Chapter 3: Year 1 Part 2

Harry POV

Like most things that went wrong in Harry's life, it began in the potion's classroom.

Winter break had recently ended, and Professor Snape decided it was time to spend the month learning the potion of weakness. Luckily enough, Harry and Daphne were paired for this project. It was bound to go well.

Right now, they were gathered around their cauldron: quietly chopping, dicing, and throwing in ingredients into their mix.

It was much more peaceful, Harry found out, not having Snape hover over their shoulder. He was in the backroom organizing the supply closet.

This gave Harry plenty of time to talk to Ron Weasley. He was seated right next to Harry.

"They say Stevenson is no good at seeker," said Ron. "That he couldn't even find his wand even if it was shoved up his own arse. But I figure he just hasn't been given enough time to settle in with the Chudleys. Hasn't got a chance to feel comfortable."

"How long has he been with the team?" Asked Harry.

"Bout a couple years now."

Harry nodded and continued working on his potion.

Harry had met Ron and the Weasley family over winter break. They had remained the few groups of people that remained in the castle, so it was only natural that he got to know more about them. Apparently, there were seven Weasleys, and so far, all of them had been in Gryffindor.

Ron was also very knowledgeable about Quidditch. He seemed to know all about the Quidditch league and which teams were winning, which fans were bandwagoners, and more importantly, how you even played the sport.

"You going to see the game next week?" asked Ron.

"I reckon I will," said Harry. "Got nothing better to do."

"It's a good match, Gryffindor vs Slytherin. Arch enemies they are. My brothers always told me that the entire school shows up for this match."

Ron paused for a moment.

"Do you know who you'll be supporting?" Ron asked. He looked at Harry closely when asking the question.

"Oh, I don't know," Harry confessed. He threw in a dash of asphodel into his cauldron. The potion color faded from blue to purple. "I suppose I should support Slytherin right?"

"I mean you could," said Ron. "But you don't want to be stuck sitting next to Malfoy. Plus, Slytherin is no good. Bunch of slimy snakes they are. Always playing the roughest and the dirtiest way. You'd have a better time supporting Gryffindor. They play honorable and fairly. We even got a new seeker too."

Harry never did like cheaters. He thought back to that time playing soccer with Dudley. No Dudley, he remembered saying, you can't just punch people to steal the ball, that's not fair.

Nor did he like Malfoy: who also reminded him of Dudley.

"I guess I could support Gryffindor." Said Harry conceding to Ron's points.

"I'd see you next Saturday then — wearing Gryffindor red hopefully."

Ron stuck out his hand.

"Sure thing," said Harry shaking his hand.

"Look at that," said Malfoy from behind them. Harry and Ron turned around. "Doesn't even support his own house's Quidditch team. What a disgrace."

Before Harry had a chance to come up with a witty comeback — maybe even challenge him to a duel —Daphne tapped his shoulder.

"Harry, I'm not sure were doing this right." Daphne told Harry.

"What do you mean we're not doing this right?"

"Look."

Daphne pointed to the picture in their potions book. It featured an image of a wizard proudly holding the potion of weakness in a glass vial. The liquid in the vial looked blue. Harry looked back at his potion. It was still purple.

Harry scratched his head.

"I guess we should add some more porcupine quills," said Harry. "To stabilize the potion. Porcupine quills work great for this kind of stuff."

"I know that Harry." Said Daphne

He threw in some porcupine quills.

It was then that potion starting boiling. A bluble-bluble-bluble sound started to come out of their potion as it started to boil. Looking at other groups they only saw a smooth flat surface.

Harry glanced at Daphne's face and saw her look of bepuzzlement.

"No need to panic Daphne, just a little more porcupine quills should do the trick," said Harry throwing in some more porcupine quills. "It just needs to be a little more stable."

The potion became even more violent. The bubbling grew faster and faster. Other groups taking notice of their potion stopped what they were doing and observed.

"Just an ounce more of quills should do the trick,"

Harry threw in some more porcupine quills.

The pops of the concoction grew so violent that they started spilling out of the cauldron. Harry stepped back from the cauldron and rubbed his forehead.

"Think I added to many porcupine quills," admitted Harry.

BANG!

Harry and Daphne's cauldron exploded in a firework of purple sludge. It got stuck on nearly every surface of the classroom. Groans and yucks echoed all throughout the classroom as their badly smelling potion lodged itself into the room.

Daphne wiped the sludge from off her face.

"Nice going Harry," said Daphne dryly.

"What do you mean, nice going, Daphne!? I was trying to make it work!" Harry yelled.

"More like trying to get us all killed!" shouted Daphne back.

"How was I supposed to know that adding too many porcupine quills would cause the potion to explode!?"

"You could've started by reading the potions textbook!"

"I was reading the potions textbook!"

