Although there wasn't long left of DADA Harry once again sat with the Slytherins and though Malfoy's face had paled even further and his eyes had narrowed at Daphne he made no attempt to speak though everyone in green knew he was planning on exploding later, it was always the way. He'd wait until he was in the safety of the common room, where he knew he had the backing of most of the Slytherins and the head of house and then call for punishment. Last year it had been Crabbe and Goyle for daring to let the mudblood Granger get close enough to soil his robes, everyone had seen the red handprint on his face and he had blamed the entire episode on Potter and the fact that his two 'friends' couldn't defend themselves against a mudblood.

"Hey Harry can I have a word?" The timid voice of Neville sounded as the stream of students walked towards the Great Hall for lunch. Their class had already fled from the terrifying aura of the former auror – this lesson they'd looked at the effects of the long term imperio and Moody was making them write out a 13 inch essay on ways to recover from it - Daphne immediately stopped too, standing by Harry's side as they looked at the one Gryffindor who had at least tried to make his voice heard. Neville looked at them both a little fearfully but also determined and Harry was reminded of the same boy who stood in front of them in first year, he glanced towards Daphne who nodded encouragingly at him and felt a bit of confidence in himself.

"I guess, as long as you don't try to convince me the snakes are going to turn me dark." He said, wanting to get that issue out of the way first of all.

"Oh no, I just…well…I haven't been able to find you to be honest, I just wanted to say that I believe you I always have and I have told that to the rest of the Gryffindors but I wanted to make sure you knew. I know we've never been best mates but you are my friend and if there's anyway I can help, well I'm here. I'm sorry I should have tried harder." It came out in a long rush, as though he'd been holding it back and now that he could the words tumbled out over each other.

Harry was speechless, while he and Neville had always been friendly he was a little surprised at the quiet yet strong way he had delivered it. Neville had started to turn away his face carefully blank by the time Harrys brain had caught up with the moment and he felt he could speak again.

"Wait, Neville I'm sorry but you totally took me by surprise. I mean…where is this coming from?"

"I tried in the common room but no one was listening to me and when they started to yell at you I got shoved to the side when I was trying to reach you. And I've tried to find you but you always seem to disappear as soon as I start to make a move, you haven't been eating in the Great Hall and to be honest I just haven't been sure if you'd want to talk to me. I'm sorry for not trying harder."

"Nev, this does mean a lot and forget the apologies I'm sorry to do my disappearing act. I've been avoiding the harsher comments and acts of judgement by my generous school mates and been making use of the secret passages and short cuts to get around. Thanks for telling me and I guess I owe you a thanks for making sure I didn't get kicked out of the tower that first night; I heard Ron, Seamus and Dean talking about it and how you stepped up to tell them the amount that could wrong, I appreciate it."

Neville shrugged modestly.

"You would do the same for me, I knew something was wrong the minute your name came out. Only an idiot could have seen how much you didn't want to be there."

Harry glanced to Daphne and she gave him another small smile and motioned towards the other boy with her head in a microscopic manner.

"Daphne and I were going to lunch and then heading to the library to figure how to keep me alive, would you like to join?"

Neville's face broke out into a wide grin.

"Lead the way, mate."

They headed off but totally flummoxed Neville when instead of heading to the Great Hall they stopped in-front of a portrait of fruit. They tickled the pear and laughing at his gobsmacked expression lead him through the doorway and down the steps into the Hogwarts kitchen.

It was exactly how it usually was during lunchtime, elves scuttled about randomly clicking the fingers at mountainous plates of food piled high with ham and cheese sandwiches, chicken pies, rich stews, boiled potatoes and pork chops to name a few! The stoves were crowded with gleaming copper pans and although hot, the air wasn't suffocating so. Neville was only just managing to close his mouth at the activity going on when his eyes nearly bulged out his head as a small shape hurtled its way into Harry.

"Master Harry Potter sir, you is visiting Dobby again!" Big tennis ball eyes stared up brimming with tears and the wide smile had Daphne giggling softly, Harry had told her about the Dobby debacle last year but seeing the little elfs glee in person was something else.

"Dobby how many times do I have to tell you, its just Harry. And yeah I am, how have you been?"

"The Great just Harry wants to know how I am!" Dobby squeezed Harry tighter and positively howled.

"Dobby can we get some lunch and a seat, I cant be risking the Great Hall."

Within seconds the four – Harry had convinced Dobby to sit and chat for a bit – were seated and a comfortable table in the corner away from the bustle with bacon sandwiches, mixed vegtables, pasta plus eclairs and trifle laid out in front of them.

"Dobby this is Daphne Greengrass, resident Ice Queen, Slytherin to the heart and one of the most amazing people I know and this is Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor, Herbologist in training and all around nice guy. Neville this is Dobby, free house elf and my friend."

