Chapter 9

(Daphne POV)

Day Two 7:45am

'I thought that you might be here.' The figure mused, causing her to illicit a gasp and snap her head towards her intruder. 'Well don't just sit there gaping at me child. I suspect you have many questions to ask of me.'

'Aunt Porsha. You startled me.' She swallowed the gape and placed the phoenix on the bed, before elegantly getting up to greet her aunt properly, like she had been taught to do.

'Daphne Lorena Greengrass. How many times do I have to tell you that you do not need to use such formalities on me? I may be your mother's sister but that does not mean I buy into all that high society nonsense. Come and give me a hug.' Daphne need not have been told twice as she flung herself into the open arms of her most favourite aunt. 'Now. That's more like it.' She mused as Daphne took in the sweet essence of her aunt's wild honey lotus perfume, the slight intoxicating citrus elements helping to ease the anxiety that had crept up on her these past twenty-four hours. 'Now, I am going to make an assumption here. Do tell me if I am wrong.' She cleared her throat a little as she continued to hold her, running her hands through her slightly tangled locks in an attempt to calm her. 'You took the future potion that I gave you for your nineteenth birthday.'

'Yes.' Daphne sobbed into Porsha's shoulder which made the woman grip her tighter.

'Relax. Dear. Everything will be alright.'

'How can it? I royally screwed up everything.' She was being hysterical and she knew it. But how was she supposed to fix everything now?

'Nonsense dear. You have not screwed up a thing.' She loosened her grip and pushed her out so they were now looking at each other face to face. 'I do believe I owe you an explanation though. Come with me.' She gestured for her to follow her towards the chest at the end of her bed and Daphne obediently followed. 'Now. I was quite shocked to find Mr. Potter on my doorstep last night. I heard he proposed and…'

'I said nothing. But it wasn't my fault Porsha. You have to understand Harry and I have barely had any interaction and for him to just propose like that..'

'Was a big shock to the system.' Porsha interrupted her sentence. 'Look. The thing about the future potion is that it takes you to a specific time in your most probable future so that it will project a difference in your current life.'

'Which means?' She asked.

'It means that there is something in your current life that this particular moment in time will help you change.' She paused. 'If wish to do so.'

'But why do I need to change it? My life at home is perfectly fine.' She was confused. Why would the potion take her to this moment in time to change? Did it want her to change the course of her relationship, ah, her acquaintance with Harry? But why? She was certain that the attitude of one Slytherin to Gryffindors was not going to make a whole lot of difference in the long run.

'That may be the case Daphne. But I never said you had to. It is up to you which road you take from this potion. Continue as you were or take this road. Or perhaps even go in a completely different direction. But there is a reason that this potion has brought you here. Just don't discredit it completely because you don't like the outcome.'

'I never said I didn't like the outcome. It's just that…' She trailed off.

'Just that it is drastically and shockingly different from what you expected.' Porsha offered, raising her eyebrows and the edges of her mouth in what appeared to be a smirk which she didn't need an explanation for. She knew what her aunty was thinking. She wanted her to come to this future. But in all honesty, was it something she wanted too? She sighed. Did she even want a future with Harry? She certainly wasn't going anywhere with Blaise. She was going to break up with him when they got back. But would real-time Harry be as receptive as the one in this timeline? True. He had helped her sister pick out the best gift she had ever gotten from her. She just didn't know. But the potion had brought her here and showed her what a future with Harry looked like and it wasn't so bad. In fact, it was better than she could've imagined. Except now she had messed it up.

'Aunt Porsha. Where did your potion take you?' She suddenly asked, wondering how the potion had changed her life. She was hopeful that it would give her some clarity as to how it could alter someone's life.

'Ah. To Hans.' Her aunt replied, dreamily.

'Hans?' Daphne had never once heard of a Hans in her life. Who was this Hans?

'He was your uncle to be until...' She looked down at the ring on her left hand. Was that her engagement ring?

'What happened?' She sighed in recognition. Hans had been her aunt's true love. Sweetheart. Whatever you wanted to call it.

