AN:
Many thanks to my great beta reader Verlor (id: 11113787).
Chapter 18 – Return to Hell
…
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.
Harry's entire body ached as he heard murmurs, but he could not understand the words. Where was he? He tried to open his eyes but was instantly blinded by a bright light, making him groan painfully.
"Slowly, Harry. Everything is fine," said an unknown male voice. The voice was rough, but also somehow gentle. But who was this man? What was going on?
Suddenly, Harry remembered! The hooded figure. The cold and darkness. The horrible screams. Daphne's motionless body -
"Daphne!" screamed Harry, eyes wide. The light hurt, but Harry still tried to locate Daphne. Where was she? She had been right next to him. He tried to move, but arms grabbed his shoulders.
"Careful, Harry." Again, the unknown voice. "She's fine too. She's right next to you."
Harry blinked several times, and slowly, he could see his surroundings. Leaning over him was a dreadful looking man with numerous scars on his face and brown hair streaked with gray. The man wore a shabby cloak patched in several places. In the background, Harry could see Weasley's gloating face, alongside Granger and Longbottom.
Harry only noticed all this in passing though. He hurriedly turned his head, seeing Daphne lying on the floor next to him. Immediately, Harry bent over her and touched her body. It was warm and her chest rose and fell slowly, but regularly. She lived!
A tear fell on Daphne's face. Harry hadn't even noticed that he had started crying. He was so relieved. For a moment, he had thought that that was the end. He clutched her body, just to make sure that she was really fine, that she was actually alive.
Suddenly a jolt went through Daphne's body and she opened her eyes. Harry shivered when he finally saw her ice-blue irides again, instead of soulless white as her eyeballs had rolled up into her head.
"Daphne!" Harry's voice trembled.
"Ha-Harry?"
"I'm here, Daph. I'm here. We're alive."
When Daphne tried to sit up, Harry put his arms around her, hugging her tightly. He wanted to never let go of her, he was too afraid of losing her again. He buried his face in Daphne's long hair, smelling her scent, and ferling her fingernails piercing his shoulders. Both teenagers trembled in each other's arms and Harry felt warm tears running down his cheeks.
He did not know how long they spent in this position, but they were finally ripped out of their dream world by a loud crack. They parted slightly, seeing the unknown man who had knelt down next to them, holding out two large pieces of chocolate. "Here," he said. "Eat. You'll feel better."
Harry took the two pieces from him, immediately passing the larger one on to Daphne. It was only after she had bitten off several times that Harry did the same. As soon as the chocolate touched his lips, he felt a pleasant warmth seize his body. Eagerly, he scoffed the rest.
Daphne smiled slightly at him, still chocolate on her lips. Thus, Harry leaned forward, grinning, and kissed her. It felt so good to feel her lips on his. When they broke apart, the traces of chocolate were gone.
"Are you feeling better?" Harry heard the unknown man's voice. Harry and Daphne turned their heads. The man had risen again and smiled down at them.
"Who are you?" asked Harry. "Did you…?"
"My name is Remus Lupin," the man replied. "And yes, it was me who saved you from the Dementor, but it was close. Your fire made the Dementor insanely angry."
Suddenly, Harry understood. The creature was a Dementor. He cursed inwardly. He had read about Dementors, he should have recognized it! Suddenly he also remembered the emergency Portkey Dumbledore had given them. How could he have forgotten that? Bloody hell! His own stupidity had almost killed Daphne and himself, if it hadn't been for this man, Lupin...
"Thank you," said Harry. And he meant it. He was infinitely grateful to the man.
"Thank you, Mr. Lupin," Daphne said beside him, and her voice had rarely sounded so sincere.
Lupin gave them more pieces of chocolate. "Excuse me, I have to speak to the train driver. We'll see each other again, Harry, Daphne."
As he walked out, he asked the Gryffindor trio, whose presence Harry had almost completely forgotten, to stay in the compartment with them. Harry hardly noticed that though, because he had risen from the floor and helped Daphne to get up. Together they sat on the bench, having only eyes for each other.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked worriedly as he brushed a strand of hair from Daphne's face. In the past two months, her face had started to regain color, but now it was as pale as in the Chamber of Secrets.
Daphne nestled against Harry's hand. "It's okay now…"
"Did you..." Harry didn't know how to phrase his question.
"Yes. But that's over. It was just memories. And you?"
"Yes."
Daphne's eyes glittered in the warm sunlight, so much in contrast to the previous cold and darkness. On her face, however, her concern for him was clearly visible. Harry didn't want her to worry. He leaned forward and his lips rested on hers. It was a slow kiss, whose only purpose was to convince both of them that everything was fine again.
Harry thought he heard mocking laughter, but when he wanted to turn around, Daphne wrapped her arms around him. She put her head on his shoulder, and Harry stroked her back. Both lost their sense of time as they huddled up to one another, giving each other the strength they needed.
At some point they heard Lupin's voice again, then patter of feet and the compartment door slamming. "Finally, they're gone," Daphne murmured softly in Harry's ear.
It was only when the sun began to set that they broke apart, but still held each other's hands.
"I saw my parents," said Daphne quietly, as if she was afraid of her words. "I've felt it so many times, but this was much worse. It was right in my head..."
"They're dead, Daph. They no longer have power over you," said Harry tenderly.
"I know ... Harry, what did you see? Of course, you don't have to tell -"
"I saw my mother. I saw how she confronted Voldemort, how she begged. How she died…" Harry felt his eyes well up. He had known how his parents died but seeing it was a different matter altogether.
Daphne pressed against him, also tears in her eyes. "Oh, Harry!"
And so, the two teenagers were in each other's arms again. They had lived through their worst memories today, but even if they were surrounded by total darkness and loathed by the whole world, they still had each other. Daphne was Harry's light at night, his warming fire in the freezing cold.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Harry felt dozens of eyes on them as they got off the train. Some students even pointed at them while talking to their friends, and he could hear words like "unconscious" and "kinslayer" out of the murmur. Harry and Daphne raised their heads and strode proudly to the carriages.
After their arrival in Hogwarts, the behavior of their classmates didn't change either. The other students stared at them, continuing their whispering. As soon as Harry and Daphne got closer, people backed away as if they had a highly contagious disease. Harry was already tired of the school year.
In the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall called out to them to follow her to her office. Lupin, who apparently was their new DADA teacher, had sent an owl ahead, informing McGonagall that they had both passed out. Obediently, Harry and Daphne went through the subsequent examination by Madam Pomfrey, even if they flinched at her comment that they were "delicate souls". Some people were quite bad at reading others, Harry thought. At least, they could talk her out of the idea of spending the night in the hospital wing.
