I don't own anything, that goes to JK Rowling.
September 29th 1996; 18:40 PM
The Great Hall
Many times in his life did Harry Potter believe that he was destined to die. Sometimes, Harry thought he was destined for greatness. But only once did he dare dream he was destined to fall in love...
Life had been easy but burdensome for Harry Potter. Many times it was easy - with his father's support. Who gave Harry everything he could possibly want. But, the weight that sat on his shoulders; a legacy thrust upon him by the downfall of a madman at his mother's hand many years before. The cause of her own demise.
This forced both Harry and his father to be in the limelight often - people often tracking both of their achievements, especially Harry's.
A widespread belief was he'd become some mythical warrior, who'd lead the wizarding world into a new era, but Harry cared little for that.
Don't get him wrong, he loved magic, eager to learn and understand the nuances of it all, but he didn't care to be a warrior... He wanted to learn, make, understand, explore every mystery magic held - something only very few knew.
Harry never outwardly complained about his life, he felt lucky to have all that he did, but sometimes Harry wished not to be famous - that no one knew his name and he could make a life for himself without the worry of not living up to not only the publics expectations but his fathers. His life lacked real aim, no goal giving him satisfaction, something amiss... That was until he laid his eyes on her.
Daphne Greengrass.
Greengrass was different: in a good way. She was brilliant in her own right, spending much of her time in the library - away from others. Harry often wondered what Daphne was researching. What did she enjoy doing with her free time? What did she want for a career?
So, Harry watched from his position on the Gryffindor table as she ate alone. Averting his gaze whenever she would make a move to raise her eyes from her food. When that happened, he'd turn his attention to the group of boys around him, his dorm mates - Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville.
Close friends would be an understatement for the five of them; they were as thick as thieves, giving The Mauraders a run for their money when they'd been in their prime. Only separated by their different classes. They spent the vast majority of their time together. Whether it was drinking, partying or studying, they could almost always be found together. Harry really only left their side to do additional research. Or occasionally chat up some random girl - if he was feeling horny.
Harry grunted as he felt a sharp pain in his ribs that took him from his inherent staring. Harry quickly shoved a mouthful of roast chicken in his mouth and started chewing, focusing on the boy who'd elbowed him.
"Stop staring, you prat!" Ron whispered in his ear.
"You didn't have to elbow me!" Harry hissed back, finally finishing his mouthful.
"We've been back a month, and all you've done is make eyes at her. Melin, mate, if you're so obsessed with her, why don't you go over and work that Potter Charm?" Ron asked with waggling eyebrows.
"The 'Potter Charm' is a myth made up by The Marauders back in the seventies!"
"No, no, no! Don't give me that! I've seen it first hand."
"Whatever," Harry dismissed with a wave of his fork.
"I remember when you somehow landed that chick back in our fourth year! I'm still gobsmacked how you got a sixth-year to agree to that!"
"That's because you have no idea how to talk to women. How did your last escapade with Bell go anyway?"
"Still isn't talking to me."
"Point proven."
"Not all of us can be as smooth as you with the ladies! Besides, you haven't had any luck with Greengrass, no matter how much you make that face all the other girls adore!"
"What face?" Harry asked, grinning at Ron.
"That one!"
"I have no clue what you're talking about," Harry said innocently.
"Insufferable prat. Dean! Back us up here."
"What?" Dean asked after he'd finished his mouthful.
"Harry, does he or does he not have the Potter Charm?"
Dean chuckled, "For sure. If you listen closely in the common room, you'll hear the younger years swooning over him!"
Ron just flashed a triumphant grin his way.
"I need a drink if I'm going to listen to this load of bollocks for the rest of the day," Harry grumbled, standing from the bench.
"Can't mate, McGonagall confiscated it all the other night whilst you were in the library."
"What! All of it?"
"As far as I could tell, she completely ransacked the place."
"And you let her?!"
"How do you propose we stop her?"
"You could've at least hidden some of it!" Throwing his hands in the air. "It'll take weeks to get that supply even close to what it was!"
"We tried! She was just too thorough, even went into her bloody cat form and started sniffing about once she'd found the majority of it." Seamus piped up.
Harry looked up to the head table, sitting back in his seat, and locked eyes with the Transfiguration Professor - who gave an imperceptible wink and went back to her food.
"This is awful," Harry groaned. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Well... You've been kinda out of it, mate. Greengrass has taken all your attention the last few weeks."
"Has not!"
"You didn't realise we have been out of all liquor for almost a week. If that doesn't say anything, I don't know what will." Ron chuckled.
"Maybe you're right," Harry said as he rubbed his temples.
"Come on, mate, you should focus on something else rather than her. What were you working on again? You've been spending even more time in the library lately."
"I was just researching about the Grindelwald war... Fascinating really. Sadly, Dumbledore won't reveal anything about it," Harry moaned.
"Maybe it's a sore spot for him?" Neville suggested.
"Maybe, but Grindelwald - as much as he was evil - could produce extremely impressive magic. I'm talking throwing cars wandlessly, taking on half of the American Aurors at once. There was a mention of a spell - Protego Diabolica - that he used in Paris that almost wrecked the whole city! I couldn't even imagine Dumbledore doing something like that... I'd love to know more about him, how he did it, things like that."
"Sounds like you have a crush on him, mate."
Harry huffed.
"No, Ron, that crush is on Greengrass!" Neville chimed in, causing the small group of them - apart from Harry - to burst out laughing.
"Don't you start! We all remember that crush you had on Granger last year."
Neville's cheeks brightened and averted his gaze from the others, fiddling with a plant - the Mimbulus mimbletonia.
"Perhaps it wasn't just last year!" Harry grinned, clapping his hands together with glee. "Right! I'm off. I need to see if McGonagall got into the emergency supply."
"Emergency supply? Since when did we have that?"
"Since the last time McGonagall confiscated all our drink," Harry said, getting up from the bench a second time and heading for the large door, swiftly accompanied by his four dorm mates.
Walking through the halls, occasionally throwing a jab at one another, they reached the entrance to Griffindor tower and entered the large but cosy Common Room, walking past the small group of fawning girls, Harry headed for the stairs, taking the steps two at a time, he reached the top - the Head Boy's room. None of them was head boy, mind you - only being sixth-years - but Harry had managed to garner access to the illustrious room nonetheless.
"How did you get access to this place?" Ron asked as Harry opened the door.
