Chapter 8

(Harry POV)
29th December 1998
5:50pm

'So how is Looney?' Ron was still sulking when they had all sat down to dinner. Hermione was yet to show but he was certain she'd be there any minute, knowing how she hated to be late.

'Luna and Neville are fine.' He shrugged, he didn't really know what to say. Nothing much had happened at their little gathering. Neville and Luna just fawned over each other with utter nonsense whilst Xenophilius had just been wistfully distant.

'They're fine. That's all you've got to say?' Ron asked. It was as if he was offended that neither of them had any information to impart to him. Well, they really didn't.

'Yes. Neville brought some plant to show Mr. Lovegood and Luna has been pretty quiet over the holidays.'

'Right.' Ron said turning his attention to the roast lamb that Arthur was currently carving. He felt sorry for Hermione. She was the least of the three loves that Ron had; first came food then quidditch and then Hermione. Maybe one day it would change but he wasn't holding out for it. He wasn't sure how Hermione handled it to be honest.

'Did you hear that Lucius Malfoy has donated half of his fortune to medical research at St Mungo's, Molly?' Arthur asked, causing Harry to come out of his reverie. Molly made a mm sound before placing a solid amount of peas on her plate then passed the bowl of peas to George.

'What? What's that for?' Ron stuffed a roll in his mouth. After all this time, he still didn't have manners.

'Specifically, for neurological diseases. Something about the Cruciatus curse and it's supposed irreplaceable effects on one's memory.' Harry was reminded of how Neville was saying that his mum had said something about her mother and wondered if it could be reversed.

'Like Neville's parents…' Hermione walked in and grabbed the seat closest to Harry, making sure to avoid eye contact with Ron. She was certainly not forgiving him anytime soon, he mentally shook his head. How these two were together, he did not know. They were like firecrackers ready to explode at any second.

'Yes. Exactly like them dear.' Molly smiled at her. 'Help yourself dear, there's plenty to go around.' Hermione nodded in gratitude at Molly's hospitality but still made no attempt to acknowledge Ron's existence.

'Look who finally shows up.' Ron muttered into Harry's ear and he kicked him from under the table causing him to yelp out which was followed by a disapproving look from Molly which shut him up. He didn't want another argument right now.

'So, why would Lucius do that?' Harry asked Arthur who was now passing out the lamb.

'I can't be certain and I don't want to play into any of the rumours that are going around but I suspect that Lucius or Narcissa might be suffering from years under Voldemort's control.'

'You mean…' George started.

'Yes. One or both of them or maybe even Draco could be suffering with a neurological disorder.' He said.

'Couldn't they just be charitable?' Hermione asked as the plate of lamb arrived at her hands.

'Malfoy? That's not likely.' Ron scoffed at her comment.

'No. She's right Ron. He could just very well be giving to charity. The Malfoys suffered quite a bit of damage to their reputation at the end of the war. This could just be a way to get back into the wizarding world good books.' Arthur shrugged as he tucked into his meal.

'Anyway. It was very nice of them to do that. Even if it doesn't amount to anything.' Molly mused. It was almost as if she wanted to change the subject.

'How was work, dad?' George asked, taking the lead in the conversation.

'Same old, George. More dodgy probity probes turned up today. That's the sixth lot this week. We've had complaints from various people in Edinburgh that they were detecting some rather strange things that weren't hidden or concealed.'

'Like what dad?' George asked.

'Mainly keys. But others have reported that it has been detecting glass in cupboards and plants in an apartment. It's very strange. We've sent it to the department of mysteries to figure out.'

'Where are they coming from?' Hermione asked.

'Most of the packages that these people received have come from a specific address in Scotland. So, not really a worry. The culprits will be brought in and dealt with.' Arthur sighed and the table was silent for a bit whilst they ate their meals. Ron was well into his second helping when Arthur spoke again. 'There's not great news with the big investment companies either. Ever since the breaking of the statute of secrecy people have been withdrawing their galleons just in case another war occurs.'

