Back in the snake pit, the three Slytherins who had stuck to Harry's side found themselves at the centre of attention. The first thing that a first year Slytherin finds out is that Slytherins stick together. In most cases it's because the rest of the school is against you and other Slytherins will always come to your aid, for some cases it's a favour route. If someone does you a favour you return it etc. Whatever the reasoning is, the rule stays the same – that Slytherins stick together. All three of them knew that they had broken this rule, they had helped someone – a Gryffindor – get rid of the main reason why Slytherins got away with so much, why they had a long history with the house cup and why most houses steered clear of them. Daphne, Tracey and Theo stood tall and ready for the accusations to come against them, they stood with their backs against the fireplace keeping the rest of the common room in their centre vision. Their wands were already in their hands and 6 eyes continuously moved around the crowd glaring at them. They figured they really only needed to worry about their year and 5th maybe 6th. 7th year Snakes would stay out of it or get their revenge later, 6th year might still want to join a fight but were also old enough to be open to compromises and negotiations as well as understandings that politics weren't confined to the ministry. Their year was the dangerous year as it had the blonde idiot attempting to rule supreme over the pit. Since Malfoy had entered Hogwarts at the tender age of eleven he had somehow assumed himself to be King of the Snakes. This was all because in the circle of their parents, Lucius Malfoy was always considered the most dangerous, he was an epitome of Slytherin and been raised with cunning, determination and enough ambition to do whatever he had to in order to get what he wanted. His son, however had never shown any sign of his father's prowess and most of the older Slytherins only put up with his ruling because they knew he was too weak to do anything for himself and relied on his father's position.
None of the three were worried about the younger years, although they might attempt to make a move they hadn't developed enough to be any match for the 4th years. Besides Astoria had kept an eye on them since Daphne had first announced her intention to side with Harry and none of them seemed to really care.
Surprisingly it wasn't Malfoy who broke the tense silence of the common room but Blaise Zabini, a quiet Slytherin who stuck close to Malfoy with strong ambitions of his own and known more as a networker and behind-the-scenes rather than up front.
"I assume you three have good reasoning for your actions, which is decidedly unbecoming of Slytherin House."
"Our actions? I assure you I don't know what you're talking about." Tracey said, her voice calm though with a wicked gleam in her eye.
"The actions taken against Slytherin House…You mean to tell me Potter came up with that all by himself?"
"Oh that! Oh of course we encouraged him but I think you'll find our actions were very much Slytherin actually."
"Exactly how do you figure that?" Malfoy spoke up, distaste showing on his face.
"With cunning of course, though you may not understand that." Theo injected smoothly.
Malfoy puffed up like a peacock though Blaise quickly took over before the blonde could open his mouth.
"You still acted against the Head of House, you acted against a Slytherin."
"I disagree. We acted against a man who acts more like a boy, who allows pettiness to interfere with real education." Theo said with an elegant shrug.
"As much as some of you may wish to disagree, Professor Snape is not a respectable teacher. He barely imparts information and it's only because he hints to us the books we should read and that we are Slytherins we pass his class. I know in my case it's because my parents ensured I had the proper tutoring so I understood the basics but for others without that stem knowledge of Potions is hard." Tracey continued.
"You mean muggles? Muggles who are too stupid to read up everything there is to know about the new world. They do not belong here!" Fired off Malfoy.
"No not just muggles." Said Danika Addams, the raven haired snake was a 6th year. Thoroughly respected through the school, terrifying with impeccable manners and a strong hand at politics. "I remember my first lesson at Potions, he lacks proper instruction and explanation, I was shocked. It was only because I also had proper tutoring before attending Hogwarts that I understood, however I do wonder why now?" She looked at the three at the fireplace though her eyes remained on Theo.
"It went too far. However, we did not initiate, it was all the Gryffindors who planned it." Said Theo.
