The next morning as the sun crept over the hills, a single ray of light hit Daphne's right eye.
"Uuurhhhg…" She adjusted and tucked her head behind Harry's neck.
The movement woke Harry, and as his eyes opened and squinted in the morning sun. He slowly took in his surroundings and was very happy to find Daphne still there with him. He gently squeezed her waist and turned his head so his chin rested against her blond hair.
Daphne groggily pulled her head back and turned to face him, "Morning." Harry said softly as he didn't want to startle her.
"No it's not." She nuzzled happily into his shoulder which caused Harry to smile. Again he had slept for a few hours without dreams about hallways, or doorways, nothing.
"Daphne." He whispered.
"Hmmm." She retorted defiantly
"Daph." He gently shook her.
"No…" She said defiantly. Knowing that he was right. "Uugghhhh, fine." She said sharply.
Harry giggled and gave her another soft squeeze before standing up. He was hit by a small gust of wind and it sent chills down his neck and arms. "God I missed this place." He said loudly.
Daphne slowly pushed herself up as he was stretching. As she stood she yawned and stretched her arms over her shoulders, "What time is it?"
Harry walked away from the ledge and into the center of the tower, "Sometime around five if i had to guess."
Daphne walked over to him and hugged him, "Thanks." She whispered into his chest.
Harry wrapped her up and enjoyed the warmth of her embrace, "For what?"
Daphne was quiet for a few moments enjoying the smell of her boyfriend and the feeling of his arms around her, "For being a good guy."
That caused Harry to laugh a bit louder than he anticipated, "Daph." He said putting his hands on her shoulders. "It's only the second day of term at least give me 24 hours to mess things up."
She chuckled, "Maybe this year will be better."
"If only. If only." He said it in a way that even Daphne couldn't believe it. "You ready for the mayhem that's coming?"
Daphne sighed, she had been dreading it all evening and all day yesterday. She knew that the Feast would be fine as everyone had behave and they weren't allowed to sit with people outside their houses. The real trouble would be the second day as it would now be public knowledge all over the castle that she and Harry were an item. It was a blessing that she had Prefect duty because it meant that she didn't have to deal with people in Slytherin. "No." she said as she frowned.
Harry began to lead her down the stairs of the Astronomy Tower, "Well, however bad it is we'll face it together. You mean a great deal to me Daphne and im not about to let a bunch of horny kids fuck this up."
Daphne locked arms with him as they walked down the over two hundred stairs, "Thanks."
Harry walked her to the bottom of the tower and all the way to entrance of the Dungeons all the while checking the Marauders map to make sure they wouldn't be caught. They agreed to meet in a few hours in the Great Hall for Breakfast. Everyone would be there as it was when they would get their schedules. Harry kissed Daphne on the cheek before parting to head back to his dorm.
Daphne walked quietly into the Slytherin Common room. Much to her relief it was still too early for anyone to be awake and was able to sneak quietly into the 5th year girls dorm without being noticed.
She crept over to her bed and as she pulled the curtain away, "Where have you been?" Tracy whispered somewhat loudly.
Tracy was sitting on her bed, "Prefect Duty." She said hiding her face.
"That ended at three. Its now six." Tracy walked over and sat on Daphne's bed.
"Angelina wanted a second opinion on the schedule and we kinda lost track of time." Daphne lied.
"Bullshit! If that were the case you wouldn't be glowing." Tracy could see right through her best friends facade.
"Ugh." Daphne's face hit her pillow for the first time since last June. "I was with Harry…" She said her voice getting muffled by the pillow.
"Then why didn't you just say that in the first place." Tracy bounced over so she was next to her best friend.
Daphne rolled over and glared at Tracy, "Because then you'd ask a billion questions."
Tracy smirked, "Yeah, I mean you guys are dating and you spend the first night away from your parents alone. I am shocked and happy for your Daph. You'd make me proud."
Daphne smiled, "We didn't do anything." She said in response to her friends mischievous grin.
"Sure… And I didn't snog Ernie McMillen last year in the Greenhouse."
"We didn't!" Daphne retorted a bit louder than she intended. She noticed that Pansy sat up and glared at both girls.
Daphne raised her hands in apology, it was common courtesy in the fifth year dorms that no one would make noise before 8am on non-class days, as all four of them loved their sleep.
Daphne turned back to Tracy, "What did I miss?"
Tracy and Daphne always told each other everything, they couldn't always be together as their schedules weren't the same. "Well lets see." Tracy leaned against the headboard. "Draco did his usual speech after all the first years went to sleep. Saying that he was in charge and blah blah blah. His daddy would make anyone's life miserable if they crossed him… blah blah."
Daphne sat up and crossed her legs, "What else is new…"
"A few of the older boys were a bit pissed that your no longer available. Apparently several of them had been plotting to get you into a Betrothal Contract." Tracy's voice was lower and much more serious.
"Ugghh!" Daphne muttered again into her pillow as she rolled on her side. "Great just what I needed. A year of boys pestering me or worse Tori about getting my pants."
"On the bright side they shouldn't be bothering you since the whole school knows about Potter." Tracy said it reassuring her friend.
"He doesn't need to deal with that, he's got enough on his plate as it is. Its only the second day of Term and classes haven't even started yet." Daphne sat back up and pulled out her wand. She pointed it at her trunk and it unlocked and she summoned her hair brush.
"Also, I did some digging on that new teacher, Umbridge." Tracy said putting her hands excitedly on Daphne's leg. "She's the Undersecrectary for Minister Fudge, and she's basically his lap dog."
"Great, another thing to worry about."
Tracy quirked an eyebrow, "Why's that relevant?"
Daphne turned quickly from brushing her hair, "Because the Minister is already out to get Harry and father. After the events of the summer he's position was weakened as Dumbledore and father have put him under the microscope with these attacks on Muggleborns. I imagine she was appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor as a way for Fudge to spy on Dumbledore and by proxy Harry."
"Oh." Tracy summoned a small blue pouch from her bedside and pulled out some nail polish. "That's gonna make this year annoying."
"Yeah…"
The next two hours were filled with usual gossip and stories about their summer. Around eight thirty Daphne and Tracy showered and got dressed to meet Harry and Hermione for breakfast at 9 like they agreed.
