Chapter 5
The following day, Harry woke up more well rested than he'd felt in years. Not only that, but for the first time since the end of the Triwizard tournament he didn't feel angry, he felt better, lighter. The feeling didn't fade throughout the day either, not even Umbridge was able to get a rise out of him in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione and Ron had both noticed at lunch and had exchanged a confused look, neither sure what to make of the sudden mood change from their best friend. As his final class of the day got out told his friends he'd meet them at dinner as he wanted to plan out the next DA lesson ahead of their meeting. He began making his way to the library, his head still seemingly in the clouds; his distraction was so great he didn't notice the blonde figure with green and silver trimmed robes following him and never heard the whispered 'stupefy' as his world went black.
Some time later Harry awoke in a seated position. He felt pressure all around his body in certain spots and realized his arms were pinned to his sides. Finally opening his eyes he realized he was bound with ropes. Trying to get a look at his surroundings he held his head up and standing directly in front of him with a glare that made Snape look like a puppy was Daphne Greengrass.
"Hello Potter." She said coldly. "You and I are going to have a little chat."
Harry was internally cursing himself for his lack of vigilance. "Greengrass." He replied tersely. "You could've sent me a note if you wanted to get me in private."
Daphne's look hardened at the crass comment. "I'm not in the mood for your jokes, Potter."
"And I'm not into bondage but here we are." Harry smirked as he saw Daphne seethe.
Harry knew he couldn't do anything to remove the ropes without his wand, which Daphne had in hand, but the tight coils holding him in place had put pressure on his pocket enough to where he distinctly felt a coin against his leg. With the way his hands were bound he could just barely feel the opening of his pocket. Hoping she wouldn't notice the gradual movements while angry he continued to dig his fingers closer and closer.
"You're disgusting Potter, I can't believe Tracey is putting herself at such risk for a troll like you."
"I can't believe a bitch like you is the best friend she can find in Slytherin."
"Hardly an area where you have any high ground given the fact that you hang out with that oafish weasel and buck toothed know-it-all but that's not what we're here to talk about."
Harry was about to make another retort but Daphne cut him off. "Say another word until I allow it and I'll silence you and cut your toes off one by one."
Harry was about 80% sure this was a bluff but wasn't willing to risk it.
"Glad we understand each other. Now listen closely because you're going to do something for me. The next time your little group is set to meet you're going to have Tracey arrive early. When she does you're going to force her to leave, I don't care what you say or how cruel you have to be about it but you will make her leave and have it be clear she's not welcome back."
"I'm not sure what you mean Greengrass, the only group I meet with is the Quidditch team. Given her host affiliation she's already not allowed to join so I'm sure she'll understand." As soon as he said it he felt a hard sting as she slapped him across the face.
"I know about your defense group Potter so don't play dumb. If you don't do as I ask, I'll expose you." She growled at him
"I don't know why you think an attention seeking liar like me would be let into a club like that. If I were though I'd tell you to come up with a more substantive threat." He smirked at her and as he did his finger glided along the edge of the galleon in his pocket.
"You'll be expelled Potter, Dumbledore can't protect his little golden boy from Umbridge this year." She retorted.
"You're right and you know what else? If Tracey were in such a group with me she'd be expelled right alongside me." Daphne's voice turned positively venomous at this.
"I would protect her, I would convince Umbridge you manipulated and blackmailed her." Sensing her anger he knew he had her where he wanted. He just needed to hold out a bit longer.
"I have no doubt you would Greengrass, but I'd wager Tracey would come out and say she joined willingly all the same."
"She would never betray me like that!" Daphne yelled
"I'm betting she thought the same about you and yet look at what you're doing now." With that, Daphne saw blood.
'Reducto' she screamed, shattering one of the chair legs. Harry fell forward with the chair now missing a leg and his face collided with the hard stone floor with a sharp cracking sound.