'To Hans?' She asked and Daphne nodded. 'He was a healer in a South American wizard colony. There was an outbreak of a very rare strain of dragon pox. Most of the wizards and witches in the colony contracted the disease. He was very careful to be safe when treating his patients but unfortunately it wasn't good enough. He caught the dragon pox and was immediately sent home for quarantine in St. Mungo's. The healers were able treat him and he was recovering well enough. So much so that we originally thought he'd make it through but he died from complications in his recovery about a month after his return. This was well before you were born and I don't like to speak of it much. All I have left of him is his grandmother's ring with his essence attached inside, some old photographs and a letter saying that his final wish was to see the world.' Porsha looked dazed in a sad dream that she seemed to have gone off into space.

'Is that why you travel so much?' She asked, bringing her aunt back to reality.

'Yes. I take this ring wherever I go. That way I am taking him with me and fulfilling his wishes. Luckily, I had the same dream.' She chuckled a little.

'So, if the potion took you to Hans. Does that mean the potion wants me to get closer to Harry? But if it does then why? Why would getting close to Harry do anything for the wizarding world? I'm not special. I'm not important like him and his friends. I can't offer anything.'

Porsha conjured a photo frame she hadn't noticed before and it came flying over to her lap. It was of the golden trio, herself, Draco, Tori, Blaise and some other girl she hadn't noticed before. They were at some gala event. Perhaps a Malfoy event judging by the rose hedge garden in the background. But they weren't separated by house, like they usually were. They were mingling in amongst themselves like they were old friends.

'See Daphne. In this reality, you brought the end of a rivalry which was seemingly tearing two house groups apart.' She then conjured a paper out of nowhere. 'Look at this, my dear.' Daphne took the paper from her aunt and unfolded it to reveal a headline which read:

PROPHET EXCLUSIVE: Greengrass-Potter Alliance Saves Wizarding World

Jeremy Onomatopoeia

'But I can't read it.' She said, seeing that the article had all been blurred out from then on.

'Unfortunately. That would be the potion's doing. There are certain events in time that are fixed. This is one of them. You can't read it because if it were to change, then terrible things could happen.' Porsha explained.

'So that's it then. I'm destined to be with Potter.' Daphne sighed; it didn't appear she had a choice in the matter. She and Harry were meant to be. No way out of it.

'Please try to understand that this potion does not show your destiny. The future can always be rewritten. This moment in time…' She nodded to the paper. 'May be fixed, meaning that it will happen but it does not mean you have to choose Harry.'

'But if I do?'

'This future is likely to be yours.' Porsha looked around.

'And if I don't?' She swallowed; not sure that she would like the answer.

'Who is to say? The future is not set-in stone.' She smiled at her and Daphne sighed. She was not sure how any of this information helped her. The potion was here to send her on a path. To choose Harry or not to choose Harry. That was the question.

'So…what am I supposed to do now?' She asked. 'Harry won't speak to me.'

'My dear…he's been here all along.' Porsha said quietly.

'What? What do you mean Porsha? He's not…'

'Harry. Come out from under that cloak please.' Porsha said to the air and Daphne thought she must've been going crazy. But suddenly, he appeared from underneath an invisibility cloak. She gasped, not even knowing that they existed. But more embarrassed that Harry knew about all this.

'I'm sorry.' She blurted out immediately.

'I know everything Daphne. You don't need to explain. Or apologize for that matter.' He said, dropping the cloak on the floor.

'Were you the one who was following me out in the snow?' She asked, still not taking her eyes off the cloak.

'I was lucky you didn't apparate on top of me. You were that close. I could've been splinched.' He gestured with his hand and chuckled a little. When her eyes didn't waiver from the cloak he continued. 'It was a gift from my dad. Dumbledore gave it to me for Christmas back in first year. It's come in handy over the years.'

'I'd say.' She mused finally taking her eyes off the cloak to look at him. She wished she hadn't because she felt a fresh flush rise in her cheeks. 'So…how much of everything do you know?' She swallowed hard, somehow feeling very uncomfortable to be in this circumstance.

'When Porsha brought me in last night, I explained everything that had gone on. She couldn't believe it and wondered if you had been under some sort of spell.'

'When I had heard you had been to Peru, I remembered reading that there had recently been cases of people who had been cursed to act out of the ordinary and went straight to my potion cupboard to find the remedy. Hans had worked with people like that and had always had the remedy on hand. Then I saw my bottle of the 48 Hour Potion and wondered if that might be what had happened.' She stopped and Harry continued.