"No you weren't! You were too busy talking to that blood traitor about Quidditch."

"Blood traitor!?" yelled Ron joining in on the argument now.

Daphne opened her mouth to say more, but the door to the supply closet opened. Through it Professor Snape walked out. The class immediately fell to silence.

Snape's eyes widened as he took in the chaos of the scene; Pansy covering her nose with her shirt, Crabbe shaking the sludge off his textbook, Neville accidently knocking over his own cauldron in the confusion, and finally Malfoy who was pointing directly at Harry. His eyes found Harry's — who was busy cleaning his glasses of the purple sludge.

"Potter!" He shouted.

Harry looked up and gulped.

It was pitch black outside by the time Harry and Daphne were freed from their detention with Snape. Harry and Daphne split off in the entrance hall. Daphne went back to the Slytherin dorms while Harry made his way to Hagrid's. They didn't speak to each other during the entire way back.

Harry trudged along down the steps to Hagrid's hut. During this walk, he kept muttering the things he wished he would've said to Daphne: something about Daphne having the intelligence of a gorilla. An outsider would've mistaken Harry for a crazy person.

At any rate, Harry soon arrived at the small cottage that was Hagrid's home. He went to knock on the door.

Harry hoped his visit wasn't unexpected. He had promised to visit Hagrid earlier in the day, but by now it was much later. The sun having already gone down.

It seemed Hagrid was busy with something. Harry heard a shuffle, then a bang as something was knocked over, and finally he heard Hagrid unlatching the door. Hagrid only opened the door a little.

Hagrid squeezed his head out through the narrow opening of the door.

"Who's there?" He asked.

Harry took a pause, deciding to look around nervously. He wondered if there was a manticore or some other dangerous animal on the loose.

"It's me," Harry whispered back.

Hagrid looked down. Then he spotted Harry standing on the steps.

"Harry?!" shouted Hagrid confused. "Wha' are yeh doing out here? It's late out. Past curfew if I'm not mistaken."

"I thought I would visit you. Like I said I would."

"Tha' was in the morning Harry. Don't know the friend I'll be if I put yeh in risk o' getting' in trouble now."

"Ah c'mon, Hagrid. You can't turn me back now. Its freezing out there. At least give me a chance to warm up."

Hagrid took a moment to ponder it.

"Ah, yeh're alright Harry. Doubt Filch would catch yeh out here. Wouldn't mind meself a bit o' company anyhow."

Hagrid opened the door and Harry stepped inside. A wave of warmth greeted Harry.

Hagrid went to the kitchen and grabbed the kettle. The two of them made their way to the table.

"Didn' think yeh would come." Said Hagrid as he collapsed into his chair. He poured them both a cup of tea. "Figured summat must've got in your way."

"Something did," replied Harry. "I got a detention with Professor Snape after me and Daphne accidently exploded a potion in class. Made us clean the whole mess by hand. It was a big miss too, splotches of purple goo everywhere. The house elves showed up itching to help but Snape sent them away. Took us two whole hours that did."

Hagrid nodded. Harry looked at him and could tell he wasn't listening. Hagrid kept looking out the window, bouncing his knee up and down.

"You feeling alright Hagrid?" said Harry. "You look nervous."

"Oh, it's nothin'," said Hagrid with an anxious smile. "Just did summat tha' maybe I shouldn't of, but the truth is tha' I always wanted one."

"What have you always wanted Hagrid?"

Hagrid looked left then right. Then he came in closer to Harry.

"A dragon?" he whispered.

"A dragon!?"

"Yeh wan' ter see it?"

Hagrid beckoned him over. He moved to the kitchen and opened the door to the stove.

There sitting in the stove was a small dragon. It was busy licking its claw. Harry was awestruck.

"Its name is Norbert." Said Hagrid.

"I've never seen a dragon before," admitted Harry. "But I've heard they're supposed to be super dangerous."

"Yeh think it's a bad idea Harry?"

"Hagrid," said Harry shaking his head. "I don't think this is a bad idea — I think this is the best idea you've had all year! Imagine what we could do with a dragon!"

The day of the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match happened on a cold but clear day. It was just after breakfast and the entire school trickled down to the pitch in a never-ending column. Harry happened to walk behind Daphne and her friends.

"Remind me why I have to be here again." Asked Daphne bitterly.

"You gotta show your support for the Slytherins. It's house pride Daphne!" exclaimed Tracey Davis.

"House pride? I have plenty of house pride," defended Daphne. She stopped and lifted her foot, pointing to the green socks she was wearing.

"You don't seriously tell me you'd rather spend the day at the library than watch a Quidditch match?" asked Pansy.

Daphne remained silent.

"I heard Gryffindor has a new seeker," interrupted Tracey Davis.

