Harry reached up and stretched, causing his back to click in annoyance at him as he worked out the kinks that being bent over books could do. He was working on improving his occlumency, starting to organise his memories. The books mentioned that having a clearer mind meant it was harder for people to read it. After thinking of the numerous times he felt around Snape he decided to try harder to create a place within his mind. His idea was to try and create the room of requirement kind of idea, each memory had to have a specific password to unlock it. Again the books mentioned defences but Harry figured one step at a time. Harry shook his head, before turning back to Protection Charm Your Mind: A Practical Guide to Counter Legilimensy by Franciscus Fieldwake. Sirius had sent it over a week ago with a note saying Snape and Dumbledore were both proficient in it and to be careful, Harry had started to study it that night. He'd started with his most trying memories and locked them up tight but he had to figure out the ways to keep them that way. It was during this time when he was deep in meditation that he found something that caused a little concern, it was a smudge; it wasn't a memory or a feeling or anything like he'd ever read about it but one thing was for certain, Harry had decided. It was not good. It emitted fear and rage as well as insecurity and power. Worst of all it didn't even feel like him, he was used to coming across memories he'd suppressed but this was something he didn't even vaguely consider part of himself – it was too angry for that. However it did feel familiar, like he could remember the power, recognised the intent behind it but he couldn't quite reach the point where he knew what it was. He'd only gone towards it twice but its anger and fake pain had made him retreat almost instantly, now he built well away from it and left it alone. He decided not to tell Daphne or Sirius about it for now, maybe when it became an issue, but he didn't want to worry anyone especially not this close to the trial. Besides, maybe it will resolve itself Harry thought optimistically.

It was now the 27th January and he and others had found several new spells and charms that they believed could help him with the second task. In all fairness it was a welcome distraction for Harry, since Lord Greengrass's letter two weeks ago he had received several others from Madam Bones bearing the official DMLE seal, a Monsieur Allard of the French Ministry who was Sirius's contact and first lawyer and a Mr Killian Blishen who had agreed to be the English contact to the DMLE and the second lawyer. The anxiety had him staying awake until late going over everything he could have and everything he could lose. Daphne had quickly realised that talking to him about this wouldn't change anything he felt and simply did her best to distract him with research for the task, walks and talks of nonsense.

Since Harry had completed the vow people had come up to him genuinely contrite about their way of treating him, some started to treat him indifferently rather than coldly while others had sworn that they had believed him but just couldn't stand to go against their peers. They usually followed the plea of forgiveness up with some sort of question either about Daphne, the tournament or even Sirius. The last one was due to Monsieur Allard stirring up the wizarding press with actual facts about his godfathers lack of trial and innocence while the Ministry of Magic attempted to continue to disparage him with every bad thing happening in the world being his fault, another mark against her, Rita Skeeter had written several scathing articles about the Black Family and how Sirius was a true Slytherin as he had fooled everyone, she had gone to speak of how once he was safely in prison then the 'Noble and Honourable House of Malfoy' could take over the seat and return the Black's back to it's former glory. Sirius had naturally confirmed that Harry was his heir and even if they attempted to decree line theft the goblins would never allow a lesser house to take control of one of the sacred twenty-eight. Allard had naturally reported all of this in an entirely separate newspaper.

This had caused another confrontation between Harry and Malfoy which left Harry mildly concerned about the others health.

Flashback

"POTTER!"

"Ah the delicate tones of mini Malfoy, I wondered if we would hear those today." Harry had said sarcastically as he waited outside Defence with his friends. He then watched in amazement as Neville handed a galleon to Daphne.

"I thought he'd do at lunch, more people." The boy replied with a shrug as Daphne pocketed it with grin. Harry shook his head at his best friend and girlfriend and turned to face the furious blond who was storming down the corridor towards them.

"HOW DID YOU DO IT? HOW DARE YOU IMPERSONATE A NOBLE HOUSE SUCH AS BLACK! I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SPREAD SUCH LIES BUT YOU WILL PAY!" The blond had screeched, his frustration leaking into his voice.