Daphne and Tracy walked into the Great Hall and Daphne quickly spotted Harry sitting next to Ginny and across from Hermione and Neville. She quickly guided Tracy over and they sat next to Harry.
"Morning Daphne, Hello Tracy." Hermione greeted as everyone besides Harry was shocked as two Slytherins sat down at the Gryffindor table.
"Morning." Daphne said a bit coldly. She reached over and started filling her plate with food and as she put on some apple slices she noticed that people were staring. "What?"
"They are just shocked the Ice Queen is sitting at the Gryffindor table." Harry said as he finished chewing a piece of toast. She smiled brightly at his girlfriend.
"Oh come off it, you don't actually call her that?" Tracy asked as she reached across the table and took the plate of bacon from in front of Neville.
"Some do." Fred said finally shaking his surprise away.
"I like to think we are better than that Freddie." George exclaimed.
"Right you are Georgie." Daphne continued to eat pile food on her plate as Tracy giggled slightly.
Hermione took careful notes in her head about Daphne's state. She figured that since she had met Harry after they finished patrolling that neither she nor Harry had a lot of sleep, yet the blonde appeared to be quite rested.
"What's everyone doing today?" Neville asked after a period of brief silence as everyone was stuffing their faces.
"I was going to go see Hagrid after a bit." Harry said with a mouthful of food.
He got looks from Hermione and Daphne, "Chew then talk." Hermione scolded. "You're not Ron."
This got a few laughs from the twins and Tracy. "Well I was going to head to the Library for a bit of research." Daphne said while eyeing Hermione.
"I'd like to come with you." Ginny spoke for the first time. "If thats ok…" She said shrinking a bit in her chair. Ginny was perfectly fine around most of the Gryffindors but since Daphne and Tracy were new to the dynamic she reverted back to her timid self.
"That's fine with me. Glad to have some company." Daphne was actually very interested in the fact the Weasley Girl wanted to spend some time alone with her. She had a few things that she needed answers about and it would be a good a time as any to find out.
A few moments later McGonagall walked over. "Mr. Potter." She nodded towards Harry, "Mrs. Granger, here are the schedules for your fellow fifth years. Make sure they are distributed and all the students informed about the new curfew."
"Thank you Professor." Hermione said as she took the set of schedules for the all the fifth year girls.
Harry took the set for the boys and quickly handed Neville his. "Dean, Seamus!" He shouted a few seats down.
Both boy looked up, "Harry?" Dean asked.
"Schedules." He passed them to Ginny who passed them to the boys.
Harry looked down the row of chairs trying to find Ron. He was sitting a few seats away from Seamus stuffing his face. Harry frowned, he and Ron had patched things up, kinda; but they were far from good. He stood up and walked down. "Ron."
The red head looked up and for a brief instance fear flashed into his eyes and faded just as quickly. Harry held out his schedule, "Thanks."
Harry merely nodded and walked back to his seat between Ginny and Daphne. He sat down and started looking over his schedule.
Monday
9:30am - 12:30pm Defense Against the Dark Arts Theory - Umbridge
2:30pm - 4:00pm Transfigurations Theory - McGonagall
Tuesday
9:30 am - 11:00am Potions Theory - Snape
11:30am - 1:00pm Charms Theory - Flitwick
2:30pm - 5:30pm Care of Magical Beasts - Hagrid
Wednesday
9:30am - 11:00am Charms Practical - Flitwick
11:30am- 1:00pm Transfigurations Practical - McGonagall
2:30pm - 4:00pm Divinations - Trelawny
7:00pm - 9:00pm Transfigurations Special Assignment - McGonagall
Thursday
11:30am - 1pm Potions Practical - Snape
2:30pm -5:30pm Herbology - Sprout
Friday
10:00am - 11:30am Special Assignment - Alastor Moody
4:00pm - 5:00pm Prefects Weekly Meeting
Harry was happy with his schedule because the last three years they had all started with a double Potions lesson Monday mornings. At least this year he'd be taking a class that he actually enjoyed. However he did raise an eyebrow at the Special Assignment that McGonagall and Alastor Moody had given him.
"Umm… Professor?" Harry said while still looking over his schedule.
McGonagall looked over at him after handing a second year his schedule, "Yes Potter?"
He walked over to her, "What is this?" he said pointing to the Transfiguration Special Assignment.
Minerva grinned, "You'll find out Wednesday, Mr. Potter. I think it's something that you'll quiet enjoy. Also, what is this I hear about Mrs. Johnson making you Captain?" She asked with a bit of excitement.
"Oh, she thinks that with her Head Girl duties that and N.E.W.T.S. that she'll be too busy to also Captain the team. She asked me on the train if I'd do it. I told her I would, although don't know how good I'll be." He said shrugging his shoulders.
"Mr. Potter, I have absolute confidence that you'll do Gryffindor proud. Your father was captain for four years and he won two titles as Captain." She was practically jumping with excitement.
"Thanks Professor, I'll do my best." He walked away slowly and returned to his seat. As he sat down Daphne snatched his schedule from him, "Hey…."
Daphne gave him a look of 'Really?' before she started comparing their schedules. She looked it over carefully, "So we have DADA, Charms and Potions together."
"Ohh we have Beasts together." Tracy said while looking over Daphne's shoulder. Neither Daphne nor Hermione were taking Divinations or Care for Magical Beasts. They were however both taking Athrimancy and Ancient Runes.
"I'm glad you all are having a good time but can I get my schedule back?" Harry said a bit frustrated.
The girls all laughed. "Potter!" Came the annoying voice of Draco Malfoy.
Harry looked down the row and standing a few feet away was Draco flanked on either side by Crabbe and Goyle. "What, Malfoy?" Harry responded angrily.
"I just wanted to congratulate you on dating your sister. I didn't know you were that sick."
Daphne made to lunge at Draco but was restrained by Tracy, "I think your confused Malfoy." Harry said loudly. "I don't know what sister your talking about."
Malfoy grinned, "Oh don't play dumb Potter, She's sitting right next to you." He said flicking his head towards Daphne.
"Well I see where you'd be confused as Ginny and I do hang out quite a bit, but she's just a close friend. I mean…" He said looking at Ginny. "You're not my sister are you?" He asked in a mocking sort of way. He gave Ginny a look to play along.