"Oh yes," said Pansy. "Malfoy sneaked in to watch the Gryffindor team training. He says that their new seeker is Paul Stevenson Jr., and that he isn't any good.

Pansy held her head high saying that. Proud to have information that no-one else had.

"Well, I don't care who the seeker is," said Daphne. "I just hope whoever they are they find the snitch fast."

"I just hope Slytherin wins," said Tracey.

"Well, I hope Gryffindor wins," said Harry loudly.

They turned around and glanced at Harry. Pansy noticing Harry's red beanie, red mittens, and red scarf scowled. Daphne simply eyed him tentatively. Not saying a word.

That's how things became between them these past few weeks. A quiet war of aggression with neither of them saying a word to the other. In potions Daphne simply held out her hand and Harry would lazily put the ingredients in them. In transfiguration they both scooted to the edge of the seats and pretended that there was an invisible wall between them.

Truthfully, it had been Harry's fault that the potion had gone wrong. Harry had come to admit that in the past few days. He would've apologized already if it wasn't for Ron explaining to him what the word blood traitor meant. Harry felt as if that was quite a rude thing to say.

At any rate, they soon reached the base of the hill and the entrance to the stadium. Daphne and her friends split away from him to make their way to the Slytherins stands. Harry meanwhile waited for Ron.

"There you are," said Ron with his group of Gryffindors behind him. "You ready to watch Gryffindor smack the Slytherins around the pitch."

Harry laughed.

"It would be my pleasure."

And so, they went to find their seats in the Gryffindor stands. It was mostly full, with Harry having to take the aisle seat while Ron and his friends sat behind him. Also curious, was that the Gryffindor stands was seated next to the Slytherin stands. Daphne was sitting in the seat across the aisle from him with a bored expression on her face.

But how could you be bored with a game like this.

It was turning out to be a good one. Close as it ever could be. Although Gryffindor had the worse seeker, their trio of chasers, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, and Angelia Johnson, were putting up a good fight. The Gryffindors were almost 150 points ahead. Enough to neglect the point swing catching the Snitch brought.

It was then the Slytherins started playing dirtier.

"Foul! Foul!" shouted Lee Jordan, the announcer. "How could you not call that as a foul!?"

"Jordan!" yelled Professor McGonagall.

Ron tapped his shoulder. Harry looked above him.

"You want a butterbeer?" Asked Ron.

"I've never had one."

"They're good."

Ron passed him a glass of butterbeer, and Harry took it.

He took a sip of the butterbeer. He didn't like the drink one bit. It was too sweet.

Being the good friend he was, Harry decided to pass the cruddy drink to Daphne.

"Hey Daphne," shouted Harry. "You should try some of this stuff. It's really good."

He stuck the glass in the middle of the aisle for her to reach, but unfortunately, Cassius Warrington, a Slytherin a few years above him, knocked into Harry's cup while climbing up the stairs.

The butterbeer spilled all over Warrington's pants.

"What the hell man," said Warrington. He swiped at his pants but the stain of the butterbeer would not come out. Harry tried apologizing but the boy wasn't listening. In his frustration Warrington threw his own glass of butterbeer at Harry.

Fortunately for Harry, the liquid missed. It went over Harry's head and splashed all over the guy sitting next to Harry. A Cormac McLaggen.

Cormac stood up.

"What did you do that for!?" He shouted. McLaggen pushed past Harry and tackled Warrington.

A group of Slytherins got up and tried helping Warrington. That group was met with a group of Gryffindors who decided to help the now outmatched McLaggen.

Pretty soon, things descended into chaos.

"Oh, looky there!" Said Lee Jordan forgetting about the game. "The Slytherins and Gryffindors have started rioting!"

By now, the entirety of the Slytherin and Gryffindor stands joined in on the fight against each other. Spells of all different colors flew over Harry's head. Weird incantations and shouts of 'get him!' and 'take that!' echoed all around Harry.

Daphne even took part in the fighting. She was laughing maniacally zapping Gryffindor after Gryffindor with an efficient use of spells.

"I love Quidditch!" he heard Daphne shout.

"Nice shot Seamus!" Said Lee Jordan now commentating the fight. "He'll definitely feel that one in the morning!"

Professor McGonagall grabbed the mic from Lee Jordan.

"Students! Students!" She cried. "Behave yourselves! Any student that fires one more spell will face a month of detention!"

But the threat fell on empty ears. The Slytherins and Gryffindors kept zapping at each other.

Harry crouched low and tried slipping away.

"What happened!?" Ron yelled next to him. He kept a hand on his head as he ducked under the spell fire. He seemed to have already gotten hit with a jinx however, sporting a thick bushy red beard now.

"I don't know!" Harry said equally as loud. "But we gotta get outta here!"

The last thing Harry heard before escaping down the stairs was Percy Weasley's voice.