"I don't really know what lies you're talking about, also I have never impersonated any house. I'm not even sure how one would do that actually." He said turning to his friends.

"Think brick." Neville said with a deadpan expression.

"You spread those lies! I am Heir of House Black! I will become Head when I turn of age! You will get nothing! I will beat you!" The Slytherin yelled, his grey eyes glittering.

"You will never be Head of House Black and I would have thought you'd have realised that you can never beat me." The simplicity of the statement and the lack of emotion in his enemy's face had Draco practically foaming at the mouth.

"I am a Malfoy! I always win. You are a half-blood loser with nothing. You will never be a member of the Black family, we don' t take those inferior to us. And that murdering bastard Black will get what's coming to him" He said with a sneer.

"I would have thought that our matches would have shown you otherwise." Malfoy's face flushed a deep pink and he took a step forward but Harry hadn't finished. "And Sirius Black will be free and he will take the Head of House Black mantle and you and your family will have nothing." This time Harry took the step forward and the blondes face turned pale. " And if you don't shut up I will remove your teeth one by one with a spoon and beat your face in so badly that not even your mother will want to look at you!" He said it with such whispered hate that those around him took a step back. Tension whipped through the air and Malfoy felt a prickle of fear running up his back as green eyes sparked flames at him as well as a promise. He was frozen in place, not even his tongue working and after a few seconds Harry turned deliberately slowly and walked away, trembling with anger.

Flashback ended

The trio had settled into their regular schedule of Daphne and Neville leaving Harry in the library when he thought a class was wasteful and focussing all his energy on staying alive and only appearing when he felt it was necessary. The twins had been incredibly helpful in explaining advanced spells in transfiguration and potions as their pranks usually involved those; this meant that Harry was able to come across a scuba-spell usually reserved for sixth or seventh years, the spell would help him to breathe until he cancelled the spell or went below 40 metres (130ft) The spell didn't just help him to breathe but also acted as muggle scuba equipment would; it would protect his organs and head from the water pressure. He would be carrying Gillyweed – a plant that gave the user webbed fingers and toes and let them breathe underwater – as a back-up plan. It had been Neville's idea and he mentioned how glad he was that Professor Moody had given him the book in the first place. Harry had swallowed his pride and gone back to the bathroom that still haunted him and asked Myrtle who had given him very detailed directions to the Merpeople village as well as routes that led away from the giant squid's cave and Grindylow infested areas in exchange for promising to visit her more which Daphne found hilarious.

Remus had had so much information on the defence magic he could use that they'd done a fire call themselves which had lasted for two hours and had ended with beaming smiles from Harry and Neville as the former professor had given a "Your parents would be so proud of you all." From what they gleaned from the letters Sirius was getting more and more nervous about his trial and returning to England knowing how quickly an ambush could take place, in fact it was because of that that Allard had prepared three emergency portkeys and Sirius was developing his apparition distance and had got the trio into practicing. When questioned on the safety of being underage Sirius had told them bluntly "I'd rather you get a slap on the wrist than not see you again because we weren't prepared, your dad was taken when a death eater threw a fake baby at him and he was tortured for three days before a raid found him. Prepare for anything." This had shaken Harry into practicing as hard as he could but with everything else, it seemed as though there just wasn't enough hours in the day.

Tracey had also become more involved with the group, helping them in developing Harry's reflexes as well as Charms, with her muggle-born mother she had a lot more ideas of how to use different spells to distract and brought a different perspective to the group with her creativity. The twins had already declared themselves in love with her after she had managed to out prank them due to a nifty connecting spell that triggered a three-way attack which left them bright pink and covered in orange feathers.

Tonight however Harry was determined to enjoy a night with his girlfriend, they had worked hard and with the second task 11 days away he felt they both needed to have a distraction. Therefore he – with help from Neville- had come up with a perfect date for them. And that was why at 7.00pm precisely Harry was waiting just round the corner holding a small but beautiful bouquet of alstronemia, violets and also a single pale pink rose within it.

