Vignette 5: An Autumn Stroll

AN: This one's dedicated to Freudentraene who has reviewed every chapter so far, and has some pretty good HP/DG stories published as well. Check them out!

It was a brisk Autumn morning in Scotland. The sun was beginning to rise over the Scottish highlands behind the castle and a strong breeze blew yellow, red and orange leaves from the trees that littered the grounds, swirling them around Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass as the unlikely pair carried on with their regular morning walk around the Hogwarts Lake. Most of the castle's denizens were still asleep, except for the elves who were hard at work making breakfast and the ghosts who never slept at all, giving the two a much needed moment of privacy.

They walked in a comfortable silence, breaking it occasionally with an observation or an exclamation. Each carried a mug of hot chocolate that Harry had procured from the kitchens and Daphne had cast warming charms on. After a while though, their silence became less and less comfortable and Harry became more and more fidgety. Daphne, sensing his mood, pursed her lips and kept quiet until he was ready to bring up what was on his mind.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked finally, as they passed the Whomping Willow.

"Certainly," said Daphne, slowing her pace down. They watched as the Willow lashed out at a squirrel that scampered underneath its branches, trying to get at some nuts near the moving tree's trunk.

"Why do you spend time with me? I mean..." He gestured helplessly around them. "Not that I don't enjoy these walks, but there's a war going on. You're a Slytherin. You could be killed because of me. He could hurt your family."

There was no reason to specify who "he" was. Daphne gave him a measured look as she warmed her hands on her hot chocolate.

"I make no secret of these walks among the Slytherins," she said slowly, "or of the fact that I spend time with you. I don't, precisely because I am a Slytherin. Do you know why?"

"Why?" asked Harry, kicking a pile of leaves morosely.

She placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around to face her fully.

"Because I know you're going to win," she said. Fierce determination shone on her face. "I have no doubt that you're going to win. And when you win, I want them all to remember who stood with you when things looked the most difficult."

He gave her a watery smile. "Do you really think I'm going to win?"

"Of course," she said, flashing him a smile. "You have me on your side."

He let out a short laugh, easing the tension. "Thanks, Daphne."

"Don't mention it," she said. She made as if to let go of his shoulder and then paused, a faintest hint of a blush appearing on her cheeks. "I suppose, if I'm being honest, there is one other reason I like spending time with you."

"What's that?" he asked.

Her eyes shone mischievously and she leaned forward to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. "You'll have to figure that one out yourself."

Harry suddenly found the Whomping Willow's duel with the squirrel to be of great interest and Daphne, laughing at his discomfort, pulled his arm to resume their walk. And if, during that walk, their hands slipped into each other's - purely for warmth purposes, you understand - neither of them made mention of it.

AN: Please review and tell me if this is any good! It sounded a little better in my head than it looks on paper ... but I still like the idea, so here it is.