"Everybody stop fighting!" screamed Percy Weasley. "I am a prefect!"

Daphne POV

The day passed on slowly. The sun seemingly fixed in its position in the sky. But that's how it always was in history of magic.

It had been a couple of days since the incident in the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match. So far nobody was put into detention except for Cormac McLaggen and Cassius Warrington. The common consensus being that it was too chaotic to point out who did or did not take part in the fiasco.

The teachers instead decided that for future games the Gryffindor and Slytherin stands were to be separated.

This worked well for Daphne who had taken out a whole handful of Gryffindors herself. The only injuries she suffered from was an overly large ear, and that her socks changed colors from green to red. Madame Pomfrey fixed the ear but said she could do nothing about her favorite socks.

If she ever found out who changed the color her socks-

A particularly loud snore interrupted Daphne from her thoughts. Beside her, Millicent Bulstrode was sleeping in a puddle of her own drool.

Daphne shook her head. This wasn't how history of magic was supposed to be.

She was supposed to love this class! But more and more she only grew to hate it. A ghost teaching!? What kind of blasphemy was that? It was a serious disservice to wizarding history. An obvious attempt by Dumbledore to diminish Pureblood dominance.

Daphne had loved reading about the history of magic growing up. When she was younger, she would read the great big leather tomes found in the libraries of Greengrass Manor. It was a wonderful way to pass lonesome days at the manor.

Some of her favorite stories included the great battles between the wizard Merlin and her hero, Morgana, the goblin rebellion of 1612, the goblin rebellion of 1752, and finally Ranrok's Rebellion.

Ranrok was a goblin also.

Professor Binns, however, lacked a certain enthusiasm about the topics that Daphne so loved. He seemed to just drone on and on in a monotone voice.

So instead of paying attention, Daphne instead spent her time reviewing her notes on the boy-who-lived.

She decided to start from the beginning this time. Hoping to find a piece of evidence that she could've missed.

Voldemort had died on October 31st. Shortly after, Dumbledore had gone to the ministry announcing that it was a boy no older than one who had defeated him. However, due to safety concerns, Dumbledore would not announce the name of this child until he deemed it was safe. The story was confirmed by a couple notable members of the ministry, and so the legend of the boy-who-lived was born.

It was ten years later now, and still Dumbledore had yet to announce his name. What was there to fear now? A lot of people took this as confirmation that the story was a load of dung, but Daphne kept her hope.

Daphne would find out who he was if it was the last thing she did!

Harry poked her from behind.

He passed her a crumbled-up piece of paper. Daphne hesitantly took it. She unfolded it and read the note.

'Meet me after class, I got something to show you.'

After class ended, Daphne followed Harry to an abandoned classroom. Well, Daphne assumed it was abandoned, rays of sunlight showed a field of dust covering the floor, and the chairs and the tables had been stacked to the side.

"What did you want to show me?" asked Daphne disinterestedly.

"Promise you won't tell anyone." Said Harry.

"What is it?"

"You have to promise."

"Fine, I promise not to tell anyone." Said Daphne in a deadpan voice.

Harry eyed her up and down and then nodded his head.

"Good enough."

Harry scavenged through his rucksack and pulled out a silvery cloth from his bag.

"I got an invisibility cloak for Christmas."

"An invisibility cloak?"

"Yup," said Harry. He put on the cloak. He suddenly disappeared.

Daphne widened her eyes.

"Who gave it to you?"

"I don't know, just got it for Christmas. Had a note too — this was your father's. Use it well."

It was suspicious, thought Daphne, to receive such a costly item from an anonymous source. Though, Daphne was too fascinated by the cloak to voice her suspicions.

"Can I see it?"

"Yeah, sure."

Harry passed her the cloak and Daphne spent time to admire it. She let the silky material flow through her hands.

This wasn't like any other cloaks she had seen in Diagon Alley. Those others were made of ordinary materials and had runes scribbled on the cloth. This just seemed so other worldly.

Could it be-?

Harry was descended from the Peverell's after all.

"Harry," Daphne said. "This isn't a normal invisibility cloak."

Harry laughed.

"I didn't know there existed normal invisibility cloaks."

Daphne shook her head and tried again.

"Harry, this is a deathly hallow." Said Daphne.

"A deathly who?" responded Harry.

"A deathly hallow, it's one of three, some of the most powerful items every created by wizards. Powers that make even death fearful of them, or so it's said. I've read about them. It's bound to have more powers than just being invisibility."

"Like what?"

"I wouldn't be able to know without further research."

"Then take it," said Harry.

"Really?"

"To borrow, of course," said Harry. "You would probably be able to find out more about it than I. Plus, I don't need it right now."

"But Harry this is a really valuable cloak."

