Daphne found Marcus sitting in the Slytherin common room. His blazing black eyes demanded an explanation as to why she was there and not following his orders.
"I found them in the Library." She began before explaining everything that had taken place, including the silent conversation, and ending with them needing time.
Silence rang for a long time after she had finished her explanation. "Time?" He asked after a moment and Daphne nodded. "Perhaps we can use that to our advantage." He stated as he stood up, his hands clasped behind his back as he moved, his eyes narrowed in contemplation.
"Tell them I wish to meet with them; they will be having dinner with us this evening." He stated and Daphne gave a curt nod and a slight curtsey as she left.
She found the three where she had left them, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were both pouring over books. "What about…" Hermione began only for Harry to shake his head.
"Page 374 says…" Harry stated
"I forgot about the…" Hermione sighed as she scratched out something in her notebook.
"Page 572…." Ron began but was cut off by the other two.
"Discredited in…"
"What about…" Ron began again
"Annulled in…"Harry stated and Daphne stared incredulously at the three. How in the world did they do that, they never finished a sentence and by the looks of it didn't have to.
"Scary isn't it." Lavender Brown stated coming up behind Daphne, a smile twisted her lips. "Everybody believes Hermione is the brains behind the trio, truth is they are all extremely smart. They understand each other better than any set of twins I have ever seen."
"If they are so smart then why hide it?" Daphne hissed out the demand.
Lavender shrugged her shoulders. "It was like they all agreed to play a part in a well written play; they try to stay beneath the radar only coming into the light when it's their turn to shine. Harry plays the part of the innocent Jockey, who really only does well in Defense, Ron plays the part of a jealous lay-about who has no decorum and no brains to speak of, and Hermione is the girl genius who outshines everyone in all but Defense." Lavender stated as she studied her nails.
"Why are you telling me this?" Daphne demanded.
"Marcus Flint has chosen his bride, and his bride is one third of the Gryffindor trio that leads the pride. He is the queen, Hermione is the castle, and Ron is the knight. Ginny hopes to be the king, the piece all three would protect, but she is simply a pawn." Lavender stated as her eyes went to the trio.
"If Harry is the queen, then who is his king?" Daphne asked and Lavender smirked.
"There has never been one worthy of the queen Greengrass." She stated before walking away, leaving Daphne with more questions than answers. She paused only a moment before squaring her shoulders and moving towards the trio, she had a job to do after all.
"Flint would like for the three of you to join him at the Slytherin table for dinner." She stated when she was beside their table; she kept her face blank behind a well-constructed mask.
Harry looked up from his book before glancing at the other two. "That is acceptable." Hermione stated after a moment as Harry nodded his consent.
Daphne gave a curt nod as she made her way back to the Slytherin common room. Her mind twisting and turning as she went over what she had heard, knowing she would need to give Marcus every detail of the conversation.