AN:
Saving Valeydis' soul will be a long-term subplot of this story. However, the focus will still be on Harry and Daphne and their quest for a happy and free life in a ruthless, possibly even hostile, world.
Two birthdays, some fluff and dark developments in this chapter.
Many thank to my great beta reader Verlor (id: 11113787)
…
With another loud bang they disappeared from Godric's Hollow, leaving a disappointed mob of sensationalist reporters behind.
Chapter 17 – Vow of Vengeance
Harry's hands were clenched into fists when they appeared in front of Greengrass Manor. His heart was pounding, his blood was boiling, and a scorching anger threatened to overwhelm him. Those ... those bastards! Why? Why did they have to do this? Couldn't he even visit his parents' grave?
"Harry ..." Something gently touched his arm. He spun around and looked into Daphne's worried face.
Harry felt a kind of fear he had never experienced before. He wanted to hurt someone. He wanted to destroy something. He wanted to vent his spleen.
"Harry -"
"I ... I must go," said Harry, panting wildly. He noticed Daphne's eyes staring at his right hand and looked down, realizing that he had grabbed his wand so tightly that his knuckles came out white. Red sparks shot from the tip.
Daphne's eyes turned back to Harry. "I'm coming -"
"No!" said Harry. Noticing Daphne's hurt expression, he added, "I don't want to hurt you, Daph..."
With that he turned around, hurrying to the forest on the property's edge.
…
I'll make it up to you, Daph, Harry thought later as the firestorm raged around him.
…
Harry slowly walked back to the house when Daphne approached him with quick steps, her face taut with anger, her eyes flashing.
"Daphne -"
"No, Harry Potter!" Daphne interrupted him. She reached Harry and her index finger bored into his chest. "Never. Send. Me. Away. Again." She emphasized every single word. "Whether you like it or not, we're in this together. Together, Harry! Not alone. Never send me away again, do you hear?"
"I didn't want to -"
"Hurt me. I know. I don't care. You won't hurt me. That earlier hurt me more than you could ever do with your wand."
Harry saw the truth in Daphne's eyes. They were strange people, indeed.
"I'm sorry," he said, hugging Daphne, who was trembling all over. " I'll make it up to you, I promise..."
Soon after, he had the perfect opportunity to do so. It was the last day of June, just before midnight, when they were sitting on the roof of the house, looking at the stars. Daphne had put her head on Harry's shoulder while Harry stroked her over the back. Out of the corner of his eye he looked at the glowing clock that he had conjured. A smile broke over his lips when he saw that it was midnight.
"Happy birthday, Daphne," Harry said, giving his partner a loving look.
Daphne turned around, looking at him in the same way. "Thank you, Harry. This is already the most beautiful birthday I've ever had."
"I still have a present for you." Harry raised his wand, and a small package wrapped in red paper came flying straight into Daphne's hands. "Unwrap it", he told her, smiling.
"Is it something cheesy again?" Daphne laughed, but Harry just shook his head amused. Daphne unwrapped the present and two silver hand mirrors appeared. "Mirrors?" asked Daphne in surprise. "Do you consider me so vain that I have to keep looking at myself in the mirror? I'm not Parkinson, you know."
Harry laughed. "Thank Merlin that you're not Parkinson's. You're much more beautiful than her."
"Right answer," Daphne replied with a grin. "But why a mirror? Even two of them?"
"I can tell you, of course, but maybe you'll find out for yourself," Harry said, also grinning.
Daphne stroked one of the mirrors. "I feel magic in them," she murmured, before moving her wand over the mirrors, which then glowed orange. "Several spells were cast on them. Let's see … They are somehow connected." Daphne tapped one with her wand and then looked at the other. "Yes, as I suspected. You can look at each other in the mirror. And listen too, I guess, right?" She gave Harry an amused look.
"Ten points for Slytherin. I knew you'd get it out."
Daphne threw her arms around Harry and kissed him. "Thank you, Harry. But how? Did you buy them?"
He shook his head. "No, I read up on the subject and then discussed it with Flitwick. I needed several attempts, but eventually it worked. Do you like your present?"
"Of course," Daphne said, kissing Harry again. "Then we can talk now when we're not together. This is really advanced magic, Harry."
"Oh you know, sometimes you just need the right motivation," said Harry, still smiling.
"And I am your motivation? How romantic." Daphne pressed the mirror to her chest, smiling to herself. "Thanks, Harry. I love you."
"And I love you, Daphne."
Harry couldn't help but be pleased with himself. He had made Daphne happy and that made him happy. The stars were reflected in his beloved's blue eyes as he leaned forward to kiss her again.
The next morning Harry was awakened by a squeaky, singing voice. It took him a few seconds to understand the words.
"Harry Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear Miss Daphne, Happy Birthday to you."
Harry opened his eyes and saw Dobby wearing a green tailcoat with a pink bow tie and a huge top hat. He stood on Daphne's side of the bed, holding a sugar-glazed cake with several candles in his hands. Thirteen if Harry had to guess.
Besides Harry, Daphne had already straightened up, beaming all over her face. "Thank you, Dobby," she said, blowing out the candles. Then she jumped out of bed and hugged Dobby, much to Harry's and obviously Dobby's surprise. The hug, however, only lasted a short moment.
"My pleasure," said Dobby, choked with emotion. "Dobby is making breakfast now." With that he left the bedroom with joyful leaps.
"Yummy, cake for breakfast," Harry muttered.
Daphne gently slapped him on the side. "You don't have to eat any of it if you don't want to. It's my cake anyway." She stuck out her tongue and disappeared into the bathroom.
Smiling, Harry dropped back into the pillows. Dobby had probably earned a raise. He then heard Daphne singing in the shower. It was just as flat as Dobby's singing a few moments ago, but for Harry it still sounded like the most beautiful music on earth.