"My dad gave me a tip," Harry said with a wink.
"Of course, the great James Potter! Oh, how we've been blessed by the Gryffindor legend!" Seamus said with a laugh.
Harry just smirked, entering the room and going straight for his stash. Moving the large mahogany wardrobe with a flick of his wand, Harry focused on one of the stone tiles underneath. Harry gave another sweep of his wand and, the tile lifted to reveal a few bottles of all sorts of drinks. Starting at the usual Firewhisky, all the way to Muggle drinks like Vodka and Spiced Rum.
"Thank Merlin for that!" Harry said, summoning a bottle of Rum to his hand. "Not all hope is lost!"
Opening the bottle and taking an unhealthy swig from it, "Come on, boys. Take what you want. We're living like kings tonight!"
"I'll drink to that!" Dean said, summoning the bottle of Firewhisky; holding it high.
"Aye!" They chorused together before departing the room and sealing the door.
Several hours later, spending time having fun, drinking till they were merry did it see Harry plop himself next to Ron, both of them sitting at the foot of Ron's bed.
"Ron, be honest with me. Do you think I have a shot with Greengrass?"
"No offence, Harry, but you haven't had much luck with her in the past. Didn't she outright reject you last year? Or did I dream that?"
"Don't remind me!" Harry groaned, rubbing his face. "Greengrass is just different, you know? I can describe it! This one time, we worked together for some Defence work - in the lead up to our OWLs. She was the only person that kept her ground with me all year. It was mesmerising... Granger is smart, don't get me wrong, but Greengrass has such an extraordinary hold on the more practical side of magic. It's... Intense." Harry's cheeks lit up slightly, and a small bead of sweat found its way to his brow.
"Sounds like you have it bad, mate!" Ron chuckled. "Ow!" Ron whimpered when he got an elbow to the stomach.
"I don't need you to tell me something I already know! I just... Ugh! I can't even think straight! I need some more rum," Harry chugged down a large amount and set the bottle down with a heavy clank.
"You're thinking about it too much. What if - now hear me out here - you just... go up to Greengrass? Don't do your usual tricks; be yourself - try to get to know her instead of what her knickers look like. You've tried it your usual way. How about you give something else a try?"
Harry blinked, and then again. "I hadn't thought of that..."
"Yes! I - Ron Weasley - managed to think of something The Great Harry Potter, stealer of witches, the greatest wizard of our generation couldn't think of!"
"And what? You want a medal or something?" Harry said, rolling his eyes.
Ron tapped at his chin, making himself look in deep thought. "Come to think of it... yes, yes I do."
"One medal coming right up!" Harry grabbed the nearest thing he could find - an old sock - and transfigured it into a medal. "Here you are!" Harry said with a faux bow.
Ron put the medal around his neck before he read the inscription, reading it aloud, "Worlds Greatest Prat. Hey! Actually, you know what? I'm keeping it: you don't deserve it." Ron said, his head held high.
"Suit yourself," Harry said with a laugh.
They sat in silence for a few minutes as Ron admired Harry's handy work.
"I'm going to try and walk this off. I'll see you later," Harry said as he got up, summoning his fathers Invisibility Cloak and The Marauders Map - a map that had come in handy many times whilst sneaking around after curfew, lending him an extra set of eyes, ones that didn't miss anything. No matter how dark it was.
"Later, Harry, stay safe!" Ron shouted as Harry left their dorm.
Exiting an empty Common Room, Harry ambled around, his thoughts drifting about aimlessly. Until he found himself standing at one of the exits, leading toward the Black lake. Harry stepped over the threshold, taking small, cautious steps toward a spot he and his friends frequently inhabited on sublime summer afternoons, a small bay that was closed off from the rest of the lake.
On his arrival, Harry sat at the edge of the water, admiring the moonlight, the way it reflected off the calm loch with pristine reflection. The tranquil sky was disrupted by a swooping bird - a powerful-looking owl. Who landed on a branch close to where Harry was sitting.
Standing up, Harry approached the bird with caution. "Aren't you pretty?" Harry said as he held his hand out toward the bird, unknowing if it was friendly. "You know, for a moment, I'd thought you were my own owl, Hedwig... She's beautiful, like you - but you have different eyes."
"Hoot!" The owl said, and Harry could've sworn it meant 'thank you.'
"They remind me of this girl, Daphne... She has ones just like yours - such a majestic blue. How I've dreamt of looking into them, but she isn't interested in me... A shame, really," Harry said, stroking the owl's head with a kind hand. "For as long as I've been here. I've spent my time trying to woo the witches of the castle. But that would never work with her: she's too good for that. Too good for overused tricks, flashy wand-waving and cocky grins... She deserves better than I would've - could've - given her before. But now I'd give the world to see her smile at me, with those pretty dimples of hers - what I wouldn't give to see her face light up with joy because of me."
Harry walked away from the owl slightly, wearing a watery smile.
"Gryffindors are supposedly the brave and bold, but when I'm around her... my knees go weak, I feel clammy, and my heart begins to race. When I catch her eye: I feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach... She's gorgeous, her silky blonde hair that's cut at just the right length, her velvety skin... And of course, her figure..."
"Hoot!"
Harry chuckled - talking to an owl? He must be going insane.
"I haven't told my friends this... I haven't told anyone, for that matter. I don't think I could if I wanted to. I couldn't bear to see if my dad would be upset. But, my Patronus changed over the summer. She was once a Doe - like my mothers. And I loved her to bits. But now... Now it's entirely different, for reasons I can't figure out... Expecto Patronum!"
A bright white owl shot from his wand, soaring mightily around the small enclosure - warming his heart. Spinning around the bay with it, Harry reached out to touch the sovereign light, but it evaporated, leaving Harry staring directly at the identical owl sitting on the branch.
ooo000ooo000ooo
September 30th 1996; 7:35 AM
The Great Hall
Harry yawned as he flopped down onto the bench next to Ron. Immediately piling on food to a plate and grabbing some tea.
"You good, Harry? We didn't hear you get back last night." Neville asked with his mouth half full.
"I got in late, 'is all," Harry said, rubbing at his eyes. "I've got a massive headache."
"Well, you better sober up quick. McGonagall won't be happy if you sleep in class again," Ron snorted.
"Don't remind me. How are you lot all fine and dandy, but I'm on my fucking arse," Harry groaned.
