It took Dumbledore two days to track down the new trio and ask them to his office, Professor McGonagall had located them in the library and was once more surprised when Daphne and Neville immediately rose to accompany them with Harry stating their concern over his well-being and Neville even mentioning something about a godbrother bond that had Harry raising his eyebrows at the blushing boy. The office contained all the heads of houses, Bagman and Crouch and although eyebrows were raised at the other two's presence no one questioned them.

"Now Harry we just want to clarify exactly what went on at the first task, where did you gain those robes and where have you been the last few days?"

"Headmaster, why are the other head of house here? I understand the judges but why are the others here?"

"They all wish to hear, my boy. It was quite an incredible feat of magic and they're eager to understand."

"I see. We got the idea of the Patronus from two sources, Hagrid mentioned that class 5 beasts can be subdued, that the Patronus can calm some animals as it radiates happiness and protection therefore the creature doesn't feel threatened. Neville then read up on it and found that with nesting mothers it is good for them to not suffer stress, but to feel totally comfortable at all times, that's why we dismissed the idea of transfiguring something because we thought it might cause it stress. The other spells were merely so that I didn't have to get close and test the Hungarians patience."

The professor all looked rather impressed at his statement although he could see Snape barely restraining himself.

"I see my boy, well that's quite incredible and the robes as well as where have you been?"

"Sir I am invoking my right as a champion to say that I have been preparing and that is all I am willing to say on the matter."

Snape could not hold back.

"Listen boy, your arrogance won't help matters. You have been missing for two days and sent the headmaster on a wild goose chase trying to find you. How dare you show an utter disregard, 30 points from Gryffindor."

Harry waited for someone to speak up in his defence but at the expecting looks on the other teachers he simply sighed and decided they were a total lost cause.

"Professor, I am not arrogant and I am showing the same amount of regard assigned to myself."

Neville spoke up now facing his biggest fear and not backing down a feat that the others found out later had caused him to almost shake.

"All due respect professor, Harry is allowed to take as much time to prepare for the tournament under rule 6 on the Triwizard rules. He need not attend classes or normal meal times, did you send an owl?"

"How dare you speak to me so you ungrateful child! Potter is still in this school and has to follow the rules! We have no reason to send him an owl! 50 points from Gryffindor!"

"Severus control yourself." Dumbledore stared hard at the dark-haired professor whose complexion had reached a shade of red alarmingly close to Weasley colour. He then turned disappointed eyes to the trio again.

"I do wish you'd tell us where you've been Harry, however as you are allowed, I suppose there is nothing much we can do. On the other hand Miss Greengrass and Mr Longbottom, you will both have detention for not attending classes."

"Excuse me sir, but why do you call him Harry instead of Mr Potter?"

There was a few moments silence as the teachers stared at the Slytherin.

"What do you mean, Miss Greengrass?"

"Well you called my friends 'Harry' and 'Mr Longbottom' I just wondered why you don't call him Mr Potter."

"Well I suppose it is because I was quite close to James and Lily."

"But not to Harry sir, I think it shows a lack of professionalism and favouritism too."

"If Harry would prefer Mr Potter I shall endeavour to do so." Inwardly Dumbledore wondered at the girls thought process. He always called him Harry to ensure people could see his connection to the Boy-Who-Lived.

"I would, thank you sir." Harry had no idea what Daphne was doing but decided to follow her lead.

"If that's all sir, we need to get back to studying." They started to move backwards.

"Actually my final question; why did you wear those robes?"

Harry debated telling them, he wasn't sure what good it would do but he did want to show his lack of faith in the school.

"I had a friend of mine retrieve them for me, I belong to House Potter and House Black and wanted to show I had their support."

"Surely you'd also want to put the Hogwarts crest or at least the Gryffindor crest too then Mr Potter?" Interjected McGonagall. Harry stared at her in disbelief.

"Why on earth would I want to wear the crest of a school that has done nothing but heap abuse on me? Why would I want to show that I support a house that has done nothing to support me or protect me?" Although he said house, everyone could see the glare that he levelled at the transfiguration mistress that he included her too, another silence followed his words broken by Moody's gravelly voice.

"Right you are Potter, give nothing back when nothing has been handed to you. That being said I do expect your essay on Friday, you need to know how to spot imposters."

"Alastor, do you mean to tell me that Mr Potter has been attending your lessons?" Professor Sprout exclaimed.

"Of course. Each and every one faithfully, the lad knows he needs a good defence."

The teachers looked shocked.

"But Mr Potter hasn't appeared in my class for over a month, he has cited Tournament preparation as his excuse." Flitwick squeaked.

