A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.

A/N2: Next Project: There is a Poll up on my profile to help decide my next project. A Different Type of Bond is in the last chapter or so of writing (should be about 23 chapters) and By the Moonlight is within a few chapters as well. I would like to know what people may be interested in.

-oOo-

Chapter 15

-oOo-

London, England

February 28, 1996

Albus walked through the Ministry. Cornelius was facing a Vote of No Confidence today and he needed to know if he should back the man or not. Since young Malfoy had tried to kill Harry earlier this month, there had been a falling out between the two men. The fact three of Voldemort inner circle had now been stripped of their houses, never mind the twenty-three others, this was beyond out of control. If Cornelius lost, then he knew Bulstrode and Longbottom would try to take the seat. Neither were pliable to him right now.

Albus had enough connections left to either keep Cornelius and become his new backer or to back one of the forerunners. Personally, he wanted someone he could mold. Cornelius had been that until Lucius had gotten his hooks in the man. How he would put another forward, he didn't know. His hope that freeing Sirius would help Harry had backfired spectacularly when the Greengrass girl had claimed him.

Since then, nothing was right.

As he walked through the halls to the second level of the atrium, a few faces greeted his. Some looked scared, others angry or hateful. Internally he frowned. The power he once held to steer their world had dissipated. He had been outplayed by Malfoy and Fudge when Voldemort returned. He had been negligent in protecting his weapon against Voldemort. Worst of all, Albus was watching the world he tried to save fall apart around him.

Striding into the Minister's offices, he paused. Before him was a dozen Wizengamot members. Most of them from Neutral or Grey houses. Greengrass, Pakington, Cho, Cromwell, Slater, and others. Fudge was outside his office arguing with them.

"You promised this was a onetime event, Fudge," Anders Greengrass said angrily to the man. He was a good half foot taller than the small, pudgy man with a green bowler hat.

"Well, you know, there were other Houses that had violated..."

"I know the Reynolds and the Yates. They didn't violate any rules. Selwyn and Goyle convinced us to back you in this," Anders pressed.

The hat in Fudge's hands was twirling around. "There really isn't much I could do. The case Umbridge brought against the Potter boy was pretty damning."

"A case that he didn't have any representation. You told us it was a penalty hearing, not a trial. The Seals you are using are illegal!" It was a greying hair man, Lord Cromwell.

"You signed off on the order and I did nothing," Fudge spat at them.

"You and the others convinced us to reduce the vote count from seventy-two to thirty. Because of this fourteen houses have had their names dissolved," Lord Slater.

Dumbledore knew which way the winds were blowing now. He cleared his throat. The assembled Lords all shuffled and looked to him. Albus nodded. Fudge looked like a lifeline had just been thrown to the besieged man.

"Dumbledore, how good to see you," Cornelius said jovially.

"I came for my appointment, Cornelius, but I can see you are already busy," Albus spoke down to the man. Cornelius face fell. There was fear in the man's eyes. He had lost some of his biggest supporters and now upset many others in the Wizengamot. Albus also got some answers he had been missing.

At the Winter Solstice one-hundred and eighty-nine Lordship or Ladyship Houses had reported. That number would now be one-hundred and sixty-six, with twelve houses now having multiple votes, and two Muggle-borns suddenly having found they were half-bloods. Albus knew they were not. They had paid the Wizengamot to give them the Seal and they 'convinced' Houses hundreds of years old to suddenly give up their seats. The power was shifting and not in a good way. Tom was going to get what he wanted without anyone standing up to him.

The Order wasn't listening to Albus anymore. Sirius and Arthur had found themselves the new leaders, using him only for the information he could gather. It was galling.

"Of course. Of course. We can just step into my office," Cornelius offered, trying to escape the others.

"I think I will just reschedule. Lord Greengrass and Lord Slater, do you have a few minutes?" he Albus, looking over Cornelius head. Maybe he had a way to prevent certain individuals from taking over. Cornelius looked absolutely panicked for a few seconds before straightening.

Albus could still save this. There were twenty-seven seats that were unclaimed as the young scions or heiresses came into their majority and Lordships over the next five or six years.

"Not today, Lord Dumbledore. We are not done talking with the Minister."

