Chapter 7

The hour had gotten late, and most of the party that had remained was leaving for the evening quite intoxicated. Harry, being the gracious host, offered the guest wing of his house to anyone who wanted to stay, and said that they were going to hang at the bar upstairs if anyone wanted to join.

Having already decided to crash in a spare bedroom with Tracey, the two Slytherin girls joined Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Hannah, upstairs to continue drinking and have a good time. Thankfully the youngest Weasley had decided to go home, and even put on the act that she was leaving with Olliver who seemed thrilled at the idea much to the amusement of Susan, Daphne, and Tracey.

When they arrived upstairs Harry told his elves they could take the rest of the evening off, and he would play bartender/host for the remainder of the night.

Harry pulled a bottle of firewhiskey off the shelf, and began pouring glasses by hand for the first time all evening. Daphne wondered if he was approaching magical exhaustion. After all he had dueled half a dozen times, and three of them had to be exceptionally taxing.

He handed each person a glass of the firewhiskey though and he leaned back against the bar, "Another year goes by my friends. Glad we get the chance to all gather, and be together. Not sure how I'd get through this day every year otherwise."

Daphne suddenly felt like Tracey and herself were in on a private moment. By the way Tracey squirmed she sensed that her friend felt the same way, but Hermione broke the brief pause, "Yes, and my goodness Teddy is getting big! Did you see the way he was playing with Victoire? They are such sweet kids."

Harry grinned at the mention of his Godson, "Yes, Andromeda I think is ready for me to take some vacation so I can look after him for a while. I told her I have the week before my birthday off, so I will take him to do something fun. If we are lucky England will be in the World Cup this year, and we can go watch that together. He already has such a heart for quidditch."

Ron begrudgingly agreed with Harry, "You should've heard him when I first got here. Swore to me that the Cannons were going to win the league in a few years. Poor kid is going after my heart with that optimism."

This made everyone laugh, while Daphne had the burning question inside of her, "I met a Nymphadora Tonks once in Hogsmeade. She nearly knocked my drink all over me, and bought me another. Her mother was once Andromeda Black wasn't she?"

For some reason Harry smiled at the memory, "Yes she was, and I find it quite amusing that you met Tonks in her most natural environment."

Hermione smiled affectionately, "Yes she was extremely clumsy all the time. She was a metamorphagus so sometimes she found herself off balance in her own body with how much she changed herself."

Neville sighed, "Her and Remus visited us in Hogsmeade during the year you three were on the run. They were smuggling us what little information about the order they could to make sure we didn't give up hope. We never got anything good like where Harry was, but they tried to keep us going the best they could."

The name Remus echoed through Daphne's head. She knew the name, but still couldn't quite place it. Hannah however solved the mystery for her, "Professor Lupin was a good man. One of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers I had in all my years at Hogwarts. Except Harry of course."

This caused Neville to grin, "Damn right." Turning to Daphne and Tracey he said, "Lots of people in your house thought I was going to turn into a squib eventually."

Hannah looped her arm through his talking the rest for him, "But look at you now. On the most Elite Auor Team in the country, and nearly a master in your subject teaching at Hogwarts. Don't think anyone would've guessed it."

Harry shook his head, "I did. This Gryffindor got in Hermione, Ron, and I's way when we were trying to save the Sorcerer's Stone in our first year. I saw greatness in him then, and four years later when he joined the DA I knew he would be great, and I would do whatever it took to get him there."

"All the greatest wizards in history started where we are now. Students. If they can do it, why not us." Neville repeated, "That line you said to us in the DA changed my life."

Harry raised his glass to the boy, "Well it's a damn good thing it did, because Voldemort would've likely killed me where I stood had you not taken down the snake."

The snake? Daphne had heard Neville had killed the great serpent that was Voldemort's familiar with the sword of Gryffindor, but she wasn't sure how that really related to the fall of Voldemort himself. Hermione was nervously looking at the two Slytherin's after Harry's word, and she quickly began to suspect that Harry just said something that he wasn't supposed to. Quickly trying to change the topic for the group's sake Daphne asked a forward question, "Harry forgive me. How is it that an auror seven years your senior, and our old defense against the Dark Arts Teacher made you the Godfather of their child?"

