DISCLAIMER: EVERYTHING BELONGS TO J.K.R
Daphne Is In The Details
Chapter 1
Harry Potter And The Greatest Summer
Harry Potter was having the greatest summer of his life. His relationship with the Dursleys had reached its breaking point, apparently blowing up a family member is a hard thing to look past. They had allowed Harry to stay there on the condition he was not seen.
Harry went three days upon returning from Hogwarts before finding a church in a neighbouring town that offered breakfast and dinner to the less fortunate. The porridge and toast he had that morning was probably one of the single greatest meals of his life.
It was a nice town about six miles from the Dursleys home. He would leave each morning at six and walk to the town, arriving at the church about quarter after seven. After enjoying his breakfast he'd walk over to the library and stay there from 8:00 AM until it closed at 6:00 PM. He'd have dinner back at the church before returning to the Dursleys around 8:00 PM. Sneaking in while they were all watching whatever was on the BBC that night. He'd spend an hour each night studying and doing his homework for school before heading to bed.
His time at the library started with him reading a book called "Avalon & England: King Arthur and his historical significance in Great Britain." The book was a theorised perceived history of Arthur and the Kingdom of Avalon. All theories were backed with historical evidence but it also would reiterate constantly throughout the book that evidence is far from concrete.
That led Harry to reading about the rich and bloody history of Great Britain. It enthralled him and also infuriated him as he knew it wasn't a complete picture of history. How was the wizarding world involved, how did everything affect the magical population.
History of magic class was just essentially dates and names, with no color or context. Harry would have to check the library at Hogwarts when he gets back to school to see if there's better material than what Binn's provides.
On Sundays the library was closed so Harry decided to check out the services at the church. He had never been before and figured it would be better than doing nothing. The Dursleys attended a church but it was for respectable children and Harry certainly wasn't the respectable sort.
He wondered if wizards and witches would find it offensive that he was attending a church, seeing as the churches used to burn witches. Though from what Harry gathered they might not have actually been witches but women that had the audacity to have their own opinions.
For the most part Harry enjoyed the services and he could understand why people sought out the comforts of the church. It was like a family, everyone supporting one another. However it would never be Harry's family. Though he wondered if there were wizarding religions and churches. Another to look up when he returned to Hogwarts.
After the Sunday services an older couple approached him concerned for his well being. The pastor told them he had been there every day that week in the same clothes. He explained to the McDougals that all his other clothes were his school uniforms. That he had to stay with his relatives for the summers so he could continue attending his boarding school in Scotland. If he left his relatives he'd be put into the system and put into a public school. It was simpler than trying to explain blood wards.
The McDougals owned a small farm and offered him a job for the summer. They'd give him three meals a day and thirty pounds a week for doing some chores around the farm and building a fence. Harry would have done it for the food alone but who was he to turn down a few pounds.
Harry quickly set into a new routine. He would wake at five in the morning, do some light stretches and jog the forty minutes to McDougal's farm. He'd feed the chickens, milk the cows and shovel some manure. He'd then head inside and eat some breakfast. After breakfast he assisted on various tasks that differed day to day. They would head inside for lunch around noon. After lunch Harry would work on building the fence. At five in the evening Harry would be allowed to take a shower before having dinner. He'd then jog back to the Privet Drive and do some studying before going to sleep around nine in the evening.
The McDougals gave Harry some old clothes that belonged to their son that worked and lived in London, he was apparently a doctor and they were quite proud. The clothes were in better condition and fit much better then Dudley's ever did. would even do his laundry so he just had to leave his clothes in the hamper after his shower.
Sundays were his day off. He would join the McDougals for breakfast and the morning service at the Church. He then spend the rest of his day exploring the town and nearby villages. With his first bit of pounds he bought himself a portable cassette player and some second hand cassettes.
The Dursleys never listened to music and there wasn't any music at Hogwarts other than choir. So it wasn't something Harry had much experience in but he was curious and wanted entertainment on his runs.
Harry approached the clerk, a young twenty something bloke dressed in what looked like Dudleys handy downs. "I've never really listened to music before and I was wondering where's a good place to start?"
"You asked the right person, little man. Nine out of ten people will give you some horsedung about the Beatles, now mind me you got the hair for them but not the attitude." He paused and stared at Harry giving a once over. "Yeah, definitely not the attitude."