"They have decided they have had enough, all of us know that Slytherin were the only ones treated with any modicum of respect by Snape, even Ravenclaw is only treated indifferently. And you must all see how much Potter has changed. You've all read the paper, you know who he is now, who his guardian is. We also know how Dumbledore treats him, how he played up the fact that the Boy-Who-Lived was coming to Hogwarts. He's done with being anyone's whipping boy." Tracey said, crossing her arms.
"Oh please, you want me to think that Potter could have-"
"Yes Potter! Potter who can cast a fully corporeal patronus! Potter who can generate more power in his pinky that you have in your entire body! Potter who is the youngest seeker in the century! Potter who drove off dementors and helped to free an innocent fugitive! Potter who beat three of you! Potter who would have been a Slytherin if it hadn't been for you!" The room was silent after Daphne's rant that had people looking wearily at their neighbours as the blonde took a few threateningly steps forward, her face was furious, eyes narrowed and mouth set in a straight line. Magic swirled around her and even the youngest could feel the pressure that swept through as though something powerful was barely being restrained.
"What do you mean?" Asked Blaise curiously after a few seconds of tense silence as some took a step away from the three.
Daphne glanced towards him before returning her gaze to Malfoy.
"Think of his actions over the past year, over the past few years. How he works, what he has accomplished." She let a few moments go by to let the thought sink in before she saw a dawning understanding on some of the faces.
"Harry Potter was given the choice of Slytherin." Danika spoke softly but her words might as well have been screamed.
"But what has that got to do with Malfoy?" Blaise questioned.
"On the first train ride up here, Harry made friends with Weasley. Malfoy here insulted him and Harry being the Gryffindor he is, stood up for the first person he had made friends with. That's when he made the decision to never go into Slytherin."
"He rejected my hand!" Spluttered Malfoy, a dull pink on his cheeks as many of his house turned to glare at him. They knew how much it could have brought to their house if the Boy-Who-Lived turned out Slytherin.
"And you've been trying to get him back for it ever since." Said Theo smoothly. "After all, he's never really done anything to you, has he?"
"Of course he has, he's insulted me, drawn his wand-"
"But not before you, you are always the instigator everyone knows that. You're just a spoilt, jealous, petty little boy." Daphne said calmly.
"As interesting as the beginning of their rivalry is, I'm more interested in the revelation of Potter being a snake." Said Blaise as his face took on a more thoughtful look. "His actions are something to…admire I suppose. And he is of course a Parsletongue." His gaze became sharp again and he turned them back to the three. "But how is it that he gave you three a chance, especially you Theodore?"
"I have never believed the Pureblood rot like my Senior, Potter understands more than any of you the need to get out from family." The coldness in his eyes made a few of the older Slytherins narrow theirs in thought. Their parents had spoken of Nott Senior and his aggression, if Potter understood it then there was more to him than they had originally thought, most had grown up believing him to be in a rich and loving family and then with the entry of him to Hogwarts and Malfoy's lies they let themselves carry on believing that he was simply a spoilt, arrogant boy.
"Slytherin House is not as grand as it once was, it used to be a pillar of cunning and determination. Far superior to any other house. Now we are known as the house of dark wizards. I don't want that; I don't care where your allegiance is or to who. I've had enough of hearing about pain and murder. Muggle-borns are equal to us, they can be just as good in magic and skill-"
"Impossible! We are far superior!" Screamed Malfoy as a few other Snakes nodded in agreement looking at the three angrily.
"Then tell me Malfoy, when have you ever beaten Granger in an exam?" Malfoy's face turned a mirage of colours, it was well known he only had slightly above average grades. "And Finch-Fletchley's family is extremely wealthy and high up in society, with ties to aristocracy." Malfoy's face was turning grey at this point. "And Cresswell is taking after her father and incredibly intelligent and fluent in I believe 4 languages already, how many do you know?" His usual group were now backing away from him slightly, even Crabbe and Goyle who by the expressions on their faces didn't really understand what was going on still moved to the side as Malfoy started to speak.