…
They were sitting in front of a sumptuous breakfast of bacon, eggs, chocolate pudding, and birthday cake when Dobby put hot chocolate with marshmallows on the table as if the breakfast wasn't already sugary enough. Harry was feeling a little sick now.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Daphne teased him. "Too many sweets? Normally, you can't get enough of your chocolate pudding."
"Back then I hadn't eaten it every day," said Harry, feeling as if his stomach was going to burst. "Why did you have to tell Dobby that this was my favorite food? Now I'm afraid to break his little heart if I tell him that I don't want to eat chocolate pudding every day."
Daphne did not seem to feel sorry for Harry, because she laughed so hard that she choked on a bite of her birthday cake.
"Serves you right," replied Harry. However, he could not be angry with her; he just loved her bright laugh, knowing that she did not want to mock him.
Daphne was still coughing as she pointed at the window behind Harry. Turning around, he saw two brown owls waiting there. Harry took two strips of bacon and opened the window. Bacon and letters changed hands and shortly afterwards the owls had flown away again.
"Two letters for you," he told Daphne, who had calmed down by now.
"Let me see it."
Harry handed her the letters, before sitting back in front of his cup of hot chocolate. His nemesis for today. Taking a deep breath, he put the cup on his lips, and then drank the entire cup in one go. With a smug sigh, as if he had completed an important task, he placed the now empty cup on the table in front of him. Daphne handed him a napkin without looking up from the open letters.
"And?" Harry asked, wiping the chocolate traces from his face.
Daphne looked up, a slight smile on her lips. "The first letter is from Professor McGonagall. She confirms that we can take Ancient Runes and congratulates us on our ambition. She also congratulates me on my birthday."
"How kind of her. And the second letter?"
"From Madam Bones. She writes that she is sorry to tell me that no evidence of a culprit has been found, even though the Aurors have really given their best."
"Good," said Harry. That was indeed good news. Now they did not have to worry about that anymore.
Daphne also nodded contentedly, before looking at Harry with amusement. "I guess we need a different order for today considering how you look. So let's start with reading and translating, training later."
"Hey, what do you mean by 'considering how you look'?" Harry pouted. "Whose birthday cake did I have to eat here?"
"Nobody forced you to eat so many pieces," replied Daphne, grinning.
"I remember that differently."
"You have a bad memory..."
With such banter, the two children went up to the library. Laughing, they walked through the Greengrass family's house, which hadn't seen such joy for a very long time, and from the kitchen came the mirthful hum of a free house-elf enjoying his life.
The holidays continued to pass by. Harry and Daphne spent a lot of time doing their homework for the upcoming school year, improving their spellwork, and translating Valeydis and Valeydor's books and scrolls. Their progress was quite low so far because the texts were written in a variety of different bygone languages; not only in runes but also in cuneiform, hieroglyphs, and Ancient Greek or Old Mandarin characters. A true testimony of millennia. Harry still shuddered at the thought. A single human life was so insignificant in the face of history, and one day they would be forgotten too. One could only try to spend ones time as fulfilled and happy as possible.
After several weeks of hard work and poring over books, they had finally been able to - at least - decipher the titles of the books, but they gave only a vague idea of what the parchment pages were all about. For the books had such succinct titles as "Fire", "Earth", "Air", "Water", "Fog" or "Creatures". The spell that Harry had tried so carelessly was in the book "Air", which somehow made sense considering its effects.
Harry was particularly interested in the books about fire and creatures, wanting to know whether Fiendfyre was related to the demon magic of Valeydis. It had felt so similar; intoxicating and powerful, but also somewhat abhorrent and painful. Still, Harry felt the urge to try again. He wanted to feel that intoxicating feeling of power again and subdue those destructive forces. But everything in due time, he admonished himself.
They sent Dobby out to bring them all the books about demons and soul magic that he could get hold of in Diagon and Knockturn Alley. However, nothing was really helpful so far. At least, the books confirmed that the original demons were considered extinct, but there were still some magical beings in this world that were believed to have originated from lower demons. Otherwise, some fairy tale was the only thing they found about how to defeat Death. At least, they had found a new hobby in reading each other fairy tales; something that both of them had never experienced in their childhood.
They never took all the books out of the crypt and brought the picked books back there every evening as that was the safest place on the property. They decided to be as careful as they could, as the books could never be allowed to fall in the wrong hands.
Every time they entered the crypt, Harry's eyes were drawn to the motionless bodies of Valeydor and Valeydis. He then felt a stab in the heart, especially when Fawkes was with them. Fawkes came by regularly but stayed with the two millennial-old lovers most of the time. His family, Harry realized. Or in the case of Valeydis, he himself. Or rather the rest of his soul. All this was still a bit confusing for Harry, but he was determined to redeem Fawkes, save Valeydis' soul, and unite her with her husband and daughter in the afterlife.
Sometimes Fawkes also visited Harry and Daphne while practicing magic or sitting in the house library. Harry always felt like he was being pierced by the golden eyes of the phoenix, but after centuries of grief and hopelessness, Harry would probably also be a little impatient. Daphne, on the other hand, said that Fawkes gave her a feeling of warmth and safety. And in fact, when Fawkes had visited them during the day, Daphne didn't have nightmares at night, also making Harry sleep better.
They planned to go to Egypt in August, after Harry's birthday, to visit the Library of Alexandria. However, they still had to decide the best way to get there, either using an international Portkey or one of the other magical transport options. Harry actually wouldn't mind flying to Egypt with a broom - that would almost be a small adventure - but he did not think Daphne would be thrilled about the idea. Still, the thought made Harry chuckle every time, which earned him a questioning look from Daphne. It was just too amusing that Daphne, who could move so gracefully on the ground, was so clumsy on a broomstick.
