A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
A/N2: So, because of the very positive response and almost having 500 like and 900 follows, I thought I would post a second chapter this week. It also helps that I don't have much to do today due to some very wet weather on July 4th, 2021.
-oOo-
Chapter 5
-oOo-
February 11, 1994
London, England
It had been a long ten days in Sweden. Overseeing the ICW High Council and the general voting constituents was always trying. Many of the American countries and even more European countries were getting too progressive and it was getting harder to keep the more conservative block together without inviting the ultra-conservative Asian or middle-east countries.
The last thing he wanted was for another Voldemort or Grindelwald to arise, but it was imperative for their traditions and laws against Muggle mixing to remain. Those of muggle decent should be integrated and welcomed. Separating those same witches and wizards from their upbringing was starting to prove hard as their numbers grew.
Part of this included keeping the Pure Blood Supremacists and his own Light Houses from starting a new war.
Thus, feeling tired and warn, he was taking a portkey to the Ministry of Magic to talk with Cornelius and then Amelia about the new laws and whether Britain would accept them or not. He highly doubted he would get any support from the Minister and his minders. On the other hand, he wasn't sure Britain could afford to have more tariffs or trade restrictions if they didn't adopt the new laws about Muggleborn restrictions, which were soon to be almost none.
When he landed in the portkey area off the main atrium, he noticed something was different. It took him a moment to realize that most of the posters of Sirius Black had been taken down. Before he had left, every Ministry fireplace had a picture of him on it.
Second, he was surprised to see four Aurors standing near the podium of the security guard, Tom.
Third was the fact that the Aurors stepped up to him.
"Afternoon, Robards. Are you off to a raid?" Albus asked, not liking the look on the four Aurors' faces.
"Not this afternoon, Mr. Dumbledore. We have been asked to escort you to Head Bones. There has been an issue at Hogwarts and she would like you to come to her office before heading back," Robards said in a hard tone.
Albus' heart dropped. He hadn't heard of anything and he was convinced that Sirius would never truly harm any of the students. But if Remus had had an episode or something else happened...
He had to find out and find a way to let this just pass over. Many people made mistakes, and to make one at a young age if it had been one of the students, he couldn't let the DMLE and the Wizengamot get their hands on one so young.
They moved quickly to the lifts, Albus leading the way. He had received two letters from Minerva, but hadn't opened them, thinking it was just some normal business since she didn't use their emergency code on the envelopes. He was starting to think he should open his mail from his long time Professor and friend whenever he received one.
Walking through the front offices of the DMLE had a few faces looking at him a little oddly. It only heightened his fears that something horrible had happened while he was away. With a frown he entered Amelia's office. "Amelia, what is going on? If there is something wrong at Hogwarts I really should get back."
Amelia looked up from the parchment. Her face looked grave. "Take a seat, Albus. We have a few things to discuss."
He didn't and assumed the Aurors that followed him in were part of the team that he would be forced to host once he went back. "Amelia, if things are as grave as your face looks I really should be heading back."
Amelia sighed. "I was hoping to talk with you before we got to this. Robards," she said with a shake to her head.
Albus frowned and only the movement out of the corner of his eye gave him any warning something was wrong. Robards moved in a way that rung every bell in his head. He wasn't considered the most accomplished wizard of the last three generations for nothing. Out of instincts his wand left his holster and was in his hand as the first jet of red light left the Aurors wand.
He stepped back, bringing up a shield. The first two stunners impacted and ricocheted off. His wand was already weaving a complex spell that would cause something akin to a Muggle flashbomb. It was something the MACUSA had introduced to the ICW a few years back that he thought might be useful. He shut his eyes tight. It went off, flinging the four Aurors between him and the door flying. A few cried out. He was already walking out the door before the flash had even died, trying to figure out why he had been attacked and how to get out of the Ministry when something hit him from the back...