"Muggles are inferior in every way, they have stolen from us! They have taken our power, they wish to take us over! And Potter! No I refuse to believe it! He is not a Slytherin, he is weak, he is pathetic. He is nothing! He spreads lies and I refuse to believe them! You may have fallen for them but he is not a snake!" Malfoy ranted in the middle but as he turned, he could see the disbelief directed not at Greengrass but at himself and he felt his rage grow as he saw more of them turning against him him. He spun back to the three and raised his wand. "He is a coward! He gets everything because people think he is something but that's wrong! He has nothing! No family! No money! He barely has friends! And you three have encouraged his disillusions. You have shamed this house and I won't have it! CON-"
His wand was sailing into Daphne's hand as ropes flew around his body courtesy of Tracey. Theo went the more direct route and walked straight up to him and punched him hard, sending him straight to the floor out cold.
Slytherin house was silent, some were staring at the wall as though they could pretend, they simply weren't there. Others were looking from Draco Malfoy on the floor to the three standing at the fireplace. Some merely raised an eyebrow, crossed their arms and waited to see what would happen.
"We have not shamed Slytherin house. Those that have allowed their arrogance and their conceit to cloud their judgement have. We, who have stood for what we believe, for what our founder believed. Not what those who seek to rule with fear have led us to think. A Slytherin is not a mindless sheep, a Slytherin does not follow. A Slytherin leads, they rule and while they get their way, they are not stupid enough to think it is the only way. We have not shamed this house just because we have disagreed with what others have said, we have thought about every perspective, we have arrived at our own decision and we will see it through. Do you all understand? I expressed my opinion and stance many months ago and that has not changed, do not think that we will simply roll over and return back to conformity. You must all be aware of the rumours that are going about. We have chosen a side, now it's your turn."
With the Ice Queen mask firmly in place no one was brave enough to stand against Daphne as she stood with her head held high looking every inch the pureblood heiress. At the lack of retaliation, she moved to her dormitory followed by Tracey and Theo (unlike Gryffindor, boys and girls could go into other dorms as long as they had the express permission of those that occupied the room.)
The girls immediately collapsed onto their beds and Theo just sunk to the floor with his back against the door. As they all relaxed into slouched positions and their heartbeats returned to normal, they all breathed a collective sigh or relief.
"Well…I think that went awfully well, don't you?" Said Tracey with a tired smile on her face.
Letting out a huff of laughter, Daphne rolled onto her stomach to face her friends.
"Thank you for coming to my defence."
"Course. Oh and by the way Theo awesome punch! Where did that come from? Oh and did you see the lovely Miss Addams look your way?"
Theo blushed and looked around the room ignoring the grins.
"I have to admit it was satisfying. I just couldn't believe he was going to curse you! Did you hear how petty he sounded? How spoiled and spiteful? I just snapped. Plus, I knew Harry would murder me if anything happened to you."
It was Daphne's turn to blush madly as Tracey awhed in her direction.
"Ah young love." Said Tracey pretending to wipe a tear from her eye.
"Stop it!" Exclaimed Daphne trying to get the redness in her cheeks under control.
"Well it is, isn't it! You totally love him!" She retorted.
"Well…yeah…I mean no…just….you know…" Daphne trailed off as her face cleared of her confusion, and a blank look came over her face even as her eyes started to shine.
"Daphne?" Theo asked cautiously. "You alright?"
He glanced towards Tracey who simply wore a beaming smile as she looked at her friend.
"Oh my god! I'm such an idiot! I have to go! Dobby!" Daphne suddenly burst out springing into an upright position.
"Yes, Mistress Daffy?"
"Where is Harry?"
"By the lake."
"Take me there. Now."
With a pop they were gone.
Theo's face was one of puzzlement as he stared at the spot where his housemate just stood. Tracey giggled at him as she flopped back down at her bed and stared at the ceiling in satisfaction.
"…What just happened?"
"Something that I will be sure to mention in my maid of honour speech."