How do you do, Mr Dobby." Dpahne said formally and the little creature blushed all the way to the tips of his ears and shook his head violently.

"Oh no missy Daffy, tis just Dobby."

"Harry, I'm not that good at it. Its nice to meet you Dobby."

Dobby's eyes that teared at Harry's comment went comically wide at Neville's.

"Oh two great wizards and witchy enjoy Dobby's company. Dobby is very lucky but he must return to work."

Dobby slipped away and was soon lost in the general chaos that was the Hogwarts kitchens.

"Blimey Harry he practically worships you."

"You have no idea Neville, Harry rescued him from his former owners and won his everlasting loyalty and love." Daphne said batting her eyelashes at Harry mockingly.

"Oh shut it, I did what any normal being did when I saw someone getting hurt."

"But not just anyone did anything, you did." At her last words Daphne grabbed his hand causing Harry to give a small flinch though the blond ignored it and gave it a squeeze before carrying on eating like what she'd done was perfectly normal. Neville's surprised expression indicated otherwise and Harry felt a laugh bubble up his throat at the confusion in the eyes of the other boy.

"I don't mean to be nosy but how long have you two been friends?" The honest, curious way he asked was a welcome respite to the normally eager, sweet way that most members of her house talked in when they wanted a juicy piece of gossip and she answered with a brief glance at Harry figuring there was no reason to hide it.

"We've been acquainted for the last two years really, then last year my sister was involved in an incident that Harry took care of, since then we usually find ourselves talking. With this whole thing, I decided that he needed me more than I needed to remain unseen."

"What do you mean?"

"Well Slytherin House isn't exactly the most open of houses, we thought it would be best to keep our friendship on the quieter side but given everything that has happened…well I decided I could suffer a little."

Harry carried on.

"Daphne, has been a good friend to me Neville, she's never been anything but honest and helped me more in the last year that Ron or Hermione have. If you have something against her or her house, then you should probably go?" The carefully neutral expression of the green eyed boy's face told Neville that he was more hurt than he let on, and it also cemented his decision to trust the Slytherin.

"Oh no it's not that at all, I don't care that she's a Slytherin, she's never done anything to me personally. I think you came to my grandmothers Yule Ball four years ago?"

"That's right, from what I remember your grandmothers decorations were spectacular."

The conversation carried on as they left the kitchens and headed towards the library.

"I miss Yule when it was about how many ornaments you could get on the tree, now my father tries to get me more involved in the politics."

"I know what you mean, My grandmother is sending me weekly letters about my accounts and what the Wizengamont are talking about. I don't understand half of it and the other half is just a whole lot fancy spell work with half the result."

"What does that mean?" Harry asked.

"Basically, they sit there and argue but no one actually does anything." Daphne translated for him.

By this time they'd entered the library and they sat at the same desk as before.

"Alright what was all this about keeping you alive?" Neville asked grinning.

Harry and Daphne exchanged a look before their faces turned serious and Harry cast a privacy ward and several others that Neville didn't recognise.

"Neville, what do you know about dragons?"

For the next hour, and after Neville had got over his shock; Daphne and Harry caught Neville up on everything they had learnt about the first task and the different ways around it. They then carried on researching.

"You know, I think it might be a good idea if we get a professionals opinion." Daphne said, tapping her quill against her chin thoughtfully.

"Professional opinion on dragons? I mean we have Hagrid isn't that enough?" Harry said cluelessly and Neville sniggered as Daphne rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Harry, I'm going to say this as gently as possible because I know Hagrid is your friend. He is not a good teacher." She held up a hand as Harry got ready to go off on a long rant. "Let me explain, he knows a lot about many different types of creatures but he doesn't know how to get that knowledge across in a suitable and practical way. Take last year's incident with Malfoy. He was an idiot, he completely disregarded the teachers words and did something completely opposite, yes. But there was 30 Hippogriff out in that paddock, none of us had come into contact with the animal before and there was only one teacher. He didn't even give us an understanding of them other than don't insult and bow. That isn't a planned lesson Harry, it was a good idea to give us something incredible to study, but it wasn't a lesson. And then the book he gives us, it can bite! None of us knew how to open it, why didn't he just get us to read Fantastic Beasts that's hugely knowledgeable. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Harry was silent for a minute as he stared down at the table and while Neville was looking worriedly between the two, Daphne patiently started to read over her notes as she let the Gryffindor work it out for himself.

"You're right. He knows so much and he is a good friend but as a teacher, well he's not the best. I get that." Harry said looking at Daphne who nodded back happily. "However, I still think we should talk to him, he does know so much and he can definitely provide a different perspective to mother dragons than what these books are saying."

"Like what?" Neville asked in surprise as he looked over the books, thinking they gave a lot of detail.

