DISCLAIMER: EVERYTHING BELONGS TO JKR


Daphne Is In The Details

Chapter 4

Harry Potter and a Weekend at the Weasleys

Sitting in the minister's booth watching the final for the quidditch world cup supposedly the pinnacle event of the sport. Harry came to the realization he didn't particularly like quidditch; he just really enjoyed flying.

He also thought the sport would be a lot better without his own position of seeker. While every other player furiously competed the seekers simply cruised around looking for the snitch. Sure at one point the Bulgarian seeker pulled off a rather impressive maneuver called the Wonski feint, (Harry was definitely going to attempt that next chance he got.) the Bulgarians were still losing badly.

Strangely, seekers were the most sought after and highly regarded players. The worst seeker in the league was paid twice as much as the highest paid chaser, and four times the amount of the highest paid beater. Keepers were more comparable but still on average got paid twenty to thirty percent less.

If they wanted to make quidditch better than football they should drop the seeker and teams could play with an extra chaser or beater. Allow substitutions so the teams could adjust strategies when down. In the current rulers unless your team was ten times better then the other team, it all came down to the seekers. Made ninety-five percent of the game useless.

The highlight of the match so far was the Bulgarian cheerleaders. They were creatures that looked like the most beautiful women in the world, until angered when they transformed into fire wielding harpies. They got into a fight with the Irish team's mascots, the apparently real Leprechauns.

The fight was split up far too quickly in Harry's opinion. It would be interesting to see who would between the two creatures. He mistakenly turned to Hermione for her opinion on the outcome and was given a stern lecture for his trouble.

"Honestly Harry, shame on you! First of all they aren't creatures that's derogatory. They are magical beings just like you or I and should be granted the same respect. Did you see Veela or Leprechauns in our care for magical creatures textbook?No! Why?! Because they aren't creatures!"

Harry responded before his brain could even process what he was saying. Words that he would instantly wish he could take back. "You think if Veela were part of the care of magical creatures class that Hargird would let me ride one like he did with Buckbeak?"

Instantly Hermione's face became red, her eyes darkened Harry swore her bushy brown lochs were floating in the air in her anger. "Harry James Potter! Never would I have thought something so crude and tactless would come from your mouth. I will not speak to you again until you provide at least twenty inches on Veela and their heritage."

Harry was at the point left to sit alone for the rest of the match to think about what he said. None of the Weasleys dared to talk to him, afraid of getting in trouble with Hermione. This lasted throughout the rest of the match and the walk back to the tents.

Alone in the tent bedroom with Ron, the tall lanky ginger finally spoke to him. "You got detention from Hermione?" Harry smirked, thinking detention was a good word for it.

"Yeah, I need to write an essay on Veela. At least twenty inches."

"Word of advice, she grades them, deducts points for penmanship and everything. Need to get at least an acceptable to pass. Don't write big or to wide of spaces, she'll make you do it over again."

"What did you do that got you a detention?"

"Well when she got here I kind of told her that she looked right fit and the French sun must have done her wonders." He was looking down embarrassed, his cheeks matching his hair.

"Why would you say that you're a moron?"

"I don't know mate. Just when I saw her, it was like the first time actually seeing her. She wasn't 'help me with my homework, Hermione'. She was 'I wonder what it's like to kiss her, Hermione'. My brain got all messed up." Ron still wasn't looking Harry in the eye.

"Bloody hell you like Hermione!" Harry was to his feet in exclamation. He couldn't believe his best friend had a thing for his other best friend.

"Yeah, I do but keep it down will ya? Don't need none of my siblings hearing any of that."

"Wow. So what are you going to do?" Harry asked as he sat back down on his cot.

"I'm not sure. You don't have any feelings for her, do you mate?" At that moment he looked Harry in the eyes, like he was begging him to say no.

Part of Harry wanted to make a joke but the look in his best friend's eyes told him it wouldn't be a good idea. "Not the kind of feelings you have to worry about. I love her but not in that way."

"Sorry, it's just the two of you are so close, it makes me a little jealous."

