Prologue
She waited in the crowd with bated breath, no thought of joining in the cheer and joy. How could she? When he was in danger, she felt nothing but worry. She always had, always would since the moment she first saw him.
At first it was nothing more than a star-struck crush. Everyone knew the legend, knew he had saved them all. That she was free to live and love without thought of where her friends and family sprouted from was a liberty that went entirely unappreciated by most. Her father talked of darker days, days he when ed he'd been on the wrong side and turned away far too late.
A Death Eater mark was now forever a reminder of everything he had done, and all he would yet redeem himself of. When she'd learned of the things he'd done, she'd hated him. Then later come to understand that, as a young man whose father had indoctrinated him into such hateful beliefs, he'd been pushed down that dark path. While he'd made the choice to take as many steps as he had, he'd also made the choice to turn away and in time to take part in the turning of the tide.
He recalled proudly how Dumbledore had let him into the fold, proving himself with the capture of many Death Eaters. And while he'd never earned fame or glory, he had fallen to bed almost every night since with his wife in arm and watched his two daughters grow up free from the wrath and will of The Dark Lord. That, he said, was reward enough.
She would admit she didn't always see the best in Dumbledore. To her eyes he still seemed like a general, not a school teacher. He was more than happy to play with his students like pieces on a board. One student in particular he played far too dangerously with – Harry Potter.
When she first saw him ,coming off the train to Hogwarts near on four years back, she would admit she had acted with more than a little childish vanity. She'd seen a hero, not the boy beneath the scar. She'd almost dared to approach him but, sadly, he'd gone to a different boat.
That's alright, she'd thought, I'll meet him in the Great Hall. Again, no such like as Malfoy had taken center stage. Again, one last plea that she'd meet him at the house table...if they were in the same house. Sadly not, she'd been sorted into Slytherin. He, to Gryffindor. But this didn't quell her childish hopes, she would find a way to meet him and hopefully became his friend and, perhaps, someday more.
Months went by, and she only saw him only in the limited company of Gryffindors. One Gryffindor in particular gave her a fright. She was on her way to class when she saw him walking around the corridor with Seamus...she couldn't recall his last name, only knowing the irish boy for his talent for destruction. Seamus made some parting words and the two split off. Harry certaintly for Quidditch practice by the state of his clothing.
This was the moment she had been waiting for, a chance to make her introduction. She took a deep breath, quelled her nerves and moved intercept him before he turned the corner. Unfortunately for her, a certain red head had taken note of the direction she was heading and moved in front of her to block her path.
Ron Weasley shouldn't have seemed that frightening to her, by all means he wasn't imposing, but standing in front of her, his taller figure towering over her with that enraged look made her a little frightened. The Weasley's were famous for their temper, get on their wrong side and some sort of retribution was all but guaranteed.
"What do you think you're doing Snake? Trying to sneak up on the my mate when he's not looking!"
The accusation had taken her by surprise. The aggression he'd showed her with words alone shook her to the bone. Of course she knew of the feud between Slytherin and Gryffindor, her father had told her of it and to steer clear of anyone showing the lion on their uniform (children could be especially cruel when they wanted to be, was his words on the matter, but she hadn't thought much of it until then.
"N-n-no I-"
"Shut up and bugger off you slimy Slytherin!" Weasley yelled at her, moving on her and forcing her to walk back and fall over on herself. She'd hit the floor quite harshly from what she recalled. Weasley looked stunned and for a brief moment guilty. Looking around and seeing no one else, he gave a brief and shaky threat.
"Don't you ever come near Harry again Snake." And he rushed off. Contrary to what most would expect, she didn't hate him for what he did. In his mind he was protecting his friend. But it had unfortunately been the first stone she'd laid around herself – a wall against others. A wall that would change her attitude. Soon the bright little girl with the wide smile and confidence would be gone.
Over time others added to the wall – the snidey comments of her peers and older students, Snape, Malfoy, Pansy, McGonagal (yes, even the deputy head gave grief to Slytherins). Other names could be added but it would make little difference. The little girl who'd grown up with such confidence was now a shadow of herself. Social anxiety is a monster all too familiar to teenagers, and it was another obstacle separating her from Harry. Still, in some ways, it had proven rather good to her.