Sipping on his firewhiskey Harry spoke happily, "So Remus Lupin was one of my dad's best friends, and Tonks was related to my godfather. We all bonded after my godfather died in a battle at the Department of Mysteries, and over the next two years we would forge closer ties together. I was the closest thing Remus had left to family, and with Tonks and I becoming so close they decided to give me one of the best gifts I could've ever been given. I love Teddy to death; he's such a little ball of life."

Neville raised his glass, "To Teddy Lupin. He's going to grow up to be an outstanding wizard."

Everyone raised their glasses to the boy and finished their drinks. Hermione was the first to opt out of refill. Tracey asked next, "So Harry how did you manage to get onto the grounds that night when the battle started? I think Professor Snape was quite surprised when you stepped forward from the crowd."

Ron bellowed with laughter, "What was it you said in all that righteous anger?"

Neville answered for him, "Despite your exhaustive defensive strategies. You still have a bit of a security problem headmaster."

Susan grinned, taking a big drink of her firewhiskey, "And I'm afraid it's quite extensive."

Harry had the decency to blush at their reminiscence of his words. Hermione though didn't let him get away with that one, "I think he had that one planned. It was too perfect!"

Ron asked, "How many times did you practice that one in the mirror standing guard outside our tent?"

Tent? Daphne had so many questions about the golden trio's exploits that she could explode with interest, but didn't push as Harry bashfully said, "Okay so maybe it was as on the fly as I made it seem."

Neville slammed his hands on the bar top, "I knew it you bastard!"

Everyone was laughing again, and Daphne couldn't remember a time she had done so much in the course of a single evening, or a single month since she was a young teenager.

Harry however answered Daphne's original question, "Hermione, Ron, and I had just finished breaking into Gringotts and were running for our lives when we snuck into Hogwarts through the Room of Requirements. We met up with what was left of our old defense group, and decided the time to fight was coming."

Daphne took in his words, but knew something wasn't quite right about them. The Golden Trio's break in at the Goblin Bank was near legend though no one knew why they had done it or what they were looking for. They were reported to have left uninjured, but one would think you would take a few days to rest after what had to have been one of their most dangerous adventures, but instead that very day they began the defense of Hogwarts. Deciding not to push the subject though Daphne took a short sip of her drink.

Ron posed the next question, "Alright Tracey, Daphne, you are among the leaders of the war, and I have to ask what it was like. What was it like joining in the battle that you could've easily escaped from?"

Susan coughed, "Ron I promised them they wouldn't have to talk about their parts in the battle. It's a rather sensitive topic. We all did things we couldn't be proud of that night."

Ron held up his hands defensively, "I'm sorry I'm just curious. I never met any of the other Slytherin fighters who stayed behind to help!"

Daphne spoke softly, "Because we are the only two survivors."

The room went silent at this. Harry stared at the girls carefully while both were looking at their glasses. Tracey spoke for Daphne putting a hand on her arm, "Daphne led us to Slughorn and said we wanted to help, and fight. He didn't seem to want to allow it, but we all wanted to do our part. We all wanted to help in the last stand. I am ashamed to say until the fighting entered the Great Hall I hadn't drawn a wand against the Death Eaters until then. I was playing medic and helping with the wounded. Seven Slytherins went upstairs, and only the two of us returned. Only Daphne returned from the actual fighting. If you don't count Malfoy."

There was dead silence for several long moments. Daphne felt as if there was a weight in the bottom of her stomach, but she didn't want to cry instead she wanted to shut down. She almost excused herself until Ron took the bottle off the desk and poured huge pours for everyone without saying anything, and this time Hermione did not resist. Ron raised his glass carefully and looked Daphne and Tracey in the eye, "I never thought I would make a toast like this, but to five Slytheirns who answered the call to arms. To five heroes of Hogwarts who made the peace we live in now possible. To them."

The others called the toast and Daphne felt warm at his words. Daphne knew Ron Weasley was famous for his dislike towards Slytherin's and to hear him propose a toast to her fallen friends meant more to her than mere words could say.

Hermione spoke as they all let their drinks settle, "I don't mean to be indelicate, but I would like to know their names. Harry, Ron, and I, led these people into battle, and I am ashamed to say I didn't know any of the Slytherins on our side that had fallen."