"I think it's because we're both only children and our childhoods were very isolated. We formed a bond. She's like a sister to me." Harry had never said that out loud but hoped Hermione saw him the same way. He felt like she did. He would have finished his essay before they could talk about it.

"Just to be clear you don't fancy her. A lot of pureblood families are pretty close so brother and sister isn't as comforting as you might think."

"Bloody hell Ron. We're both raised by muggles and we're not Irish so you don't have anything to worry about. I don't fancy Hermione."

At that moment an explosion was heard coming from somewhere outside of the tent. Immediately the boys tensed and jumped to their feet. Harry pulled his wand, while Ron frantically searched for his.

"Boys, grab your wands. We have to run, the camp is under attack." Mr Weasley yelled.

Ron was tearing apart from the room looking for his wand. "Bloody hell I can't find my wand, I know I had when we left for the match."

"We don't have time. Look, take my wand, I can't use it one more case of under age magic and I'll be expelled from Hogwarts." Harry thrusted the wand into Ron's hands and gave him a look that said not to argue. Ron hesitated a moment, nodded before grabbing the wand and both the boys made their way out of the tent.

The next morning Harry woke up in a bed at the Burrow with a very fuzzy memory of last night's events. He felt like he had been hit by a truck and the bruising on his chest was supporting his theory.

Fred and Geroge recounted the events of last night, it was very humbling for Harry. Apparently the group shortly after reaching the woods were encountered by a death eater in a clearing. The death eater fired at them and Harry, forgetting he didn't have his wand stepped in front, tried to cast a shield charm. The result was Harry taking a bludgeoning curse to the chest and was knocked unconscious.

Fortunately it distracted the death eater enough that Ron got a hex off on him. While the death eater was throwing up slugs the twins hit him with a disarming charm and a body bind jinx. Aurors showed up shortly after to arrest the death eater and make sure Harry was okay.

Apparently the death eater was Barty Crouch Jr. who everyone thought died in Azkaban years ago. Turns out his father who sent him to Askaban broke him out as a wish from his dying wife. They somehow used Polyjuice potion to switch Jr. with his mother. Barty's wife died in Akaban disguised as her son. While his son was kept prisoner under the imperius curse inside the Crouch home.

For some reason Barty Sr, decided to bring his son to the world cup in the care of the family house elf Winky. He managed to steal Ron's wand while everyone was watching the match. The chaos of the attacks that night allowed Jr. to free himself and he released the dark mark into the sky.

When the dark mark appeared the other death eaters ran, and the aurors were all drawn to the clearing where the mark was. Barty Sr. was with the aurors. When he saw his son he freed his house elf Winky and then turned himself over. The Barty's were both sent to Azkaban.

Harry had to get his ribs mended, and some other minor things healed. He would have to spend the day in bed but should be back to normal by tomorrow. Hermione came by to check on him and make sure he was alright but quickly went back to shunning him upon finding out he was fine. She did however leave him with several books to assist with his paper.

Seeing as Ron was volunteering at St Mungos, the twins were working on pranks, Hermione was shunning and Ginny was strangely not around. Harry decided to work on his assignment so he could make up with Hermione before their shopping trip on Sunday.

The Veela were very interesting. Their origins are uncertain if there was accurate history only the Veela knew it. Their populations are highest in Scandinavian countries, they have covens all over Europe except in Britain due to prejudice laws.

Amusingly they aren't feared for the terrifying fire wielding bird-like transformations but due to their beauty and a certain pheromone that they release. Supposedly the pheromone commonly known as the allure affects male brain function.

Housewives often spin tales of Veela stealing husbands and lovers from proper witches. There is no factual evidence to back this up, research studies have actually shown you are five times more likely to have a fellow witch "steal" your lover then a Veela. Veela gained a reputation of promiscuity due to the fact they rarely marry wizards but still have relations with them in order to procreate.

Veela typically live in covens, where men are not allowed. If a Veela gives birth to a male the boy is given to the father or the Veela leaves the coven. Outside of covens they face constant discrimination and most countries have seperate laws for them when not confined to a coven. They are often kidnapped and forced into slavery by traffikers.