Albus felt his own panic. Not long ago no one would dare to go against him, even those that supported Tom wouldn't say no to an audience.

"Very well. I shall be in my chambers awaiting the vote at two. Please come by when you are done."

"Not today, Lord Dumbledore," Anders snapped back. "Cornelius, I recommend we talk in your office."

Not pleased with the snub, Albus turned. Perhaps he could convince Augusta to change her bid to someone Albus knew he could guide. One of the important things was to find a way to reverse the Ministry Seals. No more houses could be lost and he would like to restore some. Crabbe and Hoyle were lost though. They had tried to go against the goblin treaties. Crabbe Sr. had never come out of Gringotts. Hoyle had shown up three days later, bruised and beaten.

He also had to find a way to keep the goblins at bay. The Wizengamot had agreed to a ten percent take of all vaults taken through a bloodline transfer and the little blighters wanted more.

-oOo-

Hogwarts, Scotland

March 1, 1996

Harry glanced over the first page, just registering the sacking of Fudge and a fight with Aurors in the middle of Nottingham Green when some Head of Department was out there. Things were getting bad. Those not of the Wizengamot were hunkering down, trying to stay low. Those on the Wizengamot were going around with bodyguards or Aurors.

What Harry was looking for was buried three pages in. Lord Malfoy had claimed a new voting seat. Yesterday a seventh-year Ravenclaw, Camden Blake, had his ring burn up just before dinner. The boy had put his ring on a chain and it had burned his chest, and the chain had burned around his neck.

Many wanted to take their rings and toss them, but those that had family with Wizengamot seats needed them to identify them as members of the august body. The families had also tied the magic that was bound to the Wizengamot to symbols that showed their rank. If one had been named an heir or secondary heir, they couldn't remove the rings from their skin. Harry worried about Daphne and Hermione, but he knew Sirius was being careful, or so Harry hoped.

Looking around, it was probably a good thing that Malfoy wasn't here. Blake had a few relatives and friends that wanted to end the Malfoy Heir and a few were at Hogwarts. It was probably good half the fourth through seventh year Slytherin were missing. Harry had no clue how they would get their OWL's or NEWTs, but he really didn't care. Harry was hoping Draco and others had their wands snapped.

Harry was also upset that Daphne, Hermione and him couldn't get the Educational Board to sign-off on the removal forms. For now, they were stuck at Hogwarts to get their O.W.L.'s.

After finding what he wanted, Harry joined in the conversation.

"...I have never heard of six going for Minister before," Tracey commented.

He handed his copy to Daphne. She took it but was too vested in the conversation to read it yet. "Sirius said he hasn't seen Lord Avery in a week. He had four votes, that won't be easily replaced."

They had figured Avery had taken his bloodline. Whomever faded from sight within two or three weeks was a good bet to have the House Potter lineage. The new Lord Ericks, the upstart Muggle-born, had been found dead a few days after he had claimed his seat in the Wizengamot.

He was wondering how long before they realized which bloodline was causing issues and that they couldn't do anything about it until he at least got his inheritance back.

"Sirius also said Goyle hasn't been into the Wizengamot in the last three days. That is unusual with the Vote of No Confidence going against Fudge and the new Minister to be voted on next week," Hermione added. She shifted over a little more as Ron bumped her. Romilda kept kissing Ron and he was only half there today. Something happened last night that Harry was going to have to ask Ron about. They were lovey with each other, but usually not like this. Romilda usually liked to respect those around them and dragged Ron off to some hidden corner in Gryffindor Tower or elsewhere.

"Malfoy and others are still there," Harry said angrily.

"Yes, but did you see the pictures? Malfoy, Winters, Bulstrode, Nott... none of them are moving about without a guard. I don't think things are going to plan," Daphne said.

"What about You-Know-Who?" Hermione asked. "Why hasn't he stepped into this yet?"

"Not here," Daphne and Tracey both whisper yelled.

"Tracey, I'm going to head to the library with Ginny, Colin and Audrey," Thisha told her sister as she stopped for just a moment.

"You have your bracelet?" Tracey asked.

Trisha nodded.

"I should have another one ready tonight," Hermione informed them.