"Like that fact that they are not fire-breathing demons who enjoy roasting people." Was the dry reply he got. " Hagrid will never admit that a dragon means to be dangerous, he's studied the behaviour, he knows what dragons best react to and I think it would be silly of us to ignore his expertise. Besides this isn't school work so he'll just be having a chat really." He looked towards Daphne for confirmation and was surprised to see her looking at him with a soft expression on her face. "What?" He asked, suddenly self-conscious.

Daphne shook her head with a smile.

"Just surprised to see you thinking in such detail."

He rolled his eyes at her grinning and Neville was once again amazed at the close friendship the two had, he'd only ever seen Harry acting like this with Ron and Hermione and even then it was rare.

"Okay, you go talk to Hagrid, but I still think we need a professional opinion. How about we send a letter to some of the dragon reserves asking them for advice?"

"Oh wonderful and how will that letter go? Dear sir/ madam I have to fight a dragon for this silly tournament I'm in, any ideas on how I don't get turned into a kebab?!"

"I was thinking something a little more refined but yes basically."

"Harry, doesn't Ron's brother Charlie work with dragons? I think I remember the twins mentioning it. Couldn't you write a letter to him?"

"He's one of the ones here, and although I don't think he'd mind. With the way that the other Weasleys have treated me thus far I don't want to cause trouble."

"Harry, do you think…you know?"

"That the others know about it. Yes I do. When they dropped us off they said something about seeing us soon. Now that they are here there is no way they wouldn't all know." Harry said looking steadily at the textbook in front of him.

Daphne nudged his arm with hers before starting to draft a letter to send to the reserves and Neville who had looked angry on Harry's behalf, sighed and shook his head and then started to hunt through some more books.

As the bell rang for 5th period, Neville and Daphne went off to Transfiguration and Harry decided to go and visit Hagrid who he knew would be free.

Wandering down to the cabin he noticed the massive pumpkin patch and smiled as memories of pulling Buckbeak away and seeing Sirius fly free entered his mind -maybe Daphne could figure out a way to get a trial. Knocking on the large door, he stood back at the shouts for Fang to get back, before the door was opened and Hagrid's bushy face pushed out.

"Ah Harry, was wondering when you'd come down. Come in come in, how ya' been?"

At the enthusiastic greeting Harry felt all his fears and doubts wash away. He hadn't seen the COMC teacher was the last week and was slightly apprehensive over how he would treat him. Pretty soon the two of them were settled with a giant mug of tea and some rock cakes in front of them as they sat in front of the fire with Fang drooling on Harry's robes as he scratched the boarhound under the chin.

"I mean obviously you're innocent. I know you wouldn't be silly enough to enter the tournament, your da maybe but not you. And I've been sure to tell the students that when I 'ear them nattering away in my class. And don't you worry neither about whoever put your name in, Dumbledore will find 'im out."

"Thanks Hagrid, and I'm sorry for not coming down sooner, I just wasn't sure, you know what with how everyone else has been acting."

"Aye I know lad, can't say I'm not surprised, I'd have thought Ron and Hermione especially Hermione would have known better. But you got a few people who believe ya."

"Yep, Daphne Greengrass for one and Neville came up to me just this morning."

"Ah good, Longbottom is good lad definitely a Gryffindor. Greengrass eh? Lass from Slytherin? She's always been respectful to me, seems like you got some brains helping ya out then for this tournament."

"Yeah, and that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Now now Harry you know I can't say anything about Hogwarts business." Hagrid said, sitting back with his arms folded sternly.

"Well not so much that, you see I've figured out the first task and just wondered for some more information about dragons and not the task?"

Hagrid lit up like a Christmas tree and eagerly dived into his favourite obsession; he spoke of making them feel comfortable, how they responded to threats, how they protected their young as well as their strength and skills. Harry eagerly lapped it up, delighting in the way his friends eyes lit up as he delved more knowledge than any book could give.

"Now Norwegian Ridgebacks they're marvellous they are, like the horntail but different colours and with venomous fangs; brilliant they are. And highly unusual is they feed on aquatic creatures usually, makes them feel calmer once they have food."

"That works with most dragons? Giving them food?"

"Well not the wild ones, they will probably eat humans too." Hagrid said looking off into the distance with a thoughtful expression that had Harry trying to hid a grin.

"So hypothetically if I managed to feed the dragon, they might not view me a threat? If they're used to humans."

"Possible, most dragons are from reserves. If they'd been cared for and well fed they wouldn't view you with as much distrust as they haven't had bad experiences. Much like people in that way."

"Hmm." Harry tucked that thought away to think about later. "Well what's your favourite?"

"Norwegian Ridgeback has a special place in my 'eart." He replied with a wink. "But they're all quite wonderful, especially the Peruvian Vipertooth. Now they like human flesh, but the short snout is especially fast and the Ironbelly is the largest…"

Harry listened in contentment, sipping his tea as the Keeper of the Keys started to argue with himself over his favourite dragon. Research for the day – check.