Harry woke up in Gryffindor tower the next day feeling terrible after a night of uncomfortable dreams and promised himself to apologize to Daphne after dinner at the latest. He briefly wondered when she had become Daphne instead of Greengrass. The answer came quickly with a self-rebuke, "When you made her cry, you great big berk." Harry felt sincerely awful for his role in the incident with Daphne. He knew that real apologies had to come from the heart, unlike the fake apologies he used with the Dursleys.
With the big Quidditch match against Slytherin the following day, Harry didn't dare tell his teammates, Ron and Hermione, or any other Gryffindor that he planned to speak to a Slytherin in private the night before the match. Apologizing during classes that day was very much out of the question as well. The Slytherins would likely react violently if they saw him approach one of their own.
Oliver immediately accosted Harry when his star seeker appeared in the common room before breakfast. "Harry, Harry, I was worried. What took you so long to come down? I've been waiting here for you for half an hour. Did you forget I was meeting you?" Oliver asked with apprehension.
Harry raised his eyebrows at his captain and felt a tinge of exasperation. "Oliver, it's barely 7am. I'm meeting Hermione here in a few minutes to go to breakfast together early so that she can get a book from the library before our first class," he said as nicely as he could. Harry's unvoiced motivation was to catch a glimpse of Daphne at breakfast to see how she was feeling after their argument, but he could never say that out loud, especially to his Quidditch captain the day before the Slytherin match.
The Gryffindor Quidditch captain brightened and naively said, "Good! I'm glad you're already taking precautions and planning to be accompanied by other people today. You'll make captain one day with that mindset! It's never too early to start learning about leadership..." Oliver's tone and wide open face indicated he wanted to start that particular conversation immediately.
The young seeker didn't know how to get out of the conversation. Luckily, Hermione was making her way down the stairs that led to the girls' dorms and gave Harry an inquisitive look when she spotted him with his Quidditch captain. Harry shook his head and glanced towards the door to signal to her his desire to leave for breakfast. Hermione quickly understood, though slowly drifted to a sofa near the exit to position herself to overhear the exchange.
Harry tried to wrap up the awkward conversation so that he could leave. "Erm, let's talk about it sometime after the match. Hermione's ready to go and is waiting by the door," Harry hurriedly said as he began walking towards the portrait hole.
Oliver prevented Harry from leaving by grabbing his arm and solemnly said, "Wait, Harry. Hermione is great, but you need more protection than just her. Blimey, we're playing for the Quidditch Cup! It's a bloody serious situation and we need to be prepared and that's why I've scheduled bodyguards for you all day until practice. One of my roommates will be escorting you to breakfast. You can never have too many wands in situations like these."
"No, it's fine, Oliver. I would really rather not inconvenience anyone," Harry demurred. He didn't dare downplay Oliver's concerns any more than he already was. Harry had better things to focus on than his fanatical Quidditch-crazed housemate.
"I insist, Harry. We're not taking any chances with your health and availability this year. It's all about the Cup, Harry! We don't want anything mysterious to keep you from playing like the last two years. We need you. I need you. This is my last chance and you're a good bloke that won't let me squander it, right, Harry?" Oliver looked manic during his soapbox moment.
"But, Oliver…" Harry feebly tried to turn back the 7th year Gryffindor's overtures. He knew it was a lost cause
"Too late, Harry," Oliver said as he motioned to someone approaching behind Harry. "You'll have a pride of lions protecting you today. Percy is going to be walking to breakfast with you. Others will be escorting you to classes and meals the rest of the day. Don't you love house unity!"
"Fine, I give in," Harry muttered. Now that he would have this ridiculous 'pride of Gryffindors' following him all day, he would have to figure out a new plan to talk to Daphne.
"Brilliant!" Oliver said with a wide smile. "Percy, here is your charge. Keep him in one piece. I'll see you all later. I need more sleep." Oliver then went up the stairs to the 7th year boys' dorm, whistling the whole way content with the job well done.
With Oliver gone, Harry looked at Percy with confusion and asked, "Percy, how did Oliver rope you into this? You're Head Boy and have NEWTs coming up soon. Do you have time for this?" Harry was hoping that Percy would back out and leave him alone.
Percy frowned and hesitated before replying, "I don't, but I...owed Oliver a favor."