Harry frowned. That meant Greengrass, Selwyn & Partners was going bust. Would Daphne's family be suffering? The article that Arthur had given him had said the company had been going downhill since the beginning of the war. People hadn't wanted to associate with pureblood names regardless of their standing in the war. He wasn't sure but the article suggested they'd be going into some pretty steep debt soon if people didn't invest. He supposed that the Greengrass family had invested their money elsewhere if they had been smart. He would have to gauge the outcome from the way she looked when they returned to Hogwarts. Or maybe he'd get out the cloak again to investigate. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as what the papers and Arthur were telling him.

'That's awful. Has Kingsley found the culprit for breaking it yet?' Hermione was intrigued.

'No. I'm afraid not…'

'That's enough Arthur.' Molly said, crossly. 'They're just children.'

'But we're not. We'd like to help if we can mum.' Ron complained finishing his last mouthful of roast potato. 'We just fought in a war for goodness sake.'

'Absolutely not, Ronald. I will not have any of you involved in matters that do not concern you. There will be no more talking about wars and breaking rules. I want you kids to finish your education properly. No more distractions. Do I make myself clear?' She said sternly.

'Yes, Mrs. Weasley.' They all said in unison.

'Now. Who would like some dessert?' She smiled, picking up the plates of those who had finished their meals to clear them away.

'I'm still not happy with you Ron.' Hermione said after they had excused themselves from a wonderful dessert of leftover Christmas pudding.

'But I'm telling you, I'm not interested in her. I never will be.' Ron complained as they started to ascend the stairs.

'She's not interested in him either Hermione.' Harry sighed. He was fed up with the arguments that these two were always having.

'How do you know?' She pouted, her hands on her hips.

'I spoke to her. Said she had no interest in hurting you or courting Ron.'

'Courting?' She frowned at his word choice. He wasn't even sure why he had chosen that word.

'You know, taking him away from you.' Harry explained as he brushed past his friends, and headed towards his and Ron's shared room, not wanting to be in their argument anymore. He wanted to know more about Daphne's situation. Was she okay? Were her parents okay? He didn't know. He desperately wanted to write her to find out but it would be weird to write her a letter. He could reply to the one she sent…No. He chastised himself for even considering it. He was not going to come off as desperate. He did that with Cho and where did that go? Nowhere. He lied down on his bed with a huge sigh when the other two entered the room.

'Hey Harry. Are you okay?' Hermione queried.

'Yeah, you seemed a little annoyed on the stairs.' Ron agreed.

'I'm good. Brilliant actually.' He replied, not trying to concern his friends over his worries for his crush.

'You sure mate? You don't look that brilliant.'

'I'm fine Ron. Just drop it.' He seethed. He didn't mean to get upset with his friends, he was just upset and worried about things that were happening. The statue of secrecy being broken, weird exports of fake products, companies going bust. When would his life be normal again?

'Alright. I'll drop it.' Ron backed off and sat on the bed opposite. Hermione took a position beside him.

'Harry. Please don't shut us out again.' He looked over at his friends and their faces said it all. They were concerned he was falling off the wagon like he had when Voldemort had entered his mind.

'I'm not. Just sick of things not being normal.' He shrugged.

'Mate, you're Harry Potter. Your life is never going to be normal.' Ron mused and Harry rolled his eyes at his friend's bluntness. Harry knew his life was never going to be normal but he just had hoped his life would be less hectic as it had been for the past seven years of his life.

'I know but I never asked for all this. Sometimes the pressure gets a little too much.' He sighed in frustration.

'No one is asking you to do anything Harry.' Hermione argued.

'I know but I'm always involved somehow, whether I like it or not.' He countered. They were silent for a moment before Hermione continued.

'Harry…this doesn't have something to do with Daphne?' He raised his eyebrows at his friend. How? How in Merlin's name did she figure that out? He didn't even give them an ounce of indication that he was worried about her.

'What?'

'Come on mate. We know her parents are having issues with their company. I would be worried if I were you.' He looked collectively at his friends. Was he that readable? Did he severely misjudge how well his friends could read him? They were giving him that look of concern that he truly hated.

'So, what if I am? There's not a damn thing I can do. I can't just give them money, no matter how much I would like to, they wouldn't accept it anyway. Their society rejects charity onto themselves. Besides the wizarding world would frown on me for giving my money away to high-earning families. What kind of image would that project?' He was about to go on when Hermione interjected.