Back in the Great Hall, Harry and Daphne sat at the very end of the Slytherin table, and the other students instantly slid away from them. Again, they were given partly fearful, partly suspicious glances. If it weren't compulsory and if he hadn't been so hungry, Harry would have preferred to leave straight away.
Daphne put her head on his shoulder as they listened to Dumbledore's speech. With audible disapproval, he informed the student body that Dementors would be posted around the castle grounds this school year. Officially, to protect the students from Sirius Black, but Harry knew that it was he who was to be protected. When Dumbledore mentioned the Dementors, Harry exchanged a determined look with Daphne.
Dumbledore also introduced Lupin as their new teacher. At last, they were rid of Lockhart's incompetence. What surprised them both, however, was that Hagrid would be teaching Care of Magical Creatures! He could have told them that in one of his letters, Harry thought. Nevertheless, he and Daphne clapped and cheered loudly. Harry was now looking forward to the new subject even more.
When Dumbledore ended his speech and opened the feast, Harry and Daphne hurried to wolf down the numerous delicacies. As soon as they were full, they rose from their seats and left the Great Hall, which probably relieved the other students. However, it was not the well-being of their fellow human beings that pushed them both to such haste, but the desire to be able to talk to each other undisturbed.
"I hope you packed the dictionaries," Daphne whispered when they arrived in the Slytherin common room.
"Of course." Harry smiled, knowing why Daphne asked that. They would search their secret books for information about Dementors. Currently, they were still in the crypt on the Greengrass estate, but with Dobby they always had access. What would the little guy do all alone for the next few months? Probably cleaning, Harry thought, amused.
"That was a humiliation today," Daphne hissed next to him.
"That's why we're going to learn from that," Harry replied. "Our classmates are another matter altogether. I don't know if I can get through the year without cursing them all."
"Looks like you need a distraction," Daphne said, putting her hand on his cheek.
"You're probably right ... How about a walk in the moonlight? What do you say, my wicked witch?"
Daphne grinned. "You're so romantic, my Prince Charming. Just let me get my coat, then I'm all yours."
It had been an eventful day in the life of Remus Lupin. For weeks, he had been looking forward to starting teaching at Hogwarts, the only place he had ever been truly happy. And he owed that to the man whose office he was in at that moment: Albus Dumbledore, who had now brought him to Hogwarts once more.
Remus had not had to ride the Hogwarts Express - no teacher usually did that - but he wanted to revive the feeling of so many years ago. And he had felt that - with his old friend Sirius Black on the run - he should be as close as possible to the students. At the thought of Sirius, Remus felt a stinging pain in his heart, as he had so often in the past twelve years.
"What do you think of him?" Dumbledore's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Remus knew immediately who it was about. Harry, the son of James and Lily. He had talked to Dumbledore about him several times over the summer.
"He's not what I expected," said Remus slowly. Dumbledore just looked at him through his half-moon-shaped glasses as if he was waiting for him to continue. Remus looked out of the window at the lake, where two small figures were walking, although he could not see them in the darkness. "He's very different from James and Lily..."
"But you still don't believe the reports in the newspaper, do you?" Dumbledore asked in a calm voice.
Remus turned, shaking his head wildly. "No. There is so much love in him. Albus, you should have seen him with the girl, Daphne. Their love for each other is obvious. But ... this is not how thirteen-year-old children should behave..."
"Yes, Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass are full of love," said Dumbledore. "Full of love for each other and no one else."
"Can you blame them?" asked Remus. "I know myself what it's like to be ostracized and feared. That usually doesn't make you a particularly open-hearted person."
"Will you take care of him, Remus?"
Remus didn't even have to think. Of course, he would try to protect James and Lily's son. He wouldn't repeat his failure from twelve years ago.
Hermione Granger ran through the corridors full of anticipation. She was about to have her first lesson of Ancient Runes, which she had been looking forward to all summer. She was sure that she'd read the textbook over a dozen times by now. Secretly, she also had to admit that she was happy to get away from her friends for some time. She loved Neville and Ron, of course, but the latter in particular had been getting tiring lately. Since his sister's death, to be exact.
Of course, the loss of Ginny also hurt Hermione. And she wasn't exactly positive about Potter and Greengrass either, considering what the two had done to her at the beginning of the year. If she was honest with herself, Hermione also realized that she hadn't been completely innocent. Impersonating Greengrass and trying to interrogate Potter without proper preparation had been stupid. Potter had seen through her masquerade within seconds.
But Ron's aversion to the two developed into a real obsession. Even his parents and brothers hadn't been able to talk him out of that. He still told them at any given opportunity that they were murderers. First they had killed Ginny and then Greengrass' parents. He just believed everything in the newspaper. For Hermione, all of these were just stupid rumors. Merlin's beard, the two had only been twelve! And Greengrass is said to have returned from the Chamber with severe injuries. She had looked like a ghost for the rest of the school year. In addition, Ron's punishment was his own fault. He had attacked Potter and Greengrass without provocation and even insulted a teacher afterwards.
No, Hermione did not believe what was said about Potter and Greengrass. She didn't like the two - they were conceited, arrogant, and sometimes heartless people - but they weren't murderers. How many twelve-year-old murderers have there been? The Ministry of Magic had also investigated the case and hadn't found anything. Hermione had even felt a little pity for Potter and Greengrass when they had been so vulnerable after confronting the dementor. Ron, however, had found it extremely amusing. At least, she and Neville had been able to restrain him from further stupidities.
By now, Hermione couldn't hear Ron's constant accusations and insults anymore. The constant quarrels with him about his stupid rat unnerved her as well. She didn't wish her friend any harm, but she wouldn't be unhappy if the rat simply died.
Hermione shook her head. For at least an hour, she didn't want to think of Ron, Potter, Greengrass, murder plots, dead people, or stupid rats. Beaming with joy, she entered the classroom.
She froze when she saw Potter and Greengrass in the back row, who, as usual, seemed to have eyes only for each other. No, this couldn't be! The two hadn't taken Ancient Runes! She had asked McGonagall last year. No Slytherin was in this class.
Morosely, Hermione sat in the front row right in front of the teacher's desk. What a terrible start to the school year.
…
An hour later, Hermione's previously good mood was completely gone as she stormed out of the classroom. How could Potter and Greengrass answer every single question? Even questions that Hermione herself hadn't known the answers to?
She just couldn't explain it. Why did she have to deal with the two Slytherins all the time? Wasn't it enough that the two already mastered every spell before her?
Later in the week she would also have Arithmancy with them. This world just wasn't fair.
Harry liked their new courses and the variety they offered. He had already dealt too much with runes for his own taste, but he realized how much they had learned through their weeks of research and translations. That enabled them to answer all of Professor Babbling's questions, for which they had received many house points. Not that the other Slytherins would thank them for that...