Harry bunched his eyebrows and said uncomfortably, "Erm, must be a big favor. You don't need to babysit me though. It would be our secret." Harry crossed his fingers for luck even as hope faded fast.
"It involves the twins. Wood is one of the few people in this castle that can get them to do anything. I won't say anything else. Let's just go to breakfast," Percy said resignedly as he sighed and motioned for Harry to walk ahead of him.
Harry slumped his shoulders and began walking towards Hermione who was waiting by the common room exit. Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow at him for information and got a non-verbal frown and head shake in response. She nodded in return and flatly said, "I guess it's breakfast time."
All three silently exited through the portrait hole with Harry anxious to catch a glimpse of Daphne at breakfast.
Though Harry was at breakfast for a long time, Daphne never appeared in the Great Hall, which only added to his guilt-riddled conscience. Now he felt even more desperate to apologize to her, and probably Madam Pomfrey as well if he were honest with himself. Harry knew exactly what he wanted to apologize for, but he wasn't yet sure how to say it or how to approach Daphne.
Unfortunately, Harry faced unending distractions that morning and couldn't concentrate on the issue with Daphne. It all began during the walk down to breakfast with Percy's ceaseless blathering about the Ministry departments he had applied to. The topic was of interest to Hermione since Muggle-borns were hardly told anything about jobs and careers in the wizarding world, but she could barely get in any words, which was not something she had experienced many times in her life. Percy didn't even notice whenever Harry and Hermione began their own side discussions. The one-sided conversation continued throughout breakfast to the point that even Hermione stopped engaging with Percy.
The one positive thing Percy did at breakfast was sit with his back to the Slytherin table and unwittingly provide Harry cover to search for Daphne among the Slytherin table. Harry repeatedly looked over Percy's shoulder for signs of Daphne, but was constantly met with scrutinizing eyes from Tracey Davis and a younger blonde girl dressed in yellow and black who had a family resemblance to Daphne. He had definitely seen that Hufflepuff girl in the hospital wing on a few occasions, but didn't linger on that thought. These two witches didn't look mad, but it did seem like they were trying to figure something out about him as they whispered together. Harry found it odd that a Hufflepuff was sitting comfortably at the Slytherin table.
What was even stranger was the unique way other people in the Great Hall also kept looking at him and whispering. It was different from the normal stares and even the fearful and hate-filled stares he got in 2nd year after the Parselmouth news. He found it all quite maddening. Naturally, Percy was oblivious to it all, regardless of being Head Boy.
To add insult to injury, Percy mistook Harry's searching eyes over his shoulder for deep interest in his job prospects, which further encouraged his monologue and prevented Harry from focusing on making a plan to talk to Daphne. At one point Harry let out a frustrated groan over Daphne not appearing, which had perfect comedic timing and prompted a reply from Percy that had Hermione in hysterics.
The oblivious Percy replied in a half-laugh, half-condescending tone, "You're right, I agree that the job is somewhat undesirable, but don't worry, Harry. That's only my backup job of last resort. Thanks very much for your concern and understanding. You're more mature than Ron lets on."
Harry stared mouth agape at Percy for being so self-absorbed and barely managed to mumble an empty reply, "Thanks. Sure thing, any time."
Percy's pompous tone and comments sounded far too similar to Gilderoy Lockhart for Harry's taste. With that, Harry had reached his quota of Percy for the day and leaned over to Hermione, "Come on, Hermione, let's get to the library before it gets too late. It doesn't look like Ron is going to be here any time soon anyway."
Hermione nodded as she gazed out across the Great Hall. "Yeah, we better go if we want to make it to class on time." Yet Hermione hesitated as her gaze lingered on faces staring back.
She grabbed his arm and anxiously said, "Harry, maybe we should wait on going to the library until after the Daily Prophet is delivered. I don't like the way people are looking at you. Did something happen with Sirius Black since yesterday?"
The Head Boy chimed in, "She's right. You can't leave until I turn you over to your new retinue of guards. My debt to Oliver won't be paid until then. They - your Quidditch teammates - are just down on the other end of the table. Follow me please."
Percy got up and Harry and Hermione reluctantly followed. Harry was pleased to see that they were walking towards the Gryffindor chaser trio, some of Harry's favorite people in the castle. What a relief to be switching from Percy to his Quidditch teammates.