Ginny stood up, "Sister, are you kidding?! If you were my brother I wouldn't be able to do this." Ginny reached behind Harry's head and snogged him in full view of the entire student body. They both tried to make it look real even though they both were not interested.
Many people watched the very public and controversial display. Ginny gave a 'I'm sorry' look towards Daphne who played her part by remaining very calm. After several moments they both broke away and smiled fakely at each other. Harry licked the chapstick off of his lip, it did taste quiet good but not as good as Daphne's.
Draco's jaw was wide open and was left speechless. After a second of stuttering and failing to find words he turned around and marched out of the Great Hall with Crabbe and Goyle following right behind him.
Harry and Ginny both sat down and finished eating their breakfast. Harry glanced at Daphne and he was shocked when she wasn't mad, or atleast didn't look mad.
About five minutes later everyone had finished eating and comparing schedules Harry and Daphne got up and walked silently out of the Great Hall. As they entered the Entrance Harry lead thrm into one of the corridors and pulled her into an alcove.
"Daph-" Harry started before he was cut off by Daphne.
"You don't have to apologize." Daphne said with no real hurt in her voice.
"We only kissed because it would make him go away." Harry said quickly.
"Yeah. I know." Daphne was trying to remain calm. Honestly she had no idea why she was upset. She knew that neither Harry nor Ginny had feelings for each other and that the Kiss meant nothing other than to keep Draco at bay. "I'm fine really." She said after Harry gave her a look.
"Ok, I am going to see Hagrid if you want…"
Daphne cut him off against by shaking her head and waving her arms, "Na im going to use today to do some research on the Department of Mysteries and with any luck I'll be able to find something that might give us insight into your nightmares."
Harry nodded, "If you want to you can let Ginny know about them as a peace offering." He said remembering that Ginny was going to join her in the Library.
"You sure?" Daphne asked, "Isn't that something that you should be telling her."
"I was going to in a few days after all the hubbub settled down, but this seems as good a time as any. Besides until yesterday I wasn't entirely certain where we stood." Harry shrugged.
Daphne eyed him carefully before standing on her tiptoes and give him a soft kiss. She felt his entire body relax as he gently reached up and held her chin. She ended the kiss after a few seconds and as she pulled away admired how much he enjoyed her. "See you for dinner."
Daphne walked back towards the Great Hall to collect Ginny, "Love you Daph." Harry said a bit quietly as he didn't want everyone to hear.
"Love you too." Daphne mouthed as she spun around smiling brightly and walked back into the Hall.
Daphne walked back to where Ginny and Hermione were still sitting talking casually, "Mrs. Weasley?" Daphne asked.
Ginny turned around, "Yeeeaas Mrs. Greengrass."
"I'm heading to library if you still wanted to join me?" She was much more friendly in her tone.
"Sure." Ginny turned towards Hermione, "I'll catch you later?"
Hermione nodded and continued reading her copy of the Daily Prophet.
Ginny and Daphne left the Great Hall walking a bit faster than either would normally. They both had reason to talk to the other but not where prying ears could hear.
They entered the Library after chatting briefly about their summers and Daphne headed to the back and found her table that she always sat at. Daphne frequented the Library often and thus had a very specific table that she always used.
"So… Mrs Weasley."
"Ginny." She corrected and flashed a fake smile.
"Ginny," Daphne nodded, "I felt that we should get to know each other." Daphne was trying to be as nice as possible. Ginny could make her life a living hell if she ended up on the wrong side of Ginny's wrath.
"Didja now? What would a Slytherin like yourself want with a fourth year Gryffindor like me?" Ginny was just messing with Daphne, but she wouldn't know that. Ginny held a serious face as she sat down across from the blonde.
Daphne narrowed her eyes, "Well since we both have a mutual affection towards a certain messy haired green-eyed teen."
Ginny leaned back in her chair, "I don't know if I'd call it mutual… shared maybe, but go on."
Daphne sighed, she sure wasn't making this easy. Not that Daphne thought it would be, despite not having many interactions with Ginny, she did know of her views on Slytherins and especially ones that would have an impact on Harry. "Look I… I don't want this to be difficult or any more awkward than it already is."
"You're doing a bang up job already." Ginny said mockingly. "Look Daphne." Ginny leaned forward. "I meant what I said on the train. You hurt him in any way and you're done. Just because your mom's his new Godmother doesn't instantly buy you my trust. It may buy others but not mine." Daphne shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I must admit, he does seem genuinely happy to be with you which is more than I can for myself."
Daphne tilted her head and quirked an eyebrow, "You don't fancy him anymore?"
Ginny laughed and shook her head, "Nope that died the day in Diagon Alley, when for the first time I saw the real Harry Potter, and not the fantasy one I'd been dreaming about for years."
"Diagon… You mean you were there?" Daphne asked her voice jumping a few octaves from her false Ice Queen Voice.
Ginny nodded slowly, "I watched Harry put my brother in his place. I felt the anger the wrath pouring of off him and for a split second thought that he was going to kill Ron and my mother. Not that I would have done anything to stop him, they deserved it."
Daphne was appalled by the hatred the redhead was exuding, she had always thought the Weasleys were good people. Even the twins with their pranks were still fighting for the Light.
"After that day, I realized many things and suddenly everything made sense. I would never Love Harry Potter and eventually I'd have to come to terms with the fact that Harry would fall in love with someone else. I just didn't think it would this soon or with someone like you." Ginny's face jerked up and her eyes softened. "Not that there's anything wrong with you." She added quickly. "It's just I've spent most of my life idolizing him as some great hero." Ginny noticed Daphne giving her a inquisitive look. "He's not a hero Mrs. Greengrass, but he is what we need right now."
"What do you mean? He's what we need right now?" Daphne asked as anticipation bubbled over into her skin.
"Harry is one of the most powerful wizards in this age, I've seen it, Hermione's seen, hell even Dumbledore's seen it. However the fool would use Harry as his personal weapon before he cares about his well being." Ginny was seething with rage, but not towards Daphne, at Albus Dumbledore. Ginny's eyes narrowed and she focused her gaze towards where the Headmasters Office was. "Has Harry told you about his aunt and uncle?"
"Yeah, only a few things and they were all terrible. They used him as their personal butler and treated him as subhuman." Daphne was saddened by the few things Harry had let slip. She knew it was a sensitive topic and that if he wanted her to know he would tell her.