While Daphne still liked runes and generally ancient languages more than Harry, he was surprised at how much fun he had on their first Arithmancy lesson. It reminded him a little of math class in elementary school. The pure-blooded pupils, on the other hand, seemed to lack numeracy, which also applied to Daphne. Muggleborns like Granger and practically Harry were way ahead of them.
"What did you think, Harry?" Daphne had told him. "Do you think wizarding parents teach their children arithmetic? And then my parents of all people?"
Thus, Harry was now adding math tuition for Daphne to his tight schedule. He was almost glad that he had no other friends to split his time even more. No, the idea was really absurd. Their classmates went on to shun Harry and Daphne like lepers. At least, they always had space in the hallways, in the library, and at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, even if the constant whispers strained Harry's nerves. If he heard another "murderer" while people eyed them suspiciously, he would go nuts, he feared. He therefore continued his Occlumency exercises to keep his feelings at bay. He couldn't afford to lose control here like he had over the summer.
At least, his roommates had not done anything stupid so far, even though Harry knew all too well that it was only fear that stopped them. Daphne had also strengthened her protective spells around her bed and slept with her wand in her hand. Harry missed sleeping in the same bed as her, but at least they could still feel each other in their dreams, which became more and more vivid.
The two were particularly looking forward to their first lesson in Care of Magical Creatures, especially since Hagrid would be their teacher. And indeed, Hagrid did an excellent job. Although they had the class with Gryffindors, which Harry and Daphne would have liked to avoid, the Hippogriffs immediately took their hearts. Somehow, they both felt that they liked animals and other magical creatures much more than humans.
Only Malfoy had to act like a blooming idiot again and managed to let himself be almost killed by Buckbeak. Harry wouldn't have found that a pity, but he didn't want the Hippogriff to pay for Malfoy's stupidity, so he had pushed his classmate away at the last second and calmed the angry Buckbeak.
It was late afternoon that Harry and Daphne were on their way back from Hagrid's hut. As usual, Hagrid had worried and blamed himself far too much. They assured him that his lesson had been great, and Malfoy was just a stupid ass. No one had been hurt either.
At some point, Hagrid's mood had actually brightened, and he had even served them his infamous rock cookies, which Harry had conscientiously eaten up. However, he had seen Daphne secretly feeding her cookies to Fang, who appeared to have steel teeth. Damn cheater!
"It's not my fault that you're so damn considerate," Daphne said just as Harry spotted several figures walking down the path from the castle. "Hagrid didn't notice anything, so I really don't understand what the problem - what's wrong?"
Daphne heard his exasperated groan. Harry gestured to the Gryffindor trio of Weasley, Granger, and Longbottom, who were coming their way but apparently hadn't seen them yet.
"Oh snap," Daphne murmured. "What are we going to do?" Neither of them wanted to deal with the three Gryffindors. Harry was now certain that Weasley was the one who had laughed so scornfully on the train.
Harry took Daphne's hand, leading her behind the next trees. There he took out his invisibility cloak and threw it over their two bodies. With pricked ears, they watched the trio go past them.
"I tell you, Ron, you've become obsessed with that," said Longbottom. "Your mother -"
"Has no idea," Weasley replied, briskly. "Just look at how the two walk through the castle. As if they were the masters of the world! You should hate Death Eaters in training. Neville, especially you, for your parent's sake."
"Ron, they're not Death Eaters," Granger said in a high-pitched voice. "You-Know-Who killed Potter's parents. He himself defeated You-Know-Who."
"At least that's what they say, right?" Weasley replied. "How can a baby defeat the most powerful dark wizard in history unless he's a dark wizard himself? And Greengrass' parents were definitely Death Eaters!"
"But now they're dead -"
"Yes, as I said! They killed them!"
"I think we go round in circles," Longbottom said carefully. "We have to think about what we're going to tell Hagrid..."
The Gryffindor trio disappeared behind the next bend. Their conversation had been enlightening, Harry thought. Many people in the castle probably thought like Weasley.
"Idiots. Complete idiots," whispered Daphne.
Harry and Daphne spent most of their free time as usual in their retreat in the Room of Requirement. They were filled with the desire to learn how to defend themselves against the Dementors. To do this, they studied Valeydis and Valeydor's book about magical creatures. Although they made very slow progress with their translations - the grammar in particular still caused them problems - they learned that the Dementors either originated from lower demons or were even lower demons themselves. They could not quite decipher it yet. In any case, there seemed to be ways to subject them, but it appeared to be very dark demonic magic. And it was extremely dangerous too since the dementors would always try to rebel against their submission.
So that was not a solution for now. It would take a lot more time and practice to translate the pages completely, let alone master the spells. No, they had to find another way to deal with the Dementors.
They eventually found one in the Hogwarts school library. Apparently, one could defend against Dementors with a so-called Patronus, which was fed by positive memories. The spell and wand movement were simple, but Harry and Daphne simply couldn't cast a Patronus, no matter how hard they tried. Only a few times had the top of Harry's wand glowed white. Perhaps they needed guidance from a more experienced wizard. Luckily, they had their first lesson with their new DADA teacher at the end of the week. He had saved them from the Dementor on the train, so he could certainly help them.
Hatefully, Pansy Parkinson looked at her classmate. They just had their first lesson with their new DADA teacher, a miserable rag with shabby and patched-up clothes. One by one, they were supposed to step before the Boggart who took the form of their greatest fear. Greengrass almost delighted in the fearful faces of the other students; like a tick that drank the blood of its victims. Merlin, she hated her!
Pansy had visited her father in Azkaban with her mother in the summer. There had been nothing left of him except a drooling piece of meat. He hadn't even recognized her. Her own father hadn't recognized her!
At the memory, Pansy's eyes welled up again. That was all the fault of the Greengrasses. They were dead, but she would take revenge on their daughter! Her aunt might be satisfied with writing contemptuous articles about Greengrass, but that wasn't enough for Pansy. Unfortunately, she hadn't had a chance to catch her off guard so far. She was always with Potter all day, another filthy blood-traitor, a shame for Slytherin. And in the dormitory, Greengrass was always careful not to turn her back on them, and she put several protective spells around her bed. No, Pansy would have to strike when Greengrass didn't expect it, she knew that. At least she would find out what Greengrass' greatest fear was because now it was her turn to face the boggart.
However, Greengrass did not move. "Professor," she said in her usual, emotionless voice, which made Pansy shudder. "I don't want to face the Boggart."
"Of course, Daphne. You don't have to," Lupin replied, before calling up the next student.
Pansy couldn't believe it. How could Greengrass chicken out of that? Why did she always get her way?
Now it was Tracey Davis's turn and the Boggart took the form of a large constrictor that slowly slithered towards Tracey. Stupid girl. And someone like that was a Slytherin?
