A/N: What's up y'all! I'll be off work for the next two weeks so hopefully I'll be able to get this story finished for you. We got sent home due to the COVID-19 Virus or Corona Virus as people are calling it. This goes without saying but everybody should be washing their hands as frequently as possible.


"AGAIN WEASLEY!" Angelina shouted above the whistling wind. "RUN IT AGAIN!"

That was probably the tenth time in a row that they had run that very play and Harry knew they would keep running it until it was down to perfection. Now that Smith was off the team permanently and Ginny had taken his place as a reserve, she would need to know this play. Especially if they wanted to beat Ilvermorny. The Americans had proven a bigger challenge than Harry had thought they would be. They had absolutely dominated Beauxbatons a team that Hogwarts itself had only tiptoed past. If they were going to win this whole thing, they needed to be on their A game. And that wasn't the only thing that had him worried. The Third and final Task was coming up in a matter of weeks and he was nowhere near prepared. All he knew that it was to take place at what used to be his favorite place: The Quidditch Pitch. He had seen what they had done to it. It was now a maze that stretched for what seemed like a mile but only really encompassed the stadium. What lay inside he had no idea, but he knew it would be his biggest challenge yet. Especially with Krum there. The older boy would surely be angry about everything that had happened. He really hoped he didn't run into Krum in the maze but with his luck he knew it was bound to happen.

He inwardly groaned. He just remembered that he had to meet Daphne after this and not for the type of rendezvous that he would've preferred. She was helping him train for the Third Task. She had been putting him through a series of exercises in the CG Room until he about felt ready to drop. Tonight, would be even worse. He already felt like he wanted to keel over from exhaustion.

"Duffy!" Angelina shouted at the boy. "Slipknot!" Duffy didn't even acknowledge his captain. He dropped the ball out of his grasp down to Weasley. Ginny fumbled it momentarily but then got a grasp on it. She passed it out to Angie who slammed it with her broom back to Duffy who did the same. It went whizzing by Bletchley who looked like he swore under his breath. "That's what I like to see!" Angelina shouted to her team who all grinned. "Run it again!"

"We've been out here for hours, Johnson." Ginny groaned. "Can't we call it a night?"

Angelina's eyes narrowed at the girl. "You think the Americans are calling it a night? Obviously, you weren't there when they manhandled the French. They're coming for us Weasley and we need to be ready."

"I'm just saying we could use a breather." Ginny argued. Everybody around her inched back on their brooms.

"You want a breather?" Angie asked. "Congratulations you just had one. Now back to it!"

Ginny glared at the older girl but nonetheless got back into formation. "SLIPKNOT!" Angelina yelled out. They ran the play another three times. Only once did Bletchley manage to block the Quaffle from going in. "Harry what do you think?" She asked her Assistant Captain. The entire teams' eyes were now on Harry silently pleading with him.

"I think that we could all do with a good night of rest." Harry said and was rewarded with looks of gratitude from the team.

She nodded. "Everyone hit the showers. You're free for tonight but we're back here tomorrow same time." Everyone wisely held in their groans. No need to give Angelina any ideas.

"Let's get the hell out of here." John said quickly to Harry as they touched down on the ground.

"What's the rush?" Harry said sardonically. John's response was to glare at him.

"You might be one of my captains, but I'll still knock you on your ass." John grumbled. "Where are you going?" He asked as Harry made his way towards the exit. "Showers are that way."

Harry shrugged. "Why shower now when I'm just going to get sweaty with Daphne in just fifteen minutes." John raises an eyebrow and Harry's face went pink. "Not what I mean-"

"I knew what you meant moron." John rolled his eyes. "I don't feel like walking up by myself. I'll just shower in the dorm."

Harry shrugged. "Alright then." They left the locker room and started off towards the exit.

"You think we've done enough?" John asked as they walked. "To beat the Americans, I mean."

Harry sighed. "We've been working ourselves to the bloody bone night after night. If we haven't prepped enough by now, then no amount of training will do anything."

"Nice to hear." A familiar voice rang out. As they left the hallway leading outside, they turned to see Vivian looking back at them. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a jacket with her team logo on the front of it. "Should be a cakewalk then."

"Vivian." Harry and John said simultaneously and nodded at her. "What are you doing here?" Harry asked suspiciously.

She raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm spying on you?" She chuckled. "You don't have to worry boys. I play fair."

Harry still looked suspicious, so she continued. "I like walking along the field. It soothes me. I was just feeling a bit homesick, so I just wanted to clear my mind."

"Alright." Harry said slowly. "It was just a little strange seeing you here after our practice is all."

"Like I said I just wanted to clear my head." Vivian said. "Safe to say though I'm excited to finally play against you both. You especially Potter."

"It'll be fun catching the Snitch right in front of you." Harry grinned.

She laughed. "Oh, we'll see Potter. We'll see."

"What is she doing here?" Ginny growled as she walked out of the exit.

"This is Vivian, Weasley." Duffy said resisting the urge to glare at her. "She's the captain of the Ilvermorny team."

"I know who she is, Snake." Ginny snapped at John. "Why is she here?"

"Saying hello to two friends." Vivian said coolly to the redhead. "And good luck when we play."

"Saying hello or spying?" Ginny accused. "She should leave. She's not welcome her-"

"Maybe it's you who should leave." Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked I was talking to Harry and John. Not you."

"Are you going to let her speak to me like that?" Ginny asked Harry.

"Uhm…yes?" Harry said confused. "Last I checked we weren't dating Ginny or even really friends. You can fight your own battles. You don't need me."

Ginny's face turned the color of her own hair. "What happened to you Harry?" She roared. Behind her more and more of the team were starting to file out but they all stood back and observed. "Ever since you started dating that Greengrass bint you've become a completely different person!"

Before Harry could defend his girlfriend, her cousin beat him to the punch. "Shut your damn mouth, Weasley." He growled taking a step towards her. She unconsciously took a step back her eyes flashing with something resembling fear. "You don't have to worry. I don't put hands on women. Bloody hell I didn't believe half the stories Hermione told me but Merlin. You really can't accept that Harry is happy. If you truly cared for him, you would move on and give up this bloody schoolgirl crush on the Boy-Who-Fucking-Lived and not on Harry."

