I do not own anything, except my own storyline and OC's, Just FYI.

Hogsmeade weekend was today, and Harry was nervous. He'd gotten Vernon to sign off on his by way of a threat, but that wasn't what he was scared about. Daphne had asked him out, and purely out of fear of her parents had he accepted. He still didn't want to really talk with her after ignoring him for so long, but in the end it was either that or castration and possible death. He really didn't want to think about it.

So he was looking in the mirror and deciding what to wear. His wardrobe seemed inadequate, but he was trying to make do. A deep blue shirt, or his normal dark emerald? Black trousers, or brown? Honestly, it was stupidly hard, he'd never really given a damn about his appearance before and now it suddenly mattered.

Grabbing the emerald and black, never a bad combination for him, he slipped on his pullover and walked out the dorm, ignoring the wolf whistles from his classmates. Sometimes they were disgusting pigs, he had to admit, too focused on their perverted fantasies they'd never get to act out. Thankfully, Trip was at the end of the stairs waiting for Liz, so he wasn't totally alone. At times he wondered if the other boy had it easier, despite having a less than pleasant home life, but at least he got along with his betrothed.

When he spotted Daphne though, his breath left him. Her black hair waving behind her sapphire dress, with crystal shoes he was certain were taken right out of a fairy tale. Those blue eyes were piercing, but held a warmth he couldn't believe. While not on the best of terms, perhaps they could forget that for some time, and followed her arm down to the emerald purse in hand, making him blush a bit.

He felt a flutter in his stomach, but tried desperately to ignore it as a blush stained his cheeks. His own outfit, simple yet elegant with the near-black dragonhide loafers gave the girl her own blush, as while he could never master his hair, it had its own charm, with incredible emerald eyes glowing behind square black glasses, whose small runic decorations enhanced their feel.

Eventually, they got over themselves, as he looked behind his shoulder as they walked hand in hand, staring at Trip and Liz. Her caramel hair was done in a bun, with fair skin and blue eyes that had shifted after an accident in potions into amber swirling with purple. There would be no permanent damage, but they would stay that colour for the rest of her life. She hardly seemed upset by it though, calling it her unique little thing.

She wore beautiful deep, royal purple robes that matched Trips. His brown hair with natural blonde highlights combed nicely, a bit of hair gel to keep the front up, and pale green eyes with a small circle of brown that looked like a forest. He carried Elizabeth's hand with a grace Harry wished he had. They looked wonderfully together, and the boy felt a bit of jealousy well up. But he quickly released it, no need to breed resentment, especially when they were not at fault.

The two couples made their way down to the main hall, Filch was letting students out, but thankfully He had smoothed things over with the old man, demonstrating to him that while technically a squib, he could still perform the light charm, meaning that while there was very little of it, he was still a wizard. So when they walked up, Argus simply nodded and moved on, as Harry gave a small smirk.

They entered the Thestral-drawn carriages that helped cement the fairy-tale feel, with a window overlooking the front but an oak roof, preventing the wind from messing with someone's appearance. The inside was a four foot wide bench, velvet lining it as cushioning charms were practically spat around, allowing for a comfortable journey despite the typically bumpy ride. Thestrals were not meant to carry humans.

While waiting for the landing, there was an awkward silence neither seemed to be able to break, drawn from the days upon weeks of not speaking to each other. They both breathed a sigh of relief when it landed, and he helped Daphne down as they began wandering the streets, seperating from the others. He hadn't been to Hogsmeade more than once, as he was too busy, and only for a quick trip to the Three Broomsticks.

When he actually began looking, it was quite a pleasant place, quiet, quaint, and undisturbed. It was enjoyable. Yet, it also brought a sense of melancholy as he looked it over. Had his parents not died, he would have likely visited it before with his parents, as a well-known wizarding hotspot. Daphne admitted that she had gone before Hogwarts several times, which only made him feel worse. If it hadn't been for Voldemort, perhaps they could have grown up together, and gotten along.

Making his decision in a split-second, he dragged her inside the Hogs Head, a run down pub with cracked wood, dirty glasses, shady people, and an old barkeep who looked suspiciously like Dumbledore. Pushing that thought out of his mind, he sat his betrothed down in front of him, determined to end this argument. It was unnecessary and simply causing more pain.

'Daphne, what's wrong? You've been distant since the Quidditch match, and as we're about to go on holiday, I'd like to deal with this before it becomes worse.' He was quick, grasping the girl's hands to keep her from running away.

'It's just… you're always hanging around Hermione, and I'm scared you fancy her. We're betrothed, yes, but I do feel… something for you. I don't know what it is, really, but I want to see you become your absolute best self, and if you push me away, I can't do that. You taking my hand this morning was the first physical touch we had in ages, but I don't know why.' As if burnt, he quickly slid away, and ducked his head.