"He is all yours. Tell Oliver I personally turned Harry over to you and that I owe him no more favors," Percy stated and left without waiting for a reply or saying goodbye.
Harry and Hermione sat down chuckling at Percy's comments. Their moods changed quickly upon laying eyes on their new bodyguards.
A visibly displeased Angelina Johnson didn't bother with a greeting and immediately jumped to terse accusations, "Harry, why have you been sneaking around with a Slytherin witch prior to the big Quidditch match?"
"But I didn't -"
Angelina cut off his response and continued chiding him, "No excuses, Harry. Don't you think you should have told your teammates? You're risking the Quidditch Cup all for a pretty face that could stab you in the back!"
Before he could reply, a cross-looking Katie Bell added with a growl, "And what's wrong with Gryffindor witches?!" Harry could almost feel the tumultuous magic emanating from Katie. He wondered whether there were other reasons Katie was mad. He had a small crush on her and didn't want Katie to be cross with him.
Alicia Spinnet was shaking her head with a disappointed look at Harry on her face and spoke up right after Katie finished, "And don't you think you should have asked the Gryffindor witches who are closest to you for advice on other witches? We're like your older sisters, Harry." Katie slightly blanched at the last comment and Harry noticed. Something to investigate later, Harry thought. The chasers often did take him aside to explain things and offer advice like he assumed older sisters probably would.
Harry's head was spinning. He didn't know where all these grievances were coming from. As a teenage boy and one attempting to avoid attention, Harry was not plugged into the rumor mill and was utterly confused. He held up his hand to prevent more verbal assaults. "Wait, wait, hold it. What are you all talking about?" he asked in frustration.
Angelina gave a frustrated sigh and said to her female teammates, "Typical boy," as though she were describing a lost cause and it explained the whole situation. They quirked their mouths and nodded in agreement before Angelina continued, "Everybody's talking about it, Harry. You and Daphne Greengrass. Together. Just look at all the people staring at you right now wondering how a Gryffindor got together with a Slytherin. At the worst and most awkward time, in my opinion. You're lucky Oliver is oblivious about most things that aren't Quidditch." Alicia could be heard muttering about stupid boys not seeing what was in front of them.
The Gryffindor seeker's eyes shot up to see dozens of people, mostly girls, overtly staring at him and whispering. Merlin, they had multiplied! The agitation was rising in him at always being the center of attention - for better or worse, but usually worse. Harry testily replied, "Well, everyone is wrong! Yesterday was the most I've ever spoken to her and that's because we were both in the hospital wing at the same time. Godric's pants! You three were there when I took the bludger to the ribs!"
Katie snapped right back, "Don't you take this out on us, Harry Potter. I-we're feeling a bit betrayed by you. All we are trying to do is be good friends and teammates by simply telling you about the situation. We don't need your temper, Potter."
Harry deflated. In the last few hours he had been thinking a lot about how he treated others. He didn't mean to hurt his teammates and quickly apologized in a rapid stream of consciousness, "Er, sorry. Look, I'm really sorry, Katie. I'm not actually mad at you three. It's just that there's always a rumor about me. They're always blown out of proportion and full of drama. Nobody else ever has to deal with these things but me and this school seems to have collective amnesia about how they treat me. What's worse is that this time the rumors and gossip involve another person who hasn't done anything wrong and it's my fault. Thanks for trying to help though." He caught his breath and added, "And I promise to come to you for advice about witches next time." Goodness, I've had to apologize to witches a lot lately, he thought.
The Gryffindor chaser trio was appeased and shared comforting words with their Seeker. Katie was visibly more relaxed as well. Nobody noticed a blonde 2nd year Hufflepuff girl get up from the Slytherin table and exit the Great Hall.
Soon thereafter, the group of five Gryffindors left for the library to get Hermione's books and then to walk the 3rd years to the Transfiguration classroom.
Meanwhile...
