Chapter Eighty-Eight: Insecurities and Interviews

The rest of the holidays were quite awkward. Mrs. Weasley, despite her alleged tolerance of the relationship, acted very strained toward Daphne, Harry, and Ginny, and downright cold to Mum and Sirius.

Despite this, though, Daphne couldn't help but enjoy her time at Grimmauld Place, especially once Dad returned from St. Mungo's fully healed. In keeping with Mum's advice, they didn't bother trying to hide their relationship, resulting in most of the Order knowing about it by the time the holidays came to an end and it was time to go back to Hogwarts.

It would be odd to downplay it again at school, because even though the Order members were supportive, or at least said nothing about it if they weren't, Umbridge couldn't be allowed to find out about it, because she would surely find some moral fault with it to land all of them in detention.

On the final day of the holidays, Sirius had given Harry a two-way mirror, which would allow them to contact Sirius in case they needed help.

Daphne had also finally written a letter to Percy, asking him why he supported the Ministry's ways, but thus far she hadn't gotten an answer. That might prove problematic if he chose to reply when they were back in school, but she'd deal with that when the time came.

Though the journey back to Hogwarts, and the first day of term itself, were rather uneventful, the next day was anything but. As if Voldemort had been waiting for the beginning of term as well to resume his work, an article appeared in the Daily Prophet about a mass breakout from Azkaban, in which ten notorious Death Eaters had managed to escape, among whom was Augustus Rookwood, who had once worked at the Department of Mysteries. His escape would likely mean that Voldemort would soon know that only he and Harry would be able to retrieve the prophecy from the Ministry, which in turn would probably be the end of his stealthy efforts to obtain it.

The one funny thing about the article was that Fudge speculated that the escaped Death Eaters would rally around Wormtail.

"Rally around him? They'll have him serving drinks," Daphne said with a shake of her head.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah. I can't believe Fudge would go this far to deny Voldemort's return…Then again, most people probably don't know how incompetent Wormtail is. As far as the public knows, he's a dangerous murderer who's managed to evade capture for over a decade. And, I mean, he is all of those things…but he's also a worthless coward. I should've just let Sirius and Remus kill him, no matter what Dumbledore says," he said with a shake of his head.

"I think you did the right thing in sparing him, too," Hermione said. "You were right back then, you know. I don't think your parents would have wanted him killed."

Harry gave an annoyed grunt, and then said, "Well, I guess we'll need to start picking up our Order meetings again as soon as possible…I mean, look at this one, here: 'Bellatrix Lestrange, convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom'."

"Neville's parents?" Ron said, shocked.

Harry nodded grimly. "I'm pretty sure of it. I mean…he lives with his grandmother, doesn't he? And he wanted to beat Malfoy to a pulp when he mentioned St. Mungo's and curse-inflicted brain damage…"

"Blimey, I can understand he never talked about it, if that's true," Ron said with a shudder.

"It gets worse," Hermione said. "Look at this article here, 'Tragic Demise of Ministry of Magic Worker'."

Daphne looked over her shoulder and read the small article, which was about a Ministry employee who had been strangled by a Devil's Snare while recovering from an accident at work.

"Wait…his name," Daphne said. "I'm pretty sure Dad worked with him a couple of times, at the Department of Mysteries. I think he was an Unspeakable."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Well, then we know who killed him," she said grimly.

"Why'd you think he got killed, anyway? Seems to me like someone just didn't check what they were sending," Ron said.

"Oh, come on, Ron! I don't think anyone could put Devil's Snare in a pot and not realize it tries to kill whoever touches it. This was murder, and a clever one, at that," Hermione said. She got up abruptly.

"Where are you going?" Ron asked, startled.

"To send a letter. It…well, I don't know whether…but it's worth trying…and I'm the only one who can…" Hermione said distractedly.

"I hate it when she does that. Would it kill her to tell us what she's up to for once? It'd take about ten more seconds…" Ron grumbled as he and the others got up as well to make their way to their first classes of the day, which for Daphne meant Defense Against the Dark Arts with Umbridge.

She wondered if anything would be different in class, now that ten Death Eaters had broken out of Azkaban, but Umbridge didn't seem inclined to mention it at all, and her lesson was as boring as ever. Malfoy and his cronies, however, seemed elated.

To Daphne's utter surprise, however, Nott, whose father was a Death Eater himself, was glaring darkly at Malfoy's back. Could it be that he was less than happy at this turn of events? Or was she simply seeing things that weren't there?

One positive effect of the news about the Death Eaters escaping was that some people in the hallways seemed to be changing their stances on Harry being a liar. Unsatisfied with the explanation the Prophet had given, they were now beginning to consider that maybe, Harry and Dumbledore had been telling the truth all along.