The night rang out with the sound of a slap across John's face. "Piss off Duffy!" Ginny yelled rearing back to hit him again. Before she could she was flattened by a right hook out of nowhere.

"I think I should've made myself a bit clearer." Daphne seethed. "Don't touch my fucking family, bitch!" She went to the ground and started following up with a punch to Weasley's face before Harry wrestled her off the poor girl.

"Might want to get out of here, Weasley." Vivian said trying to hold back a smirk but failing. "Before Harry loses his grip."

Ginny glared at Vivian but nonetheless got to her feet. She was clutching her lip and it had already started to turn a different color. Daphne had busted it open. "This isn't over Greengrass." She hissed before running off towards the castle.

"Yes, it is!" Harry called after her as he still held on to his girlfriend who had started to calm down a bit although he suspected this to be a ruse, so he would release her. "Easy." He whispered to her.

She glared at him before he finally let her go. "I was trying to get away because you smell like shit." This made John snort. "You're not much better." He shrugged.

"I thought you were going to meet me up at the Castle." Harry said trying to change the subject.

"I got tired of waiting." She responded. "So, I came looking."

"You didn't have to do that." John said but took a step towards Daphne and embraced her. "But thanks cousin."

She pushed him away. "What part of you both smell like shit did you not get?" She sucked air in and out. "Bloody hell."

"Nice right hook you got there, Greengrass." Vivian complemented. "I'm almost envious."

Daphne shrugged. "Bitch had it coming what can I say."

"We should probably get back." John said to them and his eyes flitted towards the exit where the team was still watching.

"Come on you lot!" The Weasley twins shouted out. If they were angry at all that Daphne had hit their sister, they didn't show it. "Let's go grab some damn dinner."

"Yeah let's go." Daphne said to Harry.

"Dinner?" He asked confused. "Aren't we going to train?"

She shook her head. "We can take a night off. Besides you need to take a shower."

"Okay I get it. I smell." He rolled his eyes.

"Let's just get back." John said.

"Guess I'll see you guys at the game then." Vivian said to the two boys and held out a hand which they both shook. "Good luck to you."

"You too Vivian." Harry said and John echoed the sentiment. The girl nodded at Daphne before taking her leave.

"What the hell was that about Harry?" Angelina asked walking up with her arms folded.

"Weasley has a big mouth." Harry responded simply.

"That's our sister." Twin One said as they both walked over. "Been in love with Harry ever since she was a little girl." Twin Two finished. "Doesn't like being told no." They both said together.

Angelina shook her head. "I know she's your sister but I'm strongly considering bringing Smith back. She's better than him but at least with him we know what we're in for."

Harry sighed but nodded. He wished it hadn't come to this, but Ginny was showing that she couldn't work with the team. It might be wise to just cut the cord.

"Come on let's get some food." John said to everyone's agreement.

"Is this game at least at a reasonable time?" Daphne asked Harry as they started walking back towards the Castle.

"Define reasonable?" He asked.

"In the afternoon?" She clarified.

"Oh…no." He said. "I think it's around seven in the evening."

"Seven?" She blinked. "Why so bloody late?"

"What would you like us to do?" John raised an eyebrow. "Have classes cancelled that day?"

She shrugged. "That'd be nice. I think Hermione would have a problem with it though."

"Oh yeah." John's heart sank as they came closer to the castle.

"Forgot about your girlfriend?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Bold strategy."

"I'd forget about a Mudblood girlfriend too." A familiar voice sneered. Harry gritted his teeth as Malfoy sauntered towards them alone. "I still can't believe you let her touch you, Duffy. Just shows again what a disgrace you are."

"Only one of us here is a disgrace, Draco." John said in an even but cool tone. "Care to guess who it is?"

Draco sneered at him. "Careful Duffy."

"Or else what Malfoy?" Harry challenged. "What are you really going to do?"

"You saw what I did before." Draco smirked. "Want to test me again?"

"You little fucking ferret." Daphne snapped drawing her wand. Harry thought about just letting her cast the spell for a second but restrained her at the last second. "Let me go!" She said over and over again.

"Don't play his game." He whispered to her as he clutched her to him. John was totally silent towards all of this.

He didn't say a single word only treated Malfoy with a look that Harry couldn't explain. "Come on." He said simply to his friend and cousin.

"Where are you going?" Daphne asked not believing what she was seeing.

"Come on." He repeated walking around Malfoy. Malfoy reached for his wand as his housemate came close, but the Irish boy did nothing.

Harry and Daphne slowly started following behind him. "Coward." Malfoy called after John who didn't turn around.

"What the fuck was that all about?" Daphne asked as soon as they were out of view and earshot.

"Go to the castle." John replied simply. "Don't wait up for me."

He started off back towards where they had just come from. "Where are you going?" Harry asked fearfully. He didn't like the look in his friends' eyes.

"Just going for a walk is all." Duffy replied without turning around.

Harry shook his head once John had disappeared. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Who cares." Daphne asked. "Sounds like the ferret is about to get what he deserves."


Draco laughed to himself. It had been far too easy to get under Greengrass' skin. He honestly thought Potter would let her off the leash for a second, but he hadn't been disappointed. Potter had frozen like a coward.

He shouldn't try that again. As much as he liked needling those blood traitors, do it enough times and they would eventually snap.

That's what he expected Duffy to do. The boy was a known a powder keg. That's why the look he had given had been so unsettling. It was…nothingness. He had never seen anything like it before. He had honestly feared for his safety before the Irishman just walked away. That didn't mean he shouldn't be on his guard. He would have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of the term.

He just wanted to go down to the Lake for a short walk. His father had bought him a hundred-year-old scotch to celebrate the trial victory. He didn't want to drink it in the dorms and have one of the other little shits try to steal from him while he slept. Nor did he have a place in the Castle to drink it without fear of being discovered. Better to just enjoy the night air and get a little alcohol in his system.

He looked around and suddenly realized he didn't know where he was. He had seen this area before but forgot where it was relative to the rest of the forest. "Shit." He muttered and took a sip of his scotch. How the fuck would he find his way back?

