Chapter Nine
Harry and Daphne appeared in the Chamber of Secrets, not in the chamber rooms, but before the statue of Salazar and the skeleton of the basilisk in the main chamber. When they appeared, she was still looking wide-eyed at Harry, enveloped in his arms. She noticed, however, that he was breathing heavily.
"Wha... How?" she asked, before replacing her curious expression with a sneer. "I see, another secret?"
"No," he replied, releasing her from his embrace. He took a step back and breathed in, still feeling his heart pounding in his ears.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, still sneering.
"We need to talk," he replied, looking back at her. His face betrayed no emotion, unlike hers, which was a combination of betrayed, angry, curious, but also hopeful.
"Now?" she asked, not stopping the tears from falling. "Now you want to talk? What if I hadn't seen the memory, would you ever tell me?"
"Eventually," he replied, nodding. She slapped him again.
"WHEN?" she shouted, slapping him again before punched him in the chest, not hard but repeatedly. "You made me like you. You helped me to get better and I really like you, more than everyone else. I thought I could trust you with everything...clearly that isn't mutual."
He waited for her to finish her rant, her tears hurting him more than all the punches to the chest.
"When? When would you tell me? Or was it just a game to you?"
He flinched, grabbed ahold of her hands, and looked her in the eyes. Daphne flinched at his sudden outburst and looked back into the green orbs of the wizard in front of her. He didn't even hesitate with his answer.
"Before I asked you to marry me, either before or during our seventh year, depending on how much trouble your parents would give us."
For a moment, Daphne was uncapable of speaking. Harry just stood there looking at her, softly letting go of her arms. There was no need to lie or hide the truth anymore.
"Why?" she asked again with a softer voice, half of her anger already gone.
"Because I want you to know everything, and because you're my partner. I'd always share everything with you, good or bad. You saw the memory in the Pensieve, so you know what you mean to me and the vows I want to say," he pleaded, seeing her demeanour start to change.
"And what makes you think I would accept your proposal? Or that my parents would accept your proposal for my hand?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest, more to steel herself than to defy Harry. She had to focus on her anger for a moment, just to be sure she wouldn't hug him for his words before she could get all the answers she wanted.
"I could only hope that I would make you fall in love with me over the next few years. Your parents would be easy, I only need a couple of spells to convince them," he admitted.
Daphne's eyes widened at the blatant confession.
"You would use magic on my parents but not on me?" she asked, curious.
"Never against your will," he replied, looking into her shocked eyes.
"Why?" she asked again, softer.
"Because you're my everything, and I love you too much to force you to love me. I will either have you of your own free will or won't have you at all," he said with a sigh. A single tear escaped his eye, running down his cheek. "Please, Daphne, I know you're hurt and angry with me, but please, give me a chance to explain everything."
"Just...who are you? Really?" she asked, and he smiled sadly.
"I am Harry James Potter, age fourteen, that hasn't changed. However, I am also Harry James Potter, age ninety-three, who sent both his and his most loyal friend's souls back in time to their past bodies for a chance to change the future," Harry admitted.
Daphne almost fainted. In a blur, Harry moved to her and held her before she could collapse. Daphne looked into Harry's eyes and couldn't see any deception, only his concern and his love.
"But how? Why?" she asked again, and he shook his head.
"The how is unimportant for now, it was a ritual and let's leave it at that. The why's...well, that's a long story," he said, caressing her face. She couldn't stop staring into his eyes, which in turn looked back at hers.
"Tell me everything, please," she begged. He sighed, nodding slowly while moving a strand of her blonde hair away from her face.
"I will tell you everything if you really want, but you must promise me that you'll be strong enough to endure it, no matter what." She nodded and he shook his head. "No Daph, say the words. Tell me you will be strong and will not falter. You will hear everything, no matter how much you may be hurt."
"I will," she replied softly, in almost a whisper. He nodded with a sad smile.
"I realize this may be awkward for you, but I do love you, Daph," he whispered. "I've wanted this for so long and now...now I'm afraid to let go of you because the moment might just end."
To be perfectly honest, Daphne didn't know what to think about what she had just been told. However, she was in Harry's arms and didn't really want him to let her go.
"You...you didn't lie to me today, did you?" she asked softly, grabbing his hand that was caressing her face. He shook his head.
"It was all true. It still is and that won't change. Past, present, future, you're my partner in all things and that's all that matters to me," he replied. That solved Daphne's dilemma.
"Then, I'll be here," she said, leaning in, as did he. They kissed for a moment, and he held her tightly in his arms once again while she embraced him around the neck.
When they stopped, Harry slowly let go of her and took her hand.
"Come, then, it will be better if you're sitting," he said, intending to go to the Chamber's living area.
"Wait, before that, how did you apparate us down here?" she asked, "Hogwarts is supposed to be warded against apparition."
Harry chuckled in response, "Yeah, I forgot about that... I don't suppose I could Obliviate everyone?"
"Harry..." she admonished him, and he chuckled again.
"It wasn't apparition," he explained, now with her full attention. "There are several ways to magically travel under our own power, meaning without portkeys or floo. Apparition is the most popular method used by wizards and goblins, and the most widely known. It is so well known, that defences against it were created thousands of years ago," he lectured, and she nodded. "There is also Popping, as the house-elves call their method, and you may have noticed that they travel through most wards. That is because most wards are only keyed to apparition magic and let's face it, everyone underestimates house-elves."
That, Daphne didn't know.
"Do you mean I could send Dobby to my house to get something for me?" she asked curiously, to which he nodded.
"Yes, he could, however, other house-elves add their own wards to their family's houses, preventing "invasion" from other house-elves. Only a few elves are able to break other elves' wards. In fact, the only place I know of that is almost impervious to house-elf popping is Azkaban. Dobby would be able to get in though, no doubt." Daphne nodded, urging him to continue.
"There are other methods. The one I used is called Fading, and it's so ancient and unknown that I can pass through most wards without them noticing me, and I can also travel further distances than I could by apparating. It is a more complex method than apparition, but there is no risk of splinching, either. I believe it was originally created by a Sumerian archwizard. It has a huge drawback, though, it drains me much quicker. You probably noticed I was short of breath..." Daphne nodded, curious and in awe.
"When I came back in time, almost a month ago, my old soul merged with my younger along with my magical cores. My cores haven't fully merged yet, don't ask me why, and until they do fading will be more difficult. I used to be able to fade around five times in a row without resting, and now twice is my limit. I recover fast, but that's one of the reasons I always pop around with Dobby, so I can bypass the wards. Also, I haven't apparated in a long time," he said, sheepishly.
Daphne was amazed.
"You said that was one of the reasons. What are the others?"
"Dobby insists on being around one way or another so he can watch my back," he replied, and Daphne smirked. "Popping me around is amusing for him."
"Then what now?" she asked, and Harry shrugged.
"Either Obliviate everyone, which is not feasible at all, or make up some story about accidental magic, and maybe even previously unknown bloodline abilities...supported with some Compulsion Charms."
"Compulsion Charms?" she asked, amused. That was borderline Dark.
"Yes. By the way, they didn't affect you because of what I told you before, but I cast several Compulsion Charms on the Slytherin table in the Great Hall and at the entrance to the common room, so that I would be more accepted at the beginning...after my resorting," he confessed, as her eyes widened in shock.
He quickly added, "I stopped using them a couple of weeks ago, after realizing I had been accepted, and nothing changed at all. The Compulsions only worked to give me a chance, not to make people love me unconditionally."
Daphne was shocked but considered his words carefully.
"But you're sure I wasn't affected by them?" she asked, almost glaring at him. He nodded.
"I keyed your magical signature to the charm, to act as an exception. You were immune to the Compulsion," he replied, and she nodded. She wanted to believe him.
"Is that even possible?"
"Very," he replied, "Ask Dobby, you're his mistress and he'll tell you the truth if you order him to."
"What do you mean?" asked Daphne, not understanding.
"We bonded in the future, and he still recognizes your magic. That's one of the reasons why he calls you mistress." She nodded, understanding.
"What other reasons does he have?" she asked, curious.
