~Italic~ - Spells in Parseltongue

This chapter is in continuation with the previous one and it introduces Daphne Greengrass, a beautiful, cunning and compassionate girl who will be Harry's rock. She is going to be the perfect embodiment of beauty with brains. I hope that you all will enjoy and appreciate her role.

November 1, 1994

8:00 a.m.

After taking a quick shower, he stepped out of his dorm to head out of the tower, someone called him and said, "Hey Potter! McGonagall wishes to see you for hexing Granger in her office around 3 o'clock." He nodded and was out of their vision, heading towards Runes classroom to attend the extra class that has been specially arranged for him to cover the third-year syllabus. He could hear the shouts and catcalls, "We support you, Potter!" "Yeah! We got your back man." When he woke up, he had thought that he was all alone this year and will have to fight this battle uphill on his own however upon listening to his housemates, he found that he was mistaken and people were there to support him.

Deep in thoughts, he arrived at his destination and saw the most beautiful girl whose beauty is impossible to be described in words. Her beauty lay cold and dormant under her aloft and snobbish attitude. Daphne Greengrass, The Ice Princess, is widely known to curse boys who come a foot closer to her and is badass with her wand. She has been the topmost student consistently for the last three years, leaving second place for Hermione and the fellow Ravenclaws. Hermione had never spoken a single word in her favour and always used to bitch at her. Today, she is his guide in Ancient Runes as it always has been since he joined Runes. He drowned in her beauty and was brought out of his dreams by her.

"If you have stared at me enough, then we shall continue with your education on Runes and be done with the last class," she spoke calmly.

His words got stuck in his mouth and he sounded like, "I…I…wasn't…."

"Haven't you heard what I do to boys who try to come closer to me? Don't you feel a shiver in your spine when you see danger in front of your face?" she spoke in an attempt to intimidate him.

However, Harry was not one of them who would shiver and run away with his tails tucked between his legs. Instead, he replied, "The more I run from the danger, the closer it gets. So, I have decided to chase the danger and meet it head-on. How does my spectacular plan sound?" and started grinning foolishly.

With great effort, she maintained her demeanour and replied, "It completely sounds ridiculous and foolhardy. But, what can be said about the person who is a living embodiment of the value of Gryffindor, adorns the red and gold with great pride and never uses a single cell of his brain."

"Ah! You're too wrong there, Greengrass. I am the living embodiment of the values of Hogwarts. I have the values of all houses in spades. But, we are not here to talk about the values I adorn and what clothes I wear. I think we shall crack on with the lesson and bring an end to this beautiful companionship of ours." He spoke with great enthusiasm while she frowned upon him.

"Pick up the piece of parchment and answer the following questions that will assess your learning and get me rid of you," she spoke while handing him the question paper with aloofness. Then, she got on with the book she had brought for study.

While changing his elective at the start of the fourth year, McGonagall and Babbling, Runes professor, had informed him that he had to at least get an Exceeded Expectation in his extra class evaluation for continuing Runes in the fourth year otherwise he shall appear one less OWL in his fifth year. Upon skimming the questions he knew that he was going to get an easy O in this paper. He started to answer the questions with ease while stealing glances at Daphne and adoring her beauty which paled the beauty of Fleur Delacour, Beauxbatons champion and a Veela.

It is widely known that she doesn't like anyone except her younger sister Astoria Greengrass and her elder brother, Perseus Greengrass, who graduated last year with distinction. Also, he is not so good looking with his messy hair, wire-framed spectacles and ridiculous lightning-shaped scar. He is not much academically inclined in her comparison while she is not a fan of Quidditch, she hates the game with the same passion he likes flying.

When he had tried to reason with her for hating Quidditch, she had almost hexed him. After that, he dared not to reason with her about Quidditch for fear of being hexed. Even anger complemented her angelic face and words are not enough to describe her exhilarating smile. He had seen her smiling and laughing with her sister two weeks ago and it filled his heart with emotions and made his knees wobble.

On that day, he had fallen very hard for her. He promised himself that he will do everything in his power to protect and preserve that happiness, laughter and smile of her. And knowing that he was a beacon for danger and evil things in this world, he decided to distance himself without even letting anyone get wind of his feelings. In these two months, he has come to know very closely about the beautiful blonde seated in front of her that she always wore a mask for unknown reasons. It did a fine job hiding her real face but it comes up again and again when she saves a dying squirrel or helps younger ones in their study or helps a lost firstie in finding classrooms when they are lost in the castle or assists Madam Pomfrey in stocking potions and medicines in the hospital wing.

During this whole time, he kept on stealing glances at her so that he could etch her face on his heart. Unknown to him Daphne was observing all of this and getting annoyed at his antics and by the time he finished answering the questions she had enough of him. She calls him, "Potter if you are done stealing glances at me, I would like you to pay attention to your paper and complete it within the assigned time."