A snap of a twig in the trees got his attention next. He swiftly drew his wand and pointed it towards the sound. "Whose there?" He called out nervously to no response. "Duffy? Is that you?"

Again, no response. "Don't bloody try anything or I'll break your ribs like your cousin."

The next sound came from the trees behind him. A branch moving. He whirled around and levelled his wand at the sound. "CRUCIO!" The red light whizzed through the trees, but he wasn't rewarded with the sound of screams. "Come out now! Whoever is there!"

"Draaaaaaaccccccoooo." A voice sang out. Malfoy fired off another Cruciatus Curse in the direction of it but still no luck. "I wouldn't try that again. It'll only serve to make me angrier."

"Duffy?" Draco called out not being able to help the fear that was slowly seeping into his voice. "Come out and handle this like men!"

"Men?" The voice called out. After hearing it again it didn't sound like Duffy. Who else could it be though? "You're not a man. You're a sniveling coward and your reckoning has come."

A light shot out of the trees and tripped him up sending him to the ground. "FUCK YOU!" He yelped in pain.

"You're not my type I'm afraid." The voice retorted. It was drawing closer and closer. He needed to get the hell out of here.

"Mercy!" He cried out in fear as he backed himself up against a tree. "Please! Mercy!"

"Mercy?" The voice asked drawing ever closer. "Is that what the Greengrass girl asked for? When you beat her again and again?"

"DIFFENDO!" A red light shot out of the trees and slammed into Draco's right leg. He cried out in pain as it felt like a sword was being driven through his flesh. Every nerve in the leg was on fire.

"I'm begging you!" He sobbed again and again. "Let me go."

Out of the shadows of the trees came…someone. He was garbed all in black from head to toe. He was wearing a ski mask across his mouth and had a hood over his head so all Draco could see were his eyes.

"Let you go?" The man asked. "But we've only just begun." Draco couldn't see the man's face, but he could tell that he was smiling.

"Pl-"

"Say please one more time." The shadow leveled a wand at him. "I dare you."

"Just le-" Draco tried getting off a spell with element of surprise on his side but it didn't matter.

"DIFFENDO!" The light came streaking at him again but this time instead of slamming into his leg it struck his hand. It took him a second to realize that the bloody stump on his right arm used to have his hand attached to it and then he saw it on the ground in front of him. He started to howl in pain. "Silencio." Draco continued to howl but nothing came out. "As much as I'd love for you to continue, we wouldn't want anyone to come along and cut this short now would we?"

"Where were we?" The shadow asked condescendingly. "Oh yes. Diffendo!"


"Shit so they really found him down by the Black Lake?" Tracey asked.

Hermione nodded. "According to John nobody had seen him for about a day when Dumbledore sent Professors out looking for him." Hermione shivered. "They found his right hand in the trees and apparently he'll have nerve damage in both his legs for the rest of his life. And his chest was so brutalized he'll have those scars permanently."

"Merlin." Neville commented. "Who do you think did it Harry?"

Harry had been silent while the others had been talking. Next to him Daphne squeezed his leg as if warning him. Harry's only response was a shrug.

"You okay there bud?" Blaise asked. "You seem like you have your mind on something."

"Just thinking about the game tomorrow." Harry responded before taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"Why couldn't this be on the weekend?" Hermione groaned. "I have that five-inch essay for charms I need to work on."

"How many inches have you done already?" Daphne asked.

"Four and a half." Hermione responded nonchalantly.

"I think you'll be alright." Blaise snorted.

"So is Malfoy coming back?" Tracey asked turning the conversation back to their previous topic.

"Doubtful." John said as he sat down next to Hermione.

"What makes you say that?" Blaise asked curiously.

"He doesn't have a hand anymore." John shrugged. "I doubt Daddy would put him back in that environment. Who knows what will happen at this point?"

"Malfoy Senior will probably raise hell at the next Governors meeting though." Daphne added.

John shrugged again. "Let him. Nothing they can do about the situation. Cunt had it coming anyway." Hermione glared at him for the swear but otherwise didn't disagree with him.

"I know but even then, it seemed a little excessive." Harry said looking at his friend. "Losing a hand. Having that much damage done to your body."

John's eyes narrowed at Harry. "After what he did to Tori no punishment could be too much for that little ferret." He said coolly. Their friends shifted uncomfortably in their seats at the now terse situation.

"I have to agree with Duffy, Harry." Neville broke the silence. "Whoever did this gave Malfoy what he had coming for all the hurt he's inflicted on other people over the years. I say give the guy a medal."

"I wouldn't say that too loud Neville." Hermione warned. "They might think you had a hand in it."

Neville shrugged. "Let them. I was busy all that night and Slytherins say that's around when he left the dungeons."

"I can vouch for that." Tracey said. "I was with him."

"What were you two doing all night?" Blaise raised an eyebrow.

Tracey and Neville both tinged pink. "N-None of your damn business!" Tracey snapped. "Where were you Blaise."

"We were in the library studying." Susan answered for the both of them with Blaise nodding along with her. "Where were you guys?" She looked over at John, Harry, Daphne, and Hermione.

"We came back from the stadium and decided to go to the CG Room." Daphne answered. Hermione had begun but shut her mouth suddenly. "We used it as a hot tub."

"You guys were there all night?" Hermione asked with a strange look on her face.

"Most of it." Daphne responded. "Can't remember when we all headed back to our Common Rooms, but it was late."

"Oh." Hermione answered never losing that strange look.

"What about you?" Harry asked.

"I went to bed early." Hermione replied simply. She got up out of her seat. "I should probably get going. I want to get to Herbology."

"Let me walk you there." John said starting to get up.

"No, it's fine." Hermione brushed him off.

"Are you s-" He began but she had already started walking away. "What do you think is wrong with her?"

"Aren't you her boyfriend?" Daphne asked raising an eyebrow.

"Uhm…I think so?" John tried to joke but was met with a sigh from the entire table.

"I'll talk to her at Herbology." Harry said.

"Thanks mate." John nodded at him. "Did you ever manage to read that Prophet article by the way?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding? Sirius sent me a signed copy." Harry wagged his eyes at him. "That little bit of him kissing Hannah is on the front page."