Daphne was not sure why she said that. Some cog must've gone loose in her brain. She should've just taken the cloak and ran.

Daphne looked up and met his green eyes. Harry spoke again.

"Look Daphne, I'm sorry about what happened in potions. I didn't really know what I was doing." Harry confessed. "I guess I just got carried away in the moment."

Daphne felt the anger in her heart wilt.

She supposed she could be forgiving this one time. Supposed that it wouldn't be proper if she eviscerated everyone who had done her wrong.

"It's fine Harry," Daphne said. "To be honest, I thought adding porcupine quills would solve the problem also. I had no idea they reacted so badly with asphodel."

Harry smiled.

"Well, I guess that makes us both fools."

"I blame Professor Snape," said Daphne. "He really shouldn't have given us such an unstable concoction to brew."

"I agree," said Harry. "Professor Snape really is the worst."

They both paused for a moment.

"You want to grab lunch," asked Harry.

"Sure."

And so, united in their disapproval of Professor Snape they walked out of the classroom friends again and towards the Great Hall for lunch.

"I'm glad we were able to get this behind us," said Harry "I was getting quite lonely in my classes without having you by my side."

Daphne nodded. She had felt the same way.

"The only reason I didn't apologize earlier," he said. "Is that you called Ron a blood traitor."

"He is a blood traitor though," said Daphne.

Harry shook his head.

"No, he's not Daphne, the only thing I would call him is a nice guy. He kept me company all throughout winter break when I was alone in the castle."

"You don't understand Harry. People like the Weasleys undermine the wizarding community. They seek to change our cultures and traditions."

"No, Daphne, I think you don't understand." Harry stopped walking beside her. "You know what— go on without me. I've got somewhere else to be. I'll see you around later."

Harry broke free from her, walking out the entrance hall with his hands in his pockets. Daphne stood in place, confused as to what had happened.

It was a late night in the astronomy tower. The full moon shined bright in the night sky.

Most students were tired. Daphne included. She had her pajamas under her school clothes. Ready to hop into bed the moment this class ended.

"Ok class," said Professor Sinistra. "Today we will be looking for the moons of Saturn. An important thing to keep tract of when working with runes. If you have any difficulties finding the moons just let me know and I will help you out."

And so, they were left on their own. To search through the vast expanse of space with their telescopes.

Daphne would never admit it, but she always had some difficulty finding what they needed to find. Astronomy for Daphne meant peering at others to see if they were closer than her or trying to overhear Professor Sinistra when she went to offer help to other students.

"Psst." A voice whispered beside her. Daphne pulled her eye out of the telescope. It was Terry Boot.

"Where's Harry?" he asked.

Daphne paused for a moment. She wondered how it seemed everyone in the castle was friends with Harry.

"How should I know?"

Truthfully, Daphne had been wondering the same thing. It was strange to see Harry missing from a class.

"I thought the two of you were friends," he told her.

Daphne shrugged.

After yesterday's argument, she wasn't sure what they were any more.

"Hey!" cried a voice. "Look over there — it's a fire!"

"Now students, please focus on the assignment." Professor Sinistra said. "Sweet Merlin! That is a fire."

"Students please stay where you are, I am going to get some help!" She ordered.

Professor Sinistra climbed down the stairs leaving the class to admire the quiet night sky. Most of her classmates, however, were more interested in the fire.

"Where is it!? Where is it!?" said a voice.

"Over there! Look!" said another.

Daphne followed their hand and saw where it was pointed. A small wooden hut at the edge of the forbidden forest. Daphne could see the small orange glow that came from the fire on the roof.

Daphne turned her telescope towards the hut. She pressed her eye firmly against the cold metal ring of the eyepiece. The telescope automatically adjusted to where she was looking.

She saw a small figure, and a bigger one. They seemed to be running around the hut in panic. Looking more closers she saw that yes, that was in fact Harry.

What was he doing there?

They seemed to lack direction, running one way, then pausing, and then running the other. Finally, they grew some sort of sense, and started trying to put out the fire.

She saw the large figure, by now she assumed it was Hagrid, grab a big barrel of beer and throw it at the house. It crashed against the burning thatch roof and rolled off it to the ground. The barrel broke from the fall and started leaking beer onto the ground. Harry meanwhile was running between the well and back using a small tin bucket to throw the water at the house.

Nothing seemed to be working. It was certain that the hut would be engulfed in the flames.

Then Daphne saw something she couldn't believe.

Harry ran into the house on fire.

A small pause formed. Daphne's heart beating faster as every second passed. Then she saw a glass window shatter and through it, a dog was ejected out. Soon after, Harry dove out of the window and onto the ground outside.

Just as she thought things couldn't get any more confusing. Things became more confusing.