-oOo-
February 13, 1994
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry was still processing what Daphne and Hermione had told him, after they had both gotten over his new looks. Harry still flushed some to think of the way Daphne looked at him. He also noticed and felt flattered that Hermione seemed to sneak peeks at him also.
Half the classes had been sent to a study hall the last few days as Madam Pomfrey, McGonagall and Flitwick were in St. Mungo's. Snape had been seen leaving the castle accompanied by Aurors yesterday and no one knew why. What caught some attentions was that the Headmaster had not been in the castle all week. That wasn't that odd. There were times he did that to deal with his Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump and who knew what other duties. It was odd that he was absent for such large events.
Meanwhile, Harry was still falling asleep between meals, though this afternoon it was almost two and he was still awake. Mostly. Hermione was in a chair going over the notes he missed in transfiguration Wednesday.
"This was very interesting," Hermione said with some enthusiasm, even if it was in her teacher's voice.
"Ah, huh," he yawned, trying to follow her hands on the notes that Healer Tonks had copied with a simple slash of her wand.
"The base roots for the lapifors spell can also be used for the reverse," she was saying.
His head dipped down and he sat up with a start. Hermione stopped and looked at him. "You should lay down," she told him with concern.
"I need to learn this and be ready for tomorrow," he told her. Since waking yesterday, he had felt an even larger urge to do better and focus on his work. He didn't want to let Daphne down, but with the effort Hermione was putting into him, he didn't want to let her down either.
"Healer Tonks told me that if you don't sleep when you are tired you may be in here longer than just tomorrow now. She also said she would not allow Neville, Daphne or I back in," she warned him.
He yawned again. "I don't want to sleep. That's most of what I have done for four days now. We are supposed to have our study group tomorrow, and I already missed it three times."
"Harry, you have grown a lot and you ate more than Ron does at lunch. I think Healer Tonks is right that you are just catching up." The no nonsense look she gave him had him huff. "Daphne and I will make sure you catch up as soon as possible. Now, sleep."
He grumbled at her as she took his book and parchments off the bed. Flopping on the bed, he rolled over so she would not see him trying to fight it. It wasn't very long before his eyes started to drift closed and soon was out.
When he woke, it was to a grumbling stomach. "Will it ever stop," he grumped sleepily.
"I hope so. It has been rather distracting, Scion Potter," the cool voice of Daphne said next to him.
He rolled over to see her sitting in the chair Hermione had been in earlier, a book in her hand and legs crossed. "I thought our deal didn't include any socializing?" he asked around a yawn, pleased she was there. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up.
"It would require you being awake to socialize," she retorted dryly as she turned a page.
After blinking a few times and making sure the sleep was out of his eyes, he was able to take her in. She was in a skirt and green blouse with a warmer traveling cloak over the chair. His eyes followed her bouncing leg for a moment before looking up. He had never felt this funny feeling before. Her eyes were still scanning the page, but every few seconds they would look at him before going back to the page.
Why did that give him butterflies in his stomach?
He liked her dark eyes with the light green marbled affect.
"Are you just going to look at me all day or is there something you want," she asked. Was that a slight colouring of her long neck? Harry felt his own neck heat some.
"I was just wondering why you are here if our deal doesn't include any social interactions," he asked her.
She nodded to the nightstand. "I am letting you borrow that and want it back when I leave." He saw the snitch he had given her last weekend on the nightstand. Was it possible to make friends like this in only a few weeks? Thinking back, Ron and him had been inseparable since the first day on the train to Hogwarts. That was until a few weeks ago...
Starting to feel more awake, he tried to bow while sitting up. "Thank you, Heiress Greengrass. This kindness will be repaid."
Was that a slight bit of colour in her cheeks? "Like I said, just make sure you get more outstandings."
He smirked at her. "As you wish, m'lady."
This time there was definite colour in her cheeks. "I need to tell Healer Devon you are up and that the graphorn needs a meal," she deadpanned as his stomach growled again.
He chuckled. "I will try to keep it tame," he told her.
