Chapter 3

Arriving at the Hospital on a normal Wednesday evening was its usual quiet atmosphere. When she came through the front doors she was greeted by the usual old woman whose name she never cared to memorize due to her less than charming personality. Daphne had attempted to small talk with the woman before, but never received an inkling of interest from the late night matron, so was content on minimal recognition and jumped in the elevator to go to the spell damage ward as she always did.

When she arrived she went behind the counter to put her initials down for her nightly clock in, and realized Tracey must be out checking paperwork and that was why no one was at the front desk. This wasn't unusual, and considering how short staffed they were it was understandable.

Daphne picked up her folder from the counter that had the night's patients, and before she could even begin reading them Tracey came around the corner, "Daph! Glad you are here. There is someone who wants to talk to you in 413."

Her stomach dropped at this and she turned sharply to Tracey, "What?"

The girl grinned at her, "Potter is awake, and he would like to speak with you. Bones is in there with him. The other aurors only left a few hours ago."

"They had been here for the whole two days I was gone?" Daphne asked surprised,

"For the most part. Them and dozens of other visitors. Seen more famous people over the last two days than I have my whole life. It's just them right now though."

Daphne nodded her head, "Well I have other patients to attend too first, and I need to speak with Healer Bullstrode before I do anything else. Where is she?"

"They said to take your time, but Millie's mom is in the break room packing up her stuff. She seemed annoyed today so watch your step." Tracey said grinning at the discomfort of her friend. It was obvious that she was trying to avoid the inevitable meeting between herself and a conscious Harry Potter.

Daphne sighed, walking past her all together to happy friend, and over to a room behind the counter that held a small hardly stocked kitchen. She immediately greeted her supervisor speaking kindly, "Good evening Healer Bulstrode. Good day?"

The woman huffed, "Just fighting a terrible headache. Potter's entourage has been here all day harassing our staff, and had poor Tracey answering messages from other departments in a frenzy. I will be glad to see him go."

Daphne chose not to comment on that, but asked, "Is there anything I need to know as I take over?"

The woman sighed, "Nothing I can think of. We took no new patients in today, and we have our usuals of course. If you have any questions you can floo call me, but I am going home for some much needed rest."

Sidestepping the woman who was clearly in a foul mood Daphne called good night over her shoulder, and took a deep breath before following her out to the lobby where she noticed the good night was left unanswered to even Tracey who called out to the retreating matron. Tracey grumbled, "We were busy for a few hours, but you would think someone murdered her puppy the way she has been acting."

"The poor woman is probably just overworked. Pass me the nightly inspection sheet please." Daphne said dismissively.

Tracey reached over for the clip board and passed it over, "Aren't you going to see Potter?"

"Tracey for the last time I have other patients I have to worry about. Not just Potter." Daphne said feeling irritation rise at her best friend.

Immediately the blonde haired witch began thumbing through the paperwork for the evening doing her best to ignore her best friend. A few moments passed, and she continued to feel the eyes of the brunette girl on her. She ignored her for all of five minutes, and then Tracey took a long sigh, and Daphne dropped the clipboard on the desk in absolute exasperation, "Fine. Just keep an eye out will you. I'm not expecting any life ending injuries to come through the elevator, but just in case."

Tracey mock saluted the girl and began pushing her bangs to the side of her face and looking at a mirror she had on the receptionist desk. Daphne rolled her eyes as she strolled down the hallway towards the room Harry Potter was in. She remembered vividly what it had been like when she was rolling his nearly dead body through the hall with all the urgency in the world, and now she strolled forward as if nothing ever happened.

Stopping at the door she heard quiet voices of a man and woman going back and forth in normal conversation about what sounded like the upcoming Quidditch World Cup.

Daphne steeled her nerves as she pushed through the door. The young man before her looked completely different than the one she had last seen. This young man, while smaller in stature, had a completely healthy skin tone, and hair styled specifically to the way she had seen him in the Daily Prophet over the last few years. This dark haired man was also wearing jeans and a green jumper with an H on it looking quite normal other than lying in a hospital bed. His green eyes went to her immediately when the door opened, and he smiled. Taking the professional approach she came towards the bed, "Good evening Mr. Potter. You are looking much better than the last time I saw you."

The man chuckled, and she noticed Susan smile at the comment, "Yes I am sure I do. I hear I have you to thank for that."

Daphne fought the blush rising to her cheeks at the compliment, "Yes well I was doing my duties as a healer, and I performed to the best of my abilities."

She sounded so robotic, and if it disarmed either auror they didn't show it. Harry put a hand on Susan's, "Will you go grab my reports off my desk? Give Healer Greengrass and I a few minutes."

The woman nodded smiling as she rose to her feet, "Of course Captain Potter. Anything else?"