Pansy noticed Greengrass' face beaming with joy. Merlin, she hated this monster. She wasn't human! But it seemed like Greengrass was distracted for the first time in a while and not quite mindful. Potter, who had also refused to face the Boggart, was standing on the other side of his dirty blood-traitor girlfriend and wouldn't be able to see Pansy if she stepped forward now.
Pansy desperately wanted to know what Greengrass' greatest fear was. She wanted Greengrass to suffer as much as she had suffered. She drew her wand and, with slow steps and a pounding heart, moved toward Greengrass.
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.
Pansy wasn't surprised. Weasley still accused Potter and Greengrass of being responsible for his sister's death anytime he could. She despised the Weasleys, but right now they had the same goal. The enemy of my enemy is my friend or something like that.
She felt the eyes of her classmates in her back, but no one said a word, even if Granger clapped a hand over her mouth. Pathetic mudblood. Pansy raised her wand, pointing it at Greengrass' back; Weasley did the same. They nodded and whispered the incantation at the same time.
Greengrass shrieked as she was thrown forward, right in front of the Boggart. The snake turned its slit-shaped eyes to the girl and began to transform, but it took Pansy a moment to recognize the Boggart's new form. The motionless, pale body of Potter lay on the ground in front of Greengrass, surrounded by a pool of blood, his eyes completely empty. Greengrass looked petrified.
Pansy laughed. That was Greengrass' greatest fear? A dead Potter? She was even more pathetic than she had thought.
Weasley next to her laughed too. "So you're not a complete monster, Greengrass. See now how it is to lose -"
Weasley couldn't finish the sentence. Pansy heard a loud hiss and was suddenly thrown against the opposite wall along with all the other students, painful whimpering and whining all around her.
With an aching body and blood in her mouth, Pansy tried to get up, just to look into Potter's face, distorted with rage. His green eyes seemed to hurl lightning, and Pansy instinctively crouched, realizing that she had made a terrible mistake.
Harry was furious. He saw his classmates writhing on the floor, but that wasn't enough! How dare they attack Daphne?
They would pay with blood! He once again raised his wand and opened his mouth, ready to crush these vermin.
"No, Harry!" Lupin shouted, grabbing Harry's arm. "Daphne, she needs you."
Daphne! Was she okay? Was she-
Harry turned his gaze away from the frightened faces to look at Daphne. The Boggart was gone, but Daphne was still cowering on the floor where she had collapsed, her entire body trembling like crazy.
"Daphne!" Harry called and was immediately by her side, looking into her eyes, but they were completely glazed over and looked straight through Harry.
"Please look at me, Daphne," Harry pleaded. "I'm fine. I'm here. I live. Please, Daphne, please look at me." He shook Daphne's shoulders, but she did not respond. "Daphne, please. I need you. Please look at me..."
Slowly, Daphne's gaze cleared, and her pupils lost their glassy sheen. "Harry!" she then called, flinging her arms around his neck.
Harry hugged and squeezed Daphne. "That was just the Boggart, Daph. I'm fine," he whispered in her ear as he stroked her back comfortingly, gulping back his tears. Not here. Not in the presence of their classmates.
Speaking of others, Harry looked up and saw that there was no one left in the classroom except Lupin and themselves. Lupin's glance was filled with sadness and worry.
Harry turned back to Daphne, who had pressed her head to his chest. "I thought you were dead," she sobbed. "I thought ... I thought I lost you..."
"I'm alive, Daph. What you saw was just the Boggart."
"I knew that. I knew that wasn't you. But ... but it felt so real. I haven't seen anything, haven't heard anything anymore. Couldn't move anymore..."
"A Boggart uses your deepest fears," Lupin said softly, handing them chocolate, as he did a few days ago on the train. "They aren't that dissimilar to the Dementors. Dementors deprive us of all our hopes and positive feelings until only pain and despair remain. And the boggart is feasting on your fear."
Harry took the chocolate, breaking off a piece for Daphne. As Daphne ate the chocolate, some color returned to her pale face. A little calmer now, Harry kissed her on the forehead.
At some point, Daphne relaxed and rose from the floor, but Harry was still holding her hand in his. Together they turned to Lupin, who eyed them attentively.
"And now?" asked Harry.
Lupin sighed. "What Miss Parkinson and Mr. Weasley did was an extremely stupid prank." So it had been them, Harry thought. Couldn't they just leave Daphne and him alone? "And they will be punished for that, I promise you. But Harry, you shouldn't have attacked your classmates."
"But they attacked Daphne first!" Harry replied angrily, tightening his grip on his partner.
"Still, Harry, someone could have been seriously injured. You'll have detention for this."
"Is that fair, professor?" said Daphne in an ice-cold voice. "Can't we even defend ourselves anymore?"
"Harry wasn't attacked -"
"They attacked Daphne," Harry interrupted, "and therefore me too." He breathed in calmly. "But I will accept the punishment." He had no choice anyway. "Just say when and where."
"I admire your love and loyalty to your girlfriend, Harry, I really do ..." Lupin hesitated. "Concerning the detention ... I wanted to ask you for a talk anyway." Lupin looked as if his words were causing him pain. "I would ... I would like to tell you about your parents if you want to. I saw in the newspaper that you visited their grave..."
Harry looked at the teacher in amazement. "You knew my parents?"
A slight smile settled on Lupin's lips. "James was the best friend I've ever had." He shook his head. "So what do you say, Harry?"
Harry nodded. He would take every opportunity to learn more about his parents. Daphne stroked his arm and smiled at him as if she knew exactly what was going on in his head. She probably did.
"Harry and I wanted to ask you one more thing, professor," Daphne said. "We tried the Patronus charm but haven't been able to get it right yet. Can you help us with that?"
It was typical for Daphne that, despite everything, she was still thinking about their goal, Harry noted with amusement.
Lupin's eyes widened. "You tried the Patronus charm!?"
"Yes, but we seem to be doing something wrong," Daphne replied. "It hasn't worked so far."
Lupin shook his head in disbelief. "It's a very challenging spell. Most adult wizards have problems with that." He seemed to think for some time, before he continued, "All right, I'll help you with the spell. Come to my office tonight at eight. Harry, after that we can also talk about your parents."
Harry and Daphne thanked the professor and bid goodbye. After walking around the next corner, Daphne took Harry's hands, looking at him with her piercing ice-blue eyes. "What's wrong, Harry?"
"Daphne," Harry said slowly. "If ... if Lupin hadn't intervened, I … I would have killed them all..."
Daphne's eyes flashed as she leaned forward to kiss him. With a pleasant shiver, Harry returned the kiss, putting his arms around his beloved.
When Harry and Daphne stepped into Lupin's office that evening, he was flipping through a book on his desk. Seeing them, he closed the book and a smile appeared on his face that Harry would almost describe as wistful.
