Chapter 8

Waking up in an unfamiliar place is always alarming. The body next to her, and the pounding of her head also made the young woman think that mistakes may have been made the night before. Turning over however she was very relieved to see familiar brown hair that belonged to her best friend. Tracey was still face down in the pillow drooling, and Daphne let out a sigh of relief as the events of last night came back to her. She had confided in the warriors of the light more than she planned, but the solace it brought to her was soul relieving.

Her eyes glanced around the room for the first time realizing it was dark when she entered last night. The first thing she spotted was a purple potion sitting on the nightstand, which she quickly uncapped, whiffed, and then downed feeling the fogginess of the hangover retreating. It was from there she observed the mostly muggle style room. There were no signs of magic anywhere that she could see. An old record player sat in the corner, the pictures of old Potter family members were completely still, and nothing seemed magically powered including the lights. It was lucky she knew how to read muggle clocks, and could tell that it was a little after noon.

Daphne laid there for long minutes contemplating what she should do next, and thankfully when a familiar scent hit her nose her best friend groaned beside her, "Merlin what train did you throw me in front of?"

"The Harry Potter express. His friends certainly know how to party. The hangover potion is on the nightstand closest to you." Daphne pointedly said.

Tracey all but lunged for the potion, and to Daphne's disapproval didn't even take a whiff before downing it in one go. When Tracey turned over to her back and saw her best friends look she rolled her eyes, "Potter doesn't need to drug me. We were all so drunk last night he could've had any of us if he pushed. I am a little sorry he didn't. Would've been a hell of a story to tell my kids."

This made Daphne in turn roll her eyes, but before she could comment her best friend took a deep whiff, "Something smells awesome. If Harry's elves are making breakfast we should go see if we are invited. Unless you want to bolt out the backdoor while no one is looking?"

The thought was tempting the young healer more than she could admit, but her stomach growling made the decision for her. The two freshened up a bit in the bathroom attached to the room, and attempted to navigate through the only slightly familiar house. It didn't take long for them to find a foyer, where Susan was sitting there in jean shorts and a pink tank top reading the Daily Prophet. She wasn't the only one either. Ron had his hands in his face with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him. Hermione had a pair of reading glasses on as she looked through a large spiral that was probably their weekly planner. Neville and Hannah were reading one Daily Prophet as well, while Harry was in front of a kitchen area with a towel over his shoulder standing over some pans with various foods. Daphne and Tracey were both more than surprised to see the saviour of the wizarding world cooking in the kitchen like a house elf, but before either could comment Susan looked up and smiled at them, "Good morning ladies. Have a seat. The elves have a few extra copies of today's prophet, and Harry is making eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits. Coffee is on the pot."

The two girls quickly took seats next to Susan at the table, while everyone mumbled their good mornings and continued what they were doing. When they sat down a copy of the Daily Prophet appeared showing Harry shaking hands with the Minister. It was a photo from a few months ago, but the headline read, "MAN-WHO-CONQUERED BECOMES HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT."

Tracey blinked a few times as she looked back and forth from the prophet to the man making breakfast, "Astoria is never going to believe me when I tell her this story."

Daphne snorted in a very unlady-like fashion, "They sure didn't waste any time breaking this news to the press."

Hermione without looking up from her notebook said, "Kingsley had set it all up on purpose. Usually a promotion for DMLE would require a Press Conference, but due to the day of the year it fell on, and who all was involved he was able to just send a missive to the Prophet, the Wizarding Wireless, and Witch Weekly."

"Brilliant man our Minister." Harry said cheekily as he pushed plates wandlessly towards the table.

Hermione casually lifted her notebook up without looking up, and Susan, Neville, and Hannah all lifted their plates out of the way. Ron on the other hand had the plate laying sideways on his arm, because he hadn't taken his hands off his face. Tracey looked at the boy in worry, "What's wrong with Weasley?"

Harry grinned as he began serving the food wandlessly, "Ron here is allergic to Billywig Wings. So he can't have the hangover potion."

Ron groaned, "It's the greatest travesty of my life, and Harry Potter is my best mate."

Harry grinned and winked at the two girls, as he came and took a seat still in perfect control of the dishes serving the food. Daphne had to ask, "No house elves for breakfast?"