'So, she then explained that it could be the effects of this potion.' He shrugged. 'I was sceptical. I hadn't heard of it before. But then she explained how it worked and I couldn't help but wonder if it was what had happened. So…when you nearly apparated on top of me, I quickly grabbed Porsha and we came here to investigate. Now, we know it was the potion.' He explained.

'Are you still upset with me?' She asked.

'How could I be? You can't remember any of the last two years. Possibly more. You don't remember us ever being together. I get it. I can't blame you for reacting that way, I'd have done the same.'

'But I lied to you.' She couldn't believe all the hostility he was holding towards her yesterday had just vanished like it had never existed.

'Well. Yes. But I believe you lied to Hermione and Malfoy as well.' He shrugged. 'Look. I understand why, you didn't want to sound like a lunatic.'

'That's not it at all. I was worried the potion's effects would be ruined if I told anyone the truth.' She admitted. Now that she said it out loud, she did sound like a raging lunatic.

Porsha just laughed. 'The whole selling point of the potion is that it's without consequence. Nothing you do here will change the course of the past. Yet you can take what you learnt here and then prompt change back in your reality.'

'Oh…' She felt horrible, and stupid and completely and totally dumb. How had she missed that? So, she didn't have to lie to anyone. 'But that doesn't answer my question.'

'Which is…?' Harry and Porsha said in unison.

'What do I do now?'

'Well, I believe it is time that you and Harry have a talk on your own. How about you come downstairs and I'll make you some hot chocolate?'

Harry groaned in appreciation. 'Yes please. Your hot chocolate recipe is the best. Just don't tell Mrs. Weasley.' Daphne smiled inwardly a little at his admission. Porsha secret was that she added melted semi-sweet chocolate chips into her hot chocolate with a dash of essence of peppermint toad. It added the taste of a peppermint toad without the side effect of the toad jumping around in the drinker's stomach. It was the one thing she never let anyone apart from her favourite niece know about. She wondered if she had ever made it for Harry in this reality.

'I wouldn't dream of it.' Porsha smiled and went ahead of them out of the room and downstairs. Harry grabbed Daphne's hand and gave it a squeeze, prompting her to become stiff. He recoiled and she felt bad that her instantaneous reaction was to flinch. It wasn't like he was going to hurt her.

'Sorry.' He half-mumbled and half-whispered. 'I'm just so used to holding your hand.'

'No. I don't mind. I'm just not used to it.' She whispered back and reached out her hand for him to take in his hand. He took it tentatively, giving her a weak smile.

'I'm not going to lie…' He began. 'I was really hurt when you didn't say anything. I thought you were going to break my heart.'

'I feel awful about that.' She sighed as the descended the steps. 'I never intended to do that.'

'I know. You never want to hurt someone on purpose. It is one of the reasons I fell for you in the first place.'

'Oh…' She didn't know what to say to that. Apparently, he didn't either as they both walked into the kitchen without saying another word. Porsha was scooping hot chocolate into mugs as they both sat down at the modern barstools at the breakfast bar. Harry let go of her hand and she thought she was losing it when she began to mourn the loss of his hand. So, she tried to get her mind off it by changing the subject. Well sort of.

'Just so you know. It was perfect.' She said.

'What was?' He raised his eyebrows and she couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't noticed just how cute he was when he was confused.

'Your proposal. It was truly magical. The balcony overlooking the snow. Fairy lights. I couldn't imagine anything better. My parents had always wanted me to have an arranged marriage and to get engaged in front of the entire family at a big gala event. I hate drawing attention to myself. That's how it would've been if I had been with Blaise any longer.'

'Well. Thank you.' He mused. 'I already knew that and that's why I did it that way but I wanted to be close to my family so I tried to incorporate that too.'

'No. Thank you.' She smiled at him. She couldn't believe just how sweet and thoughtful this guy was, she just thought he was reckless and brave. Always wanting to save the day. It was so refreshing to see another side of him that many didn't see.

'You're welcome.' He smiled back. 'I'll never get how you two make hot chocolate. It's always so much better than any of the other hot chocolates I've had.' Porsha looked over her shoulder to wink at her and she smirked.