"Potter, your stupidity knows no bounds. You won't find out the way to our common room this time." The cutting tone of the Malfoy shocked Harry out of the pleasant day dream he was having involving Daphne and the pool in the ROR. Turning around he quickly slid his wand from the holster into his hand though he kept it hidden just in case this situation would escalate. Malfoy had been avoiding him since their last confrontation and he just knew the snake was planning something.

"Aw look boys he's prettied himself right up, maybe we'll go easy, can't have the Prophet finding out the Champion has bloodied himself in a common brawl!"

Harry took note of the four Slytherins standing in front of him, Malfoy stood at the front, a smug smirk on his face as he twirled his wand between his fingers. Nathanial Avery, a Slytherin sixth year stood slightly behind and to the left, his wand not yet in his hand but the eyes that stared at Harry held an empty coldness as though he knew he could take a life and not feel a thing about it. Crabbe and Goyle stood further back wands in their hands and malicious grins on their faces though Goyle's gravy stain on his white shirt made him slightly less intimidating.

"Malfoy, you wouldn't want to ruffle that gelled back mess you call hair. And as for your friends they'll leave when they know they're beaten."

"I've been looking for a chance to get you alone since you stole what's mine, I want to make sure you give her back in the right condition. She'll make me an excellent host one day though we need to have a word about the company she will keep."

Harry stiffened, he straightened from where he had remained leaning against the wall. Any mention of Daphne always got him on guard quicker, he'd fired several stinging hexes at Zacharias Smith and Ernie MacMillion for loudly talking about her when they had left herbology. The glare he got from Sprout – who hadn't treated him fairly since his name came out the goblet and didn't seem to be about to change because of his vow - and the minus 20 points was well worth seeing the two boys shiver slightly and swallow hard as they caught his eye after.

"She was never yours. She will never be yours. She isn't mine either, she is a strong woman who can take care of herself and will go far using her own intelligence and intuition with no influence from her father or the gold you use. You will never have her."

Malfoys pale face flushed and his grey eyes narrowed as he raised his wand and snarled.

"How dare you! I am a Malfoy and I will get what I want! Diffindo!"

Harry neatly sidestepped and the red light shot harmlessly past him.

"Stupefy! Petrificus totalus!" The stupefy hit the wall as Malfoy jumped to the side but the immodulising spell hit Crabbe straight in the chest.

"Reducto! Confringo!" Malfoys spells sailed past as Harry dodged, his time practicing in the room of requirement was being put to good use.

"Mors stimulus tuus! Incendio! Incarcerous! Diffindo!" Averys wand spat out flashes of light quicker than Malfoys and Harry dropped straight to the ground and felt his hair move as the spells passed over him.

"Rictumsempra!" The charm burst over Goyle and he went down laughing hysterically. Avery stood over to the side quickly, a shimmering pale blue shield encasing and protecting him from any of the stray spells.

Malfoy was sending blasting curses left, right and centre. Harry wondered where a professor was at this point but figured Snape was waiting round the corner waiting until he could take the maximum amount of points off, this was why Harry was sticking to first- or second-year spells. The bat would take whatever he could get.

"Expelliarmus! Impedimenta! Stupefy!" Harrys third spell got the blonde as he tried to dodge the Impediment jinx. Harry turned towards Avery who had his wand out but stood behind the shied still; a smirk quickly appearing on his face as he looked over Harry's shoulder who had just a moment to breathe deeply and close his eyes in exasperation before a –

"Potter! What is the meaning of this!" Rang out. Turning he found Snape standing there looking both gleeful and incensed, the potion master quickly looked to his only standing Slytherin still behind the shield.

"Mr Avery, what happened here?"

"Honestly sir I am as baffled as you, Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and I were walking back from the library when we saw Potter standing here. We asked him what he was doing here and he just reacted completely unreasonably and violently, I only just got my shield up in time."

"Very well, Avery return to the common room, Potter come with me. I will see you expelled for sure."