"I have done it, you can have it back." He replied cheekily.

"Enough of your cheek, Potter. You have answered all the questions and went beyond expectations. I must say Professor Babbling would never stop singing praises of you." She replied while having a glance at his paper. Even before he could open his mouth, she raised her hand and spoke, "Potter, do you go on these mystic adventures to outshine everyone or are you just cursed by fate?"

"What do you think, Greengrass?" he said while winking at her. Her face reddened and she turns away to avoid embarrassment.

"If you had asked me this question before this study session, I would have said that you are an arrogant, attention-seeking brat and never shies to flaunt your scar. Let me remind you that every Slytherin would agree with this assessment since their perspective is completely influenced by Malfoy and Professor Snape. After spending some time with you, I realised that you are far opposite of what people try to project you. You are shy and don't mix with the crowd, try to remain far from attention and wish to spend his time pondering about me." She said these words without a halt. By the time Harry comprehended what she had said, he was on cloud nine and started to grin foolishly.

"Don't get your hopes high Potter as you have flirted enough for today. But, before we leave and get on with our lives, I have a tip for you, death eater spawns of my house are vexed at you. So, I would like you to watch your back," she said while placing the book back in her bag.

"They might try but I guarantee you that they will fail miserably at their endeavour," he said with a dark look on his face, he continued to speak while softening his expressions, "What about you? Don't you think they might get you back for helping me at Runes or even interacting with me?"

"Aww! Stop being a noble git who is ready to rescue the damsel in distress," she replied cheekily, "I can look after myself and I didn't take on the assignment voluntarily, it was assigned to me. So, they don't see it as my fault. But, you seem to be highly confident of your ability to face the likes of Warrington. Bravo!" With this, she picked up her bag and moved towards the door but stopped for a second, turned back and said, "Goodbye Harry! I will pray for your safety and success in the tournament to my family deity. Mother Magic be with you!" There was softness, care and something more in her voice and on her face that he failed to identify and by calling him by his first name she had blown him out of the blue as he failed to make head and tail of the sudden change in his crush's demeanour. Initially, he was a complete loss regarding his participation in the tournament and now her attitude bugged him. Above all, he had an impending meeting regarding detention with his Head of House and by being late he didn't wish to anger his Transfiguration professor.

By 3:00 p.m., he was waiting for his Transfiguration professor in her office.

"Good to see that you are on time, Harry, I have gone too old to chase you around the castle like I used to chase your father and godfather around the castle for assigning detentions. Be seated." With this, she pulled out a book on battle transfiguration and sat on her chair while placing it in front of him.

"I am disappointed in you, neither Lily nor James would have appreciated your action of drawing the wand on your professor, even if he was Professor Snape. Let me complete it and dare not to interrupt in between. Professor Dumbledore might overlook this action of yours but not me. You have brought shame to the name of your parents and your house. So I have decided that you will be serving detention with me in the evening after dinner every Saturday and Sunday of this year." The imitating look she gave completely cowered him and he nodded without any objection.

"I have also come to know that you stunned Miss Granger in the Common room. Such kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable hence you will sit in detention with Professor Flitwick every Friday evening." While assigning detention, he noticed that his Professor's voice lacked a certain amount of sternness but who he was to judge her.

"Now, pick up the book lying in front of you and start reading the first chapter while trying to apply the concept mentioned in it. You will be excused after you have attained a certain amount of competence in the assignment." Then his Professor nudged the book toward him and started grading the other assignments.

He started to read the text regarding vanishing spell while practising the wand movement and understanding its application in everyday life and duels. By 6:00 p.m., he had a fine grasp of the content and could easily apply it. She appreciated his work and asked him to read the next chapter on further application of wind-based spells on coming Tuesday while dismissing him.

After remembering his interaction with Hermione, he decided to avoid contact with hot-headed Ron as he would hex him for his immature behaviour resulting in the addition of some more detentions. He then went to Kitchen for some light dinner and talked with his little friend, Dobby. He later found an empty room to practice Ventus, wind gust spell, and its variation, Ventus Duo and Ventus Tria. He practised it to increase control and precision in Parseltongue while progressing to silent-casting.

By late evening, he could easily perform the spells non-verbally, so he decided to wrap up his work and head to his dorm. He drew out his Marauders Map to check for professors and perfects but saw Daphne being followed by some senior Slytherins. It seemed that she was taking them on some merry chase albeit slowly and steadily she was being cornered and it was just of matter of time before she was trapped.