Helping their newfound suspicions was a new decree made by Umbridge, Educational Decree Number Twenty-six, which forbade the teachers from giving students information that was not strictly related to the subjects they taught, and which once again proved that Fudge and Umbridge were denser than a block of lead.

Unlike Number Twenty-four with its overly-inclusive definition of what constituted a group, this new decree was abused by students, such as Lee Jordan informing Umbridge she wasn't allowed to tell Fred and George off for playing Exploding Snap in class, as it didn't relate to her subject. He'd been sentenced to a month of detention, and Umbridge had taken a whopping one hundred points from Gryffindor for his trouble.

Everything blowing up in her face seemed to have made Umbridge even more vindictive, and Daphne heard more and more stories from people being put in detention by her for increasingly minor things, and Umbridge was now present at every single Divination class to exert pressure on Trelawney, the sole teacher she'd managed to put on probation. If Hagrid hadn't been sacked already, she would probably have been after him as well, but as a gamekeeper wasn't a teacher, she didn't — yet — have the authority to kick him off the grounds.

Trelawney, however, seemed absolutely terrified at the prospect of losing her job, and Daphne had noticed that even the heavy perfume in the air couldn't entirely mask the scent of alcohol.

Umbridge's watchful eye also meant Daphne couldn't consult Pythia during those classes anymore, meaning the classes had become entirely useless again.

Fortunately, the Order meetings were back in full swing, and everyone seemed more dedicated than ever to making them worthwhile. Even Smith seemed to be fired up.

Feeling motivated himself, Harry had begun to increase the intensity of the training sessions, and every meeting was now closed with practice duels, for which the Room of Requirement helpfully provided shielded 'arenas' to fight in, complete with obstacles to hide behind, all padded to prevent injury if someone got Stunned.

Also, as planned, they began having fights where one person fought against a group, focusing solely on not getting hit. This meant that soon, physical conditioning exercises became a regular part of the meetings.

The Room of Requirement was more and more becoming a full-fledged training center, and Daphne began to feel like even the professional training centers for the Hit Wizards and Aurors weren't this good.

It was staggering to see how quickly everyone was progressing. Though Harry and Daphne were still by far the best duelists, as they simply had more experience at it, everyone else was rapidly becoming competent, also aided by Harry joining in the dueling practice more and more to refine his own skills, and Neville in particular seemed driven to improve, a desire Daphne answered by fighting him all-out in their duels, and which Neville welcomed with open arms. Nothing seemed to deter him, and Daphne really had to stay on top of her game to stay ahead of him.

She was aided, luckily, by Ginny, with whom she still practiced in private on the days Harry and Ron were at Quidditch practice, and whose improvement was almost as quick as Neville's. It was also just a lot of fun, especially because they didn't have to keep their relationship a secret when they were alone.

In addition to the dueling, Daphne also spent a lot of time talking to Pythia, attempting to learn how to shift her focus in emptiness. While she now knew that her Divination was likely not going to be extremely useful to her, she still needed to improve her Occlumency, and she wanted to make as much progress with that as she could.

With all the work she was doing, she'd hardly realized that their next Hogsmeade weekend was approaching, and it would even be on Valentine's Day. It was an opportunity too good to waste, so she, Harry, and Ginny made a plan to hang out together without raising too many suspicions. Outside of Tracey, not even the Order of the Lightning Bolt knew about the relationship yet, as the news of the mass breakout had made everyone far too serious at meetings to really mention it, and it was better if they didn't know anyway.

Hermione, however, complicated the plan further when she asked Harry to meet her in the Three Broomsticks at noon, though she said that Daphne and Ginny were of course welcome to join. On the morning of the visit, then, they simply decided to throw caution to the wind and head out for Hogsmeade with the three of them, to spend Valentine's Day with their partners.

Ron, of course, would be with Hermione the entire time, and would also be at the mystery meeting later in the day.

Though Daphne and Harry had been a couple even at the previous Valentine's Day, they hadn't really done much for it. Harry's second task had been taking up most of his free time, and it had been a Friday, to boot, so they'd just had classes as normal.

"So, er, what do people actually do on Valentine's Day?" Harry asked as he, Ginny, and Daphne left the Hogwarts grounds early in the morning.

"I know a lot of people go to Madam Puddifoot's," Ginny said. "Though I've never been there, so I'm not exactly sure what it is, other than a tea shop."

"Well, let's check it out," Daphne said with a shrug. "Noble Houses don't really do Valentine's, and my parents, despite their love of embarrassing me, were never cruel enough to tell me about the things they got up to, so I don't exactly know much about it either. I can tell you that in the Muggle world, they decorate stores lavishly and that flowers and certain types of candy become exorbitantly expensive, though, for all the good that will do us today."