Watching The Boy Who Lived from afar allowed her to really come to understand him. The more she watched the more she learned. She learned his upbringing had clearly not been kind on him but that despite this he was still incredibly brave and kind. She knew that although he wasn't always the brightest, when he applied himself, he learnt quickly and to perfection. She knew he was loyal to a fault to his friends, but perhaps his loyalty came at the cost of expanding that friendship group. Most importantly of all, Harry was capable of great love. She wished to know it someday.
She was ashamed to admit that despite four years together they'd barely exchanged more than ten words to each other, sadly mostly made of passing comments when rushing in the hallway to a lesson. "Excuse me", here and "pardon me" there making her heart flutter each time.
But no more she had decided. She wanted fourth year to be different. She decided this for herself. She would speak to him, form actual words that made up a compact sentence that held meaning beyond common politeness. She'd thought she'd have the chance at the World Cup. That, for obvious reasons, failed. Death Eaters rising out from their hovels to spread fear and remind the world that they were not gone like their leader. Thankfully she'd managed to leave with her family using their personal portkey. She wondered if it was strange that even after the sight of those bigots marching and the chaos they spread, the only thought on her mind was disappointment for not speaking to Harry?
She had tried again on the train. She'd caught sight of Harry on the platform, made note of where he was, steeled herself to face Weasley and Granger and waited for the chance. When the Trolley went past hers cart, she waited and ignored her friends as she watched and waited for the trolley to reach Harry. He'd have something from the Trolley, he always did.
When she saw his door open her heart jumped and she almost shrank back into her seat. Thankfully it seemed something deeper was driving her onward that day. Some confidence that still remained. She went forward, saw him emerge from his cart with his mess of dark hair and bright green eyes to turn and face...Cho. Of course it was Cho, who wouldn't want her? She was gorgeous. And a full year older to boot. The Ravenclaw had her eyes on Cedric Diggory, but Harry couldn't have known that. To hear these things, he'd actually have to be interested in more than just his small Golden Trio as they had come to be known.
/
Still, she resolved not to give up – plus the encouragement of her sister and friend kept her spirits high. Harry liked Cho but the older girl didn't return the feeling, that would show in time. Besides, with the Tri-Wizard Tournament announced on that first night she knew a ball wouldn't be far off being announced. Her mother had told her such. There'd been a ball in her day, when she had competed. A past glory she often regretting having, memories of what had happened that still kept her awake at night.
When she'd first heard of the Tournament she'd felt nothing but worry for Harry, as she did now every year with every new threat. Always coming for him, never giving him a moments respite and he faced it all so bravely. It made her sad to think of the life he was living. All because of one man's bigotry and ambition.
She was glad that, for once, the danger would be laid on the shoulders of others. When Cedric's name had come out of the Goblet of Fire she'd looked to him and, in a rare moment unexpected by either, him to her. She'd turned away quickly with a blush, wondering if she'd really made eye contact with Harry or just imagined it. She thought to look back again, but fates cruelty would not spare her the moment.
In her dreams that night she charged into the Headmaster's office demanding Harry's release from the tournament. The next day she made it as far as the stairway before nerves overtook her (as well as the lack of a password). This was one fight she could not win, not yet.
No, she needed to build up her bravery. Build up a tolerance against her anxieties. Small steps first. And the first step was a simple one and easily made. Harry passed her on the steps a few days later in a fast-paced rage. She didn't know then that he'd had a nasty falling out with Ron that would soon be the schools second biggest gossip.
When he rounded the corner on her neither knew the other was coming into their path. Harry, stirred from his raging thoughts, pulled his hands up and grinded to a stop while she stood, awkwardly, still as he navigated himself around her. Now's your chance, she thought to herself.
"Harry."
She said his name. Out loud. Loud enough he turned to look at her, apprehensively. Of course, she was to him just another Slytherin. No doubt he expected some kind of cruel jest or snidey comment.
Instead, she braved a small smile and the words, "Good luck...with the tournament."