In the darkness surrounding Hogwarts, Harry sat looking over the lake while leaning against the oak in a position almost identical to the one in November, except this time instead of the near threatening panic and feeling of fear, there was a calmness, a sense of peace and quiet contentment.
Until a loud pop startled him from his thoughts and he stood and spun with his wand in his hand, a spell on the tip of his tongue until he recognised the champagne hair as a person barrelled into his side.
"Daph? What happened? Are you okay? Sweetheart please talk to me!"
At the pleading note in her boyfriend's voice, Daphne rose from where she buried her face in his chest a smile so gorgeous on her lips that Harry felt his fear turn from worry to confusion.
"I'm alright I swear, I just…I needed to tell you something."
At his flabbergasted expression she let out a giggle before leaning forward to cover his lips with her own. He returned her kiss hesitantly, hands settling on her waist as he pulled her slightly closer. Daphne slid her hands up his shoulders and round his neck, loving the warmth he provided her with and she moved her head, starting to kiss over his jaw and neck as she leant towards his ear.
"Harry."
"Hmm." Was his intelligent reply as he slowly turned them to press her against the tree and moved his hands lower.
"I love you." She breathed into his ear.
He froze.
Daphne continued kissing along his neck before leaning her head back against the tree to try and read his expression. In the soft glow of the moon his face was cast into shadows but his mouth was slightly open though it was moving and his eyes never left their spot on the tree. Then she felt movement. The hands on her hips growing tighter and she watched as his eyes flicked to hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt a shiver run through her body as goosebumps spread at the look in his eye. The emerald green had darkened to the canopy of trees at dusk but were wide as though in wonder of the situation.
"Wha..How…I…"His eyes held confusion but hope too and she watched as he swallowed hard and breathed deeply but she didn't want him to speak yet. Placing her hands on his chest right where his heart was, she looked into his eyes and said softly but clearly.
"I love you, Harry."
She watched as he swallowed again and he took in a shuddering breath.
"I'm not telling you because I want you to say it back or expect you to, but I needed to say it. I do. I love you so much and I don't know how its taken me so long to figure out and-"
She would have gone on but hands had pulled her face towards him and he had smothered her next words. His lips and tongue moved against her own in a sensational battle that had her gripping his shoulders, his hand slid over her jaw and behind her neck keeping her close while his other arm slid around her waist and dug into her skin.
Pulling back Harry trailed his lips over her cheeks and nose and eyelids, desperate for her to understand how he felt when he couldn't say the words. This stunningly beautiful, wonderfully intelligent, fiery woman loved him. He knew she meant it, despite everything he had put her through, everything she knew about him and yet she somehow loved him. He moved back to her lips and swept his tongue inside her mouth to play with hers, tasting every inch that she had to give.
Daphne felt her legs buckle slightly as she followed his lead, feeling the love he couldn't yet say and gasping loudly as he felt her hands move over her body, the cold air hitting her skin as her shirt rose up slightly. Returning the favour, she grabbed at his jumped as they enjoyed the desire that sparked up inside them and Harry had just lifted her into his arms when they were interrupted.
"Master Har-eep!"
Pulling apart quickly the two looked over to see Dobby hiding behind his hands, the tips of his pointy ears pink.
"What?" Harry's voice was rough with lust and he fairly growled at his minute friend, Daphne couldn't resist letting out a small moan to which his gaze shot back to hers before dipping down to her lips but just as they leaned in again Dobby ruined it.
"Master Harrys Paddy wants to sees yous"
Harry sighed and dropped his head onto Daphne's shoulders.
"Alright, tell him I'll be a bit."
With a pop the still refusing to look at them elf left. The silence was back once again and it only took a moment for the couple to begin laughing and start to untangle themselves. Harry let his gorgeous girlfriend down, leant in for a softer kiss, feeling her smile against him he pulled back and brushed her nose with his, grinning at her. She pushed him away with a giggle and grabbed his hand pausing only to grab the invisibility cloak as they started to make their way back up to the castle, lost in their own bubble of happiness.