"They had enough to do last night serving all of us. I gave them the morning off to rest. I have been making breakfast for this lot for years, so I don't mind doing it." Harry offered as he summoned silverware from the cabinet, and dished it out.

When the silverware hit the table Ron immediately put his hands down, and with his eyes closed began stabbing at his food with his fork eating like a starving man. The two Slytherin girls knew the youngest Weasley male had a notoriously bad eating habit, but it seemed that had been curved over the years of adulthood, because while the redhead ate fast, it wasn't nauseating.

Tracey seemed skeptical, but took a fork and cut some sausage up trying it tentatively. If there was any question whether the food was edible or not to Daphne it was immediately answered, but the deep look of satisfaction on her best friend's face, "This is delicious thanks Harry."

Harry gave a nod of his head as he watched Daphne with a challenging grin. Without hesitation she stabbed some eggs, and with as much grace as she could manage nibbled on the food. She immediately knew Harry's cooking was as good as any house elves, and suppressed the urge to moan in satisfaction. Susan decided to speak for her, "It's okay he knows he is a good cook. You won't be inflating his already massive ego."

This caused Tracey to snort, but she covered it up well as she reached for her coffee. Ron mumbled out, "Only way I survived being on the run so long was Harry's ability to cook with nothing."

This made Hermione's eyes shoot up to her fiance, but said nothing as they shifted back down to her spiral. The table descended into silence in respect for Harry's cooking ability as they all inhaled the breakfast/lunch before them.

Harry was the first to break the silence, "Well Daphne I spoke to Susan about the wards on your flat, and I think we should get around to that today. I don't know if you've skimmed through the whole prophet yet, but you are mentioned."

Daphne and Tracey's eyes both widened, and put down their eating utensils, and scanned the prophet for details. It quickly became clear in one of the side columns an article written about the Head Auror being injured in the line of duty on page 4. They quickly flipped through the pages, and sure enough was a picture of Ron and Neville standing outside of room 413 in her hospital ward.

On April 30th, just two days before the battle of Hogwarts Five Year Anniversary, our nation's Hero, and now Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement found himself in critical condition in the spell damage ward of St Mungos. According to Hermione Granger, a member of Harry Potter's special auror team, had this to say, "We were incredibly unfortunate and fortunate as well. As the public knows our team has done great work on behalf of the DMLE, over the last six months, and tonight it almost took a turn for the absolute worse. It was an ambush from the start, and if not for Harry none of us would've gone home. However we were extremely fortunate that the healers of Saint Mungos are well trained, and highly skilled. The overnight staff was able to bring Harry back from the brink of death, and for that myself and our entire team is extremely grateful."

Ms. Granger's statement could be quite the understatement, because now the entire country finds itself thankful for the talented staff of Saint Mungos. With a little bit of investigative journalism I was able to discover that Daphne Greengrass, age 23, was the witch responsible for saving the life of Head Auror Potter. Healer Greengrass, is the heiress to Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass, and according to my sources was a Slytherin at Hogwarts when the battle took place nearly five years ago. I was unable to get a comment from Healer Greengrass as she was not at work when I interviewed the hospital staff, but I was able to get in touch with her mother, Lady Aurora Greengrass, current head of House Greengrass, and she had this to say, "My daughter has had the fire and drive in her since she was a young witch at Hogwarts. She was even among the brave to take up wands against the Death Eaters during the final hours of the war."

This journalist did not know many Slytherins had joined the winning side of the battle that day, and when I went and inquired with Professor Slughorn about this he could only give me a sad smile, and a number, "Over a dozen students were in Slytherin House for the class of 1997-1998. Only three survived that day, yet 7 of them fought for the victors. It is a tragedy history has already begun to overlook. I am happy to know one of my few survivors out there is already making a name for herself in the healing world, I knew her talent from the first time I laid eyes on her."

Confirming the talent of this apparently prodigious witch, I spoke with Head Healer Smethwyck about the rising star in the industry, "Never have I seen such a young healer take charge of such a disastrous injury, so calmly and confidently. I am unsure how many of even our most senior healers would've had the ability or foresight to do what she did that night."

