Chapter 11

The rest of the holidays were a blur. Harry had spent Boxing Day with Daphne and her family, and it had been a happy occasion where Cyrus had even proposed a toast to lasting and healthy relationships between the two. Harry only hoped the man would be singing the same tune if the worst were to happen and Voldemort would return.

When Harry returned home to where his parents lived he had a great visit and took his animagus potion. It was something he desperately wanted to do, and was working day and night now to get the transformation down, and knew he would have it before the second task.

He also had a mountain of information to work with from what his parents gave him to do for the next term. They both claimed he was wasting his time in Hogwart's classes, but knew it was good for him socially. It even came up if he wanted to actually enroll into the school next year, or if he was going to return home, and for the first time he told them that he would think about it.

The holidays were over though shortly after that and the New Year had begun. Harry had been invited to Neville's on New Year's and had brought in the New Year with a kiss from Daphne which brought many wolf whistles, and Harry was happy.

It was February before Harry had finalized all of his plans for the second task, and with Valentine's day right around the corner he now had more pressing things to worry about. Harry and Daphne had been having fun as a couple, but they had not really had a real first date if you don't count the Yule Ball which Harry didn't. He was trying to figure out just how to do it in a special way, but was at a complete loss when he was in the kitchen's with Neville venting, "The worst part is she hasn't given me a single clue as to what she would like to do. So far all I have is that we could go to Hogsmeade, but we do that all the time anyways. I would like to do something different, but shoot me now Neville because I don't have a freaking clue."

Neville looked at the boy sympathetically, "Sorry Harry. Honestly I am not real sure what I am going to do with Susan either. She is rather physical person, so she enjoys the little things, and that is not a bad thing for me usually, but this time of year it can definitley make things tricky."

Harry grinned at his friend, "So that's where you keep disappearing to. Finding broom cupboards across the castle to find out just why they call her Ms. Bones?"

This caused Neville to blush, but Harry laughed, "Keep laughing and I won't help you."

Harry wiped away a fake tear, and said, "Sorry Neville, that was just too easy."

The boy grumbled and claimed, "Look Daphne is fairly simple too. She comes from a rich pureblood family, so maybe instead of trying to wow her with something different and unique just take her on picnic on the grounds or something. Everyone will be at Hogsmeade so that should give you two some privacy, and maybe it will all work out."

Harry nodded, "I guess that will work. Next year we are just saying the hell with the rules and I will apparate her off the damn grounds. I'd do it this time, but I haven't gotten side along apparation down to the point I would feel comfortable with taking her far away unless it was an emergency."

Neville nodded, "You already have a plan which is better than what I have. I did get her a pretty nice dress to wear with the promise to take her on a real date once we get out for the Summer, but that is months away, and who knows if we will still be together then."

Harry shook his head, "The girl has eyes for you bro, unless you do something crazy I think its a safe bet."

The boy gave him a hopeful smile, "I hope so, because I really like her."

Harry raised his glass to the boy, "Well at least we have each other to figure this shit out. I would never want to do this alone."

Neville laughed and clicked glasses with the boy as they discussed the upcoming dueling schedule, and the upcoming second task.

Valentine's day was upon Hogwarts at last. Harry had a small plan for Daphne, but it started with meeting in the great hall, and leaving the masses for the day. Most of the couples would be going down to Hogsmeade, or trying to find a private place in the castle, but Harry planned to keep things a little more original.

He was sitting in the great hall reading the Daily Prophet whom had been unusually quiet with nothing to report on recently. Apparently there was a scandal about a month ago about someone on the Hogwarts staff being Half Giant, but that was hardly news to Harry. He had seen the Gameskeeper around Hogwarts, and even greeted the large man, and he was friendly to say the least, so what did it really matter if he was half giant or not?

Harry shook his head as he was finally reading about Bertha Jorkins whom had been reported missing after nearly four months of actually being gone. Harry assumed that if the woman had disappeared for this long there was a good chance the only thing they would ever find of the woman is a body, if anything at all. He had been having strange dreams about Voldemort, and his snake, a long with Peter Pettigrew, and another man he did not recognize, but it didn't seem important. After all it was just a dream.

Daphne arrived down in the hall not long after he was done reading the rag of a newspaper and kissed him on the cheek wishing him a Happy Valentine's day, "Did you find my flowers love?"

The girl nodded with a bit of a shy smile, "But I can't for the life of me figure out how you did it? You had to have had an inside man in my common room, and it had to be a girl, but I don't know who. None of my dorm mates fessed up to it, and I am at a bit of a loss."