"We weren't out till Melin knows when. Unlike your stupid arse. What were you even thinking being out that late?" Seamus asked.
"You never know, Seamus. Harry could've gotten it on with Greengrass!" Ron snorted.
"Would you knock it off! She'll hear you," Harry hissed, shovelling a large mouthful of food in his mouth before grabbing his bag and getting up. "I'll meet you in Transfiguration."
Harry quickly left the great hall, heading straight for the McGonagall's classroom. His thoughts were all over the place, ranging from his schoolwork to other side projects he'd been putting off - some of them from the previous year - and finally: Daphne... He shook himself from all of it as he stood outside of the classroom, the walk had gone all too quick for his liking, but he entered the classroom nonetheless, taking his seat at the back right-hand corner of the class - the best place to observe the whole room.
"Mr Potter, it's a pleasant surprise to see you show up early for once," McGonagall said from her desk at the front.
"Just eager to learn, Professor!" Harry said with false joy, grimacing at his loud words.
McGonagall sniffed. "If you weren't at the top of this class, Mr Potter, I'd take that as an insult."
Harry just gave her a cheeky wink before he settled at his desk, removing his books from his bag - using up both spaces, as he usually did. His friends came in a few minutes after him: sitting in the seats next to and in front of him, Ron and Neville in front, Seamus and Dean next to, leaving Harry with a desk to himself.
Transfiguration passed with a blur; luckily for Harry, he'd gone over the work before the lesson, so he'd been at least somewhat prepared for it.
Harry trudged out of the classroom beside Ron, heading straight for their next lesson - DADA.
"You alright, mate," Ron whispered as they climbed the stairs.
"Yeah, bloody headache from last night won't relent," Harry waved off.
Walking the rest of the way in silence, Harry and Ron made it to the entrance - the rest of their friends closely following behind. Harry took the back righthand corner, once again, with his friends assuming the same seats they had done in Transfiguration.
The class was loud until the professor - Moody - walked in, well, hobbled in.
"Today, class, we're going to be learning non-verbal casting. I am aware some of you will have already attempted such - without my permission. But! This will be our task for the day. Pair up!" Moody observed the still classroom. "What are you waiting for? Your arm to fall off? I said: Pair up!" Causing the class to burst into action.
Harry's dorm mates all paired up together, leaving Harry to search the class for someone to pair with - checking the usual suspects: Smith, Goldstein, Granger... even Malfoy, but they were all paired. That left one last person: Daphne Greengrass.
Taking a deep breath, Harry marched over, not letting himself have another thought.
"Greengrass?" Harry called out.
"Potter?"
"Do you already have a partner? If not, would you be mine?"
Daphne raised an eyebrow in his direction, "Fine, Potter, but don't get any ideas."
Harry held his hands in the air, "I will be nothing but the perfect gentleman."
Daphne scoffed, "If your history in this castle is anything to go by, you'd have no clue what that means, Potter," Daphne said with a debilitating smile.
Harry winced at her scathing comment, "Okay... Well, moving on... Would you like to start, and I shield?"
Daphne nodded, taking her wand out from her robes. Harry idly wondered what she looked like under those robes but shook himself of the intrusive thought and pulled his own wand out.
Daphne raised her wand in his direction without a word, slashing downward violently: sending a purple curse toward Harry.
"The fuck was that Greengrass?!" Harry hissed as the spell fizzled out into his silver shield.
Daphne looked unfazed, smiling knowingly, "Know that spell, do you? Here I thought you strayed away from the dark arts..."
"To properly defend against something, you have to know it," Harry replied instantly. "The fact you used such a thing in this class - with Moody here - shows just how stupid you really are!"
Daphne's lips upturned, and she adjusted her posture - proceeding to throw a flurry of spells at him - non-verbally - to which Harry blocked or otherwise dodged, moving with serene elegance around the room, causing the rest of the students to stop what they were doing and watch.
Every curse, hex, or charm sent missed Harry as he strode with purpose across the room, standing tall.
"Is that all you've got? Surely you can do better!" Harry said with a wink, wearing an unwavering grin.
Daphne just smiled at him, her dimples causing him to falter slightly, but Harry held his ground - albeit sloppier than before. Harry allowed her to continue to launch spells at him, regaining his own momentum - enjoying the way he could get under her skin.
Having had enough, Harry began to cast his own spells in Daphne's direction - whose smile didn't falter, enjoying that he'd started to fight back. Starting with low-level stunners but swiftly increasing the lethality of each spell until they were having a full-on duel; the only noise: their footsteps.
Harry grew impatient with not landing a Spell and began to use Spells he'd found in the restricted section of the library, causing Daphne's eyes to grow wide with surprise - or was it awe?
After sending a myriad of spells in her direction, Harry caught her shoulder - luckily - with a banishing charm, causing Daphne to let out a small squeak as she was sent into the wall behind her with a sickening crunch.
"Shit!"
Without a second thought, Harry rushed over to Daphne's side. Sitting her upright. Cradling her tightly in his arms.
"That was quite the show, Potter..." Moody said, causing Harry to look up and see the whole class watching him - a mix of emotions across each of their faces.
"Take her to Madam Pomfrey to make sure she doesn't have a concussion, Potter. Come and see me once you've done that." Moody barked.
Nodding, Harry picked Daphne up bridal style and left the classroom hearing: "Back to work, the lot of you!" after a few steps down the corridor.
Making his way to The Hospital Wing - going the quickest route he knew - not stopping to put Daphne down, even though he dearly needed a break. Harry instead focused on the way Daphne's body melted into his own, how her hair fell delicately over her exquisite face. How her long silky legs felt against his skin.
Shaking his head, Harry doubled his efforts, wanting to get Daphne help at the soonest opportunity.
Thanking Merlin that the doors were open, Harry stepped in.
"Madam Pomfrey! I need some help here!" Harry shouted.
"Potter? What do you need now?" Pomfrey called back, emerging from her tiny office in the corner. "Oh, what happened to her?"
Harry was guided over to a bed, where he set Daphne down gently.
"I... I might've banished her into the wall..." Harry said with flushed cheeks, scratching at his cheek.
"You what?!" Pomfrey asked, rounding on Harry.
"Wait! We were in Defence, and we may have got carried away, and I nicked her in the shoulder... I didn't mean it, really."
"In all my years..." Pomfrey muttered as she got to work. "You can go back to class, Mr Potter. I expect your professor would like a word with you."