They made their way to the tea shop through the rainy streets, and Daphne said, "I think we should start on the Patronus Charm soon. When Sirius broke out, there were Dementors everywhere. Now, we have ten escapees…and not a Dementor in sight. Either the Ministry is afraid to send them because they're afraid they might go out of control, or they're already gone, and I think we can all guess which one's more likely."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I noticed it as well. It'll be the first point of business for the next meeting, I think. It's a pretty complicated charm, after all…"

They reached Madam Puddifoot's tea house, which was tiny and covered in frills and bows, much like Umbridge's office. The tables inside were all small and round, and golden cherubs hovered over them, occasionally throwing pink confetti over the occupants.

"No offense, Ginny, but this place is a bit sickening," Daphne said.

Ginny nodded a bit uncomfortably. "I know. I mean, I like cute stuff, but this is…yeah…"

"I'm more concerned that all the tables seem to be set for two," Harry muttered. "Though the scars on my hand do get itchy from the décor here…"

"Let's have a coffee, anyway. It's early, it's rainy, and despite the frilliness, I don't think there's much else in Hogsmeade aside from the Three Broomsticks or the Hog's Head…" Daphne said.

They found one free table, near a steamed-up window, and with some effort they managed to get a third chair set at it. It was only then that they noticed who their neighbors were: Cho Chang and Roger Davies.

"Hey Harry, Daphne, Ginny," Cho said happily. "Interesting place to hang out with more than two people, given the date…"

Harry grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, well, y'know…" he stammered.

Daphne and Ginny exchanged a look, reached an agreement immediately, and Daphne nudged Harry and gave him a slight nod, which he answered with a questioning look, followed by a short nod of his own.

"Okay, look, we're trying to keep this secret from Umbridge, but all three of us are together," he said to Cho.

Cho's eyes widened in surprise and she looked at Roger, who shrugged.

"That's…unique," she said. Then she grinned. "But I suppose that suits you. Don't worry, Roger and I won't tell anyone. That horrible woman is ruining enough things at Hogwarts as it is…"

Harry smiled gratefully, and Cho said, "By the way, Harry…I still wanted to thank you for what you told me after that meeting in the Three Broomsticks. Because of that, I could say yes to Roger asking me out without feeling guilty over, y'know… And also because of that, I've been able to talk to Roger about it, too."

Roger nodded slowly and seriously. Now that he wasn't with a part-Veela girl, he seemed much more sensible.

Harry smiled a bit sadly. "I'm glad it helped you. I had a lot of help myself, too, so I know how important it is." He looked at Daphne and his smile widened.

Their coffees arrived, and they briefly chatted with Cho and Roger, before leaving them to their date and resuming their own, but all of them were a bit distracted by checking if no one else spotted them, and the uneasy feeling they might run into someone like Malfoy — who might come to the tea shop with Pansy, if she'd gotten him that far — made it less relaxed than they would have hoped.

Due to that, they left the tea shop rather quickly. Since there was still some time before they'd meet up with Hermione and Ron, they decided to go to Honeydukes first, but the moment they stepped out of the tea room, Ginny turned to Harry and said, "You walk ahead a bit. I want to talk to Daphne for a moment…"

Harry gave her a confused look, but then nodded and began walking toward Honeydukes.

Daphne looked quizzically at Ginny. "What's up?" she asked.

"What Harry said just now…about how much you helped him…I, er…It just…makes me wonder how I'm ever going to match that," Ginny said hesitantly. "I mean, you've been his friend since your first year, been through a lot with him, including rescuing me, for that matter… And I…well, I like Quidditch. Not really a comparison, is it?"

"You've seen how much Harry loves that sport, right?" Daphne asked.

Ginny shrugged a bit impatiently. "Deep, emotional bonding over shared traumatic experiences or liking the same sport, wow, such equivalence," she said.

"You shared a traumatic experience with both of us as well," Daphne pointed out.

"Yes, and I was unconscious for most of it. Yeah, I was terrified. I still have nightmares about it sometimes. And you and Harry don't always succeed in rescuing me in them, either. But I can't do anything for you in return, nor for Harry. You could, when he returned from that graveyard."

Daphne understood Ginny's feeling, since she often felt it herself, as well. "You do help me, though. You were worried about Pythia, you were there to watch over me just because you thought I might be in danger. You help me practice dueling more than anyone else, even Harry. A dream-version of you has been helping me figure myself out since the second task, and I'm pretty sure my subconscious gave you that role because I like how certain you are about yourself," Daphne said.

"You think I'm certain about myself?" Ginny asked, a bit amused now.