Winking at the girl and taking her hand softly he said sweetly, "Isn't that all apart of the magic? You just not knowing how i did it?"

Daphne merely rolled her eyes and continued to stare at the boy. Harry grumbled, "I had an older Slytherin Girl do it. Anthony Goldstein's sister."

Daphne glanced down to the dark brunette who was chatting away with her friends, and nodded, "That makes more sense. How do you feel today? Sore from training?"

Harry stretched his arms out a bit trying to remember if he was sore or not before saying, "No I think I am mostly good. Maybe a little peaky, but I am a little dehydrated so a couple of glasses of water and I will be fine."

She nodded then looked around, "So what are we doing today? Anything exciting?"

Harry shrugged, "Nothing terribly exciting, but private."

Daphne's eyes widened, but then narrowed, "We aren't going into a broom cupboard, and locking ourselves in staying there all day are we?"

Rolling his eyes the green eyed boy said, "When have I ever put you in a broom cupboard before? Why would I start now on Valentine's day of all days."

The girl blushed a bit and her own short sighted thinking but then questioned, "Then what?"

"Patience Love. Are you ready to leave for the day?" Harry said patiently.

"Shouldn't I eat breakfast first?" She asked carefully looking for hints.

"Breakfast is waiting on us elsewhere." Harry continued with a grin.

The Slytherin girls giggled at Harry playing with Daphne, and she wanted to glare, but couldn't quite muster it in her. So she held her head high saying, "Very well. After you Heir Potter."

Harry chuckled, "Being all formal that's cute Heiress Greengrass. Please follow me."

With that Daphne rolled her eyes and followed her boyfriend of a month and a half now, and took his hand once they got out of the great hall, "So really where are we going now that you are done with the show?"

"A private place I warded on the grounds last night. No one will bother us, and I had some house elves prepare us breakfast, and I thought we could go on a walk around the Black Lake. You remembered your walking shoes as I requested in my note?"

The girl pulled up her school robes a bit to show that she had indeed remembered, but it was a little chilly for a day like this in the Scottish Highlands, "Won't we be cold?"

Shaking his head he laughed, "I am quite competent at magic, and I managed to key warming charms into my wards so it will be warm where we rest, and I plan to put some warming charms on your clothes as we begin our walk so you can be warm. Its just you and I today unless you decide you want to join some of our friends later in Hogsmeade which we can do at any point. Honestly I struggled with this for a while mostly because it wasn't very special, but I figured if we just spent some a lone time together it would be alright."

Daphne nodded bumping her shoulder to his, "You did fine Harry. Plus finding the flowers, and the note this morning was a good start. You seem to be a capable gentleman."

"Don't let my Godfather hear that! He may be frustrated to know I haven't tried to steal your virtue." Harry joked.

Daphne said in a kidding manner, "Believe me I am as disappointed as he is."

This caused Harry to grin wickedly and look around before gently pushing the girl up against a nearby tree, "You mean you want me to steal your virtue."

At this he began kissing her on the cheek, and slowly worked his way down to her neck being much bolder than usual, but when the girl's eyes widened, but then closed and bit back a moan Harry knew his trick was dirty, but effective when he pulled away.

The girl opened her eyes and glared at him, "That was not funny."

"It wasn't supposed to be." Harry said cheekily.

With this she jogged to catch up with him when they came across a small area that was grassed over well, and had a good view of the lake. When Daphne walked into it she felt magic wash over her, and recognized Harry's aura everywhere. His power was very familiar to her, and nearly intoxicating, "This place feels like you."

Harry smiled softly at the girl, "I hope you like it. I walked the grounds twice in the middle of the night to find this place."

This made her smile widen as she realized the thought she had put into this, and he walked over to a basket, and pulled out a blanket, and checked the contents for food, "It seems my friends from the kitchen hooked us up. Shall we enjoy our meal together?"

The meal was nice and simple with a few sandwiches, and some cold butter beer. There was also some fruits, and yogurt that the two could enjoy. Breakfast was mostly silent, and Harry sighed contently, "So what do you think?"

"The food was really good. Thank you for doing this Harry." Daphne said in appreciation.

It was a pretty day outside despite how cold it was. The wind was at a near stand still, and the grounds were still covered in pockets of snow. The sky was mostly clear with the exception of a few stray clouds. Harry laid back on the blanket he had rolled out and just stared up at the sky. Daphne crawled over next to him laid down as well and crossed her hands over her chest closing her eyes, "What are you going to do after school?"