"Oh... Yeah." Harry said, turning for the exit.
As Harry was about to leave when he called out to Pomfrey, "Do you think she'll be here later when classes are over. I'd like to apologise in person."
"By the looks of it, Mr Potter, she'll be in here for the night."
Grimacing slightly, Harry nodded before racing back to Moody's classroom, not to get into any more trouble than he already was.
ooo000ooo000ooo
September 30th 1996; 12:05 PM
The Great Hall
"How'd it go, mate?" Ron asked as Harry sat down for lunch.
"I have detention for the rest of the week. Oh, and Dumbledore wants me in his office tomorrow."
"Unlucky, it's only Monday; couldn't have picked a worse day for it." Ron laughed.
"Ugh! Tell me about it."
"So... Chances with Greengrass are pretty slim at this point, no?" Ron asked with a grin.
"I don't even want to talk about it! I didn't mean to get so caught up in the duel... It just happened."
"Maybe you'll have gained her respect? She was a bit up herself. You never know; it might've knocked her down a couple of pegs." Seamus guessed.
"You lot aren't helping."
Ron just shrugged, "Well, we're not the ones who banished a girl into a stone wall."
"When you put it like that, you make me sound like the bad guy."
"To most, Harry, you look like the bad guy," Dean laughed.
"She started it!"
"So what? They don't know that. All they saw was her fly across the room," Ron snorted. "It looked quite funny, but that crack sounded nasty."
"Don't even mention it! I almost threw up when I heard it." Harry said, shivering. "I'm not hungry anymore. I'll catch you, boys, later; I'm off to the library." Earning a chorus of goodbyes from all his dorm-mates, but Ron.
"See you later, mate! How about a game of chess when you get back?" Ron asked as Harry stood.
"Sounds great! You're setting the table," Harry said before leaving the hall, not heading to the library but to The Hospital Wing.
Harry plodded to the infirmary in deep thought. Letting his eyes wander but not taking in any of the decorations that lined the walls. His thoughts remained on the duel with Daphne - mostly the sickening crunch as her back hit the wall. Harry felt a shiver go down his spine once again at the thought.
Entering the Hospital Wing, Harry immediately focused on the sleeping form of Daphne. Harry looked around for Pomfrey but didn't see her, so he sat at the side of the bed.
Harry took the sight before him in, the motionless form of Daphne - the only visible sign of life was the faint rise and fall of her chest, causing Harry to avert his gaze with a subtle blush.
Harry let out an exaggerated sigh, running his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry, Daphne..." Harry whispered.
"I hope you're not planning on hurting her anymore, Mr Potter!"
Harry jumped in his seat when he heard the matron of the wing call his name.
"Of course not, Madam. I just came to see if she was awake; I need to apologise."
"She should wake soon, Mr Potter. That is why I came back in."
"Oh, okay... Is it alright if I stay until she wakes?"
"As long as you remain quiet."
"No problem," Harry said, taking a book - Magick Moste Evile - from his bag.
Harry wasn't quite sure how long he was by Daphne's side, engrossed with some of the dangerous spells that lay on the book's pages. But, what fascinated Harry more was the mention of the Author's Wand - made of elder wood.
From previous encounters with wand lore, fascinated by the subject from a young age, Harry had only heard of one made of Elder - The Elder Wand... Its whereabouts: unknown.
Often, when he lacked something better to do, Harry would attempt to trace The Wand's history - he'd made it a habit to write down any and all mention on The Wand he found in books. Labelling the name of the author and the time it was written, giving him a rough outline of where it'd ended up through history.
Mentions seemed to cease around the late nineteenth century, leaving its location a mystery Harry was unable to solve. The last he could find was it being possessed by a wand-maker on the continent, but that man was long dead, any mentions long forgotten. Whoever had taken it had covered their tracks well and kept it out of the public eye. And, given the history of The Wand, Harry couldn't blame them.
Harry had been secretive with his own wands nature - only his father, Dumbledore, and Ollivander knew its specifications.
Harry had talked with Dumbledore a few times on the matter of wands, most notably The Elder Wand - Dumbledore had visited his home in Godrics Hollow several times over his short life. Dumbledore had told him that a man named Loxias had held a wand of elder during the eighteenth century but had given nothing concrete past that sadly - yet another time Dumbledore had withheld information from Harry, which he knew Dumbeldore possessed.
"Ugh," Daphne groaned.
"Oh, you're up," Harry said gently.
"You? Why are you here?" Daphne said, her eyes flicking down to the book on his lap before meeting his again.
"Er, well, you see."
"Ah, Miss Greengrass, it's good to finally see you awake! Now, is anywhere painful?" Pomfrey said, ignoring Harry entirely.
"I'm fine, really," Daphne said, continuing at Pomfrey's incredulous stare, "I have a slight headache, nothing bad. Can I go?"
Pomfrey looked like she wanted to argue, giving Daphne a mighty stare, but Daphne held her ground and eventually, the Med-witch relented.
"I'll fix that, and then you should be good to leave," Pomfrey said reluctantly, "but I do expect if you have any other problems for you to come straight back here, do you understand?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey."
"Good! This shouldn't hurt at all, Episkey," Pomfrey said as she pointed her wand at Daphne's head.
Daphne relaxed somewhat after the spell hit her, smiling slightly. "Thanks, I'm good to go now?"
"Yes, yes, off you go."
Daphne swung her feet over the other side of the bed and got off with a small jump.
"Potter, what are you looking at?"
"I er- I just came to apologise."
"Apologise?" Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I took it too far earlier - I'm sorry."
Daphne tilted her head up slightly, eyes widening and mouth forming an 'o' shape, "Thank you. In all honesty, Potter, I'm surprised you came to apologise; I didn't think it in your nature."
Harry ignored the scathing comment. "Oh, I grabbed your bag for you," Harry said instead, handing her the bag.
Daphne took the bag with some caution, studying it, before turning to Harry with a piercing gaze - searching in his eyes for any deceit. Something seemed to shift in her demeanour. She let out a small breath and smiled brighter than before, making Harry's heart flutter.
"My, you're full of surprises, aren't you? Are you sure you didn't take a fall whilst coming here?" Daphne said with a mirthful grin.
Harry blinked, not believing he'd heard her correctly, though Daphne still stood with a smile - surprised at the change of tone and the jest, Harry responded with one of his own.