"You've seen the scars?" Ginny shifted her eyes but her face remained fixed towards the Headmasters Office. Daphne nodded, "They aren't all from his years here at Hogwarts."
Daphne gasped and sorrow began to overtake her for only a moment before an unbelievable anger and hatred flared to life. The piece of paper that Daphne had been holding her hands over suddenly burst into bright green flames. Daphne ignore the pain and the heat and just stared at the red head whose eyes were filled with the same rage and violence that she too was feeling. "I'll kill them…" Daphne's voice was deep and unwavering.
Ginny smirked, "Not if I get there first."
It took about ten minutes for Daphne and Ginny to calm down all the while the two girls sat in silence in the back of library. "You should get that looked at." Ginny said gesturing to the third degree burn on her hand that appeared to not have registered in the Slytherin girl.
"It's fine." Daphne said in her Ice Queen voice before she realized that Ginny actually cared about her well being. "I mean…" Daphne lifted her hand so she could examine it and truly it didn't hurt but that only meant that she had burned all the nerve endings away. "I guess I could have Madam Pomfrey look at it."
"I'll come with you. If you don't mind…" Ginny lowered her gaze and the nervous little girl reemerged.
"I'd like that." Daphne smiled for the first time in almost an hour. "Besides that'll give me time to tell you about Harry's nightmares." Daphne picked up her bag with her unburnt hand and slung it awkwardly over her shoulder.
Ginny picked up her bag and walked next to the blonde, "Nightmares eh? They anything like the ones he was having last year." They walked calmly out of the library and headed down the many staircases towards the Hospital Wing.
"Harry thinks so, however he thinks they are somewhat different. He told me the last ones weren't so much vision as they were being able to see through Voldemorts eyes and feel his feelings. These are about a corridor we later found to be in the Department of Mysteries." Daphne walked slowly which wasn't typical for her. She wanted to make sure that she could tell Ginny everything about the dreams before the nosey Matron would prevent them from speaking of it.
"Department of Mysteries? Like where the Unspeakables work?" Ginny quirked an eyebrow.
"We think so, Harry and Hermione accidentally found the hallway when they were coming back from their Trial. Harry tells me that whoever or whatever is showing him these visions wants something badly from behind a golden door. That and he wakes up every time and has an unbearable urge to kill."
Ginny walked in silence for a few minutes pondering what she had just heard. "Well sounds like we've got our work cut out for us this year. A Crazy Bitch from the Ministry is here to teach us Defense, the Minister is out for Blood from Dumbledore and Harry and now we have to deal with Voldemort trying to get into the most secretive department in the Ministry."
"Wait you know of the Department of Mysteries?!" Daphne turned and put her hands on Ginny's shoulders.
"Calm down." Ginny chuckled, "I know only that its where the Unspeakables work and they are responsible for creating things such as the Time-Turners."
"They invented Time-Turners?" Daphne had grown up in the magical world since she was a baby and yet, since she met Harry she'd learned more about the the world she lived in than she had learned in the past ten years. "I can see why Voldemort would want something from there, but what is it?" She started walking back down the hallway.
"Whatever it is." Ginny said following behind Daphne, "It can't be good." They rounded a corner and arrived at the double doors that Ginny had walked through countless times because of one reason or another. Ginny turned towards Daphne, "Well find out." She paused. "We'll find out together." She held her hand out to Daphne.
Daphne looking curiously over the gesture the younger girl was making, "Yes." She said more to herself than to Ginny. "We'll do this together." She grabbed Ginny's hand and they both shook it once. She met Ginny's eyes and Daphne could tell that she and Ginny were on the same page when it came to Harry. Despite Ginny not being able to Love Harry, she still cared about him more than she did her own family. That much Daphne had learned over the course of the last hour. Daphne was fortunate enough to not be in that situation because Harry was family. Family that she cared about above all other things.
They both nodded silently and then Ginny gently pushed Daphne into the Hospital Wing. Daphne's face turned sour as she remember why she was here in the first place.
Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk reading an article, "Hello my dears?" She said before she realized that standing before here were two very unlikely of students. "What… can I do for you today?" She grew increasingly perplexed.
"I seem to have burned my hand during a bit of accidental magic." Daphne said raising her blackened hand to the Matron.
"Oh that looks unpleasant, please have a seat." She gestured towards the nearest bed and pulled out her wand.
"I'll catch up to you later Daphne." Ginny called in a friendly voice.
"Thanks Ginny." She looked intently at the red haired girl, "I mean it. Thank you."
Ginny smiled and practically skipped off out of the room. "You and Mrs. Weasley seem to be getting along." Madam Pomfrey commented. Daphne and her had grown quite close over the years. Truth be told Daphne fancied the idea of becoming a Healer herself, she had a certain gift for healing arts and had on some occasions found them very handy. Not to mention she and the Matron got to spend quite some time due to some unfortunate circumstances involving pranks played by the older Slytherins and her underwear.
"That's a recent development…" Daphne said while staring off out one of the painted glass windows. She turned and looked at the elder witch, "This year has already been so different compared to the last four."
The Matron smiled, "It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain black haired boy with green eyes?" She narrowed her eyes and smirked.
Daphne blushed slightly, "I have no idea what you are talking about…" She said trying to muster as much of her Ice Queen Persona as she could, but after a few seconds under Madam Pomfrey's glare Daphne cracked and snorted. "Ok fine, yes it has everything to do with Harry."
The Matron chuckled, "Young Love." Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over Daphne's hand and a series of blue runes and figures appeared. Daphne looked on eagerly as the Matron smiled. "Do you know what this means?" she said turning the diagnostics towards Daphne.
Daphne looked over the runes that appeared and the graph that fluctuate, "It says that the nerve endings are burned and the skin is dead." The Matron nodded, and Daphne was excited that she was able to read the diagnostic spell. Daphne had been trying to study them for most of the summer as fifth year was the first year that student were eligible to intern at the Hospital Wing.
"Very good Mrs. Greengrass, and what would the recommended treatment be?" The Matron looked at her pupil eagerly.
"Uhh…" Daphne's brain spun into gear as she tried to remember the various spells that could be used for such a problem. "Cooling charm applied over a Aquarius Orb?" Daphne posed.