So it happened that it was soon the end of July. Harry and Daphne were sitting together at the breakfast table in the garden, enjoying the morning quietness that was only interrupted by the twittering of birds. Daphne had had another nightmare that night, so she kept yawning as she slowly drank her hot chocolate. A tired Daphne was not very talkative, which is why Harry reached for the current edition of the Daily Prophet that Dobby had just brought them.
The front page immediately caught Harry's attention. The black and white picture of an insanely laughing man looked at him. Above the headline: Sirius Black broke out of Azkaban!
"There was an outbreak from Azkaban," said Harry.
Daphne suddenly raised her head. "Who?" she asked worriedly. Harry was not surprised. Many of the inmates were there only because of her parent's testimony. They were probably out of sorts with their daughter and the boy who had caused their dark lord's demise.
"Sirius Black," Harry answered.
Daphne became even paler than usual. "S-Sirius Black?"
"Yes," said Harry. "Sirius Black. What about him? I haven't read anything except the headline and I've never heard that name before."
Daphne looked at him for several seconds before finally closing her eyes and sighing loudly. "Sirius Black is infamous," she said quietly, and when she opened her eyes again, Harry could see concern in her gaze. What was the matter? "He was arrested shortly after Voldemort's fall," she continued. "He is said to have killed a wizard and several Muggles in the middle of the street…"
"So he's a Death Eater?"
"Yes, but not only. It is said that he was number two behind Voldemort, but that's not…"
Harry noticed how Daphne was struggling for the right words. "Daphne, tell me what's going on." What was Daphne so worried about?
"Oh, Harry. I really don't know how I can break this gently…" Daphne took a deep breath, before looking him straight in the eye. "Sirius Black was the secret keeper when your parents hid under the Fidelius charm. He was their friend and betrayed them..."
Her voice stopped, but Harry didn't hear her anymore anyway. The world collapsed on him, the blood roaring in his head.
Sirius Black had betrayed his parents? Sirius Black was the reason his parents died? Sirius Black?
"Harry...?"
Daphne's voice came from far away. It was almost as if he could see her worried face in front of him, but everything was covered with a reddish tinge. He felt a horrible heat rise in him that he had never experienced before, and his heart seemed to explode.
"Harry..."
Suddenly he felt a touch on his arm. Looking down, he noticed that a delicate, soft hand had enveloped his clenched fist.
"Harry," he heard Daphne's pleading voice. "Please, Harry. Please look at me. Look at me. Please." Harry raised his head, looking straight into Daphne's shimmering blue eyes. "Harry -"
"I ... I must ..." Harry stammered, completely breathless. He felt a wave of devouring anger; and terrible fear. "I must -"
"I understand," Daphne interrupted. "I'm coming with you."
Harry did not object this time. With Daphne at his side, still clutching his fist, Harry disappeared from the garden to reappear a fraction of a second later surrounded by trees. Just in time. The wand in his hand trembled impatiently.
…
Horrible heat and flames surrounded Harry, but it still wasn't enough. It was far from enough. He screamed as he raised his wand once again.
…
Silence set in. Harry only heard the pounding of his own heart, which slowly calmed down. He felt as if he was waking up from a dream, looking at his surroundings in dismay. Everywhere were ash and charred tree stumps. All life around him had been wiped out. By him!
Dark clouds of smoke settled over the land, invading his lungs. Harry had to cough so violently that tears came to his eyes.
Then a black silhouette moved into his field of vision, and suddenly Harry breathed fresh air again. It was a wonderful feeling. He looked up to see Daphne kneeling in front of him, her wand in her hand. Her clothes, her face, her hair, just everything about her was covered with soot; only her ice-blue eyes shone in the dim light. He must've looked the same, Harry thought, feeling his face burn with heat.
"Daphne ..." Harry tried to speak, his throat aching.
"All's well, Harry," Daphne said as she embraced him. "All's well." A pleasant coolness emanated from her body, and Harry hugged her tightly.
"I'm a monster," he said quietly.
Daphne leaned back a little, putting her right palm on his cheek. Her cool skin felt so pleasant. "You aren't," she said insistently.
"Just look at what I've done here!"
"You're still not a monster. The others are the monsters."
"I could have hurt you!"
"But you didn't! See, I'm still here. Safe and sound." With that Daphne took his face in her two hands and kissed him, her lips tasting like ash.
They broke apart, and Daphne gave him a tentative smile. Harry immediately gripped her face to kiss her again. Her lips felt so soft.
When they broke apart this time, Harry was filled with a new determination. "I will kill him, Daph!"
Daphne's eyes flashed. "And I will help you."
"I love you!"
"I love you too, my Harry."
It was July 30th when Harry and Daphne sat on the roof once again, looking at the stars. Harry smirked as he watched his lover out of the corner of his eye, staring intently at the magical clock she had conjured, counting the seconds.
He closed his eyes and waited for the words that came shortly afterwards. "Happy birthday, Harry," he heard Daphne's soft voice.
Opening his eyes, he looked into Daphne's beaming face. "Thank you, Daphne. For me, too, it's already the best birthday I've ever had." Both teenagers leaned forward, kissing in the moonlight.
When they ended the kiss, Daphne grinned broadly at him. "It's a good feeling that I don't have to kiss a younger boy anymore."
"Yes, that one month must have been horrible," Harry laughed.
Daphne joined in his laughter. "You have no idea!" she said, putting her head on his shoulders with a happy sigh. Harry thenput his arm around her. Several minutes passed before Daphne suddenly chuckled.
"What is it?" Harry asked her.
"Nothing," Daphne replied, smiling all over her face. "I just thought about your present, which you'll get tomorrow morning."
"Is it something embarrassing?" he asked worriedly.
"As I said, you'll find out tomorrow morning."