"You arrogant sod! I'm trying to protect her from the consequences of this idiotic decision. If she follows you she'll end up like Diggory." Daphne was trying to be as hurtful as possible when she said it but Harry didn't rise to the bait.
"If she does, it won't be because of me but because you are too much of a coward to protect her by fighting at her side." He said through the pain and Daphne had her wand back up in an instant.
'Bombar-'
'Expelliarmus'
Daphne's wand flew through the air and landed on the ground. Daphne turned just in time to see her best friend before a second spell followed.
'Petrificus Totalus' was all she heard before felt her body go stiff and fall back to the floor.
Walking up to her friend's petrified form she stared at her with a look of both anger and disappointment. Shaking her head, she reached down and grabbed Harry's holly wand and walked over to where he lay.
'Finite' she said and the ropes vanished.
Slowly, Harry began to get up, wincing in pain as he did.
"You alright?" Tracey asked him.
"Been better but I'll be alright." He gave her a small smirk
'Episkey' she said, wand aimed at his nose.
Harry let out a small yelp of pain.
"What was that for?" Harry grumbled.
Tracey smirked at him "Mostly because your nose was broken but also because you were being cheeky."
Harry rolled his eyes but then smiled at her. "Thanks for helping me out there. Guess I owe you one."
"That's good, I like having people indebted to me." She joked.
Harry just shook his head and muttered 'Bloody Slytherin.' under his breath.
"You need any help with her?" He asked, nudging his head in Daphne's direction
Looking at her friend with a frown she shook her head. "No, I think Daphne and I need to talk in private."
Harry nodded and held up his galleon. "If you need anything."
"I know." She said.
Harry made his exit, shutting the door behind him. Tracey used a locking and silencing charm in the door before picking up Daphne's wand and releasing her body bind spell.
There was nothing but tense silence in the room as Daphne stood and the two friends shot icy glares at one another, neither wanting to concede an inch. Finally it was Daphne who broke the silence.
"I'm not sorry for.." She started before Tracey cut her off.
"Trying to protect me!? Of course not, why would you be sorry for not respecting my decision!" She said sharply.
"Potter is trouble, you're going to get yourself expelled or worse killed by associating with him!" Daphne replied.
"Yes Daphne, you've made your opinion clear, just as I made it clear last night that this was my choice and that you should respect it even though you don't like it!"
"I'm not just going to let you…" Daphne began but was again cut off.
"Enough!!!!" Tracey yelled, harshly enough where Daphne took a step back.
"I don't care what you think about this! You don't get to make choices for me! I know the risks, I've walked into this with my eyes wide open and I'm not going to back out just because you can't handle that I decided to do something you don't approve of!" She yelled at Daphne, each word making the blonde girl shrink back a little.
Silence resumed once more as Tracey finished, broken only by Tracey's heavy breathing. This time it was Tracey that broke the silence.
"I told you last night that if you didn't let it be you'd lose me. Until you can respect me enough to let me make decisions for myself I don't want to speak to you." She said on the verge of tears.
"Tracey you can't be serious…."
"Well I am Daphne!" She screamed, cutting her friend off once more. "You keep saying that the decision I've made is too risky yet I don't think you once considered the risk of your decision to try and stop me. I can't be friends with someone who won't allow me to think for myself. Until that day arrives I will speak to you no more."
Tracey began to briskly walk out of the room before turning back. "Next time you write Aunt Roxy tell her I'll be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas." With those final words she canceled the charms in the door before exiting and slamming the door shut behind her. Her eyes wet with unshed tears as she pulled her galleon out of her pocket. She heard an angry shriek and the sound of exploding wood behind her as she sent the message 'can we meet? Same place as before.' over the galleon.
Barely 30 minutes later Harry walked into the room of requirement to see a red faced, puffy eyed Tracey sitting in a chair by a hearth the room had made for her. The moment she saw him she burst into tears and hurried over to him. Harry just embraced her in a compassionate hug as she sobbed into his shoulder.