'Harry. Stop getting all worked up. We're not saying you need to give them any money. From what I last heard, the Greengrass family were prominent in foreign investment in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. So, they're probably still okay. I'd be more concerned about Selwyn with the majority of their family being associated with Voldemort. We are merely suggesting that you give Daphne your friendship. She probably needs more friends than money right now. Ginny heard from Parvati who overheard Astoria talking to Draco earlier today that she was worried about her sister. She said something about Blaise and Daphne having a huge argument and Blaise went off to the Caribbean with his mother and didn't turn up for Christmas or her birthday. She thinks they're about to break it off.'

'But that could all just be gossip. You know what Parvati is like. I've been seeing her eye of Zabini since Halloween.' Ron frowned.

'I happen to know that Parvati has been smitten on a different Slytherin for some time.' Hermione muttered and covered her mouth. Obviously she hadn't meant to say that.

'Really? Who?' Ron queried like an excited schoolgirl.

'I promised I wouldn't say.' Hermione murmured, she looked up to see their curious faces and she caved. 'Alright. I'll tell you but you've got to promise not to tell anyone.'

'We promise Hermione now tell us.' Ron was getting impatient.

'Goyle.'

'Goyle? Why would anyone like him? He slobbish and boorish. Parvati could do so much better.'

'Ron. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Apparently, Goyle has been doing some community service to repay what his parents did. He was doing some reception work over at St Mungo's with Parvati's parents in the paediatric ward over the summer. They've been spending a bit of time there whilst Parvati did the summer healer program.'

'Blimey.' Ron whistled. 'Who knew Goyle actually had a heart?'

'Seriously Ron. You need to stop judging people too quickly.'

'But…' Harry gave him a glare to tell him to shut up before he started an argument, Ron swallowed and continued. 'No, you're right Hermione. So, you're telling me that Parvati has been staring at Goyle this whole time?'

'Yep.'

'And she's not the faintest bit grossed out by him?'

'Nope.'

'Bloody hell.' Ron exclaimed and fell backwards onto his back on the bed. 'So, if what Parvati said was true then Harry might be in with a chance.'

Hah. He was pretty sure there would be next to no chance of that. She barely talked to him as it was. Apart from the letter. He sat up abruptly. The letter. Where had that come from? She didn't need to send him a letter. She had already thanked him at the game. Could it mean…? He felt his jean pocket where a letter from Luna sat. She had given it to him earlier to pass on to Ginny. But he hadn't as of yet.

'Harry? What's wrong?' Hermione asked.

'Uh, nothing. Just remembered that Slughorn set us homework over the break and we still have to do it.' He lied. He had actually already done it for once.

'Oh…yeah. I still need to do that.' Ron agreed.

'You two are useless.' Hermione sighed and got up to leave the room. 'I'm not doing any of it for you. If you want me, I'm going to find Ginny.' She said, slamming the door behind her.

'Bloody hell, she needs to chill.' Ron rolled his eyes and sat up with a grunt. 'Oh well. I think we'd better get onto our homework.'

'I've already done it.' He admitted to Ron.

'What? So, you lied to Hermione?' Ron asked, a look of shock on his face.

'Yeah. I did.' He smirked a Slytherin worthy smirk and went around the bed to retrieve the letter from his trunk.

'What's that?' He could tell Ron was confused but he wasn't going to let him in on his secret letter just yet.

'Just a letter from Luna. She asked me to pass this on to Ginny. Who knows what they're up to?' He shrugged.

'But potions…'

'My essay is on top of my robes. Use it but just don't copy it. I don't think Slughorn would appreciate it much.'

'Thanks Harry, you're a legend.' Ron said as Harry walked out of the room and bumped right into…

'Ginny.'

'Harry. What's happening?' She asked. 'What's that?' She indicated to the letter in his hand.

'Oh…uh. Hang on. I've got a letter for you from Luna.' He took the letter of his pocket and handed the slightly crumpled letter to her.

'Oh. Brilliant. Thanks Harry. Where are you off to? Hermione said that you had to do a potions essay.'