"Ha-Mr Potter, what is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore said sharply.

"Its quite obvious actually sir, Professor Moody is the only teacher that stops the others from attacking or abusing me. Therefore I feel able to attend his class."

"I'm sure that's an over-exaggeration, my boy."

"In transfiguration my fellow Gryffindors verbally abuse me and have managed to destroy my schoolwork leading Professor McGonagall to say that I'm not trying hard enough and making it more difficult for myself, and lets not go into what happens in the tower. In Charms, my things have gone missing and I have had stinging hexes practically every lesson. And In Herbology, the other Hufflepuffs have enjoyed shoving and tripping me up in the direction of venomous and dangerous plants and Professor Sprout does nothing but take points off of me for disrupting her class. And I won't even go into Potions because I think we are all aware of exactly how much care Professor Snape shows in my welfare. Professor Moody has ensured that everyone leaves me alone and that I can continue with my schoolwork."

Dumbledore was looking around at his professors in astonishment, he had known there would have been a calling of names and maybe light pranking but this was worse than he thought. The fact that none of the teachers were all looking at the floor except Snape who was glaring at Harry and Moody who was looking at some of his instruments with suspicion told him the truth in the words.

"Now I think we need to be off; Neville and I don't want any more detentions for sticking with Harry and we have a lot of research to do for the next task." And the three swept out, barely letting the door close before bursting into laughter it wasn't until they were settled in the library that Harry asked Neville what he had meant by the Godbrother comment.

"Oh that…Well…erm…this is slightly awkward but actually erm well….I guess what I'm saying is that I'm your godbrother." He finally managed to get out.

"My what?" Harry repeated totally flabbergasted.

"My Godbrother. Our parents were good friends and when we were born your mum was made my godmother and my mum was made your godmother. So we're godbrothers."

There was silence as Harry's brain tried to process the information.

"But…but why haven't you said anything before!?" He finally burst out causing the other lion a mini heart attack.

"I thought you knew! And then you didn't seem to know me on the train and I wasn't sure if I was up to…well, being near the Boy-Who-Lived And you always did so well in class and had Ron I just I didn't…I gave up."

Harry caught on to what his frie- his godbrother! Wasn't saying and immediately thumped him in the arm.

"It would have been as brilliant then as it is now to know I have one!"

Neville looked awfully pleased and quickly pulled some books out of his bag to hide his blushing face, the rest of the afternoon passed in doing some studying of various subjects while the two kept glancing at each other smiling until they realised that Daphne was laughing at them and they got down to business.

For the next week Harry was mobbed on his way to and fro classes, people wanting to congratulate him and asking how he did it. Daphne could see his temper rising with each passing day and knew it was soon going to release itself no matter how quickly she could distract him. The blow out occurred after another potions class that she had once again had to convince him to go to, his temper already boiling at Snape's comment of his 'worthless father' it didn't help that they didn't make it out in time and a familiar grating voice emerged from behind them before they could escape the rushing crowds.

"Harry please, you have to talk to us eventually."

"Yeah mate come on, you were so great out there!"

His ex-best friends voices caused Harry to let out an audible groan and he reached out a hand to grab Daphne's hand drawing on her strength as he turned to look into her eyes with a 'do I have to?' in his own. When she tugged on his hand to turn him to face them, he had his answer.

"What do you want?"

"Harry come on, we should have believed you! We get that now but we can get past it. You getting past that dragon was amazing, how did you come up with those spells? Did you find a new book? Did you know about the dragons, you seemed so prepared, oh Harry did you cheat? Oh well you won! What did Professor Dumbledore sa-"

"Harry, why are you hanging out with her!?"

Harry raised an eyebrow at the red headed boy.

"She happens to be my friend."

"But she's a snake! She's tricking you, she probably just wants in on the popularity of being your friend. Come on we're here no-"

"Shut up."

"Mate, you know were right, we'll take you to Madam Pomfrey and – "

"Ron shut your mouth."

"Harry you have to admit its suspicious that she's just started to talk to you now same with Neville there since when were you two friends?" Hermione said suspiciously.

"For Merlins sake I can't believe you two! No shut up both of you I won't have it! This girl was the only person who stood by me! She's the only person to have stood up for me! She listens to me! She puts up with me! Moreover she believes me! What the hell have you two done except whine and bitch since this whole thing began?!" Harry stopped as Daphne squeezed his hand painfully tight, he breathed heavily and locked his temper up tight.

"And Neville, he apologised, he has done everything he can to help me. He's stayed up for hours, not to study, not to be seen with me but because he's actually genuinely wanted to help me." He felt Neville take a step to his side.