She saw Hagrid run into the house. Didn't he know that the roof was seconds away from collapsing? Hagrid didn't take long, however, he broke past the debris in the door holding a-

Daphne used her shirt to polish the lens.

Was that a dragon?

It was indeed a dragon, a black one in fact. Hard to make out except when it let out small puffs of fire.

Hagrid set the dragon next to Harry. By now Daphne could see the white glow of the lighting charm as the teachers made their way to the burning hut.

Daphne breathed a sigh of relief. She was hopeful that they would be able to take control of the situation.

Daphne turned her telescope back to Harry. He was petting the dragon lovingly. The dragon responded by biting Harry. Harry jumped back in shock. A couple seconds past where nothing happened and then Harry collapsed to the ground.

And so it was that Harry went to visit the hospital wing for the second time this year. This time, for dragon related injuries.

It was close to summer now, and students were having a hard time staying motivated for classes. It wouldn't be a surprise to see blank stares at books, students lounging around in the lawn, students jumping in the lake, or even students yelling at others that they were being too loud. 'I have seven N.E.W.T.s you know!'

Daphne kept her head down low and kept on pushing onwards.

She also, was making good use of the invisibility cloak. She found out a lot about it through reading and some practical testing.

It didn't make one invincible, that much was clear. A spell that hit the cloak would hit you as well. It did, however, allow you to walk freely in the world. With the cloak you could walk past wards and enchantments without any trouble.

Daphne decided to make use of that.

So today, in her on-going pursuit to find the boy-who-lived, she was going to infiltrate the Gryffindor common room hoping to find more clues.

Daphne planned her approach carefully. She made sure to choose an hour that would have the least people in the common room. That hour being lunchtime, of course. Also important, was that Daphne masked the sound of her footsteps. She spent a couple of days mastering the light foot charm.

When all the stars aligned Daphne made her move. She put on the invisibility cloak and waited until she saw a Gryffindor leave the Great Hall to return to their dorm. Daphne followed the Gryffindor up the Grand Staircase and through the portrait of a fat lady.

It was almost too easy. They didn't even notice a thing!

Daphne took a triumphant first step into the Gryffindor common room.

She then took a moment to examine the common room. She gasped in horror. Couches and armchairs arranged in a manner that had no order, a never-ending chatter that filled the room, and books and game pieces were scattered around the room in one big mess. The view, Daphne reluctantly admitted, was somewhat superior to the bottom of the lake that the Slytherins were forced to see. She stepped closer to the window to get a better look.

It was then that she heard his voice.

"Almost had you there Ron," said Harry.

Daphne turned around.

Impossible.

How could he even get into the room? The wards surely must have prevented him from doing so.

The only explanation Daphne could come up with was that there were no wards at all. That anyone could walk into the room. A serious security flaw if Daphne had ever seen one.

"Whatever," dismissed Ron Weasley. "Your still losing Harry."

There gathered around a table, sat Harry and Ron Weasley playing wizard's chess. They seemed to be in the middle of a match; crumbs of shattered chess pieces laid scattered around on the board. Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan stood beside Harry. They were cheering Harry on, perhaps rooting for the underdog.

It didn't matter though, in the end, Harry lost.

"Rook to E8," said Ron. The Rook moved and then the king, seeing itself surrounded, threw down its sword.

"Close game," said Harry shaking Ron's hand. "Same time next week?"

"For sure," replied Weasley.

Daphne watched Harry exit the portrait frame with disbelieving eyes. A Slytherin so friendly with the Gryffindors? The idea seemed absurd, yet with Harry, Daphne found herself constantly surprised.

Daphne stayed only for a few moments longer. Suddenly, the prospect of sneaking into the Gryffindor common room didn't seem so exciting knowing that Harry had just walked in and out with no problem.

It was a glum Daphne that walked out of the Gryffindor common room. She took slow steps back towards the library. Maybe she could get a head start on studying for the final exams she thought miserably.

Halfway through however, Daphne heard something that she figured she wasn't supposed to hear.

"If- if I just have more time, I could get it." Said Professor Quirrell placating. Daphne heard his voice around the corner. However, she was unable to figure out who he was talking to.

"Time!?" said a voice angrily. "We don't have any more time. Dumbledore is already catching wind of what we are trying to do. He will have the philosopher's stone moved any day now. Already, the world starting to forget about me. I cannot delay my return any longer."

Daphne paused her walking. The philosopher's stone? The legendary stone that bought Nicolas Flamel 600 years of life. The stone that is rumored to have untold healing powers. It was here at Hogwarts?

Instinctively, Daphne's mind wandered to her sister Astoria. To the curse that plague their family for generations. To the curse that stole Daphne's mother away from her.

Her father said that Astoria could be fine. That she hadn't shown any symptoms yet, but Daphne remained doubtful.

But suddenly, things didn't seem so grim anymore. Suddenly she could do something about the curse.

