The next week at Hogwarts passed quickly and mostly quietly for Harry, between his classes and quidditch practices. Professor Umbridge had begun her assessment of the other professors the same day she was named High Inquisitor, starting that very morning with divination. Ron told them how she had degraded and mocked Professor Trelawney, before asking her to have a prophecy which she was unable to do on command. Harry had no love for the strange professor that enjoyed nothing more than to predict his death, but even he felt sympathy towards her.
It didn't take long for Harry and Hermione to have their own run-ins with the squat professor either. She was in their transfiguration course the next day. Harry had never seen Professor McGonagall so short with another professor, but it was clear she had no respect for the newly dubbed 'High Inquisitor'. Harry was almost convinced it would come to exchanging spells soon, but thankfully it didn't.
Despite the interruptions classes continued much as they usually did, and students and professors alike found themselves forcibly adjusting to this new semblance of normalcy.
Harry was currently sitting in a secluded section of the library working through his latest Charms assignment. He already had a good grasp on summoning and banishing thanks to Hermione's help in the tournament last year but was in need of some supporting details for his assignment.
He heard rather than saw Hermione drop into the seat across from him and pull out her own work. Once he finished copying down a reference citing what might happen if an item was simultaneously banished and summoned, he glanced up at her and offered a greeting. She smiled back and then started speaking quietly "Harry, have you given my idea any more thought?" she asked quickly. "If you do choose to agree I would like to start making arrangements as soon as possible."
Harry sighed. He had been thinking about it in the past week and a half since she had mentioned it. He had even gone so far as to ask Sirius his thoughts about it in their weekly check-in. Sirius had thought it was a brilliant idea and had echoed Hermione's thoughts that he was more than qualified to lead. He had been especially keen on the idea stating that it would be a wonderful prank to pull on Umbridge.
"I have been." He finally replied. "I think, I wouldn't mind it, but with quidditch, my patrols, and my lessons with Dumbledore I'm not sure if I could put the necessary time in." He finished.
Hermione smiled as if she had been expecting this answer. "I've spoken with Padma and Anthony and Hannah and Ernie, and they've agreed to help with shifts if we need time to prepare. They're desperate for any practice they can get on the practical aspects of defense before OWL's." She started and Harry nodded. That would be a big help.
"I've also spoken with Angelina and convinced her about the practicality of having quidditch practice in the mornings." Hermione continued and Harry groaned at the thought of waking up so early but knew that this would solve more than one problem. Professor Snape had apparently been booking the quidditch pitch every evening for the Slytherins and Harry knew that going in the morning would get rid of that issue as well as leaving his afternoons and evenings free.
"And lastly," Hermione continued with a grin, knowing that she was breaking down every last rebuttal he had. "I'd be more than happy to help you schedule and plan the meetings, as well as help you with your other subjects if you fall behind. Honestly though, I doubt that you will. You really have been on top of your work this year, I'm extremely proud."
Harry nodded his appreciation at her compliment and mulled over what she had said. She was right, with the way she had handled things they should be able to make it work. After considering it for a few moments longer he spoke, "Okay, Hermione." He said and she beamed at him. She quickly leaned over the desk pulling him into a hug. "But only if you help with the lesson planning!" He said smiling back at her as he disentangled himself.
Hermione waved the thought away sitting back down in her own seat "Of course I will. I figured I'd be doing most of the planning anyway, not that you couldn't but just to help. Regardless, you have a much better grasp on the technique and practical application, so that's why it would be better if you led." She said.
It looked as though she wanted to continue further but Harry watched amusedly as she took a breath to stop herself from rambling further and instead said "I'm going to start testing the waters a bit, see who would be interested in our group. I'm thinking we can plan a meeting on the next Hogsmeade weekend with everyone who is interested. Maybe we could even plan a start date and a tentative schedule going forward."
Harry nodded. "That sounds all right Hermione, now we have a plan. Let's get to work."
A few hours after agreeing to the defense study group Harry was seated in the common room with the twins testing new wheezes before his scheduled patrol with Daphne that evening. He had a bucket that one of the twins had conjured and was currently heaving into it. "Quick Harry, eat the purple half now." Fred told him.
Harry fought another gag and did as he was instructed. He had just swallowed the second half of the tablet they had given him and instantly felt better. The nausea that had been overwhelming him disappeared and he felt fine. He vanished the contents inside the bucket and then the bucket itself. The twins were scribbling furiously on a notepad and smiling at one another. "That worked perfectly." He heard George mutter.