Tracey looked to Daphne and began speaking, "I don't know if you all know this, but Daphne, myself, and Draco Malfoy were the only survivors of our entire Slytherin class."

Hermione held her hand to her mouth while Hannah gasped, "But there were over a dozen of you."

Daphne responded to that sadly, "And most did not choose the winning side. Only seven, and the two of us were among them."

Tracey began naming them off, "Flora and Hestia Carrow were our dearest friends. They joined us, and wanted to prove that just because their family was rotten to the core they weren't. Aaron Vaisley was Daphne's cousin, and refused to let us go alone. Michael Urquhart was Aaron's best friend, and they decided to go in on it together. Then there was Cassius Warrington. He had the biggest crush on me, and said he wouldn't leave without me."

It was clear the two Slytherins were close to tears so no one pushed them. Hermione looked like she wanted to get up and hug the girls, but no one moved. Tracey then said, "There was another. He didn't die the night of the battle, but he was one of the reasons we all wanted to stay and fight. The reason Daphne led us into battle. We all wanted blood for his death, and had I been a better duelist I probably would've fallen with the rest of our friends. His name was…"

Tracey choked on the name, unable to say it, but Daphne finished for her, "Blaise Zabini. He was my boyfriend."

Harry and Hermione both flinched at the name clearly recognizing it and Daphne who had tears building in her eyes said, "That's right he was in the Slug Club with us. Cocky bastard he was. Didn't put much stock into Harry."

Harry spoke sadly, "He was very skeptical when Slughorn called me the Chosen One. I remember Ginny calling him out on the train when he snorted about my supposed power."

Tracey laughed softly, "Yeah none of us thought much of it honestly Harry. No thanks."

Hannah asked Daphne, "How long were the two of you together?"

A few moments of silence followed before Daphne answered, "He had been trying to get with me for years, but I never thought much of his arrogance, but the last year changed him. When he saw what the Death Eaters were doing in our school it made him angry. He had kept his head down most of the years at school, but he didn't allow himself to stay quiet as the Death Eaters were torturing people in classrooms. His defiance made me admire him, because we all knew it was wrong. He was the one that stopped the Carrows from torturing my sister into insanity, and I owed him. We fell for each other pretty hard and fast after that."

Neville stared at Daphne in surprise, "He was the one passing us intelligence wasn't he? He gave us the information about the sword being locked up in Snape's office? I remember hearing about your sister being tortured. We started getting info from inside the Slytherin Common Room shortly after that. I always thought it might've been Snape knowing what we know now."

Tracey nodded sadly, "We all knew he was doing it, and none of us even tried to stop him. It was what led him to getting bolder and bolder. One day Augustus Rookwood had come to the school to teach a surprise class on muggle baiting, and Blaise finally snapped. It was a Slytherin exclusive lesson held in the Slytherin Common Room."

Daphne continued the story, "We were all summoned for a house meeting by Professor Slughorn who nervously introduced the old Unspeakable and a few other nameless people, and it was clear the men were drunk. They brought in half a dozen muggles. A mixture of men and women, and began torturing them, and playing with them in front of us, and trying to get people to have a go at them. He wanted us to learn that the muggles were so far beneath us that they were only there for our personal amusement."

"Most of us could stomach the disturbing things without losing composure, but when they brought out this girl that couldn't have been more than thirteen or fourteen Blaise snapped."

The two Slytherins were holding hands in solidarity while Tracey finished, "I stopped Daphne from attacking Rookwood. I knew even if we all managed to take the three remaining Death Eaters down more would come. I knew we wouldn't make it past Snape, the Carrows, and the sympathetic Slytherins. Myself along with Hestia, and Flora dragged her away kicking and screaming."

Daphne sighed sadly, shooting the rest of her drink, "I don't think I said many words for the rest of the year. Until you came back to Hogwarts Harry, and we realized it was time to fight in the Great Hall."

"We may have all left that day with the rest of the Slytherin's had Blaise not been killed by the bastards." Tracey said honestly.

The girls were silent after that, and everyone processed what was being said. Ron stood from his chair and went over to Daphne, and took the other hand Tracey wasn't holding, "I killed that bastard Rookwood. He killed my brother in the first night of fighting. One of my other brother's Percy and I took him down together. We avenged your friend, and my brother that night."

