifted to the bluebells and watched with wide eyes and an open mouth as the dance became more complex. Soon the bluebells were forming patterns and shapes that had Daphne smiling as she watched. Harry, however, was busy watching Daphne in the corner of his eye. As if he was conducting an orchestra his wand and hands danced through the air.

Harry's hand slowed to a stop as the bluebells began their casual dance around the two once more. Harry looked over to see the shining light that Daphne's eyes held. The small smile on her lips completed the look of wonder Daphne held.

"That was truly beautiful to watch. How do you do it?" Daphne said turning to look at Harry.

Harry shrugged, "I just felt for my magic and guided it. I find a lot of magic is easier if you just feel for it."

Daphne nodded her head as pulled her lips in lost in thought. After a few moments, she turned to Harry and asked how he was doing on his potions homework. The exaggerated groan Harry let out had Daphne giggling into her hand. So the two talked trading barbs, jokes, and even a little gossip at which both laughed about. The two even got into a friendly argument about who was the best quidditch team. Well more like Daphne ranting why the Montrose Magpies were one of the best teams until on the chaser tried to include the muggle sports football into quidditch. Harry got a particular laugh at how the chaser kicked the snitch towards the seeker which ended up with them losing. However, Harry argued that kicking the ball might be a good passing strategy for chasers to use on the quaffle. The two argued back and forth but both wore a light smile.

A strong gust of cold air blew through the clearing. The bluebells flickered as Harry and Daphne squeezed in together to recapture some warmth.

"I guess its time to head back to the castle," Harry said slipping down the rock.

"I guess so," Daphne said with a sigh, "meet back here again?"

"Yes, I would like that," Harry said giving Daphne a smile that made her cheeks redden.

"Good, now turn around I need to change."

Harry immediately turned around and stared off into the trees. Daphne just smiled at his back before retrieving her clothes. She grinned as she held her completely dry and warm clothes. Pulling off the jumper and robes and tossing them onto a startled Harry, causing both to laugh, Daphne quickly changed into her clothes as the bluebells continued to dance around the clearing.

Harry turned around at Daphne's signal and walked up to her. In his hands was a small white daisy. Harry tucked her hair and the daisy behind her ear. Daphne was flushed red and her hands were behind her back. But the smile and shine in her eyes told Harry that she liked what he did.

Stepping back Harry played with the hem of his robes.

"Thank you, Daphne. I haven't felt this relaxed in a while," Harry said smiling.

"Thank you, Harry. This has been the most fun I have had in a while too," Daphne said returning a shy smile.

"Friends?" Harry asked holding out his hand to shake.

"Friends," Daphne said smirking before taking his hand and pulling Harry to walk beside her. Daphne let a small blush form as she intertwined her hands with Harry. Harry too was blushing but said nothing as they began to walk out the clearing. The bluebells fading away into the breeze but the warmth never left the two students who walked towards Hogwarts.

I want to thank DeliaDee, Dark-Knight-C46, Hank1967, and XxDragon King DragneelxX for your kind words and I hope this chapter lived to your expectations.

To Hank1967, the thought hadn't crossed my mind yet. But I think I will have a nice scene regarding that much later on in the story. So thank you for the idea.

All of you stay safe out there with this pandemic and try to stay sane. See you all again at a later date.

PK out!