"Ron and Hermione, we've been house mates for four years I would have hoped you would know I wasn't like that but considering you betray your best mate I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Neville said simply.

Hermione's mouth dropped open, seemingly totally shocked that Neville of all people had told her off whereas Ron's ears turned an alarming shade of red and an angry scowl came over his face.

"How dare you, you know nothing we are Harry's best friends we would never-"

"Oh but you did Weasley, not only did you betray him and abandoned him when he needed you most when you should have trusted him. You haven't even apologised." Daphne's coldly placed comments had the two swinging to face her with opening and closing mouths, as though it wasn't something they were even aware they had to do.

"Well of course we were going to but you know…" Hermione trailed off looking everywhere but the three that stood in front her but Ron clearly was nonplussed.

"Harry knows we didn't mean it; I'm your best mate, it doesn't matter anyway come on mate I don't care about how you got in anymore its okay now lets just go and party and you can show us the clue. Creevey can take some pictures and we can celebrate the Gryffindor victory. The dragon was pretty good going but definitely wasn't as bad as the Basilisk or Cerberus eh. Now come on get away from those poisoning two and come back to the Lions who will always love you, you're the Boy-Who-Lived after all."

The trio were speechless.

"Ron…You were my best mate. You've always been there and even in second year you didn't treat me like a freak or evil. And then this year…you know how much I wanted a normal year, you know how much I don't like the attention and yet you let your jealousy suddenly turn you into this horrible spiteful person. I don't get how you can think so badly of me! You've called me names, shoved me, fuck you said my parents would be disappointed in me!"

The surprised look gave way to a slightly ashamed and guilty.

"And you knew, didn't you? You knew Charlie was here, you knew why he was here. And yet you didn't tell me. I was going against a dragon Ron! A fucking fire-breathing dragon! And you didn't even try to tell me, to give me a hint. And now you want to be near me again, to have the good attention?"

Ron's ears had turned alarmingly red and he took a step forward to the trio, shaking off Hermione's hand as she tried to pull him back.

"Famous Harry Potter you just always want something more. Nothing I do is good enough. I come to make friends with you again despite the fact I know you still cheated your way in and all you can do is throw crap at me! Yeah you're damn right I knew Charlie was here, I wasn't going to help you cheat even more! So fuck you." And with that the red-head turned and walked away.

"Oh Harry, you just couldn't let it lie could you." Hermione said shaking her head and looking up at him sadly. "It took a lot of courage to come here and to confront you. But you just couldn't control your temper."

"Hermione I have. All of that stuff I said is how I have felt for the last month. And you're no better."

"Excuse me!"

"Since my name came out, you've ignored me, you haven't supported me or even looked at me. You think I am suddenly incapable of studying without you, but you're wrong. I have learnt so much in the last month and I have progressed a lot. And despite what you may think, Daphne and Neville have believed in me from the start. They have stood by my side and made me feel like I'm not alone. Do you still think I did all this for attention?"

Hermione froze, and Harry watched her brown eyes shift away from him for a moment and felt his stomach drop.

"Harry, I think that all the evidence does point to you doing this. Every year you have something and what I once thought was courage and wanting to do the right thing, I think it is indeed someone wanting to make a name for themselves."

Daphne reached froward and grabbed hold of Harry's hand, squeezing it tightly. He glanced towards her and let her take a few steps forward.

"You're wrong Granger, Harry is the bravest person I have ever met. He is selfless and honourable, everything he does its because he refuses to get beaten down and always wants to help. I seem to remember a troll incident where he defied teachers orders in order to save a young girls life."

Hermione glanced down, her cheeks red.

"He does not do this for attention, and if you weren't so eaten up by the fact that he is clearly superior in magical power then you would see that."

Daphne turned back to Harry and saw the soft happiness in his eyes.

"As you can see Miss Granger, I don't need your help, I have increased my studying and I have improved without you. And to be perfectly frank I have no desire to allow you to continue with any disparaging remarks and as I don't see any possible way for you to actually listen to me, I have nothing further to say to you. Goodbye."

Turning on their heels they walked to Transfiguration where Harry left them for the library room. Daphne and Neville settled in the back and listened to McGonagall's lecture barely listening and still managing to transfigure the guinea fowl and guinea pig for Daphne on the fourth go and for Neville on the seventh. Since they'd been studying more Neville had started to develop in all areas, when Daphne had found out he still held his fathers wand she had ranted for 15 minutes before dictating a scathing letter that he had signed and sent to his grandmother, three days later he had received special permission to go to Diagon Alley to visit Ollivander and get a new wand.