This made Daphne finally let out a sob she had been holding back for she wasn't even sure how long, and she stood up hugging Ron Weasley. Never in a million years did she think she would've been in the position. Hanging out at Harry Potter's house drunk, and hugging Ron Weasley right in front of his long time girlfriend who was known for being one of the fiercest witches in the country, but it felt like the most soul relieving thing Daphne had done in years. She never knew what had happened to Augustus Rookwood, and part of her always feared that he was one of the few that had gotten away, and was still trying to terrorize people at night. It was comforting to know that one of the lights' best fighters had taken the monster down.

When the two separated Ron conjured a napkin for her to wipe her eyes, and when she looked over at Hermione she was smiling sadly at Ron. Harry shook his head as Ron and Daphne took their seats, "I will have to show George this memory in a pensieve for him to ever believe me that Ron hugged a Slytherin."

This broke the tense moment that had gripped the group, and Harry began filling up the final glasses as the bottle emptied. Hermione asked Neville, "The sword you talked about Neville, were you talking about the sword of Gryffindor?"

Neville looked surprised but Susan was the one that asked, "Hermione, have we never told you the story about Neville trying to steal the sword of Gryffindor?"

Hermione, Ron, and Harry, all asked at once, "what?"

Even Tracey and Daphne had heard the infamous story as Hannah herself began telling it. Apparently the DA had been on a mission to recover the sword which they had found unknowingly from Blaise that Snape had it in his office. Ginny had told everyone that Dumbledore had left the sword to Harry, and for some reason beyond all of them Harry needed it to defeat Voldemort.

This made the golden trio exchange looks, but none of them commented as Neville picked up the story talking about how Ginny, Neville, Hannah, Susan, and Seamus, had attempted to break into Snape's office to steal the sword, and then they were going to sneak out of the school to go find Harry and give it to him.

"Well obviously it didn't go according to plan. We made it all the way inside Snape's office, found the sword, but before we could take it the alarms started going crazy and the Headmasters wards activated. We had to fight our way out, and that was how we all ended up in the Room of Requirement for so long." Neville explained.

Tracey exclaimed, "That's where you all were for almost three months? We hoped the lot of you had escaped the castle. The rumors we heard of sightings of you lot we thought were just people trying to stay hopeful. Until we saw you the night of the battle I thought personally you were all dead."

Ron, Hermione, and Harry all looked blown away by the story. Ron chuckled, "You would've had a hell of a time finding us. February huh? Where were you Harry in February?"

Harry shook his head, "I couldn't tell you. Hermione and I moved constantly for months. We would've been impossible to find. Had you not had the deluminator we probably wouldn't have met up again until the Battle, or I'd have drowned in that pond."

A dozen more questions Daphne wanted to ask, but Hermione's look had said it all. Harry had talked too much tonight as it was.

Another half hour passed with more talks of Quidditch, and upcoming events. The evening was ending on a much lighter note, and Daphne knew it had to be three or four am by this point.

Neville took a big yawn as he stood up, "Alright my friends. I am going to grab a bed. I'm about to fall over."

Neville stood shakily to his feet and brought Harry in for a hug first, and then Ron and Hermione who rose to their feet. Throwing his arm around Hannah as she called over her shoulder stumbling with Neville to the bedroom, "Goodnight guys."

Hermione embraced Harry tightly and kissed his cheek, "Thanks for hosting as always Harry."

Harry laughed, "You guys sacrificed it all for me, I think I can be obligated to throw an event once a year until we all pass on into the next great adventure. Thanks for being the best friends I ever could've asked for."

Hermione chuckled, "You're drunk Harry, go to bed."

Harry saluted her and brought Ron in for a hug next, "Thanks for coming mate."

Ron nodded, "Had to drink as much of your firewhiskey as possible. Goodnight mate."

This left just Susan, Daphne, and Tracey with Harry leaning back against the bar, "Well ladies. Here we are. Are you all going off to bed?"

Susan, who had been fairly quiet this evening, slurred out, "I thought we were all going to bed with you Harry?"

Knowing his friend was really drunk Harry smiled at her, "Not tonight Love, but next time you are all doomed to succumb to my charm."

Susan snapped her fingers, "Come on Harry another drink. We still have so many toasts left to get through."