"See that you do," she responded with a small smirk.
-oOo-
February 14, 1994
Hogwarts, Scotland
It was the first time in two days he was awake when Madam Bones came after supper. A familiar redhead in Hufflepuff colors was next to her. The woman smiled. "I am glad to see you up, Harry."
"Thank you, ma'am. Evening, Susan," he said. She had never been unkind to him, but she had never really said much to him either. He knew Hermione and her were on good terms.
"Good evening, Pott... Harry," she corrected herself. They hadn't been on first name basis before, but Harry figured if he was going to be living with her it was better to be friendly.
"Do you have something to say?" Madam Bones prompted her niece.
Susan blushed furiously. "I need to apologize to you. Auntie has asked about and corrected some... misperceptions I had about you."
Harry eyed her. "What misperceptions?"
At a sharp eye from their Guardian, Susan said quietly. "That you are an arrogant git that Dumbledore treats like his favorite student. Until Auntie told me some of what happened, I never said anything because many still believed you were the heir of Slytherin. I also don't know what happened with the troll, but many of us thought you were trying to hunt it."
"Is that all?" Madam Bones asked in a harsh tone.
Susan ducked her head, still bright red. "I'm sorry for calling you names behind your back. I haven't done that all this year though. Hannah and I actually tried to stop some of our dorm mates after getting to know Granger last year and this. It really shocked us and we knew you would never petrify or try to kill her."
He blinked at her. Was this why she never really talked to him? She was doing it behind his back?
She looked up, some tears in her eyes. "I never should have done that."
His anger had started to rise, but seeing the sincere apology in her dark brown eyes didn't allow it to rise too much. There was a heavy pause. After a moment he said, "I never tried to have that snake attack Ernie," remembering a conversation he had overheard last year.
She nodded after a moment. "It just looked like you did after you spoke parselmouth."
"I don't know if I will forgive you anytime soon." More tears came to her eyes at Harry's admission.
"Harry, she has apologized. I do not want any conflict in our house," Madam Bones told him.
He looked at her. "You will excuse me if I don't forgive her right away after what I went through and what I heard her say in the library last year."
Susan paled and put a hand to her mouth. Madam Bones looked at her. "What did you say?"
Harry felt a little pity for Susan. He didn't want her in trouble. He knew what happened when someone was in trouble. "It was nothing anymore," he told Madam Bones.
Susan looked grateful and repentant. Maybe she wouldn't be too bad once he got to know her?
Madam Bones looked between them for a few. "Is this matter closed?"
Susan nodded. Harry looked at her. "I will try to forgive Susan." He didn't like that she looked hurt and he was the cause.
"I am truly sorry," she whispered.
"I am too," he said back equally as sorry. He should forgive her, but as he recovered more, the bitterness of all those years he had been abandoned, mocked, ridiculed and even hit, wouldn't go away.
Madam Bones looked between them for a few. "We are all going to be living under the same roof and need to get along."
For the first time in days, his bubble of hope popped. "Maybe it is better I go back to my relatives," he told her.
"You can't," Madam Bones informed him.
He looked up. "I think it better I do. I don't want to hurt you or Susan."
Her face dropped the hard disciplinarian look. "You miss understand. You can't go back. The Dursley's were taken into Muggle custody for child abuse. Their legal rights over you have been severed. I am not going to leave you on the street and I think you and Susan can find a way to get along."
"I still think it better," he told Madam Bones. He didn't want to be anywhere he wasn't wanted. To much of his life had been that way and the relief he would never go back to his relatives was too good to compromise that way.
Susan looked at him with her watery eyes. "Harry, I don't want you to go somewhere else. We are cousins and I will find a way to show you I am sorry."
"Couldn't I live with my cousin Neville?" he asked Madam Bones. He really didn't want to hurt Susan. He had been hurt enough that he didn't wish it on anyone else, but he saw her shoulders drop.