There are around ten thousand registered Veela in Europe, not a single one lives in the United Kingdom. Rarely do Veela even travel off the continent due to the aggressive laws including the requirement to be accompanied by a handler. The Dark Lord and his followers were also very aggressive in kidnapping Veela during the nineteen seventies.

Veela are known for having an affinity for fire and healing spells, as their magic is derived from their love and passion.

Harry handed his essay to Hermione at breakfast Saturday morning along with an apology for being an ass. She read it over, made a few notes and graded him an 'exceeds expectations', that Harry was pretty proud of. He was also rewarded with a vice grip like hug.

"I'm sorry for being hard on you Harry but ever since Buckbeak I have had the need to fight for fair laws for all magical beings and 'beasts'. I spent a week in France this summer at a Veela coven talking to all the people there. It's disgusting what they have to put up with." The speech went on much longer but Harry had trouble following it so he just nodded along.

"So Harry, anything special with you this summer?" His mind instantly went to Daphne but he couldn't think of any way not to make it sound insane. "Well I guess I got a summer job working for an older couple who own a farm. I do small chores around the farm and I've been building a fence around their property."

"Well that explains why your arms have been filling out. Do you enjoy the work? Have you done anything for fun this summer or all work?" Hermione's thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.

He thought about a moment before responding. "Honestly I really enjoy the work. I like working with my hands, I feel a sense of accomplishment you don't really get with magic. Also Patty and Jon are amazing people, they feed me, given me clothes, let me use their shower. On Sundays I go to the library and the music store, so I can read and listen to music in my free time. Honestly it's been the best summer of my life."

"That's amazing Harry, I'm happy for you and that you're reading on your own." She gave him a playful smile, to which he returned.

Saturday was a typical summer day at the Weasleys, they degnomed the garden in the morning and played quidditch in the afternoon, and a quick swim in the pond before dinner. The meal was loud and crazy with six different conversations happening at once. Mrs Weasley of course made sure Harry ate twice as much as wanted to.

Eventually the day ended with Harry and Ron relaxing in their rooms. They talked about school and what they had been up to this summer but Harry didn't mention Daphne.

"So how did you end up volunteering at St Mungos?" Harry asked during a lull in the conversation.

"Oh, well I don't know, I guess I just wanted to give back, or something." Ron was avoiding looking at Harry as he spoke.

"I thought it was some sort of punishment."

"Why would you think that?"

"You just don't normally enjoy working so it's hard to imagine you volunteering on your own."

"It was tough at first but after a couple days, it felt really good, like I was making a difference."

"That's awesome mate." Harry gave his friend a pat on the back. "What made you decide on St Mungos anyways, do you know anyone there?"

"What's with all the bloody questions, I'm doing something good can't you just leave at that." Ron punched his pillow a couple of times before lying on his back staring at the ceiling.

"You're right, I'm sorry mate. Good on you for volunteering, I'm impressed." Harry deciding to copy Ron and laid down to look at the ceiling.

The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Both boys deep in thought.

"It was that bloody rat!" Ron shouted out of nowhere. Harry turned to him and eloquently replied. "Huh?"

"Scabbers." Silence. "Look, don't tell anyone this, especially not Hermione. I agreed to volunteer at St Mungos, so I can see a mind healer three times a week." Ron just kept staring at the ceiling instead of looking at Harry.

"You've been seeing a mind healer? Is everything okay?" The worry in his voice was evident. His best mate was hurting and Harry had done nothing to help. Ron was always there for him and he couldn't even be there to return the favour.

"It started when I got back home." Still just looking at the ceiling. "I guess everything happened so fast at school I didn't really process it properly. Then I got home and I had nothing but time and that's when it got bad."

"I didn't sleep for two days, I couldn't, didn't want to close my eyes. If I did I would see it." He took in a deep breath before letting it go. "On the third day when I still couldn't sleep my parents dragged me to St Mungos to get some tests run. They gave me a dreamless sleep potion for the night and recommended I start seeing a mind healer."