Harry, who still only seemed to be the slightest bit intoxicated sighed, but smiled at the girl nonetheless, "Alright very well. Tracey, Daphne, would you care to join us for a few more?"

Not pushing her luck, and now feeling incredibly intoxicated and drained, Daphne was going to pass, but before she could Tracey raised her head, "I can handle a few more, and then I will have Daphne carry me to our room."

Knowing there was no escape Daphne put an arm around her best friend, "I swear you always lead me into trouble."

"It's what I am here for darling!" Tracey said pinching her cheeks causing Harry and Susan to chuckle.

The group of four sat at a small round table with Harry snapping his fingers, "Alright now time for the good stuff then. It's only us four so I don't have to share so many glasses."

Daphne didn't ask what the drink was, but watched as Harry poured more normal amounts. Throughout the night the glasses had gotten bigger, but it seemed Harry was aware how drunk his best friend was, and wanted to slow her down.

Susan immediately picked up her glass and held it high above her head, "To Amelia Susan Bones, one of the finest witches the world ever knew. She stood up for what she believed in, and damned the consequences. She took down five Death Eaters before Voldemort herself had to come and finish her off."

Susan downed her drink, while the others sipped heavily. She poured herself another glass, and filled the others up more than they had previously and held the glass up again, "To James and Lily Potter. The heroes that gave birth to the icon before us. Without their sacrifice we all very well may not be here right now."

Harry sadly raised his glass and downed the drink behind her, and this time Daphne and Tracey followed. This taste was as good as what they started the night with, and there was no burn making it an easy ride down. Daphne knew by the way the room was starting to spin that she had two or three drinks left in her before her head hit the table.

Tracey on the other hand stood nearly falling over, "I am out guys. I am not going to make it another minute. It was a damn pleasure to be here tonight Harry Potter. Thanks for inviting me."

Daphne stood to go with Tracey to bed, but she put a hand on her shoulder keeping her down, "I know you aren't done yet Daph. Keep chatting with these two, just don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Daphne stayed down for some reason, and smiled at her best friend who stumbled into the direction of an open bedroom door. Finally there were three.

Susan came and put an arm around the girl as Tracey disappeared into the room down the hall, "Now I knew I liked you from the moment we first started talking in that hospital room. This girl can handle her drinks."

Harry smiled at the two swirling his glass in his hand, "It's all that power. So much potential. I think you may have out drank our new friend Sue, but not by much."

Daphne looked between the two trying to remain poised and social instead of drunk and disorderly, "I admit this is the most I've drank in quite some time."

Harry looked surprised, "With how you've kept up this evening I thought you were a veteran like the rest of us."

Susan held up a glass towards her, "Daphne Greengrass, the Slytherin Princess."

Susan's glass was empty, so the effect was slightly lossed, and Susan put her head down on the table, and was asleep in moments. Harry took a deep breath before saying, "I'll take her up to a bed soon, but I'm glad she finally went down. I know tonight really meant a lot to her. She will replace me as Head of the department when I decide to move up or out of the Ministry."

"What would you do after that?" Daphne asked curiously.

"Depends. If I think we have finally reached real peace, and the threat on our world has gone away then I will go to Mcgonagall and ask for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. I've always loved teaching." Harry said with a smile.

Smiling at the young man Daphne pushed her blonde hair back behind her ears trying to retain the very little that was left of her sobriety, "Well its sounds like at fifteen you were a pretty great teacher, and considering there were probably only a dozen witches or wizards in Britain ten years ago that could do wandless magic I have to say the results speak for themselves."

Harry returned the smile and leaned towards her as she sat across the bar top from him, "Hard times breed strong women and men, but what I am really curious about now is you."

Daphne's smile faltered a little as Harry filled her drink, "I don't really want to talk about the Battle anymore."

Harry shook his head, "No you misunderstand me. I want to know about you. Daphne Greengrass. I know Healer Greengrass, because she saved my life in a situation that maybe one and ten million could have salvaged. I know the brave Slytherin Princess that led her friends into battle, but now I want to know Daphne Greengrass. The real woman behind those beautiful hazel eyes."

Daphne fought the blush, but her intoxication may not have stopped the pink rising to her cheeks, "Okay, well I mean you have all the basics about me. Slytherin at Hogwarts, little sister two years below me."