It was then that Daphne realized she had to get that stone before Quirrell did.

Daphne ran into the Slytherin common room breathless. She spotted Harry reading at a table in the corner. He was reading the book she had gotten him for Christmas: The Art of the Duel.

"Harry," Daphne said "I need your help. Professor Quirrell is going to steal something I need. We got to get to the third floor fast."

"Would it have to do with the forbidden corridor?"

"It might." Daphne responded. That's where Daphne assumed the stone to be.

"Then I can't do it. I can't risk getting punished again."

Daphne wanted to laugh.

"You're scared of the rules now!?"

"Well, after you have had two months detention with Filch for housing a dragon, I don't think you would be so careless."

"If you're so scared of breaking the rules, why were you at the Gryffindor common room today!?" Daphne blurted out

Harry squinted his eyes at her. Daphne looked away.

"How do you know about that?"

"Granger told me." Daphne lied.

"I didn't know you were friends with Hermione," questioned Harry.

They weren't. They were a good team in herbology however.

"Well, we are, and stop changing the subject Harry. I know you were there."

"Fine," said Harry. "And so what if I was in the Gryffindor common room. What's so wrong with that?"

"You said you can't break the rules, but you just did: students are not allowed to spend time in other houses dormitories. That's against the school rules Harry. You wouldn't want me to report that would you?"

"Well, it's a dumb rule," complained Harry. "And who even are you anyways? Percy Weasley?"

"Who?"

"Exactly," said Harry as if it settled the matter.

Harry returned to the book. Though, he still was glancing at Daphne with the corners of his eyes.

Daphne stood confused for a moment.

"Fine!" said Daphne frustrated. "If you don't want to go that's fine! I'll just go without you!"

Daphne opened the rucksack and placed the Invisibility cloak on the table.

"I am sorry I said those things to Ron." Daphne said, and then she started to walk away.

Harry looked up from the book and watched Daphne go with a pained expression. The prospect of leaving Daphne alone hung heavy in his heart.

Finally, just as Daphne slipped through the exit of the Slytherin common room, Harry got up and chased after her. He wasn't ready to lose a friend.

He caught up with her at the rotating stairs.

"I am with you Daphne. Wherever you want to go" he breathed out. He passed her the invisibility cloak.

Daphne caught it and raised an eyebrow.

"We're going to need this," said Harry. "And I figure you can use it better than me."

Inside, Daphne felt the tension in her heart loosen. The prospect of what faced ahead didn't seem so impossible anymore.

"It should be over here," whispered Daphne as they approached the forbidden third-floor corridor.

Daphne used the unlocking charm and they both slipped into the dark room.

"Whoa," said Harry.

Whoa indeed thought Daphne. In the room slept a giant three-headed dog while a harp played in the background.

Truthfully, Daphne couldn't make sense of it. Luckily enough, Harry spotted a trap door.

"In here," Harry said as he beckoned her over. He swung open the door and they both jumped into the hole.

They landed in a pit of devil's snare. Living beside a magical forest, her father always warned her what to do if she found herself caught in the plant.

"Try and relax Harry!" shouted Daphne. "If you struggle too much the plants going to wrap around your body and choke you."

"That sounds pleasant," said Harry sarcastically.

"Trust me, okay"

A paused formed between them for a moment.

"Okay," said Harry.

They both slipped through the vines and fell to the floor. Harry met Daphne's eyes and he nodded. They moved on to the next room.

Keys with wings flew throughout the large room. It had a grand ceiling that seemed to rival even the tallest towers in Hogwarts. A broom was laid on the floor. Perhaps as a clue.

Daphne didn't mind it. Instead, she moved to the door and tried the unlocking charm.

It didn't work.

"That's strange," commented Daphne.

"What's strange?"

"The unlocking charm — it didn't work. It works against mostly every door; I can't think of a reason it wouldn't now unless-"

An idea formed in her head. What if-?

"Harry put this on," She threw the invisibility cloak over the both of them. Underneath the cloak, they saw that the door ahead of them was not actually a door. It stood transparent in their eyes.

"An enchantment," said Daphne. "Professor Flitwick must've created this false door. Unluckily for him, your cloak can pass through this stuff."

They made their way to the next room. A giant chess set. Harry wanted to admire it, but Daphne tugged him along. Under the cloak, they ran into no trouble.

Nor did they run into trouble in the next room also. A troll laid passed out on the floor. Or maybe even dead, it didn't matter to Daphne. She had no lost love for trolls. They quickly scampered to the other room, trying to avoid the awful smell.

"Oh great," said Harry. "This must be Snape's room."

It certainly looked like it. Potion flasks of all different colors were laid out on a table. Harry picked up the note that was on the table and read it. He set it down.