Hermione had found a way to make a bracelet that would vibrate if one of them got into trouble. They could follow the bracelet as it tugged on their wrist. So far she had made six. Harry insisted the girls all get one first, but he had lost that argument when Daphne pointed out he was the best dueller among them. She also teased him that he would have another opportunity to save a 'pretty girl'. Daphne did tease him, but he felt the small amount of jealously in her. It took some convincing the next night after they saved her sister and the others that she had nothing to worry about.

Now, Daphne, Tracey, Trisha, Ginny and Hermione had one. Tracey and Trisha didn't have a Wizengamot seat, but they were Purebloods, and her family was old enough to have some artifacts and knowledge that could be coveted. They had agreed Romilda should get the next one. Until her brother was old enough, she was the heiress apparent. After Romilda, it should go to Neville. After that, they weren't sure. With so many Slytherin gone, there were now only eight of them that were direct heirs of families with Wizengamot seats in Hogwarts, but many like Romilda, Tracey and Trisha who had influential houses or were secondary heirs.

"Hermione, you really are brilliant," Daphne complimented. Hermione looked a little smug.

"I want to head up to charms early," Tracey told them.

Neville sat up next to Tracey. "I can escort you, if you want," he offered.

Tracey looked at him for a moment. "I would like that, Scion Longbottom."

Neville smiled and stood up. "Ms. Davis," he offered his hand. Harry looked at Neville a little surprised.

Daphne watched them go. "Huh, Longbottom?" Daphne said under her breath.

"He is all about Hannah. Neville is too good a guy to let someone else go off like that. We should go too," Hermione told them after they left.

"Shame. They would be a good match," Daphne commented.

"Can I walk you and your friends to class?" Ron offered Romilda.

He didn't hear what Romilda said as he saw Dumbledore walk past them, coming to breakfast late. The man didn't look at them, but Harry was sure the man felt his eyes on him. It had not been Dumbledore to give McGonagall the potions, but no one could figure out if she had been compulsed by Dumbledore or someone else for the detentions. There group was convinced it had been the Headmaster though.

More concerning was that Sirius had kept them up to date, and Dumbledore had taken a shift towards the grey houses yesterday. He said it had been subtle, but when twelve houses that normally supported the Light Alliance suddenly voted for Lord Greengrass, it was telling.

The fact the man would support someone like Lord Greengrass made his stomach clench.

"Harry, we are walking with Ron and then to charms," Daphne told him, her voice calm, but her bond just as raw as his towards the man.

"He needs to be out of this school, Daph," Harry told her.

Daphne took his arm. "He will be." She stopped by Ginny on the way out. "Could you have dinner in our rooms? Enough for six. I also have some library books to return and a small list for you to retrieve."

Ginny just nodded.

"I could have gotten dinner," Harry whispered to her as they walked out.

"Ginny wants to pay off her debt as fast as she can. I just want this done with," she told him, a slight shudder passing through her.

On their way, a tall blonde professor with a slender athletic build called out his name. "Just a moment," he told them. "Professor Jones," Harry greeted.

"Good morning, Mr. Black. Would you mind coming to my office this afternoon?"

"I have classes until fifth period," Harry told her.

"I have sixth period free. I would like to talk with you about the idea you had when I first started. I have noticed some students are quite advanced in their defensive and dueling skills, while others don't even have the basics they will need for their O.W.L.'s. From what I have heard, many think you are the reason for those that know what they are doing," Professor Jones informed him.

"I just know what Professor Moody and Professor Lupin taught us," he responded.

"Maybe, but there is only three months left. I would like to talk with you about a fifth year and seventh year dueling and defense group."

He looked at her, still feeling a little weary. "And the Ministry approves this? Minister Fudge didn't want Umbridge teaching us anything."

The woman's mouth pursed. "Yes. It is a great travesty that has happened to the education here in the last several years. I have been looking for the source of what everyone thinks is a curse on this job. I think I agree, but I can't get any closer to finding it than something on the seventh floor."

Harry looked at her dubiously. About the only thing on the seventh floor was a few abandoned rooms, a gallery of old armor and the Room of Requirements. "If we see anything that is out of the ordinary, I will let you know." The bell rang quarter past the hour. "I should be getting to class, Professor."