'There is no secret to it.' Daphne smirked.

'I don't believe you. One of these days Daphne. I will get it out of you.' He declared and to say the least Daphne was quite amused by his fascination with the hot chocolate recipe.

'Keep trying Harry. It's not going to work.' She smiled sweetly and he shook his head.

'Don't worry, I will.' He grinned.

'So, tell me. What made you change your mind about me?' She changed the subject again, afraid that they'd come to a stalemate.

'What do you mean?' He asked, still trying to look over Porsha's shoulder in the hopes he would find out the recipe.

'I mean when did it all change? You helped my sister find a present for me for my nineteenth birthday. You gave me a journal with a relaxation spell on it. You must've liked me then so how long before that?' She asked.

He sighed as if telling her was straining him. 'Uh, it was after the war…'

'And?' She was trying to encourage him. Why was it hard for him to talk about?

'It was just before Halloween. You and Zabini had a fight in front of everyone in the Great Hall. You didn't break up then. But the majority of Gryffindor had bets on when it would happen.'

'I remember. I looked over at you after Blaise stormed out.' She murmured.

'Why did you?' He seemed curious to know the answer.

'I don't know. I was embarrassed. I wanted to get out of there and never return. Then I suddenly locked eyes with you.'

'Most intense gaze ever might I add.' He chuckled.

'Anyway, I remembered the times that the whole school disliked you and how you never once let it stop you. I guess that was what helped me. I took a leaf out of your bravery book that day and joined Draco at the table despite my best judgement. Was that it?'

'Wow. I…, it was more the fact that I kept running into you after that. But you started to acknowledge my existence. You'd say hello, you'd smile at me, you were placed on the same desk in potions, we'd run into each other in the hallways, quidditch matches…you name it. I just couldn't get my mind off you. One time I ran into you on the way out of the girl's bathroom on the second floor…'

'Moaning Myrtle's bathroom? What were you doing in there?' She asked, curious to find out why the boy who lived hanged out with the whinging ghost but also why they were in the girls lavatory.

'Hermione, Ron and I visit her from time to time. It was just something Hermione wanted to do. She dragged us along. Anyway, I just could not forget you. I didn't think you'd even give me the time of day.'

'So, what happened?'

'You did.' He replied as Porsha gave them their hot chocolates and then left the room, giving them some privacy.

'What did I do?' She so desperately wanted to find out how she reached this point in her life and so far Harry was being receptive to her need for information. But just how much was he going to give her?

'Well, it wasn't so much as what you did. It was more what Hermione did so I was able to talk to you without Malfoy driving me away.' He smirked and chuckled as if it were a funny memory.

'What did Hermione do then?'

'You know Hermione. She can never do anything without such a meticulously thought out plan. Ron and I swear it was like a 10-stage plan that she had drawn out with all the pros and cons and all possible reactions she'd receive from Malfoy and your other friends.'

'Oh my…' She gasped. 'And she did all that just so that you could talk to me?'

'Yes.' He blushed a little and she smirked at how cute she found his embarrassment over a small issue of not being able to talk to her whilst Draco was around.

'Wow.' She was dumbstruck that he cared for her so much that he'd go to drastic measures just to talk to her.

'It started at the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin first week back from winter break…she started meddling with your friends, particularly Malfoy, as he practically never left your side. She would send notes for them to meet certain people in strange and far away locations, set up diversions, distract Malfoy with head boy and girl problems, I believe she even flirted with Nott in charms class. Just enough so that he wanted to be paired up with her and I could pair up with you. Flitwick was trying to pair us up in male and female pairs, each from different houses just in case you were wondering.'

'Merlin…' She gasped in horror, she couldn't even picture Hermione flirting with Theo. She could just imagine the looks she could've gotten from Pansy. Possibly even threats after class.

'She's not proud of that last one but it worked.' He chuckled. 'We never let her live it down though.'

'I can only imagine. Pansy wouldn't have taken it well.'

'Oh yeah, she was angry. Threatened her after class to stay away from him or she'd bat bogey hex her across the English Channel. It was safe to say she never attempted that again. Nor did she have to, as we were official the week after.' He took a sip of the hot chocolate and groaned in appreciation.

'It's not that good.' She rolled her eyes.