"Piss off." John growled. "None of that shit this summer."

"This summer?" Daphne asked curiously. "What's happening this summer."

"Shit." John muttered. "I didn't want to tell you like this."

"Tell me what John Duffy?" She asked with a warning tone in her voice.

"So, Mum already talked to Uncle Daniel." John rubbed the back of his neck. "But me and her are going to be moving in with Sirius."

"WHAT?!" Daphne's eyes went wide. "Why is this the first I'm hearing about this?"

"Daniel was supposed to tell you." Harry shirked back in his seat at the seething look Daphne gave him.

"And why are you going to b- YOU'RE MOVING IN WITH HIM TOO?!" Daphne roared drawing the looks of pretty much everyone left in the Great Hall.

"Yeah." Harry said meekly. John wisely started to inch out of his seat while his cousin's ire was now on Harry.

"And when did you know this?" She hissed as the rest of their friends started to follow John's lead. "SIT. DOWN." She snapped at them and they all plopped back down in their seats.

"He asked me the day of the trial." Harry responded. "I forgot to tell you I'm sorry."

"Harry." She grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "I need to know things like this. I want to hear it from you not offhandedly from my Uncle. Okay?" He nodded. "Thank you. I may have ove- GO BACK TO YOUR DAMN BREAKFAST!" She snapped at the people who were still eyeing them. Everyone outside of their group wisely lost interest. "What was I saying?"

"That you may have overreacted?" Tracey asked with a smirk.

"No that doesn't sound right." Daphne thought to herself for a second before waving it off. "It'll come to me."


The woman walked into the dimly lit pub and started to look around. Where was the man she was meeting? He was the one who insisted on this locale in the first place. She was grateful however in a way. Although the place looked like it hadn't been cleaned since they first opened it no one would think to look for them here.

"'Cuse me madam." A man missing all but one tooth came walking up to her. He was dressed in tattered robes that looked like they hadn't been cleaned in years. "Care to share a pint with me."

"No." She said coldly and began looking around for her contact again. The man was too stupid or too drunk to take the hint.

"Come on love." He grinned an ugly grin. "Just a pi-" His eyes went wide as he suddenly felt a wand thrust into his ribcage. The witch who looked like a toad was small but still he resisted the urge to piss himself he was so frightened.

"I won't say it again." She whispered to him devoid of any emotion. "Leave. Now."

"Y-Y-Y- "Before he could even finish the affirmation the man was out of there.

"Well done Umbridge." She turned to see her contact perched in the doorway wearing a long-hooded cloak.

"Lucius." She said simply. "We did agree on seven did we not?"

"Did we?" Lucius raised an eyebrow as he swept past her to take a seat in the corner.

She bit her lip but moved to join him taking the seat across from him. "What will you have?" The bartender asked walking over.

"Firewhiskey. A bottle of it." Lucius said slapping five Galleons on the table. "And privacy."

The man raised an eyebrow but nonetheless nodded. He took the money and left. In less than five seconds he was back with a bottle that might've been the cleanest thing in the establishment and two glasses. "Let me know if you need anything else." He said before taking his leave.

"Are you sure that's safe." Dolores asked as Lucius poured himself a glass.

"You think poison?" Lucius inquired.

"No. Look around I doubt this place has been inspected by the Ministry recently."

"Exactly." Lucius said taking a sip. He grimaced. "Watered down-" She heard him mutter under his breath before he continued. "This building hasn't been in the Ministry eye for quite some time now which makes it perfect for our rendezvous."

"Down to business then." She clarified.

"Yes." He nodded. "First off your assistance with that one matter was most helpful."

"Think nothing of it." She responded. It had been all too easy to discover the names of the jurors assigned to Draco's trial. "Before we continue how is your son?"

Lucius sneered. "Recovering. His right hand was so damaged that it wasn't able to be reattached."

"What animal committed this?" She shook her head. She knew the Greengrass family had to be involved in some way. How could they not be?

"We still don't know." Lucius downed the rest of his glass and poured another. "According to Draco the man who committed it was dressed as a shadow."

"Man?" Dolores asked. "Could it have been Daniel Greengrass?"

Lucius shook his head. "It couldn't have been. He was spotted in Diagon Alley when the attack happened."

"Polyjuice Potion?" Dolores offered.

"Perhaps." Lucius nodded. "He is behind the attack no matter what his involvement and I swear he will pay."

"Be cautious of the man Lucius." Dolores warned. "He is dangerous."

"As am I." Lucius smirked.

"I could be of more help to you if you help me with what we discussed." She said.

"Your campaign for Minister?" He raised an eyebrow and she nodded. "And how do you intend to beat Fudge. The man is an idiot, but he still has support left. He will not be easy to supplant."

"Through the help of my friends." She nodded at him. "And a bit of…motivation to Fudge to step aside."

"Interesting." He said with a lecherous smile. "Do tell."


"Remember meet me in the CG Room after your practice tonight." Daphne reminded Harry for probably the fifth time that day. "And don't roll your eyes at me."

"I wasn't rolling my eyes." He promised even though he had been planning too.

"Mhm." She kissed him on the cheek and patted him on the shoulder. "Time to get to Herbology."

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "See you tonight." She smiled back at him.

"Come on before I throw up." Neville shook his head even though he had just been doing the exact same thing with Tracey. He ignored the glare that Daphne sent in his direction as he and Harry started walking towards the Greenhouses. "It's crazy isn't it?"

"What's that?" Harry asked. "Life?"

Neville nodded. "If you told me at the beginning of the year that we'd both be dating Slytherins I would've called you a dammed fool."

Harry nodded absentmindedly. This past year had its up's and down's, but he wouldn't trade the journey for anything. "So, what were you and Tracey doing that night?" Harry wagged his eyebrows as Neville went red.

"T-T-That's none of your business." He sputtered. "We were just studying."

"Studying what?" Harry leaned over. "Anatomy?"

"Piss off." Neville muttered as Harry chuckled.

"Only taking the mickey, Nev." Harry promised his friend and then followed up the question albeit more seriously. "How was it though?"

Neville rolled his eyes. "You know."

"Why would I know?" Harry asked confused.