Harry knew that he had no choice but to wait. Still, he was curious about what Daphne's first official birthday present would be, but she had already given him the greatest gift.
"Daphne, I'm happy," said Harry, tightening his grip around his partner.
It was exactly what Harry had feared. He wanted to grunt loudly into his pillow while hearing flat singing.
"Harry Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Mr. Harry, Happy Birthday to you."
He felt Daphne kicking his leg under the blanket. Tired, he turned around and straightened up. After putting on his glasses, he recognized Dobby right next to his bed. This time he was dressed in a purple tailcoat with a yellow tie. Apparently Dobby was spending all his money on gaudy garments, Harry thought. Dobby's bat-like ears wiggled with joy as he held out a pink iced cake with thirteen small candles in the shape of seahorses. Harry felt like he was in the wrong movie.
"You have to blow them out," said Daphne next to him, who had also straightened up and grinned broadly.
Suppressing a sigh, Harry blew out the candles. "Thank you, Dobby," he said, before getting out of bed. "Come here, best house-elf in the world." And with that Harry hugged Dobby. Secretly, he had to admit that he was chuffed about Dobby's action. That's what a birthday had to look like. The time when he had spent this day alone and unloved was over. A new life has begun which Harry enjoyed deeply.
…
They were sitting at a wooden table in the garden on which tons of candy were still piled up. Harry had given up after four pieces of cake. He was full.
Daphne sat opposite him, flipping through the Daily Prophet, but suddenly her face darkened.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
Daphne looked up, giving him a bright smile, which looked a bit shallow though. "Nothing." She then raised her arm, pointing into the blue sky. "Look, there are several owls."
Harry followed her gaze, and in fact, six tall brown owls approached them. In pairs they respectively carried a package and a letter. A smile played on his lips for they were clearly Hogwarts owls.
The owls landed and Harry gave them several strips of bacon before taking the packages and letters from them. "What could it be?" he asked with mock curiosity.
"Unpack it," Daphne encouraged him.
Harry did as he was told, and in fact, the packages and letters were exactly what he suspected. The letters came from Hagrid, McGonagall, and Flitwick, who congratulated him on his birthday, and there was a book in each of the packages. As in the previous year, the two professors gave him advanced spell books for which Harry would surely find a use. Hagrid's gift, however, seemed to be something completely different. It was also a book, a very beautiful one even, with a magnificent green cover and gold letters, but Harry did not have a chance to read the title of the book, for once it was unpacked, the book bit him! He was so shocked that he dropped it to the ground. There the book moved (!) and hid under the table! What was that?
Carefully, he bent down to look under the table. The book had got fangs and growled dangerously at him. Harry looked at Daphne in confusion, who giggled loudly.
"Don't laugh!"
Daphne continued to laugh as she shook her head in amusement. "What was Hagrid thinking?" she asked with a grin.
"I'll ask him that," Harry replied, before taking his wand and pointing it at the living book, and several ropes were wrapped around it. Now Harry could reach for the book. Thoughtfully, he eyed the title. The Monster Book of Monsters. It was kind of typical of Hagrid.
"Now it's time for my present," he heard Daphne.
He turned to her, seeing that she was pointing her wand towards the house. For some time, nothing happened, but then he saw something approaching them at very high speed. But before he could even think about it, the object reached them. It was an exceptionally slim broom, much thinner than the school brooms Harry had flown on previously. Gold digits stood out against the polished wooden handle and formed the number 13. The broom was really magnificent.
"This ... This is..."
"Yes, Harry," Daphne said beside him. "This is the new Firebolt. One of the very first."
Harry looked at her, forcing himself to close his mouth. Daphne's eyes flashed with amusement.
"But Daphne, it must have cost a fortune," he tried to object, but Daphne stopped him with a wave of her hand.
"I don't care about money," she said. "I know how much fun you had while flying in our lessons in the first year. And also a few weeks ago. Without me, you would certainly fly more often. And if our house were fair, you would even play in the Quidditch team. I have more than enough money, Harry. You are more important to me. And if I can make you a little happy with it, then I don't care about the money."
Harry put his arms around his girlfriend, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. "You aren't just making me a little happy, Daph. Thank you! I love you!" He then leaned forward to kiss Daphne, placing his right arm around her waist and hugging her tightly while stroking her cheek with his left hand. By now, Harry knew every little bump and scar on Daphne's face. Not that there were many of them; her skin felt so soft under his fingers. Daphne had her arms around his neck and was playing with his hair as they deepened their kiss. Merlin, he loved this girl!
Ending the kiss, Daphne nudged his nose with her own. "Try it," she said with a smile, nodding to the Firebolt, which was still floating in the air.
Harry reached out, feeling a strange, tickling feeling as his fingers gripped the wood. He grinned at Daphne, before swinging his left leg over the broomstick. The broom just felt perfect under him. Harry didn't even have to push himself off the ground. As if the Firebolt had read his mind, it rose into the air.
Let's see what you can do, Harry thought, leaning forwards. Suddenly, the speed increased significantly. The wind whipped Harry's face as he kept racing upwards, Daphne and the house shrinking under him. He shouted with glee.
…
Daphne smiled at Harry, who was getting smaller and smaller. She had chosen the right gift, she thought pleased with herself. It was as if she could hear a cry of joy, but maybe she was just imagining it.
She then saw Harry perform rapid turns and somersaults in the air. That was how unlimited freedom had to feel. If only she could enjoy flying as much as he did.
However, at that moment of joy, she wanted to be close to Harry. With a slightly anxious feeling, she summoned another broom that Dobby had bought on her behalf. It wasn't a Firebolt – wild horses couldn't put her on that broom! - but a much simpler version, not so dissimilar to the school brooms on which they had learned to fly. Wide stick, slow speed. Exactly what Daphne needed.