"A sandwich would be great." He joked.

"Don't push it. I'll be back." Susan said exiting the room giving Daphne a last kind smile.

Silence followed her exit, and Daphne began looking over the instruments that were hooked up to the patient, and she tried to distract herself from his eyes that she knew were on her, "Thank you for saving my life."

Her eyes shot to his on instinct, and he was giving her a soft smile. She tried to return the smile without being awkward, "You're welcome. It was a lot of luck."

"Professor Slughorn says differently. Said you were one of the best potion hands he ever had the privilege of teaching." Harry said casually.

Professor Slughorn? When had they spoken? Her self study assignments were overseen by Professor Snape usually, but Slughorn had done all of them her seventh year. The man had swore she would be a master of the art one day.

Answering the look of confusion that must've appeared he said, "Horace is a personal friend. He also taught both my parents so we have become rather close since my sixth year at Hogwarts."

"I see. Well that was very kind of him to say, but I was only doing my job." Daphne answered back.

"It seems I was lucky you were on the job. It's not often Hermione breaks down and panics over injuries. Especially over me considering how many times she has seen it, but I think her brain short circuited when she could not get me responsive. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, healer Greengrass I just wanted to make sure you knew you had my gratitude." Harry said carefully.

Daphne relaxed a little at his words and went back to her professional nature, "Does anything ail you then? It seems the prognosis is that you will be able to return to light duty tomorrow and go home."

Nodding Harry sighed, "Unfortunate too I was hoping to skip all the celebrations tomorrow. Any chance you can give me some more of that drought of living death and hold the antidote till Saturday?"

This made Daphne actually smile, "If I wouldn't lose my job I think I would do that for you. If anyone has the right to skip the celebrations it would be you."

Harry nodded with a slight grin coming on his face, "I could hire you as my personal healer. With as much as I get injured I could probably use one."

"To be on call all the time instead of actually working sounds like a dream. Don't tempt me." She said surprising herself that she actually responded with something intelligent.

This caused the man to chuckle, "Well I am a shoe in for the next head of the DMLE so if you are interested in applying for auror medic I think I could accommodate."

"The youngest ever huh?" Daphne asked.

"Sounds like it." Harry said with an even voice.

A moment of silence fell upon the two, and Harry spoke again, "Susan tells me you fought beside us at the Battle of Hogwarts. I knew a few Slytherin's had stayed behind to fight for both sides, but I remember seeing you in the Great Hall at the end of the battle working with Madame Pomfrey and the other healers. You should be a part of the celebration. If you will, I would very much like you to join us at Potter Manor tomorrow as my guest."

Daphne immediately went to say no thank you, but Harry cut her off, "Before you say no because I am sure you have work or maybe other plans hear me out. What's left of the fighters from the battle always gather at my home on the anniversary, and it is just a small social gathering away from the media and press. It's all friends and remembrance, and I am sorry I never knew you well enough to invite you before, because you earned your place at our table that night forever. A Slytherin joining our side in that battle was suicide if it went the other way, but you did it anyways. Whether you accept or not know you always have a seat at my table for what you did that night, and for saving my life here in this room just two nights ago."

Daphne was moved by his words, but tried not to let it show, "I will think about it."

Harry gave her another smile as the serious expression came off his face, "That's all I ask. If nothing else I promise the Potter Elves make some of the best food in the world, and if you happen to have the evening off there will be plenty of alcohol if that kind of thing suits your fancy. The location of Potter Manor is in Essex on the Cape."

Daphne felt the fidelius charm wash over her as the secret keeper shared its location. She looked very surprised at the admission, and did allow it to show, making Harry laugh, "What can I say? Hermione and Susan would ring my ear about how easily I hand out my trust with all that's happened, but something tells me you are worth trusting."

"Thank you for invitation Lord Potter." Daphne said humbly.

"No Healer Greengrass thank you. For everything. Please don't feel obligated by my invitation. Just think about it." Harry said kindly.

"Well I have other patients I need to check on. If you need anything please send Susan for me when she returns or hit the button on the chair." Daphne said ready to leave the room.

Harry nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned back in the bed getting comfortable. Daphne made to exit the room when his voice cut her off at the door, "Healer Greengrass. Please call me Harry."

Without thinking she replied, "If I come to your home tomorrow perhaps I will allow you to call me Daphne."

This caused Harry to chuckle as she exited the room feeling slightly exhilarated by the conversation and its results. An invitation to Harry Potter's home was not something she expected to happen as a result of saving the chosen one's life. She knew some of the fighters of Hogwarts were very influential people including the current Minister of Magic himself, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Would she be out of place among some of these people?