"Encouraging me to make a move on you," admitted Harry, and Daphne turned a slight shade of pink.
"Where is Dobby, by the way?" she asked, and Harry pointed to a shadow near the statue, while Dobby's voice replied from the same place.
"I'm here, Mistress," he said, coming out of the shadows. Daphne saw the sorrow on the elf's face, wanting to say something, but not knowing what.
"You two came from the future," she stated and both nodded. "Almost eighty years from now?" Harry nodded and waved at her to follow him. They walked in silence while Daphne thought about questions to ask.
"Dobby, get us a tea, please," asked Harry, waving his wand towards two wooden chairs, transfiguring them into more comfortable green and silver padded chairs. "Chamomile or lemon?" he asked Daphne.
"Chamomile, please," she replied, amused at how he had offered her two favourites, and Dobby popped away. Harry sat down in his chair after Daphne and looked at her, as she was looking back at him. To her surprise, he removed his glasses and placed them on the table. He noticed her curious expression.
"I corrected my eyesight days after coming back in time," he explained, pointing at the glasses. "Those glasses for misleading people, the lenses themselves are fake." She widened her eyes but said nothing, simply giving him an appraising look and concluding that she preferred a glasses-less Harry Potter, just as she had decided earlier when watching the memory of their bonding.
"Before I start my story, I want you to know that the ritual I used to bring us back to the past didn't work perfectly. While we traveled almost eighty years into the past, seventy-nine, to be exact, I intended to travel back to before I received my Hogwarts letter."
That surprised Daphne. "But why?" she asked.
"Several reasons. I would be able to cut some ties I didn't want, I would allow the Sorting Hat to place me into Slytherin, given the choice, and most of all, I would be with you sooner," he admitted, and she blushed, noticing how interesting the velvet of the chairs was.
"Daphne, please, look at me," he asked her, so she did. He had a sad smile in his lips. "I had a few reasons to want to do this but there was one reason that topped all of them…and that was you," he said as he sighed, predicting her next question.
"But why? What happened to me?" she asked, as he knew she would.
"Remember what I told you when you asked me my greatest fear?" he asked, and she nodded.
"To lose everything you love again," she quoted. Her eyes widened as she made the connection. Her reasoning was confirmed with a sad nod from Harry.
"I lost you and wasn't able to deal with it..." he admitted, looking into her scared, sapphire orbs. "So, I worked at it for a long time and was able to create a ritual that would bring me back just to be with you and prevent it all from happening."
Daphne shivered and hugged herself. He rose to go to her, but she stopped him.
"Tell me more, please," she said, and he sat again, looking at her.
"First of all, there's another lie I need to rectify," he said, gaining her attention.
"Which is?" she asked.
"While I did find this chamber during our second year, after killing the basilisk, I would only take a book or two occasionally for my independent studies. It is true that I read Slytherin's journals last year in the dorks common room, disguised as Quidditch magazines, but I only started to fully explore this chamber in our fifth year, with your help," he explained, her eyes widening. "You see, there's a significant difference between my original timeline and this one..." he started to explain.
"The first three years are the same, just like I told you. The main difference happened during the first task."
"What happened?" she asked, curious. Harry was embarrassed.
"I summoned my Firebolt and flew around the dragon. The dragon was angry and released itself from its chains, just like this time. The difference was that I flew away on my broom, and it chased me throughout the grounds and actually crashed into the Astronomy tower. I outflew it well enough that I eventually forced it to crash against the rocks. I think the dragon survived the crash, but I'm not sure."
Harry looked at Daphne, who was having difficulty believing what she heard.
"I can show you the memory, if you like."
"What could possibly possess you to do something that stupid?" hissed Daphne, almost rising to her feet.
"Believe it or not, it was a suggestion from Moody."
"That does somewhat explain it... Moody is a madman," she replied, huffing, her fear forgotten. "What changed this time?"
"You mean besides eighty-plus years of experience and knowing in advance what was going to happen?" he asked, raising an amused eyebrow as she was forced to concede the point. "I also have more sense of self preservation."
"You could've fooled me," she mumbled, which he heard very well.
"Daphne, I was a Gryffindor, remember? Charge ahead?" he asked, with a smirk. "Besides, that's nothing compared to some of the really stupid things I did in the past. My past..."
"Oh, I so look forward to hearing about them," she said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I know you will," he said with a small chuckle, fondly remembering what it was like to be chewed out by an angry Daphne.
"So, after the task?" she asked.
"I forgave the Gryffindors and went back to their tower," replied Harry, Daphne's eyes widening in surprise.
"No, I wish I was joking but I really was that stupid."
Daphne didn't comment, it was true enough.
"Time passed, I made some peace with Weasley and Granger, even if it wasn't what had been before. I was a hero for Gryffindor and for part of the school, and I made peace with the duffers and their champion, largely because I told Diggory about the dragons a couple days before the task. I didn't do that this time." Daphne just nodded.
"When the Yule Ball was announced I was too scared to ask anyone, being the idiot that I was. I ended up asking Patil, the Gryffindor one, and Weasley took her sister. The ball was a disaster, but I assure you that won't happen this time," he added, noticing her glare. She didn't comment, she only listened.
"Then I was given a clue about the egg by Diggory and figured out the poem myself."
"You already knew how to solve it... Why didn't you, then?" she asked, confused.
"I... I don't know. I wanted your help, even if I already knew it. I wanted you to be a part of it, I wanted you to test yourself, to have a brilliant idea like you always had...have." He tried to explain, but the truth was that he had no idea, apart from wanting to have her around and wanting her to improve herself. For her part, Daphne blushed.
"Fine, moving on..." she said, and Harry nodded. Just then, Dobby popped in with a tray and a tea set for two, with cookies.
"Thank you, Dobby," said Harry as the elf served them and popped away. Daphne picked a cup and listened to Harry.
"Dobby found gillyweed for me and I had to save a person from the bottom of the lake," he started, embarrassed by the rest of the story. "It was the pig, Weasley."
Daphne gaped and then started to laugh. He didn't even try to stop her and could only sigh. When she finally calmed down, he was allowed to continue.
"According to Dumbledore, it was because he was my very first and supposed best friend," he explained, and alarm bells echoed in Daphne's mind. She chose to hang on to the information for later.
"I ended up saving both him and Fleur Delacour's younger sister, since I was afraid they would take them away after one hour. Thinking back, it was a little stupid of me, but it motivated the champions alright.
In May, some strange shit happened, such as Crouch's disappearance and subsequent reappearance here at Hogwarts. He was almost insane, calling for Dumbledore, only to disappear again the same night before even getting to see the old man."
Daphne frowned at that.
"What does it mean?" she asked, and he smirked.
"I'll tell you later on in the story."
She nodded, and he continued, "Then it was time for the third task. It was a maze filled with obstacles set at the Quidditch pit. I was tied for first place with Diggory after two tasks, so we went in first..."
"Hold up... You were TIED with Diggory?" she asked.
He nodded, "I got good marks for my flying in the first task, and in the second task I was given extra points for 'moral fiber' because I was concerned about the other hostages."
Daphne snorted, "And you didn't consider winning this time?" she asked.
"I could, but it wasn't my intention. Like Millie said, only the last task matters and I have a plan for it..."
Daphne looked at him and nodded for him to continue.
"Both Diggory and I made it to the center of the maze at the same time. I didn't want to win, and he thought I should because I saved him from an acromantula. We decided to make it a Hogwarts victory and grabbed the cup at the same time. And that's when the problems began," he said, with Daphne's full attention.
"The cup was a portkey, and we ended up at a graveyard. When I saw the name on one of the graves, I knew we had a huge problem."
"What name was it?" she asked.
"Riddle."
She thought about it for a moment, then gasped. "As in..."
"As in Tom Marvolo Riddle, our old friend Lord Voldemort, yes. It was his muggle father's family graveyard," he explained as Daphne shivered.
"Diggory was hit with a Killing Curse from the rat Peter Pettigrew. Remember what I told you about last year?" he asked, and Daphne nodded. Harry waved the wand and the Pensieve floated to the table, next to the tea. Harry removed a memory from his head and placed it into the Pensieve, inviting Daphne to see it.