"Close. Aquarius Orb yes, Cooling charm no, Numbing charm only if the affected area receives a lot of movement and contact, however hands." She said as she waved her wand creating a liquid bubble around her hand. "Are easy to manipulate so we refrain from numbing them. You'll have to be much more careful when practicing spells." She gave the young blonde a stern look.
"Yes Madam Pomfrey…" Daphne groaned.
"Very good, I'll ask you to stay for a few hours so i can check to see if your nerve endings reconnect." She went and fetched a small green and yellow vial. "Drink this, it should help regenerate the skin."
Daphne took the vial and uncorked it and drank the foul smelling liquid in one gulp. After she swallowed she coughed a few times, "Why do they always taste like vomit?!" Daphne exclaimed.
Madam Pomfrey just chuckled quietly to herself as she bustled off towards her office. Daphne threw her legs up onto the bed she was sitting on and laid back. It was still early in the day but she only had a few hours of sleep the night before so figured it was as good a time as any to take a nap.
Several hours later Harry walked into the Hospital Wing after coming back from Hagrids, he had heard from Hermione that Daphne was resting there. "Daphne?" Harry called as he walked in.
"Mr. Potter, I hope your not trying to set a new record for getting hurt this year." The Matron said in a half joking half serious voice.
"Madam Pomfrey, you know just as much as I do how much I love to spend time in your care." He flashed a sarcastic smile towards the elder witch. "I am here to check on Daphne."
"I believe Mrs. Greengrass is sleeping but you can go see if you like. I understand now that you are family?" She posed as a question rather than a statement.
"Technically yes, her mother is my new Godmother after Sirius died last June." Harry was getting much better at talking about his late Godfather, although truthfully he hadn't really processed his death.
The Matron frowned, "I was terribly sorry to hear about Young Mr. Black's death. He was a good kid albeit rather reckless streak about him but a brilliant Wizard and a fantastic friend." She smiled as she walked Harry over to Daphne's bed.
Daphne was sleeping on her side with her water covered hand hanging loosely over the edge of the bed. Harry's frown dissolved as he saw Daphne's cute smirk. He hoped that she was having a pleasant dream. "Is she going to be ok?" Harry asked in a low voice to Madam Pomfrey who was standing a set behind him.
"Oh yes, it seems she had a bit of accidental magic and her hand was burned. It'll be fine by tomorrow morning. She will have to have the Aquarius Orb for the rest of the day though."
Harry sighed, "She won't like that…"
"I won't like what?" Daphne said through a yawn and a large arm stretch. She rolled over onto her back and looked up. "Harry." She said softly as a big smile stretched over her face. Daphne had her fair share of scrapes and bruises over the years and so was accustomed to waking up in the Hospital Wing, however most of the times she was alone when she woke. This was the first time since first year that someone was there when she woke up. Seeing Harry at the end of the bed smiling back at her made her forget for a few moments that her hand was now in pain as the nerve endings had finally reconnected. "Ohhh that hurts." Daphne said as her attention was finally drawn back to her hand.
Harry walked over to the head of the bed and picked up Daphne's arm careful to avoid touching the part that was covered in water. "Looks like you did a real number, although I think I'd rather have the burned arm to having no bones in my arm." Harry said in a chuckle that made the Matron of the Hospital Wing laugh loudly.
Daphne looked at the Matron and then back at Harry, "Wait that actually happened?"
"Oh yes Mrs. Greengrass, It did and let me tell you I was not pleased to find out that it was our own Professor Lockhart that caused it." Daphne and Harry heard her mutter "Incompetent… arsehat" as she walked away towards her office. "Mrs. Greengrass you are free to go!" She yelled a few seconds later.
Daphne smirked and swung her legs off the bed in front of Harry and before he could do anything she jumped off the bed and gave him a warm one handed hug. "How was you chat with Ginny?" Harry asked as he returned her hug by wrapping his arms tightly around her shoulder and waist.
Daphne pulled away a few seconds later and motioned for him towards the door. "It was productive, turns out she knew a bit about the Department of Mysteries that neither Hermione or I did. So at least now we have a bit more to go on when doing research." Daphne lead them towards the Great Hall as she was getting hungry and it was close to Dinner time.
"That's good I guess…" Harry said while grabbing Daphne's good hand and held it loosely as they walked through the halls.
It was common knowledge know that Harry and Daphne were dating and while people were respecting their privacy for the time being they both knew that they were under careful watch by much of the student body. Both Harry and Daphne were widely considered the most attractive of students in their year and even most of the older years were pining or fawning over the Greengrass/Potter couple.
"Ginny and I also cleared a few things up." Daphne said with a smirk that quickly faded to a frown remembering the things Ginny and her talked about.
Harry eyed her warily and made a note to himself that he would have to talk to Ginny later and figure out if she and Daphne were in fact ok. Not to mention it would be a good idea to talk to Ginny anyway given how their relationship had gone from almost together to not a chance in hell, in the span of one summer.
Harry and Daphne walked calmly into the Great Hall for dinner. Daphne first spotted Tracy sitting at the Slytherin table and instinctually lead Harry towards her. She quickly sat down in the vacant seat next to her best friend leaving Harry standing in the isle between the Slytherin table and the Hufflepuff table.
Most of the Slytherins were watching and giving Harry interesting looks as it was highly uncommon for a Gryffindor to sit at the Slytherin table. Just as it was highly uncommon for a Slytherin to sit at the Gryffindor table. Harry hesitantly sat down feeling uncomfortable at all the eyes watching him, even Tracy was staring at him, though she was worried for what might happen to the young Gryffindor.
Blaise Zabini who was sitting across the table from Tracy quirked an eyebrow and eventually smiled to himself as he piled more squash onto his plate. Everyone at the table was quiet and even most of the Gryffindors were staring at the strange occurrence.
Daphne quickly began loading her plate with food not having noticed anything out of the ordinary, meanwhile Harry sat fidgeting awkwardly with his fork and knife while grabbing a few pieces of toast and putting them on his plate.
"So Tracy. How was your day?" Daphne asked after finishing a bite of squash. She then looked at her best friend and saw the worried look on her face and her heart jumped a beat. She then quickly took in her surroundings as most of the table was staring at her and Harry. "What?!" She exclaimed loudly to all the Slytherins and the few Ravenclaw girls that were near her.