She quickly shook those thoughts aside. She was the heir to a very prominent family in the Wizengamot, and an up and coming healer here at St. Mungos. Harry said she had earned a seat at his table for multiple reasons. It was then she realized that she hadn't even considered not going other than to tease the previous conversation. How had she decided so fast? Would it be awkward to go alone?

As she made it out to the reception area where Tracey was sitting with a smile of knowing she asked, "So are we going?"

"We?"

Tracey nodded with a huge grin, "Potter invited me to the celebrations tomorrow. He knew I stayed to help during the Battle of Hogwarts. Insisted there was no pressure on accepting the invitation, and that if I did just to let him know before he leaves tomorrow so he could give me the secret to the fidelius on his home.

Without thinking Daphne said, "He gave me the secret."

Tracey looked like she wanted to squeal, "So we are going! I am off tomorrow, and I think you should take a vacation day and let Millie's mom cover for you since she owes you one. We could be dining and drinking with the most powerful people in England if not all of Europe tomorrow."

"I shouldn't take off." Daphne said immediately not realizing she was acquiescing to her wishes and deciding to go without even thinking the consequences through.

"Bones said it is quite the party, and we should be able to enjoy ourselves!" Tracey said excitedly.

Not quite realizing how she made up her mind to attend this party so easily, or why Tracey's idea sounded reasonable she caved in, "Okay fine. I will ask Gretchen in the morning, and as long as it's not too big of an inconvenience for her. We have to remember that she lost Millicent that day too."

Tracey's high spirits obviously dropped at her words, "You're right I forgot. That was insensitive of me."

Daphne however countered it before she could get down, "Last year she stayed the whole night with me just to avoid going home. I think it makes it easier working through the night instead of being home crying."

Both girls got quiet at this. Millicent had chosen the wrong side, and instead of returning to help the Defenders of Hogwarts she joined her long time boyfriend Gregory Goyle, in death by returning to fight for the Death Eaters. Daphne was thankful to this day she did not have to cross wands with her former roommate.

The two were quiet with their work for the next hour until the elevator chimed, and both braced themselves for the worse to come once again. Thankfully this time it was just Susan Bones returning with Harry's paperwork, and she smiled at the two, "So shall I expect you two at the party tomorrow?"

Tracey nodded, "Me for sure. Sounds like an interesting way to spend an evening."

Daphne also nodded solemnly, "I can't leave my best friend to the likes of so many Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Someone must protect her so she doesn't fall from the Slytherin Grace."

Susan chuckled at this, "Harry will be happy with some new guests in the hall. It's usually the same few dozen faces that pop in and out every year. I know Hannah and I will be happy. All the other women are all older or don't come anymore. Cho Chang isn't too bad, and she comes every year. But then there is Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood who usually keep to themselves for the most part. I wouldn't be surprised if Ginny at least decided not to come."

Daphne nodded her head, understanding that must be an awkward situation. Ginny and Harry's breakup had been front page news two years ago. It was quite the scandal that Ginny had supposedly tried to get Harry to engage in a shouting match after one of her games with the Holyhead Harpies. Direct quotes taken from the irate Weasley girl included things like "when was the last time you touched me." and "You're never around anymore" It was quite sensational news in the Witch Weekly back then. At the same time though Ginny was one of the fighters in the final battle, and her entire family had been there, while also losing a member of their family in the process it must be hard to celebrate or commemorate elsewhere in peace.

Tracey asked with bright eyes, "Are we going to see fireworks between little Weasley and the Chosen One?"

Susan chuckled, "I doubt it, but last year almost got interesting. Molly Weasley interfered before it could get out of hand. Who knows though. I hope for Harry's sake it doesn't happen, but I never liked Ginny. She all but accused Harry of sleeping with me since we spent so much time together."

Daphne remembered watching Susan hold Harry's hand after the operation the other night, and wondered briefly if there was any truth to the words, but before she could ponder further Astoria's words echoed through her mind, "Even Draco who can't stand the man says he is as noble as they come."

Daphne answered the hanging question before Tracey could be rude enough to ask it, "But of course you never did. At least not while Weasley was in the picture."

This made Susan blush, "Absolutely no comment. Goodness what am I thinking gossiping with Slytherin's! All my secrets will be out, and we haven't even started drinking yet."

This made both Daphne and Tracey chuckle. Tracey asked, "What's he like anyways? Should we be worried about being hounded tomorrow? Other than with Daphne I've never talked about my role in the battle with anyone else, and as comfortable I am with just about any conversation I don't think I am ready to have that one with a bunch of strangers."