"It would be best if you just saw what happened," he said, giving her his hand. The both of them went into the Pensieve and the memory played for them. Daphne saw it all: Diggory dying, Harry being stunned, Voldemort's resurrection ritual, his taunting of Harry and his admission of being a half-blood with a muggle father, the summoning of the Death Eaters, Voldemort addressing them by name, and his mock duel with Harry.
She was so proud and in awe of Harry, seeing a fourteen-year-old boy standing against the darkest Dark Lord of the century. Then she saw the Priori Incantatem, which Harry explained to her, and saw the echoes of the spells and Voldemort's victims appear, most notably Harry's parents. She was in awe as she saw the echoes attacking Voldemort, giving Harry time to escape with Diggory's body by taking the cup portkey, which had seemingly been recharged by the echoes' magic. Daphne saw Harry collapse onto the Hogwarts grounds and declare that Voldemort was back, no one listening to him. Then, the memory ended, and they both left the Pensieve.
Daphne was in shock and shivering in fear. She grabbed Harry and hugged him tightly, almost crying for him. He held her tight and comforted her enough for her to ease her hug.
"You were great," she mumbled, and he chuckled.
"I was terrified," he admitted, "But I guess it is true, a person can only be truly brave when he's scared." Daphne looked at him with even more respect and caring.
"What happened then?" she asked, and his eyes got darker.
"Moody took me away and pretty much admitted that he wasn't Moody at all, but a convicted Death Eater called Crouch Jr., under Polyjuice. He was the one that put my name in the cup under Voldemort's orders and had been the one responsible for his father going mad and disappearing. And yes, all year we have been learning from Crouch Jr., convicted Death Eater and Azkaban escapee, thanks to his father, Crouch Sr." Daphne gasped and mumbled a couple of words.
"I neutralized him, in a manner of speaking," explained Harry, confusing Daphne. "I cast a spell on him that acts similar to the Imperius Curse. He's unable to resist me and he doesn't even know that he's under my spell, because I Obliviated that knowledge from his mind."
Daphne looked shocked at Harry, who admitted to casting an Unforgivable-type spell without a care.
"He's under my orders to continue Voldemort's plan as if nothing had happened, not to hurt you under any circumstance, and to suggest a dueling club for next term for some extra activity, and as training for me and you," explained Harry to a confused Daphne.
"He's also to feed the real Mad-Eye Moody, who he keeps imprisoned in his trunk for Polyjuice ingredients, and make sure he is alive and stable." Daphne fell into her chair, looking at Harry, completely awestruck. She also found it sweet that he managed to protect her, not to mention thankful.
"Anyway, Dumbledore captured him, but before he could be questioned, Fudge came in with a dementor, which immediately kissed him." Daphne gasped.
"My godfather could have become a free man that night and the Ministry could have believed in Voldemort's return, but because of that incompetent asshole, that didn't happen."
"I see you're not fond of Fudge," replied Daphne, and Harry snorted.
"Remind me to tell you about my interactions with him afterwards." She nodded, and he continued, "So, to sum it up, I won the tournament, Voldemort returned, Diggory was killed by Pettigrew, I managed to survive and comeback to Hogwarts, everyone ignored my warnings and fourth year ended."
Daphne flinched.
"That's what we can expect this year?" she asked, and he shook his head.
"I have already initiated steps to finish his lordship as soon as possible," replied Harry with a cold, sarcastic voice. "I will explain you later on, but I don't intend to allow this story to repeat itself again." Daphne found herself trusting Harry. Why wouldn't she?
"I went back to my "Oh-So-Loving-Muggle-Relatives" for the summer and was put into lockdown with no communication with anyone, by order of Dumbledore.
"What? Why?" asked Daphne, not understanding.
"Well, Dumbledore reunited a group that he had formed to fight Voldemort the first time around, called The Order of the Phoenix, and those idiots decided that I should be protected and be kept in isolation. That all changed after I was attacked by two dementors in the middle of the street, while their lookout was either asleep or out conducting shady business."
Daphne paled at his words.
"Dementors? In a muggle neighbourhood?" she asked, and he nodded.
"They also almost kissed my cousin and me. I cast a Patronus Charm and got rid of the two of them, but alas, I was expelled from Hogwarts for violating the Statute of Secrecy a second time and performing underage magic." Daphne widened her eyes. "It didn't help that the Minister was out for my blood, managing a smear campaign against me and Dumbledore via the Prophet for saying Voldie was back."
"Voldie?" asked an amused Daphne and Harry chuckled.
"Sorry, force of habit. Voldie, Moldyshorts, Dork Lord, Tom..." Harry shrugged, "I try not to say the name. Too many people flinching, it gets annoying."
Daphne chuckled and he smiled. She changed her demeanour quickly.
"You said you were expelled?" she asked, and he nodded.
"Moments after receiving the expulsion order, I received another two letters, one from Dumbledore telling me not to give anyone my wand and another from the Ministry, rescinding the last one and instead summoning me to a trial for underage magic. I was collected by the Order of Phoenix and taken to their headquarters, which happened to be my godfather's ancestral home, and guess what, my godfather and my uncle were there, along with Granger and the Weasleys, all with orders not to contact me because it was, and I quote, "very dangerous."
Daphne gaped. "Dangerous? It's owl post."
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is that I was angry with them and there was a lot of shouting. It was strike two for them. I was a really broody teenager, I'll tell you that. I can't wait..." he said sarcastically, and she smirked at him. "They were bored out of their feeble little minds while I was fighting for my life against dementors and...well, moving on." Another clue that Daphne decided to keep.
"I stood trial before the whole Wizengamot for a case of underage magic, and Dumbledore intervened in my favour. If he hadn't, I'm sure I'd have been expelled."
"The whole Wizengamot?" she asked, surprised, and Harry nodded. "Well, that's a new one, for a simple case of underage magic..."
"What can I say? It was Fudge. He even managed to get me there late in hopes of discrediting and condemning me."
Daphne huffed, crossing her arms. She knew the man was an idiot.
"Well, we came back to Hogwarts for our fifth year, OWL year. Want to take a guess on the type of DADA teacher we had?" he dared with a grin, making Daphne sigh.
"Useless?" she asked, and he grinned.
"Ten points to Slytherin," he replied, "Madam Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge, appointed by Ministerial decree." Daphne tried to associate the name with a face but was unsuccessful. "It's a woman that looks like a toad and is always wearing pink, is always following dear Cornelius around, and is an extreme bigot against pretty much everything non-pureblood."
Harry's sneer said much more. "The woman was a joke and had us reading a book by a guy named Slinkhard for classes. According to her, the Ministry's stance was that there was no danger outside of Hogwarts, and therefore no need for practical classes."
"What a load of dragon dung," Daphne mumbled, and Harry agreed.
"I was also very vocal with her about my disagreement and was assigned several detentions with her...writing lines with a blood quill."
"But that's illegal!" shouted Daphne in shock, "Tell me you told someone!"
"Oh, everyone knew. Her detentions were always the same for everyone non-Slytherin, and we were told not to say anything to anyone or it would be far worse. I did tell McGonagall, though, but the bint only told me to keep my head down and that she would speak to Dumbledore. I didn't even manage to speak to the old man because the bastard had been avoiding me since the summer."
Daphne furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why?" she asked with a sigh. She seemed to be saying that a lot.
"He believed that there was a mental link between Voldemort and me that would have been empowered by my blood being used in the resurrection ritual," Harry explained, and Daphne raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "He decided that I should learn Occlumency."
"Occlumency is always a good skill to have," replied Daphne, crossing her arms.
Harry smirked. "True, but try learning it from Snape and then we'll talk," he replied, mimicking her. She again raised her eyebrow.
"Not a pleasant experience?" she asked, and he snorted.
"My lessons were pretty much just a warning to clear my mind and a barrage of Legilimency attacks. His excuse was that I wouldn't be given time to prepare myself." Daphne was appalled. I do grant that he was right about that part. He gave me a book to read, but refused to answer my questions, telling me to do my research."
"Those lessons took how long?" she asked.