"Not that I recall... But if I did fall, I wouldn't remember it anyway. Perhaps I should get myself checked whilst I'm here..."
Daphne giggled, and Harry thought his knees would give out. "That's probably for the best, can't have you all beaten up for our next duel, can we?"
"N-Next duel?"
"Why, of course! I can't let this weigh me down now, can I?" Daphne gave Harry a sickly sweet smile, "I'll see you around, Potter," Daphne blew Harry a kiss before leaving him speechless at the side of the bed.
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 1st 1996; 21:37 PM
Headmaster's Office
"Come in," Dumbledore's voice echoed through the door.
Sighing, Harry entered the room, met with Dumbledore sat at his large desk, idly tinkering with some device Harry couldn't quite make out.
"Hello, Harry. Come, have a seat!"
"Evening, Professor."
"I've told you many times before, Harry, Albus is fine whilst we're alone."
"Sorry, it's a habit."
Dumbledore waved off his reply as Harry sat at the desk opposite him.
"Now, I have been informed by Alastor that you and Miss Greengrass had a duel that got... out of hand."
Harry nodded, looking down slightly.
"You're not in trouble, Harry. I merely found this a good excuse for us to have a chat, but I must say to keep in control - we don't want another incident. But, I trust you know that by now. No, I think this is the perfect opportunity to continue our discussion on what you'd like to do with your life!"
"It is?"
"Why, of course!" Dumbledore said merrily. "I do believe I have a solution to our current problem. I can see it in you, Harry. You don't crave for a mundane life - one of an Auror, one of a Hogwarts Professor - though, I believe you'd make a fine Headmaster one day. You are very much like I was, a boy who wants to see the world, explore all he can, learn, create and understand..."
"Why are you telling me this, Albus?"
"When I was young, I planned to explore after my NEWTs, to see the world and learn all branches of magic I could... I was unable to accomplish my dreams - for reasons I shall not go into now. But, I see no reason for you not to do that yourself..."
"I'm sensing some sort of 'but' to come."
"Alas, you'd be correct! You have brave and loyal friends, Harry, but none are suited to the life you seek. There is only one student I know of who has high aspirations - desires of becoming great. Professor Slughorn has mentioned a student in his house, a girl who goes by the name: Daphne Greengrass."
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 4th 1996; 19:20 PM
Entrance Hall
"Potter!"
Harry turned to see Daphne walking toward him with vigour. He gulped, having spent the time since his meeting with Dumbledore using The Marauders Map to avoid her at every opportunity.
"Greengrass?"
"You've been avoiding me."
"I have?" Harry said as he scratched the back of his neck.
Daphne folded her arms. "Yes."
"Okay..."
"Yes... It's been a pain to find you. I was beginning to wonder if you were frightened about another duel..." Daphne stepped closer to him, her warm breath tickling his neck. "But I know that's not the case... You're going to be my partner in Defence from now on."
Harry stood dead still, his body screaming at him - but he continued to stand, not wanting to fall for whatever trick she might be playing. "What brought this about?"
Daphne chuckled, and Harry's eyes flicked down to her rising and falling chest - Harry wanted nothing more than to ravish her there and then but held his tongue.
Daphne went up onto her toes, moving her mouth close to Harry's ear - his senses were overwhelmed by Daphne's exotic scent. "Why, you're the only one who can use their wand properly, of course," Daphne whispered.
Harry instinctively reached out to Daphne as he felt his knees turn to mush but managed to keep his hands to himself.
Daphne stepped back a fraction. "Don't be thinking you can go easy on me because of last time - I want a proper challenge."
Daphne patted Harry's cheek then walked past him and into the great hall, leaving Harry standing dumbly feeling a bright red flush on his cheeks.
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 4th 1996; 20:37 PM
Gryffindor Dorm
"I think you're insane, mate."
"I'm telling you, she's up to something. Why would she even give me the time of day after what I did? Why does she want another duel?"
"You're overthinking it! Now, if it were any other girl in this castle, you'd have had them in a broom closet by now - but not with Greengrass, why?"
"She's... She's just different! I don't want to have a one night fling with her - I want something proper."
"Boys!" Ron called out, gaining the attention of the rest of the dorm, "It's finally happened! Harry has found his Lily Evans!"
The dorm erupted into applause, each of the boys congratulating Harry - sarcasm lined their voices, but Harry knew there was genuine happiness for him.
"You lot are insufferable! Is it such a big deal that I want to treat a girl right?"
"Yes!" Came the chorus from the four Gryffindors.
"Brilliant..."
"I propose a toast!" Ron shouted - lifting a bottle of Firewhiskey into the air, "To Harry! For finally growing up!"
"Harry!" The group chanted before the room fell silent from the rest of them drinking.
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 7th 1996; 18:40 PM
Library
Harry slowly looked up from his book to the sight of an annoyed Daphne Greengrass taking out a book - The Dark Arts: A Legal Companion - from her bag before she placed her bag on the floor and sat opposite him opening her book without a word.
"Hello?"
"Evening, Potter."
"Evening to you too, Greengrass... May I ask why you're here."
"You looked lonely without your little group. I thought I'd save you from your predicament."
"I see..."
"You don't have to be so thankful. I'm just doing what's polite."
Harry blinked, then blinked again. Had he heard her correctly? Harry didn't even know what the time was - happily reading through his book before she sat down. Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Harry resumed reading, not showing the front cover to her, resting his arm over the part he wasn't reading.
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, Harry finally getting back into his book - reading a passage on how to detect an invasion in your mind from something called Legilimency.
Harry wasn't quite sure what it meant by 'pressure' in the back of his head, but he suspected it'd be like a dull headache, a nagging and irritating sensation in the back of his mind. He tried to think back to any time he'd felt such a thing before but couldn't remember.
There were different types of Legilimency, depending on how adept at the skill one was. It seemed that most needed to use a wand and an incantation 'Legilimens' to enter the mind, but the more proficient at the art could enter an unguarded mind non-verbally and wandlessly. A frightening thought. As far as Harry could tell, Legilimency was an immensely powerful tool. Not to be used often and with great caution.
Mentions of breaking a weak mind were frequent; people who wore their heart on their sleeve would be ransacked by skilled Legilimens with ease. A fascinating thing, really, how one could tare apart someone from the inside - it went without saying that should he master it, great caution should be taken to not get carried away, especially with younger years. And even Muggles.
Harry delved deeper into the magic, trying to understand the protection behind it, Occlumency, and integrate both into his own arsenal.
