Chapter 31
"Oh Great. It's Harry. Don't you love Harry, Daphne? Daphne? Daphne."
Daphne felt a tug on shoulder. Looking up at Millicent, she blinked.
Milicent held up their fritter. "It's hairy. It shouldn't be hairy!"
Daphne began flipping the textbook, "Your wand movement must have been off. You really can't deviate from the upward motion, I think."
Milicent grumbled. "I asked if you thought my movement was okay and you nodded."
Daphne sighed, pushing the textbook away, "I'm sorry, I'm a bit distracted and really tired actually."
Milicent leaned closer to Daphne and in a hushed whisper, asked, "Is it because you're hooking up with Zabini?"
"What?" Daphne asked. "Where is that coming from?"
"Well, no one sees you in the room anymore. You haven't slept there in like two months! I mean I know you and Pansy were not on great terms, but you both really have never been so that can't be it. I only see you in class now! You're never around. You know, you're never around anymore, and who else is never around…Zabini."
"Milicent-"
"And with everything that has happened, I was thinking maybe this is your way of coping or something-"
"Milicent-"
"But maybe it's been a good thing, but I don't know since you seem so distant-"
"Milicent." Daphne said, waving her hand to get Milicent's attention. "None of that is happening. Things have really picked up in the wing so I kind of sleep there when I'm finished, and lastly, Zabini? Eww."
Milicent giggled. "Daphne, I'm glad you're okay."
"But your grades certainly won't be, ladies, if we can't stay on task. Five points from Slytherin." McGongall interrupted. Addressing the class, she continued, "The key to this transformation not only lies in wand movement but also your focus, even the slightest distraction can ruin your end-goal. Please turn in your notes from today, and you'll be free to go. We'll continue working on this during the next class period."
Daphne made sure to scribble her name on her parchment before collecting her stuff.
"So what class do you have next?" Milicent asked, following Daphne who was headed toward the door. "I was thinking we could go study in the library for charms? I could really use your help."
In the corridors, Aurors marched up and down the corridor in groups of two. Making her way to the nearest window, she could see the snow covered courtyard and aurors that stood along its side. No one realized that this place had quickly been descending into a prison.
"I'm in the wing, Mili."
"You're always in the wing."
Milicent wasn't wrong. The benefit of a heavy auror presence was that it dealt with a lot of the immediate emergencies and acted as a major deterrent for the hinjix that would usually put someone in the wing. Madam Pomfrey hadn't wasted any time, filling their schedules with advanced topics and pedagogy that would usually be reserved for a post-Hogwarts education even dispensing an asinine amount of homework alongside her teachings. Needless to say, Daphne had never been busier which was a good distraction.
"Mind if I walk with you?"
Stepping away from the window, Daphne briefly spotted Harry's clone and his aurors making their way out the classroom and turning down another corridor. As it did every time, her stomach grew tight at the mere thought of him. It had only been a month and half, but it felt like eternity since she had last seen Harry. There wasn't a night that went by where she didn't want to pick up the mirror she had given him to see him again, but every time, she hesitated knowing that she didn't know how to respond to that night- well, that, and Hermione's snoring.
"Don't you think, Daphne?"
"Yeah," Daphne nodded absentmindedly as they began moving through the hall.
"Maybe it might come sooner than we think."
Daphne blinked. "What?"
"Justice."
Daphne remained tightlipped, unsure of what she had agreed to. She turned her head to catch one last glimpse of Harry as they turned the corner of the corridor.
"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you for your help...sort of? At least advice, I don't know what to do."
Daphne looked back at Millicent. "What's going on?"
"It's Pansy. She's been a bit dodgy over what happened…you know," Milicent said as they walked, "Anyway, she doesn't look good either, she's lost a lot of weight, and doesn't come to class anymore. I'm worried about her. I've tried to talk to her, but…maybe, if you would…talk to her?"
Daphne crossed her arms. "I don't think…it's not the greatest idea."
"I know! But I'm all out of options. I was thinking since you both aren't close, it might mean more? At least-"
"Mili, I'm-"
"Daphne, please."
Daphne sighed out of frustration. Straightening her face, she looked at Millicent as they turned another corner, "Fine. I will think about it, okay?"
Milicent smiled. "You're…Oh no."
Coming down the corridor, a group of seventh years were being escorted by Aurors, two boys and two girls, one of the seventh year boys was a slytherin, Vaisy. All of them were carrying a red letter in their hands. Daphne and Milicent both stopped, watching as the group passed them. Vaisy seemed to be holding back tears, others seemed to be as dejected as they passed the two.
"Oh, Vaisy. Not him. I've fancied him for so long." Milicent whispered, "That's the fourth seventh year group that's been called so far and the third Slytherin."
"With the rate they're going, it won't be long until they reach sixth year."
"You don't think any of us will be called, do you?"
Daphne turned to look at the group once more before turning back to a panicked Milicent, "I'm sure once they see what you and I can do with a wand, they'll send us straight back."
Milicent's face relaxed and she chuckled.
"You always know what to say, Daphne," Milicent said, looking at a few portraits as they passed. "Can I tell you something, Daphne?"
"Of course, Mili."
"I…don't know but I've been scared about all of this recently. I've been thinking about getting it…a mark."
Daphne did a quick survey of her surroundings before looking back at Millicent. "Seriously?"
Staring hard at the tile below her feet, Milicent replied, "Obviously, it's not the real one, but they've made a similar one and with it, I'll be protected."
"Protected? Protected from what?"
"I-I can't say, but you said it yourself…isn't it time justice was served? Don't you want to see that?"