'Your parents warned me that if I ever did anything to hurt you, or touched you in any way until you were ready they would castrate me, or even kill me. I do not want to piss them off, because they didn't sign the contract, so I'm scared how much they threaten is real, and I know they blame me for it.' Daphne's eyes widened, as she processed it all. It was her parents that caused this strife. By doing what they did, they indirectly hurt her.

'I… I don't know what to say. I don't know what I can say. I mean… how could they do that? They always want to look out for me, but that's so cruel! Except… I don't know what to do now. Every time they've done something for me it's for my own good. I just don't know whether this is really that, or if they're foolish. Is there anything we can do to fix this? To make it work?' She was pleading with him, but he looked away, downcast.

'If I piss them off, they could kill me. Do you want that?' She shook her head, and he flinched slightly at how harsh his words came out. 'Look, I don't want something to happen, only to be ripped away when your parents come crashing in because they don't like me. It'll only hurt you, and I don't want that.' She nodded, as Harry stood up, and moved to exit before she grasped his hand.

'Please… There's nothing?' He shook his head as her heart broke for the very first time, and cried into her hands. Harry felt tears silently run down his cheek as he moved away. Everything felt so… evil. The world had done it, her parents were to blame, the Dursleys for making him believe the threats of fools.

When he sat down on a rock some ways away from the village, he slumped. Because of his idiocy, because he wasn't Brave and Bold, strong, he'd likely ended any chance of them building a relationship in school and having a happy marriage. He wondered if he would ever have children, and for just a moment- in his teenage mess of a hormonal mind- he thought he could end it. Take his own life, and she had a chance at a happy future, he'd be free from his pain. No parents, no real family, even the prospects of a happy marriage with children were getting dimmer. It only lasted a second.

Rage coursed through him as he became angry, and released his wand from it's holster. He stood up, wiping away his tears as he focused on one single goal. Destruction.

'BOMBARDA!' Everything blew up around him as he was flung back from the force of the aftershock, buried in dirt and dust as all energy seeped from him and he passed out.

Trip was having a wonderful date. Liz was incredible, and he hoped they'd be successful. Her interest in wand lore and crafting along with his fascination with the natural world had proved to be an explosive combination. They had visited just about every shop, and were inside Zonko's right now. He'd heard from the twins it was just about the best joke shop in Magical Britain, and as they had visited them all, he figured they were likely right.

It's Black Oak wood was cracked in places as dim light hung from the ceilings, shelves upon shelves of products lining it. From Dungbombs to exploding Doves it amazed him. He spotted the perfect gift for Ginny, who was friends with Liz and he'd gotten to know somewhat well, as he bought a couple attack watches. Looking around, nothing really seemed to appeal to him. Hoping for more, he sought out the Twins, who were hiding among the stacks, no doubt planning a prank.

'Oy, Gred, Forge, How's it going?' he jogged up, as the stacks were quite a ways long, and they were in the middle.

'Nothing much, just…'

'Planning a prank on…'

'Some 7th year Slyherin being a bit bold with our women' They finished, grinning at each other.

'Must you keep up with that twin-speak? You could put the effort for that into something that needs it. I've heard of a few of your products, and I'm sure they'd be even better if you focused more.' He said, groaning.

'I suppose you're right. What do you say, Forge?' At this, Trip looked closer for the identifier Harry had told him about but didn't specify on.

'Well, I guess. But it will be disappointing not pissing powerful people off.' All he knew was it was on George, so where was it… Aha!

'You're George, He's Fred!' He exclaimed, directing a finger at each corresponding twin.

'Well.. yeah, how did you know? We thought we'd made it impossible to see, did Harry tell you!?' Fred said, sighing.

'No. Well, he told me it was there and was on George. But I had to look closely and barely made it out. I assume your mother knows as well?' They nodded.

'Yeah, she's the one that did it, actually. Got tired of not being able to tell her precious sons apart, since we are literally identical in every way physically, with only the slightest differences mentally. And seriously, Identical twins are IDENTICAL, in every way physically.' George responded, emphasising the word.

'Well, you are right. One of you is slightly more introverted than the other, and the other one is tidier. I just haven't been able to figure out which was which. Now, I just need to keep observing.' They smiled, said their goodbyes and walked on, looking for an interesting item.