"Ah, good evening, Harry, Daphne," Lupin greeted them. "We only have so much time, so let's start right away. Please try to cast a Patronus as you have done before."
The teenagers did as they were told, but nothing happened. Daphne was clearly disappointed, but Harry was not happy either. He had not had such problems with a spell for a long time.
"Your pronunciation and motion are good," said Lupin. "But what exactly were you thinking about?"
"You have to think of a nice memory," said Daphne in her typical classroom voice, which Harry always found somewhat distant.
Lupin nodded. "That is theoretically correct. But it isn't enough to just think of that memory. You must be able to feel the power of the memory in you. In your heart. It has to fill you. Do you want to try it again and pay more attention to that this time?"
Harry closed his eyes, thinking of the moment when he had been in the Room of Requirement with Daphne after their fight in the Chamber. How she had told him everything. How they had been in each other's arms, renewing their pact. He believed he had never been as happy as back then. Harry tried to go back to that state; to feel that relief and happiness. And indeed, he felt Daphne's lips on his and her strands between his fingers.
"Expecto Patronum."
Harry felt a pleasant warmth seize him. His hand tingled and his wand vibrated slightly. Opening his eyes, he saw a white mist emerging from the tip of his wand.
"Very good, Harry," Lupin praised joyfully.
Harry looked at Daphne, whose face showed deep disappointment. Still, she smiled at him. "Well done, Harry."
Lupin turned to Daphne. "What kind of memory did you use, Daphne?"
Daphne's smile froze. "I don't want to say that."
Lupin looked surprised but had himself completely under control shortly afterwards. "Of course. Such memories can be very personal. But are you sure that the memory is strong enough?"
"I think so," Daphne said quietly. "It's the most beautiful memory I have..." Harry stepped up to his girlfriend, squeezing her hand.
"Try to imagine exactly how happy you felt at that moment," said Lupin. "You have to feel as happy as you were at the time of your memory."
They tried several more times, but Daphne was unsuccessful every time and became more and more moody because of that. Harry had managed two more times to create the wafts of mist, but these were also far from the corporal Patroni he had read about.
"I think that's enough for today," Lupin finally ended their private lesson. "Let's meet again in a week -"
"Can we meet tomorrow?" asked Daphne. Harry had to smile, especially when he saw Lupin's startled face. Yes, Daphne wouldn't give up until she mastered that spell, he knew that.
"Um, yes, of course," said Lupin. "If you want, we'll meet again tomorrow night."
"Thank you, professor," Daphne said, before turning to Harry. "I think that's enough for me tonight."
That surprised Harry. He had thought that Daphne would keep him company when he talked to Lupin about his parents.
Daphne seemed to notice his gaze, for a slight smile came over her lips. "Then you can talk freely, Harry." She kissed him softly on the lips before whispering softly in his ear," I also have a bone to pick with a certain roommate of mine." Harry grinned at Daphne, which she mirrored as she broke away from him. "I'll be waiting for you in the common room."
Daphne left the office where Harry was now alone with Lupin. Curiously, he eyed the man, who said he had been a friend of his father. However, the minutes passed without anyone speaking. Lupin sat behind his desk, hands clasped, and head bowed. What was wrong with him?
"Um, professor," Harry said finally, "didn't you want to tell me about my parents? You said you were their friend."
Lupin looked up and sighed, before taking the book he had flipped through when Harry and Daphne had entered, handing it to Harry. "We were all in Gryffindor in the same year," he said softly. "These are some pictures from back then..."
Harry opened the book, looking at the laughing faces of four boys who might be a few years older than Harry was now. He immediately recognized his father since he looked exactly like the pictures Hagrid had given him. Wild, untamable black hair. He looks like me, Harry thought. He also recognized Lupin, who looked much younger in the picture, but already had numerous scars on his face. Next to him was a small, chubby boy Harry didn't know. And next to him -
"Is that Sirius Black?"
Lupin sighed. "Yes, Harry. This is Sirius Black. He was your father's best friend..."
"And then he betrayed him," hissed Harry. "Who's the fourth boy?"
A deep sadness settled on Lupin's face. "This is Peter. Peter Pettigrew."
Harry remembered. So this was the boy who years later would try to avenge his parents and be dismembered by Black. His finger touched the boy's picture. He would avenge him as well.
Harry browsed through the book. Almost all the pictures showed the four boys together. Once they had thrown their arms around a younger McGonagall who seemed to be protesting, but Harry saw her eyes shimmer with amusement. Harry had to smile.
Finally, he saw a picture of his father sitting on a picnic blanket by the lake. Next to him was a beautiful red-haired woman with bright green eyes. Mum.
"That was your parents' first date," said Lupin, smiling." James wooed her for years, but she kept snubbing him. We didn't know how he did it, but at some point, she agreed to go out with him. She ... she was the kindest and gentlest woman I've ever met..." Harry saw Lupin wipe a tear from his face.
He just didn't understand one thing. "Professor," he said. "If you were so good friends with my parents ... then where were you? Where were you after their death? Why am I only getting to know you now?"
Lupin's face froze. "I was afraid of this question," he murmured so quietly that Harry almost didn't hear him. "I made a terrible mistake back then..."
"Why didn't you help me?"
"I ... I'm going to tell you something about me, Harry. I would understand if you hate me afterwards, if you never want to have anything to do with me again afterwards. If-"
"What do you want to tell me?"
Lupin gave Harry a painful look. "I'm a werewolf, Harry..."
Harry listened in silence as Lupin told him over the next hour how he had been bitten by a werewolf named Fenrir Greyback as a child. How Dumbledore had brought him to Hogwarts. How he met his father, Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black, and made friends with them. He was surprised when Lupin told how his friends had become Animagi for him. He hadn't known that before. Finally, they reached the time of his parents' death.
"I ... I'm not proud," stammered Lupin. "I was drunk for days, probably even weeks. I had three real friends in my life. Two of them were dead. Murdered and betrayed by the third. I was a wreck. I thought about killing myself several times. But I was too weak. Far too weak. I was a coward. I fled; I left the country. At some point ... At some point I slowly got my life under control again. I traveled a lot. But I never stayed in one place for long. When I found work, I could only stay for a few months. I always left before people could find out ... that I'm a werewolf."
"But you never contacted me," Harry said.
"I didn't," Lupin sighed. "I forgot you. Wanted to forget you. Wanted to forget everything. I was a coward. I don't deserve your forgiveness, I know that. But please know that I'm sorry ... for everything."
Harry was silent for several minutes, pondering. He had a lot to digest. Eventually, he came to a decision.