There was a sad smile. "Augusta Longbottom can't claim rights over you. I am your guardian, Harry. Susan is honestly apologetic. Just give my niece, your cousin, a chance."
Looking at Susan, he dropped his shoulders. He wasn't going to win here, and if he did, he would hurt both of them. "I still don't understand why you never came for me before? Why didn't anyone come for me?"
Madam Bones dropped her head this time. "I didn't know," she said in a sad voice. When she looked back at him, there was a determination in her sadness. "I have a lead why the will was unknown. I can't change the past, but I can help you now."
His feelings for the Bones were so conflicted.
-oOo-
February 16, 1995
Hogwarts, Scotland
It was huge news. Everyone was talking about it. Hermione had rushed up to the hospital wing in the middle of breakfast with the Daily Prophet in her hands. Dumbledore had been arrested coming back from a session at the ICW. It was also the first morning Professor Flitwick and Snape were back.
"Harry, the Prophet is reporting the charges are for possible Line Theft and Attempted Murder," Hermione said excitedly.
"Daphne was wondering if he would get in trouble for my parents' will," Harry speculated, taking the paper.
"It's not you. It's for Sirius Black."
"Gran is going to have a heart attack. I heard she tried to send Black to the veil before..." he trailed off at the end of his sentence. The boy looked abashed. Neville could tell he didn't want to talk about it and Harry was grateful. He wasn't in the mood to face his parents' fate today. "What does this mean about Sirius Black?"
That got Hermione's attention. Hermione said in a rush, "I don't know. Daphne and I were talking yesterday and wondering when Black might turn himself in. Fudge rescinded the 'Kiss on Sight' order and your new Aunt has said a trial will be held but gave no date. Did you know he was sent to Azkaban without a trial?"
"She isn't my aunt," he said more forcibly than he meant. He really didn't want to use that word again.
"What are you going to call her then," Hermione pressed, not picking up on his uncomfortableness. "I guess you could call her your cousin, because she is."
"She said I could call her Amelia."
Neville shuffled. "Why did Black go to Azkaban without a trial?"
It was his turn to give Neville a thankful look. Harry enjoyed Hermione around, but at times she missed social queues. Not that Harry was much better himself, but he knew when someone was uncomfortable.
"The Daily Prophet didn't say, but what I don't understand is what Dumbledore had to do with it. I also don't understand why he didn't say anything about your parents' will?" She sounded pensive.
"Amelia is still looking into it."
He was tired of being in bed. Kicking his feet over the side, he stood up. "Are you supposed to stand up," Hermione asked.
"If I stay in that bed or sleep anymore I'm going to go spare," he told them.
The bell rang eight. Hermione started to gather the paper before looking at Harry. "Would you like me to leave this?"
He shook his head. "I need to get the work I missed last week done."
"You look better," Neville told him.
"Thanks," he said stretching. He felt much more coordinated in his larger body now. "I can't wait to get on a broom."
"Healer Tonks said two weeks after you are released," Hermione reminded him.
He made a face. "I'm surprised Wood hasn't marched in here and demanded I get back into the air."
"You do remember Madame Bones and Healer Tonks won't let him?" Hermione inquired. He looked at her and she went on. "Only Neville, Daphne, Susan and I are allowed in. At least Ron asked how you were doing a few times."
He blinked at her. "Has he been nicer to you?"
"He asked to come by tonight," she told him. By her look, Harry could tell she was not being bothered.
He started to stretch like Wood made them do before their workouts. When he came back up, she was looking at him. Her brown eyes held a different intensity than he was used to. He stopped and looked at her before she looked away. Ron must really be upsetting her still. He was a little surprised that he liked her eyes on him. "Do you think I should?"
"I think he needs to apologize before I take him here," she told him.
Neville rubbed the back of his head. "He's been very quiet the last week, except to talk to Hermione and I. Last night he asked me how you are doing. If you ask me, Ron looks a little lost without you two around. He's also been looking for Scabbers."
