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September 12th 15:01

Daphne pulled a chair out from under the desk, the same one she'd sat at the prior week with Harry. They'd scheduled to spend the afternoon studying together again, but Daphne was unsure what they'd be covering this week. She hoped he'd help her with some Defence work, as he was far more skilled than her; the most talented with practical magic in the school.

She took out her stationery, the same new quill and ink he'd bought her the prior week, and pulled out one of her Muggle books to read whilst she waited. She wasn't really paying attention to the words, idly flicking through the book for the hundredth time. If she wanted, Daphne could likely recite the entire book from memory. It was probably time to get a new book, but money was tight, so she made do.

Her thoughts remained on Harry, and how he'd done the Disillusionment Charm so easily in Defence the other day, as if it were second nature. Part of her wondered why he still used an invisibility cloak, if he could perform the spell so well. 'Probably an elaborate backstory behind that cloak...' she mused. 'A spell required a level of trust in one's ability, and a failure rate if someone like McGonagall came along, not to mention Brindlemore... The cloak seemed to be far more than Harry had let on as well.'

It was another few minutes before Harry arrived, a bright smile on his face once he spotted Daphne. She smiled back, trying to conceal the butterflies his genuine, lopsided smile gave her. Her eyes met his, before darting down to her hands and back up again.

"You still up for tonight?" he asked as he plopped his bag down onto the desk, rummaging through it.

"I am... But I don't know how your friends would like me there."

"They're more than happy to have you join. Hannah Abbot is coming as well; so you'll not be the only newcomer to the group." Harry took out his stationery and a Defence textbook and laid them down on the desk. "We're also getting some alcohol on the way, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, have one; it'll ease the tension."

"Where are you getting the drinks?"

"The Hog's Head Inn... You know, in Hogsmede."

"We're going off site?"

"I didn't mention that?"

Daphne shook her head.

"Well, yeah. We're going to explore the local area." Harry looked around a bit and then threw up a Muffling Charm. "Some drinks, a few brooms, and a long night of flying around in the mountains... Maybe we'll even watch the sunrise. Not sure the others'll be up for an all-nighter, though."

"You guys are mental. I knew you'd done some insane stuff, but this is far beyond that."

Harry shrugged. "We like to keep things interesting. And we're adults, with a lot of sway with McGonagall." Harry snorted. "I'm sounding like Ron, but yeah, as long as the firsties don't catch us, and we get all the work done on time; we can do anything."

"You've gone mad with power."

"Who doesn't?" Harry chuckled.

Daphne giggled, and there was a brief, companionable silence between them.

"D'you want to do anything specific today? Or just work through random stuff until we get bored?"

"I... Could we do Defence?"

"Sure, what d'you want to cover?"

"Well, I'd like to know how you do some spells so easily. Like the Disillusionment Charm."

Harry looked around for a moment. "I can't really show you in here."

Daphne cast her gaze down.

"But I think I know a place that'll be perfect for this... Promise you'll tell no one of its existence, though."

Daphne spent a moment gauging the level of trouble they could get in should she follow him. "Okay."

"Brilliant! It's a bit of a walk, but it's worth it. Trust me."

They packed their things up, Harry taking down the muffling charm, and exited the Library, chatting about nothing as Harry led her through the castle, upstairs and through places Daphne had never even known were there.

Eventually, they reached the seventh floor, far quicker than Daphne thought possible, and came up on a portrait. Harry ambled over to it, telling Daphne to wait, and began pacing back and forth.

Daphne blinked, and a colossal door appeared on the wall. Harry took no time opening it and gesturing for her to go in. She obliged, albeit apprehensively.

"This is The Room of Requirement!" Harry announced as he entered behind her. "A very useful room to hide in, if someone wants to find you."

"How did you find it?" Daphne asked.

"A good friend of mine showed me." A wistful expression came across his face as if reminiscing about times long gone. "We thought it'd been destroyed during the battle... Fiendfyre was set loose, and none of us could contain it. But, when we were helping fix the place up over the summer, we came and checked. Just in case."

"And it survived... How?"

"It used to have a lot of stuff in it... Everything students lost for a millennium came here, stacks upon stacks of books, bags, jewels. Anything you could think of was in here. Now, there's nothing. The fuel ran out, no more oxygen for the flames, leaving an empty room."

"What about that?" Daphne asked, pointing at some chairs and a large dummy.

"Stuff we brought here. We thought it was the least we could do," Harry said. "Anyway, what do you want me to show you?"

"Well, everything..."

Harry chuckled. "Sure, but what would you like to know now?"

"You promised to teach me the Patronus Charm..."

"If you'd like. Just don't get disheartened if you don't get it today. It took me months to do it properly."

Daphne nodded.

"Well, I'll show you mine first." Harry took out his wand and pointed it at nothing in particular. "Expecto Patronum."

A large, ethereal stag bounded out of his wand, trotting around the room and over to Daphne. She brought her hand up to touch it, but it fell through. However, as her hand glided through the divine creature, Daphne felt a wave of euphoria rush through her body, making her knees weak.