He looked at Lupin, who once again held his head down in shame. "First of all, professor," Harry said in a calm tone. "I don't care that you're a werewolf. It doesn't matter." Lupin looked up in surprise. Harry took a deep breath before continuing, "You made a mistake back then. I needed you. I can't forgive you for that. But I don't nurse a grudge against you. You have explained and apologized. I'm grateful for that. And everything that happened, everything that I have experienced made me the person I am today."
"You don't hate me?" Lupin asked in a trembling voice.
"No, professor, I don't hate you. Once you could probably have taken an important place in my life, but ... but you missed that chance. You have to live with that. But I'd like to have a good relationship with you. Also for the sake of my parents."
"I ... I guess that's more than I could have expected..."
"See you tomorrow evening, professor. Good night," Harry said, leaving the office. What he said was true. He had no grudge against Lupin, but also no love. Time would tell everything else.
He returned to the dungeon. In the Slytherin common room, he saw Daphne sitting by the window, behind her the dark water of the lake. She smiled at him as he sat down with her.
"How was it?" she asked.
Harry told her everything Lupin had told him. And how he had reacted. "Do you think I did the right thing?" he asked his partner afterwards.
"You did what you thought was right," Daphne replied. "Nobody can ask for more. And we still need him."
Harry smiled. "And how did it go with you?"
"Oh, I think dear Pansy won't be able to sit normally for the foreseeable future," said Daphne with a sparkle in her ice-blue eyes. "Too bad."
"I feel sorry for her," laughed Harry. "We take care of Weasley another time?"
Daphne shook her head slightly. "That's more difficult. He's in another house and I don't want to blow it with McGonagall. It was my mistake anyway. I knew they were just waiting for an opportunity to strike. I shouldn't have been so distracted. Harry, we need to be even more careful in the future."
Harry nodded. "Yes. But I don't know if I can be as restrained towards Weasley and everyone else as you are."
"Ultimately, everyone will get what they deserve," said Daphne, leaning over to Harry. "Just promise me you won't do something stupid on your own. I'd rather break out of Azkaban together with you than wait for you outside."
Their lips met as the water of the lake lapped gently against the window beside them.
The next evening Harry and Daphne went to Lupin's office to practice the Patronus charm again. Harry was able to repeat the previous day's success, but Daphne just couldn't get it right; her wand remained completely motionless. At the end of the evening, Daphne was so irritated that Lupin scheduled their next lesson for next week, despite Daphne's protests. Harry, however, had to agree with Lupin. Daphne was so tense now that it was pointless to keep trying. A little pause until their next attempts might do them good.
So, their school year progressed. Word of the confrontation between Harry and his classmates had spread around the school like wildfire, and thus the other students avoided them both even more than before, if that was even possible. When Harry and Daphne entered a corridor, the students abruptly changed direction. When they sat on the grass outside, everyone else immediately got up and walked away. And in class they had the entire last row for themselves.
At least, most of their teachers treated them normally. In Snape's case, that meant he kept his usual spitefulness and aversion to them. McGongall and Flitwick, on the other hand, continued their private lessons for both of them. By now, they had left the school curriculum behind and turned to more specific uses of magic. Harry was particularly interested in improving his combat transfiguration skills. If he could have conjured physical obstacles in the Chamber and not just relied on his shield charms, Voldemort wouldn't have been able to overcome his defense so easily.
Hagrid's lessons also continued to be exciting, as he had obviously taken their words to heart. Otherwise, Harry and Daphne stayed mostly in the Room of Requirement, where they studied the books and scrolls that Dobby brought them. Slowly but steadily, they worked through them.
It was their second week of class when Harry and Daphne walked along the lake as usual in the morning. It was still quite cool, which is why they both wore their thick coats.
Harry played with Daphne's fingers in his hand as he laughed out loud. "And did you see Granger's face when you recognized the rune from the fifth century? That was a hoot!"
"I can imagine," Daphne replied with a grin. "But I've just seen this rune a thousand times. Valeydis uses it all the time to describe the corrosive fog."
"Don't remind me of that! How many pages of that part have we finished so far? Two? Out of a hundred?"
Both teenagers giggled when they suddenly heard a bark. Harry turned his head, looking where the noise had come from. And in fact, on the edge of the forest stood a huge, jet-black dog. Harry tensed his body, pulling out his wand.
"Do you think he's dangerous?" Daphne whispered. "He's really gigantic for a dog." Daphne was right, Harry thought. Even Fang would look tiny compared to this monster.
"I don't know," said Harry with a shrug. "Save for his size, he actually looks harmless, doesn't he?"
The dog barked again, but it wasn't a threatening bark. Rather, it sounded friendly, just as Fang barked when he saw them. The black dog wagged his tail as he slowly walked towards Harry and Daphne, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, and it almost looked like the dog was smiling if dogs could smile at all.
The dog was only a few feet away when Harry knelt on the ground. "Well, who are you? And where do you come from?" The dog then wagged his tail even more and with two quick jumps he was directly at Harry. He sniffed Harry with his big snout as Harry stroked his fur. "Daphne, it's very soft."
Daphne also knelt beside the dog, who was clearly enjoying Harry's pats. "But he also looks a bit haggard, doesn't he?" said Daphne, and Harry noticed that the dog was indeed covered by several small wounds. Daphne raised her wand and cast a few healing spells, causing a silver glow to settle around the now howling dog.
However, when the glow subsided, the dog barked in a way that sounded almost like thanks to Harry. The dog then turned to Daphne, licking her across the face.
"Eww!"
Harry laughed out loud, but not for long because after Daphne the dog also licked Harry's face. It was now Daphne's turn to laugh at Harry.
Both teenagers stroked the dog for several minutes until they had to go back to the castle to be on time for breakfast. They waved goodbye to the dog, who ran back into the forest, wagging his tail.
"Interesting, quite interesting," Harry quipped on the way back. "First Fang and now this dog. It seems dogs are your weakness, Daph."
Daphne gave him a meaningful smile in response, squeezing his hand. "I've already told you what my weakness is, Harry Potter."
Daphne stared at Harry's Patronus, flying overhead, its glow illuminating the entire room.
"Fantastic!" Lupin exclaimed enthusiastically. "Absolutely fantastic. A corporeal Patronus! Harry, that's incredible!"
Daphne felt a pleasant warmth fill her body. Harry's Patronus was a phoenix, like Fawkes. Just bigger. With love, she looked into Harry's beaming face. "Harry ... your Patronus is a phoenix..."
Harry turned to her, understanding on his face. "Oh…"
Daphne stepped to Harry and kissed him. "I'm so proud of you, Harry. How did you do that?"
She felt her heart cramp at the question. She still hadn't managed to cast a Patronus, however much she tried. Did she do anything wrong? She was concentrating so hard on how happy she had been when Harry had held her in his arms, when he had told her that he loved her. Despite her origins, despite her past and sins. Damn, she just had to look into his bright green eyes to be touched by a feeling of love. Was that really not enough? How much happier did a memory have to be? She had nothing else. No fond memories in her miserable life. Only the ones she had experienced with Harry.