'On it.' He held the letter up sheepishly, knowing full well he was lying. 'Just going to go outside for some fresh air.'

'Like some company?' She asked.

'No. That's alright Ginny. You should probably get onto reading that letter. Luna made it sound pretty important.' He half-grinned. There was no hostility between them after their breakup. It was awkward for a couple of weeks but then it had become normal between them again. Perhaps because they both moved on.

'Alright Harry.' She said and made her way up the stairs. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued downstairs and out to the garden grabbing his coat as he did. It was still particularly icy outside and he felt almost as if it would snow at any minute. Ignoring his better judgement, he braved the cold and walked down the garden path, using his wand to light the way to an old rickety garden bench where he intended to read into the meaning of her letter.

'Hiya Harry.' A sad voice stopped him in his tracks at the end of the path.

'Hi George. What are you doing out here?'

'I could ask you the same thing Harry.' He mused. 'Is that a letter from dear Daphne?' He stared at the Weasley brother, unsure of what to make of his accusation. 'You might be able to fool Ron and Hermione but you can't fool me. Look mate, if there's one thing I've learnt in life is that it's far too short to be concerning yourself with what ifs. You're going to be wasting precious time that you can have with the ones you love.'

He looked at the man in front of him. He was much the same George he had seen so many times before but there was something more mature about him now. He wasn't as lively as he once had been. It nearly broke his heart when he saw a single tear flow down his face.

'We all miss him you know.' He said quietly.

'I know.' He whispered and bowed his head a little before looking back at Harry. 'He was my best friend. My brother. My other half. I just feel so lost. The business doesn't feel the same. Faith and Greg are a godsend but it's just not the same. No one understands my humour quite as much as Fred did. And then there's Angelina. She loved Fred more than anyone and now she's looking to me for support when I can barely hold it together myself. I just don't know how to live without him.' George let out a huge sob and bit his fist before trying to pull himself together again. Harry sat down on the bench next to George and placed his hand on his shoulder in comforting support. 'Mum…she's trying so hard to get over it but every time she sees me, she gives me a grim looking face. It hurts. Because I know she loves me but she's constantly reminded of her other son which isn't here anymore. She's been pushing me to get therapy you know. I just haven't had the courage. Dad…he tries his best to keep us all together. I can tell he misses him too but he doesn't get as caught up as mum…' He trailed off for a moment where they both just sat in silence. It was only the call of an owl that brought their attention back to the conversation at hand. 'How do you deal with all the pain Harry?'

How did he deal with all the pain he felt for those who had died? His parents, Cedric, Sirius, Dobby, Lupin, Tonks, Snape, Fred? It was a good question and he wasn't really sure how to answer it. But he had to say something so he said the first thing that came to mind.

'I suppose you just have to realise that there are others around you who love you and are worth living for. Yeah he may be gone but never completely. His memories live on within you. Within all of us. I suppose you just realise that holding on to the good times is better than holding onto your grief.' He didn't know where the advice had come from but it was good, solid advice. George sat there for a moment, taking in what he had told him.

'You're right Harry. I just wouldn't know where to begin.' He admitted and sank his face into his palms.

'That's what the therapist healer is for.' Harry reminded him. He had been to one a couple of times after the war had ended for psychoanalysis and fitness testing to ensure he was mentally coping with the aftermath. It had helped him get back to some sense of normality. Perhaps it would help George too.

'You don't say…' He joked half-heartedly.

'Just say you'll go for Molly's sake. She's really worried she's losing another son.' Harry sighed.

'When did you get so wise?' George lifted his head to smirk at him.

'Come on George.' Harry was glad there was some sort of humour still left somewhere within him. It made he believe that he'd recover from it.

'Alright…alright. I will.' He succumbed to the pressure that Harry was giving him. 'Not sure it's going to help but at least it will keep you lot screwed on.' Harry gave him a half nod and looked down to the piece of paper he was still holding in his hand. George looked at him with a calculative expression as if to say, 'what's going on there anyway?'

'Before you ask, there's nothing there.' He rolled his eyes.