Harry wondered if Daphne had gotten the rat. He also wondered why they had never really become friends with Neville before. "He needs to apologize to Hermione first."
Hermione nodded. "I have to head to arithmancy and then we are doing our study session this afternoon."
Harry was disappointed he wasn't out of the hospital wing yet. It had been almost a week now. Hermione left and Harry and Neville followed her out with their eyes. He had never noticed that she was starting to develop curves and was cute.
"How long before Healer Tonks lets you out?"
"If I don't need a nap today, then tomorrow," he told Neville. He was happy he was eating a more normal amount of food and felt like he wanted to move today.
The doors to the hospital wing opened and Madam Pomfrey walked in. Healer Tonks got up from the desk she was using and met the woman with a hug. Neville looked at him. "I should get going. Tracey wanted some help with her herbology homework and wanted to see some of the plants on the grounds."
Harry looked at him, sensing something else. "Have fun," he encouraged.
As Neville was walking away, Healer Tonks and Madam Pomfrey were walking over to him. "I figure I should not be surprised to see you here, Potter."
"I didn't fall off my broom this time," he retorted.
"So I have heard. How are you today?" Pomfrey asked.
"Can I go for a walk?"
"Maybe later," Healer Tonks told him. "Only if you feel up to it and one of your friends can accompany you."
He nodded.
"I take it you feel much better?" Madam Pomfrey had a pinched brow.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey." He looked to Healer Tonks. He really wanted to get out of the hospital wing. "I don't need more treatments?"
"You do not," Healer Tonks assured him. "Just the daily potions for the next month or two."
"Mr. Potter, I owe you an apology." He looked at Madam Pomfrey confused. She went on. "I have been the Healer at Hogwarts for more than twenty years. In all that time I have never failed one of my charges like I did you."
He looked to her and Healer Tonks. "I don't understand."
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I am tendering my resignation. I saw the way you were malnourished and the signs of abuse. It was apparent the day I did your first-year examination what happened to you."
She looked so forlorn and Harry felt confused and angry. "What first-year examination!"
"All first years get an examination and certain potions to inoculate you against some very bad diseases and magical maladies," Pomfrey informed him.
"I don't remember an examination," he told her.
"I have a mind healer that will be coming to see you this weekend," Healer Tonks said. "Madam Pomfrey and some others have been submitted to memory charms and other compulsions. I have suspicions you may have as well, Harry."
The matron looked very unsettled. "I should have seen the side effects," she told him.
"Why didn't your exams pick it up?"
"Compulsions we would have found. Jinxes cast on the entire student body and tied to Hogwarts are not detectable in the normal ways. Memory charms or other modifications can only be found with a practiced mind healer. I am rather skilled, but if you have anything that has not been found so far, then I admit it is beyond my skill," Healer Tonks told him. "When Amelia comes by later, we will talk about it.
He looked to the Matron. "Why would you leave? You have always helped me," Harry asked. Even with the betrayal they were telling him about, he felt she was the only adult he had fully trusted since coming here.
She gave him a sad smile. "I don't feel I can trust myself. You are not the only child I have betrayed, just the worst of them."
"Poppy, it wasn't you," Healer Tonks soothed her.
"I can't take the risk of it happening again, Andi. I have become too compromised," said Pomfrey.
"Madam Pomfrey, please don't retire," Harry begged her. He couldn't think of another adult he trusted more in Hogwarts. Not even Hagrid.
The white hair woman looked at him. She looked conflicted. After a moment, she said, "I will think about it Potter. For now, I am only here to retrieve my belongings. Maybe next school year I shall return. In the mean time, Healer Tonks and Devon are fine Healers."
Harry frowned to see her look flustered. She soon took her leave and he was left with Healer Tonks and two new Aurors. Madam Bones... Amelia, had insisted the Aurors stay for now.
"Is Madam Pomfrey going to be alright?"
Healer Tonks sighed. "In time. If you need to move, you can stay in the hospital wing for now."