Together they started to make their way down the corridors when they heard a familiar clunk and shuffle from the left, diving into the shadows they huddled together in the darkness as Moody came stumbling down the corridor. They watched as the man leaned over and clutched at his prosthetic leg and groaned before he took a swig of his hip flask and continued on, moving down towards the dungeons. Harry felt a twinge in his scar as he watched him go.
"Something is wrong with him. We need to figure that out." He murmured, eyes still on the back of the old auror.
Daphne looked between them.
"Tomorrow." She stated and waited till Harry looked at her. "We'll figure out what to do about him."
Daphne quickly thought up a more intimate setting of a creamy loveseat and Slytherin green blanket in front of the fire instead of the beanbags or chairs. Settling down, she threw her legs over his and cuddled into him as he put an arm around her shoulders and they waited for Sirius Black to appear in the flames.
"How were the snakes?"
"Manageable. Obviously annoyed but managed to withhold themselves from too much bad behaviour."
"As long as your safe."
"Course, stop worrying." She kissed his cheek and then turned to watch the flames flicker into the face of the Lord Black.
"Heya there Prongslet, sorry to pull you away from a no doubt delightful evening with your lovely girlfriend but I wanted to update you. Are you sitting comfortably?" The godfather said with wiggling eyebrows at their close position. Harry smiled smugly at him before pulling Daphne closer and kissing her forehead.
"Very comfortably, you old dog. Now get on with it."
"Excellent. First off; the Wizengamot session went off without a single hitch, my guardianship was announced and although Dumbledore tried is bluster about the Dursely's being safest and not to remove you from your only home etc no one actually agreed and it is signed and sealed in the Ministry archives that I have guardianship of one Boy- Who-Lived! However, I have a feeling Dumbles might still try to get you to reconsider, there's something that he knows. He was very alarmed when I said you would never return there, so be aware and take care."
"You got it."
"Also in the session I showed the true will and the fuss it created was enormous! People are furious at Dumbledore for taking such liberties, he went with the whole greater good nonsense but a lot of the older families are angry at the position it left you in."
"Wait seriously?"
"Yep, you might not realise this but the pureblood fraction doesn't just create the laws because they hate muggle-borns. They do it to keep old traditions alive. Even Malfoy and his ilk hate that you have not had the proper teaching that is bestowed upon your station."
"I agree with Sirius. While they may not agree with your politics or views, you can always count on the purebloods to want to carry out tradition even if it goes against their personal wants." Said Daphne remembering the hours of etiquette training she went through even though her mother also thought it ridiculous.
"Well thank goodness for that then." Harry remarked.
"Yep, oh and if you could inform Neville that is Grandmother is still totally terrifying and I think he might get a kick out of it."
"Sure, anything else that could make his day? Apparently his Nan has been sending more positive letters but she hasn't really explained what she's said."
"Lady Longbottom has a brilliant mind, in a only a matter of minutes she managed to shred Dumbledore to pieces! Basically said the old fool was senile and shouldn't have so many important decision making positions in the ministry especially as he has a school full of children to focus on. Managed to completely undermine his authority while making it look completely his decision and the Ministry are now considering others for the roles he has kept for many years."
"Does sound a little scary."
"Trust me Prongslet. Dumbledore is also being pushed around by the Goblins, we already knew he couldn't get the money back but Remus just happened to be in Gringotts this morning and your Headmaster came out looking very distressed. Griphook sent me a letter and it seems that the esteemed man has once again tried to bribe him, speaking of which he also sent over an update on your houses and investments I didn't think you'd want them but I can send them over if you like?"
Harry thought about it for a moment.
"No… I think if I have something else on my plate I might struggle. Keep them until summer, just please let me know if something goes sour?"
"Course, they're your business decisions not mine."
At the natural way, Sirius trusted him Harry felt a burst of happiness as he looked at his guardian.
"Anyway, that's me, what about you?"
"Snape is a done deal, we caught him out in the lesson today and although interviews are being conducted there's no way he can crawl his way back from this even with Dumbledore's help."