Susan looked appalled, "Oh goodness no. Some people find solace talking about the battle with a few drinks in them. I think some use it as their therapy, but we won't be in some big circle sitting around in chairs like a counselling session. There will be pockets of people and conversation. Music will play in the background, and the environment will be as relaxed as Harry can make it. Plus everyone will know Daphne just saved Harry's life. The fact that you didn't take up a wand against us, and stayed to help at all earned you a seat at the table as Harry says. Like I said a few people talk about their experiences in the battle when the alcohol gets flowing so be ready for that, but we don't sit in a circle singing sacrificial songs and talk about how many Death Eaters we killed."

Susan paused for a moment and glanced towards the room Harry was in, "As for what he's like I think only you can answer that for yourselves. He is not the same person he was back in school. The war changed him, but at the same time he can still be the same brave man that led us back at Hogwarts. Just don't ask about what he was doing before the final battle he NEVER talks about his part in the war other than the final night we were all there."

Tracey looked interested in the last comment, and said, "Well I hope we get a chance to chat with him."

Susan smiled, "Don't worry you will. As new guests to the home he will likely show you around, and chat with you two if you are comfortable with it. If not just come find me, and I will protect you two."

Susan winked at the last comment while beginning to make her way towards the room, "I better get these to captain Potter before I find myself on suspension. As if he would know what to do in the field without me."

The two Slytherins bade her goodnight as she entered room 413, and left the two Slytherin's to their thoughts. The rest of the shift dragged on and Tracey went back to see Harry before she left at 6am to get the secret from him. When 9am came around and Gretchen Bullstrode arrived Daphne stopped to chat with her before departing, "Do you have any plans for evening?"

Healer Bullstrode looked terrible. Her eyes had deep bags under them, her clothes were wrinkled, and her grey hair was matted in the ponytail. She was looking at paperwork carefully as she responded, "No. Nothing for me. You know how I feel about the day."

Bracing herself for rejection, and possibly even a rude comment Daphne asked, "Do you think you can cover for me tonight?"

Gretchen blinked a few times staring at her paperwork, "You have plans?"

"Nothing crazy. I was just invited to do stuff with Tracey, and she begged me. You won't crush me if you can't cover." Daphne said easily.

The woman looked at her for a long few moments before shaking her head, "Yes I can cover. Smethwyck will probably thank me. Your overtime bill is crazy after you covered me the other day. You girls be safe tonight."

Daphne gave a slight bow of the head, "Thank you Lady Bulstrode. Have a good evening."

Feeling happy and nervous at the same time Daphne made her way to the apparition point, and easily made the jump back to her home. Arriving just inside the front door to her flat the realization of what she agreed to began to set in. She was going to a house party in just a few hours. Not just any house party either, but Harry Potters.

Her mind was swimming with sudden anxiety. This was out of character for her. She should just go to work tonight, and assist Gretchen Bullstrode so that way if anything happens she has back up...but what's the worst that could happen at the party? She could have a great time, maybe make some new friends. She did need some more girlfriends that way she could have a life outside of work again. The past five years she had buried herself in her studies, and became the best healer she could be. She was on the verge of being promoted if more staff would get hired, and it was time to reap the benefits of her hard work.

Daphne wasn't always anxious to be in the light of society. In fact she used to love attending functions with her parents, but when the war heated up, and her family got involved everything changed. The parties and functions became dark meetings, and tight lipped conversations about what was to come. Talk of pressure from all sides was coming towards the neutral faction which her family had been in for generations. They became something Daphne dreaded instead of looked forward too, but the war was over now. She was being invited to a night among friends with Harry Potter, and many leaders of the light and Wizengamot members would be in attendance. This could be her chance to enter a new circle of people, and continue to strive forward with progress. After all she had to make her father proud, and keep the name of Greengrass somewhat relevant.

Deciding on rest Daphne went back to her to lie in bed, but knew little sleep would follow the anxiety of what the night would bring.

(A/N) Welcome to Chapter 3 of the Survivors! I hope you all enjoyed the first Daphne/Harry fully conscious meeting, and I look forward to sharing with you all the party of the year!

Now as to what to expect in the coming chapters. I would say the first 10-12 are mostly just setting the scene. This won't be a stupid fast romance of falling into love with each other, but a gathering of friends that turns romantic. This story is not going to be all romance, there is going to be graphic violence and death to follow later in the story, so you have been warned there!

My final addressal in this note is that a few people have left comments about the spelling of the story's title. Well I am here to tell you that the correct spelling is SURVIVORS. I conferred with many people, and not one person thought the spelling is survivers. In fact if you type it in to anything on google docs it auto corrects to survivors. To whoevers thought this was don't feel dumb, because I thought you could be right, and checked with literally dozens of people to confirm that the spelling was right.

The outpour of support for this story has been great, and as long as everyone continues to give love to this story I promise to keep my updates weekly!

Cheers!