"Please stop by after class today," she told him.

Harry nodded, not really committing to anything. Maybe if Professor Dumbledore had picked her, as much as he didn't trust the man, Harry might have a better time believing her, especially after she had rejected him when he first approached her. Of course, since then, he had been attacked once and had to run a rescue mission another time. "What did Professor Jones want?" Hermione asked as he came back to the group.

"Let's get Romilda and her friends to class and we can talk about it later," he responded. Daphne took his arm. When they made it to Charms, they all sat near each other. The Hufflepuffs stayed together, just like the Gryffindors did. "Morning all. Today we will be working on the locomotion spell. On the board are the notes that should be important and what to read in your books," Flitwick called out to everyone.

After that, they all walked down to Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid was waiting for them today with a row of cages. "Figuring you would like to meet some augury," he told them all. A few were afraid of the birds, some thinking they portended bad weather or death, but Harry thought it neat to see the birds. By lunch, he was feeling better than he had at breakfast, many had recovered from the newspaper, but it still didn't feel as carefree as it did at one time.

About three, after Herbology, Harry, Daphne and Hermione were on the third floor. He knocked on Professor Jones door. It was the same office that all the other Defence teachers had used, but he had never hated it before this year. The door opened and he let out a breath to see all the cats and pink gone. Instead, it looked more like the year Remus had been here. There were a few tanks and cages filled with creatures. A bookcase held more books on charms, jinxes, runes, and other defence or dark creature books that he had not seen before. On the walls were a few melee weapons.

Harry was wondering if she knew how to use the swords. That would be neat to enter battle with a wand and sword, he thought to himself.

"Good afternoon, Professor," Harry greeted her.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Black. Would you please come in?"

"Professor, would it be alright is Mrs. Black and Ms. Granger join us. I would rather not leave them alone in the hall," he requested.

The woman nodded. "Of course. I understand the precautions. It would also be nice to talk with all three of you about my plans as you have all shown a good response to the drills I have put you through."

Harry made sure Daphne and Hermione sat before he did. The blonde woman had a pleasant smile, but there was a steel behind it that Harry was sure came from Auror training. "You wanted to talk about a Defence Against the Dark Arts study group?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Mr. Black. It appears most have a good understanding of magical beasts, dark creatures and the general study of how to defend against the dark arts. Many lack the practical skills to do so though," the Professor said, pushing a paper towards them. "I would like you to lead a study session three nights a week until the end of the year."

"Professor, I have my own O.W.L. exams and other classes to study for. I think I can handle once per week," he told her, not wanting to give up the D.A. just incase the Ministry was trying to pull one over on them.

"I understand, Mr. Black. I take it you are well aware of what is going on outside of Hogwarts?"

"You mean why my husband and I were attacked? Or the girls we rescued just a week ago? Is that why the Ministry suddenly wants us all to learn?" Daphne had her face expressionless, but her voice held a lot of contempt.

Professor Jones frowned. "Yes. This business is rather disturbing. It was not missed how you three leveled those accused of kidnapping Ms. Greengrass, Heatherhoc and Davis."

"And the fact that they shouldn't have even gone through that? Will the Ministry recognize that Voldemort is back?" Harry asked her. Her flinch was almost unnoticeable.

"Head Bones has been preparing for that eventuality," Professor Jones responded.

"Voldemort is back," Harry reiterated.

The woman didn't look pleased. "You know the Ministries official stance..."

"What if Harry were to give you his memories of what happened, and the other times he has faced Voldemort the last few years?" Hermione put forward.

Harry snapped his head to her. "What!"

"You want the Ministry and everyone to believe you. Why not give a verified memory and sworn oath? I came across it yesterday while trying to do more reading on Ministry seals. The Wizengamot can't deny the memory and oath unless they wish to risk their own standing because you are the consort to an Heiress of a Wizengamot seat and part of the Sacred Twenty-eight. You should have had this right before, but no one told us about this," Hermione told him.

"I don't think that is necessary, Ms. Granger," Professor Jones replied.

"Hermione, that is brilliant! Where is the law?" Daphne asked.

"Do I get a say in this?" Harry questioned, not really wanting to share his memories.