"Yes, ma'am."
It was just after eleven and he had finally completed his charms, History of Magic and DADA essays when the doors opened. He looked up to see Daphne walk in. A smile crept across his face to see her with the satchel she usually used for school.
"Good Morning, Heiress Greengrass," he said, getting up and bowing to her.
She was all prim as she gave him a curtsy before looking him up and down. "Scion Potter. I see you are not slacking anymore?"
He snorted. "You can say that."
"Should we get started then? You are a week behind in your work and I am meeting the others after lunch."
He slumped his shoulders. "Healer Tonks has said I can go out for a little bit if someone accompanies me. I was hoping to ask if you would accompany me before we start."
She eyed him for a moment. "Our deal doesn't include social interactions."
He nodded and sat back on the bed, pulling the tray table to him, feeling dejected.
"However, if it is healer's orders, I could accompany you," she voiced.
He looked up with a huge smile on his face. She had dropped her mask and had a small smile on her own. Harry quickly got his new shoes on. Looking around he realized he didn't have a cloak or robes here and he only had on a shirt today.
"What are you looking for," Daphne asked.
"I don't see my cloak," he told her.
Healer Tonks came over. "Are you going somewhere, Harry?"
Daphne straitened up. "Scion Potter has stated he may go for a walk if he is accompanied."
A small smirk played at Healer Tonks mouth before she gave a nod of her head. "I did inform Scion Potter as such, Heiress Greengrass. I assume you would like to take this responsibility?"
Daphne didn't balk or change her now haughty expression. "I will give my word Scion Potter shall return in the same health and when you appoint."
Healer Tonks matched Daphne's expression and stance. "That is acceptable. He may stay out until around noon and may go as far as the main courtyard."
Daphne made a very small curtsy. "Yes, ma'am."
"Would you like a lunch as well, Heiress Greengrass? Scion Potter gets lonely at times."
Daphne's mouth quirked. "I would find that acceptable, Healer Tonks."
He gave them a look and a small shake from Daphne's head told him to be quiet. He had been learning that much from her to know when it was some Pureblood thing he didn't know about.
Healer Tonks had a house elf retrieve his cloak. Like his other clothes, it was new, which was probably a good thing with how much he had grown. They walked out of the hospital wing and slowly made it towards the courtyard outside the main doors.
"What was that about, Daph?" he asked.
She gave a small smile. "Healer Tonks is still technically a Black, a pureblood House that is about as respected as the Potters, though they have a history of being for the purebloods. Father and mother highly respect the Tonks and have ask that Tori and I treat her with the proper respect as well."
"Oh," was all he could say. After a moment he asked, "Shouldn't I be the one ensuring your good health and return?"
"When you are better. Until then, I will keep my word."
Harry didn't miss her first statement, but didn't push. "What do you think of Susan Bones?" he asked her.
Daphne put her hands behind her back. "She seems nice. I have had to work with her a few times. Honest and sticks up for her friends. Father works with Madam Bones on the Wizengamot often and she usually comes to our Yule Celebration and often we go to the Bones New Year Ball."
He nodded as they made it down a set of stairs. A small group with Ravenclaw colours passed them. Harry caught them looking at Daphne and him.
She looked towards him when he hadn't said anything. "Why do you ask?"
"I am going to live with the Bones. Susan confessed the other night that she went along with her fellow Hufflepuff's last year about me. She apologized about it, but I don't know if I am ready to accept it." He wasn't sure why he was confessing this to Daphne. Hermione and Ron were his biggest confidants, but he never really talked to them like this.
Ron would have told him he was mental and Hermione would have tried to analyze the situation and probably order him to accept her apology to make things easier on him.
They walked down the main stairs and towards the large double doors. They were closed to the cold today.
"Are you upset with her?"
He sighed. "Truthfully, I'm upset with so many people right now, but I don't want to hurt her or Amelia."