Daphne nodded. "Yeah. I act confident, but honestly, I'm a mess sometimes. I mean…the way I get myself in trouble for my friends, I, er, realized a while ago that that's probably because I…don't necessarily always like who I am," she said. "But you are proud of who you are, and I admire that in you. It's inspiring."

Ginny grinned self-consciously. "My confidence isn't always real either, you know…but I'm glad I do help you, at least. Harry, though…"

"You do help him, I'm sure," Daphne said. "And if you feel you haven't yet, then you will, probably sooner than you think."

Ginny's eyes widened. "That sounded awfully close to a prediction," she said warily.

Daphne nodded. "Yeah, I know. I only realized it once I said it…" She grinned wryly. "I hope the trauma won't be too bad this time…"

Daphne and Ginny caught up with Harry at Honeydukes, and Daphne quickly told him she might have accidentally predicted something in her conversation with Ginny, though she didn't elaborate on the nature of the conversation itself. It was up to Ginny to share that with Harry, if she wanted to.

"We already knew something bad was likely going to happen, given the visions you've already seen," Harry mused. "Though if Ginny's going to be involved too, I wonder who else will be…" He looked at Ginny and gave her a strained grin. "Good thing you're a good fighter, by now…"

Ginny grinned back at him in an equally strained way.

They were a bit quiet for the rest of the Honeydukes visit, absorbed in their own thoughts, and soon it was time to head over to the Three Broomsticks to meet up with Hermione and Ron.

To Daphne's great surprise, there were two additional people at Hermione and Ron's table when they arrived at the pub. One was Luna Lovegood, the other…Rita Skeeter.

"You guys are early," Hermione said happily.

"Yeah, we, er, were drawing a bit too much attention," Harry said evasively, keeping his eyes focused on Skeeter, whose eyes were darting between Daphne and Ginny.

Daphne could see her jumping to conclusions without even needing Legilimency to confirm it.

"I imagine you would be, if you're dating two girls now, Harry," Skeeter said.

"It's none of your business if Harry's with a hundred girls," Hermione said coolly.

Skeeter rolled her eyes impatiently. "Well then, Little Miss Perfect, why don't you tell me why you wanted me to come here in the first place?" she asked. "I mean, I'm not exactly employed at the Daily Prophet anymore, am I?"

She glared daggers at Hermione, who was thoroughly unimpressed.

"Fortunately, we don't need you to be for this. You see…you're going to interview Harry," she said.

"I am?"

"She is?"

Harry and Skeeter spoke at the same time, and Daphne, Ginny, and Ron looked at Hermione as if she'd lost her mind. Luna, meanwhile simply continued smiling happily.

"Yes, you are," Hermione said. "Only you'll be reporting the truth, for a change. Harry will tell you everything that has happened to him in the graveyard last year, and you'll be reporting it exactly as he says it."

"And where do you suppose this article will be published? The Prophet will never print it, nor will most other outlets," Skeeter said. "It's against the public mood and it wouldn't sell at all."

"That's why it will be published in The Quibbler," Hermione said, smiling at Luna.

"The Quibbler? You have to be kidding me. That rag isn't even fit to serve as kindling," Skeeter said, shaking her head derisively.

"That's rich, coming from you," Daphne muttered, but Skeeter ignored her.

"Well, then you can see this as your chance to raise its standards, can't you? Luna's father is the editor, and he'll be happy to publish the article."

"And you think people will take it seriously if it's printed there?"

"People take your usual garbage seriously," Daphne said. "If it has your name on it, they probably will. Your loyal audience will probably be anxious for your return, anyway…"

"And what kind of fee would this bring me?"

"I don't think Daddy exactly pays people to write for the magazine," Luna said dreamily. "They do it because it's an honor, and, of course, to see their names in print."

"I'm supposed to do this for free?" Skeeter asked, looking like she'd swallowed Stinksap.

Daphne had a sudden idea and said, "That depends. We can probably come to an arrangement. How about this: Harry is likely to end up in more difficult situations, even if we manage to clear up this one. When he does, it might become necessary to get the truth out again. My parents will be happy to pay you for writing those articles, provided you only write the truth in them, without any omissions or embellishments, and regardless of the perceived public interest in them."

Daphne looked at Hermione, who shrugged and nodded.

Skeeter looked from Hermione to Daphne, considering. "Fine. I need to pay my bills somehow…"

"You're okay with this too, right, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yes," he said. "I think it's the best way to get the truth out. And especially now…Yeah. I'll do it."

Skeeter took out a piece of parchment and her Quick-Quotes Quill, which Harry eyed warily.

"Well then, Rita," Hermione said serenely. "Fire away."

I had no clue how to start this chapter and what to put in it, and yet I rather like how it came out anyway.