"I tried something different this time," Harry tore her out of her thoughts. A happy smile had taken hold of his face.
"What did you do?" Lupin posed the question that Daphne asked herself as well.
"I'd rather discuss that only with Daphne," Harry replies hesitantly. "Can you maybe leave us alone for a moment, sir?"
"Um, of course, Harry. I'm waiting outside," said Lupin, before leaving the office.
Daphne was curious what Harry would tell her. They had always been reluctant to talk about their memories when Lupin was there. For obvious reasons.
"What did you do?" Daphne asked curiously.
Harry ruffled through his hair as he always did when he was embarrassed. Daphne also saw his cheeks turn slightly red. That was something new.
"I didn't exactly use a memory this time," Harry said. "Rather, something that I once imagined..."
"What?" Daphne heard her heart pounding with excitement as Harry looked at her with his shining eyes. She could completely lose herself in these eyes, these gates to a strange world.
"Do you remember how we sat on the dunes last Halloween and saw the falling stars?" Daphne nodded, remembering her wish from back then. "In the Chamber ... as the fire got closer and closer, I had to think back to that moment." That had been the first time Harry had told her that he loved her. "But it's not just that. I imagined a future, Daphne. Our future." His face had turned bright red by now.
Daphne's heart throbbed like crazy in her chest. "What future?" she asked breathlessly.
Harry took her hands, and Daphne felt like he could look straight into her soul with his sparkling eyes. "I saw us, Daph. Grown-up. We had a baby. We were a family ... I was so happy, Daphne! It wasn't a memory, but still I was so happy. I really wanted to stay alive to be able to create that future with you."
Daphne was shocked. He had never told her that before. Sure, last Halloween he had joked that maybe one day they might have their own little family, but she hadn't known that he had thought of that when he had been in mortal danger, that it had been the urge which had enabled him to extinguish the Fiendfyre. How much she wished for the future that Harry had described!
A shadow fell over her heart. But maybe she would never be able to give Harry children ... she was infertile, as Madam Pomfrey had told her. It was quite possible that these dreams would remain nothing but dreams. Idle wishes, fleeting like the morning mist.
"Not those thoughts again," said Harry insistently, grabbing her by the shoulders. He just knew her too well. "We've discussed this before, haven't we? We will find a solution for this! Don't worry, Daphne. I will stay with you forever."
He kissed her gently on the lips. Daphne put her arms around his neck to return the kiss with all the strength she had, hugging him tightly.
He was right, damn it! She had to stop worrying so much all the time. This world was a mean and ruthless place. If you wanted something, you had to fight for it and not be allowed to shy away from anything. The world changed every day, and nothing was set in stone. Who would have thought it possible that a little girl, who had wished for nothing more than her parents' love and cried herself to sleep every night, would turn out to be the daughter of the darkest wizard in human history? Who would have thought it possible that this little girl would fall in love with Harry Potter? And who would have thought it possible that Harry Potter, the shining hero of the wizarding world, would return the love of this little, heartless girl? Who would have thought it possible that Harry Potter could love Daphne Greengrass...
Only a fool would have come up with such an idea. And yet they stood here, in each other's arms, their lips pressed together. Everything was possible in this world. Even that she, that little, pathetic girl, could find happiness. They were the masters of their destiny and they would be in charge of their lives, nobody else! They would have their own family! Daphne wanted to stay with Harry forever. She wanted to have children and be the loving mother that she never had. Harry would probably be a great father...
She could almost see the picture in front of her eyes. Harry and her on a dune, below them the endless sea. Harry carried a child on his shoulders who was laughing down at their parents. The child's eyes were the same beautiful green as Harry's. A large dog jumped around them, barking happily. Daphne felt a tear run down her cheek. That was the future she wanted to fight for!
She clutched her wand and pulled away from Harry. "Expecto Patronum."
Daphne's entire body was seized by a pleasant warmth. Her wand vibrated and silver rays shot out of its tip. The rays flowed around each other, forming feathers and wings, while Harry and Daphne watched in amazement.
Finally, Daphne's Patronus had completed its transformation, and Daphne was looking straight into Fawkes' replica silver eyes. The Patronus spread its wings and rose into the air. It was beautiful.
"Expecto Patronum," she heard Harry speak, and another, a bit larger silver phoenix joined Fawkes' lookalike. The two phoenixes danced in the air.
Daphne looked straight into Harry's eyes; those beautiful, emerald-green irides that fascinated and captivated her so much. "Oh, Harry, I love you!" she threw herself into his arms, kissing him hard on the mouth again. Harry returned the kiss just as passionately, his hands wrapped around her waist, hugging her tightly. Daphne just loved his touches. She opened her mouth slightly and his tongue found hers.
Their intimate togetherness was suddenly interrupted when the office door squeaked open.
…
Reluctantly, Harry broke away from Daphne when he heard Lupin reenter the office. Daphne's disappointment was obvious, and Harry felt the same.
Lupin's eyes were on the two silver phoenixes circling above their heads. "But ... but," he stuttered in amazement. "How did you do that? Two phoenixes? And is that Dumbledore's phoenix?"
"That's Fawkes," said Daphne warmly. "He's my guardian angel. So it's fitting that he's my Patronus, isn't it?"
Harry gave Daphne a loving look. How he had longed to see her like that. He meant everything he had said to her. He believed in their happy future together and would do anything to make it a reality. To indulge in pleasant memories was all well and good, but nothing was stronger than a dream, a wish worth living for.
"You two are really incredible," Lupin muttered stunned.
With the mastering of the Patronus charm, Harry and Daphne were at least rid of one of their worries. However, they still had more than enough to do and spent much of their time in their retreat in the Room of Requirement. On their morning walks, they often met the huge black dog that seemed to rejoice every time he saw them. He was really addicted to being petted and ruffled; a desire Harry and Daphne were happy to satisfy.
The Daily Prophet's articles about them were also becoming rarer. Apparently, they ran out of fuel for new pamphlets. However, that did not change the other student's hostile behavior, but Harry and Daphne didn't care. They had each other and that was enough for both of them.
It was just before Halloween when Harry and Daphne sat on a picnic blanket by the lake, enjoying one of the last warm days of the year. Harry felt Daphne's lips on his, their tongues fighting with each other as they kissed lovingly. It felt so exhilarating, Harry thought with a shudder. His right hand ran through Daphne's soft hair and slowly slid deeper. Daphne moaned softly.
All of sudden, a shadow fell over the couple and they heard a suppressed laugh. With great reluctance, Harry broke away from Daphne to look into the face of their headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, who looked down at them both, amused. Where had he come from so suddenly, Harry wondered.