Harry tried extremely hard not to roll his eyes but couldn't prevent the scoff from leaving his lips.

"And what was that for?"

"That, sir, was a sound of derision." His reply did nothing but make the pale skin of the man become mottled with red.

"20 points from Gryffindor! Come!" Harry watched as the man quickly levitated his three downed students not even bothering to try and wake them and sent off what looked like a patronus down the corridor and sighed hoping Daphne wouldn't be too mad at him. However as Avery walked round the corner to the common room and Harry turned to follow Snape, the scent of vanilla caught his attention and he quickly glanced around as the clicking of heels became apparent and Daphne appeared.

As soon as her eyes settled on him, she felt her stomach lurch. He'd obviously taken extra care with his appearance, he had a green shirt that complimented his eyes and opened at the collar revealing a small triangle of brown skin, black jeans that hugged his hips and led down into dragonhide boots. The leather cord of the necklace she'd got him was just seen around his throat and the smile that jumped onto his face when he saw her as well as the glint in his eye as he scanned her made the effort of walking in heels and the hour spent choosing an outfit worth it. She'd gone for light blue jeans tucked into a pair of black boots and a dark purple round neck sweater that showed off her curves, her hair she left down and it floated around her. She smiled as she neared him actively ignoring the scene behind him and felt her heart melt as he held out the flowers for her to take, she reached for them loving that the flowers were delicate and small but held so much meaning and then went to thank him properly. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen.

"Potter come now! Maybe now we will show Miss Greengrass the unsavoury actions and she will make the right choice for now though back to the common room.""

"No thank you Professor, I shall come along to make sure Harry is allowed to express his side of the story and to make sure that everyone is being fair in all regards and professional."

The mottled red of Snape's neck spread to the rest of his face and the couple watched as his wand hand twitched before he spun away whipping his cloaks around him and starting down the corridor with the others following. They left the three still unconscious boys in Madam Pomfreys hands who was totally unsurprised at Harry's involvement and even sent him a wink when Snape's back was turned before they proceeded up to the headmasters office.

"I'm really sorry Daph, I wanted tonight to just be about us, I even had it all planned."

Daphne grabbed his hand and held the bouquet close to her chest so she could smell them again.

"Harry, this is not your fault. I know you'd never incur my wrath by brawling but we have to deal with it. Besides it might not take that much time anyway and we'll have the night to ourselves."

"Can't wait, sweetheart." As the endearment slipped from his lips Harry felt his face flush, nicknames were never something he considered before. Daphne leaned forward quickly and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, her beaming smile assuaging his worry.

"I like that." Her smile turned into a smirk as Harry's eyes flickered to her lips again and it was only by Snape's sharp "Toffee Eclairs" that stopped him from leaning over.

Once they had arrived at the office, Dumbledore immediately looked over them with a disappointed look and the twinkle in his eye disappeared entirely as they stood in front of his desk still holding hands.

"I receive a frantic message that Mr Potter has attacked three other students and there is simply no explanation that he didn't like them. Harry this behaviour is intolerable and if this is true I will have no choice but to expel you, young man. Miss Greengrass I must profess to be at a lost as to how you are here. Perhaps it would be better if you left?"

"Thank you Headmaster, however I think it would be best I stay and be the mediator don't you?"

"I think I can handle that Miss Greengrass, you are dismissed." Dumbledore had injected a note of steel into his tone but Daphne barely flinched, she had handled purebloods and politics since she was born she wouldn't cower.

"I think not sir, after all you made it known that you thought Harry capable of this mess and I think it important to have impartial opinions made."

Dumbledore stared hard at the young heiress while Snape looked like he was about to have a conniption. Harry sat with a blank face but on the inside was jumping up and down at the magnificent sight of a speechless Dumbledore.

"Very well, Miss Greengrass. Mr Potter, please inform me of your version of events."

"I was waiting for Daphne around the corner from the Snape's office –"

"Professor Snape, please show respect my boy."