Without any ado, he also started moving towards the seventh floor where she seemed to be leading them. He reached in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy with his heart thumping in his chest. He applied the "Notice me Not" charm and waited for his prey with sweat trickling down his forehead. The moment Daphne crossed him, he murmured ~Ventus~ and knew that his spells had met his target when he heard three satisfying crunches and dying whimpers, within seconds he turned around firing ~Levicorpus~ and ~Stupefy~ to another target, simultaneously Daphne fired a Petrificus Totalus on the fifth target which fell hard on the ground hitting his head.

Without any lapse of time, the sixth target also arrived at the kill zone. He caught the sight of his friends and sweat trickled down his cheek. Even though he spoke to maintain his façade of superiority, "Greengrass, it seems that…" He soon found that his tongue was stuck when a three-headed snake with dark killing eyes suddenly appeared out of thin air that said to him in a low hissing sound, "It seems that I have found the right person for my job, it would be my pleasure to inform you…" He was so terrified of the hallucination that he took a dash while tripping himself and rolled down the stairs.

"Daphne, are you fine?" he called to her, who was still caught in the chase. She nodded however her appearance seemed to be far away from being OK. He was also out of the air but somehow he knew that now he has to comfort her and without any more thought, he slowly held and led her towards the room of requirements while wishing for some safe place. A door appeared and he let her inside while sitting her on a comfy chair. He had learnt about this hidden room from the elves at the start of this year when he was searching for a perfect place to practice magic. He called, "Dobby! Will you please get us two cups of hot chocolate milk?" while sitting himself in front of her.

Within a minute, Dobby appeared carrying two cups, placed them on the table between them and popped away. After five minutes, Daphne hadn't moved a fibre of her muscles and seemed to be petrified, her eyes completely fixed, looking at something far away. Slowly, Harry rose from his seat to get closer and held her in his arms while rubbing her back slowly and steadily while whispering words like, "Everything is fine. No one can hurt you."

She mumbled, "Tori" and Harry understood her as if she had spoken lengths about it, he again called for Dobby and said, "Mate, why don't you keep an eye on Daphne's sister for this night and keep her out of danger." Dobby said while puffing his chest, "Of course, Harry Potter sir" and popped away. She raised her head and started sobbing uncontrollably while resting her head on his chest until she was engulfed in a peaceful slumber.

For that period, he didn't even twitch his muscles and held her gently when he felt that she had fallen asleep. He wished for a warm bed and picked and tucked her in that bed. After that, he retook his seat and tried to understand the occurrences of the last hour and failed to get head or tail so he took out his book on Charms and started reading to distract himself but failed to do so since his mind kept on wandering about the attack on Daphne.

He didn't know when sleep hit him but he surely felt being poked and his name being called out then he opened his eyes grudgingly and saw that Daphne was looking at him as if she was expecting some answers and it seemed that she was also in the state of answering some of his questions. She opened her mouth and asked, "Where is the restroom?" He then visualised it and directed her towards its direction of appearance.

After some time, she came out relieved and saw him doing stretching which put a smile on her face. Upon seeing her smile he said, "Oh, my back got stiff as I slept on the chair." He then sits on the chair, "Well, before you ask, we are in Hogwarts in the Room of Requirements that meets the requirements of the person who calls for its help and service. Could you share with me why those Slytherins were following you?" he added the last sentence with hesitation in his voice.

"Why should I share my account of adventure whilst you keep your tale close to your heart?" she replied with raised eyebrows and occupied her seat.

"Well, I have a deal for you, answer my questions and I shall answer yours," she continued her monologue with a release of breath.

"I sense a 'but' there," he responded hastily.

"Very perceptive of you. Both of us will give an Oath of Silence that shall prevent us from betraying each other's secret," with this she extended her hand while displaying a faint pleading look.

Harry held back for a minute that seemed like an hour for her then he extended his hand to join her and took the oath.

"Yesterday in the late afternoon, Slytherin Triumvirate met to decide the response of Slytherins for your selection in the tournament on someone's behest. It was unanimously decided, better to say declared, to antagonise you and gather supporters against you in other houses. I opposed them vocally," for a moment there seemed some regret which quickly faded behind her mask.

"Why? Why did you go against them?" he questioned with a grave look on her face.

"For me?" and she nodded.

"You went against your house for a person who is just a mere acquaintance for the last two months," he croaked.

"Are you insane?" and he banged his hand on the table which lay in between them which cracked on the impact.

Her face twitched but she held her ground and murmured, "Less than you."

He shot up from his seat while messing his hair and started to move back and forth to quell his anger. He turned his grave face towards her and said, "You said they met at someone's directive." At this, she nodded but was held back by his raised hand, "You not only angered Slytherin Triumvirate but you have also pissed your head of the house."

"It is well known that you and Professor Snape don't see eye to eye. How did I become a toy into this rivalry?" she glowered and continued, "Is it because of our joint study session?"