"You are asking to submit a memory and affidavit that is magically binding and if anyone challenges you and you are found to have lied or tampered with any of the memory, you could be going to Azkaban, or risk magic finding you guilty and taking its own price," Professor Jones told them, looking as though she was not expecting this at all.

"What happens to those that challenge him?" Daphne asked.

"Depends. I haven't done much reading on it yet. I think Harry can ask for a boon if he is found to have told the truth," Hermione answered.

Professor Jones sighed. "It depends on the challenge. If the memory implicates another member of the Wizengamot in a crime, that member can declare a duel to determine their innocence. These rules fell out of favor over a century ago. You are all underage and have not received your O.W.L.'s. This could be suicide for someone your age to do this."

"We need to talk with Lord Black," Daphne replied to Hermione.

"Are you listening to me?" Professor Jones was looking at them, trying to get the girls' attention.

"Daphne, I don't want to do this," Harry told her.

"I think we should talk, Harry," Hermione told him.

He huffed, feeling his mind had already been made for him.

Daphne put a hand on his arm. She took in a deep breath before speaking. "Harry, I understand what these memories mean to you," Daphne told him. "You said I should open up more, maybe you should also? You don't have to give them everything, but there are some parts, like the ritual, what happened after You-Know-Who came back, all the people you saw and were named... I think those are memories people should see. Let them challenge you. You are speaking the truth."

Harry didn't look happy.

"You should forget this path. Many have died and no justice has been done when that happens. Head Bones has tasked me to keep you all out of trouble," Professor Jones pleaded with them.

Harry took in a deep breath before letting it out. He was asking Daphne to change. "Do you and Head Bones believe me?" Harry asked Professor Jones.

"That is irrelevant at the moment," the Professor responded.

"Do you believe me? It is a simple question, Professor."

The three teens looked to the Professor. The woman looked back at them upset. "It doesn't matter what I believe. My job is to teach and protect you all."

Harry snorted and held up his hand, the white outline of the words clearly visible. "Your predecessor was to teach us too. The Ministry didn't want me to tell lies. I am not lying. Do you believe me or not? Yes or no, Professor?"

The woman looked at his hand. "Are you saying Dolores Umbridge did that to you? How?"

"A blood quill," Harry told her. "You want to know how all these Houses started to trade hands, it starts with the Ministry and this scar. Do you believe me?"

"I am not supposed to put my own opinion into these matters," Professor Jones informed them.

"Professor, I came to you last month about this because my godfather said you are one we could trust. You rejected me then and you are rejecting me now. You will need to lead these study groups, Professor," Harry told her getting up. "We won't be attending." He extended a hand to Daphne while Hermione stood next to him.

Daphne nodded, agreeing with his decision. They turned for the door.

"Black, wait." Harry turned back to Professor Jones. "I need your help. Many here need your help. I know about your study group. Ms. Granger and a few others started it in the fall, and they were doing alright. What I witnessed this week when we did the duelling practice was beyond what a standard OWL or NEWT student should be able to do. Everyone around you is better than what is expected for their level. I don't know how you do it. There are many that could use your help. They could use the help of your entire group." The woman took in a deep breath and let it out. "There are many of us that believe You-Know-Who came back. The Aurors and many in the DMLE are doing things, but this whole new power play by the Wizengamot and the Death Eaters is unprecedented. I am not lying that I am supposed to teach you and protect you, but what you have done so far is on par with the best first year Aurors. Your peers need your help. Will you give it to them?"

"How do you know? No one has showed signed of snitching," Hermione questioned sounding very concerned.

Professor Jones held up a hand. "Ms. Granger, no one in your group has told me the secret, but there are those that work for Hogwarts that know many of the secrets that go on and most forget about them."

"You used the house elves," Hermione spat.

The professor looked a little taken back at Hermione's vehemence. "How do you know that?"

Hermione looked upset. "They can't deny their masters and you are now a Professor here. You forced them to tell you!"

"As High Inquisitor I am allowed. The house elves also serve their masters. I do not understand why you are so upset, Ms. Granger?" Professor Jones queried.