Daphne Greengrass awoke from a restful night's sleep ready for her day. As she was stretching in bed getting her bearings, she noted that she was once again in her favorite bed in the hospital wing. Despite being in the hospital wing again, Daphne was pleased with the progress she had made on the potion for Astoria. A Muggle botany book, which she had gotten last week during Easter holidays, mentioned that some species of aconite had lower toxicity levels than the species used for the Wolfsbane potion. Daphne had been experimenting all week back at Hogwarts with creating distillates of leaves and roots from some of these species, that could luckily be ordered through her parents' suppliers. Unfortunately, she had knocked the boiling potion onto her arm and needed the matron's help. Her clumsiness wasn't just a cover story.
Regrettably for the potions prodigy, the good feelings from her progress were short-lived. Daphne suddenly sat up, her face frozen in shock as the memories from yesterday struck her like a bucket of cold water to the face. The fight with Harry Potter was real, but she couldn't believe the humiliating spectacle had happened. Her parents would ground her for the summer if they found out that their well-bred daughter had behaved so boorishly, in front of one of the most famous wizards in Britain no less.
The 3rd year Slytherin still had the horror-stricken expression plastered on her face when the curtains were opened by Madam Pomfrey, who was alerted to Daphne's state of wakefulness by the charms in the hospital bed. Having been caught by surprise, Daphne took a few moments to school her expression to the one she used to blend into the crowd, blank but present and non-threatening.
Madam Pomfrey gave her a disappointed look and verbalized the sentiment, "Daphne, tsk, you know you don't have to put on your mask with me. Please relax."
Daphne's shoulders slumped and she laid back down covering her eyes with her forearm. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey. I needed that. Sorry for causing a scene. I'm mortified over my altercation last night. May we still have breakfast here together? I can't face the Great Hall this morning."
"Of course. Why do you think I came this way? We always have breakfast together during your overnight visits. Clean up and get dressed while I ask a house elf to bring a sampling of today's breakfast offerings."
Daphne freshened up and cleaned her clothes with a charm her mother taught her prior to 1st year at Hogwarts. She would have time after breakfast for a proper shower back in the Slytherin dorms.
The nurse was next to the bed waiting with breakfast for Daphne as she returned from the lavatory. They spoke about light topics as they ate breakfast.
The older witch cleared her throat after they set aside their plates. "Now that we've eaten, let's talk seriously, dear. Tell me more about your progress developing this potion for your sister. While I don't condone potions experiments by younger students, your reasons are noble and I can't deny your talent. Maybe I can offer some guidance from a Healer's perspective."
Madam Pomfrey helping would be a positive development in Daphne's opinion. "As you know, my sister suffers from an inherited blood curse of unknown origin. According to family history, only someone from the family who cursed us can cure us. Unfortunately, we don't know which family cursed us, nor what curing us entails, or if that story is even true. It hadn't surfaced in 3 generations until Astoria." Daphne stopped talking as her mind lingered on her sister's plight and the extraordinary efforts her parents were going through to cure their youngest daughter. The tears briefly blurred her vision until their collective weight caused them to trickle down her cheeks.
Madam Pomfrey patted Daphne's hand and said in her most assuring voice, "There, there, dear."
"Thanks. I'm fine now." Daphne rubbed her eyes before proceeding. "The blood curse reduces Astoria's magical and physical stamina and is quite painful if she pushes herself too much. Sometimes it strikes randomly and makes her bedridden, and her recovery time is longer for other ailments and injuries. It's bad all around for Astoria, yet she's still so positive through it all. My parents have been unsuccessful in finding a cure despite their significant efforts. I'm trying something different with this potion and want to focus on new ways of lessening her symptoms and managing her pain. The Wolfsbane potion seemed like a good model since it also treats a blood affliction that has some of the same after-effects on affected individuals."
"That's a novel approach you're taking. You realize the high cost of the ingredients in the Wolfsbane potion, don't you?" the nurse asked.
The young witch frowned. "Yes, unfortunately. You can't buy much on a 3rd year's allowance, no matter how much money your family has. That's why I've been researching and experimenting with less costly substitute ingredients. And to be honest, it's one of the reasons I end up here frequently," Daphne said sheepishly as she looked away from Poppy.
That admission prompted Poppy to glare at Daphne, who quickly followed a different thread to continue the conversation. In a slightly higher pitch, Daphne nervously said, "The progress I made was distilling a less expensive, non-toxic species of aconite called anthora. Did you know there are over 200 varieties of aconite?" The Slytherin felt like she held her composure fairly well given that the hospital matron could end her experimenting with one swift owl to her parents.