"What was that anyway?" asked Harry as he conjured a glass and filled it with water, gulping half of it down quickly.
George responded "It's one of our new range of sweets to make you ill. Not seriously ill, mind, just ill enough to get you out of a class when you feel like it. Fred and I have been developing them this summer. They're double-ended, color-coded chews. If you eat the orange half of the Puking Pastilles, you throw up. Moment you've been rushed out of the lesson for the hospital wing, you swallow the purple half —"
"— which restores you to full fitness, enabling you to pursue the leisure activity of your own choice during an hour that would otherwise have been devoted to unprofitable boredom. That's what we're putting in the adverts, anyway." Finished Fred. "We tried them ourselves and they were working, but we've ingested so many things at this point that we've built up tolerances. Which is why we needed someone else to try them."
Harry chuckled. "Well, they worked brilliantly, I'm sure you guys will be selling out of those in no time." He told them honestly. "I do need to run though, I have rounds soon. No experimenting on the first years while I'm gone, or I'll sic Hermione on you." Harry laughed again as he saw the twins both give an exaggerated shudder.
"We promise oh most wise and most noble prefect. No testing on the ickle firsties." George said.
"The second years are fair game though, right?" Fred said, and at Harry's glare he continued "Only kidding Harrikins. We do have one more question for you however, before you leave." He said switching back into a more serious tone of voice.
"Shoot." Harry said curiously.
"Well, you see when we first joined the quidditch team we had an idea of selling jerseys, but we never had the capital to get them made and even if we did, we weren't sure there was a market." Fred said.
"Now however, we have some money, and we know for a fact that there's a market for one jersey in particular." George continued. "We would of course give you your fair share for the name and likeness, we were thinking we could test a small batch before this first quidditch game and see how it goes, to see if it would be worth pursuing."
Harry felt uncomfortable at the thought of people wearing his jersey and doubted that anyone would even be interested. But the twins' hopeful expressions and the fact that Harry was backing them now caused him to reconsider. "Only if you do everyone on the team." Harry told them finally.
Both twins clapped him on the back and voiced their approval of the terms. Harry thought he heard one of them mutter something along the lines of 'who would ever want a Ron jersey' before they informed him that they would talk to him soon about figures and Harry was finally able to escape to his dormitory to put his things away and prepare for his rounds. He made sure to cast at least three breath freshening charms before he left getting rid of the lingering taste of the puking pastille as he headed down.
Daphne had spent the last week in a near constant state of annoyance. Professor Umbridge had been frustrating her with all of the interrupting she was doing in her classes as High Inquisitor, not to mention that the toad's own class was nothing more than a waste of time. She had also been annoyed by Tracey and Astoria who were now plotting together trying to figure out the best way to get Daphne with Harry Potter, despite her constant denials and rejections. But most frustratingly of all she was annoyed at Harry Bloody Potter. She had another scheduled patrol on the Sunday following the first one he had missed, and even though she knew he had tutoring it didn't stop the annoyance when again he hadn't said anything to her, and Marcus Turner showed up to take his place.
She of course had no logical explanation as to why this would annoy her that wouldn't be proving her traitorous friend and sister right, so she instead focused her ire on two of them who were whispering conspiratorially in her dorm room as she got ready for her patrol for the evening. "Wear this blue jumper" Tracey said as she returned from the bathroom. "It makes your eyes pop and compliments your complexion."
Daphne glared at her but took the jumper anyway. It did make her look nice and it was comfortable. She finished getting ready and looked herself over in the mirror "You look wonderful dear." The mirror complimented politely, and she heard Tracey agree.
So is the Gryffindor-who-must-not-be-named actually gonna show tonight?" Tracey asked causing Astoria to snort. Daphne shrugged as nonchalantly as she could. She pinned her badge to the front of her jumper and stowed her wand before finally responding. "I'm not sure, and I don't really care one way or the other." She lied stubbornly.
Tracey sighed and stood from her bed. "I'm only teasing." She said the previous humor leaking out of her voice. "I do hope you that have a good patrol, and if he doesn't show this time, I'll hex him the next time I see him." She said seriously. "Sure, he could probably take me in a fair fight, but if I catch him in the back when he isn't looking..." she trailed off darkly.