"You and Daphne?" Neville said. "You two must've done it dozens of times by now."

"Erhm…" Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "No."

"Really?" Neville asked surprised.

"We haven't really talked about it." Harry admitted. "I'm just trying to be respectful of her. I don't want to do anything she doesn't want."

"That's admirable Harry." Neville said. "But she might be waiting on you to make the first move. No offense mate but you're not exactly the best at picking up subtle hints."

Harry rolled his eyes but thought about it. "She's waiting on me?"

"Maybe." Neville shrugged. "You'll have to talk about it with her."

"I'll talk to her tonight then." Harry said.

"Prob- Oh hey Hermione." Neville said as their friend stepped in front of them.

"We need to talk." Hermione ordered Harry.

"Oh okay." He blinked.

"Sorry Neville, I just really need to talk to Harry alone." Hermione sounded anything but sorry.

"Okay no problem." Neville said slowly. "I'll see you both in Herbology I guess." He walked off sparing them both one more concerned look before he turned the corner.

"We should probably hurry up Hermione." Harry said. "We don't want to be lat-"

"Where were you three the night of Malfoy's attack." She demanded. Her tone brokered no chance for a debate.

"In the CG Room." Harry lied. "Daphne already said that remember?"

"She said you three were there all night." Her eyes narrowed. "Problem was I was there all night."

Harry froze up. Shit. "Y-You said you went to bed early."

"Where were you three that night." She demanded again leaving no room for debate.

Harry sighed. "We were coming back from the stadium after practice. Me and Daphne went to get a late dinner."

"And John?" Hermione asked without hesitation.

"I don't know." Harry admitted. "He went off into the Forest."

"What aren't you telling me Harry?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. She knew him better than anyone. She could tell when he was holding back.

Harry didn't say anything at first but finally responded. "We ran into Malfoy on the way back from the stadium. He said some…crass things about Daphne and her family. And about you."

"Afterwards, Malfoy went into the Forest." Harry said.

"And John was in the Forest." Hermione said more to herself than anyone. "Harry, please be honest with me. Did he do it."

His silence would've given her all the answer she needed, but he gave a slight dip of the head in affirmation. "I wasn't there but I think so."

Hermione didn't respond. She looked as if she was deep in thought.

"Are you going to tell anyone?" Harry asked afraid of her answer. He was surprised when she glared at him.

"Tell anyone?" She repeated. "I'm not going to get John thrown into Azkaban. Malfoy deserved what he got. I'm just- I don't know."

"He would never hurt you Hermione." Harry said. If he thought the Slytherin would ever attack Hermione in such a manner he would curse him right now.

"I don't think he would." Hermione agreed. "Although most people never think that before it happens."

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked.

"John and I need to talk." Was all she said.

"Herm-" He started.

"Harry." She had started walking away but now whirled on him. "I love you. I really do. But please. This is my relationship. Let me handle it."

He nodded. He would respect her wishes although he wanted only to help.

"Come on." She said and started off again. He followed behind. He had a bad feeling about all of this.


"Where have you been?" Daphne asked Harry as he entered the CG Room. "Your practice ended a half hour ago. Did it run late?"

Harry shook his head. "No. Angie called it early. She wants us rested for tomorrow."

"How early?" Daphne asked.

"A half hour." Harry responded not looking at her.

"So, you've been out of practice for a full hour and you're still late?" She raised an eyebrow. He was still sweaty, so she knew that he hadn't taken a shower and lost track of time in the meantime. "Where were you Harry?"

Harry sighed. "I was just taking a walk to think. I have a lot on my mind."

Her gaze softened. "I understand." She nodded stepping towards him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Before Herbology, Hermione asked me about where John really was during Malfoy's attack." He said softly.

Daphne stiffened. "She cornered me about it too. I told her what really happened."

"What did she say?" Harry asked wondering if his best friend had said anything further to Daphne.

Daphne sighed. "Said she had a lot to think about." Daphne echoed what Hermione had told Harry.

Harry shook his head. "A normal life would be great wouldn't it?"

Daphne snorted. "Who wants a normal life? Would you want to live like a Muggle?"

"Well…maybe if I was a Muggle something wouldn't be trying to kill me every other year." Harry responded.

Daphne laughed. "True. Although if you were a Muggle, I would never have met you." She smiled.

He held her close. He agreed. If he lived a normal life, he would never have met her. Never met Hermione, John, Neville or any of his friends.

"What else is there?" She asked suddenly.

"Pardon?" He asked.

"There's something else you want to talk about." She asked waiting for him to speak.

Mentally, he was shaking his head right now. She really did know him, didn't she? "I want an honest answer. How do you feel about me?"

Now she was the one who looked confused. "What do you mean? I love you. I've told you a hundred times."

"And I love you." He smiled down at her. "This is all just so new to me so I'm sorry if I'm a little bit on the nose. I've never been in a relationship before."

"You think I have?" She scoffed. "At least not a serious one."

"There were guys before me?" He asked not able to help the jealous tone that seeped into his voice.

She rolled her eyes. "I just said they weren't serious, didn't I? And it was only a summer fling. We visited America during the summer last year. I met a boy at the resort we were staying at for a couple weeks."

"What happened to him?"

"He tried to get a little…handsy at a party that the resort was throwing for the teens. John knocked his two front teeth out. They said we weren't welcome to stay at the resort anymore." Harry chuckled. "Why are you asking how I feel about you Harry? What's wrong?"

Harry sighed. "What do you want from this?" He asked slowly.

She thought about it for a second before responding. "Well considering, and I've said this a hundred and one times now, I love you, I want marriage down the road." When he didn't look fearful at the thought of marrying her, she continued. "I want children a boy and a girl at least preferably. The boy we'll name after you and the girl after your mother."

"My mother?" He asked as if he didn't hear that correctly the first time.

"It's a very beautiful name." She said. "Lily."

"What do you want out of this Harry?" She asked.

"All of that sounds great Daphne." Her heart fluttered. He could see himself marrying her. An entire life together?

"Why are you asking this Harry?" She asked. "Why right now?"

"Just a conversation I had with Neville earlier." He said slowly. "About what he and Tracey were doing a couple nights ago."