She tied her hair behind her head so that it would not blow into her face like it did the last time. With a last sigh, she sat on the broom, letting herself be carried up.
…
Harry saw Daphne slowly rise. It was obvious how uncomfortable she felt, er entire body being cramped, her hands and legs clinging tightly to the broomstick. He also noticed her ponytail. Harry could understand why she had her hair tied back but still felt that her loose hair looked a lot better.
He flew to her, and it was almost as if he could hear her teeth grinding, so tightly she pressed her jaws together. Memories from their flying lessons came up. Harry had to chuckle.
"Don't laugh like that," Daphne hissed at him.
"I just can't help it," said Harry, grinning. "If you could see yourself..."
"I'm sure I will soon. I know you. You'll stick this memory in a book and make fun of me again and again."
Daphne just knew him too well. "Right you are, milady."
Harry flew alongside Daphne until she was somewhat relaxed. She smiled at him as they both looked at the landscape below.
Harry looked at the burned down forest on the edge of the property. Only from up here he became aware of the actual extent of the destruction. He had done that! That was the result of his loss of control! The second within a few weeks. He changed...
"Someday I'll tear down this house," Daphne's voice jolted him out of his thoughts. He saw that Daphne was looking at her family's house. For Harry, this place held only pleasant memories; the last few weeks had been the most beautiful of his life, despite his losses of control. But he knew it was different for Daphne. For years, this place had been a prison for her. The place of her torture. A hell on earth.
Harry flew to her side, smiling at her. "Tell me if you need help with that. I can only recommend fire. It seems to be my new specialty."
They flew through the air for more than an hour. Every now and then Harry moved away from Daphne to do some more daring flight maneuvers. Daphne said she felt sick from watching it, but for Harry it just felt wonderful.
They were over the house when they saw Dobby waving excitedly and signaling to land.
"Dobby, what's wrong?" Harry asked when they were back on the ground.
"Mr. Harry and Miss Daphne have visitors," said Dobby. "Minister for Magic Fudge and headmaster Dumbledore want to speak to Mr. Harry and Miss Daphne. They are waiting in the living room. Dobby let them in. Did Dobby do it right?"
"Yes, you did," said Daphne. "You can't send away such prominent people." She gave Harry an amused look. "How long have they been waiting?"
"Dobby let them in 40 minutes ago, Miss Daphne."
Daphne pretended to ponder. "Hmm, what do you think, Harry? Should we keep them waiting a bit longer? Or would that be rude?"
Harry laughed. "You're impossible, Daph. Let's go to them. I'm curious why they're here."
"To be honest, I find their behavior quite impolite. At least, they could have let us know beforehand that they would stop by. Then we could have prepared tea and pastries. Or would that be too much?"
"Daphne! We have to take this seriously! These are the two leaders of our beloved country!"
"That's exactly what I mean. Imagine we were serving the wrong tea for them. That would completely destroy our social status. What would people think?"
They both exploded with laughter. When they had calmed down somewhat, Harry took Daphne's hand and together they entered the house. With a swivel of their wands, they sent their brooms into a small garden shed.
They crossed the entrance hall, and Harry felt Daphne's grip tighten around his hand. Thus, he gently stroked her fingers with his thumb.
Daphne proudly raised her head as they entered the living room, looking at their visitors. Dumbledore stood next to a portly little man with a pinstriped cloak and lime-green bowler hat. Harry and Daphne had never met the man before, but of course they knew him from the newspapers: Minister for Magic Cornelis Fudge. Both men looked up as Harry and Daphne entered the room.
"Headmaster, Minister," said Daphne in a cool voice. "Welcome to my house. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"
Fudge opened his mouth, but Dumbledore spoke first. "Good morning, Daphne, Harry," he greeted them. "We will come to the reason for my and Cornelius' visit shortly. First of all, I want to express my sincere condolences to you, Daphne. If you -"
"Thank you, professor."
A shadow flashed over Dumbledore's face but was gone so quickly that Harry didn't know if he hadn't just imagined it. However, something told him that they had to be careful.
Dumbledore turned to Harry, a slight smile on his lips. "Ah, Harry. Happy birthday to you. I hope you had a nice day so far?"
"Thank you, professor," Harry replied. "I had."
Fudge took the opportunity to step in front of Harry, holding out his hand. "From me, too, of course, happy birthday, Mr. Potter."
Harry shook his hand. "Thank you, Minister."
"Minister, Headmaster, please sit down," Daphne had now resumed her role as lady of the house. "Would you like something to drink, tea or coffee for example?"
"Tea please."
"I'll take coffee."
Daphne nodded to Dobby, who had followed them and then left for the kitchen. All four people took a seat; Dumbledore and Fudge each in one of the armchairs, Harry and Daphne side by side on the couch, still holding the other's hand.
"How are you two?" asked Dumbledore.
"Great. Thanks for asking," Harry replied.
"Already done all your homework?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore asked no more questions. The silence that followed seemed to make Fudge nervous because he fiddled with his hat. Finally, Dobby came back with a tray that held two cups of tea and coffee and two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. Dobby put the drinks on the table, before walking away. Dumbledore took the tea and Fudge the coffee, Harry and Daphne left their glasses untouched.
"So," said Daphne. "what is the reason for your visit?"
Fudge cleared his throat. "Well, the reason why we are here is ... um, you probably know that there was an outbreak from Azkaban -"
"Sirius Black," said Harry.
"Um, yes, exactly," Fudge continued. "So ... so there are hints, statements from Black, that could indicate that ... that Black may have ... targeted you, Mr. Potter..."
All eyes were on Harry, but he controlled his feelings, also thanks to his Occlumency exercises, which he had intensified in recent weeks. "I understand. Because he has already betrayed my parents."