"Your attention, please." McGonagall went on to explain about the Yule Ball and Daphne felt a grin forming as her thoughts settled on a dark-haired, green eyed boy – Oh but what if he didn't ask! – she could feel the panic settle on her head before Neville nudged her with a smile and she caught the amusement in his eyes as though he could read her thoughts and she found herself smiling back as she ducked her head in slight embarrassment. The class started to leave and the two spotted Harry waiting at the door for them when McGonagall called Harry inside, they both immediately halted at the door despite McGonagall's obvious attempts to have them leave and therefore listened as she explained the ball and revealed that Harry would escort his date in at the start of the ball.

"Do not dawdle in finding a date Mr Potter, I will not have you embarrassing Hogwarts."

"Professor I think I can safely say it will not be me embarrassing Hogwarts." Harry didn't even attempt to hide the disdain from his tone, he wouldn't forget the many comments that had been made in the Professor's ear shot and how she had merely turned away. She felt like she'd been slapped and didn't trust her voice so motioned for him to go, after the first task she had given herself a stern talking to and faced many of the wrongs she had done since Halloween. She'd also spoken to her dear friend Poppy Pomfrey who had hammered in some truths that caused the Scottish woman to flinch and she knew she desperately needed to make it right somehow.

Meanwhile Neville had needed to get something from the dorm and wanted to check on some devil snare in the Greenhouses therefore Harry and Daphne went in alone to the library, Harry immediately moved to grab some Runes books that Remus had recommended before turning to find Daphne who was bent over a book scribbling onto a notebook. Harry had shown them pens and notebooks and how much easier it was to use them and Daphne had immediately stolen his.

"Hey, whatcha doing?" He settled by her side and leant over inhaling the vanilla scent that she used.

"Vector wants 16 inches by Monday but its okay and pretty simple"

"How was Transfiguration?"

"It was okay, Neville's casting is getting stronger."

He watched as Daphne got back to planning her essay. How was he going to ask her, it had to be good, maybe simple? He had a feeling she would curse him within an inch of his life if he did it publicly or flamboyantly and maybe he could ask her out at the same time...

Daphne could feel his eyes on her and focussed all her might on the work in front of her, Harry had been watching her more and more and unlike with others they made her feel good. She hoped with the Ball he'd take the plunge first, he was fun, smart and listened to her instead of brushing her to the side and she certainly didn't want Weaslette or Granger taking him away; she had a feeling they'd get on well and wanted to try it out. So lost in her thoughts she didn't hear Harry call her name until he nudged her side causing her to look directly into the emerald eyes and seeing the humour, care and concern made her breath stutter a bit.

"You okay?"

"Yes sorry lost in thought, what's up?"

"Can you meet me tonight after dinner? By the entrance hall? "

"Sure, why?"

Harrys mind went blank for a brief moment.

"Erm I wanna show you something, but I gotta go now and meet Neville."

Daphne had a perplexed expression, she had thought Neville was going to meet them here? But as he grabbed his stuff and hightailed it out to find Neville she shook it off and got back to Arithmancy, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach and convince herself it was probably something to do with the tournament.

Harry sprinted down the hallway ignoring all the shouts as he searched for Neville, in the end he found him in greenhouse 3.

"I'm asking Daphne to the ball tonight, and I think I have a plan."

For the rest of lunch, the boys worked together and by the time classes started forcing Neville to leave they were both confident that Harry could be left alone without the nerves taking over. While classes happened, Harry went down to see Dobby, the little elf was quickly becoming a friend and Harry wanted to show he appreciated him.

"Master Harry sir!"

"Hey Dobby how are you?"

"Dobby is happy Master Harry, can I dos anything for you sir?"

"Not unless you can help me make my perfect date a reality." Harry jokey as he slumped on the table. He watched as Dobby's ears lowered before perking up again.

"Dobby might know! Has Master Harry thought of the Come and Go room sir?"

Harry wasn't entirely sure what Dobby meant but knew his friend had method behind the madness and so shook his head.

"Never heard of it, what is it?"

"The Come and Go room creates anything the person wants and gives whatever the person needs. If Master Harry wants a perfect date then could the room not give it?"

Harry stared at his friend amazed at the simplicity of the idea.

"Thanks Dobby that is incredible! How on earth did you find it?"

Dobby was bouncing on the balls of his feet in excitement and a wide grin was splitting his face.

"All elvies know of it, not many peoples do."

"Do you know how long its been around? How it was created?" Harry asked suddenly desperate for details about such a room that he knew Sirius didn't know about otherwise he'd have mentioned it before.