'You keep telling yourself that mate.' George stood gave him a wink and walked back down the path towards the house. Harry just sat there gobsmacked by the conversation he had just had with George. He had opened up to him more than he had to anyone else in months. It had to mean he was getting better hadn't it?

Discarding that thought, he opened the letter and began to read again.

Dear Harry…

(Daphne POV)

Day 2 6:02am

'So, tell me why I am getting up this early?' She asked grumpily as she pulled on her coral pink, satin dressing down as she was being dragged down the hall by a very haggard looking Draco.

'I've been thinking…'

'Never a good thing around you Draco.'

'Hardy ha. Very funny. Anyway, I was thinking we should take a trip to see the Weasel.'

'Ron? Why would we go and see him?' She asked. She wasn't sure why Draco would ever suggest something like that. The two couldn't stand each other in the least. It was very unnerving if she said so herself.

'Ah. Because he knows where Potter is.' Draco pointed out the obvious.

'That still doesn't explain why I am up this early?' She mumbled. She barely slept last night which probably wasn't helping her mood.

'Are you forgetting that aurors start work at seven in the morning?' He quirked an eyebrow at her as they rounded the corner into Draco's kitchen. Half a dozen house-elves were making breakfast. One elf that was overseeing a waffle oven caught her eye and her stomach groaned in anticipation.

'No…but wouldn't Harry be at the auror office this early anyway?' She asked.

'Perhaps on any normal day, but my guess is that he's going to be taking the day off. Potter privileges and all. My guess is that he'll be too upset to come into work today.'

'So, you're telling me that we are going to go and annoy Ron into giving him Harry's whereabouts?' She asked. This plan just didn't seem to have any sense to it at all. Ron wouldn't give up his location for anything. At least she thought he wouldn't.

'Correction. You're going to.' He booped her nose and sat her down next to him at the table.

'So, how do you suppose I'm to do that?' She asked.

'Sweet. Sweet Daphne. You're a Slytherin remember? Cunning. Ambitious. Can get her way when she wants it. I'm sure you can think of something. But for now. Eat.' An elf placed a small stack of waffles in front of her. 'Then you're going to sit in Ron's office until he arrives.'

'The element of surprise.' She smirked at him. Still not believing if the plan would actually work.

'Precisely.' She took a mouthful of waffle and looked up to see the trademark smirk on Draco's face. Well, even if she wasn't sure how this plan would work, it didn't mean she couldn't at least try.

Day Two 7:01am

She sat uncomfortably at the worn-out leather desk chair. He really should get that replaced was her first thought. Where was he anyway? He was one minute late but that didn't mean he was already here. His secretary had said that he usually stopped by the breakroom first to get a coffee so there probably wasn't a reason to worry. She sighed looking at his office. It was surprisingly neat for what she had expected from him. Perhaps it was Hermione's influence. She looked at the pictures on his desk. There were three in total. The first was of him and his family in front of what appeared to be an Egyptian Pyramid. She vaguely remembered something about the Weasley family going on a trip there. Draco had complained about it for a week before he moved back to complaining about Harry and Gryffindor house in general. She liked the photo. It showed they were a family. Something her parents had never really cared for on their holidays. She ignored the pang of jealously and want in her stomach before moving on to the next picture. It was of Hermione and him. They were smiling and laughing over a butterbeer and birthday cake. She sighed and gave a half-smile. At least someone was happy. The third and final picture was of the four of them. Wait. What? The four of them? Why was she included? Did he really think that highly of her? She had only expected the three of them. The Golden Trio. Not the Golden Trio plus the Slytherin Ice Queen or whatever they were calling her these days. She picked up the picture bringing it to sit on her lap. They were somewhere exotic. It was as if they were at an island resort or something. She didn't remember ever going there. But it definitely was beautiful. She and Hermione were both wearing frangipanis in their hair and their skin was slightly sun kissed from the exposure. She was wearing the same bikini she had seen in the picture on her dresser. Perhaps this was from that same holiday. The boys were wearing swimming trunks, Harry's a light green and Ron's a deep red. They were standing on the beach in front of the ocean, laughing and having a good time. It almost made her tear up at how close she seemed to these people. She could tell it was more than just a relationship. It was a genuine friendship.