"Oh wonderful news, lets hope the greasy stain will be extinguished from the castle soon then. What about Moody, and the final task?"
They carried on chatting for a few minutes as Harry talked about the weird comments that Moody made and the odd feelings Harry had. Sirius never made him inadequate or like he was overthinking things, instead he took him seriously, asked him questions and got him thinking about why you felt that way. He also agreed that it would be better to wait until Snape was gone until they focus on other things. Daphne settled more fully into his side as the conversation turned to Theo and Tracey's Patroni and Harry's training and Occlumeny. Half an hour later, just as Sirius finished up a tale about Lily walking in on him and James trying to create the perfect proposal scene Harry felt Daphne's head shift on his shoulder. Glancing down he smiled at the closed eyes and soft breathing.
"She's really wonderful Prongslet, your parents would love her."
Harry glanced before shifting Daphne off him and knelt in front of the fire.
"She loves me Padfoot. She really loves me. She told me just before we met you."
At his guardian's brilliant smile, he hurried on.
"What if I screw it up? What if I already have?"
"Kiddo."
"I didn't say it back!"
"Harry"
"I need to say it! What if I hurt her though or-"
"Harry!"
Turning wide eyes back to his parental figure, Harry silenced himself at the raised eyebrow that Sirius Black was currently supporting.
"First of all calm down. Second of all don't screw up, its not that hard. Respect her and care for her and don't push and make sure she is happy."
"I can do that. But what about the whole saying it back thing?"
"You do it when you know it to be true. When you know you love and her and want to give her everything."
"But I…I mean…How do I…"
Watching his godsons lost expression as he tried to articulate his thoughts hurt more than Padfoot thought as he realised what Harry meant. Having grown up in the Black household as the black sheep – or would that be white he wondered…Anyway having grown up as the disappointment, he was used to how abuse affected you, how it stopped you from understanding yourself and feelings more so than just being a 'normal' teenager would. When he'd run away from home at 16, he'd gone straight to the Potters and collapsed into Euphemia and Fleamont Potter's arms he was shocked at how quickly and gently they held him and said he was safe and they would take care of him. He was further shocked when they said they loved him for the first time, they did it with such ease and obviousness that he had frozen for 10 minutes before James dumped a bucket of water over his head and things went back to normal.
"Harry, you will know. Trust me. I know it's scary and weird and you feel stuff that you can't define and that's okay."
"But I want to say it back."
"And when you're ready to, you will. Three little words that mean a whole lot, Daphne will understand. And if she doesn't then tell her exactly what you feel and work it out together."
"I feel a lot for her, I do. I just, I've never had love. Never had that example, you know."
"I know, until I saw how your parents and grandparents were, I never experienced it either. They kinda helped me through the emotional wreck that I was. So let me ask, do you feel good when you're with her?"
"Yes, better than with anyone to be honest."
"Do you think about her when you're not with her?"
"Well yeah."
"Does she make you feel twisted inside out but also like she can see everything about you that you want to hide?"
"Padfoot the amount of times she's known what I'm thinking or what I need is scary."
"Do you have feelings for her that you've never felt before for anyone? That you can't explain?"
Harry looked away to avoid answering and to avoid his godfathers smug grin.
"Sounds like you could very well be on your way to it then Prongslet. Love is scary and frightening and new but if there's one thing I learnt from your parents its also that it can be wonderful and incredible. Don't rush it, don't force yourself to feel. Just let things happen and when you're ready, you'll know."
"Thanks Padfoot, I gotta go. It's already late and we need to be ready for tomorrow's interviews."
"Ah yes. The grand removal of slimy Snivellus. Can't wait for you to tell me all about it. Moony sends his love by the way."
"Thanks, talk to you later."
As the flames flickered back to their usual shapes, Harry turned back to Daphne who was still curled up against the cushions. Leaning over he placed a kiss on her forehead before calling for Dobby and asking him to take her back to her dorm.