Spotting something in one of the corners, he looked closer. Watching behind him, he kneeled and broke them off. The entire area was dark and had a musty feel, as if it hadn't been cleaned in ages. But considering there wasn't a speck of dust, he figured it was just from age, as they were only supposed to form in old, magic-rich locations. Remembering Harry telling him about the crystals he was searching for, he slipped them into his pocket, and moved on,

Placing his items on the counter, he waited for Liz to finish before he paid for both, winking at his betrothed as they stepped out. The sunlight was blinding for a moment, and he spotted the famed Candy Shop. It was supposed to have the best sweets in the entirety of Wizarding Britain, though that was said a lot about the things in Hogsmeade, so he wondered how many were true, and how many were lies made up by the shopkeepers.

Heading towards Honeydukes, his excitement only grew. After this shop, they'd head over to the Three Broomsticks, where he'd arranged with Rosmerta to get their drinks placed at their table immediately so they didn't waste time. He'd learned her favourite quickly, Butterbeer. What a surprise. Personally, he preferred Paris tea, but that was him.

Eventually, they entered the shop, with a duty window displaying a bunch of sweets, faded lettering overlooking the students as they walked inside. It had a warm, homey feel with yellow lighting that lit up the wood, which he couldn't name off the top of his head. It looked far too processed for him, though. He held his date's arm, as they moved about, looking for sugar quills, which were his favourite. She liked Cauldron Cakes, and when she occasionally offered him one he couldn't say it was bad.

He also got some liquorice wands, pumpkin pasties, and Fudge flies, the latter as a present for Liz. Snagging a couple Chocolate frogs for Harry, he bought them and then stepped out, looking around for what was next. While they had a plan, it was certainly flexible if there was something interesting. Waving hello to Tom, who looked severely confused with Luna on his arm, the two moved across the street to the friendly pub.

While it was packed inside, he had specially reserved a booth for them to talk. She was a bit confused when Rosmerta smiled at the two and placed the drinks in front of them, but didn;t complain as she took a swig from the bottle. A bit uncomfortable, he waited for her to start the conversation.

'So, what do you think of Harry's new idea, to create the lightsabers from star wars?' He hummed as if pensive, before giving his answer.

'While an interesting concept, and I know he's got the idea locked down, there's no way to power it. So even though I do want one, it just seems impossible.' She nodded along.

'I suppose you're right. I was just really holding out hope, we could be our own Jedi Order!' She said, joking as Trip laughed along with her.

'Although, considering how much Harry does the impossible, I would really prefer improbable, in the end. After all, he's nearly died several times, but gotten out of it surprisingly intact. If anyone could find a way to build a lightsaber, it would be him.' They both laughed, and continued joking for a while.

Eventually, they left, Trip having already paid the check, and as they reached the carriages once again, it felt a bit cold as they came closer, with Liz taking his coat to very little protest. They stepped inside, sitting on the blue cushions as the Thestral took them away, back to the castle. The entire time they grinned like idiots, and when it came to a halt, she gave the boy a big kiss on the cheek, before going inside. He grinned like an idiot, standing there before heading back.

Walking around the grounds, he pondered his life so far. He'd had a nasty home life, with an evil step mum who hated him for taking the Fawley and Shafiq lines. And when his father had died, it had gotten far worse, with nobody to protect him.

Though, as she was a firm believer in Blood-Purity, she didn't make him do any chores or labour-intensive work. However, that did not prevent her from taking out her anger in the form of curses, paying a very, very large amount of gold to keep those who monitored such events quiet, as he suffered what seemed to be an eternal torment. Thankfully, he received his Hogwarts letter, which meant freedom from the horrid witch for nine months out of the year. Unfortunately, he learned quite quickly that her punishments worsened when she couldn't hurt him every day.

He had met Harry, and their friendship grew into brotherhood, and that reminder kept him silent during his 'Punishments', something which disturbed the woman. He had grown more confident too, and informed her that if she continued on her path, he'd have his revenge once Hogwarts ended and he could actually cast magic; Which earned him two seconds under the Cruciatus.

Second year had been a nightmare, his brother hurt by everyone who seemed to hate him, and got even worse when they lashed out. He knew Harry could withstand the curses and glares from others, but when it came to his friends, the boy was ruthless. How he'd been sorted into Ravenclaw, Trip would never know. He had heard of the pain his attackers had gone through.

That was the same year he felt pure, unadulterated fear. Luna had been injured severely in a skirmish, and the ones who did it, had supposedly barely come out of the fight Harry instigated with their lives. While he was certainly selfless, the Ravenclaw's rage knew no bounds, and in the end, it might just kill him. The power and potential in Harry would be wasted by fools who thought they knew better and were better, thus signing their own suicide pact.

But, moving onto less depressing thoughts, he traveled to Elizabeth. His father and her parents had signed the contract at the first signs of a burgeoning relationship, in exchange for political acumen and a bit of gold. As he would inherit two titles, with the possibility of a third in Yaxley, he'd been worth more. Thankfully, His father had placed it in a vault only accessible to him, so his stepmother couldn't touch it even if she tried to force him.