Madam Pomfrey puckered her lips and let out a barely audible growl as she stared past Daphne in contemplation. She then looked at the anxious 3rd year witch and sighed while nodding her head. The hospital matron had come to a decision and finally answered Daphne, "No, I had no idea about that type of aconite. As a young healer I was very interested in research and new treatments; this was long before you were born and before Wolfsbane potion existed. You'll find this out as you get older, but at some point you're forced to choose a path. My career took me down the path of training, teaching, and caring for the students of Hogwarts. I miss research, but I don't regret the path I took. It's been very fulfilling." She ended with a very content look on her face.
Daphne gave the nurse a small smile that hid her extreme eagerness to discuss some of her findings. "Thank you for sharing. Perhaps you could help me? The Wolfsbane potion is expensive because it requires the rare pale yellow variant of the northern wolf's-bane flower. We're talking about a rare color of one specific species of aconite from a remote location. Then compare that to anthora, which is common, non-toxic, and has healing properties. It could be a major breakthrough for me," she said excitedly.
Poppy raised her eyebrows at the revelation. "It's quite impressive that you've figured all this out on your own - quite impressive. I have treated werewolves recently and read all the latest research papers on lycanthropy. It's not the same as your sister's situation, but it is related. By this, I mean I can help guide you in your project. However, I have one condition."
The Slytherin's breathing stopped with the last sentence, then she tensely gulped. "What would that be?" Daphne asked with a scrunched brow.
"I tell your parents about your project to help Astoria," the hospital matron said resolutely, her tone conveying that she wouldn't reconsider.
A downcast Daphne looked down at her hands. "But you said you would keep it a secret between us," she whispered.
Poppy put on her best and most reassuring bedside manor. "Daphne, look at me. I have my oath as a healer and my duties as Hogwarts matron to uphold. I'll tell them I'm mentoring you, which will be true, and it will help me keep you safe."
"B-but what if they don't approve? What if they want me to stop?" she asked with apprehension. So much of her life the last few years had revolved around the project to help Astoria. She didn't want to imagine being forced to stop.
Poopy waved her hand. "Doubtful. Both of them remain studious and high achieving people. Your father is a Ravenclaw and neither would turn down an opportunity to further your education. You would be learning more about potions for healing magic along with the added charms to make them more effective when administered to patients. This apprenticeship would also go towards a mastery. This should all appease them, wouldn't you say?"
"You're right. They would like that for me, especially the work towards a mastery. Both of them have one in Potions and they've always said they wanted us to get a mastery as well," Daphne reluctantly admitted.
Madam Pomfrey shifted in her seat. "Now that you are my unofficial apprentice, we can move onto other topics. Daphne, tell me what happened with Mr. Potter. I see you both frequently and I've never seen either of you behave that way. Frankly, I'm surprised the two of you have never been under my care at the same time."
Before the Slytherin student could reply, Astoria Greengrass, dressed in her Hufflepuff colors, burst into the hospital wing and stalked towards Daphne's corner. The younger Greengrass decorum seemed frivolous and of little value to an Astoria with a death sentence hanging over her head. Simply put, she had decided to enjoy her life and ignore the shackles of uppercrust Magical Britain. Though Daphne and Astoria's personalities had diverged over the last 3 years, they still shared a special bond and got along marvelously. Their parents sometimes found Astoria maddening, but they understood why she didn't want to be bottled up and cloistered, even if her behavior occasionally embarrassed the family.
Astoria began speaking quickly and loudly from half-way across the room, voice and footsteps echoing in the hospital wing. "Daph! There you are. I've been looking all over for you. You weren't at breakfast with Tracey and me today. I should have known your clumsiness had brought you here again when you didn't show up. Good morning, Madam Pomfrey!"
The 2nd year Hufflepuff reached Daphne's bed and immediately sat down and held her sister's hand. Before Daphne could reply, Astoria excitedly added, "Oh, that's quite the fashionable koala-print bandage you have. You know they're my favorite animal. I didn't realize Madam Pomfrey had anything like this. No wonder you're here so frequently." Astoria grinned cheekily after the final comment.
Daphne rolled her eyes as she smiled at her sister. "Good morning to you, too, little sister. You know, I requested this style just because you like koalas. How have you been, Astoria? We haven't spoken much this week."