"What wer-oh." Her face went red. "Yeah, Tracey told me."

Harry nodded. "I just didn't know if that was something…that well you wanted." He admitted.

Realization dawned on her. "So, you're ready to take it another step?" She asked.

He hugged her close. "Only if you are Daphne." He said quickly. "I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable. I love you. It'll come when i-"He was silenced by her firmly taking his lips with her own. She packed so much passion and fire into this kiss it made his knees wobble.

"That's why I love you." She said breathless after she pulled back. "Most boys would say that for a few weeks maybe even a few months but then they'd get tired of waiting. I can tell you really mean it though."

"I am ready, Harry." She said. "I just want it to be special."

"I understand." He nodded. He kissed her again on the lips this time more tamely. "I do love you. Just so you know."

"I know." She smiled. "Which is why we need to get to training and stop talking about sex."

He groaned. He hoped that she would've forgotten about all that. "Can't we just take a night off?" He asked hopefully.

"Nope." She smiled and shoved him towards the middle of the room. "New exercise today. I throw up a plate, you practice your accuracy."

Harry groaned again. This was going to be a long night.


"Looks like that row is open, love." Sirius said as they went up and down the stairs of the stadium. The day of the final match had arrived. The stadium was packed to capacity but the people in the row still inched further down when they saw Sirius at the other end. It paid to be a serial killer even when you had been declared innocent.

He laughed but tucked his tail when she glared at him. "It's not funny moron." She rolled her eyes. "The fact they still think that you're guilty is wrong. You were tried before the Minister himself and declared innocent. This is bullshit."

"Sorry sorry." He put his hands up in defense. "Look at this way though. I did clear out the row."

She rolled her eyes and sat down next to him. "Look there's Daniel, Jane, and Tori." She waved to them as they entered their little section of the stadium.

"They can thank me then for clearing out the row for them." He smirked then regretted it immediately when she raised an eyebrow warningly at him. "Daniel! Good to see you."

"Sirius." He nodded at the row that was starting to clear out now. "Looks like your making friends."

Sirius shrugged. "A lot better company than the dementors were that's for sure." He looked past Daniel and smiled at Jane who returned it. "And is that Miss Astoria with you?"

Astoria waved to Sirius. "Thanks for clearing out the row, Sirius."

"Astoria Greengrass." Hannah shook her head furiously. "I was just telling him that he shouldn't be proud of his reputation."

"Why?" Astoria blinked. "Means we don't have to wait in line anywhere. Can you come with me to get my books this summer?"

Sirius barked with laughter. He had only met the girl once before, but she was such a kind soul it felt like he had known her for ages. "Of course!" He was happy to hear that she would be returning to Hogwarts next year. Homeschooling was well and good, but she shouldn't miss out on those experiences.

"I thought I was helping you shop this year." Astoria beamed when she saw her sister enter the row with her friends.

"You can if you want." She wrapped her arms around Daphne tightly. "Sirius still has to come though."

"Why Sirius?" Hermione asked. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. Astoria explained the reasoning and Hermione rolled her eyes irritably. "Really though Astoria he should be trying to put his past behind him."

"Thank you!" Hannah exclaimed. Hermione suddenly noticed her boyfriends' mother and had eyes for anyone but Hannah. Sirius noticed this but didn't comment on it. He would talk to Hannah about it later.

"Look I think they're about to begin!"


"You okay man?" John asked Harry taking a seat next to him in the locker room.

Harry nodded. "Yeah just a little nervous." This was one of the biggest games of his life. School vs School. Country vs Country. Continent vs Continent. He had every right to be nervous. "What about you?" He looked over at John who shrugged.

"Fine." John replied. "Just ready to kick the shit out of these bastards."

"How are you and Hermione?" Harry asked trying to be as nonchalant as possible.

"Could be better I guess." John responded. "She seems like she's been avoiding me the last day or so. She came up to me at lunch today saying she wanted to talk to me after the game."

"Did she say about what?" Harry's breath caught in his chest.

John shook his head. "I don't have a good feeling about this man. Do you think she wants to break up with me?"

"I really don't know buddy." Harry admitted. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see." He wished Hermione would've waited till after the game to put doubt in his friend's head. They really needed him to be on his A game if they were going to win.

"Gather round!" Angie yelled out to the team. "I know I don't have to tell you what happens if we win today. We win the whole damn tournament. And if kicking the shit out of the Yankees doesn't interest any of you just know that there are dozens of scouts here today. Not just from pro teams but from National too. Play your game today and who knows what'll happen." There were a couple of excited looks now from the team at the thought of playing professionally. Even a reserve spot would satisfy most everyone here. "Fred and George. I want you to concentrate on knocking that Spears girl off her damn broom. If you manage to get the Ellerson girl too even better, but Spears scored half the team's goals when they ran it up against Beauxbatons." The two twins nodded. "Duffy, good to have you back. No hijinks this week. We clear?" John sprang up in a mock salute. "And Harry-?"

"Catch the Snitch I know." Harry nodded.

"Hogwarts on Three!" Angie called out and everyone gathered round. "ONE, TWO, THREE-"

"HOGWARTS!"


"WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN TO THE FINAL GAME IN THE INTER-SCHOOL QUIDDITCH TOURNAMENT!" The Burgos man screamed excitedly into his wand as the crowd roared. "IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS! WHOEVER WINS TODAY WINS THE TOURNAMENT!"

"NOWWWWWW! INTRODUCING THE STARTING LINEUP FOR THE ILVERMORNY SIDE!

"JEFFERSON, HARTLEY, SPEARS, JACKSON, KIRKHOFF, ELLERSON ANNNNDDD ELLERSON!" The crowd gave a couple of polite cheers as the American side zoomed out of the tunnel.

"ANNNND NOW! INTRODUCING YOUR HOGWARTS TEAM!" The crowd roared even louder. "BLETCHLEY, DAVIES, JOHNSON, DUFFY, WEASLEY, WEASLEY, ANNNNNNNNNDDDDDD POTTER!" The crowd went up several decibels when Harry's name was mentioned. His glasses were vibrating from the sound as the team took the pitch. "What?" He yelled over to Angie who had shouted something at him.