"Dobby doesn't but Miksy might!" At once the creature dived into the bustling foray and returned a few seconds later with a clearly much older elf with tufts coming out her ears, the white pillow case with the Hogwarts crest on it splattered with gravy.

"Dobby says yous is wanting to know about the Come and Go Room."

"Yes please, if its not too much bother."

"Its alright young master, the story is that Lady Ravenclaw made it for those in need, it comes to be anything you need alls you need to do is think it, it can bes filled with knowledge and gives people what they require."

"That's incredible thank you very much." He said and watched as the stooped elf bowed and moved away.

"Dobby, how are you?"

"I is okay, Master Harry but…Winky is most upset, she is saying her master is needing her. She has been long time and still doesn't clean." Dobby whispered pointing over to the house elf that was curled on a bar stool next to the fire looking both sad and distressed by his friend's behaviour.

"Winky is a good elf, Winky belongs with her master." Cried the small creature.

"Winky, Mr Crouch is doing alright. I have seen him and he's okay." Harry said trying to comfort the creature. This just served to make Winky howl as tears streamed on the tea towel she was clutching on her lap and Harry quickly asked Dobby to show him the room or at least explain where it was to investigate where he got so caught up he had to rush in order to meet with Daphne on time and was glad that he and Neville had prepared so well.

Daphne looked for Harry at dinner and nerves started up again when she couldn't find him.

"Whats got you so frozen?" Tracey questioned her friend.

"Harry's asked to meet me him after dinner but he's not here and I have no idea what it could be about."

Tracey grinned at her friend.

"You liiiike him!"

"I really do."

"Yes you d- wait what?" Tracey looked gobsmacked.

"I said I do, I like him and I'm worried about what he's going to say, what if he's gone back to Granger and Weasley?"

"Okay stop, look at the glares there is no way he's gone back to them" The Gryffindors were sending her pretty strong hate stares. "I'm telling you Daph, the boy is way more likely to ask you to the ball!"

"…You really think so?"

Tracey smiled at her friend and squeezed her hand, this was the Daphne that not many people knew about the one that did get scared and shy and let her insecurities get the better of her.

"I really think so, from what you've told me and from what I've seen the boy likes you a lot just trust the both of you and see where it goes."

As soon as the last of her chocolate éclair was finished Daphne left the hall with Tracey by her side, others had left too but they didn't want anyone spreading rumours. Catching sight of the resident Boy-Who-Lived waiting just inside of the entrance hall, Tracey winked in Harry's direction before moving towards the dungeons in silence. The two greeted each other happily before Harry took her hand and led her outside to their tree where they had sat 5 weeks ago, with a wave of his wand the air around them warmed and there was soft blue blanket on the floor which they settled on happily. With the night sky ahead and the silence around them Harry steadied his breathing and pulled an ice blue rose with a delicate shimmer on the outer petals from his robes. He and Neville had worked on how to keep it alive and the colour bright.

"You have quickly become my best friend, you're smart and funny and I can be myself around you. I would be honoured if you would attend the Yule Ball with me."

Daphne was smiling as soon as he drew the rose out and as he completed his sentence, she was already nodding her head enthusiastically and pulled him into a hug.

"Yes absolutely! The flower is beautiful."

"Neville helped me, but here this is something extra."

With his arm holding the beautiful Slytherin close, his other drew out a box with a forest green ribbon holding it close. Daphne took it and gasped as she revealed what was inside. Harry reached and pulled it out, on the end of a delicate silver chain rested a teardrop emerald that sparkled brightly.

"My dad got it for my mum when they attended their first ball together, I wondered if you would like to wear it?"

Daphne stared at him and Harry clearly suddenly rethought his decision.

"If it doesn't go with you dress you don't have to, it was a stupid idea anyway."

He was cut off by soft lips pressing against his cheek and her smiling face taking up all of his vision.

"I would be delighted to wear it and it matches my dress perfectly. Thank you"

She placed it carefully back in the box and the two settled back to talk about non consequential things as they relaxed together.

"The thing is Daph, you…" He sighed deeply and Daphne mentally yelled at him to keep going. "You've come to really mean a lot to me, I wondered if you would perhaps like to go on a date? A proper date, you know?"

He was exuberantly proud of himself for getting it out as calmly as he did and knew that if Daphne knew the many painful attempts it had taken to get it right, she would cry with laughter.

On the other hand; Daphne had struggled to keep her happiness and excitement contained as she bit her lip to hold in whatever gleeful sound would erupt from her and settled for pushing back into him and sighing happily.

"Yes, Harry. I would love to go out with you."