Daphne put her hand on Milicent's shoulder. "Milicent, what will you be protected from? "
"Daphne, I…" Milicent said, pushing Daphne's hand away, "I- can't, but if you were interested-"
A few aurors passing through the corridor shut them up until they reached another corner with an ascending stairwell. Milicent came to a stop at the base of the stairwell, standing there as Daphne ascended a few steps,"I-I have to go, but you should consider it, Daphne. I know it's what Theodore would have wanted."
Daphne turned toward Milicent, "Then I'll get it with you."
"Oh, Daphne, really?"
Daphne took a look around, "It is time justice was served, don't you think? "
Milicent's face lit up. "Meet me in the commons…tomorrow. Midnight. I'll see you later!"
"Okay."
Daphne bolted up the stairs and toward the healing wing, of course she didn't run, but she was sure she had never walked with such urgency as she had. Entering the wing with such a force, she found herself almost running straight into a tall cowering figure.
"Greengrass, if you want to at least be considered a semi-competent healer, it might be best if you work to not put anyone in the wing."
"I'm sorry, Professor Snape."
"Yes, you might be." Severus said with a scowl, walking around Daphne and out the door. Turning toward the ward, it was empty as it had been. Hermione was in the middle of the ward with a cart, smiling as she examined the bottles that sat on it.
"I can't say I missed him." Hermione said, scribbling down notes on parchment, "But I can't deny his potion potency is significantly better than Slughorns. What took you so long?"
"I was walking with Milicent." Daphne said, dropping her bag near the wall, watching as it levitated away to cubby in the backroom, "There's something she shared with me that is a cause for concern."
"She found her second brain cell?"
"Hermione."
Hermione looked up from her scribbling, smiling, "I'm sorry, continue."
"You wouldn't know, but there's always been a small group of death eater sympathizers inside of Slytherin. Originally, it was supposed to be a network for those who admired you-know-who and his cause, but it was described to me as having been steered to more of a lineage fan-club by Draco. With him gone…."
"I see," Hermione said, putting down the parchment, "What did she say exactly?"
"Something along the lines that 'Justice was coming' especially for Harry but I got the feeling he's not the only target," Daphne said, looking over Madam Pomfrey's scribbled note on her desk. "She can't be serious?"
Ladies,
Went to Hogsmeade for a bit. Be back soon.
Expecting a potion restock from Severus.
Otherwise, please review chapters 20 through 150 in your Advanced Interactions of Charms, Curses, and Potions for the Magical Being, 35th edition
Expect an Oral Exam next week on a randomly selected topic
Remember, failure means I will no longer allow you entry into my ward
Happy Studies!
M.P.
"Yes, she's gone mad," Hermione replied, coming closer, "Harry is under investigation, his stand-in couldn't so much as breathe without aurors knowing at this point. I doubt a few fourth year boys could get past an auror, but mudbloods like me…are there many? "
"Hermione, don't call yourself that."
"Why shouldn't I? I am a mudblood, and proud of it!"
"Can't say I've ever heard that," Daphne said, grabbing a textbook from an adjacent shelf, "But to answer your first question, a few. Mostly first years."
"Then they will be in danger. We will need to figure out how to protect them, although it'll be difficult since Ron or I can't enter Slytherin and Blaise has made it abundantly clear he would rather us dead."
"That's not true, Hermione."
"He's a blood purist who for some odd reason is being accepted openly by Harry. At least he argues with Ron but me… he won't even acknowledge me."
"Give it some time, Hermione," Daphne replied. "You have no idea what it means to come from a pureblood family, to come from those expectations. It will take some time."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "How difficult it must be for purebloods to treat everyone with dignity. How hard it must be."
"It's not that easy." Daphne said, sitting down at Madam Pomfrey's desk, "Have you ever thought about your boyfriend's family? Ever considered why they live in poverty?"
"He's not my boyf-how do you even know?" Hermione said, her face growing red.
Daphne's response was in the form of a devious grin.
"Did he tell you?"
"Answer the question."
"It's…because they have seven children with what I'm assuming is a small income."
"Not quite. Their alignment to muggleborns got their family completely turned away from businesses and stores, from politics and profitable marriages, denied access to jobs and opportunities, intimidated from public proceedings, and probably blackmailed and bribed a hundred times over. This is all before you-know-who's rise which I can imagine was tough on their family. As a notable pureblood family, they will never recover due to their stance."
"But they stood up for what's right."
Daphne began opening the textbook, but as she opened it, she looked up at Hermione. "Which is easy to say when you're not the one putting your family at risk. The Weasley's survived. There were many other families that didn't."
"Everything you're saying sounds like pureblood propaganda. It doesn't excuse bigotry, Daphne."
Daphne nodded, in agreement, "You're right, but I am a pureblood. However wrong it may be, my entire life revolved around knowing that I'm better because of my birth and you are not because of yours. Remember when we first started doing this and I refused to talk to you. "
Hermione chuckled. "And then Madam Pomfrey made us scrub over cauldrons for the first three months."
"I was frightened to talk to you. I thought even by associating with you my magic would leave me or I would become a troll or something stupid like that. But none of it mattered when we were being chased by potion remnants and figuring out how to detoxify our hair so it would stop trying to choke us." Daphne said, pausing as both girls laughed. "I'm embarrassed to say that I'm still fighting against what I learned growing up, but it takes time. Give Blaise some time. He's not a bad guy, he's just a stupid pureblood like me. "
Hermione crossed her arms, "I'll give him two weeks."
"Fair enough." Daphne said, flipping open her textbook.
Post- Chapter Thoughts:
Yes. There was a tiny timeskip; a month and a half roughly.
Really wanted to drop chapter 32 with this chapter for a "fuller" picture, but I've been writing 33 and 34 instead which are probably going to be pretty lengthy chapters when all is said and done.
As always thank you for taking the time to read through 31 chapters of this. It's cool to see how many of you like(or hate) the story, and I'm so appreciative of you all!