The stag disappeared; leaving a breathless Daphne and Harry, who looked somewhat concerned.

"You alright?"

"Yeah... Intense."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, it can be." He walked over to her, summoning a chair with a wave of his wand. "Here, sit down." Daphne took a seat, and Harry knelt down in front of her, gazing into her eyes. "The key to the spell is focusing on a feeling... Love. I was taught to focus on a memory; a happy memory. But it can't be some trivial memory, like getting a good grade, a brief rush of euphoria. It has to be pure, so untamed that it's overwhelming. That's what makes it powerful."

Daphne listened, searching for something that equalled what Harry was saying. She couldn't. "I..."

A sad smile graced his face. "Few people can."

"How did you?"

Harry let out a hollow breath. "Dumbledore always told me my greatest strength was my capacity to love; how I can love even with the life I had... My life was easy compared to some; compared to most. But love wasn't abundant... There was one thing, though. Something that gave me happiness, allowed me to find those who I love... An escape."

"I..."

"This here, these very walls..." Harry gestured to everything. "Is there something in your life, something that made you feel free?"

What was that? What made her feel free? Daphne wasn't sure. There was leaving her home... Her mutiny against her family that'd left it in pieces. But it left a bitter taste in her mouth, as she was overcome with her heinous actions against her horrid family.

"Stop."

Daphne blinked.

Harry came over and took her hand. "Don't overthink it."

"It's hard."

"I know... and that first memory isn't always the best... How about you try something else?"

Daphne nodded and began thinking about that night, the night they'd spent together the other day. The way he allowed her to stop thinking about everything that'd happened over the previous months... And how that had been ruined so swiftly by Astoria, who'd brought those devastating memories flooding back.

She kept them at bay and brought her memories back up of being in his arms, snuggling into his neck, and their lips almost touching... it was paradise; her soul yearned for that fantasy... Nothing else had come close.

"Is there something, Daph? It can be anything... as long as it's raw. A savage feeling deep in your heart. A desire that is wild; something that isn't a want, but a need."

Daphne nodded, keeping quiet, but felt heat creep up her neck.

"Give it a go. Focus on that feeling that you just had, and let it flow."

Harry stepped out of her way, and she lifted her wand, closing her eyes and focusing, just like he'd said. "Expecto Patronum."

Daphne waited a moment before she opened her eyes, and there it was, a wisp spiralling out of her wand... It continued, coating the floor in a silvery sheen. The longer it continued, however, the harder it was to maintain. Her legs felt like jelly, as if she'd just run a marathon, and the spell faded.

She lost balance but was caught by Harry, who'd clearly been prepared for such a scenario.

"Brilliant, Daph! Absolutely brilliant!"

"It was hardly anything." Daphne panted, trying to catch her breath as Harry sat her down on one chair, kneeling in front of her again.

"And my first attempt was much the same," Harry said. "It's not something you'll get overnight. These things take months to perform properly."

Daphne groaned.

Harry chuckled. "I know it's frustrating. But it'll be so sweet when you finally get it... I'll see if I can get a boggart in here or something, see how you'll react to a Dementor's presence."

"Your boggarts a Dementor?"

"Yeah. Well, I think it is... Not too sure anymore. But it's worth a try."

Daphne nodded. "Could I go again?"

"Of course! Whenever you're ready."

Daphne took a moment to compose herself, taking a few deep breaths and closing her eyes. Her body already felt exhausted after only one attempt. She glanced at Harry. "Could you do your Patronus again, please?" Hoping that it'd help lift her spirits and aid in performing the spell once more.

Harry nodded and performed the spell, the stag strutting around the room before coming over and standing next to them. Daphne basked in the feverish presence of the Patronus.

"Why'd you want to learn the Patronus Charm, Daph?"

"... Proof..."

"Of what?"

Daphne kept quiet, not even attempting to talk...

Harry took one of her hands in his and squeezed it, gazing up at her with care. "Is it what we were talking about the other day? How no bad mage could perform a Patronus?" he asked.

Daphne nodded, and a bitter taste lingered in her mouth, as she was overcome with reality; floodgates crashed down as the dam overflowed. The walls she'd constructed around the awful memories she'd banished away crumbled. She forced her eyes off of him, unable to look him in the eye.

"Daphne. Look at me. Please."

She scrunched her eyes closed, then opened them, gazing down at his sincere face.

"You are not a bad person. Whatever you did, it wouldn't have made you evil. The fact you care so deeply about it shows that."

"I... I killed him, Harry," Daphne whispered. "It felt righteous... deserved..."

"I know, I know how you feel, Daph..."

Daphne wasn't listening to him, covering her mouth with the back of her palm. "He... I didn't want to - you have to believe me, I didn't - but he... I was trapped. He told me I..." Harry tried to speak, but Daphne continued over him, not even attempting to hear what he had to say. "He hated me; abhorred my existence. I tried Harry. I wanted to have a happy family, to go with their wishes... But he was a monster, and I slew him like one."