It's only real stipulations were they marry on Liz's seventeenth, and they remain virgins. With it being magically enforced with blood, they had no chance of ever getting out, as usual, so they had decided, as soon as they heard it, to try and make it work. If it didn't, they could at least be friends. With the prospective future brightening, he grinned. So far, it was proving to be a fruitful day.

Their date had gone wonderfully, and for once in his life, everything was working out. He moved to go inside, but before he could, in classic movie fashion, an explosion rang out back at Hogsmeade. Groaning, as he knew Harry had something to do with it, he left at a swift pace, looking behind him. Nobody else seemed to have heard it, so he sped up. While it was a ways away, none of the Thestrals looked in the mood to make another trip.

Reaching the gates after five minutes, he sprinted the rest of the way, nto pacing himself at all as he knew whatever it was likely threatened someone's life. He passed thick trees, an abandoned looking house, and into the village proper. Puffing, he made his way to where he'd heard it.

Where once stood a large clearing, was a crater. Trunks of trees were splintered everywhere, as he slipped past the crowd to look around. But dust was thick in the air, and he sneezed as he stared on. The hole seemed to dig into the ground, like a meteor's impact, as his eyes widened. This was not natural, not even an animal could have created it. It had to be man-made, and only three other people in the entirety of Britain could have done such a thing. One was dead, another was up at Hogwarts, which left only Harry.

Swiftly sliding down, he searched desperately for his friend, his brother. The boy he'd stood by in 2nd year, and who had begun worrying him more and more as he grew more isolated, ignoring others in favour of his 'projects.' Floating dirt around, it seemed pointless. Wherever the boy was, he'd be covered in the remnants of the explosion, likely knocked out, and a bit too deep for Trip to spot him.

Thankfully, Tom appeared, and didn't hesitate before jumping in and helping him. They searched for hours, and moments before the final carriage took off, they found him. His head was covered in dried blood, his wand in hand as his shirt was in tatters. A large amount of cuts lay across his body, and they lifted him up. This happened way too often, and they needed to figure out what caused it this time. First stop- Daphne Greengrass.

They managed to make it to the carriage, and sighed as it took off, taking the moment to rest and relax. Their brother had been injured, probably by his own doing, and they had no idea why. It was frightening. So they quickly collaborated on possibilities, but couldn't think of a single good reason. Eventually, they just waited for it to land.

Taking him to the Hospital wing was easy, finding Daphne was the hard part. She'd been slippery and nobody had spotted her, until eventually Trip broke down and grabbed the Marauders Map, spotting her in an abandoned classroom. Placing it back, promising never to take it without explicit permission again, the two hurried off to where they had seen her, catching the girl just as she was about to leave.

Shoving her inside, they noticed tear tracks where she'd been crying, and knew it was something to do with the two's practically nonexistent relationship. Anyone who knew them could see the two were into each other, but neither acknowledged it. Personally, Trip thought that was foolish, as it was just leading towards an unhappy life, But he had ignored it, until it nearly cost their brother his life.

'What is going on with you two? First, nothing's happening, and now I find you crying, right after discovering him seriously injured after a gigantic curse that destroyed an entire clearing!' Daphne choked back new sobs, as she spoke.

'I-I wanted us t-t-to b-be an a-actual c-c-coup-ple. B-but m-my stupid p-parents g-got in the w-way! They threatened him, and now, He won't even hold my hand!' She dissolved into fits of crying as her anger dissipated, and Trip patted her back awkwardly.

'Look, I get it, ok? You wanted to try and make it work, so that the contract didn't curse you in an unhappy life. But the best thing you can do right now, is work up your courage, and go to your parents. Yell at them, scream, make them feel bad. Because they deserve it.' He still felt a bit odd, but he thought it might help.

'I-I j-just d-don't know how to y-yell at them. They've a-always looked o-out for me, and I've been taught they always know what's right. I just can't do it.' She clenched her hands, squeezed her eyes as he thought of something.

'Why don't Me, Liz, Tom and Luna come with you? You know, moral support?' He said, a bit hesitant.

'You'd really do that for me?' The look in her eyes killed him, and he cursed the Elder Greengrasses.

'Of course, I promise. We'll do it tomorrow, in fact, and get Flitwick to help. Harry's his favorite, and if we tell him what we're doing, he'll surely approve. Now come on, it's time for bed.' He pulled her up, and dragged her along carefully, but before he began going up the staircases, she hesitated before going down.

Knowing where she wanted to go, they entered the Hospital wing, where in the darkness, Harry's bed was illuminated by moonlight. Walking over, they sat in chairs, where Hermione, Neville and the rest already were sleeping. They did this far too often. Lying back in his seat, pondering the day, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

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