Harry stared up at the sky with her thinking about her question. He wasn't really sure. He always thought the possibility of him fighting a war, or dealing with Voldemort would take up most of his time, and he never tried to really look much past that scenario it didn't usually lead to pleasant places, "I am not sure honestly. I guess I have a lot of options depending on where things stand with Voldemort. I could go on the dueling circuit professionally and try to make a team, or stand individually like Professor Flitwick did. I could take a shot at being a Hitwizard, because I definitely don't want to be auror to much paperwork, and too many rules. I could even take up politics, and do that for a living. I am a hell of ward and rune designer so I could also be a curse breaker. I guess there is a world of options, and I have enough skills to do a lot of different things. I would probably enjoy dueling the most though. What about you Daph?"

Daphne kept her eyes closed and smiled, "I would like to think I can make the dueling circuit, and make a little bit of money. Duel for a few years, and then maybe come out and give teaching a try. After that hopefully I have enough money to settle down for a few years. Travel the world. Have a few kids, get married, who knows right? The apple pie life sounds kind of nice."

Harry opened his eyes and looked at the girl. He would have wondered if she found a way to use her passive legillmency on him, because she stole the thought right of his mind. A normal life, and a family. That sounded like heaven, "Sounds like a dream worth aspiring for."

The tone is his voice told her that he was serious, and that he didn't think it was silly to want to be normal. The two talked politics and childhood dreams, and even some of their favorite child hood memories, before they knew it was time for lunch, and they had hardly moved a muscle since arrival just enjoying talk of their past, and hopes for their future. Harry felt very at peace, and he still had a bit of a surprise for the girl.

They finally decided to get up and go for a walk after lunch, and held hands mostly observing the nature and beauty of their surrounding areas, and just fell into the comfortable silence. When they returned it was nearly night fall and the romantic day was nearly over. They had decided to make there way back to the castle and have dinner with the rest of the students when they saw smoke in the distance.

Daphne was the first to see it, "Harry what is that?"

Harry who was looking towards the ground with a goofy smile on his face that was left from their snogging session looked up quickly, and his smile disappeared as quick as the smoke was rising in the distance, "That smoke looks like a fire, but it looks like its coming from Hogsmeade."

"Think the three broomsticks kitchen caught fire?" Daphne asked concerned for their friends who had spent the day there.

"Possibly, but that's a lot of smoke for a kitchen fire. Maybe we should investigate." Harry said evenly.

The girl swallowed nervously, but nodded. She offered her hand to him thinking they were going to run, but instead he pulled her into a hug, and apparated them to Hogsmeade where chaos was happening. His wand was in his hand in a moment, "Stupefy. Petrificus Totalus."

Two werewolves immediately hit the ground as they appeared on the back side of what looked like an attack. Harry spoke sharply, "Draw your wand and stay behind me. It seems I miscalculated this one. I am sorry I should've left you and came back."

Daphne growled, "You should've done no such thing. Who would've watched your back? I am right behind you just go."

Harry nodded as he surged forward picking off half turned werewolves who were trying to attack people in the streets. The green eyed boy was a whirlwind of destruction as he dueled two at a time and took them both down with ease, only to spin around and take another one, and even turned to take down the one that had tried to curse Daphne.

The Slytherin Princess was in awe of the boy in front of her. She had seen him duel plenty of times, but it was never anything like this. He had to have taken down 8-10 enemies easily, and she was just making sure no stray curses hit him in the back, and if one came towards her he would be on them in a flash and have them downed with ease. She was freshly reminded that her boyfriend was a very good and capable duelist, and if he could take on Death Eaters a few Werewolves who were probably barely average wizards with no education would hardly be a challenge.

It wasn't long before they made it to the heart of Hogsmeade, and a group of werewolves were trying to get into the three broomsticks where spell fire was keeping the beast out. Harry seemed to be thinking pretty rationally until he heard a scream ring out, and Daphne and the young man found their eyes upon a young man standing in front of a girl screaming in pain. The Cruciatas curse without a doubt, but the part that made all rationality fly out the window was the fact that it was Neville Longbottom protecting Susan Bones with everything he had that lit the fire inside of Harry. Harry growled, "Daphne go take cover somewhere. The coast should be clear behind us, but I need to face them, and I don't want you near this. I have to get to Neville."

Daphne shook her head, "We are a team Harry. We do this together."