Harry put a hand on Hermione's arm. "Hermione, it's over with now." She glared at him. Harry ignored her for the moment turning back to Professor Jones. "If we do this, I lead the group as I want. Daphne, Hermione and I will be the instructors. No questions. No help unless we ask. You give me the Great Hall after dinner on Tuesday nights. We will discuss if we do a Saturday or Sunday. Anyone that wants to do this comes to all sessions. If they don't, they are out."

Professor Jones looked at him. "I should monitor the progress and instruct..."

"Then you can lead the class," Harry told her and turned again. They walked out of the office.

"BLACK!"

They stopped and the Professor stepped out of the office. "First class will be Tuesday evening. Can I convince you to lead more?"

"I have my own studies, Professor."

Professor Jones nodded. "Tuesday. Seven-thirty PM."

Harry nodded and they walked around the circular corridor of the tower. "Is she looking?" Daphne asked as they made it to the broom closet.

"Does it matter? The house elves are probably looking," Hermione snarked.

They entered the Head dorms and went into their rooms, Hermione joining them. Daphne put her hands to her lips. None of them said a thing. "Dobby," Harry called out.

A second later the green-eyed elf appeared before them. "Dobby, is there any house elf listening in here?"

Dobby shook his head. "No, Master Harry, sir. Dobby and Winky being only elves allowed in here."

All three looked a little surprised. "Why only you two?" Hermione questioned. She had accepted that house elves needed magic to survive, but she couldn't stand them being treated as slaves.

"This is the private rooms of Heiress Black and her consort. If they wish their private elves to take care of them, then no Hogwarts elves allowed," Dobby told them.

"Is there any type of listening or spying charms, objects or other ways of monitoring these rooms?" Daphne asked.

Dobby looked at them. "Not that Dobby knows, Mistress."

"Can you check?"

Dobby nodded and snapped his finger. There was a soft glow around his hand. "Only the wards of the castle recognize where you are. There is nothing listening or seeing."

All three let out a breath. "Thank you, Dobby. How is Winky?" Daphne asked.

"Winky be doing better, Mistress. She being ready to start next week," Dobby informed them.

Daphne nodded. Harry spoke up. "Dobby, I don't want her reporting to us until she is ready. She is not to rush her recovery."

Dobby nodded. When he left, Daphne turned to him. "Harry, why are you willing only to do one lesson a week right now?"

"I would like to know that too. And how are we going to get around without being monitored?" Hermione huffed.

"I don't want to stop the D.A. meetings. We need to get better and spending time teaching the others won't get us there," Harry responded. "We do know Jones doesn't know about the Room of Requirements yet. I want to keep it that way. I wonder if we can ask it to provide a way of getting in and out without being monitored?"

Hermione pursed her lips. "I caught that too. Are you thinking whatever is cursing the Defence position is in the room?"

"I think it likely," Harry replied.

Daphne looked pensive. "Do you think the room would give it to us if we asked?"

"It's worth a try. I think we should talk about it over dinner and maybe sneak off to the room this evening," Harry told them.

Daphne shucked her school robes off. "I would like to get changed. Hermione are you still doing dinner with us tonight?"

"Yes. I would like to change too and start the charms paper," she replied.

Harry looked at his watch. It was only quarter to five. "Ginny should have everything here by six."

Hermione nodded and once the door was closed he took Daphne's hands and pulled her too him. Her eyes took on that look that always got his blood going and she crashed her lips to his as he bent down to kiss her. In the last few months he had grown over three inches and was now taller than her.

His hands quickly found the hem of her jumper and he pulled it off. They hadn't really kissed since this morning, and Harry found he needed his wife. She pushed his robes off his shoulders and ran her hands over his shirt. When she pulled back, they were both breathing a little heavily. "I like when you are that assertive as you were with Jones," she told him.

Harry smirked. "I can be more assertive," he told her, dipping his head to kiss her neck. She let out a long moan. Harry's breath hitched as she started to rub his shaft through his trousers.

"You aren't the only one that can be assertive," she whispered huskily into his ear. He strained against her hands and trousers.

Unbuttoning her shirt, he took her earlobe into his mouth. "And what are you going to do?"

Harry didn't see the smirk on her face, but her hands undid his belt, his button and zipper. He sucked on her neck a little hard to keep the needy groan in as she released him and started to stroke him. Daphne gasped at the pressure on her throat. "I want to make you squirm like you made me last night," she told him in her husky voice that made his blood pound through him.