He said nothing in reply, his eyes only softened, and he gave her a small uncertain nod and walked on. And that was enough, enough to crack the wall. A small crack, resting only a single brick. Yet Rome wasn't built in a day, and its Empire did not fall in one either. The culmination of many things resulted in such. This, she hoped, would be the first.
She didn't say a word to him again until near the break of the year, only a few weeks before the ball. She knew this would be the perfect opportunity, he as shy with girls as she with boys...well one boy. She was in the owlery, sending a letter to her family. She had left, passing by Cho as she did who looked particularly pleased and came down to see Harry once more. This time he saw her and gave a small smile. She returned in kind.
"Hi Harry." She said kindly.
"Hey." He said, heading off where she'd been moments before.
This was a moment, and one she was brave enough to stir her towards another. She halted her feet, and once more battled against her inner fears to find the courage she wanted to turn and go up and ask Harry Potter to the ball. Of course, the moment she was nearing the top was the moment she had to hear her crush ask Cho Chang. She didn't stay long, turning on her heel and making her way quickly back to her dormitory. She was not ashamed to say she felt a deep level of disappointment, but then what did she expect? Harry was, as her friend put it, of the lesser sex and therefore quite oblivious to the other gender (which now at the very least you know he's attracted to, her sister pointed out). He's just being stupid, her friend told her, and once he realises him and Chang is never going to happen he'll see there's plenty more fish in the sea.
Her friend was right, as per usual. She only wished she'd had the guts to stay her ground at the Owlery. As the rumour mill had it, Chang had turned him down mere moments after she'd left (there was also something about Ron Weasley yelling at Fleur Delacour). The perfect chance to make a proper introduction at the very least gone. So she went to the ball with her friend Blaise, who spent most of the evening pinning for a particularly dashing young Ravenclaw while she watched as Harry sat all too loyal by his best friends side until their dates found excuses to make themselves scarce.
The Patil sisters were the last people she'd thought she'd see on the Gryffindor Golden boys arms. She felt no jealously for them, not in the way they were being treated by their dates. She knew neither of them intended to be cruel, but that was exactly how they were. The girls wanted to dance, and drink and have a great time. Instead, they were sat still for most of the night with Ron whose eyes were sharpened daggers fixed on Victor Krum.
She enjoyed her night dancing and laughing with her friends. She danced openly and freely, not a care in the world as to others or leering gazes of the Durmstrang boys who were less than aware of her father's (false) reputation and, by association, the protection of Malfoy (as cruel as he was he was loyal to those his father deemed worthy of the protection of their house).
She left in the late hours and saw Hermione Granger amusingly berate her two friends and, even more amusingly, send them to bed. She laughed a giddy laugh at Harry's confused face. This was to be the third time, and second to the most important, that they would share a gaze. Why so important? Because this time when his eyes met hers the curve of a shy smile started to form before he was ushered off to bed. She waited a few moments to make her own exit, giving the poor girl some time to let her tears flow. It only made matters worse when Krum came along and his response was to try and take Granger to his bed.
"Heartless brute!" She whispered to herself. Super stardom had clearly left him an imbecile from a lack of time in the classroom, the last thing anyone would want in that moment was to lose their virginity! Granger turned him down in no uncertain terms, and to Krum's credit he did attempt to console her with a hug. After his initial attempts to turn sadness into sex it was no surprise when Granger made a quick exit.
The next few weeks were gladly drama free; Christmas holidays and the second trial went past fairly quickly with her mostly in bed due to a rather nasty cold. By the time she was back to classes death had once again returned to the school, this time with Barty Crouch Senior. Naturally, it was Harry who discovered the body though this did not seem to faze him. She supposed after the number of times he'd defied death, very little could leave an impact.
/
Yet there was clearly something on his mind, she could tell as much as he strode down the halls with his brow furrowed deep in thought. Part of her said it was just the stress of the tournament, another said it was something else. She tried to keep her mind off of it, off of him. She had other things in her life after all. She had to keep on top of schoolwork and illness did not make that easy. Snape in particular gave no ground in regards to the standard.