"Two or three times a week for nearly two months. He ended the classes after deeming me a lost cause, and after I saw a memory of his from his school years."
"I guess he didn't like that."
"Not at all. Luckily, by then I had a much better teacher," he replied with a smirk.
"Who?"
"Who else? You," he replied with a grin, shocking her.
"Me?" she asked, and he smirked.
"We have to go back to the first month of classes, way before I even started my Occlumency lessons," he explained with a fond smile. "You have to understand that despite everything, some people believed the Ministry's character-bashing portrayal of me, and some actually believed that I had murdered Diggory. Since Voldemort didn't come forward no one was the wiser, except a few purebloods that were approached by his agents. After all things considered, I was seen by some as a pariah, a loony, and a murderer." Daphne shook her head in disbelief but said nothing.
"Because of that I was able to spend a lot of time alone, and it was thanks that that you approached me one evening, when I was alone in the library. You passed me a note, asking to meet me you in an abandoned classroom, only telling me that it wasn't a trap. Naturally, I was suspicious and took a Slytherin approach to your invitation."
"Meaning?" asked Daphne, surprised with her own actions.
"I have an Invisibility Cloak, an heirloom from the Potter family. I followed you to our meeting and entered the room with you, unseen and unheard. I stood there, watching you closely, trying to understand your motives." Daphne was actually surprised and impressed.
"After nearly half an hour you clearly believed that I wouldn't turn up, and by then I was sure that it wasn't a trap at all. It was only then that I chose to reveal myself to you."
"Impressive... and well done," she whispered.
"Yes, you said the same thing. You even mentioned that you weren't sure if I would appear at all," remembered Harry with a smile.
"What did I want then?" she asked.
"You told me that you believed me, and that you knew I was right. You asked me for help with DADA and dueling," he explained, and Daphne actually nodded. "Initially, I wasn't sure...but then you offered me deals, to be my spy in Slytherin, pay me in gold, or even pay me in books and knowledge."
"Which one did you take?" she asked, flinching as he looked at her.
"None."
She gaped. She wanted to say something, but he raised a hand, stopping her.
"You were desperate, I could tell just by watching you. We made a deal to work together in DADA, and you still offered me insight on what was happening in Slytherin and taught me about the Wizarding World and its customs. It was you that originally told me about me being the Lord Potter, something that, had I known earlier, would have saved me a lot of trouble."
Daphne was surprised, for sure. "At first we decided to meet twice a week in abandoned classrooms, but then a lot happened that cut our time significantly, namely the DA in October and my Occlumency lessons later on."
"DA?" she asked, not recognizing the term.
Harry chuckled.
"The DA was the Defence Association, also known as Dumbledore's Army." Daphne lifted an amused eyebrow. "I know, it's a dumb name but back then the Ministry decided that Dumbledore was building an army with school kids, so we decided to stick it to the Ministry and call it that."
Daphne snorted, amusing Harry. "It was also a study group for dorks, duffers, and claws. Slytherins weren't invited because most were on the Ministry's side."
Daphne huffed, "Naturally."
Harry decided to ignore the comment.
"The idea came from Granger, who wanted to make a study group and practically put me in charge of teaching the practicals."
"And you accepted it?" she asked, and he shrugged.
"It was fun," he replied, "Besides, I managed to arrange it in a way that I had time for you, for Quidditch, Occlumency, and the DA, and let's face it, you were always my best student," he said with a proud smile, making her blush. "I would usually try something with you and then take it to the DA."
"How good was I?" she asked. He just smiled.
"You became almost as good as me," he explained, smiling at her. "You got yourself an Outstanding in your OWL because you decided to keep your Patronus a secret. I believe your words were that no one needed to know, and that it led to people finding out about our deal."
"What do you mean, I got an Outstanding because I kept it secret?" she asked, curious.
"You could have gotten an Outstanding with extra credit. You didn't, I did, and I got the highest grade registered in the last several years." Daphne nodded and understood.
"What was my Patronus?" she asked after a moment.
"A fox," he replied and saw her look of surprise.
"Why a fox?" she asked, and he shrugged. He closed his eyes, trying to remember something, "Foxes are a symbol for patience, wisdom, intelligence, adaptability, femininity, illusion, shape-shifting, magic... In other words, you," he said, opening his eyes and seeing her blushing. "It's only the truth."
She mumbled something, but before he could ask her to repeat it, Dobby popped in the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have been monitoring the Great Hall's reactions and the students have left for their common rooms. Slytherin house is actually starting a house assembly with Snape, trying to find out where you two are. The staff is actually searching through the castle as we speak," the elf explained. Harry sighed.
"I forgot about them," he replied, turning to Daphne. "I suppose we should make an appearance to calm everyone down, and maybe tell them a story to convince them. What do you say?"
"I guess," she replied, looking at him. "The story isn't finished, though."
"Not by a long shot," he replied with a very serious tone, making her shiver. "You still have a lot to know. We either can continue tonight after everyone goes to sleep, or tomorrow morning."
"Today," she replied eagerly, making him smile.
"Today, then, as soon as we are able. Call for Dobby to bring you here. I'll be waiting for you." She nodded and he stood, offering her his hand. She took it and rose from her chair.
"I have to say, you are taking all this quite well," he said, giving her a smile.
"True, it is hard to believe but I want to trust you. Especially after seeing the memories. You could have planted them, but you would need to know how to forge them..." she mumbled, and he lifted her chin, looking into her eyes.
"I am telling you the truth, Daphne," he replied, "but your doubts are understandable. I can swear to you an oath or order Veritaserum, if you'd like."
She nodded.
"I believe you," she whispered, and he smiled again, surprising her by kissing her softly.
"Now, what do you want to tell them?" he asked, picking up his glasses and putting them on his face.
"Me?" she asked, surprised. "You're the one that has been..." she considered her words, "…misleading everyone." He chuckled.
"What about accidental magic when I willed us to be somewhere safe to speak? An unknown, accidental ability?" he proposed, and she sniffed.
"Do you really think anyone will believe that?" she asked, doubtful. "Besides, you did it twice. Not really accidental."
"Do you want to tell them the truth?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She sighed. Maybe he should Obliviate everyone.
"Fine, you were emotional and somehow you did it the first time without even noticing. You grabbed me while wishing for us to be somewhere safe to speak. Where?" she asked.
Harry waved around, "This is the safest place in the castle, I'd wager."
"Fine, let's go, then," she replied but Harry held her for a moment.
"Wait, I forgot one thing, how good is your Occlumency?" he asked. She raised an eyebrow.
"Pretty decent," she explained, crossing her arms, "I can hold off my father's attacks."
"What about Snape's or the Headmaster's?" he asked, and she suddenly understood his reasoning.
"Good point," she mumbled, "I have never felt anything around Snape or Dumbledore."
"Do you feel sure about your abilities?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Her hesitance told him everything he needed to know. "Would you allow me to cast a spell on you to protect the memories of this conversation?"
"What kind of spell?" she asked, curious.
"It would work as an Occlumency barrier. I would add a guardian, so to speak."
"What kind of guardian?" she asked again.
"The same I have as my own guardian. The difference is that it would be powered by my magic and eventually fade unless you maintain it as your own Occlumency defence."
"And that would be?" she asked, revealing some impatience.
"Bael," he replied simply, making her raise an eyebrow, forcing him to explain.
"Remember Zael?" She nodded, obviously she would remember the giant snake appearing in the middle of their common room.
"Bael is a basilisk I keep as my main defence."
"Uh..." was her reply, "You have a basilisk as your mind defence?"
He nodded, "You'd have one of those snakes in your mind, acting as your mind defence." Harry noticed she was finding it hard to believe.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, no, they are not actually snakes," he explained, slightly embarrassed.
"Really?" she replied sarcastically, "well, they really look like it."
"That's not... yes, they are snakes but not really snakes. They are golems crafted as snakes. I issue them commands in Parseltongue, and they do my bidding as if they were real snakes," Harry explained, and Daphne was really surprised.
"Golems?" she asked, and he nodded.