"Well, were dead." Harry declared.

"No, we are not Harry," said Daphne. "Look."

She pointed at the fire. Just like the door it stood transparent. Another enchantment. They walked through it and entered the final room. It was a large circular room surrounded by pillars where a full-size mirror stood at the end. The room also housed Professor Quirrell.

He was arguing to himself.

"It should be here!" he screamed. He pounded his fist against the frame of the mirror. The mirror shook but nothing else happened.

"Should be will not bring me back Quirrell," said a voice from nowhere. "We are too late. Dumbledore must have had the stone moved. You have been too reckless in your search. Many times have I placed faith in you and many times have I been disappointed. You have failed me one too many times now."

"My l-l-lord," said Quirrell. "if you just wait-"

"Do not tell me to wait!" shrieked the voice. "Ten years have I waited! I will not wait longer! You have nothing more to say to me then to accept your failure!"

"I am sorr-sorr-sorry." Sobbed Quirrell. "I'm sorry, I have failed you my lord."

Daphne took a step back. Frightened at their teacher behaving in such a manner.

Harry whispered to her. "He seems a little crazy don't you think?"

Daphne nodded her head.

It was then that Daphne noticed that the sobbing stopped. The room was completely quiet.

Daphne looked at Quirrell again. He was examining the mirror closely. Right at the spot where Harry and she stood. Right where their toes poked out from under the cloak. Quirrell turned around rapidly.

"Diffindo!" he shouted. Quirrell moved his hand in a wide upwards arc. Slicing between Harry and Daphne.

"Watch out!" Daphne pushed Harry to the side. She saved him from the spell but in the process, he fell out of the cloak.

"Potter!" spat Quirrell. Quirrell moved to fire another spell at Harry, but Daphne stopped him by shooting a spell at him.

Quirrell blocked it.

"Two of you?" He spoke.

Harry had gotten up now and had his wand pointed at Quirrell.

"There's ten of us," lied Harry. "And if you don't want to get beaten up, I suggest you give up now."

"I think I'll take my chances."

Daphne sent the first spell, not wanting to risk being on the back foot. Harry sent the next. The two in sync to not let Quirrell get a single spell off.

"Depulso!" yelled Daphne

"Stupify!" yelled Harry.

"Flipendo!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Wingardium leviosa!" shouted Harry.

It seemed Harry did not care what spells he sent. His only concern was keeping Quirrell on defense.

Though, he really should've chose a spell with a shorter incantation.

The spell gave time for Quirrell to fire back. He shot a spell at Harry. Harry spun to the left and took cover behind a pillar. The spell hit the pillar and stones crumbled to the floor.

Harry rolled out again and shot again. This time using the jinx he used in the duel with Malfoy.

The rhythm continued. Harry and Daphne continued to bombard Quirrell with an onslaught of spells. Harry kept rolling to the left using pillars as cover while Daphne remained hidden under the cloak.

At some point, in desperation, Quirrell tried finding Daphne with a spell. The spell was wildly off the mark.

By now Quirrell was sweating to keep up his defense. Harry and Daphne were too far separated. He couldn't have his shield protect him in both directions. It was then that Harry finally broke through.

"Expelliarmus!"

The wand slipped out of Quirrell's hand and Harry caught it.

A look of dismay passed over Quirrell as he saw himself defeated.

"Stupify!" shouted Daphne with a twirl of her wand. Quirrell flew backwards and smashed into the mirror. The mirror shattered and Quirrell slumped to the floor looking lifeless. A black vapor escaped from the back of his head.

Harry paid no mind to it. He stepped forward towards the mirror, shoes crunching on the broken glass.

"You know Daphne," said Harry.

Harry took a good hard look at the mirror. His face revealed no emotions as he investigated his shattered reflection. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a red stone. He placed it in Daphne's hand.

"We make a pretty good team."

AN: Well, this chapter came out longer than expected, but I guess that's just how these things go. I don't know if its as good as the last one, but it does introduce some things I hope to get back to later. And I know Ron is very present in this chapter, but I don't plan on having him be a big part of the team. Its just how things worked out for this one. So, Weasley haters can take a sigh of relief.

Reviews:

pixie dust – this is the harry I like in my mind. A charismatic person that has his faults. I do plan of having him become mature as the years go on though.

guest jul 18- I tried adding some background in this chapter, in the history of magic scene

Freudentraene – thank you for your review, I appreciated it a lot. I am glad someone saw the angle I was going for. I am hoping to keep that dynamic for the rest of the story.

Toile grant – thanks

Dark Lord Potter Black- I am planning to get angsty in the later years

||Imagic – haha yea, I cant help but sticking my humor into the writing. I do plan on harry discovering his own grimoire as well.

Dakotafogarty- I was not aware of that when writing it, but if it works out it works out.