'Not that good.' His eyes glistened at her in amusement.

'Fine. It's the best hot chocolate I have had but I'm sure there are better ones out there.' She shrugged. She couldn't believe she was arguing with Harry Potter over hot chocolate.

'That's more like it.' He smirked and they fell into a brief silence as they drank their beverages. 'Daphne. What are you going to do when you go back to your reality?'

She swallowed her drink hard, nearly burning her throat to death but she couldn't focus on that now. What was she going to do when she got back? She couldn't just miraculously change her tune towards everyone. She could be outcast by her friends. Not to mention, the real Harry and his friends would be suspicious and wonder why she was suddenly paying attention to them. Did he even like her yet? This reality seemed to point at it, but she couldn't be sure. Could she trust the potion to be telling her the truth? She was definitely going to be paying more attention to him though to see if it were true. She also have to break it off with Blaise officially. She didn't want to be tied to him anymore. He deserved someone who was on the same wavelength as him and that just wasn't her. But she also needed to focus on herself. Getting herself to be financially independent. The Newell Selwyn partnership with her parents was in a shamble and although they had investments elsewhere, she was not going to be taking any chances when it came to her parents friendships.

'I guess I'll break things off with Blaise. As for the other stuff, I'm not sure. I need to focus on my future. My education. Get a job.'

'Fair enough. But Daph, promise me that if the chance for you to get to know him, me, whatever comes along, please consider it. We're not bad…I guess we're a decent guy.' Harry blushed and frowned in slight confusion embarrassment and she couldn't contain her amusement, giggling at him. 'Stop it, Daph. I'm being serious.'

'I know. It was just funny, the way you said it.' She replied. 'I promise I'll give you a chance though.' She truly meant it. If this were her future, she'd definitely want the opportunity to see if she could make it here in reality, even if it was altered slightly. He gave her a small, supportive smile before taking the last sip of his hot chocolate and placing the mug down in front of him.

'So, have you seen your crystal room yet?' He observed her casually and changed the subject to something lighter. It was either that or he just wanted to go somewhere a little more private. She was pretty sure her aunt would've been listening despite vacating the room to give the illusion of privacy.

'No. I haven't, but I've really wanted to see it.' She admitted. It was the truth. She had desperately wanted to see that room ever since it was mentioned that she had it.

'Come on then.' He grabbed her hand and she had no choice but to abandon her hot chocolate on the bench as he dragged her out of the room. 'We'll have to grab the phoenix first.' He said once they were outside their room. He left her briefly the retrieve the phoenix and then began to drag her along towards the end of the corridor.

'This was my office but then I decided to convert it just for you.' He explained as they approached.

'You didn't have to do that for me.' She had never realised just how kind he was but given her perceptions were based on Draco's and her house's she supposed she couldn't blame herself.

'Oh, believe me. I did. Your reaction the first time around was well worth it.' He smiled at her.

'But why…?' She asked.

'Because you deserve it.' He smiled at her again and she frowned. She most definitely did not deserve any of this – someone who loved her, who gave their life, their love, their world to her. All she had ever been was cruel to him and yet he still cared about her. It made no sense. 'Are you ready?' He asked as he held the handle.

'I guess so.' She swallowed hard as he swung open the door and she was met with the most gorgeous room she had ever seen. At one end, there was a huge bay window facing the sun, giving the room an ethereal morning glow as the snow lay perched on the windowsill, sparkling like silver in the light. Looking up, she saw an enchanted ceiling which she assumed was similar to the one in the great hall at Hogwarts. At the moment, the sky was lit with the morning aurora with delicate, detailed butterflies fluttering above in a cascade of colours ranging from a deep violet, all the way to a ruby red. She gasped in awe at the tranquillity that was in the room and didn't think the room could get much better. But yet, the room still kept giving as the walls were a fully interactive wallpaper of a forest, with silhouetted deer, foxes and other creatures roaming their home upon the wall. As an extension of the forest, her crystal figurine collection were stored on shelves of wood made to look like branches at various levels around the room. She was completely mesmerised by the way the light danced and refracted around the room from the figures as she went to inspect them. There were an assortment of creatures, ranging from magical to non-magical. There were goblins and minotaurs, horses and bears, centaurs and dragons, demiguises and even a Kneazle. You name it, it was probably there. She had collected so many. And in such a short time as well.