"Do I have your permission to add a Bael to your mind?" he asked again, and she nodded. She had even more questions. Harry told her to close her eyes and focus on her mindscape. She saw herself in a field and felt foreign magic. She didn't fight it and saw a huge shape take form in the field. The form became a huge basilisk, as huge as the skeleton that laid in the Chamber. The basilisk hissed into the air and coiled itself, remaining still. Daphne was brought back from her mindscape, amazed.
"That's Bael, or at least one of them," explained Harry, making sure she was all right.
"Will it work?" she asked.
"Remember that Potions class after the first task?" She nodded. "That was when Snape met Bael. I'd say it's damn efficient."
She chuckled and he smiled.
"What now?" she asked. Harry held her hand and nodded for her to grab Dobby's.
"Send us to just outside the common room. We can avoid scaring people and getting cursed," replied Harry and Dobby nodded, popping them away.
They appeared in the corridor next to the common room entrance. Dobby left them, and Harry turned to Daphne.
"Are you ready?" he asked, and her reply was the squeezing of his hand.
"No," she admitted, sounding scared. She looked at him. "But for some reason, I feel safe with you." He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad," he said. Both walked to the entrance and Harry hissed to the door. It opened, and the two saw themselves looking at the entire house and Professor Snape.
"POTTER! Where the hell have you two been?" hissed Snape, silencing all the questions from their housemates.
"I don't really know how to explain it, sir, but we have been discussing it and we think that I, somehow, used some bloodline ability that took us to the Chamber of Secrets. All I remember is being angry and terrified. Next thing I know, I was holding Daphne and willed us to a safe place to talk."
Daphne was impressed. The ease at which he was able to lie was amazing. She was able to see the amazement on the faces of several of their housemates. Snape, however, was finding it hard to believe. She noticed he was glaring at Harry, who was looking back at him. Then Snape stumbled, looking pale.
"If you are done with your Legilimency, let me tell you that next time I'll let Bael get you... I wonder what would happen?" said Harry in a low, menacing, yet curious tone.
Daphne gulped, realizing what had happened. Snape tried to take the information from Harry's mind by force. She steeled herself and her own shields, hoping that Snape wouldn't attempt to check her memories. He did look at her but didn't try anything.
Some of the older Slytherins looked appalled at the professor, while others looked confused.
"Daphne, are you alright?" asked Tracey, stepping forward. That seemed to attract everyone's attention to her.
"I'm fine," she replied, squeezing Harry's hand, who squeezed back. The gesture was almost imperceptible.
"Be that as it may, I want you to accompany me to the hospital wing and make sure of it," replied Professor Snape. "We don't know what Potter could have done to you, considering you were so angry before and now you're...fine with him."
"Are you accusing me of something, Professor?" hissed Harry, throwing caution through the wind.
"Be careful with what you say, you arrogant boy," replied Snape with a sneer.
Before Harry could reply, Daphne spoke, "Professor, what happened during dinner was my fault," she said, now having the attention of the whole house. "I saw one of Harry's memories without his permission, out of context, and I misinterpreted it. I reacted badly, and Harry has already explained everything I saw into context. I was wrong, he was right, I apologised to him, and he forgave me," she said, adding mentally, "I think."
"You saw one of his memories?" asked Snape, raising an eyebrow.
"I have a Pensieve in the Chamber," Harry replied dryly. He didn't like Snape's tone. "And I forgot to remove a memory when I was done. Is that so hard to believe?"
Professor Snape glared at Harry but refrained from making further comments.
"I don't believe in your accidental story, Potter. Detention, tomorrow at nine." Harry scowled but only nodded. "You are to meet with the headmaster, now. Greengrass, you're going to the hospital wing with me for a check-up," said Snape, walking towards her.
"Harry comes with me," she said, and most of the members of the house gaped while others smirked. Snape just sneered.
"He will not, he will go to the headmaster," answered Snape.
"The headmaster can meet us at the hospital wing," replied Harry in what seemed a defiant tone.
"Fine, start moving," Snape replied with a sneer and the two teens started to walk before him, leaving their surprised housemates behind.
"I do believe I had bet they would start dating on this Hogsmeade weekend?" said Brian Carrick, turning to Amelia Yaxley with a grin.
Yaxley scowled.
"You don't know for sure."
"Fine, we'll wait until they are back to be sure," Carrick said with a chuckle, sitting back in his chair, next to Alistair Pince and Eliza Culberth. The three nodded to each other.
Harry and Daphne were following their head of house, who had passed them after leaving the common room.
"How did it go with Krum?" asked Daphne, realizing they hadn't talked about it yet.
"It was fun," replied Harry with a smirk. "He's good and actually gave me a couple of ideas for our training." Harry noticed a change in Snape's posture, as if he was listening to their conversation.
"Such as?" asked Daphne, looking at Harry.
"Physical training. Dodging spells mostly," he explained, and Daphne just looked at him.
"Unless you are proposing that one of us casts as many spells as possible for the other to avoid..." she started, and he chuckled.
"Could be," he said, "I was thinking more of Colour Charms. They're harmless and quick to negate. Whoever's covered in the most paint by the end loses." He heard Snape snort. "You don't approve, Professor?"
"The idea is good, the concept of the exercise is interesting, but the execution leaves something to be desired," he replied without turning back. In truth he found it amusing but wasn't about to tell him that, not to Potter.
"What would you suggest, then?" Harry asked.
"Something that would add more motivation to avoid the spells, instead of Colour Charms," replied their head of house.
"Stinging Hexes?" asked Daphne.
"Five points to Slytherin for a smart suggestion on how to improve a training routine," replied Snape, still not looking at them. "What is this about you meeting Krum, Potter?" asked Snape, slightly turning back.
"This morning, Krum invited me to train our dueling together. We had a practice round today at six, right before dinner."
"Your thoughts?" asked Snape.
"He's a capable duelist," replied Harry.
"I see," replied Snape, clearly wanting to know more. "What about your preparation for the second task?" the Potions Master asked.
"I know the clue from the egg and what to do in the task," he replied. Professor Snape turned back to him, surprised.
"Already?" he asked, looking at the boy.
"I had help," shrugged Harry with a smile, looking at Daphne who blushed slightly. She also had help; she didn't do it on her own. Besides, Harry already knew either way, not that the Professor would know that.
"I'm glad to see that someone is making sure you don't make a fool of Slytherin house, Potter," sneered Snape. "Five points for helping to solve the egg, Ms. Greengrass."
They walked in silence until they reached the hospital wing. As they entered, they were met by a frantic Madam Pomfrey.
"YOU! What have you done this time?" she asked, seeing Harry. The teen flinched and Daphne actually smirked.
"Poppy, would you do a check up on Ms. Greengrass? I want to make sure she's fine," asked Professor Snape, walking back outside to summon the headmaster with a Patronus. Madam Pomfrey nodded and waved at Daphne to follow her. She did, and so did Harry, whose hand she was still holding.
"You can let go of him, dear," the healer said, believing she was frightened, "I won't hurt you."
Daphne looked confused at her.
"What are you talking about?" asked the teen witch, thinking fast, "I'm just making sure this idiot doesn't do anything stupid." She managed to sound natural, too. Or maybe she was telling the truth. Harry pouted.
"Hey!" he said indignantly while Poppy laughed. He could swear that Snape smirked.
Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over Daphne and was able to see that the young girl was fine and not under the influence of any spells or potions. She did the same for Harry and the same was also true, although she was curious about some of the results.
"You seem to be in better shape than the day of the first task, Mr. Potter," said the healer, obvious curiosity in her voice. "What have you been doing?"
"Eating well and sleeping better," Harry replied, crossing his arms.
"Mmh..." was the matron's reply. "They are both fine, Severus."
"I see," was the Potions Master's reply.
"Try not to sound so disappointed, Professor," said Harry, receiving an elbow from Daphne for his cheek.
"Believe me, Potter, as much as it hurts me, your well-being is of my concern," replied Snape with a glare.
"Very well," replied Harry, looking at the entrance. "Should we go and meet the headmaster, or should we wait here?"
"We can wait. Sit down and do what Ms. Greengrass tells you to," the older man replied, amused by taunting Potter, and Harry nodded.