Daphne smiled in spite of herself "I can hex him just fine on my own, Trace. Thank you." I do need to get going though. I'll see you both later. Make sure you get your homework done Tori, or I'll make sure mum and dad rescind their permission slip and you won't get to got to Hogsmeade." She finished and her sister scowled at her. Feeling slightly better she made her way towards the familiar fourth room corridor.
When she got there, Harry was standing by himself leaning with his back against the wall. He turned his head and caught her eyes as she rounded the corner, sending her that small smile that made her stomach turn. She wanted to hug him and smack him but did neither instead greeting him without her usual warmth "Potter."
Harry looked at her a little confused "Greengrass?" he said causing her to roll her eyes. "I let the other prefects go before you got here. Why the surname?" he asked her as he turned and started making his way down their familiar route.
She huffed silently in annoyance that he expected her to just follow him, but she did so, nonetheless. "First names are for my friends and seeing as you couldn't even bother to let me know that you would be missing your patrols with me twice, I figured you didn't count as one any longer." She replied haughtily.
Harry laughed and smiled at her "Miss me that much?" he asked her, puffing out his chest in a false bravado. It took him a few seconds but then he glanced at her trying to see why she hadn't replied. His smile slipped from his face when he saw the annoyed expression on her face. "Hey, I'm sorry I was only joking." He said sincerely. "I didn't tell you because I didn't think you would care, and Turner said he would tell you what was going on." His voice had gotten quieter, and he was bending down slightly so they were nearly on eye level and his green eyes looked intently into her own.
Daphne hated that he was taller than her in this moment. She looked up at him defiantly "Well, I didn't care that you couldn't make it, but I was annoyed that you couldn't even find five seconds to tell me. We do have half of our classes together after all." She told him hotly.
Harry's face showed a brief flash of annoyance before the expression shifted into one of sheepishness. "No, you're right." He replied. "I could have told you that I was missing the patrols and explained why. I genuinely didn't think you would care whether it was me or someone else who did rounds with you, but that's no excuse. A warning would've been nice anyway." She nodded her agreeance and he continued. "I promise I'll let you know from now on if I can't make it, but I will let you know now that I'll be missing every Sunday. I have some tutoring with Professor Dumbledore on Sundays." He finished.
She just managed to hide her surprise. When Turner had said that he was doing tutoring she thought that maybe it had been for potions as he was doing better in the course seemingly overnight. She wasn't sure what kind of tutoring Dumbledore would be offering him but decided not to press the issue. "Thank you for saying that, Harry. I guess I accept your apology, but I will warn you now that if you break your promise, I'll hex you." She said trying to add some more venom to the end of her sentence.
His smile returned and his shoulders relaxed as he straightened himself back up. "Consider me warned. Were patrols with Turner really that bad? I can't imagine it was worse than Nott?" he asked her.
"No, the patrols were fine, I just missed trying to uncover the truth behind the rumors, I think I was getting close last time." She said referencing all of the annoying questions that she would ask him during their previous patrols. "Last week I was going to ask about Slytherins dragon that you slew with nothing but your bare hands in second year." She said with mock seriousness.
He laughed and mumbled his customary "Don't believe everything you hear." She was getting ready to respond when he said "Besides, it was a basilisk not a dragon, and I used a sword, not just my bare hands."
He was smirking at her and Daphne called him a prat. They continued in silence for a moment when his face lit up. He stopped suddenly and pulled her into an alcove. He looked around for a second trying to ensure that no one was around them and then threw up a silencing spell for good measure. "Are you going to Hogsmeade next week?" He asked her quietly, but excitedly.
She wasn't sure what she was expecting when he suddenly moved her into this secluded area, but this was definitely not it. She could feel her pulse quicken and her stupid stomach did a little kick. "Uh, yeah. Yes. I was planning on going." She said trying her best to sound unconcerned.
"Great! Hermione and I are thinking of putting together a little study group for defense, so we could practice practical magic. We're going to be meeting at Hogsmeade, I'm not entirely sure where yet, but I remembered you saying that you wish you could practice defense now that you had a better understanding of it and seeing as how you recently agreed to be my friend again, I'd love it if you could come." He finished enthusiastically.