Astoria pushed up the sleeve on Daphne's robe to admire the bandage. "It's really quite a lovely pattern. We'll have to ask Mother to stock more stylish bandages at home for–," she stopped abruptly before adopting a hurt expression, "Argh, you distracted me! There's no time for pleasantries, Daffy Dear. I'm annoyed at you. You've been hiding your boyfriend from me. Ahhh! Tell me everything!" Her eyes danced with playful mischief as a wide, enthusiastic grin grew on her face.
Daphne inhaled deeply. Her fears had come true and her sister could only be talking about Potter. Curse that Fawley girl and her blabbering about people to her common room! She would be receiving her comeuppance later, but Daphne first needed to slow down the Astoria train.
Madam Pomfrey noticed Daphne's knitted brow and reddening complexion and excused herself. "I'll give you two some privacy. Daphne, you are free to leave whenever you'd like. Remember our discussion. Come see me on Sunday." The matron then turned to the other student, "Good seeing you, Astoria."
"Toodle-oo, Madam Pomfrey!" Astoria said energetically. Daphne rolled her eyes at Astoria's genuine, though over-the-top antics. Astoria turned to Daphne and expectantly said, "So?"
After nodding her thanks to the nurse, Daphne waited for her new mentor to leave before putting on a neutral expression and flatly stated, "I don't know what you are talking about, Astoria."
Astoria began chuckling at her sister's staid reply and waved her hand dismissively. "Harry Potter, of course! I overheard some older Hufflepuff girls talking about it last night in the common room and it was all anyone could talk about in the Great Hall during breakfast. So tell me about your secret green-eyed boyfriend!" She clapped excitedly in anticipation.
Daphne frowned. "I don't have a boyfriend. I'm barely 14!"
"You don't have to hide him from me, Daffy Dear. Has he taken you for a romantic broom ride on his Firebolt? Can you imagine flying over the grounds on a beautiful spring day and having Harry Potter take you on a picnic to a secluded place?" Astoria said breathlessly with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Tori, stop! You've been reading too many of your friends' romance novels," Daphne said with exasperation. Astoria was always able to press her buttons.
The Hufflepuff patted her Slytherin sister's hand. "Fine, fine. I'll stop my teasing and daydreaming, but I do want the real story. I think I heard three different rumors at breakfast and Potter would not stop looking at the Slytherin table this morning and it wasn't at Draco. In fact, he kept giving me odd looks. So...Tell. Me. Your. Tale."
Daphne let out an exasperated chuckle. "Oh Tori, you are impossible. Never change, Darling." Daphne smiled and squeezed her sister's hand before continuing, "The truth is that Harry Potter and I are not currently, nor have we ever had any sort of romantic situation. Why would we?"
Astoria frowned at the news; she really wanted the rumors to be true, the nice ones anyway.
Daphne could tell Astoria was disappointed and used the Aguamenti charm to fill the drinking glass on the bedside table with water and handed it to Astoria. She then pressed on with the facts. "We had an argument here in the hospital wing yesterday evening and that Fawley girl in your house twisted it to whatever rubbish you ended up hearing."
A confused Astoria said, "None of this makes any sense. Why would you fight with Potter? Why would Emma Fawley think you were a couple flirting in the hospital wing?"
Daphne blushed and looked away from her sister. "I was in this bed. Apparently he always uses the same bed. I don't know how we've never crossed paths before. Anyway, at the time, I thought he was trying to sneak into my bed. I was facing away when he got in and…and he accidentally touched my backside, my bottom, resulting in a commotion."
Astoria broke the glass of water in her hand as she let out a subdued growl and went cross-eyed in rage, her mind revisiting their mother's stories. She then snarled through gritted teeth, "If he hurt you, then he'll be begging for You-Know-Who to have gotten to him before me."
The Slytherin sat up in alarm. "Astoria! You're bleeding! You aren't supposed to do those types of things. You know it takes you longer to heal, even with magic. Madam Pomfrey!"
The younger sister disregarded everything her older sister said. "Daphne, you're the best person I know and I will protect you. It doesn't matter how much it hurts me. Even if it is against the Boy-Who-Lived," Astoria spoke adamantly.