Harry cowered into his plate as he was trying not to meet the eyes of all the people staring at him. Harry hated being the center of attention despite his past few years and always being in the limelight. He wanted not more than to just be an average fifteen year old boy.
Daphne was getting pissed, she knew that some of the students in her house were outright jackasses but not all of them and most of the ones around here weren't part of the Malfoy cult. "Anyone got a problem with my BOYFRIEND sitting with me at the table?" Daphne stood up and eyed her classmates angrily. "IF you do you better say it now."
Darren Gorf, a sixth year Slytherin spoke up, "He's a Gryff!"
Daphne turned quickly towards the older student, "And?" She said venomously. "Does that mean that he can't eat food at this table? Are the plates charmed to only allow Snakes to eat?" Daphne's arm hairs were beginning to stand as she began to manifest a lot of magic from her core.
"Daph…" Harry said while putting a soft hand on her wrist.
She turned quickly to face him, "NO! I will not put up with this shit! These house rivals are hundreds of years old! Who bloody cares if a Slytherin dates a Gryffindor, outside of these walls no one fucking cares what house you were in!"
"MRS. GREENGRASS!" Came the loud high-pitched voice of Dolores Umbridge. "Five points from Slytherin for inappropriate language."
Daphne turned angrily towards the sound of the voice and stared unmoving at the woman in the pink robes as she walked from the Head Table down the aisle towards her. Daphne squinted her eyes and was contemplating hexing the woman, but a soft squeeze on her arm from Harry brought her back to her senses and in a flash she resumed her Ice Queen Persona, "Sorry, Professor Umbridge. I don't know what came over me." She bowed slightly and lowered her eyes.
Darren smirked and chuckled to his friends, "Bitch got what she deserved."
Harry overheard this and before anyone could respond his wand was flourished and a thin wisp of smoke was floating above it. "Say that louder, we didn't hear you." Harry had cast The Repeating Jinx. It makes the person say what they just said out loud.
"Bitch got what she deserved." Darren said so that everyone could hear him. His hands quickly shot to his mouth as he wasn't familiar with that hex.
Daphne reached across the table and punched Darren as hard as she could in the face breaking his nose. Soon everyone around was standing and and jumping to defend one person or another. Neville and Dean both ran from the Gryffindor table to stand near Harry. While Tracy stood up and got in front of Daphne.
Darren still in shock that his nose was bleeding all over the table that he just stared as the blood droplets fell into his hands.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Dolores yelled. "Mr. Potter, Mrs. Greengrass my office now!"
All of the students cleared out of the way for the woman who's wand was out and pointing at Harry and Daphne.
"But, Professor he started it." Harry said trying to defend his actions.
"I don't care who started it. My office NOW!" She screeched and waved her wand at them.
Harry and Daphne walked out of the Great Hall as the sea of students parted as they walked through. They walked the short distance to Dolores Umbridge's office. She lead them in and directed them to sit in the two chairs that were in front of her desk.
Daphne was appalled by the state of her office. The room was best described with one word, Pink. Everything about the room and decorations was pink, the walls were a burnt pink. The desk was a warm pink, there were about fifty or so small saucer plates each with a moving and currently meowing cat on them. They lined the entrance wall and the wall above the door. Daphne also noticed the terrible 60's perfume smell that was all over the room.
Dolores sat down behind her desk as Harry and Daphne both sat as well. "Professor, I'm-" Harry's apology was cut off by Dolores raising her hand.
"Mr. Potter, you are a Prefect. It is your responsibility to set a good example for the rest of your classmates. It is against the rules to hex another student and you." She turned towards Daphne, "Mrs. Greengrass, I expected much better coming from you."
Harry didn't like the condescending tone of her voice, "Why would expect better from Daphne and not me?"
"Because Mr. Potter you are not a Pureblood and not expected to behave in a certain fashion."
"What does my mothers birth status have anything to do with the way I am suppose to act Undersecretary." Harry's voice deepened and the lights in the room began to darken. "I thought we were all suppose to act the same."
"Mr. Potter! You can not speak to your Professors this way." Dolores was more than a little intimidated by the display in front of her. "Detention!"
"Fine, But I demand an answer to my questions Madam Undersecretary, I as Elder Potter of the Ancients and Noble House of Potter ask for you to clarify your statement otherwise I will be forced to assume it as an attack against my House." Harry had been paying attention to some of the things that Aurora had been teaching him over the summer.
Dolores was stunned to put it lightly, her jaw dropped and she stared wide eyed at the boy in front of her. Here was a fifteen year old boy, who had little to no exposure to the magical world, invoking the laws that Dolores coveted above all others.
"Mr. Potter."
"Elder Potter." Daphne corrected with a big grin on her face. Daphne who had been schooled in pureblood politics from the age of four knew that Dolores was in trouble. She had insulted one of the oldest houses in the wizarding world and had no way to back out of it.
"Elder Potter." She said with a sneer. "I was merely saying that given your upbringing you were not educated in all of ways to behave in the magical world…" She said nervously trying to talk her way out of this.
"Oh and Madam Undersecretary, what would you know about my upbringing as it was kept secret from the magical world for the past fifteen years otherwise Voldemort would have found and killed me." Harry's eyes were now almost entirely black and his arm hairs were standing straight up.
Umbridge cringed slightly at the mention of the Dark Lord, "You will not use his name." She hissed.
Harry's eyes stayed fixed on her, "Why not? Because you are afraid of a word? He's alive and getting stronger every day Madam Undersecretary. Whether you or the Minister choose to believe that more people will die."
"Is that a threat Potter?!" She screeched.
"No." Harry said slowly. "It's the truth." Harry stared unblinking at her for a good thirty seconds before she spoke again.
"Elder Potter, I will not be intimidated by your lies or childish antics. You and Mrs. Greengrass will both serve Detention on Monday." She said very frustrated and in a high pitch.
Daphne sighed while Harry scoffed, "As you wish Professor." Harry said coldly. "May we leave?"
Umbridge's gaze shifted from teen to teen, "You are excused." She said as she sat down in her chair and picked up a pink quill.
Daphne quickly stood and the two of them walked out of the office as fast as possible, Daphne closing the door behind them as they left. "Well that could have gone better…" She said in a rushed voice as the two of them speed walked away from the Professor's offices.