It went without saying that he needed a partner whom he trusted to help him practice, someone he didn't mind going through personal memories of his. Harry initially thought of Ron, but Dumbledore's words echoed in his mind, and he quickly scrapped the thought.
With his eyes flicking up to Daphne, Harry momentarily wanted to ask her but quickly squandered the thought, knowing that he wasn't anywhere near close enough to the woman to share his most private of thoughts.
Going back to the book, Harry felt happy that Dumbledore had suggested it to him, mentioning it would be a good side project for the year. Harry re-shifted his focus to the woman opposite him, Daphne.
Much to Harry's surprise, he rather enjoyed Daphnes company. The way she didn't bother him with mundane questions as his friends did, letting him continue with his work without a fault. She was an enigma, someone that Harry knew to have an ulterior motive, as she had never given him the time of day before, but now they were sat - opposite each other - in comfortable silence as they each read their respective book.
"Is there something on my face, Potter?" Daphne asked, tilting her head.
"Hm? Oh, no, no, just got distracted, is all... I promise," Harry said, putting a hand on his chest.
Daphne raised an eyebrow in his direction, "I'm sure you did," Daphne drawled with a sly grin.
Harry ducked his head to hide the flush of his cheeks.
Daphne's eyes flicked down to his covered book, "What are you reading?"
Harry paused, "Nothing of importance."
"Are you sure? you seemed very invested in it." Daphne reached over, "If it's not important, then you can show me, can't you?"
"That isn't necessary,"
Daphne huffed. "You've seen my book. Why can't I see yours?" Daphne leant over, and Harry noticed her top buttons undone, showing off her immaculate cleavage.
Harry fought the flush on his cheeks. "Well, Dumbledore lent it to me, and I don't know if he wanted me to show others."
Daphne looked unimpressed. "You owe me one, don't you? After you banished me into that wall..."
"And I apologised for that."
"Oh, did you?" Daphne asked, exaggerating her movements, "I must have hit my head harder than I'd initially thought." Daphne said, wearing a mirthful smile.
Catching on to her little game, Harry smirked, "Pomfrey did say to go straight back to her if anything else came up... Would you like me to escort you, my fine lady?"
Daphne stood from her spot, coming over and sitting on his bench, "I'm sure if I just rested my head for a bit, I'd be better off..." Daphne laid down on the bench, resting her head on Harry's lap. "Ah... That's much, much better."
Harry gulped, "I'm glad I can be of assistance to you in these dire times."
Daphne giggled, vibrating his lower half, and Harry thought he may faint. Harry brought his hand up, stroking her hair with caution, not knowing how far he should go before he should stop. Intertwining his fingers with her hair, Harry massaged her scalp - causing Daphne to let out a content sigh.
They remained like that for an unknown amount of time, Harry enjoying the way her hair felt in his fingers, massaging her head slightly.
"You held back today, Potter," Daphne spoke up eventually.
"Did I?"
"Yes... I wanted to see what you could really do, but you disappointed me today. I expect you to be better next week."
Harry felt conflicted about that, not wanting to harm her any more than he already had, but the other part of his screamed for battle, wanting nothing more than to be unleashed.
"Don't say I didn't warn you..."
Daphne smiled, "I'm sure I can more than handle you."
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 12th 1996; 17:57 PM
Library
Wands were bewitching, Harry thought. Complex magic he couldn't find enough about, no book giving straight answers. Everything he'd found revolving around wandlore ran through his book. All his notes were half-finished or made no sense. It didn't help that wandlore was a heavily guarded secret among wandmakers. And, try as he might, Harry could never get Ollivander to reveal the innermost secrets of the art.
Ollivander was a frustrating man, speaking in more riddles than Dumbledore - the only time he didn't was when he described a wands contents and characteristics, but never truly revealed what it all meant, rather regaling Harry with past accomplishments of mages that had a specific wood.
Harry shivered as he thought back to his first encounter with the man, the way his grey eyes pierced his mortal body and studied his soul. Only to be a polite yet odd man that was more than helpful to Harry, cheery but mysterious.
Ollivanders jovial tune switched quickly when he picked out one wand, giving Harry a conflicted stare, but handed him the wand nonetheless and watched as it became a match...
Harry gently picked his wand up from the table, studying the carefully constructed piece, the white, the way it was almost bone-like. He could feel the wand sing with his every command, working with him to accomplish any and every task he held. For a wand with such a past, it never felt it had such, always pure, not dark.
"Interesting wand, Potter. Could you enlighten me as to why it's piqued your interest?"
Harry jolted as he was disrupted from his thoughts, quickly putting his wand down and grabbing his small book from the table and snapping it shut.
"I was... thinking."
Daphne crossed her arms, "About... what, exactly?"
"Nothing important," Harry dismissed with a wave of his hand.
"Of course..." Daphne drawled. "Say, are you always this secretive with your research? Or is it just with me?" Daphne asked as she sat down opposite him.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Daphne tilted her head, "You don't like me knowing what you're reading, you don't tell me what you're thinking... You're odd, Potter."
Harry shrugged. "I don't see why I should tell you anything."
"You don't have to... But I thought we really had something going on," Daphne said, placing her hand over his own.
"How about we talk about the book you were reading?"
Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"The Dark Arts: A legal companion. What would you need such a book for?"
Daphne smiled, "it's as you said, to properly defend against something, you need to know it. So I took it upon myself to see what I could and couldn't practice; to find ways of protecting myself - in case of emergency."
"I can't fault that. But, I do wonder how you came across such a book - I wasn't aware one was in the library, restricted section or not."
"There isn't - Dumbledore leant it to me."
Harry's eyes widened, "Dumbledore gave you that book?"
"Yes, he said it'd be a good read - mentioned something about you having read it at the end of last year, does that ring a bell?"
"Yeah... He gave me it after our OWLs - wanted me to stay within the bounds of the law as he noticed my interest in understanding The Dark Arts."
"My, aren't you fascinating, I've wondered how you spend your time away whilst you're away from your friends, but this is most unexpected."
"I could say the same with you - though you don't seem to have any close friends... Why is that?"
"People are boring... I care little for what the Slytherin girls do for fun - Pansy can throw herself at Draco all she wants, but you'll never see me doing such a thing. I'd much rather spend my time exploring the nuances of magic than bending over for men to have their way with me."