"PLAY YOUR GAME!" She yelled again and then repeated the message to the rest of the team.

"CAPTAINS!" The ref's voice rang above the crowds. "Come forward." Meeting Harry and Angelina at the center of the pitch was the Ellerson siblings. "Now I want a nice clean game. Am I understood?" The four students nodded. "Shake hands then return to your teams."

Tyler squeezed the Hogwarts students' hands obviously trying to intimidate them both. It didn't work to his displeasure. "Good luck." Vivian said to them after she shook both their hands. "You're going to need it." She called over her shoulder as each duo returned to their squad.

"Bint." Harry thought he saw the words form on Angelina's lips. "Let's take it to the bastards!" Angelina shouted to her team who roared back.

"And here are the teams now." Burgos continued as the starters assembled at center pitch. "The Quaffle has been dropped and the match has begun!"

"Spears immediately gets the Quaffle and is racing down the field. She dodges a Bludger sent by one of the Weasley brothers and then dodges another. It looks like no one can stop her! She shoots anddddd- It's blocked by Bletchley! He throws it out to Davies who drops it down to Duffy. Duffy shoo- IT'S A FAKE! HE PASSES IT OUT TO JOHNSON WHO HAMMERS IT WITH HER BROOM JUST PAST THE FINGERTIPS OF JEFFERSON! SCORE! TEN-NOTHING HOGWARTS!"

"KEEP UP THE PRESSURE!" Angelina cried out trying to make herself heard. "GET BACK ON DEFENSE! WAEASLEY'S PLAY YOUR DAMN GAME!" Fred responded by hitting a Bludger towards the much more muscular Ellerson Beater. Tyler smacked it away the Bludger shooting towards Angelina who only barely dodged it.

"And here comes Hartley up the pitch with the Quaffle. He gets ready to shoot but passes it out to Spears who scores! Tied game!"

Harry watched the game as he usually did. Far above the action his eyes searching the field for his prize. But he also couldn't help watching the game. "And there goes Duffy up the field! He's being chased by Jackson and Hartley! He just dodges a check from Jackson! He shoots and SCORES! What a goal! Fifty to Twenty, Hogwarts!"

"Your boy is good, Potter!" Vivian shouted to him as she floated by.

"Don't tell him that!" Harry shouted back. "Might give him a big head!"

"Well if-" Vivian began but suddenly her eyes caught something. She leaned into her broom and went into a free fall. Harry sword under his breath and followed her down.

"After a little banter back and forth with Potter, it seems that Ellerson has spotted the Snitch! There they go!" Harry tuned the man out. He didn't matter in this moment. Nothing did except catching the Snitch. But where was it? Suddenly Vivian's broom reared up the from the ground. A feint! Harry was only just able to stop himself from crashing into the ground as he pulled his broom up. "And it looks like Ellerson had faked Potter out! Such a fei- AND SPEARS HAS GONE DOWN!" Harry saw Vivian look up worriedly. There was the Spears girl who looked as if she was falling with her broom towards the ground, but she didn't seem to be in control. Just when it looked as if she would fall from her broom, she righted herself but she still was clutching her head. "Time has been called and it appears the ref has had to step in. Apparently, Ellerson thought it was a dirty shot from the Weasley brothers."

"Fuck you!" Tyler yelled as he went towards the Weasley twins.

"Tyler!" Vivian snapped. "Enough!"

"Did you see what they did to Molly's head?" And he was right. Blood was oozing from the area where the Bludger had struck. A spell wouldn't fix this. She needed medical attention.

"It was an accident!" George yelled. "I was aiming for her arm."

"That's enough!" The ref yelled above them. "Each team get back in formation. Ilvermorny will be given a penalty shot. You need to call in a sub."

"I-I can still play!" Spears answered still clutching her head. "I'm not sit-"

"Molly!" Vivian pointed towards the locker room. "Off the field."

"V!" Molly retorted. "I'm fin-"

"No. You're not. Go." Spears grumbled under her breath but obeyed flew off towards the locker room where her backup was waiting. A tall dark-skinned boy who shared a high five with his teammate before he flew into the air. "Taylor! You're taking the shot." The boy nodded and the ref threw him the Quaffle. He took a deep breath as Bletchley got into position. He shot towards the hoops, faking towards the left but shooting at the right. It didn't matter. Bletchley was able to rein it in with room to spare.

"Ilvermorny fails to capitalize on the penalty shot as Bletchley saves the Quaffle with ease." Burgos announced. "The players get back in position."

"Did Weasley do that on purpose?" Vivian asked Harry as they rose above the action. "Be honest with me."

Harry shook his head. "George wouldn't do that. Neither would Fred. They both hit hard but they would never commit a cheap shot like that."

"Still if it happens again, I'm going to let my brother take their heads off." Vivian's eyes narrowed.

Harry nodded. The game beneath them was starting to get out of control. The Americans were some of the best fliers Harry had ever seen but they just weren't a match for Hogwarts Chaser trio. Ellerson and Kirkhoff were batting Bludger after Bludger towards the three but it was no use. The Taylor boy wasn't even close to Spears's level either. He had some talent that was for sure, but he was young and inexperienced. Obviously, Ilvermorny had always just expected Spears to run up the score. Hartley and Jackson were no slouches, but it was obvious they were more playmakers than anything else.

That was shown when John blasted by them both and scored five times in a row. They were lost now that they couldn't rely on Spears to make the play. Ilvermorny scored a few on Bletchley but pretty soon Hogwarts had gone up by fifteen goals on the Americans.

"And it looks like Hogwarts has called a timeout!"

Angelina called everyone over to her on the ground. "Alright! We're kicking their ass, but don't let up even a single bit. These blokes are still dangerous. It doesn't matter what the score looks like on paper. Am I clear?"

"Aye Captain!" Duffy grinned. He had scored eight of those goals himself and assisted on four of them. The Irish U-17 team better damn well be here today.

"LET'S GO!" With that the team took to the air.

"And the match is back underway! I don't know what Captain Angelina Johnson said to her team, but they sure do look motivated. I wouldn't want to be facing them right now that's for sure."