Harry didn't respond right away as he was still trying to will his pulse and breathing back down. Daphne hadn't noticed as they were leaving the office that his breathing had sped up to mimic his breathing after a workout. They turned a corner and after seeing that it was empty, Harry turned towards the wall and put a hand against it and began panting heavily.
Daphne walked right past him and had to turn around after noticing that he stopped walking, "Harry?"
He now had both hands against the wall and was breathing very heavily and he was perspiring all over his body. Daphne immediately began to worry and she moved over to him and put her water covered hand on his back. "Harry…" She said just above a whisper. "What's going on?"
Harry nearly flinched at her touch, her soft hand on his upper back normally would have soothed him but instead all he felt was an coldness so cold that it burned. Harry let out a loud screech that echoed throughout the corridor.
Daphne immediately retracted her hand the Aquarius orb breaking instantly as she did. Harry fell into the wall hitting his head pretty hard and he the last thing he saw before the incoming darkness was Daphne's face terrified that she had done something to hurt him.
After an uncertain amount of time Harry's mind awoke and he found himself standing in the middle of a great expanse of darkness. The air around him was heavy and his muscles felt as though they were made of concrete. He opened his eyes and was immediately assaulted by an unforgiving coldness.
He looked around and realized that he was standing on nothing, could see nothing and couldn't feel anything solid, just a sharp freezing sensation. He lifted his hands and turned them over checking for the ice that he was sure was there but saw no such thing. In fact when he looked at his hands and arms they weren't even pink like he would expected.
The cold was burning and not just his exposed skin as he was still wearing his school robes. "Hello?" He called out.
His voice echoed loudly and reverberated back and made him shudder. The space he was in wasn't very large if his voice was able to echo as it had. Harry slowly took stock of his situation and quickly deduced that he was in some sort of dream state. However it was no dream he had ever experienced. The pain was real, normally in dreams he would wake up and have felt no pain only the emotional response, usually fear or sadness. This made him nervous, maybe it wasn't a dream. Maybe Umbridge had used some sort of curse on him and it was causing his world to be black and cold.
Umbridge… Harry tried to remember what happened in her office. He tried to remember all the events leading up to him arriving in this frozen dark prison. He got in trouble in the Great Hall for defending himself and Daphne. They both went to her office, where she threatened him for being a half-blood. He got angry and basically issued a challenge to correct her statement or he would duel her. Harry smirked at that idea, even though she was older and a Ministry employee Harry felt he could have beaten Dolores Umbridge in a duel.
As he was thinking about how his duel would turn out he felt a tremendous amount of heat rush over him as if someone had doused his entire body in hot water. He closed his eyes from the drastic change in his temperature.
His entire situation changed suddenly he heard loud screaming from multiple voices most of them female. He couldn't open his eyes but he felt a pain in his chest. Like someone had driving a spike through his ribcage and out the otherside.
"Aaahhhhhhh!"
Harry's eyes shot open in the pain, his vision was blurry and he couldn't focus on many things. However he focused on Aurora Greengrass standing in front of his bed. She was holding his legs and had tears in her eyes. She was screaming at him, not that he could hear what she was saying the world around him suddenly started spinning and the noise he had heard seconds ago was now turning to a dull ringing noise.
His eyes were bloodshot and he was straining violently against the magical restraints that he was held by. There were remnants of other such restraints that he had broken through. Not that he would have remember how or why. The only thing that Harry could feel was a tremendous amount of pain. All up and down his spine and back. It was as if every single nerve in his spine was being triggered and was being burned from the inside out. The pain kind of reminded him of the time he was under the Cruciatus Curse.
Harry's head jerked around the room and he saw the faint outline of a brown haired person to his left they were holding his shoulder. To his right a person with white or yellow hair holding his other shoulder. They were all a bunch of misshapen figures.
Suddenly Harry's attention was drawn to his foot and as he focused on it he realized that he leg was glowing bright white. His already shocked brain couldn't handle what he was seeing. He had no feeling at all in his leg, he could see the magical restraint and watched as it just fell away as if someone had taken a knife to a stick of butter.
"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!" Harry screamed again. His vision was slowly returning to him as the dull buzzing that was in his ears slowly began to fade and the noise of what was happening around him started to return.
Harry thrashed his now unrestrained leg, he hit his other leg briefly sending a searing pain up his leg and into his brain.
His body had no way to react he was just in too much pain. Every nerve and every piece of skin and muscle felt as though it was on fire.
He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them he tried to move his leg again and realized it was rebound to the table. He noticed Madam Pomfrey holding her wand and pointing it at his leg. He realized that her robes were burned in several places and she had two Aquarius Orbs on her hands. Her hair was not in the tight bun it normally was and she looked down right pissed.
What is happening to me he thought to himself as another surge of pain emanated from his left shoulder.
"OOOWWW" was the first sound, that wasn't his own thoughts or screams, that he was able to distinguish.
He turned his head towards the location of where the sound emanated and he noticed that Hermione's hand that had been restraining his shoulder was now black and bleeding. His eyes strained to focus on more than just the blackness that he saw. He noticed that she too had two Aquarius Orbs on her. One on her shoulder the other on her hip. They were both covering two large holes in her robes and under them was the same blackened skin that was now on her hands.
He then realized that he was hurting her, she had burned herself touching him trying to keeping him restrained.
"Hermione don't!" He screamed.
Her eyes immediately shot to his and he could see it as clear as day in her eyes, the terror and fear. He knew it immediately because he had looked at in the mirror at himself and was able to recognize that expression anywhere.
"HARRY!" Came several voices all at once.
He suddenly felt for the first time in what felt like hours, a coldness against his right shoulder. His head snapped to the right and he saw Daphne standing there with two hands holding his shoulder. She had many burns all over her body and her robes were covered in smaller scorch marks.
"Harry, you have to listen to me!" Her voice was strained and cracked. It sounded like she had been screaming for hours. "You need to relax!" Her voice broke at that moment.
Relax? How could he relax? He was in agonizing pain and he was hurting the people that he loved. He stared into Daphne's eyes trying to understand why she would be telling him to relax and suddenly it dawned on him. He was causing his own pain, he was coursing with magic, more magic than he'd ever felt.