Snape went outside after a final look at the both of them, and Madam Pomfrey told them to sit down and be at ease as she left them to go through her other tasks. Daphne observed Madam Pomfrey with evident curiosity as she was checking a teen girl who had a broken arm, probably an accident in one of her classes. Daphne noticed Harry smirking at her and raised an eyebrow. His reply was a nod, telling her to go.
Daphne was surprised. She was curious about healer's work and had been considering it as a possible future career choice. Apparently Harry knew something, because he really did encourage her with his nod.
Emboldened, Daphne went to Madam Pomfrey and watched her work, asking some questions that surprised the elder healer, forcing Daphne to admit that her mother had been a healer for a couple of years before getting married. Even though she had given up practicing, she still received a healer's magazine, ICW endorsed, which Daphne read during the holidays.
"Yes, I think I remember her. She was Persephone Wilkins, correct?" Daphne nodded, and Madam Pomfrey started to explain that the girl, a fifth year Ravenclaw, had an accident while practicing a Bone Breaker Curse and shattered her bone.
"That means that you had to remove it and give her Skele-Gro, correct?" Daphne asked, and Poppy nodded, seemingly pleased with the girl's query. The two continued speaking until Dumbledore arrived, followed by McGonagall, Snape, and Moody.
"Mr. Potter," called Dumbledore from the doorway, drawing attention to himself and irritating Poppy in the process.
"Headmaster, this is a hospital wing and I demand quiet!" Poppy said, her anger starting to show. Harry, who had laid down in his usual bed, smirked at the interaction and noticed the annoyed look on Daphne's face. She looked like she had been enjoying herself.
"You are correct, of course, my dear Poppy," apologised Dumbledore, focusing on Daphne. "Ms. Greengrass, Mr. Potter, I would like you two to explain to me what happened a while ago in the Great Hall."
"We talked about it and concluded that it had to be some kind of accidental magic, sir. Either that or some special talent that I may have." Harry noticed the skeptical looks on their faces.
"Mr. Potter, you managed to apparate inside Hogwarts, not once, but twice, something that should be impossible, even for the headmaster, and you are saying that it was purely accidental?" asked McGonagall, baffled. Harry shrugged.
"The first time I didn't even notice it. I just needed to stop and talk to Daphne. All of a sudden, I had her in my arms and I just remember wishing to talk with her in a safe and quiet place. I only grabbed her so I could beg her to listen, and then...we were in the Chamber of Secrets." Daphne was looking at Harry and was able to see the slight twitch of his fingers, making his voice sound more powerful. Dumbledore, however, looked slightly confused, suspicious, and somewhat amused.
"Considering what happened, why was Ms. Greengrass so angry at you? And why does she seem calmer now?"
"As I said to Professor Snape," Daphne said, everyone turning to her, "I saw one of Harry's memories, without his permission and out of context, and I misinterpreted it. I reacted badly and it was rude of me to do it, but Harry explained everything while we were in the Chamber. Then, after Harry's explanations, Dobby took us back to just outside our common room and Professor Snape made us come here."
"I see," mumbled Dumbledore, "And what memory was it?"
"None of your business," snapped Harry in a cold and angry tone, shocking the professors.
"Mr. Potter, respect the headmaster," replied McGonagall with a huff.
"The memory is personal, and I don't want to share it with either of you," Harry replied, ignoring McGonagall's outburst.
"But Harry, you shared it with Ms. Greengrass and if it is important, I believe that..."
"What I decide to share with my girlfriend is between me and her and no one else," replied Harry in a cold tone. The adults in the room, as well as the hospitalized students raised their eyebrows in shock at the revelation, while McGonagall spluttered a couple of words.
"Girlfriend?" she asked, turning to Daphne, who blushed, "How? When?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Again, none of your business," Harry replied, looking curiously at Daphne. "I mean, unless you decided to..." She understood what he meant and shook her head with an embarrassed smile, making him grin.
"Ah, young love," replied Dumbledore in a grandfatherly tone, with a grin of his own. "Very well, you may go. I understand it was an emotional moment for you, and that may have been used to fuel some magic... I would, however, like to know more about that amazing apparition method, Mr. Potter, as well as attempt to recreate it. If you would be so kind, would you be available tomorrow after dinner to discuss it in more detail?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I have detention with Professor Snape at nine because of it." Dumbledore turned to Snape.
"I believe Professor Snape won't mind placing your detention with me, my dear boy," the older man replied, making Snape raise an eyebrow, though he nodded. "Very well, tomorrow at nine, in my office. The password is Kit-Kat."
Harry chuckled about the password while others looked strangely at him and the headmaster, Daphne included. McGonagall rolled her eyes.
"Ah, I see you are aware of such delicacy?" asked Dumbledore with an amused tone.
"I prefer Crunch bars, myself," replied Harry, and someone in the back agreed with him. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Very well, I do believe that will be all. I'll be seeing you tomorrow then. Now, off you two go to your common room and try not to stop in a cupboard on your way."
While McGonagall glared at the older headmaster for his bad joke, almost ready to chew him out, both Snape and Daphne saw Harry flinch for a small moment, before his expression changed to a cold smirk.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Headmaster, I've spent too much time in a broom cupboard already. Ten years, in fact," he said, making the headmaster and McGonagall flinch and the others look at them strangely. Without another word, Harry approached Daphne and extended his hand, which she took with a smile, although she was still thinking about what he had just said.
"We need to talk about your relatives," she mumbled, and he sighed with a nod.
"Oh, Ms. Greengrass, should you be interested you can come back any time, or you can approach Ms. Ursula Corwin, a seventh year in our house. She would also be able to help you with healing if you'd like. Besides, if you're going to stay around that trouble-magnet, I want to conscript you to keep him in shape."
Daphne blushed and ignored the smirk on Madam Pomfrey's face. Harry and Daphne left, leaving an amused Madam Pomfrey to return to her work, and four teachers mumbling between them, after a wave of Dumbledore's wand.
"The brat is lying," said Snape, and Dumbledore nodded.
"I believe it too, Severus," he said, "In fact, had it not been for his magical oath, I wouldn't believe that young man is Harry Potter at all. Besides, the way he held Ms. Greengrass before disappearing from the Great Hall indicated it wasn't accidental at all."
"But what will we do, Albus?" asked a shocked McGonagall.
"We keep watching. I worried that Mr. Potter may have started the Dark path but now I'm not so sure," the headmaster confessed.
~BREAK~
If Daphne had wanted to hurt the Dursleys earlier, now she wanted nothing less than to kill them for all they had done to Harry. Forcing him to have a cupboard under the stairs as a room for ten years, making Harry work as a house-elf, belittling him, beating him for accidental magic, and making him the scapegoat for all of their problems, preventing him from having friends, underfeeding him, psychological torture...not even the Death Eaters were that vicious. If only people knew.
"How did it affect you... You know, before?" she asked, hoping he would get the reference to his former life without more details. The walls did have years.
"Made me malleable, always wishing to please, and gave me a sort of a white knight complex," Harry admitted, and Daphne had to suppress her anger, squeezing his hand.
They walked in silence for a while until Harry chuckled.
"I missed Dumbledore's passwords," he admitted with a grin, "Muggle sweets, classic."
"What is a Kit-Kat?" asked Daphne and Harry chuckled.
"A chocolate bar with cookie inside. It's quite good," he explained, seeing her frown.
"And a Crunch bar?"
"A chocolate tablet with crisped rice mixed with in the chocolate." He decided then to get her one of each the next morning.
They arrived at their common room and Harry hissed again. Daphne had to admit that it was handy. At least he didn't have to remember the passwords.
The entire house was present. Each was minding their own business, but still they were all in the common room, waiting for the two fourth years.
"Ah, you return, at last," replied Brian Carrick, who sat with Alistair Pince and Eliza Culberth. The entire house stopped what they were doing and turned towards the two. "Now, first things first, are you two dating or not?"
"How's that important?" asked Daphne, crossing her arms.