"Not this time Daphne. That is Fenrir Greyback, and it may take me sometime to take him down. If I can do it I am not even sure, but I have to try." Harry said for the first time she saw doubt in his eyes.

She took his hand, "Then we will try together. Go on Harry you have trained me for months I have your back."

Harry felt the strength of her words and her conviction and prayed that she would be okay, and that her mother and father wouldn't skin him for this later, "GREYBACK!"

Half a dozen werewolves including one that was still standing on his own two legs with a jacket on, but no shirt under neath it leaving his bare chess wide open, turned to stare at him halting the torture of Neville, "Ah Potter. It's about time."

"I haven't come to talk. Call off your men and let us settle this one on one, or are you too afraid to fight a fourteen year old boy alone. Then again I don't see much bravery here. Torturing a boy in the street for protecting his loved one, can you stoop any lower." Harry taunted.

The werewolf growled, "You are no ordinary fourteen year old, and I see you yourself are not alone. Have you brought me an extra snack? I thought I would be satisfied with these two, but perhaps you will give me more."

Staring hatefully at the man Harry finally dropped his second wand into his hand, "There is no escape this time Greyback, and you won't ever lay a finger on her."

With that Harry surged forward, and began blasting the enemy line with both wands. Thankfully the people in the three broomsticks who were watching the battle quickly joined in and attempted to distract the other five dark creatures, while Daphne herself was trying to pick off the distracted fighters, and take them down and even out the numbers. This gave Susan the much needed chance to carry her shaking boyfriend out of harms way, and into the safety zone while they were all distracted.

Harry was a whirlwind of lethal magic. Sending out five chain spells like a frenzy he was unstoppable. Greyback had yet to be able to fire off a single piece of offensive magic since the fight started due to the constant number of shields he was being forced to keep up.

Daphne had already taken down two of the werewolves with the help of the people in the bar, and a few had even stepped outside to take the fight to them. One was clearly an auror with light pink hair, and the other looked to be one of the Weasley's with his flaming red hair. The fight was quickly turning, and even as the rest of the werewolf population seemed to be converging on the location people were being inspired by Harry's resistance and were standing up to fight.

Harry however had slipped up a bit allowing the enemy to return spells at him, and with killing curses being thrown into the mix Harry knew this had gotten a lot more dangerous to defend himself and Daphne, "Daphne get out of here. You could be hit by a stray curse. Go towards the auror. Now!"

Daphne wanted to keep covering his back, but after another green curse sailed towards them and Harry was forced to summon a brick wall to absorb it so she agreed, and took off at a sprint towards the auror. Harry was summoning shields protecting Daphne as she ran, and his distraction cost him one of his wands as a nearby werewolf disarmed him. Now he was fighting both Greyback and one of his followers. Greyback was then hit by one of his bludgeoning curses and roared and charged at him.

The stray wolf hit Harry with a bone breaker in his arm, and he cried out in pain. Then a flash of red light flew towards Daphne and it barely missed her striking a nearby person who screamed out in pain. This caused a temporary distraction that was enough for Harry to lose his second wand.

He saw that Greyback was quickly closing the distance fast clearly with the intent to kill, and Harry for the briefest moments thought this was how it was going to end. But what felt like the last possible moment a blast rocked the werewolf which threw him into a nearby wall making him slump a bit to the ground in pain. Neville Longbottom who looked like he would fall over at any moment was standing their wand drawn with a defiant look on his face, "I saw you dropped this."

At this Neville threw his wand to him, and Harry grinned at the boy, "Thanks buddy, Susan get him out of here. I will end this."

Susan who looked terrified but incredibly proud of her boyfriend nodded, and dragged him away. Greyback was back on his feet however snarling at Harry, and clearly realising that his forces were dropping like flies at this point.

Harry quickly fired three curses off taking down three distracted fighters, and now it was just himself and Greyback. Greyback raised his wand, but Harry was furious and ready. He had the Alpha wolf disarmed in seconds.

Greyback roared out, "Will you strike down a disarmed man?"

Shaking his head the boy shouted back, "I see no man before me, just a monster."

With that Greyback looked at him with hatred and flexed his hands out causing his nails to grow out even more than normal and he screamed a primal roar at Harry charging with all his might.

This time Harry didn't cast curses or hesitate instead he met Greyback at a full charge. Many people began screaming at the boy for this, and some even tried to fire curses around him, but they quickly ceased when Harry took an inhuman leap into the air and transformed into a powerful black creature that took down the charging werewolf with a powerful collision. There was a quick tussel full of slashing claws, biting teeth, and inhuman roars.