He shook his head and snorted which annoyed her a bit, then he said, "I thought of it first then discarded it. As on 31st night, I drew my wand on him for disrespecting my father and nearly cursed if not for Dumbledore had stopped me," which made her chuckle and eyes wide open.

At this, she replied, "Snape must have gathered the spawns of his old mob and instructed them to teach you a lesson for your defiance," with this she got up while continuing, "However this is not the first time you have defied him in public. Why now? Is he actively fulfilling the role that was bestowed upon him by the Dark Lord?" Her features went grave, she looked up to him and questioned with a tremble, "Is he coming back?"

Now, it was time for Harry to go bug-eyed and he kept gaping like a fish.

"The appearance of Dark Mark at Quidditch world cup, the disappearance of Ministry worker, Bertha Jorkins, mobilising of the old mob and now your name coming out of the Goblet. These events seemed related to each other, similar patterns were observed when Dark Lord gained power the first time," her deduction had met bull's eye as he had a dreamy look on her face but there was a red flag.

"Daphne, how come you know that Voldemort is alive?" he questioned with curiosity and concern in his voice.

"Why Harry? Only Dumbledore or Granger is allowed to use the brain. Oh, wait! We inbred pureblood wizards and witches don't have a nought of brain and logic. So, there is no question of using it. Is my deduction correct, Potter?" she had started like a chirping bird that slowly changed to a vehement snake while her attitude mirrored her expression.

"Didn't your friends Weasley and Granger prevent you from consorting with an evil inbred pureblood junior death eater like me? How will they respond when they know you saved such a vile creature?" he couldn't comprehend her but dared not to interrupt in between.

"Aren't we all magical dark and evil who don't appreciate muggles and their achievements? Isn't the magical world barbaric and archaic?" with this, she propelled herself near to him. Then, she looked into his eyes and questioned with the same fervour, "Tell me, Harry Potter, what you think of the wizarding world and what do you think of me? I have already answered two of your questions, now it is your turn to answer mine," she lashed out at him, moved away and reoccupied her chair.

"An eye for an eye, a question for a question. Fair enough but you didn't completely answer my second question," he sat back and looked towards her to complete her explanation.

"This wasn't my first time and it won't be my last. I oppose them because it is the right thing to do. It is high time someone stood against them and indicated that they can't run the house as if it was their plaything. Also with his imminent return, Snape's tight grip over Slytherin needed to be dispelled otherwise numerous innocent wizards and witches would succumb to peer pressure and join dark forces." She concluded while relaxing back in her chair.

"You single-handedly plan to do this," he glanced at her with his eyes tight and worried. She chuckled at his simple-mindedness and replied, "No! I have some friends and allies who will rally against the Dark Lord. Due to their help, I was able to wiggle out even before they could get hold of me and tried to hide in the hidden room on the seventh floor. Isn't this the same room?"

He nodded while feeling sheepish at her remarks and spoke back, "You said something along the lines of loosening the grip of Snivellus over the Slytherin"

"Snivellus!" she burst out laughing along with checking that it was 7:30 a.m. and exclaimed, "Oops! Time just flew by. I have got to run now. See you soon!"

She got up from her seat while rambling to herself, "Will see how Tori is holding herself." While nearing the exit, she turned back and saw him zoned out and cried out, "Harry! Are you fine?" and rushed back to him.

He tried hiding his embarrassment for being captivated by her laughter and spun yarn, "I was thinking about the reaction of school, especially of Ron and Hufflepuffs."

"You fret a lot. People might harass you verbally, don't heed their words, and just focus on your actions. They would think twice before attacking physically. Now don't look at me like that. People fear you, you are a figure of mysticism for the magical world," she replied cheerily.

"What am I for you?" inadvertently he spoke up.

This slightly reddened her face but she replied without breaking a sweat, "You question a lot! Why don't we meet around 7 in the evening after dinner and continue our talk? Bye!"

"Bye!" was all he could say before she vanished out of his vision. With her departure, he felt dejected even though he gathered himself and got ready for the world.

A lot of thanks to all people who read the story and are willing to read the future instalments of this story. Kindly review the story.

Author's note:

1) I have seen a lot of stories where he ventures into the Chamber of Secrets and finds an old portrait of Salazar Slytherin or a hidden library. I liked them a lot however in this story he will not enter the Chamber until he completes his fourth year. I planned something else and it will be revealed later in the story.

2) This is not a time travel fiction. I didn't understand how someone got that idea. Harry learns about all of this stuff from his parents' journal which was given to him by Sirius. I would request you to read the story instead of skimming it otherwise you will miss some-point which will be brought up in the later chapters of the story.

All the characters of this story belong to JK Rowling unless stated otherwise.