"It matters because the answer may grant me a significant tally," the seventh year replied with a smirk, laying back on his chair. Brian Carrick was a tall, lean seventh year with brown hair and a hard look. He was the enforcer in the house, as well as one of two designated supporters for the prefects and younger students. He was also responsible for executing punishments and house decisions, whereas Alistair Pince was the intrahouse arbiter, responsible for solving all problems inside Slytherin and bringing them forward.
Between them sat a nice-looking girl with dark hair, looking amusedly at the two fourth years and at her own boyfriend. Eliza Culberth was tall and carried herself with a cold intelligence. She was the diplomat, the link between Slytherin and the outside, responsible for gathering information throughout Hogwarts to protect the house of the snakes. She was also the other designated supporter, favoured over her boyfriend by the firsties. Individually, they were each examples of true Slytherins. Together, they were the actual leaders of the house, and everyone was subject to their rule.
Malfoy aspired to a position in the Triumvirate, but there were some things money couldn't buy, unlike a position on the Quidditch team. Daphne knew that according to the rumours, they were now interested in Harry.
Daphne sighed and Harry chuckled.
"What's in it for us for sharing such valuable information?" asked Harry, and Daphne smirked. Alistair chuckled and Brian rolled his eyes.
"As much as I enjoyed your reply, if you're going to be that evasive with that question, I can only imagine how you'll respond to our other question," said Eliza.
Harry looked at her defiant look while Alistair started to talk.
"We've called in a house assembly, and we want to know exactly what happened two years ago when you allegedly went into the Chamber of Secrets." Harry's head snapped to the fourth years with an angry look, assuming they had said something. When he saw them, they were all pale, as if not expecting that.
"You heard me in Hogsmeade," was Harry's conclusion, turning to the Triumvirate, who nodded with smirks.
"Do you know how the house assembly works?" asked Alistair, the de facto leader in such matters.
"I can either accept your request and answer or be a pariah for the rest of my time here. I will not be forced, though, and I may be asked to take Veritaserum to corroborate my story," replied Harry, turning to Daphne, who was slightly scared for him, although no one else could see it.
"What say you, then?" asked Alistair.
"What if I showed you the memory of the event?" snapped Harry with a bored tone, surprising everyone.
"That would definitely be suitable, should it be free of tampering," replied Eliza, and several whispers were heard among their housemates.
"And how would you suggest we confirm that?" sighed Harry, while mentally considering how this could affect his plans. Worst case scenario, he'd have to take them all to the Chamber...
"You can provide us with an oath," she replied, and Harry considered it.
"Dobby," the house-elf appeared next to Harry, already carrying an ornate Pensieve with several snake motifs carved in the stone. A table was pushed to him and the Pensieve was placed on top of it, allowing everyone to see the design work on the stone basin.
"That's an... interesting design," mumbled a sixth year.
"Blame Slytherin, I found it in the Chamber," was Harry's reply, approaching the basin and ignoring the shocked looks around him.
"The Chamber must indeed be a trove of artefacts and knowledge," mumbled Eliza, heard only by her other two peers.
Daphne sighed and stood by Harry. She really hoped to resolve everything quickly and return to the Chamber to continue hearing his story from his original timeline. Now, she had to again see the events of the Chamber, and she wasn't really fond of the idea. She preferred not to see Harry almost die again, but in a house assembly everyone had to be present, from the lowest firstie to the highest seventh year. Luckily for them, even though the term had finished the day before, a Friday, the trip back to London had only been scheduled for the following Monday.
Harry stood over the Pensieve, ignoring the whispers and the comments, focusing on the memory he wanted to show them. He extracted it with his wand and placed it in the basin. If the length of the silver thread was any indication, the memory was quite long.
"If anyone needs to go to the toilet, go now," replied Harry in a cold voice, looking around the room. "I will not pause it, nor will I repeat it at a later date, unless is deemed extremely important."
The Triumvirate members nodded and accepted his conditions. No one else moved.
"Very well, then," Harry said. He waved his wand and the lights of the common room dimmed. Then he tapped the Pensieve runes with his wand and it started to glow, projecting the memory so it could be seen by all without entering the Pensieve.
It started with Harry standing next to Granger in the hospital wing, showing him finding the torn page in her hand, eliciting a comment from someone about Granger ripping a book. Harry walked back to the wall, hiding himself in the shadows. Daphne, who had seen everything before, was next to him.
"I'm sorry, it seems I won't be able to continue my story for the day," he whispered as memory him was explaining his reasoning to Weasley.
"Yes..." Daphne mumbled with a sigh. "We have time, though. I hope." She didn't notice that she said the last sentence loudly. Harry chuckled and kissed her forehead, embracing her.
"We have all the time, Daph," he whispered, ignoring the surprised sounds as memory Harry proposed they go to Lockhart for help.
She smiled, glancing back to the memory.
"You didn't show me this part," she whispered, hiding a chuckle as they all saw Lockhart quickly packing to run away.
"I didn't think it was important," he replied, hugging her from behind. To her own surprise, she allowed herself to lean back into him, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
The memory continued, showing Harry and Weasley forcing Lockhart to go with them, and Harry talking to Moaning Myrtle and discovering where the entrance truly was. To say that everyone was surprised, appalled, and completely captivated was an understatement. Everyone kept looking at the memory, not wanting to miss a single moment.
They laughed as they pushed Lockhart into the pit and were shocked when they noticed the shed skin of the basilisk. It was bloody huge. Daphne felt her own unease at that moment, especially when she remembered how huge the basilisk truly was. Not even Harry hugging her from behind helped her feel better. She couldn't leave, though.
They saw Lockhart admitting he was a fraud, turning on them and attempting to curse them with Weasley's broken wand. It wasn't a surprise, really. Anyone smart enough could figure that out, especially after his classes. The first and second years though, were shocked. Some of them had been raised with stories about Harry Potter and Gilderoy Lockhart. They all cheered and clapped as Lockhart's spell turned on him, and almost gasped when they saw the rockslide, cutting Harry off from Weasley. They laughed as Weasley informed Harry what happened to Lockhart and saw Harry continue on alone.
Memory Harry opened the door to the Chamber and entered, seeing the body of Weaselette on the ground. Daphne held her breath as Tom Riddle appeared. Everyone saw the boy, recognizing his Slytherin robes, but no one knew him. Some frowned when he mentioned he was a memory from the diary, and all gasped when he revealed that he had forced Ginny Weasley to open the Chamber and set the basilisk on the mudbloods and Filch's cat.
This Tom Riddle was Slytherin's heir, but who was he really?
Next, Tom began to rant about how Harry had found the diary on the bathroom, how he was the one person he wanted to meet the most, how he had shown him his own memory of him framing Hagrid. Of course, Harry had to be a defiant one. When Tom mentioned that killing mudbloods wasn't important anymore, a cold and dreary silence fell on the common room.
"For many months now, my new target has been you," Tom said, and everyone gasped, looking at memory Harry swallowing air. "How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?"
"Why do you care? Voldemort was after your time," replied Harry in a defiant tone. Everyone saw Tom smirk.
"Voldemort is my past, present, and future."
Tom started to write letters of fire in the air. Some of the eldest in the room made an association, a possibility that had crossed their minds and made them pale. Those looked to Harry and saw Daphne Greengrass in Harry's arms, appearing agitated as if she knew something. Harry was hugging her from behind. They all gulped.
Tom stopped writing and waved his wand. The fiery letters spelling out the name TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE started rearranging themselves, finally settling at I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.
Some of the pureblood extremists grinned for a moment, in awe as they beheld how powerful their lord truly was, powerful enough to leave a memory behind to finish his own work... only to see it all come crashing down the following moment.
"Surely you didn't think I was going to keep my filthy muggle father's name?"
"WHAT?" shouted Draco Malfoy, while everyone else's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. The Dark Lord was a half-blood? A half-blood with a muggle father? "You lie, Potter!" he shouted, almost drawing his wand. Luckily, for him, a seventh year hit him with a Full Body-Bind just in time to hear Harry say that Dumbledore was the greatest wizard alive.
"I outgrew that, don't worry," Harry said after noticing a few mocking glares.
The memory continued, showing the Dark Lord speaking in Parseltongue, which no one understood. Shortly thereafter, the massive snake came slithering out from the mouth of Slytherin's statue. Most everyone gasped, others shrieked, and there were even a couple who fainted at the sight of the basilisk.