Fudge looked at him in shock, even Dumbledore seemed surprised. "How do you know that?" asked the headmaster, who had leaned forward in his chair and was watching Harry carefully.
Harry pondered how to respond when Daphne squeezed his hand. In a sharp voice, she said, "Professor, this is a well-kept secret that very few people in the Ministry knew. In short: all pureblood families knew. I told Harry."
"Surely you're not visiting us to tell us just that," Harry said. "Why else are you here?"
"We want to ask you not to leave the property for the rest of the summer," replied Dumbledore.
Harry looked at Daphne and his eyes found hers, which looked at him with a mixture of regret and concern. Feelings that Harry shared. If they complied with this request, they wouldn't be able to travel to Egypt this summer. On the other hand, they probably shouldn't be traveling around if a mad mass murderer was chasing him, even if Harry intended to kill him. If he was to take his revenge, he would rather do it on his terms. He had a silent conversation with Daphne and eventually, she nodded slightly.
Harry turned back to their two guests, who were watching them curiously. "Is that all?"
Fudge sat up in his chair. "Actually no. The Ministry of Magic would like to place several Aurors around and on the property for your protection. For nothing is more important to the Ministry than -"
"Not on the property," Daphne interrupted the minister. "Feel free to station the Aurors around the property, but nobody is allowed to enter the property without my express permission. Or Harry's permission. You can't Apparate on the property anyway and we've already closed the fireplace."
"But Miss Greengrass, they should really -"
"No, minister. Either you accept my terms, or there won't be any Aurors at all."
Fudge opened his mouth, but Dumbledore put his hand on the minister's arm. "Cornelius," he said calmly, "I think you should accept it. Harry's protection should also be ensured in this way."
Fudge sighed. "Well, all right. Then the Aurors will now take up their station."
"Is there anything else?" Daphne asked in a polite voice, but Harry knew she wanted their guests to leave. He wanted the same thing.
"In fact, I want to speak to you both in my role as your headmaster," Dumbledore said, then turned back to Fudge. "Cornelius, you don't have to stay for that. I'm sure you have very important things to do."
"You have no idea, Albus!" Fudge shook Harry and Daphne's hand and was then led out by Dobby.
Now they were alone with Dumbledore, who was sipping his tea loudly. Harry was playing with Daphne's fingers, hoping to calm her down a bit because he noticed how tense she was. He heard the ticking of the grandfather clock's second hand, but no one said a word. Dumbledore just drank his tea, looking at them.
At some point, Harry could not take it anymore. "Say whatever you want to say," he spoke annoyed.
If Dumbledore was somehow surprised by Harry's words, he did not reveal it. Instead, he calmly put his cup on the table, adjusting his glasses.
"You probably suspected it already," said Dumbledore, "but I have not told the whole truth. I do not want to talk to you two about school matters, even though I'm still your headmaster, of course. But maybe you can forget that for a moment and just see me as a friend who is only interested in your well-being."
"What do you want?" Harry ran out of patience and forced himself to breathe calmly.
"I would like to ask you some questions. Everything we discuss now can stay between us if you wish." Dumbledore looked at them with his insistent, light blue eyes. "Daphne," he asked calmly, "do you have anything to do with the death of your parents?"
Harry felt Daphne's hand clenching, but she did not avert her gaze when she said in a cool voice, "I'm not a murderer, professor."
Harry scowled at Dumbledore. That was all his fault in the first place! As if guessing his thoughts, a hint of sadness appeared in Dumbledore's eyes. "I didn't think that either, Daphne," he said softly. "I know what your parents did to –"
"We've had this conversation before," Harry interrupted him. "You apologized and eased your conscience. With everything else, you exceed your authority as headmaster. Even as Chief Warlock, this is not your field of duty. Do you want to insult my girlfriend further or do you have any other questions?"
Dumbledore sighed again, but Harry did not think he believed them. "I have another question. Harry, you refused to lead the Weasleys into the chamber, which I could understand. You must have experienced terrible things down there, which is why I did not want to push you to do it. But why did you two go back to the chamber on your own?"
"You're still spying on us," Harry said with suppressed anger.
"Harry, I'm responsible for the safety of my students. After you told me that the entrance to the chamber is in this toilet, I of course took measures to monitor it."
Harry was about to open his mouth again when he felt Daphne lightly squeeze his hand. "I urged Harry to do it," she said softly. "I still have nightmares about what happened there. But it was really bad the first night afterwards. I ... I had to go back there. To the place where I almost died. If it weren't for Fawkes..."
"I think Fawkes visits you from time to time, doesn't he?"
"Yes," Daphne replied with one hand on her heart. "He helps me, he comforts me. His singing is so beautiful..."
A slight smile settled on Dumbledore's features. "Yes, it is."
Just at that moment there was a loud bang and Fawkes appeared over their heads. The phoenix flew a small circle, before alighting on Daphne's shoulder, who gently stroked his feathers. Fawkes, in turn, rubbed his head on her cheek.
Harry had to pull himself together to keep from grinning broadly. He had already been proud of Daphne, who had so skillfully linked truth and lies. That Fawkes played along with her little game and even appeared at the right moment, however, was the ultimate jackpot.
Finally, Fawkes took off from Daphne's shoulder and flew to Dumbledore, where he settled in his lap. Now it was Dumbledore who petted the phoenix. "I see we share Fawke's friendship," he said, smiling.
Harry and Daphne nodded. As Harry put his arm around Daphne's shoulders, he felt her entire body shaking slightly. She put her head on his shoulder.
Dumbledore looked at them with an inscrutable gaze. "I've never met a couple like you two before."
Harry gave Daphne a loving look. Though they couldn't relax their attentions, he believed that at least for the moment they had nothing to fear from Dumbledore. "Thank you, professor."