'Thanks Trevor.' She looked up as she saw Ron walk towards the office door. Quickly placing the picture frame back on the desk, she swivelled her chair to face the door. When he opened the door, he spilled his coffee a bit in surprise.

'Bloody hell…sorry Daphne. Didn't expect to see you there. What are you doing here so early?' He asked her as he set the coffee on his desk, taking out his wand to clean up the mess.

'Look Ron. I need to see Harry…' She started.

'He doesn't want to see yo…'

'I am aware of that.' She interrupted. 'But do you want to see us together or not?' She turned it on to him to see if he would react. If the photo were anything to go by, surely he would want them together.

'Of course, I do Daphne. That's why I went to find him. But he's also my friend and he's hurt. He needs time.' He shrugged.

'But I don't need any more time. I have decided.' She said not fully aware of what she was saying.

'And what have you decided?' He asked sipping his coffee again and coming around the desk. 'Do you mind?' She was in his seat but she didn't want to give him the upper hand, quirking an eyebrow at him and gesturing to the seats at the other side of the desk. She was going to show him who was in charge here.

'Nope I don't mind at all.' She gave him a half glare and he sighed and went around the other side of the desk to his visitor chairs.

'Well. Are you going to tell me what you've decided?' He was getting impatient with her.

'My answer is yes.' She said confidently.

'You mean it?' He nearly spat his coffee again.

'Yes. I couldn't imagine my life without him.' Which she supposed was true in some way. Harry Potter would always be in her life some way or another, actually everyone's life whether the wizarding world liked it or not.

'That still doesn't mean I'm going to tell you.' He shrugged and finished his obviously lukewarm coffee, throwing the cup in the rubbish bin next to the desk. She sighed in frustration. She thought Hermione was stubborn.

'Look Ron. I'm going to give you two options. You either tell me where Harry is and we'll be done here or I'll tell Molly you were purposely trying to keep us apart. And perhaps you broke her set of extremely precious teacups. I'm sure the walls of the auror department could do with a howler or two today, don't you think?' She gazed at the man across from her. He gulped and she smirked. She had gotten under his skin.

'But her tea set isn't broken.' He argued, raising an eyebrow at her.

'Not yet it isn't.' She grinned at him.

'You wouldn't dare Greengrass. She loves those teacups. Her mother gave them to her.'

'Oh, but I would. Care to find out?' She asked defiantly. He was so going to lose this argument.

'But I'm her son. Why would she believe you?'

'Do you honestly think a woman who was raised in the pureblood society would break a precious teacup set? Surely that would bring dishonour to her family name.'

'Argh. You're blackmailing me.' He groaned in frustration. 'Fine. I'll tell you where he is, but only because I don't want to find out if you would actually frame me. I do not need mum yelling at me on top of everything else today.' She grinned. That was way to easy. 'He's at your Aunt Porsha's house…'

'Excuse me, what?' She asked.

'You heard me.' He replied. It was apparently his turn to smirk. 'He didn't think you'd go anywhere near there. That's why he went.' She swallowed the lump that came to her throat. He did know her too well. She'd never go to her family in times of crisis. It just wasn't her style. She hated worrying them. 'Is that all you wanted to know?' He asked.

'Ah yes. Thank you, Ron.' She said, getting up to leave.

'Just promise me that you'll go get him Greengrass.' He replied embracing her in a comforting hug before letting her go.

'I will Ron.' She smiled at him and as she left his office, she was feeling all sorts of jelly. Firstly, because she was nervous. Secondly, she couldn't believe that Harry knew her so well and thirdly, Ron had just squeezed the living daylights out of her. But wasn't it a good thing that Harry was with her aunt? She could kill two birds with one stone…so to speak.

'Miss Greengrass. Miss Greengrass?' A tall, spindly man with glasses, a goatee and a silver ministry tag named Frederick came up to her as she walked down the hall.

'Can I help you?' She asked.

'It's me. Mr. Potter's secretary.' He said. She looked at the man with a questionable look. He didn't bother for her to reply. 'Mr. Potter owled in sick this morning. He won't be in today.'

'I am aware of that. Frederick is it?' She asked. 'I was here to see Mr. Weasley actually. I'm off to see Harry now.'