'A lot of these came from our travels.' She nearly forgot that Harry was there, she had been sucked into the atmosphere of the room.

'Really? Like?' She asked.

'This one.' He pointed to what appeared to be a fuzzy bear. 'It is a koala from our trip to Australia. And this one, is a manticore from Greece when we visited your parents. My personal favourite is the one from your first holiday with us – I mean Ron, Hermione and myself. It's a griffin. Accio griffin.' A crystal figure was gently brought down from a top shelf to Daphne's hands. 'I love it mainly because of the four rings inside it.' She looked at the four golden rings swirling within the heart of the griffin in a conjoined formation. 'It is supposed to symbolise infinite harmony. I know, I sound like a broken record when it comes to being a peacemaker but…'

'I love it Harry. I love all of them. But I think my favourite is this one…' She indicated to the phoenix in his hands.

'Would you do the honours? I had a special tree stump placed perfectly in the direction of the sun so you'd be able to see the full effect of it in the morning.' He pointed towards the tree stump in the centre of the room that she neglected to have noticed. 'Don't worry, it has protection spells around it so I promise if someone bumps it, it won't fall off and break.'

'You are so thoughtful.' She said, returning the griffin to the shelf with her wand and carefully taking the phoenix from his hand. When she placed it on its pedestal she marvelled at the instantaneous ruby hue that was emitted across the room. She heard a mumbled wow from her companion as they both were stunned by its beauty. 'Thank you.' She whispered some time later.

'You're welcome.'

Day Two 8:32pm

Some time later, they returned to the room. Harry had purposely set up a table for two in the room and somehow the enchanted ceiling had become the night sky with an array of floating tealights which emanated candlelight across the room.

They had spent the majority of the day together. Learning things about each other or rather Daphne learning about Harry. Her aunt had disappeared not long after they had left the room with the promise she'd return to say goodbye to her later before the potion wore off. Ron and Hermione had both sent letters throughout the day via the owl post asking if they had reconciled. Harry sent a simple yes off to them but left no indication of whether she had accepted his proposal or not. Nor had he mentioned of his knowing of her being under the effects of a potion. Perhaps it was for the best. It was better to leave them out of it. Besides, in less than six hours she was going back to reality and leaving this version of them behind. She had no idea why but she wanted to make the most of it and for some reason, Harry had supported the notion and suggested they wait up until past midnight – when she would supposedly vanish.

So, there they were in the crystal room, having a rather romantic candlelit dinner. It was like Harry was trying to make up for the lost time, even though it couldn't have been more than twelve hours at most. Yet for her, it had been two years of her lifetime. Two years she couldn't and would never remember. As she sipped her glass of pinot noir, she wondered what she'd have to do to end up back here in her reality. Two years was a long time. A lot of decisions and directions could be taken in that time. What if she made the wrong one? Would she still end up here or in a place as nice as this? What if she ended up in a place much worse than this and she was miserable? How could she live with herself knowing that her reality could've been so much better if only she had made the right choice at the right time? She felt the warmth of someone's hand over hers as she looked up to see Harry's concerned face across the table. She must've missed something he said.

'Sorry. What was that?' She asked.

'Are you okay?' He quirked an eyebrow at her.

'Yes. No. Well, I don't know.' She bit her lip.

'Tell me what's wrong. I promise I won't laugh.' He smiled with encouragement.

'I'm just worried that I'll make the wrong choice when I return and end up somewhere where I'm miserable. I'm not sure I could live with that.' She sighed.

'You won't.' He shook his head at her.

'How could you possibly know that?' She was utterly confused. He barely knew this version of her. How could he possibly know that she wouldn't mess things up? Harry looked at her decisively as if he was trying to figure out what way to explain things to her.

'Because. I believe in fate. I believe you were brought to this future for a reason. You were brought to me to help yourself back in your life. To help others back in your life.' He paused for a moment before continuing. 'Your aunt believes that this potion is a gift to help every single woman in your family. It helped her so it will help you.'

'I still don't feel like I can trust myself…' She mused.

'I trust you. Look, I don't expect you to come racing towards me when you get back home. I expect it would raise some questions, particularly from Malfoy. But I promise that if you give me a chance, you won't make the wrong decision.' He squeezed her hand comfortingly.