Daphne fought away the disappointment that had been her initial reaction. Of course, he hadn't been asking her to Hogsmeade, he didn't even bother to let her know he was missing patrols until earlier this evening. She quickly banished those thought and considered his offer. It made sense that Granger would be doing something like this in preparation for OWL's and with Harry's penchant for trouble it made sense he would be involved. She thought it over and decided that it would be good for her to get some practice in her spell casting before OWL's and she knew from her patrols that Harry was knowledgeable in the subject. "Would it be okay if I invited Tracey?" She asked hesitantly.
Harry considered her for a moment. "If you trust her not to tell Umbridge or anyone else about it then I don't see why not." He said shrugging and Daphne immediately felt better.
"That sounds great, thank you Harry. I'll have to ask Tracey but I'm sure we'll be there." Harry smiled that small smile she liked to imagine he saved just for her. As he dispelled the silencing charm and they resumed their patrols Daphne thought to herself that this would have the added benefit of allowing her to spend some extra time with him as well, and that by itself might have been all the reason she needed. Merlin, she hated it when Tracey was right.
Daphne had been correct to assume that Tracey would want to be a part of whatever Harry had been concocting, because when she had returned from her rounds and let her know what transpired Tracey squealed and agreed immediately.
What Daphne hadn't been expecting was for Astoria who had been sitting nearby quietly to ask if she could go too. Daphne had tried to tell her she couldn't, but Astoria was as stubborn as Daphne, and decided she would be showing up whether Daphne wanted her there or not.
Their next patrol together Harry had informed her that the meeting place would be the Hog's Head pub. When Daphne asked how many people were going to be there he had shrugged. "Hermione said she would ask around to see who was interested, but I'm not sure. She said a couple people agreed to come and see what it was about, and of course me, Ron, and Hermione will be there."
He had been off, by a longshot. As she and Tracey made there way into the back of the dingy pub, Astoria on her heel, she saw what looked like at least 20 people with a few more following in behind them. As she made her way over to Harry, she told him "This looks like more than just a couple people, Harry."
He shook his head, running his hand through his hair and replied, "That's what I said too." While leveling a glare at Hermione who looked totally unbothered. They quickly found their seats and while they waited for the meeting to start, Daphne counted everyone who had come. The official count was 32 people including the golden trio. The majority were Gryffindors with a smattering of Puffs and Claws. As far as Daphne could tell she, Tracey, and Astoria were the only Slytherins to show.
When everyone settled down one of the twins found the old barkeep and ordered butterbeers for everyone, collecting money to cover the cost. Daphne looked around the room and observed that there was a quiet tension in the air. Nearly everyone was glancing around nervously. Daphne also noticed with annoyance that a few of the girls in attendance were eyeing Harry openly, among them the Weasley girl and Chang the Ravenclaw seeker.
After a while the butterbeers arrived and as everyone drank from the dusty bottles the previous tension seemed to calm somewhat. Finally, Hermione started speaking. "Thank you everyone for coming. We all know why we're here. We," she said gesturing between the Gryffindor trio "decided it might be a good idea if all of the people who wanted to learn defense, and I mean really learn it, not whatever that rubbish that Umbridge is trying to do with us, got together so we could learn to defend ourselves. Properly. Not just theory, but real spells."
Corner a Ravenclaw from their year spoke up. "Yes, so we can pass our OWL's." He said and a number of students murmured their agreement.
Hermione nodded. "Yes of course we want to pass our OWL's, but its more than that. It's important that we get proper training because he's back. Lord V-Voldemort is back." The reaction was almost comical. Everyone except Harry, Hermione, and Ron flinched at the name, Daphne included. "She immediately felt annoyed at herself for having that reaction as Harry rolled his eyes at all of them.
"Where's the proof? Said a blond Hufflepuff that Daphne didn't recognize "That You-Know-Who is back, I mean."
"Harry said he was, and Dumbledore believes it as well." Hermione replied sharply.
"Dumbledore believes him" said the Hufflepuff nodding towards Harry.
Ron stood up and glared at the boy "Who are you?" He asked with an edge to his voice.
"Zacharias Smith, and I think we have a right to know why Potter thinks he can say You-Know-Who is back." He said pompously.
"That's not what this meeting is about" Hermione replied immediately. "If you would rather believe whatever nonsense The Prophet was spouting earlier this summer you can – "
"It's alright, Hermione," Harry interrupted, "What makes me say he's back? I saw him after the maze. But Dumbledore already told you that and its obvious you don't believe him, it's obvious you don't believe me. I'm not here to waste an afternoon trying to convince anyone that I'm telling the truth. If that's the only reason you guys came here, then I'm sorry because you're going to be disappointed." He finished. Daphne had never seen him look so upset. Like he was remembering that day of the last task and her heart went out to him.