Harry's head lurched backward and impacted hard on the bed bringing Harry back to the room around him.
"HARRY YOU NEED TO BREATHE!" came the loud and terrified voice of Aurora Greengrass.
'Breath? Ok I can breath…' He thought to himself. He force himself to inhale which ended up being much quicker than he expected. He felt a coldness in his chest which was quite nice considering the firestorm of pain and heat that was around him.
As quickly as he inhaled he was forced to exhale and the resulting effect was a rush of cold sweeping over his body. It felt so good that he quickly inhaled again. His eyes closed slightly and he could feel the muscles on his face begin to relax.
"That's good Harry!" Daphne's voice was horse and broken, but still she held tightly onto his shoulder.
With each breath Harry took he felt the cool calming force of the air around him numbing his nerves and relieving the pain that was echoing through his body.
"Uggh" Harry's body finally relaxed against his restraints and could feel the bed under him for the first time since he awoke in the Hospital Wing. It was freezing cold, and it felt amazing. Harry sunk slightly into the bed and could almost see steam rising. 'Wait that is steam!' Harry's brain finally activating.
He turned his head to the side and noticed that he was in fact not on a normal bed, instead he was restrained to a huge piece of ice, and there was a huge pool of water under it. The ice was melting quickly and causing the pool of water to increase. He then noticed that Daphne's socks were soaked all the way up to her knees.
Burn marks all over her arms and chest, soaked up to her knees, what had he done? His brain slowed down to his normal rate of thought over the next few minutes as he kept taking one breath at a time.
He was no longer in searing pain, just a dull burning in his chest. Harry's entire body finally relaxed fully as he took a deep breath. As he opened his eyes and saw that everyone seemed to have relaxed.
"What happened?" Harry asked weakly as he was looking at Daphne.
"I…You…"
"Mr. Potter your magical core cracked." Madam Pomfrey said plainly to him.
Daphne looked like she was going to cry except she couldn't she was so dehydrated that forming tears was difficult and painful.
"What about my magical core?" Harry said as he tried to push himself up off the ice.
Everyone reacted quickly by rushing to push him back down. "Harry please just lay still on the ice." Daphne said quickly.
Harry did as he was instructed not wanting to create more problems. He already had no idea what was going on. Harry took another deep steading breath and rolled his shoulders to be flesh against the bed of ice. "What do you mean I cracked my magical core?" He asked in as calm a voice as he could muster.
"M'boy, we hoped you could enlighten us…" Dumbledore's voice came strained from behind him. He had just put his wand away and looked as though he too was great pain. His face was bright red and he was perspiring everywhere. He looked more tired than Harry had ever seen.
"I… I don't know. I was in the hallway then suddenly everything got cold and then dark. Then I woke up here burning everywhere." Harry reached for his head trying to feel something that wasn't ice. His hands tugged on the restraints and a small magical current went through his wrists causing him to stop. His mouth twitched and his eyes squinted, the pain was much less than what he had just experienced.
"Harry we thought you died." Hermione said from the otherside of his bed. Her eyes were red as well and Harry could finally hear the strain on her voice as she too must have been yelling for quite some time.
"You would have too." The Matron of the ward claimed, "Had Albus not gotten here when he did there is no way I would have been able to seal your Core. I have never seen someone wield so much magic. I've lived through two wars and never in my 89 years experienced a magical meltdown like that." She said while waving her wand up and down and carefully examining the readings.
Daphne was eagerly looking over her shoulder trying to make sure that Harry was in fact ok.
"Be that as it may, I am just glad I was able to help." Dumbledore said rather out of character for him.
"I am grateful Albus." Aurora said as she lightly held Harry's leg. "I am…" She was cut off by the doors to the Infirmary swinging open violently.
"HARRY!" Daniels voice echoed through the chamber. "WHERE IS MY SON?!" Daniels voice was furious and as Harry heard quick and progressively louder footsteps.
"I am fine now Dad…" Harry groaned.
Daniel quickly appeared in his realm of view, "Harry…" He said much quieter as he took a place at the end of the bed next to his wife. "You ok?"
"I think so… I can't much feel or move anything." He winced slightly in pain as he tried to adjust his hips so he was more comfortable.
Daniel breathed a long soothing sigh as he had received a Patronus from Hermione about twenty minutes ago saying that Harry was seriously hurt.
"Ok… Ok… Everyone but family must leave." Madam Pomfrey said as her work space was getting quite busy.
Harry turned to her, "This is my family…" He turned his head in a half circle stopping on each and every face standing around his bed. It was then that he noticed Astoria and Ginny sitting across the room huddled together both staring at him. Ginny's shoulders were hunched over and she had red streaks in her eyes. Astoria too looked distressed and like she had been crying for quite some time.
"I understand that the Greengrass's are your family but everyone else must leave, I have many things to do." She said in a bossy tone.
Hermione gave a light squeeze to his hand drawing Harry's attention towards her, "I'll come see you tomorrow." She said softly and with a faint smile. Harry knew she was a wreck and wanted nothing more than to help her but he knew that he was worse off than she. He smiled back and nodded as warmly as he could.
Ginny stood up and they both locked eyes for a good twenty seconds, "Harry, If you die on me, I swear…" She puffed up as big and angrily as she could before slowly smiling and running off. Harry knew that she cared deeply about him. That much had become clear to him over the last two days. His eyes followed her out of the room and he felt sad after she had left.
Daniel and Aurora both took a few steps back, "We'll be just around the corner Harry." Aurora said still a bit hysteric.
"Yeah Harry. We will be right here if you need anything." Daniel said as he was trying to reassure both himself and his wife.
Madam Pomfrey turned towards Daphne and was about to ask her to leave, "Oh like fucking hell. You can give me detention you can take house points away, fuck you can even expel me. I am not moving from this chair!" Daphne said loudly and seething with rage.
The Matron had heard of the Slytherin girl's tempur over the years but to be on the receiving end of it was a completely different story. "I...I…"
"That's what I thought!" Daphne said in a stern yet protective voice. She quickly pulled both of her hands up and took Harry's right hand into both of hers. "I am right here Harry." She said softly from about a foot away from his head.
Harry's smile widened and he slowly closed his eyes feeling the warmth that he felt from her holding his hands. He quickly faded back into the world of unconsciousness.