'But how can I be sure that this future is the right thing for me?' She asked, searching his eyes for the answer. How could she know if a future with Harry was the best option for her?

'Your heart will tell you, dear.' They both jumped as Porsha entered the room. 'It's remarkable what a bit of magic and your imagination can do.' The eccentric woman raised a tealight with her hand so it glid into the makeshift sky. 'Combine that with faith and the result could be astronomical.'

'Faith?' She swallowed hard.

'Yes. You need to believe in yourself, Daphne. I'm so disappointed that my sister Alexei felt the need to allow a house-elf to raise you for the majority of your childhood. I'm afraid that was your grandfather, Dextris' fault. He believed that money was the only way to happiness and couldn't see that having the love of a family could far outweigh any happiness money could buy. Yet, in his abandonment of Alexei and myself, Dextris instilled the same qualities into your mother which led to her abandonment of you and Astoria. And through her abandonment, you never learned to have faith in yourself or others around you; a trait no normal house-elf could bestow upon a naïve witch or wizard.' Daphne sat in stunned silence as she contemplated all that she had said. Was it true that she didn't believe in herself or the other people around her? Did she truly have the power to change her destiny? Could she…or rather would she have the courage to do it? Could she trust herself to not fail? 'Perhaps…I may be pulling at strings here but perhaps that was the reason Harry has ended up here in the future.'

'Excuse me. What?' Harry asked. 'Now you've lost me.'

'Who was the one who had the most faith when everything seemed lost?' Porsha's deep violet eyes seem to search his soul or to challenge him to deny what she had said.

'I'm not sure it was faith more like blind courage or stupidity but okay.' He mumbled and blushed which made Daphne chuckle a little. He smirked at her and she saw it out of her periphery.

'Then, who was the one who was loyally faithful to his friends? To those he cared about? Who was the one who produced so much faith that other people started to believe they had a chance?'

'Alright. I get it Porsha. Just get to the point.' He looked a little embarrassed as he crossed his arms across his chest.

'I believe perhaps the potion is telling you to have more faith dear.' She changed who she was speaking to and she used her eyes to pierce her soul. Somewhere deep inside the house a clock clanged, indicating that the hour had passed.

'What time is it?' Daphne asked anxiously.

'Nine.' Porsha replied. 'What time did you take the potion?'

'Two.' She recalled.

'We have some time then.' Porsha strode to the nearest shelf and took a crystal figurine of a fox off the shelf and delicately placed it in her hands. 'Now, for this to work, I need you to stay still.'

'Porsha, what are you doing?' She asked.

'A South African binding charm. So, you may take something to remind you of your time here.'

'But isn't this in my subconscious?'

'Perhaps. But at least if I bind it, the memory will always be there. Now stay still.' Porsha pulled out her wand and began chanting in a foreign language. Harry had fallen silent and she wondered if he had left the room but she didn't dare to look for him as the binding spell would fail. It felt like an hour before she finished her chant and relaxed her wand. 'There. I think it is done. This fox might be fixed in the future but at least the memory of it isn't.'

He next few hours seemed to go by fast in a shared flurry of stories and adventures between well-travelled companions. Before at last, it reached five minutes to two.

'Daphne. I'm afraid we do not have much time left before you go. I'll try and give you and Harry enough time to speak but promise me this, you will remember your time here and what it has taught you. The fox will remind you but you must have faith in yourself, Daphne. Oh, and don't forget to visit your favourite aunt from time to time.' She chuckled.

'I will, Porsha.' She embraced her aunt before the woman disappeared as if the potion was erasing the moment. The room around her was starting to get hazy and she looked anxiously to Harry who just smiled at her.

'Don't worry so much Daph.' He smoothed her forehead. 'I have faith you'll find what you're looking for even if it isn't with me. Believe in yourself as I believe in you. I love you.' He placed a small kiss on her forehead before he vanished in a wisp of blurred colour.

She was in near black darkness when she murmured, 'I don't want to go.'

Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope this sort of explains things a little better to those who were confused. This was the last chapter in the future so things are about to get interesting. What has reality Daphne been up to whilst her conscious was in the future? Hehe. Until next time, Zozo.