"Dumbledore told us that You-Know-Who killed Cedric Diggory and that you brought his body back. I think it's fair that we should get to hear details of what happened -"
"If you came here to hear what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone then you're out of luck." Harry snapped angrily. Daphne could see Harry take a few deep breaths and try to calm himself. "I'm not talking about Cedric Diggory, all right? If that's all everyone wanted to know then we can all head out now." Harry said standing up and making to head towards the exit.
"Harry, stop." She heard a voice say. She looked around to see who it belonged to and saw Neville Longbottom had also stood up while staring daggers at Zacharias Smith. "Not all of us are gits who just want to hear about the tournament." He continued. "I believe you and I want to be ready if anything ever happens."
"Me, too." She heard another voice say.
"So do I." said another, and soon everyone else was agreeing with Neville.
Hermione tugged on Harry's arm getting him to sit back down before she spoke again now. "So, like I was saying. We are going to learn defense. If you're interested, then we're going to need to plan how often we're going to meet and -"
"Is it true you can produce a corporeal patronus?" Susan Bones cut Hermione off, "Not just mist?"
"Yeah" replied Harry.
"Wow," Susan said. "My aunt told me that you cast one in the trial, but I couldn't believe it."
"Blimey, Harry!" said Lee, looking deeply impressed. "I never knew that!"
"Mum told Ron not to spread it around," said Fred, grinning at Harry. "She said you got enough attention as it was."
"She's not wrong," mumbled Harry and a couple of people laughed.
"And did you kill a basilisk with that sword in Dumbledore's office?" demanded Terry Boot. "That's what one of the portraits on the wall told me when I was in there last year..."
"Er — yeah, I did, yeah," said Harry. Justin Finch-Fletchley whistled, the Creevey brothers exchanged awestruck looks, and Lavender Brown said "wow" softly. Daphne looked at Harry dumbstruck. She had thought he was joking when he told her that on their patrol. What other stories had she misinterpreted as jokes, she wondered.
"And in our first year," said Neville to the group at large, "he saved that Phosphorous Stone —"
"Philosopher's Stone" Corrected Hermione.
"Not to mention that he won the Triwizard tournament last year." Said one of the twins "He had to get past dragons and by the Merpeople and everything else they threw at him."
"Look," Harry said, and everyone fell silent at once, "I... I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be modest or anything, but I had a lot of help with all that stuff,"
"Not with the dragon, you didn't," said Michael Corner at once. "That was a seriously cool bit of flying."
"Yeah, well —" said Harry.
"And nobody helped you get rid of those dementors this summer," said Susan Bones.
"No," said Harry, "no, okay, I know I did bits of it without help, but the point I'm trying to make is the same thing I told Hermione earlier when we were planning this group. I got lucky for a lot of it. I'd be more than happy to help teach you guys what I know, but I'm not some overly talented or skilled wizard. I just did what I had to do to survive" He finished quietly, and Daphne thought about what he said. How everyone viewed him as heroic and brave, when all the while he had just been fighting to just live another day.
When no one else spoke up Hermione started speaking again. She went over questions the group had, like making sure that the meetings wouldn't interfere with quidditch among other things. When someone asked where they could have the meetings without getting caught, she vaguely alluded that they had already found a suitable location for them to practice in, and that she would let them know where it was prior to their first meeting.
After everything was settled, she rummaged in her bag and produced parchment and a quill, then hesitated, as though she was steeling herself to say something.
"I-I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think," she took a deep breath, "that we all ought to agree not to shout about what we're doing. So, if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge — or anybody else — what we're up to. This paper is charmed so that if someone does tell we'll all know and there will be consequences." She said her voice becoming more confident towards the end of her little speech.
Fred reached out for the parchment and cheerfully put down his signature, but Daphne noticed at once that several people looked less than happy at the prospect of putting their names on a list that could come back and curse them, she was feeling a little stressed about it herself. However, after some discussion and Hermione ensuring them that she wouldn't leave the list lying around and telling them that anyone who didn't sign wouldn't be invited to the first meeting, everyone signed, some more reluctantly than others.