As the year came to a close the third task soon approached – and thus the end of all she had known for years. She'd made her way down to front low by some luck and sat right in the front as Harry made his final goodbyes with the Weasleys. It was then he made his last contact with her before the world got turned over. One last shared glance where neither broke away and both felt the sting of their cheeks burning bright with red flush. He had finally noticed her, after all this time. She did not know it of course, but The Boy Who Lived had had the blonde haired Slytherin girl on his mind for some time. He'd wondered on her kindness, if it was some cruel ploy or if it was truly what it appeared – a crush. He hoped so, since he had decided, like her, that once the tournament was over he would break generations of bad blood and see if a Snake could be friends with a Lion.
Harry entered into the Maze, and her heart felt as though it had come to a stop. Her imagination, on the other hand, ran wild with what sort of horrors could exist inside. Dementors? Boggarts? Accromantula's? Some other sort of wild and dangerous beast that she'd never heard of before?
The anticipation was killing he. She was naught but a bundle of nerves and she was only sitting in the crowd. She couldn't understand how so many of her peers were acting so jovially. With a few exceptions of close friends and family of the champions, everyone was chatting away rather happily and singing to the tunes of the band.
It was little over an hour before even a hint of what was occurring inside the maze was shown, and this in the form of a red spark. One of the champions had called out for help. Thankfully they didn't have to wait long to discover who it was – Fleur, and the state of her...there were no words. If a witch of her level of skill couldn't handle this challenge, what did that say for Harry's chances?!
No! Harry was strong. He might not be as skilled, but his magic was powerful. That's what she told herself. It was what she had to believe. Harry had not survived Dark Wizards, Basilisks and Werewolves to die in bloody maze of all places. Yes, she thought to herself, he's going to make it through this, he'll probably do something noble like split the victory with Diggory in some corny show of school unity.
She could see it then in her minds eye, The two of them emerging from the folds of the trees shoulder to shoulder. Battered and bruised, yes, but victorious. Perhaps a Hogwarts victory would allow people to forget about the rivalries and inner-house politics. She hoped so. It would be so lovely to live in a world where you could choose to be a friend with another without fearing the consequences brought on by peers.
It seemed hours went by after that first red flash, long enough for Fleur to return to the stands. She was disqualified but alive and that was relief to her family. She couldn't recall exactly what had happened in the minutes before she was taking from the Maze, or so she overheard the Veela tell Bill Weasley. The two seemed to have taken to each other well. It would certaintly be a shock to the Weasley Matriarch if the howler sent to Ron in his second year was anything to go by.
Eventually there came a loud and unexpected bang and a flash of light and the crowd rising in wild cheer. She moved to see which of the remain champions had won the tournament. To shock and discomfort she was pushed aside by more than a few who'd decided to force their way down to the front of the stands and held back only by Aurors. She could not make heads or tails of what was happening down on the field.
What she did notice was the Minister for Magic rushing around in a nervous frenzy, and Cedric's father descending downwards in a fright with Arthur Weasley in tow. The look on his face gave her reason to worry. Without any thought to others, she pushed her way back to the front as careless as those that were there now. What she saw at first didn't seem a horrific sight – father embracing son with tears, mutterings of teachers. But what followed next, that which came from the, now, champions mouth shocked her and all others to her core. And though The Minister tried to censor him, his words echoed.
"He's back, Voldemort's back...he killed him...I tried to save him!"
"Calm yourself lad!" The minister laughed awkwardly, before turning to the crowd, "Just a bit of shock is all. Could we get Madam Pomfrey-"
"No, no it's not shock. I saw him. I saw Voldemort kill him! I saw Voldemort kill Harry Potter!"
And, like that, the whole world fell apart and Daphne Greengrass felt more helpless than she had in her entire life.
A/N -
Hi, so this is my first story on this profile. i hope you like you prologue. If anyone even ends up reading this... still, got to stay positive! And my postive thought for this is that someone, hopefully you, will read and enjoy this and let me know by following and leaving comment either here or directly. I should say in advance, the next update will probably not come until end of February/beginning of March purely do to the amount of projects I have going. But there WILL be an update. So other than that, I leave you with these parting words - I hope that you've enjoyed this piece and its provided a much needed pleasent distraction during these less than lovely times :)
Harvey Out!