"That is the basilisk?" shouted Pansy, turning to Harry and seeing Daphne holding Harry's right arm, almost caressing it.
They saw Fawkes appear, leaving the Sorting Hat with Harry, which gave him the sword of Gryffindor while Fawkes blinded the beast. They saw Harry run instead of charging ahead, a tactic which they approved of. They saw Harry trying to escape the beast by climbing Slytherin's statue, only to be almost bitten in half, and finally sticking the sword through the basilisk's mouth. They gasped, seeing a twelve-year-old killing a seventy-foot basilisk with nothing but a sword. They gulped, as they thought back to what they saw in the first task and what they now knew about Potter.
Daphne continued to watch the memory, knowing very well about the fang that would be sticking into his arm. When it happened, she squeezed Harry's arm and felt his arms holding her tightly. The rest of the house saw that Harry Potter had a basilisk fang stuck in his arm.
"How are you alive, Potter?" asked a seventh year in awe, as memory Harry stabbed the diary with the fang, destroying the shadow of the Dark Lord forever. Then Harry fell on the floor while Weaselette woke up and started to apologize and crying, only to see Fawkes appear and cry on Harry's wound, healing him and counteracting the venom.
The memory ended, and Harry waved his wand again, bringing the lights back up. Everyone looked at him in shock, awe, and confusion.
"You killed the Dark Lord's memory? For good?" asked a fifth year, and Harry nodded, putting the memory back in his mind and ordering Dobby to take the Pensieve again.
"You killed that freaking snake all by yourself?" asked a tearful third year, remembering the fear of those times.
"You all saw it, and just to be sure, I, Harry James Potter do swear on my life and magic that the memory you all saw was real and not altered by any means. So mote it be," Harry said, glowing. He then cast strong Lumos Charm, reinforcing his words.
"Damn," mumbled Eliza. That was not what she was expecting to see. To be truthful, she had no idea what she wanted to see.
"So, what now?" asked Harry, crossing his arms and looking to everyone in the house. "I know some of you actually agree with Voldemort while others are milder in their views, so I'll ask, what happens now that you know what really happened?"
No one said anything.
"Someone might want to release Malfoy," added Harry, noticing that Malfoy was still on the floor, blinking furiously.
Blaise released him and the blonde got up quietly.
"So?" asked Harry again.
"The Dark Lord was a half-blood," was a statement made by a fifth year, with a bit of amusement.
"He said so, yes," replied Harry, and the same fifth year started to chuckle. His name was David Macnair, and he had Death Eater ties in his family.
"Purebloods groveled at his feet, called him the very best of us, and he was nothing more than a half-blood?" he chuckled, and many scowled as they thought about his words.
Harry shrugged. He didn't know want to say anything else that could be seen as a defending Voldemort, although he did want to speak on behalf of the half-bloods.
Some, however, flinched at Macnair's words.
"Oi, I'm a half-blood," retorted a seventh year out of nowhere, "Potter is too."
Then the ruckus continued, ending only when Alistair asked Harry a simple question.
"Where do you stand in the blood feud?"
Harry considered his opinions calmly.
"I can honestly say that I currently don't know a single muggle that I don't hate," replied Harry in a cold tone, surprising all and making some smirk. Harry noticed Daphne's raised eyebrow. "But I am biased, since I was raised by abusive muggle relatives and had no friends at all until I entered the Hogwarts Express in '91..." His confession raised more questions that he wasn't keen on answering at all. "However, there are a couple of things that the muggles have that I enjoyed, namely movies, TV, games and music."
"What's a movie?" asked a firstie.
"What's a TV?" asked a sixth year.
Harry wanted to groan.
"Ask a half-blood. Or a muggleborn," he snapped, looking careful at them. "You know what I think...I think that muggleborns should be integrated into our society, and maybe we should learn more about them. If there is one thing muggles are good at, it's killing. I'm sure we all know about the witch hunts? And the muggle wars that engulfed all of Europe?"
Some nods gave him the answer he wanted.
"Muggles are dangerous," replied Harry, holding the attention of everyone. "What they don't understand, they capture and experiment upon in hopes that they will understand. They commit atrocities if they have to and don't even care, they just rationalize their actions to justify the deaths they cause. I wonder how many muggleborns were found by the muggles before they could be brought into the magical world? How many suffered for it?"
He paused, looking at Daphne who was both curious and in awe of the way he managed to command the attention of the room. She didn't completely understand his point, though, although she did get that he was speaking from his heart. Maybe it had been something from his past life?
"I think enough magical blood has been spilled," admitted Harry in a solemn tone. "I don't care if you're Light, Grey, or Dark; pureblood, half-blood, or muggleborn; wizard, squib, or creature, but I do care if your blood has magic or not," Harry said, closing his eyes, his smile fading. "But I won't stand for mudbloods, blood traitors, oath breakers, or kinslayers," he said, opening his eyes and revealing the green flames behind them.
"I don't want anyone else to see what I've seen and live what I lived," he spat with a cold and venomous tone, ignoring the shocked looks directed at him. Harry had only expressed his feelings on such matters once, during the house-elves' strike, and managed to impress a couple of elder students. That night, in the common room, Harry Potter seemed to have spoken from heart, favouring not the pureblood but the magical blood. He certainly gave everyone enough to form an opinion about himself, good or bad.
"Well said, Potter," said a smooth female voice, and many turned to see none other than Ursula Corwin, a seventh year, and one of the most respected figures in the house. She wasn't a part of the Triumvirate, but she certainly had power in the house. Sometimes, the Triumvirate would ask her opinion on a matter and she would offer her wisdom freely. She was a pureblood with short, blonde hair and brown eyes, tan skin, and a thin figure. What many didn't know was that she lived close to muggles and her parents had dealings with them. No one knew, but aside from Potter she was the one in the house of the snakes that knew the most about muggles. For years she had stayed out of the conflicts, keeping to herself and ignoring matters she didn't care about, but Harry's words echoed her own feelings.
"Ursula, you agree with Potter?" asked Alistair with surprise, to whom she nodded in reply. That gesture alone grasped the attention of many.
The Triumvirate closed the house assembly after that and the students started to disband, most of them looking at Harry in either respect or awe. He didn't care. He did notice the nod of appreciation and respect Ms. Corwin gave him. Harry nodded back, then saw the girl lose interest in him and begin a conversation with the Triumvirate.
"That was a nice speech," said Daphne, approaching Harry and leading him to a corner. Harry waved his wand and erected a privacy ward. He looked at her and saw the admiration in her eyes.
"I lived something like it," he replied, and she nodded. Somehow, she already knew that. "It's getting late. Would you like to meet tomorrow for breakfast and then continue our conversation?"
"I don't think there's a choice, actually," Daphne said, and Harry nodded as well. As much as Daphne wanted to know more, she sighed, understanding what he meant. "Get some rest. We both had a rough day." Then she hesitated.
"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her uneasiness.
"I'm sorry for what I did. I broke your trust..." she started, and he stopped her with a soft caress on her chin.
"There's nothing to forgive," Harry replied, softly kissing her lips, ignoring the silence that fell across the house once again. Apparently, they were being watched, not that they cared.
"Thank you," she said with a small smile.
"All I ask is for you to trust me and to give me a chance," he said with a small smile, to which she smirked.
"I AM giving you a chance, Potter," she said, and he returned her smirk. "Will you tell me how it happened in your...?" Harry nodded.
"You were already close to me, but I'd say that the moment I knew I was sure I really cared for you was when you comforted me after my godfather's death." For a moment, Daphne didn't know what to say.
"Tomorrow?" she asked, questioningly. Harry chuckled and nodded. Of course, she needed to know more details.
Daphne leaned in and kissed him goodnight. She started walking towards her room, ignoring the stares, and didn't notice the group of girls following after her. Harry dropped the ward and went to his own room, ready to call Dobby to take him to the Chamber. He ignored the boys following him.
In the common room, Brian Carrick was grinning.
"Was that enough proof for you, Yaxley?" he asked, hearing only some mumbling from said girl.