"Can't there be a balance? I mean, I've found a good variety of social life without it hindering my studies."
"The girls in Slytherin hardly respect my choices - unlike your friends who actively support what you enjoy," Daphne said with a frown.
"What about Granger? I'm sure she'll be more than happy to have another friend."
"Why would I go to her when you've proven to be so much more interesting?"
"I'm hardly interesting, Greengrass, you just have low standards."
"Perhaps... Or, you could just be underplaying yourself..."
Harry snorted, "Hardly, have you not seen me around the ladies?" Harry said with amusement.
Daphne giggled, "No... Not that. Definitely not that - I mean the way you hide all your research... The way you refuse to even show me the little book you've been writing in..."
"It's private - all of my research goes into it."
"A book that small?"
"Enchanted - made it last year for some extra credit in Charms."
"Did you now? Would you be amiable to make one for me?" Daphne said, fluttering her eyes, "I, of course, know you might need... payment."
"I don't need any payment, I'll make one for you come next week." Harry waved off.
"My, you really are my knight in shining armour," Daphne said with a wink.
"I wasn't sorted into Gryffindor for nothing."
"No... No, you weren't..."
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 15th 1996; 17:45 PM
Headmasters Office
"Come in."
Harry opened the door, "Good evening, Albus."
"Ah, Harry! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Why did you give Greengrass the book?"
Dumbledore chuckled, "You came all this way to ask about Miss Greengrass?"
"What are you trying to accomplish, Albus?"
Dumbledore smiled, "Nothing... All I wish is for you to live the life you want, Harry. And I believe you and Miss Greengrass could accomplish great things together - if you gave her the chance."
"Gave her the chance?"
"Yes... I've seen you've been rather closed off to her advances-"
"Are you playing matchmaker, Albus?" Harry asked, appalled.
"Nothing of the sort - but you could gain much from Miss Greengrass, not just a brilliant partner in your studies, but in your life!"
Harry huffed, "I will see you later, Albus, have a good night."
Harry went to leave but was stopped by Dumbledore's voice.
"Don't live with regrets, Harry. Seize opportunities with open arms, and run with it."
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 19th 1996; 22:47 PM
Closed Off Bay
Hogwarts was always exceedingly peaceful at this time - just past curfew. Harry enjoyed the reprieve late nights offered, not having to deal with the younger years bumbling about aimlessly - getting in his way. It was always comical to watch the first few days. Seeing staff members try and organise the first-years and failing miserably. He and his dorm mates had started to make it a tradition to watch the chaos unfold from the sides, laughing merrily at it all.
Harry found himself staring at the exit leading down to the great lake, it had become a regular part of his week, bumbling down to the enclosed bay, and Harry found himself oddly enjoying the time alone - using it as a getaway, even bringing his homework along - completing it under the moonlight.
Hesitating for a moment, Harry ambled over to the enclosed bay once more and sat at the water's edge, thinking of the owl from a few weeks prior.
Harry wasn't sure how long he'd been staring at the moonlit water, enjoying the fresh breeze of the autumn night. Twiddling with his wand, Harry summoned over a small pile of twigs, "Incendio," Harry spoke, pointing his wand at the stack - studying the way it burst into flames, before dying down slightly, giving him some much-appreciated warmth.
"Fancy seeing you here, Potter." Said an amused voice from behind him.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Harry spun to his feet, wand raised spell on the tip of his tongue.
A woman stood, her luscious blond hair sitting beautifully at her shoulders - short for a witch, but something Harry adored. Her piercing blue eyes met his own with defiance, strength and want.
"Greengrass?" Harry asked once he caught a glimpse of her features - glowing slightly from the fire - dropping his wand to the side.
"In the flesh," Daphne said with a smile, gesturing with her hands to her flawless body.
"How do you know of this place? We guarded it against others."
"I'd give the world to see her smile at me," Daphne said, her smile unwavering.
"You?"
"You said it yourself - about our eyes..."
"Of course, it had to be you!" Harry groaned.
"Aw... I thought you liked me!" Daphne giggled.
Harry remained silent, unable to think of a witty comeback.
Daphne stepped closer to him, whispering in a sultry voice, "Aren't you happy to see me?" She brought her hand up to his chest - caressing it - Harry's heart began to race.
"What are you playing at?" Harry stepped back, hearing a slight splash from his boot hitting the loch's edge.
"Nothing... Nothing at all... You intrigue me, Potter. I'd always thought you to be an arrogant toe-rag, but recently, you've shown to be something else - I've practically thrown myself at you, yet, you've done... Nothing... Why is that?"
"I don't think you'd be here now if I reciprocated your advances, Greengrass. I'm not sure what game you're playing, but you would never throw yourself at someone without an ulterior motive behind it - you even said so yourself, however offhandedly."
"My, isn't that a surprise?"
"You'll find I'm full of surprises."
"Oh, I'm sure you are... The Dark Arts? Magick Moste Evile? You're little book you write in?" Daphne stepped forward once more, closing the distance between them. Harry felt her warm breath on his neck, sending shivers down his spine. For a moment, Harry thought he'd need to hold onto her to keep on his two feet. "I'm certain there's much, much more than meets the eye."
Harry let out a small huff, "You're even more observant than I first thought..."
"I want to duel, and I don't want you holding back as you have in Defence, I want a challenge! Can you do that, for little old me?" Daphne brought her hand up to his face, stroking his cheek.
"What makes you think I'm holding back," Harry said, his voice growing higher.
"Enough of your shit, Potter; we both know you are."
"Maybe... Maybe not."
Daphne's eyes narrowed. "You're undoubtedly the most gifted student in this castle, Potter, and you know it. From what I've seen, you're secretive with what you research. You let few know of your interests and even fewer of personal information. You are fascinating."
"I'm not some art piece in a museum for you to study, Greengrass."
Daphne stepped back, "No? Perhaps not... That doesn't take away from me wanting to know who you are - beyond that Gryffindor bravado you hide behind."
"I have no clue what you're talking about."
"Oh, but you do, you just want to hide it... Potter, what is your wand made of? Mine is Ebony and Phoenix Feather..."
"I..."
"What's wrong?"
Harry tried to say something, but nothing came out of his open mouth.
"It's alright, you don't have to tell me... I understand. But, if that's all, I'll be off," Daphne turned away, walking to the exit.
"Yew..." Harry called out.
Daphne turned to face him, "Oh?"