"I will give him that courtesy when he behaves in a manner that asks for it. Anyway I was round the corner waiting for Daphne when Malfoy came up behind me and said some unpleasant things, I told him off for it and he reacted in such a way that I felt I had no choice but to defend myself, I used defensive spells only and no hexes and downed the three idiots. Then he came along and immediately listened to Avery sent the students to the hospital wing and here we are."

"You see Headmaster, classic Potter. He was not to blame of course my Slytherins were and naturally they are liars too, he's as stupid and arrogant and biased as his father was! Always thinking he can get away with anything! And there's his infatuation with Greengrass who he most likely has some sort of hold over as she is far too noble to enjoy the company of him! No Headmaster I simply cannot allow for this too continue! Potter must be suspended at least; he has hurt too many people recently and it is wrong he clearly apprehended Mr Malfoy and his companions and took them completely by surprise and wished to do them harm!"

Dumbledore held up a hand and Snape fell into silence though the dark glare he was levelling at Harry could have melted iron.

"Mr Potter, while I don't believe you did it with reason to harm or the accusations concerning Miss Greengrass, I fear Professor Snape has a point. Your actions recently do show that you have an unalarming amount of anger and trust me when I say it is unhealthy. I feel it best if a suspension is completed. For the next three days I will keep your wand here and you will be restricted to theory work only. I suggest you carefully consider the company you have been keeping and how they have affected you negatively, your parents would forgive their friends eventually and always kept healthy control of their tempers. I am sure they would wish for you to do the same and to make them proud don't make them ashamed of you."

Dumbledore sat back with a serene smile as though everything was sorted, silence invaded the office as Snape silently crowed his good fortune and Daphne squeezed Harry's hand hard simply to get a reaction from him. He gone rigid as soon as Dumbledore had started speaking and now a very slight tremble was felt through their connection.

"How dare you." The sentence was spoken so quietly yet so emotionless and empty that even the portraits flinched and a few even left their frames.

"How dare you speak to me of my parents or what they would have wanted. They would have wanted me to be happy. They would have wanted me to be loved and cared for. Instead I was left to people who thought I was a freak! They would have wanted me to grow up knowing my godfather, knowing about magic! They would have wanted me to live accepting touch and knowing there would always be another meal even if I missed my chores! But most importantly Headmaster, they would have wanted me to always defend myself those I care for, those who support me, those that have stood by my side! They would have wanted me to do the right thing even if it wasn't the easiest which I have always done! It is you that would shame them! You who left an innocent baby on the steps to people who would hate him! You who convinced them to go into hiding! You who always trusted a death eater simply because he said so! You who did nothing while I was being beaten, pranked, abused within my house! You who didn't stop the bullying from reaching such heights where I didn't even turn up for meals because the Noble House of Lions wouldn't let me eat! And you sit before me and think I will simply hand over the one thing that has kept me protected? The one thing that has saved my life? You think I will leave what is mine to you?! Not only that but you think they would have forgiven all of their friends for what they did? For selling them out? For betraying them and causing harm to their child!?"

Through out this entire time Harry had remained seated, his eyes blazing with a fire that seared Dumbledores soul as they stared at each other, his voice was low and quiet but he spoke with enough intensity that even Snape knew a line had been crossed. Dumbledore felt every one of his 113 years as each word the young man spoke hit him with disdainful, unyielding truth. Harry stood and placed both palms on the desk and leaved over just enough to cause Dumbledore to look up and feel intimidated.

"I will never trust you again. With my belongings or my well-being, if you want to restrict me even more than you have done then fine but know that I am no longer a student of Hogwarts I am only here for this blasted tournament." As soon as the line was delivered, he turned swiftly and left with Daphne by his side, as the door clicked quietly behind them Dumbledore felt crushed and mystified to how things and turned so quickly and wondering how it could have gone so badly. Snape felt none of the guilt that his companion felt but the enormous pressure of the room had been lifted and he felt lightheaded as the power that rolled off the teen left too, he stumbled and sunk into a chair as he and his mentor contemplated the scene they had just witnessed.