"Parents? Are they both alive?" Harry asked bluntly.

"My mother is. My father...well he is a story for another night." Daphne said honestly.

"What's she like?" The young man asked curiously.

"Nosey. Overbearing. A completely different woman after we lost my father. She leads the house Greengrass, but she is an Avery distantly, so she can't shake out some of the Pureblood Supremacy that was ingrained in her mind since birth. Minister Shacklebolt and I discussed that earlier. I have the intention of taking over the seat on the Wizengamot eventually, but I want to make a name for myself first. Earn my place among the social elite by more than just having a family name." Daphne answered as she continued to sip her drink.

Harry grinned at her, "Hell of a job you are doing there. Saving my life will certainly get your name out there. I know the press hasn't officially leaked it yet, but I am sure you realized that almost everyone here tonight knew. Word gets around fast, so stay on your toes the public may try to test you now that you are a big name in healing."

"That was certainly not how I expected the night to go, that's for sure. Tracey and I were discussing taking a nap just a few minutes before you spilled in." Daphne said amusedly.

Chuckling quietly he said, "Well I am glad I did. The story you shared with us tonight was inspiring, and you have been fantastic company. I look forward to getting to know you more. I hope I am not being forward in saying I would like it if you joined us for our next gathering. Susan's birthday is later this month, and we will have a party here. She spoke highly of you, so I am sure she would like you and Tracey to be there."

"We would be honored." Daphne said happily.

Daphne looked out a nearby window to see the sun was rising in the distance and Harry looked out at it. "Beautiful morning. We better get some sleep. Thank you for coming, and having fun with us."

"It was my pleasure, Director Potter. I should call you that now that you are the head of a major Ministerial department shouldn't I?" Daphne said with a soft smile.

"Oh no. I think I would just like to remain Harry to you, Healer Greengrass."

"Very well."

The two shared a final smile, and Harry tapped on Susan a few times to see how out the girl was, and after a minute he chuckled, and swooped her up into his arms with ease, "You going to go to bed in Tracey's room?"

"Trying to join me?" She said, finishing her drink.

"You girls have really enjoyed pulling my leg tonight, but be careful what you offer! No, I just wanted to make sure you didn't need anything."

'I'm quite the accomplished witch. I will manage. Goodnight Harry." Daphne said, rising shakily to her feet.

With a final nod to his head Harry smiled at her, wished her a good morning, and carried Susan up to his bedroom.

Daphne followed the path Tracey went down, and saw her in the fetal position curled up to the bed as close to a corner as she could. Daphne slugged her way into the bed, and got under the covers while Tracey turned to face her three quarters asleep, "We did a good thing coming here tonight Daph. I think we've made some great new friends."

Smiling at her best friend, the young woman merely took a final breath as her eyes felt heavy, "We sure did Trace."

(A/N) The party is finally over. First thing I will address is the changing of the canon Slytherin class. Yes I realize Cassius, Urquahart, and the Carrow Twins were not necessarily in Harry's class, but in the movies they were interpreted to oftentimes being there. Honestly this was more of an insert for plot convenience, and it's going to play somewhat of a role in the story later.

Ron hugging a Slytherin of course will I am sure be controversial, but you have to remember this is five years after the War, and he has been with Hermione this whole time who has softened up that old prejudiced heart of his.

I enjoyed writing this party, and I hope the rest of you enjoyed reading it! The last chapter was not as well received as the others, but I am still planning to bring another update next week so please stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

To answer reviewers:

Two guest reviewers, and Jess1186:

I thought I had changed that in my edits, but I may have posted the wrong one. Funny story: I actually had to look that up, because I was unsure what people called "Blacks" overseas. In America it is highly offensive to many if you don't refer to them as African American so I was mentally side stepping that. I don't like to get political in my writings, so I thought it was safer.

To the guest who was disappointed in Susan's victory:

It's a pretty hollow victory. She drew first blood, but still got tied up and had it not been a game Harry would've won. Even the Elder Wand would recognize Harry as the winner, because she gave him a scratch, but bound and disarmed her.

Stronghelm:

Good sir you win the comments for the week. I was really wondering if anyone would catch my Pac-Man reference. Cheers!