Chapter Six: The Narrative Unfolds

August 8th

11:25am

Black Chateau, Isle of Man

Harry

Harry's mornings had become routine after his birthday; wake up, workout with Daphne and sometimes Sirius, normal hygiene and then breakfast. The rest of his day was spent corresponding with Damien and Scrimengour, studying with Hermione or training with the various people on site. However with wandless magic training added into the mix, he was going to start spending a lot more time with Daphne as she taught him how to connect with his magic. Hermione, whilst intrigued, didn't feel comfortable or powerful enough to learn such an advanced art from a girl younger than her.

When he had suggested using one of the training rooms Daphne had laughed in his face and asked if he had read the book like she had asked. In the introduction it suggested a place close to nature as it seemed to have a calming effect on the core. Admittedly, he had fallen back on old habits of laziness in his excitement to get started and only skim read the intro to get to the cooler bits. She had shaken her head in disappointment then told him to follow her as she had found a perfect place to begin.

So there they were, down a pathway carved in the side of the cliff face to a small landing. Stood side-by-side, Harry could see the wisdom in picking such a place. The cool breeze travelling across his skin released the tension he had grown so accustomed to feeling. Coupled with the small droplets of the Irish Sea landing on his face after a wave clashed with rock below them, grounding him to reality, he was glad for Daphne's foresight.

'I could see myself coming back here. It's certainly more calming than my study next to Remus and Tonks' room,' Harry thought, impressed and grossed out at the same time.

"I trust you've read at least a little of the introduction?" Daphne said in a tone he hadn't experienced before.

"Yes Professor," he joked realising how the tables had turned so that she was the instructor now. "I just missed the part about where to start."

"So… literally the first step?"

"Precisely."

Harry's confident smile faded when he recognised exasperation on the face of his new tutor. Clearing his throat, he pulled out his wand and cast some cushioning charms on the rocky surface beneath them and resized a rug he'd nabbed from one of the studies. Harry turned back to her and motioned for her to sit whilst he did so himself.

"Alright, fair enough, you clearly have half a brain in there somewhere," she japed but Harry could tell by the satisfied smile she tried to hide that she was happy he was taking this seriously. "What's the next step then?"

"Uh… remove all magical binds or focus devices," Harry answered, casting his mind back to the introduction.

"Exactly, why do we do this?" Harry tried to remember the exact reasoning but struggled, remembering theory had never been much of his strong suit. Saying as much, Daphne filled in the blank by explaining, "if a magical bind or focus device is tuned to you well enough, it could respond to your commands or emotions without direct orders too. There have been cases of people seeing their core and being so freaked out that they injure themselves when their wand fires something off in their jacket pocket or worse."

Putting his wand to the side he confirmed, "right so, a safety thing then?"

"Correct," Daphne replied. "Whilst it's unlikely you will connect with your core today, it would not do to have Harry Potter blow off an arm because he felt he lost his magical meditation virginity."

"Won't catch me disagreeing," Harry muttered imagining the worst happening because of her innuendo."

"Hey," she said, catching his attention. "You'll be fine, all we're doing today is meditation and seeing if you can connect with your magic, no magical core work."

Her reassurance put him at ease, trusting her had come naturally to him for some time now. Some may say that her kindness had been out of character but having spent so much time with her recently he had experienced it enough times for it to unlikely be an act. 'Why is every Slytherin complicated? First Dumbledore's errant Professor and now Daphne, it's too much for my Gryffindor brain to handle. Shit… I'm monologuing like one now too, perhaps the world is truly ending.' Harry thought humorously. Thanking her for her thoughtfulness, he asked what the next step was.

"Well, the first thing to consider is, are you comfortable? I mean will you be able to sit as you are for an extended period of time?" Daphne asked, adjusting herself slightly so that she fit the criteria. Nodding his confirmation, she continued, "good, now you can either fix your eyes on something or close them up to you. Then what you're going to do is just take deep breaths in and out, focusing on the feeling of air filling your lungs and exiting your mouth."