After the parchment was signed Hermione deemed the meeting concluded and the group broke apart quickly. Everyone left the pub and began to get on with their remaining free time in the village. Astoria said she was meeting up with some friends at Zonkos and began to head that way. Tracey and Daphne made their way over to Scrivenshafts as Daphne needed more parchment and some new quills.
She browsed the different styles and colors before settling for a pricier eagle feather quill with a fine point, meanwhile Tracey bought a quill that would change colors randomly for her note taking. After they paid for their purchases, they began to make their way to Honeydukes to restock their sweets supply. While they walked Tracey was telling Daphne about a quill she had seen once at the Diagon Alley branch of Zonkos that had ink that would disappear 2 days after something was written. She was discussing the probability of successfully getting Pansy to use it for notes or homework when they got to the door.
Daphne reached for the handle and pulled it open letting them in, and they went their separate ways looking for what they each wanted. Daphne didn't notice him at first, but as she came into the chocolate section, she saw none other than Harry Potter standing there browsing. He didn't seem to notice her as he was gazing intently at some of the shops more expensive bars of chocolate. He finally reached out and grabbed one of Daphne's favorite bars looking it over
"Need some help?" Daphne asked, only half joking. He startled but smiled when he saw her standing there.
"If you don't mind." He answered eagerly. "Ron's following Ginny around to make sure she doesn't snog her new boyfriend and Hermione went to the castle early to finalize the plans for… uh… what we were talking about earlier." He told her. Daphne nodded to tell him that she understood what he was referencing, and he continued, "So I figured I could buy them some Christmas gifts because its not often I get to go around Hogsmeade without them."
Daphne hummed in understanding. "This is for Granger?" She asked.
Harry nodded, "Yes, her birthday was last month, and I got her a rare edition of 'Hogwarts a History' and a new calligraphy set. I was shopping for her Christmas gift." He explained. "I know she likes chocolate, so I wanted to make that part of her gift, but I wasn't sure which one of these is the best."
"The one you're holding right now is incredible" she said. "It's one of my favorites. Does Hermione like nuts?" Harry looked at her with an eyebrow raised and Daphne sighed and rolled her eyes. He finally shook his head no and Daphne replied, "Okay so not that one then," She started to browse looking through the different bars "hmm, no, no, ah here it is." She said pulling out a different bar. "This is incredible and not a nut in sight." She said handing it to him.
Harry smiled gratefully and accepted the large bar of chocolate she was holding out for him. "Thank you, you're a lifesaver. Now if there were only a quidditch shop here I could be done with both of their gifts" he said more to himself.
"There's mail order forms for Quality Quidditch Supplies in the post office." She informed him, nearly laughing at the excited look on his face.
"You really are a lifesaver, thank you." He told her.
"That's what friends are for." She replied earnestly.
"Well, I'll tell you what. How about I run and place an order while you finish up in here, and then I'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks? I'd be more than happy to get you a butterbeer on me as a thank you." He told her.
"Make it two and you got yourself a deal." She heard Tracey's voice say behind her. She looked back at her friend who was smiling impishly at her and rolled her eyes. "Tracey Davis, nice to officially meet you outside of class." She said holding her hand out.
Harry shook it. "Harry Potter." He replied with a smile. "Daphne's told me a lot about you on our patrols, and I have some questions. So, yes. You've got a deal, two butterbeers it is." He informed her with a smile and Daphne felt a thrill of satisfaction as she saw that Tracey was blushing behind her calm demeanor. It was about time she was the one getting embarrassed because of Harry Potter she thought. "Let's call it for, what 15 minutes?" He said glancing down at his watch. They confirmed and soon he had paid for his chocolate and was on his way.
When he had finally stepped out of the shop Tracey rounded on her friend. "What lies have you been telling him about me?!" she hissed in a hushed voice.
"None." Daphne replied casually. "I told him something far worse… the truth." Tracey groaned and Daphne couldn't help the grin that rose on her face. This was going to be fun.
A/N: A lot of the meeting scene was either taken directly from OOTP or very heavily influenced by it. Its one of the scenes in the books that I really enjoyed reading so I decided to keep it mostly similar. I'm having a fun time with allowing this story to find itself and the natural flow of where it wants to diverge from Canon based off of the decisions Harry and others make. Thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited, or reviewed. It gives me motivation to keep writing. As always, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas so please feel free to leave them in a review or PM. Until next time!