Coming from a man with nearly five decades of healing that means a lot to a witch like me, and I hope the rest of the country would raise their wands in respect to the witch who saved our saviour. More about the 11 Slytherins who perished in the battle of Hogwarts on page 7

Daphne blushed deeply at the words of praise from the journalists by the name Penelope Clearwater. She briefly remembered the witch from her school days, and that she was Headgirl when she was a third year. Before she could flip to read about what the woman had said about her 11 fallen classmates Harry spoke, "It's all complimentary things for sure, but without a doubt it marks you as an enemy to any remaining Death Eaters or those sympathetic to their cause."

Susan nodded, but seemed to think differently, "Harry may be right, but I think we dealt a very serious blow to them the other night. Our fearless leader may have almost been killed, but we took down a dozen fairly powerful fighters. There can't be much left of their forces. Of course I would rather be safe than sorry, but I also don't want you to spend every evening looking over your shoulder in fear."

Neville however shook his head, "I don't know Sue. No one will confess to a leader even when we pump them with veritaserum. That wreaks of powerful dark magic, and while what we faced the other night wasn't the same band of thugs we usually get I don't think any of them were capable of the magic that is keeping this secret. We couldn't even identify anyone in the last group. Something isn't right."

Ron grumbled out, "Doesn't matter how powerful they are. If we get them in front of Harry we will take them down."

The rest of the group nodded their agreement, but Harry looked disturbed. She had yet to see this look on his face before, and he appeared in deep thought. Daphne was fairly certain she was the only one that caught it, because everyone else was digging into their food, but when their eyes met he seemed to wipe the concern off his face and replace it with a smile, "If you'd like Daphne we can give you a little time to get your stuff sorted before we come over."

Daphne nodded her head at him, and gave a light smile, "That would be nice, thank you Harry. I will write the address for you so we can meet in say an hour?"

Susan answered for him, "That works for me. I need to get ready for the day anyways."

Hermione immediately chimed in, "You two are lucky it's Sunday. You won't be able to avoid the Press Conference tomorrow."

Both visibly cringed at that causing Neville and Ron to chuckle. As breakfast wound down Tracey and Daphne said their goodbyes, and returned to London Via the Floo Network. Tracey immediately sighed wistfully, "What a night. For once I am looking forward to the next Anniversary."

Daphne gave her friend a small grin, "Sounds like we won't have to wait that long. Harry has already invited us to Susan's birthday party at the end of the month."

This caused Tracey's smile to light up, "That will be awesome! I hope she is okay with it."

"Something tells me Harry would not do anything to upset Susan if he could help it. Besides, we both got along with her well last night. I think they understand our social circle isn't very big these days." Daphne said lightly.

"Well times are changing, and maybe you will sway the Man-Who-Conquered to go on a date with you, so we can be invited to all the parties at Potter Manor." The girl said cheekily.

Daphne immediately looked away blushing lightly as she began flicking her wand at nearby rubbish, and clutter in the room, "I don't think he thinks of me that way. Besides, we hardly know each other."

Tracey shrugged, ducking her head under a plate that went zooming towards the kitchen, "I think it's obvious he thinks you're beautiful, and grateful you saved his life. The man's whole life he has been saving everyone else's backside, maybe to fall in love he needed someone to save him."

Daphne rolled her eyes at her friend's words, "You need to quit reading Astoria's trashy romance novels."

Tracey held her hands up in surrender, "Hey I am not saying anything by it, but I think your only competition is Susan."

"Apparently they aren't suited for a relationship together." Daphne said as an afterthought.

Tracey looked surprised, "He told you that?"

"No she did." Daphne said organizing her kitchen table/ potions lab.

"Interesting thing to share with someone you just met. Maybe Bones is trying to recruit a girl into Harry's life that she can get along with!" The brunette said excitedly.

Daphne didn't answer that, but she did roll her eyes again as she finished the last touches of cleaning around her apartment. Before the hour was up Tracey departed claiming she wanted a few more hours of sleep before they had work that evening, and Daphne thought she might do the same once Harry and Susan finished with her wards.

A knock at her door indicated the arrival of her two guests not long after Tracey departed. Looking through the eyehole she immediately opened the door to see her two new friends greeting her with a smile. Harry spoke first, "Daphne, may we come in."

His voice was kind, and she immediately allowed them in, while the two began looking around, interested in the surroundings of the fairly spartan apartment. Susan immediately chimed, "Straight and to the point, I like that in a woman Daphne. Too many people of our noble standing have too much romp and pomp for my liking. This is very suitable for a single witch working the number of hours you do!"