"Unfortunately mind healers are not considered essential so you have to pay. Obviously it's not something we could afford. One of the doctors heard us making an inquiry about free alternatives and made us an offer. If I volunteer for the hospital she'd squeeze me in three times a week. I was hesitant at first but I didn't know what else to do."

There was a silence that lasted several minutes. Harry wasn't sure what to say; he felt like he wasn't there for a friend who had always been there for him. He wanted to comfort his friend but Harry wasn't sure how, it's not like he was a screaming endorsement of mental health.

Ron was trying to get up the courage to say what was haunting him but was afraid of the ridicule. His best mate whose parents were murdered by a dark lord, forced to live with awful muggles, plus everything that had happened to him since entering Hogwarts. Where Ron was haunted by memories of his former pet rat. What a coward he was.

"Bloody hell I'm just gonna say it." Ron spoke, breaking the silence. "Ever since I got home I have been having nightmares about scabbers, or I guess Peter Pettigrew." He took three deep breaths. "I know it's, stupid. It's not like anyone got hurt or anything but I just can't stop thinking about it."

"Like I think about all the shite I did with scabbers but then in my head I see Peter Pettigrew. I bathed with the bloody rat for merlin's sake. Slept in the same bed as him. Bloody hell I used to tell how awful my brothers used to make me feel. He saw me masturbate."

"Then I start thinking about what he could have been doing while I was sleeping. He was a death eater you know? He could have killed my whole family in the night. Could have killed any of us in the dorms or kidnapped us."

"Then I think what if he was some kind of pedo or something. What if did stuff to me while I was sleeping or worse Ginny. It's too much. He could easily done anything and just obliviated us after."

"You ever just think how bloody scary magic is? People can turn into other people with just a piece of hair. You can erase and change people's memories. There's potions to make people think they're in love. How does someone feel safe around magic?"

Harry laid there listening to Ron horrified by everything he was saying. He never really even thought that much about the fact scabbers turned out to be Peter Pettigrew. He was so excited thinking he finally had someone that might be family in his godfather Sirius Black.

Pettigrew was the kind of person to betray his closest friends; there was no way of knowing what else he was capable of. Harry could only hope that the man was too cowardly to take any risks and didn't attempt any horrors on the Weasleys. Magic truly was terrifying.

Harry didn't know what to say so he said the only thing that came to mind. "Gah mate, I hope your mind healer is decent." Damn could he be a right pillock.

Luckily Ron laughed. "Well I don't know about mind healing but she's rather decent to look at. Either way I've been doing a lot better."

"That's good mate and well I'm no mind healer or pretty bird but I'm here if need me, even if it's just to listen."

"Thanks Harry." Nothing else was said that night, as boys slowly fell asleep both deep in thought.

The next day went by faster than Harry would have liked. Their trip to Diagon Alley was for the most part successful. Everyone was curious why Harry didn't buy any robes when he had clearly grown that summer. Harry avoided their inquiries as best he could not wanting to explain his Daphne situation.

They spent a large amount of time at Flourish and Blotts, neither Harry or Hermione wanting to leave. After purchasing a few books on runes, Harry had to confess he was switching electives. Hermione was beyond excited and surprisingly Ron was fine with it. Ginny hoped Harry wouldn't pass his exam so they could have a class together.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Harry treated them all to icecream with the promise they would not tell Mrs Weasley. He didn't want to get in trouble for spoiling people's appetites.

Harry enjoyed a lovely dinner he promised his friends he'd see them on the express he grabbed the knight bus home. He crawled into bed with his new book "simple runic applications for the average wizard". Feeling quite content after a wonderful weekend at the Weasleys.


AUTHORS NOTES


Thank you all again for reading, favouriting, following and reviewing it warms my soul.

This was a harder chapter to write than I thought it would be. I missed Daphne but I wanted to introduce Ron and Hermione.

The Ron and Scabbers thing, was something I wanted to do for a long time. How was that not a traumatizing experience!

Next chapter is the end of summer, hopefully I have it up very soon.