"Yew and Phoenix Feather," Harry finished.
Daphne smiled, "Meet me here tomorrow, same time... oh, and tell no one." Daphne spun on her heel and left, leaving a stunned Harry to deal with his wet boots.
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 20th 1996; 21:45 PM
Gryffindor Dorm
"Are you alright, mate?" Ron asked as he sat next to Harry.
"Yeah... Just distracted is all."
"Greengrass still on your mind?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yes, mate, you've been out of it all day, even more so than you've been of late - which is saying something." Ron said, "Is there anything on your mind?"
Harry sighed. "You can't tell anyone this, she asked not to tell anyone. But, I'm meeting Greengrass tonight..."
Ron smiled widely, "Is that why you were out later than usual last night?"
"Yeah... She caught me late last night, and we got to talking."
"I think she might be into you, mate." Ron chuckled, cutting Harry off when he tried to argue, "You've been spending more time with her in the library lately - I've seen on my map, so don't try to argue - I even saw you two on top of each other the other day... Why haven't you made any move?"
"I've already told you. Greengrass isn't like that... I don't quite understand it - Greengrass was always hands-off, she even told me that she'd never throw herself at a man, but that's exactly what she's been doing to me."
"She's a girl - all they do is play games. How about you just go for it?"
"I don't want to ruin things."
"You'll ruin things if you don't do anything - try your luck, you might get the jackpot!"
ooo000ooo000ooo
October 20th 1996; 23:05 PM
Closed Off Bay
Harry stood outside the entrance to the bay; taking a deep, soothing breath, he stepped through the brush.
"Oh? You finally showed up!"
"Sorry, It's hard to get away from my friends every night."
"Ah yes, your little pride... I'm sure they're very protective of you."
"Pride? Like a group of lions? I can't say I've heard that one before," Harry chuckled.
Daphne giggled, "I don't want you holding back tonight... I want to see what you can truly do."
"Are you sure you can handle that?"
Daphne looked him up and down - pausing at his crotch for a split second before meeting his eyes. "I'm sure I can more than handle you..." Daphne said with a lick of her lips.
Fighting down the urge to close the small distance between them, rip her robes off and have his way with her, Harry took his wand out of his robes. "I'd love to see you try."
Daphne regarded him for a moment, pulling her wand from her robes. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Harry immediately blocked the nasty purple curse that soared his way, "Again?"
"Call it tradition," Daphne said with a wink.
Sending numerous spells toward the witch - who blocked each with ease. Daphne smiled, her dimples shining in the moonlight.
"Come on, Potter, surely you can do better!" Daphne taunted and shot a Knee-reversal hex toward him.
"You just love repeating my words, don't you," Harry said with a grin - batting away a spell that disintegrated the tree it hit, "Expulso!"
Daphne shielded, absorbing the spell, but it forced her backwards - falling onto her arse.
Harry went to disarm her, but Daphne shifted into her owl form and dodged before reappearing, throwing a myriad of spells at him. Harry dived, rolled and otherwise blocked, unable to move too far due to the cramped space, his dodges taking a toll on his body, but he managed to recover - his shoulder aching and his chest heaving heavily.
Regaining his footing - causing Daphne to smile with approval - Harry started his own chain of spells, more powerful and obscure than before, some of his own creation.
With a glint in his eye, Harry braced himself before holding his wand high and sending a bolt of lightning at Daphne - who attempted to block, but it crashed through her shield like it was paper and sent her tumbling backwards - into the loch.
"Accio!" Harry shouted, summoning Daphne from the loch, causing her to fly out and crash into him - lying on top of Harry - panting heavily.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked, the water dripping off Daphne, falling onto Harry's face and soaking his robes.
Daphne nodded, "Yeah..." Shifting her weight, so her legs straddled his crotch perfectly, her hands placed firmly on his chest.
Harry felt out of his depth as he stared into Daphne's brilliant blue eyes. He reached up to Daphne's face, shakily removing some hair out of her eyes. Harry's hand remained latched onto Daphne's face, using his thumb to stroke her cheek gently.
No matter how many times he'd been in the presence of different girls in his time, how many times he'd remained calm and collected - used his charm to gain what he'd wanted, Harry had never been so unsure of how to act, how to remain in control of the situation.
Gently, Harry wrapped his arms around Daphne's frame. Pulling her gently into his chest, not caring about his robes becoming wet, all Harry could think about was the glorious heat that was fixed to his crotch and how he couldn't get enough of Daphne's hypnotic scent.
"Thank you," Daphne murmured, sighing and letting herself nestle into Harry's chest.
"For what?"
"...For showing me what you can really do," Daphne whispered.
"You've seen nothing yet..."
Their eyes locked, and Harry could see her desire with his eyes, hear her desire as he could Sirius' awful singing.
Carefully, with deliberate motions, Harry closed the distance between them, capturing her lips with his own.
Her lips were marshmallows, flavoured like cherry. Waves of euphoria coursed through his veins as they sunk deeper into the kiss, battling for dominance. Tongues tied in an everlasting conflict, as Daphne's centre, ground against him - a burning desire festered inside of him, as he gripped her arse with fervour.
Daphne pinned him to the ground, holding his chest with all her might as she ravished his lips. Their battle became sloppy as the need for air escalated, neither one of them willing to let up, but eventually succumbing to their base needs and coming apart with erratic breaths.
Their eyes met; dual passion echoing the other.
Harry looked for deceit, for lies, anything to mistrust the woman. But, there was nothing. Dumbledores words echoed in his mind once more, and Harry knew he was right.
"What do you want to do once you get out of here, Greengrass?" Harry asked as he stroked the small of her back.
"Hmm... I want to explore... Learn any and all avenues of magic; unravel the mystery of it all..."
Once more, Harry searched for deception, coming up short. Summoning all his Gryffindor bravery, "Do you need a partner?"
Daphne's eyes widened, and a genuine smile graced her lips, "I would love a partner."
"Would you allow me the honour of such... Daphne."
"I thought you'd never ask, Harry."
ooo000ooo000ooo
I've been struggling to write my other stories so this has been a little project of mine whilst I've been going through this block.
It's a bit different to my normal fics - but I've enjoyed writing it. I was first given the idea about something like this by a user who thought of a story where James Potter lives - though I believe that's where the similarities end.
Let me know your thoughts, this will likely remain a one-shot, but if enough people want a sequel, I'd be happy to oblige.
-Salt.