Before anyone could say anything else, Dobby entered, holding another tray with the remaining pieces of Harry's birthday cake. Harry took a piece and also offered one to Daphne, who only shook her head.
Dumbledore also took a piece, bitting into it heartily. "It truly is a delicious cake!" he praised.
"Dobby will certainly be pleased with the praise," said Harry. "He baked it."
"Ah yes, Malfoy's old house-elf. I have to say, Harry, I think you did a really good deed when you freed him. Even if I cannot approve of your chosen means of blackmail."
Harry was no longer surprised that Dumbledore knew that too. After all, his confrontation with Lucius Malfoy had taken place in the middle of the castle, and several portraits had also been nearby.
Dumbledore even took another piece of cake after Harry nodded in confirmation. Daphne, meanwhile, had closed her eyes while still leaning against Harry's shoulder.
"I'll also give you an emergency Portkey," Dumbledore finally said, pulling a small lighter out of his cloak. "You just have to touch the lighter and say help and you will be taken to the Hogwarts hospital wing. Just in case..."
"Thanks," said Harry.
"Don't worry too much otherwise," Dumbledore continued. "Here you are safe and in Hogwarts even more. The property is also big enough. Or did you plan to go on a journey?"
Harry pondered how truthfully he should answer. If they had actually traveled to Alexandria, Dumbledore would have found out anyway, he was sure. And they would still make the journey, only at a later date. So he replied with an intentionally regretful tone, "Actually, we wanted to travel to Egypt. But we'll just make up for that next year."
Dumbledore leaned forward curiously. "Egypt? Why Egypt?"
Daphne straightened up and looked at Harry but said nothing. Then it was probably again up to Harry to answer their headmaster. "We wanted to learn," he said. "Egypt is one of the oldest magical cultures in the world. The Library of Alexandria alone is said to be legendary."
Dumbledore laughed, his face beaming with joy. "Alexandria! Yes, that brings back memories! But that must have been over a hundred years ago…" Dumbledore stared into the distance as if he were reminiscing about a past long ago. Eventually, he shook his head, before looking back at Harry and Daphne. "You wanted to learn? Are you sure you don't belong in Ravenclaw?" he asked with a smile.
"You have to ask the sorting hat for that, sir," Harry replied, making Dumbledore laugh once again.
Afterwards, they only talked about some trivialities, before finally biding goodbye. Dumbledore said he was looking forward to seeing them both again on September 1st, before leaving the house.
Harry looked after Dumbledore, who was walking along the gravel path towards the property line with Fawkes on his shoulder. Relieved, he closed the front door. That had been a near miss.
When he turned around, however, he saw Daphne gasping for air, her entire body trembling violently. Harry was immediately by her side, hugging her. "Daphne, what's wrong?"
Daphne was still panting when she answered him. "For ... for a moment I thought that was it," she said. "Dumbledore would tie me up and send me to Azkaban. But ... But I couldn't let anything show..."
Harry stroked her back comfortingly. He understood now. "I would never allow them to send you to Azkaban, Daph," he said, before tenderly kissing her lips. "I think we both can use something hot to drink now."
Taking Daphne's hand, he led her into the kitchen, where he put the kettle down. Daphne had calmed down a bit and was now sitting at the kitchen table. Harry sat next to her, seeing a cut-out article from the Daily Prophet that Dobby had apparently left there.
Daphne Greengrass squanders heritage
By Ophelia Parkinson
Daphne Greengrass's house-elf was seen buying one of the new Firebolts in Diagon Alley. Since the Firebolt, with a price of over 1,000 galleons, is the most expensive broom in history, Miss Greengrass could probably only afford this broom through her surprising estate, which fell on her shoulders after her parents' mysterious death (reported by us). The house-elf allegedly said that the broom should be a gift for the "Great Harry Potter Sir". Harry Potter lives together with Daphne Greengrass on the estate of the Greengrass family (reported by us) …
Harry had already read enough. Amused, he looked at Daphne. "That's why you didn't want to tell me what was in the newspaper this morning, didn't you?" he asked. "I thought you just wanted to spare me this rag on my birthday."
Only now did Daphne notice the newspaper article on the table. When she realized what Harry meant, she gave him a crooked smile. "That's the Prophet anyway. But I didn't want you to find out about my surprise too soon."
"The surprise was definitely nicer this way," said Harry, leaning forward to kiss his partner. They had weathered today's adversities well, he thought. Neither of them would ever go to Azkaban, he would rather set the whole country on fire. And they certainly wouldn't let any pen pushers bring them to their knees!
Tragic teen romance at Hogwarts
By Rita Skeeter and Ophelia Parkinson
Harry snorted as he read the article, already gotten used to the inflammatory headlines of the Daily Prophet, because for two months now the newspaper has been speculating regularly about the Greengrass murders. Daphne in particular had become their target. Although they never directly accused her as a murderer, they fueled rumors about this through their constant articles about her private life. As if it was anyone's concern what Daphne spent her money on or who she was living with.
He expected the worst for their return to Hogwarts, even if they had already been shunned in the last school year. Still, two months of media agitation would certainly have had an impact. That was also why they decided not to go to Diagon Alley themselves but instead sent Dobby to get their school supplies. It was not like they feared people's reactions, but they just didn't feel like it. And they had enough to do with their training, translations, and research, even if they had only progressed at a snail's pace, if at all.
"What are they writing today?" Daphne asked from across the table. They were still having breakfast, but would soon leave for London, as it was September 1st and thus the day of their return to Hogwarts. The summer had passed far too quickly.
"A new story," Harry replied, throwing the newspaper on the table in front of him. "But this time our friend Ophelia had the help from a certain Rita Skeeter."
"And what story did the locusts fudge this time?" Daphne asked as she sipped her tea.