When it was over the wolf had been defeated laying broken, beaten, and bloodied on the ground. The Black Panther had now put some distance between the two, and had been heaving with deep breaths when it roared out a triumphant victory.

Harry whom in his animagus transformation looked back to Daphne who looked shocked to see him as this powerful creature, but he merely raised his head to the girl, before turning back to himself. He then summoned his wands wandlessly from nearby and the battle had ceased. Harry was heaving for breath, and his shirt along with the rest of his clothes were tattered from the fighting. Their was blood all over his chest, and legs, with only a bit on his face, but he looked dangerous and angry.

He walked over to the down man and everyone who was left watched the boy approach, "For the lives that you took today, yesterday, and the years before this I sentence you to die. Goodbye Fenrir, and let our paths never cross again."

With that Harry paused and took a deep breath letting the hate feed his power, and then screamed out a curse and blasted the werewolf at point blank range straight in the chest with a piercing charm instantly ending the man's life.

Harry heaved and fell to his knees knowing he had taken a second life in a year. This one much worse than the first knowing that he did it intentionally, but Fenrir was one of the worst, and somehow that made it easier in his immediate mindset. He had turned so many men, women, and worst of all children. Even his dad's long time best friend from his school days had his life ruined by this man, and that doesn't even include the one's he killed in his lust for power. It was over.

Daphne ran to the boy as fast as her legs could carry her and brought him into a hug, "Are you okay? Are you hurt? How did you do that? When did you become an animagus?"

Harry wanted to cry in relief. He had killed a man, but she was just making sure he was okay, "My body hurts a bit. I think I got hit by a few stray spells, but I am okay. I had been working on the transfiguration for weeks, I had just gotten it down last night, and I was going to show you today, and surprise you. How's Neville did you see him?"

At this Neville came back out into the street limping towards him leaning on Susan for support. Harry quickly grasped the boy away from Susan and pulled him into a tight embrace, "Thank you Neville. You saved my life."

Neville gave a sob like laugh, "I think we can call it even!"

Both boys laughed, and applause began to ring throughout the village. Harry turned and it seemed every person in Hogsmeade had come out to witness and applauad the two young heroes. Harry grabbed Neville's hand and held it in the air as the applause increased.

It was an immensley proud moment for Harry to be beside his bestfriend and to win such a battle. He had a horrible feeling that this would not be the last time to the two stood on a battlefield together, and he could only hope that they would be as victorious as they were this day.

The auror from before came towards Harry as the applause died out, "Harry Potter am I right?"

Harry nodded his head dumbly, and the girl looked around at the scene of destruction, "I think I have you down for suppressing over a dozen werewolves, and at fourteen. Uncle Sirius is right you are no joke kid."

Harry looked up sharply, "Nymphadora Tonks? I have heard stories about you, its a pleasure. I would hug you or shake your hand, but..."

The girl held up a hand, "Say no more I understand. Its just Tonks by the way, and I will need to get your statement about what happened here."

Daphne looked at the girl for a moment before saying, "Can it wait? We need to get everyone out of here, and the boys to the hospital wing."

The auror looked around surveying the scene as dozens of pops rang throughout Hogsmeade at the site of more of her aurors, "Now they bloody show up...Look Potter you can have your girlfriend here take you to the hospital wing because I don't see any thing seriously wrong with you, but be prepared for me stop by sometime tomorrow or maybe even later tonight if you can't sleep. You did good work here tonight, and may have saved a lot of lives. These people are indebted to you, whether they know it tonight or not. Thank you. This could have been a very long and bloody fight without you, and as for the death of Greyback, well lets just say i don't think the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will be looking to press charges."

This made Harry's lips twitch with a smile, but it never formed. His body was shaking with adrenaline, and he nodded as Daphne took his arm and helped him to find his feet again. Daphne had him throw his arm around her, and they began trying to return to their school with Neville and Susan close behind. Applause rang out again, and the aurors who had just come on the scene appeared confused. However the people of Hogsmeade knew who their heroes were. A legend was born on that night in Hogsmeade, and it would be one that some would tell for the rest of their lives.

A/N: After a great reaction to the last chapter i have definitely decided to keep going with the story! Please let me keep hearing your voices and opinions as the story progresses though. It really inspires me to keep up with this. Lots of big plans coming with the story so please stay tuned, and cheers!