Deciding on closing his eyes, Harry did as instructed. Breathing deeply in for a moment then exhaling, focusing his mind on how it felt. Their location's benefits were felt even more keenly now as he breathed in fresh air, a stuffy training area inside would be adequate but this was a wonderful feeling. 'I don't think I've taken a second to just breathe in over a year, I can feel my muscles relaxing across my body,' Harry thought happily.

Daphne's voice penetrated his mind after what felt like five minutes, "now we separate muggle from magical. What I want you to do is focus on your chest, close to where your heart is, then imagine a pulse that travels from there to your extremities. I need your focus to become that pulse, imagine your essence is under your control and you're spreading it throughout your body."

The complicated and confusing command almost broke Harry's concentration, but he attempted what she said. Imagining his body in his mind, he focused on his chest and then his arms, legs and head on repeat. Feeling nothing, he fought the urge not to feel frustrated knowing that it would only make it worse.

Daphne opened her own eyes and watched Harry's face twitch in frustration periodically. Deducing that he wasn't getting any results she said, "if you can't replicate what I said just return to the breathing and try again. When you can do it well enough, you'll be able to feel your magic coursing through your body."

Reigning in his mind, Harry started over by doing the deep breaths for five minutes before trying the visualisation step again. Managing to visualise the pulse this time, Harry did as she said and spread the wave across his body before returning to his chest. Syncing his breathing up with the pulse for a few moments, Harry was about to ask when the next step should start when he felt it.

A euphoric feeling like no other overtook him for a moment, he had felt his magic before, pulsating with power and raging to be freed but this was something else. A feeling he would describe as comfort enveloping him, and despite the cold environment, warming him to the perfect temperature. Harry held on to the feeling of his magic for as long as possible before it slipped from his grasp and he returned to reality. Opening his eyes he saw Daphne's satisfied smirk and knew she knew he had done it.

"That was perhaps the most incredible experience of my life, and I outflew a Dragon," he said, breathing hard.

Daphne laughed and retorted, "if you think that was great, just wait till you connect with your core. It won't always be like this though, it's like listening to a song, the more you do it the less it makes you feel. You only felt like that because your magical senses were overloaded, once you become used to it you will be able to learn to control it with more finesse."

Harry nodded and stood up shakily, having to reach out for the rock wall to steady himself. Daphne stood to help but Harry waved her off and spoke, "it felt so warm, like how it feels to sit in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room, rugged up with blankets and chocolate."

This had intrigued Daphne, so much so that it actually showed on her usually impassive face. "Really?" she said, "that's interesting, mine doesn't feel anything like that."

Having managed to steady himself, Harry raised his head and looked surprised, "huh? Well what does it feel like then?"

Daphne looked uncertain before squaring her shoulders and putting on a brave face, "you're welcome to find out." Harry's quizzical look would normally have amused her but she was feeling the unfamiliar sensation of nervousness settling in the pit of her stomach. Knowing she'd have to take charge as well didn't help but she didn't back out, motioning the same way he had at the start of the exercise for them to sit they sat cross legged close enough that their knees were touching. "Here," she said, offering her pale arm to him. "Take my arm, do the same breathing exercises but this time instead of focusing inwards on your own magic, focus outwards. You may need to exert some effort to pick up on my aura."

Harry, who had been listening to her the entire time, couldn't take his eyes off of hers. They had been close before, usually their proximity was followed by a knee to the ribs or an uppercut to the chin, never as intimate as it was now. He felt like if he actually saw their closeness he'd get cold feet. Fighting the butterflies brawling in his stomach he clasped her arm at the elbow and waited.

"Ready?"