'Oh. I do apologise. Please give my regards to Mr. Potter. I do hope he gets better soon.'

'As do I.' She lied and left the poor man there, walking down the hallway to the elevators. Sorry Frederick. She was on a mission now. Not even Harry could stop her.

She apparated to the little snowed in village trying to be careful that no one saw her. But she wasn't so sure that no one had saw her as she heard a sharp intake of air and a crunch of snow behind her.

'Hello. Who's there?' She asked in the darkly lit alleyway. She couldn't see anyone though. That was weird. She shook her head. Maybe it was just a bit of snow falling to the ground from a roof. She shrugged and walked out of the alleyway and towards her house. She needed to freshen up first if she were going to see her aunt and Harry. She wanted to look her best. Even if the proposal wasn't real.

Walking into the cold and empty house she shivered a little. Was it just her or did something seem out of place? She was a little uneasy as she ascended the stairs towards her room. It was like someone had been in here. Now she wondered if there had been someone behind her when she apparated into the alleyway next to the house. It was as if she were being watched.

'Harry?' She asked to the air to which there was no response. 'Harry? Are you there?' She called again. Maybe he had come back? 'Please. If you are here. I'm sorry. You just caught me off guard. Could we start over?' What was she doing? She was being so paranoid. She was sure he wouldn't be caught dead in this place after the way she had disregarded his question. But could you blame her? This wasn't the right Daphne in this timeline. She hardly knew him. Besides marriage proposals were something of a big thing in her family. Well, most pureblood families to be honest. It wasn't right for them to just come out of the blue.

'Harry?' She called once more as she rounded the door into the bedroom, wand at the ready - just in case. There was no one there. The room was completely destitute of life. Except she did notice that there was one thing out of place and that was a letter on the neatly made bed. She couldn't help but feel intrigued as she approached the letter. Who was it from? Was it from Harry? Was it for her? Was it for Harry? Was that why she felt so off when she came into the house? The elegant white and gold envelope was so meticulously placed in the middle of the bed, extravagant or scrawly – she couldn't decide – gold lettering was scattered across the front of the envelope. On closer inspection, they spelt her name. No. It definitely was scrawly. She cautiously picked up the envelope and turned it over to see the crest within some golden wax that she and Harry had received from Hermione as a gift. So…it was from Harry. She swallowed hard as she was not sure what to expect from him. Cautiously opening the letter, she pulled out the parchment to read.

Daphne,
I wanted you to have this despite what happened. I don't need an explanation; I understand that you don't want to get married. I'll even understand if you don't want to be together anymore. I moved things too fast and I'm not sure if we can go back to the way things were. Even if we don't go back to the way things were, at least have this crystal Phoenix. I got it especially made for you with a replica of the ring I was going to give you in the heart of it. It was for the centrepiece of your collection. You always said there wasn't one piece that could be the centrepiece, I hope this one will work. Please don't hate me. Just know that I only did it because I love you and I always will.
Yours,
Harry

How could he say that? She could never hate him. Now she really had to find him and explain to him what was going on. A single tear ran down her face and she wiped it away. She hated this. She hated hurting people. Where was the phoenix anyway? She nearly jumped when a purple and gold box materialised where the letter had been merely moments before as soon as the thought was out there.

'I'm sorry.' She said out loud to no one in particular. She sighed and sat on the bed, picking up the box delicately and opening it. She nearly regretted opening it the minute she opened it. She shouldn't have done that, she chastised herself. Now she was going to be an emotional wreck. She couldn't believe just how gorgeous and ornate the phoenix was in the morning light. The glow of the morning radiated across the room in hues of bright scarlet and gold. The glint of diamonds and rubies in a swirling sparkly orb within the heart of the phoenix burned like fire as if the phoenix were in its rebirth stage. She could not believe just how intricate this creature was, just how much care, thought and consideration went into its creation. To be perfectly truthful, she was stunned. Nothing could possibly beat this gift. Absolutely nothing. It would do perfectly as a collection centrepiece. She was just stunned in awe at its beauty.

So much so, she hadn't noticed the figure standing at the door with an equally stunned demeanour.

Until next time Zozo :)