Meanwhile Harry had strode straight through the castle and out onto the grounds; he could feel his magic swirling in and around him like a tempest but he was determined not to let loose until he was sure the students wouldn't be affected. A small part of him was aware of the blonde beauty following him but a deeper unconscious part knew that his magic wouldn't harm her if anything it would protect her. The outside air was a welcome relief and he made it down to the lake before he let the ice rage through him like a maelstrom and attack the air, the shadows, the night sky. The wind picked up and swept around him picking up leaves, branches, water droplets from the lake. For Harry the battle raged inside, his head and his heart fighting, assaulting his senses one wishing for pain and anger to dominate and to let those who hurt him pay and the other wishing for peace, quietness and no more. He moved his whole body punching at the air while also gliding his hand through it; hands fisting before opening and grabbing at nothing. For Daphne observing she could feel the burden, the strain of his energy as his anguish curled around him before lashing out like the snap of a whip and then returning to the source, the air around her however was soft and caressing. It was warm and soothing like a sweet whisper of a promise to defend.

All at once it started to ease more, the wind died and the leaves floated gently to the floor. Harry's movements also slowed taking on the slow breeze: drifting his hands around him as though he were calming a angered hippogriff, eventually all movement halted and Hogwarts grounds returned to their former silence as he held out a hand for Daphne and the couple twined their arms around each other, holding close but not tight as she let him know she was there and he thanked her for it. They pulled away and Harry smiled gently at her.

"Sorry about ruining out date."

"Well, who said anything about being over?"

Harry looked around quickly and realised they still had a little while till curfew, with a grin he called for back up.

"Dobby!"

"Yes Master Harry? What can Dobby's do for yous?"

"Can you bring us the hamper here please?"

Without another word Dobby vanished returning a second later with a small picnic hamper that Daphne could smell at least something chocolaty, Harry quickly conjured a blanket and they settled on it. Pulling a small silver stereo out Harry saw Daphne's look of puzzlement into one of delight as he tapped it with his wand and soft piano music settled around them. From the hamper came, chocolate covered strawberries, treacle tart, chocolate eclairs and some cookies; Daphne didn't hold back the squeal as she threw her arms around her boyfriend and sat in his lap, hands settling into his hair as she moved her lips over his and felt his respond. They separated, only for her to reach for an éclair and hold it to his lips teasingly even though her breath quickened as his eyes darkened as he ate it and he returned the favour.

"Do you mean it Harry? Are you only here for the tournament? Will you leave after its done?" Daphne's voice invaded the stillness that had descended after they'd finished a few of their treats and their lips were swollen and hair mussed.

"Daph I can honestly say the tournament, you and a few others are the only reason I'm here."

"So what will happen? Will you leave?" Her tone wasn't shaking but there was a quietness to it he only heard when she felt confused.

"I don't know sweetheart, I do know that I will talk to you about it first before any decision is made and if I do leave I'll miss you the most but that is a last resort"

There was about 10 seconds of silence before –

"What did you say?"

"About the decision? Surely you know I would ask you-"

"No, no about missing me."

"I'd miss you the most, you must know that."

"Harry, the second task…I think maybe I know what they'd take or rather who…"

As the two teenagers started an intense discussion about the second task and make a plan for it, a certain Defence teacher was making their way through the personal, private potion stores of Severus Snape and picking through ingredients.

"Alastor, what are you doing here?" Came the Scottish dialect from the deputy headmistress.

"Just checking he didn't have anything he shouldn't have."

"As much as there are things I would disagree with Severus, he was cleared of all charges long ago, Albus himself spoke in defence of-"

"Yes yes I know what Dumbledore thinks of him, but its good to keep an eye on them. He escaped once with that excuse it wont happen again."

As the old auror stumbled out, McGonagall closed and locked the door and returned to her office and it wasn't until she was settled in her chair grading papers that she wondered why the ex-auror had called his old friend by his last name. He had also never shown an interest in Snape before, and his words about escaping, she couldn't help but wonder if he was really talking about Azkaban…