Nodding his head he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, then the outward focus she talked about. After a couple of minutes he felt her grip his arm tighter, Harry was glad she did as it gave him some warning for when his magical senses were assaulted with a foreign feeling. 'She wasn't kidding when she described hers as nothing like mine, where my magic felt warm and cosy hers is cold. But not a bad cold… no, cold isn't the right word, it's more cool. Like the breeze on this here island, or what it feels like to be in a light rain shower,' Harry thought, taking in the feeling.

"Open your eyes," she said quietly. He did as she said and locked them to her own stormy grey's. "Feel, as I change the current of my magic. As it circulates throughout my body I can make it weaker." As she said that he felt the feeling slip away to almost nothing. "Or make it stronger and faster." The feeling returned with a rage, the light breeze and rain now more akin to a hurricane, he could swear he saw her eyes start to flash with power. "With practice," she said, recalling her aura. "You too will be able to control your magic like that, this will make using a wand for some spells unnecessary, as promised."

Harry couldn't verbally respond, still mesmerised by the display of control and feeling of her magic, so frightening yet so beautiful, he nodded as a reply. He broke eye contact so that he could focus, standing, he helped her up as their arms were still in each other's. They stood there together and Harry made the mistake of looking into her eyes again, however this time he detected a hint of something he didn't believe she was capable of, insecurity. Realising the gravity of what she just shared with him, her soul. He turned on the Gryffindor courage and spoke, "thank you, for sharing that with me. I understand that it mustn't have been easy."

"Of course," she replied naturally, trying to detach herself and regain composure.

However, Harry didn't let go and she turned back to look at him, "really, I appreciate it."

She searched his eyes and found no dishonestly, not that she really believed him of lying like that. Happy that he acknowledged her apprehension, she gave him a genuine smile and headed back to the chateau. Harry stayed at the spot for some time after she had left, mind stuck in between cool breezes and raging storms.

August 16th

9:34pm

Damien Greengrass

Greengrass Manor, Oxfordshire

Damien Greengrass was frustrated, progress on finding Pettigrew had been slow to begin with but now it was safe to say that the train had come to a halt. No whispers, no clues and no rat, the progress had been disheartening to say the least but last they discussed it, Harry, Remus and Sirius were not surprised that Pettigrew hadn't stuck his neck out. Citing his thirteen year stint as a family's pet, Pettigrew was an adept hider, a skill only overshadowed by his cowardice.

Although there wasn't much to be done about Pettigrew, Damien's life was no less stressful. By putting him in charge of the ministry contract, Harry had essentially told him to begin preparations for a new business. Not that he was complaining, the idea had initially been his, hashing out the details was a group effort but it seemed actually setting up was up to him.

There was no guarantee that it would even be necessary as well, whilst the correspondence was optimistic, the minister could turn his back on them at any moment. Thankfully the man seemed more inclined to win the war than look like he was winning the war, a welcome change from previous ministers.

Another area Harry had all people working on was horcrux acquisition. However he had Damien specifically working on Tom Riddle's early years because he had access to more information than the rest of them. 'Not that my resources are doing me any good, he practically has no record besides his Hogwarts one and nothing after that. Whatever is in his past, he's done well to hide it,' he thought. Flicking through old school essays and projects he found it amusing that the Dark Lord Voldemort was once a young school boy like everyone else, receiving detentions and blowing up cauldrons. 'Although blowing up cauldrons was unlikely, the man was highly intelligent and if his marks are anything to go off of, potions was a breeze.'

Agitated and fed up, Damien packed away the files and records and poured himself a glass of brandy. He moved to one of the armchairs in his office that faced the grounds, a majestic view of hills, forest and sky. Sipping the drink and enjoying the view, he had zoned out and missed his wife's entrance. She poured herself a drink too and joined him on the armchair beside him.

For many hours throughout their marriage they had sat there together, this time no different, each enjoying the other's company until one of them broke the silence. Damien had finished his drink when Johanna decided to speak while looking out at their home.

"How goes business?"

"Slow, but well enough," he replied.

Turning to him to continue, "and our daughter?"

Damien smiled as he prepared his response, "chasing her dreams of course."