"Did he - Nevermind. I won't pretend I know everything that happened, and I won't force you to tell me." Harry paused, taking his time to come out with the right words. "But from the sounds of it, Daphne; you were forced into that situation."

"You don't understand. I wanted him dead... I wanted my father dead... It gave me pleasure in watching him bleed out into the night... Like... Like..."

"Okay, it's okay. You don't have to tell me. D'you remember what I told you about Tom? Can you feel remorse? I see you can. Your eyes tell it all." Harry smiled gently. "Were you given any other choice?"

"I could've... I could've fled."

"Really? What would've happened if you had?"

"He would've hunted me..."

"And what would've happened if you were caught?"

"I- I don't know."

"I think you do."

Daphne shook her head.

"When did it happen?"

"In April... I was told to come home for the Holiday..."

Harry sighed, looking at her patiently. "In another life, had I known of the capabilities of my magic as a child... I may have turned out different," he said. "And, in this life, once I found out the extent of my magic, I was sorely tempted to murder my relatives had the right circumstances arose. The only reason they're alive today isn't from my mercy, but because I had others there for me when I needed that guidance."

He paused, rubbing his thumb up and down the back of her palm. "If I hadn't had that, I would've likely found myself in the same situation as you... You were forced into an awful situation and had no escape. People do things when under extreme pressure that they'd never have done otherwise. Those actions you can't be condemned for unless you condemn yourself."

"McGonagall, she..."

"She knows?"

Daphne nodded.

"How?"

"We spoke afterwards... back when the school was under The Dark Lord's regime... I asked her for help," Daphne said. "She kept me safe and away from trouble. It's why I'm back here..." Daphne didn't say that McGonagall had helped her over the summer as well, providing her with a place to stay in the Muggle world.

"McGonagall is a saint," Harry said, smiling. "How can you say what you've done is that bad, when McGonagall has let you back here knowing about it? You don't have to answer that - I know it's hard to put the blame anywhere other than yourself."

Daphne didn't respond. She couldn't respond. And Harry let her stay silent, continuing to draw circles on her palm with his thumb.

"D'you want to give the Patronus another try? Or shall we call it a night?" he asked.

"Will it just be a wisp again?"

"I'd love to say no, but it probably will be."

"I think I'll call it then."

He chuckled. "It can take a while... It took me a while before I produced a corporeal one. You just have to be persistent with it. Don't get disheartened with slow progress. As long as you keep at it, it'll come."

Daphne nodded.

They spent a while just sitting and chatting before Harry glanced down at his watch. "Well, it's about six..." he said. "As we're going out tonight, do you want to go grab some different clothes? And maybe a shower... then I'll meet you by the Quidditch Changing Rooms in about an hour."

"At seven?"

Harry nodded, smiling. "And I was going to grab some snacks for tonight, sandwiches, pastries, anything really. Any requests?"

"I'm fine with anything you bring."

"You sure?"

She nodded.

"Okay, well, I really need to go. I've got too many things to do and nowhere near enough time." Harry snorted. "You'd not believe how hard it was to get ahold of a new broom on three days' notice." Harry rushed off, throwing his bag over his shoulders and exiting the room.

Daphne took a moment to grab her things, and exited at a much more sedate pace, ambling back to the Slytherin Common Room slowly, Harry already out of sight by the time she left.

It didn't take too long to get back to her dorm, though Daphne was sure Harry knew of a faster way to get there. As she sifted through her trunk for some clothes to wear, she made a silent note to ask him.

She settled on some Muggle attire she'd purchased over the summer, a slim-fitting pair of jeans, a plain top and a jumper. Nothing fancy, but it did the trick. Leaving them neatly on the bed, Daphne headed to have a swift shower, taking enough time to make sure she was spotless and without fault, just in case.

Grabbing a matching set of underwear, she put her clothes on and sprayed some perfume.

Exiting her dorm, making sure it was locked with the most powerful charm she knew, she made her way to the Quidditch Changing Rooms, glad that most everyone was at dinner. 'Thank fuck they're meeting at dinner time... Astoria would've been awful to deal with if she saw me like this.'

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A/N: Well... that was something XD

I had a couple of issues with my wi-fi as I was editing this, and though I've read through it, I don't know if I've missed re-putting Daphne's thoughts in italics.

With the Patronus' I didn't want it to be as easy as it was in book 5 for someone to perform one. In my opinion, it's meant to be hard, even without a Dementor's presence. I like to think it is harder for people like Daphne, who has lacked a very happy life.

Took me ages to bring all of this together, I had to re-write almost all of it more than once and spent ages going over and over Daphne's backstory. I wanted to add a lot to Daphne's character in this one, and I hope you guys are satisfied with it. I certainly am happy with the turnout.

Anyway, I'd love to know your thoughts! Any feedback is appreciated, so leave a review! The next chap will be Sunday the 9th.

-Salt