His heart pounded in his chest. Since Valentine's day, Daphne had very much enjoyed his mouth and tongue between her legs. Pushing his trousers and boxers down, she moved to her knees. She had only done this a few times now and Harry's eyes didn't leave her face as she dropped. He liked her mouth on him.

He groaned as her tongue licked at the precum and had to lean against a chair of one of the desks as she took him into her mouth. Daphne was incredibly sexy, especially when her eyes met his. Maybe he should have fully removed her shirt and bra... He saw the joy she got to be able to get him to breathe heavily and groan, like she enjoyed she could have this type of control over him. It wasn't the control of the bond, it was joy of a woman to know she had this control over her lover.

As she bobbed her head, he gripped the chair, feeling himself getting close. His breath stopped for a moment when she suddenly took his shaft all the way in. It was suddenly tight around his head, like he was inside her twat, not mouth. He looked down to see her nose against his crotch. He let out a stuttering breath when she pulled back, as though she was struggling to breathe. He was about to tell her to stop when she did it again. On the third time, he couldn't hold it. Her eyes widened as he let go, but she didn't back up, instead trying to swallow it all.

He moaned, bending over her. After a few seconds, she pulled back so he wasn't in her throat anymore. He let the last few pumps go in her mouth, not really able to speak as she made sure he was done before pulling off him.

"Bloody hell, Daph," he managed to get out, his hands still clutching the chair.

She smirked. "You keep using your mouth, and I will keep using mine," she told him with a wink.

It was so incredibly sexy the way she looked up at him he just about let another load out. Seeing him jerk before her face, she kissed his shaft before taking him into her mouth again. He let out a stuttering breath. After a moment, she stopped and he pulled her up, pulling her as close to him as he could and ravaged her mouth as he struggled to get the rest of her clothes off.

She giggled at his growl when she asked him to take her to bed. Instead, he threw everything off his desk and she looked surprised for a split second before he put her ass on the desk and took her right there. She didn't' resist and he got some screams of pleasure out of her that she didn't usually let out.

When they were done, a shaky Daphne clung to him, her legs wrapped around his waist and still keeping him in her. She was panting and sweaty, just like him.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear and he tried to back up.

She held him tighter. "You have no idea how much I love you. I need a shower," she told him. "Would you carry me there?"

Harry kissed her. He had a very good idea how much she loved him through their bond. "Like this?"

Her ankles locked together behind him. "We have a half-hour but I don't want to smell like this when the others get here."

She kissed him.

"Dobby," Harry called out.

The elf popped in, his eyes adverted. "The Great Harry calls?"

Daphne pulled her arms in and hid her face into his chest. "Can you please clean this up and transfigure the couch into a table for six?"

"Dobby can do that, sir."

"Come on," he said to Daphne, grabbing her bottom. She allowed him to pull out of her and he picked her up, carrying her to the shower.

She whispered into his ear. "Next time, don't call Dobby unless we are in a place he can't see us like this."

"I'm sorry, Daph."

He put her down so he could get the shower going. The bath was big enough if they wanted to take a shower together. She kissed him. "I just don't like anyone but you seeing me like this."

He kissed her back. "I wasn't thinking."

She smiled and tapped his forehead. "At least not with this head."

He chuckled. "Let's get you cleaned up."

A little while later, Hermione, Ron, Tracey and Neville had joined them. Feeling happier, Harry and Daphne laughed with them as Ron was talking about the last Quidditch practice and the prank the twins had played on the Creevey brothers, who had been covering for them when the twins had been banned.

Daphne took his hand under the table.

"So, what did Jones want with you?" Neville asked.

"She wants Harry to teach a Defence groups to the OWL and NEWT students," Hermione answered for him.

"I was actually hoping that I could convince most of you to help," Harry added. "Professor Jones wants three classes a week until the end of the year. I am only promising one, but if we can convince everyone else that you are just as good, then we could lead three or more. I am not giving up the D.A. meetings though. We will still do those two nights a week."

Neville nodded before Harry went on. "You, Hermione, Daphne and Ron would do well at that."

"I was thinking you too, Nev," Harry replied.