Daphne leaned closer and hugged her bleeding sister tightly. She was the one that was supposed to protect and look after Astoria and here was her sickly younger sister doing the same for her. Astoria had always been incredibly protective of her. "I love you, Tori," she said into Astoria's shoulder.
The Matron came over and Daphne released her hug so that Astoria could be treated. "Oh dear. Astoria Greengrass, how did you do this? You're almost as injury-prone as your sister and Mr. Potter. Evanesco, Evanesco." Madam Pomfrey vanished the broken glass in Astoria's hand, then the glass and puddle of water on the ground. She took Astoria's hand and cast a spell to ensure there was not any serious damage. Content with the results, Madam Pomfrey chastised Astoria, "You are lucky this was just a few simple cuts with no serious tendon damage. Don't forget - hands are delicate work." Seeing the message register on Astoria's face, the matron continued in a kindlier tone, "Now let's fix you up. This will sting for a few minutes, and your hand will be sore the rest of the day, but then you'll be right as rain. Episkey."
Astoria squinted in pain as the magic mended her injury. She then sighed out her gratitude, "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey. You always help."
"Of course, dear. You and your sister are two of my favorites. I'll give you two back your privacy and do be careful. I don't want to see you in my hospital the rest of the year." Pomfrey lingered for a moment looking at Astoria and assumed Daphne was in the midst of sharing the story about the altercation with Potter, then she left.
"I hope you take Madam Pomfrey seriously, Astoria. She's only looking out for your best interest. We all are..." Daphne trailed off and choked up.
Astoria gave Daphne the agitated look all younger siblings give their older siblings when being lectured. "Ugh, I will if you don't give me any excuses to go hexing certain people. Finish your story, Daph. You were telling me how much of a scoundrel Harry Potter is."
Daphne took Astoria's hands and looked into her eyes. "Darling, please listen to everything I have to say before you react again." Astoria tensely raised her eyebrows in alarm and looked searchingly at her older sister's face expecting the worst.
The Slytherin sister unburdened herself and her words came out soft and somber, measured though genuine. "The situation between Potter and me was...a misunderstanding. It's true that he got into my bed...and I initially reacted the same as you. But, he thought the reverse was occurring - me sneaking into his bed. That's the misunderstanding, but…" Daphne stopped to compose herself and prevent herself from crying.
She still got caught up in her emotions somewhat. "Oh, Tori! He made it so, so much worse! Potter thought I, as a Slytherin, was trying to seduce him prior to the Quidditch match tomorrow to help Slytherin win. He made me feel like such a piece of meat when he said that, like all those Slytherin boys Mother warned us about. We had this huge quarrel that didn't end until Madam Pomfrey arrived. I thought I was lucky nobody else was here. Obviously, it didn't matter. Fawley, that nosy witch, doesn't know the meaning of discretion." Daphne's tears began to mount as she explained more of the events.
Astoria immediately pulled Daphne in for a hug after a few moments of silence. "What an awful experience, Daph. Harry Potter sounds like a clueless boy that needs to learn how to treat a witch."
The Hufflepuff abruptly held her sister at arm's length. "Although…this is how people meet," Astoria said, bringing levity to the situation. "I should really lend you my copy of 'Heart Crossed Wands'. It's so romantic! You'll see reason once you read it."
Daphne shook her head. "There's no point. I can't focus on those things now," she said morosely.
Astoria frowned at her sister's reply. "There's never a bad time to focus on love, Darling. It makes life worth living."
Daphne was broken out of her gloomy thoughts by Astoria's pearl of wisdom. "You always make me feel better. Sometimes it feels like everything is so serious and I lose myself in these sad, gloomy thoughts. You really do brighten my day and I love you for it."
Astoria was taken aback by Daphne's soul-baring and then engulfed her sister in a tight hug. "You make things easier for me, Daph. Thanks," she whispered in Daphne's ear.
After hugging for a minute, Astoria broke the heartfelt embrace and had mischief in her eyes. "Well, my darling Daffy, now that you've made it clear that Potter is not your beau, what boy in the castle do you like?"
Daphne harrumphed and showed a fake scowl before cheerfully replying, "Tori, you are now and forever, completely and utterly incorrigible and I love you."
The sisters hugged again and then spent the next half hour on lighter topics and enjoying each other's company.