"They somehow found out about our ... separation after Christmas." At his words, a shadow flashed over Daphne's face, and Harry squeezed her hand, knowing that she was still blaming herself for her behavior back then. "They speculate that your parents had rejected our relationship." That was even true for once. "In the end, they suggest how beneficial it is for our, I quote, tragic teen romance that your parents are no longer a bar to our love."
"So they still don't have the guts to accuse me openly. Tell me, how many motifs have they addressed so far?" Daphne began counting on her fingers. "Greed because I wanted to get my parents' money. Jealousy because they loved my sister more than me. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to have been jealous of Ginny Weasley as well for sending you a valentine card. Of course, I mustn't forget that." Harry gave a short laugh. They could never forget any of that, as they still received hate mail every day. Daphne continued, "Revenge because my parents treated me badly." Understatement of the century. "And now murder out of love. Which sounds almost romantic, don't you think?"
"You are impossible, Daph," said Harry with a grin. "Have you received a request for comment from the Daily Prophet?"
"No, why?"
"Because they wrote again that we couldn't be reached for comment. If the bastards had asked, I would have loved to give them a comment with my wand."
Now it was up to Daphne to squeeze his hand, her ice-blue eyes flashing as she spoke. "They're just bugs under our boots, Harry. One day we will crush them."
Harry nodded to her. She was right. But what kind of people thought this way? He had been asking himself this question quite a bit lately.
…
At 10 a.m. Dobby took them to the platform in Kings Cross. They were there far too early, but they wanted to avoid the crowds. They were even the very first on the platform and sat in a compartment at the end of the train. Harry realized that this would be the first time in two years that he was taking the Hogwarts Express. Then as now, Daphne was by his side, but so much had changed since.
After a while, more and more students arrived with their families, and soon there was a lot of hustle on the platform and train. Students kept looking into their compartment, but as soon as they recognized Harry and Daphne, they turned on the spot. Apparently, nobody wanted to sit with them. What a surprise, Harry thought bitterly. At exactly 11 a.m., the train departed.
They had been on the way for several hours now and Daphne had put her head in Harry's lap. Tenderly, he stroked her hair as he read to her from the muggle book Moby Dick, which, for some reason, fascinated Daphne, but Harry also had to admit that the story of Ahab and the white whale had a certain appeal.
Suddenly, the train started to slow down. Harry checked his watch. "We can't be in Hogsmeade already," he said.
Daphne sat up, looking worried too. "Do you feel this cold?" she asked quietly.
Now that Daphne said it, Harry also felt it slowly getting colder. Too cold for a summer day, even if the sun was no longer to be seen through the window, only thick fog.
Harry and Daphne exchanged a worried look, before both pulling out their wands. Harry took Daphne's hand. Their hearts pounded as they waited, even if they didn't know what they were waiting for.
By now the train had come to a standstill. Without warning, all the lamps went out and they were shrouded in absolute darkness. They conjured magical spheres of light to illuminate their compartment, neither of them daring to say a word, but Harry was glad that he could hold Daphne's hand, hearing her shallow breaths. He then heard a scraping sound at the door but saw only a dark shape through the window glass. Slowly the door was pushed open, and Harry tightened his grip on his wand.
It was a large cloaked figure standing in the doorway. No one moved. The creature beneath the hood, whatever it was, drew a long, slow, rattling breath, as though it were trying to suck something more than air from its surroundings.
An icy cold lay around Harry's heart, seizing his entire body. He felt Daphne's hand trembling in his, and abruptly she dropped to her knees, her wand rolling over the floor.
"Daphne!" Harry shouted, putting his arm around Daphne's shaking body. He looked into her face, but her eyes had rolled up into her head. There was nothing left of her beautiful blue pupils, only empty white.
It got colder and colder. It felt like Harry was drowning in an icy sea. The cold water filled his lungs and he could almost hear the water rushing in his ears. It was getting louder.
He was still hugging Daphne, whose entire body was shaking like crazy now, but he couldn't see anything. There was only darkness everywhere, and unbearable coldness.
Harry heard screams coming from far away; terrible, terrified, pleading screams. Harry tried to get up, to no avail, feeling his strength leaving him.
"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please – I'll do anything!"
"Stand aside - stand aside, girl -"
Harry saw his mother standing above him, her beautiful face tainted with terror and fear. The same feelings that gripped himself. The cold crushed his heart and Daphne's trembling became weaker and weaker. Was that their end? Would they die now and with them all their dreams and hopes?
No!
Harry felt the anger rise inside him. Whatever that creature was, it wouldn't kill them! This was not their end!
He still couldn't see anything, but with great strain he raised his wand, pointing in the direction in which he suspected the creature. He knew that he would only have one chance.
"In-Incendio," he murmured, feeling the familiar heat of the flames shooting from his wand.
The flames warmed his frozen heart, but only for a short moment. He heard a terrible scream that made his blood curdle. And then the cold returned, even more merciless than before. Harry knew he had no strength for another spell. An ice-cold, bony hand dug into his shoulder, and he heard a rattling, greedy breath.
Harry squeezed his partner, who was no longer moving. He had failed. I love you, Daphne, were his last thoughts. Then there was nothing.
Next chapter: Return to Hell
Preview:
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Weasley thrust himself forward as well. They exchanged a look, realizing that they had the same goal. Together they stepped behind their victim.
AN:
What is the matter with my boy Harry and fire? If he is not careful, he will one day singe his fingers.
Regarding Harry and Daphne's trip to Alexandria: Forbearance is not acquittance.
By the way, I like to listen to music while writing this story, for example long versions of "Harry in Winter" or "Window to the Past" from the Harry Potter movies. My personal leitmotif for Harry and Daphne is "Marry Me Suite" by Hans Zimmer. With this music I made up their story and somehow I think that the piece suits them. Do you have any other music tips that fit the tone of the story? I am happy about every recommendation :)