Harry nodded in agreement, "Mind showing us around so we have a good visual on what we are casting over."

Daphne immediately agreed, but the tour was short. The kitchen was small, her potions lab was of course her kitchen table, her living room just had a few pieces of furniture, and a wireless, while her bedroom had a little of the same. She was a little embarrassed to have the two in her bedroom for a moment, and Harry's eyes were locked on her framed photo. He asked politely before picking it up, "May I?"

Normally she would turn anyone down who tried to pick up her stuff, but for the Head of the DMLE she merely nodded. He observed the picture for several long moments before offering, "Your family looks really happy."

Daphne nodded lightly, "We were before the War."

Neither of the two said that, and before it could get awkward Susan clapped her hands together, "Well if you don't mind let's get this started. We will analyze your current wards, bring them down, and then put up new ones if that is okay? I was hoping we would just add to what you have, but to be honest I barely felt them when I walked through the door so I would feel better just redoing them."

Daphne immediately protested, "Oh no thank you, but you guys are already doing me a big enough favor just by adding to them."

Harry held his hand up calmly, "Please Daphne, you saved my life, and for that you could, no matter how unlikely, be a target. Let us do this for you as a small thank you. It won't take super long anyways."

Daphne bit her lip, but nodded, making the two give her a smile, while Susan said, "Could we trouble you with some tea? Neither of us are snobs, your cheapest stuff will be great if you have any."

"Of course." Daphne agreed immediately.

Harry and Susan drew their wands, and began waving them in similar patterns. It didn't take long for Daphne to realize something wasn't right. The looks on their faces said it all. Neither of them were looking at her, but Harry spoke softly, "You feel that?"

Susan closed her eyes, but nodded, "I am trying to detect a signature."

The auror captain's words didn't make sense to Daphne. Why would they need to detect a signature? Surely as powerful as they were they could sense hers by being in the same room as she. While Susan concentrated Harry asked her kindly, "Daphne, you said you put these wards up by yourself? You had no other help?"

Daphne shook her head, "No it was just me. Why did I do something wrong?"

Harry didn't answer that, and instead he just looked at Susan for answers. He didn't wait long, "I don't recognize it, and it wasn't very forceful. More like a probe."

"Can you tell how long ago it was?" Harry asked sharply.

The red head concentrated, but shook her head, "No, but I would guess it's recent. Anyone other than us probably wouldn't have even noticed."

"Noticed what?" Daphne asked carefully, her eyes flitting between the two.

"Can I ask how many people have access to get through your wards?" Harry asked, ignoring her question.

Daphne responded instantly, "Less than five. Why?"

Before Harry could answer Susan beat him to it, "Because someone has been probing your wards for weakness."

(A/N) There was a big hint in this chapter where the story was going and I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and comments on what it might have been! Now my longest chapter to date, but I want to keep transitioning into our next moment without dragging too much through inconsequential plot areas.

Obviously Tracey has big plans for Daphne and Harry, but the relationship is something I want to progress as naturally as possible. I've botched too many of my stories by hurrying them into it, and it does not seem realistic, so please let me know what you think!

To answer reviews:

MrKristoffer1994:

The Deathly Hallows are going to be a very minor sub plot in this story, but I will admit they are all still around, and that is all I can say without revealing upcoming plot points. Thanks for reviewing!

Sanbeegoldiewhitey:

We actually don't know any of the names of the people who came back with Slughorn it seems likely at least one of them would've been a Slytherin. A lot of siblings could have been in different houses, or maybe their family were sympathetic to the order, but never forget that Slytherin does not equal evil! Thanks for reviewing!

Final note is that I am trying to conscript a Beta, and there a few problems I hope to patch out in the coming weeks. If I manage to get one I will make a post to inform you that the weekly updates will be delayed by one week to give us a chance to catch up. You will all be informed as soon as I have that information, and please keep the reviews coming it really motivates me to focus on this story!

Cheers all and thanks for reading.

I am on a discord page now called the Emerald Library, and I am told I will have my own page starting next month so if that happens I will share a link with you guys, so please let me know if anyone is interested in joining and chatting with me. Cheers.