Neville looked shocked for a moment. "M... m... me?"

Ron chuckled. "I like the idea, mate. You beat just about all of us now and its only you, Luna, Harry and Hermione that have gotten the Patronus Charm now."

"I will have it next week," Daphne said resolutely.

"I wish I had been able to join you. I feel so far behind," Tracey told them. She had started attending last week.

"Trace, it would have been too dangerous for you to get involved in this," Daphne tried to sooth her friend.

"Harry, do you have a plan?" Hermione asked, giving him a significant look. Until this year, she never would have seriously asked that question of him. Since taking over the D.A., he had actually started to plan things out.

"When does Harry ever have a plan," Ron teased, bringing up a few laughs.

Harry chuckled. "I do, actually."

He spent the next half hour going over what he planned to do. Professor Jones wanted them to focus on the practical aspect of Defence. Harry and Daphne would take Tuesday evenings and work mostly on dueling. Hermione and Neville would take Wednesday or Thursday, whichever was more convenient, and work on charms, jinxes and curses. Saturday, Ron and his brothers, if they were willing, would work on shields, counter curses and how to move. He laid out at least what he had planned for the next month, which was mostly what the D.A. had done in the fall, just in a better plan. His goal was to have everyone pass, not to fight like they were training for. But even having a rudimentary feel for all this could save lives, since the average witch or wizard really couldn't do half of what Harry wanted to cover in the next three months.

"Merlin, you really thought this out," Tracey commented, taking the parchment from Neville that Harry had drawn up while talking.

"It was what I wanted to propose to her a month ago, but Jones turned me down," Harry responded.

Daphne gave him a satisfied smile. If she liked him more assertive like this, then he could please her that way. He had to admit, it felt right to lead, and it felt like he had some control over his life. Something he never really felt before.

"I agree. This is well thought out," Hermione complimented looking over Tracey's shoulder.

Ron gave him a discerning look. "If I didn't know that you were Harry, I would be asking what you did with my best mate."

Harry shrugged. "I won't just sit back anymore."

Daphne leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Good."

"Tracey, I think it might be good of you to attend a night or two, besides the D.A.," Harry told his new friend. "Trisha as well."

"How am I going to keep up with all my work?" Tracey asked.

"We can start having most of our meals here, if you want, and then get some study time in after we are done eating," Daphne offered.

"I'm not giving up my time with Romilda," Ron told them.

Hermione looked at Daphne. "I'm in."

Neville and Tracey agreed shortly after.

Harry couldn't stifle a yawn. It was probably the chicken. "Tomorrow I will figure out how to get meals up here. Monday through Thursday, Harry and I will host lunch and dinner. We should still eat breakfast in the Great Hall most days," Daphne informed them.

"Now, I know it's only about eight on a Friday, but I would like some quiet time," Daphne requested.

Tracey gave an impish grin. "Quiet time, huh?"

Daphne threw a napkin at her friend. "Yes, quiet time," Daphne challenged her.

Tracey chuckled. Neville flushed as he got the implication. Ron chuckled and wisely didn't say a word when Daphne glared at him. Hermione gave them a knowing look. "I would like to finish my charms essay tonight. Are you going running tomorrow morning?"

"I'll be in the Great Hall by eight," Harry told her. He wanted to sleep in a little.

The rest agreed to meet him and when they left, Daphne leaned into him. "We need to clean all this up now."

"I can ask Dobby?" Harry told her.

She called for Dobby and the elf was happy to help. In a few minutes the room was back to their sitting room and they sat on the sofa. "Thank you, Dobby."

Dobby bowed and was gone. "We are never telling Hermione we asked him to do this," he told Daphne as she cuddled into his side.

Daphne laughed. "I value my life too much."

Harry laughed with her. "You want to play cards or something?"

She shook her head. "I was debating if I want to ravish you one more time and then either fall asleep on you or just cuddle for a while."

Harry felt his arousal for her. It wasn't the more animalistic desire it was earlier, but he would arise to the occasion if she wanted. "Ravish me, huh?"

She moved her head to slowly and gently start kissing his neck. He moved his head up and to the side, sighing as her lips ghosted over his skin. "I really like it when you are more confident and assertive."