Nodding absentmindedly, she took a drink from her glass and responded, "of course. Is she safe?" Damien gave her an 'are you serious look' and she released a chuckle. "Never mind, silly question. Can she handle it?"

Damien considered her question, they both knew of Daphne's obsession with strength and power and worried it might blind her. Perhaps if the ministry battle hadn't happened he would feel less certain in his answer but fortunately for him, it did. "I believe so, she is capable of awe inspiring magic and she hangs around that powerhouse of a man, Potter, enough that even if something happens I'm sure he'd ensure her safety."

"But that Weasley boy," she protested.

"Was wandless and battered yet he threw himself into a fight to protect our daughter. I've come to learn that, these days, Gryffindors are recklessly protective. With what I know of Harry, he'd do the same for anyone, especially his friends."

Johanna smiled in relief before an intrusive thought popped into her mind, "are they…?"

Catching her meaning Damien laughed, "Merlin no! They're too wrapped up in their own dreams that they don't even entertain romance. I'm sure it'll happen eventually."

Surprised at her husband's nonchalance, she curiously asked, "and… you're okay with that?"

Having had time to think about it, his answer came easily, "I've watched that young man push his body, mind and magic to exhaustion everyday just to level the playing field for us. But he doesn't do it alone, no no, at the crack of dawn he and Daphne 'hit the gym' as they say, then later in the morning they practice magic I've only read about to the point they can feel their magic straining, then they go wherever they go to connect with their magic which takes a significant mental toll over time."

"They do all this together?"

Nodding his head he continued, "there is no doubt in my mind that he is a good man, and it seems our Daphne has found someone who can match her obsessive work ethic. So, to answer your question, yes I am okay with it."

Finishing her drink and laughing she said, "I did not think anyone would be able to manage to keep up with her, you couldn't keep up once she had turned what? Ten?"

Running his hand through his hair he joked, "and I've the greys to prove it." They laughed for a moment together then lapsed back into silence. After enjoying a spectacular sunset sky together, Damien stood and offered his hand to his wife to help her up. She accepted and he spoke, "come, let's have dinner together, just you and me. I've missed you."

"If you weren't stuck in this stuffy office all the time you wouldn't have to. Maybe I should have words with this Mr Potter, stealing the wrong Greengrass he is," she mock threatened. Letting go of his hand and leading the way to the kitchen.

Damien laughed and followed her, more than content with his lot in life and looking forward to spending time with the love of his life where he could forget about the minister and horcruxes, if only for a night.

A/N: What's this? A new chapter a mere three days after the last? That's right! Really getting back into the groove of writing now that I've got more free time on my hands. Plus the story is becoming a little more interesting to develop now with the added spice of romance. Might be a little cringe but this is my first attempt at it so let me know and I'll take any and all criticism into account (doesn't mean I'll change anything but it is a guarantee that your advice will be listened to and contemplated).

I really like developing the wandless magic and meditative side of magic. Brings some spirituality and mysticism into it that I think was lacking in the HP canon universe. I actually did a little research on meditation for this chapter and it's made me want to give it a go so… that's cool I guess.

Romance, romance, romance. I'm hoping the plan I have for how this pairing will play out somewhat naturally. They won't be confessing their love for each other in the next chapter but (just like book 6) there will be a lot more of it in this instalment.

Damien's POV was mainly to show that yes, the horcrux hunt is still on, same with Peter and the minister is still being a pain obv. It wasn't till later I figured he'd be a good way to look at H/D with and outside perspective. I've also got something fun planned for the old Greengrass couple down the line so keeping Johanna present in the story may make that feel more natural.

This chapter's fic recommendation is 'The Pantomime Fountain' by TheEndless7. Super fun fic set during 6th year with a Harry/Daphne pairing. Very original idea featuring a more socially confident Harry that still does anything to avoid Slughorn and a studious Daphne with tamer ambitions than my own fic.

Hope you all enjoyed :)