Duffy kicked off the scoring this time. He shot towards the hoops with the Quaffle, Jefferson staring the boy down. John did a barrel roll to the left, forcing Jefferson to move to intercept. As he was rolling John's arm shot out and the Quaffle with it as he laid it up through the left most hoop.

"In a daring move Duffy has pushed through putting Hogwarts up, Two Hundred and Ten, to Ilvermorny's Fifty."

"YOU LIKE THAT?!" Harry heard Duffy yell above even the crowd as he zoomed past one of the sections in the stadium. Duffy came to a stop and started pointing at someone in the crowd. "YOU LIKE THAT?!" He yelled again to the man. The man shook his head, but Harry thought he spotted a grin on his face. He did indeed like that.

"THERE GOES ELLERSON AGAIN!" Burgos suddenly screamed and Harry whirled to check out the action. There Vivian went shooting towards the ground again. And this time it was no feint. Harry could see the Golden Snitch racing away from her, but she was fast closing in. He shot after her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a Bludger shoot towards him, but he banked out of the way just in time and continued after Ellerson. "HERE COMES POTTER! HE AND ELLERSON ARE FIGHTING A DESPERATE BATTLE FOR THE SNITC- AND WHAT IS THIS? IT APPEARS HARTLEY HAS STOLEN THE QUAFFLE FROM DAVIES AND IS SHOOTING TOWARDS THE HOOPS!"

Harry pushed even harder. If the game ended in a tie, then it would go to a shootout. Better to just end it right here and now.

He pulled up next to Vivian and they both had their hands outstretched desperately. A tornado could have raced through the stadium destroying everything and they wouldn't have cared. As long as they caught the Snitch.

"Here comes Hartley up the middle! It appears that he's trying to send it into a shootout if Ellerson catches the Snitch. Merlin this will be a close one!"

They were drawing closer and closer towards the Snitch. Harry could feel the wings on the tip of his finger. But it didn't matter.

"HARTLEY GOES UP TO SHOOT!"

Because Ellerson was closer.

"HE SHOOTS!"

She plucked the ball out of the air and held it up in victory as she rocketed into the sky, her broom slowing down.

"IT GETS PAST BLETCHLEY- BUT NO GOOD AS IT CLANGS OFF THE HOOP! ELLERSON CATCHES THE SNITCH, BUT HOGWARTS WINS IT TWO HUNDRED AND TEN TO TWO HUNDRED! HOGWARTS WINS THE TOURNAMENT!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the Hogwarts fight song broke out. The team came together at center pitch and started hugging each other. Ginny was even embraced by Alicia for a moment before her two brothers came for her

"We fookin did it, Harry!" Duffy barreled into Harry and hoisted him off his feet in a hug. "We did it! TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!"

Harry had a massive grin on his face. He wished he could've caught the Snitch but that was every Seeker's wish. To be the reason that their team was victorious that day. But it didn't matter today. Even though Vivian had managed to outduel him, they had still come out with the win. That's all that mattered.

"LET'S GET SHITFACED EVERYBODY!" Duffy yelled out to the team and everyone except for Ginny cheered back at him. Even Angelina shook her head with a smile.

"Non-alcoholic of course correct Mr. Duffy?" Dumbledore inquired as he and a group of wizards came over. Behind him, two men were carrying a rather large trophy that looked similar to the Quidditch House Cup.

"Of course, sir." John responded with a grin that promised the opposite.

Dumbledore raised his hands to calm the crowd. It took several minutes but finally they had settled down. "As Headmaster of Hogwarts it is my pleasure to award this trophy to my own school. They have trained long and hard for this. Night after night for hours on end. Congratulations to you all." The two wizards handed the trophy over to the Angelina who hoisted it above her head to the cheers of the crowd. She immediately handed it off to Harry who took with a grin. He hoisted it above his head and again the crowd erupted into cheers.

"Oi Potter!" He turned after handing the Cup off to John. It was Vivian and she was coming towards him. When she got close, he thought she was going to hit him but ended up extending a hand. "Good flying out there." She smiled at him.

He shook her hand and returned the smile with a grin. "You're easily the best I've ever gone against and that includes Krum."

"High praise." She whistled. "I don't think this is the last time we'll be going up against each other. Next time we'll mop the floor with you." There was no venom in her voice at all.

"We'll see, now won't we?" Harry challenged.

"Good game there, Harry." Claudius said coming over. "You as well V. There someone from the Holyhead Harpies who wanted to speak with you by the way." Vivian's eyes went wide as she searched the growing crowd. It couldn't be-

"Gwenog Jones?" Harry muttered as Vivian bid him a quick goodbye as she rushed over the living legend.

"Girl might've just played herself into a pro contract." Claudius said proudly. "And I can say the same for you, Harry. Your parents would've been so proud of you today. That's the best flying I've seen since I saw your dad play last."

Harry smiled widely. He was being compared to his father. His dad had been a different position than him of course but it still filled his chest with pride, nonetheless. "Thanks Claudius. I really appreciate it."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you in the pro's Harry and I'm even more excited to see you in the Third Task in two weeks."

"You're staying for it?" Harry asked surprised. He figured that the Ilvermorny team would just leave after the tournament was over.

"Of course!" Claudius smiled. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Before Harry could respond he felt a tap on his shoulder. "I guess it's time for me to leave." Cladius grinned before Harry could even turn. In front of him now was his girlfriend. His old Quidditch jersey looked much better on her than it did hanging up in his closet.

"He-" He began before he was silenced. She threw her arms around his neck and dragged him close capturing his lips in a searing kiss.

He smiled into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She finally drew back. "I'm so proud of you, love." She whispered lovingly.

That made Harry's heart swoon and he almost broke down in tears. The girl he loved was proud of him. He had just won a tournament against some of the best Quidditch players his age in the world, including one of the best Seekers in history.

This might've been the best day of his life.


A/N: At most there are maybe three chapters left in the first story. Hope y'all have enjoyed this journey as much as I have. It's only beginning though! There are still two more stories in this trilogy.

EDIT: I'm going back after I finished writing this story. I have so much free time on my hands right now because of quarantine that I've been doing almost a chapter a day. Since it's been so long between chapters, I'm going to release them all at once for you guys! ENJOY!