"You're a troubled little bugger. You got the scars and I see it in your eyes, your life's been a right nasty piece of work. The cure for you is obviously The Cure, and for a little bit of magic how about the Pixies?"
He found that pixies were better to listen to during the mornings when he was trying to get himself going, and The Cure helped him clear his head and unwind at the end of the day. It was strange to feel so connected to something, like the music understood him more then he knew himself.
So Harry's summer continued until about a month into his holidays he received a very strange letter from he had never even spoken to before.
Heir Harry James Potter
I write to you today to discuss our mutual infatuation with one another. I notice over the last year several times you admired me from afar and will admit that I was flattered by your attention. I appreciate that you didn't interrupt my studies with any advances as it would have been inappropriate for our age.
However it has been brought to my attention we will both be turning fourteen this summer, a common age for adolescents to begin informal courtships. My initial intention was to hold off any of these proceedings until the spring but circumstances have changed.
I will meet with you on August 7th, 1994 at 1:00PM at the Thornbird Tavern. The establishment is equal distance from each of our residents and should provide adequate privacy. Please bring whatever terms you may have so may negotiate the terms of our courtship. Arrive at least ten minutes early as we will begin promptly at 1:00 PM.
Heiress Daphne Odette Greengrass
Harry had read the letter at least a hundred times. It was the most bonkers thing he had ever read. It was like it was written by Professor McGonnigal informing him of a disciplinary hearing. Everything was written like it was an indisputable fact, it was even an invitation more of a summons. It wasn't "Would you like to meet me?" It was, "You will meet me and don't be late or there will be consequences."
Part of him wanted to write back telling her exactly where to shove it. Yet the more he read the letter the more he was intrigued by her. Who the hell writes something like that?! The bird was insane. Which kind of made it exciting.
She wasn't wrong about him finding her attractive. Though he thought he wasn't being obvious only took quick looks out of the corner of his eye. The trouble was he really liked her eyes and it's hard to be sneaky when you look at someone's eyes.
Now Harry had never been formally introduced to Daphne Greengrass, despite sharing half his classes with her for the last three years. He was however very aware of her and often would catch himself admiring her genetics. If she was in any house other than Slytherin and played quidditch he'd probably consider himself smitten.
Ignoring the voices of Hermione and Dumbledore in his head telling him that it's irresponsible and dangerous to meet someone you barely know without any chaperone. Harry chose to go with a sage advice of his dormate Seamus, "If a bird asks you out, the answer is always yes and do you have a friend for my mate Seamus." Well the first bit of his advice anyways and respond to her letter.
Heiress Daphne Odette Greengrass
Thank you for your letter. If I'm being honest it caught me by surprise, though a wonderful surprise. I'll also admit I thought I was being more discrete in my admiration but for once my lack of finesse has paid off.
I'm looking forward to our meeting, if anything, just the novelty of seeing a classmate outside of school as I don't have many opportunities to do so.
I'll make sure to arrive promptly, it would be in poor taste to keep a lady waiting.
Harry James Potter
He gave the letter to Hedwig and the bird took off, thankful to have something to do since Ron and Hermione wouldn't write again until his birthday as they're busy with family. Sirius hadn't been in contact either though his excuse of being on the run from the ministry was pretty sound.
Hopefully his response would be taken well, he tried to sound as proper as possible. A girl like Daphne would expect a proper gentleman, he was sure.
He would ask the McDougals over dinner tomorrow for a nice shirt to borrow so he could look presentable. Probably wouldn't hurt to ask them for some tips as he had never been on a date before and wasn't sure what she would be expecting.
It was at that point Harry Potter realized he was in over his head.
AUTHORS NOTE: SO THIS IS MY FIRST FANFICTION, STILL TRYING TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT.
I APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE PEOPLE CAN OFFER AS GET MY WINGS.
I HAVE NO SCHEDULE FOR ANY UPDATES, BUT IMAGINE IT WILL PRETTY FREQUENT TO BEGIN WITH
AND SLOW DOWN TO ONCE A WEEK WHEN I GET INTO THE MEAT OF THE STORY.
FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS AND I'LL DO MY BEST TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ANSWER THEM
DISCLAIMER: EVERYTHING STILL BELONGS TO J.K.R