He opened the doors and reveled in the cold February air that assaulted his face. Harry didn't like to sit for too long. He was an active person and it had been almost a week since he had been out of the castle. Remembering his manners, he motioned for her to go first.
Daphne inclined her head and he closed the door behind them.
There was a new layer of snow that had fallen last night that only had a few footprints in it. "God, I missed this," he told her.
She kicked some snow on his shoes. "You can have it," she told him.
He laughed and she screamed when he did the same. Only he kicked it to get as much on her as possible. "Harry!"
"You started it," he told her as she brushed the snow off her school robes.
"Doesn't mean you have to finish it. I am a lady, you know."
This made him laugh more before he bowed, still chuckling. "Please forgive me, m'lady."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't let it happen again."
"No promises," he told her and she gave him a glare that should have withered anyone. He just chuckled. "You have nothing on my best mate when she is truly upset."
With a huff, Daphne turned and walked towards the roofed walkway.
He followed her, just happy to be outside and that she would be with him. The bell tolled the half hour. He fell in step with her as she started to walk around the square courtyard.
"Why are you upset with so many?"
His happiness faded. "I have my reasons," he told her after a moment.
She looked questioningly at him. "Is it about your parent's will?"
He sighed. Hermione had a good idea why he was so upset. Why shouldn't Daphne? "Why didn't any of my Guardian's come looking for me? Amelia still won't tell me why the will filed at the Ministry was lost. Tomorrow I have a meeting with someone from Child Wizarding Services. I don't want to talk with them."
She stopped at one of the stone windows. "Who was the executor?"
"It was supposed to be one of my guardians, but they never got it," he responded.
"Is Madam Bones going for Line Theft once she finds out who?"
Harry slumped his shoulders and the clock struck the quarter hour. "I don't know."
"What do you know?" She was asking it in an earnest tone, like she was honestly curious and concerned about him. He liked it.
"I do know who the witnesses were," he responded.
She looked at him questioningly. "Who?"
"Neville's mother and Dumbledore," he stated.
Her hands went to her mouth. "Oh, no. Mother told me what happened to the Longbottoms. But Dumbledore! Does this have anything to do with the accusations against him?"
Harry shrugged. "No clue."
She looked at him shocked for a moment.
"It is horrible what happened to Neville's parents? Did you know his mum is my father's sister?" He just couldn't say aunt.
"Of course she is your father's sister. Why would you think she wasn't?"
"No one ever told me until the other day," he said simply. Again, the anger at others bubbled up, but he put it down. Daphne didn't deserve it. "What is the Crutiatus curse?"
Daphne shuttered and Harry didn't think it was from the cold. "It's a pain curse. It's said to be so painful that it can drive someone mental if exposed to it long enough. The Ministry has classified it as Unforgivable because the one casting it has to enjoy inflicting the pain and the fact it can drive someone insane or leave permanent ticks or muscle spasms. The worst cases can be almost paralyzed."
Harry felt a great sadness. Neville had grown up with his parents alive, but insane. He had also been through a trauma worse than him.
Neither of them said a word. Harry was lost in thought and she was studying him for his reaction. After a few he met her dark-eyes with green highlights. "Please don't tell others we know. Neville doesn't want to talk about it."
She nodded. "I will not mention anything."
The bell tolled quarter to noon and Daphne jumped. "Oh, you are supposed to be back." She grabbed his arm and started towards the doors.
"I think I earned a little more time out here," he whinged.
Her face was set. "I gave my word you would be back by noon."
He smiled and got into step with her, opened the door for her again and they walked as fast as Daphne would let him. He wanted to run, but she scolded him he was to be back in the same health he left.
Healer Tonks didn't comment on them being a few minutes late, instead indicating the plates with some sandwiches and crisps. They sat and he took out his charms essay as they ate. Before she started to read it, he quietly said to her, "Daph, thanks."
She took his hand ever so briefly. "If you need to talk again, all you need do is ask, Harry," she promised.
His hand felt very warm when she took hers away.