"Um, good afternoon, professor," he greeted their headmaster out of breath, while Daphne looked a little upset.
"Ah, Harry, what a lovely afternoon, indeed," Dumbledore replied with a smile.
"You look like you want something from us," said Harry. "What is it, professor?"
"As attentive as ever. But actually, I do not want anything from you, I want to make a suggestion." Dumbledore stroked his long white beard. "Soon it's Halloween and I remember that you both spent this day alone last year."
"I won't go to the feast if that's what you want."
"No, Harry, I do not expect that from you," Dumbledore replied, shaking his head slightly. "For you it's the anniversary of your parents' death and not a feast day. No, I saw in the newspaper that you both visited your parents' grave in the summer. I would like to suggest accompanying you to the cemetery in Godric's Hollow on Halloween. Of course, only if you want to..."
Harry was so surprised that he completely forgot to be annoyed with the Daily Prophet as usual. "You want to take me to Godric's Hollow? To my parents' grave?"
"Yes, Harry, if you want to. We would have to take a few precautions, but - forgive my arrogance - I think I could do that. So what do you think?"
Harry just couldn't work out Dumbledore, and maybe it was just an attempt by their headmaster to keep on his right side, but Harry didn't care at that moment. He exchanged a look with Daphne, who looked at him with a loving expression, confirming his decision.
"I'd like to take up your offer," Harry replied. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me."
After agreeing on a time and saying goodbye, Dumbledore disappeared as quickly as he had come. Presumably, the headmaster had his own ways of moving around the school premises. Harry shrugged and turned back to Daphne.
"So where were we?"
A mischievous smile spread around Daphne's lips. "We kissed harmlessly. Completely proper. Until a certain gentleman had wandering hands."
"You are everything, Daph, but definitely not proper," Harry laughed, leaning forward to seize Daphne's lips once again.
On Halloween, Harry and Daphne visited Hogsmeade like most other students. It was their first visit to the village. But since they did not need anything, they simply strolled through the streets and shops and bought some sweets. They also wanted to treat themselves to a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks Inn, but soon abandoned this idea when they noticed the hostile and suspicious looks of the other guests. They could live without such an uninviting atmosphere.
Instead, they walked up the path to the castle. Up to this point, Harry had always walked the path alone after saying goodbye to Daphne on the platform, and he decided that it was much nicer with a loved one by his side.
They met Dumbledore in front of the gate to the castle grounds. He cast some disillusionment charms on them so that they would not be recognized, and Apparated - after Harry and Daphne had grabbed his arms - straight to the Godric's Hollow cemetery.
There they separated. Dumbledore knelt before the graves of Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore that had caught Harry's eye on his last visit. So he had been right with his assumption; they were actually relatives of Dumbledore. Noticing the deep sadness on Dumbledore's face, Harry decided not to disturb him. Instead, he stepped to his parents' grave with Daphne at his side, who firmly grabbed his hand.
Like last time, he spoke to them, telling them how he had been since his last visit. Daphne conjured a beautiful wreath of yellow flowers and placed it on the tombstone, while Harry let violets sprout from the earth, knowing from Lupin that these had been his mother's favorite flowers. The grave looked almost like a small bed of flowers now, he thought. When the tears finally came, Daphne put her arms around him, while Dumbledore waited at an appropriate distance.
Neither of them said a word when they returned to Hogwarts. In the Great Hall, the banquet had to be in full swing, but Harry and Daphne had no intention of attending.
All the more surprised they were when Professor McGonagall ran towards them with a very worried face. "Albus, you're finally here," she called.
"What's wrong, Minerva?" asked Dumbledore, and Harry saw his body tense.
"Black," McGonagall replied. "He was here. He tried to break into the Gryffindor common room. He was able to escape. Teachers, Dementors, Aurors, just everyone is looking for him right now, so far in vain."
Harry and Daphne looked at each other in surprise. Why had Black wanted to go in the Gryffindor tower? Didn't he know Harry was in Slytherin? Daphne's grip on Harry's hand cramped. Calmingly, he stroked her fingers. "All is well, Daph. He's gone," he whispered to her. Secretly, however, he didn't want Black to be gone. He wanted to find him, and he wanted to kill him.
As if Daphne had guessed his thoughts, she squeezed his hand and replied, "When the time comes, I'll cover your back."
The two professors had been talking in the meantime and now turned back to the two of them. "Harry, Daphne, please go to the other students in the Great Hall," said Dumbledore. "We'll follow."
They walked calmly into the hall, in which the entire student body of Hogwarts was gathered, the nervous murmur of hundreds of voices booming through the air. Harry and Daphne found a place on the wall and watched Dumbledore tell the students that for their own safety they would all sleep in the Great Hall that night. With a swivel of Dumbledore's wand, the entire floor was covered with hundreds of cuddly, purple sleeping bags.
Harry was far from tired, but nonetheless he and Daphne took two of the sleeping bags and lay side by side on the floor. His heart was pounding fast as he thought that Sirius Black had walked through the castle just before. Had they been in Hogwarts, they might have run into him. Whether he would have survived this encounter was a completely different question though.
The candles were extinguished, only the artificial starry sky above them lighting up the hall. More and more students lay down to sleep, and slowly the noise around them died down. Harry felt Daphne slide closer to him and finally put her head on his chest. Smiling, Harry put an arm around his girlfriend, and shortly afterwards they both fell asleep.
Smiling, Dumbledore and McGonagall looked down at the two children, who were cuddling together and sleeping peacefully. Dumbledore still didn't know what to think of Harry and Daphne. Of course, he hadn't forgotten their words in front of the Mirror of Erised during their first year and kept an eye on them ever since. In no case did he want to allow them to embark on a dark path that would ultimately lead them to their doom.
Dumbledore knew that he had failed in so many things. He had not missed the protective spells Harry and Daphne had put around their sleeping bags. Of course, he had also noticed their wands lying right next to them. It hurt him that the two considered these measures necessary.
There were so much hatred and anger in the two children, born of pain and suffering. However, there was also so much love in them. They loved each other, that was obvious. He had seen it for himself during their visit to the cemetery.
Dumbledore remembered what Remus had told him; of Daphne's Boggart and Harry's reaction to it. Sadly, he shook his head. Of course, Harry and Daphne had to feel that the world had turned away from them. And so, they could only find solace in each other. This world was truly a cruel place...
He did not know whether to believe the rumors about them. Of course, it was striking that Daphne's parents were suddenly murdered ... However, he had not seen a lie in Daphne's eyes when she had told him she wasn't a murderer. And Fawkes liked her too...
Dumbledore sighed. On days like this he felt his old age. Where had the certainty of his youth gone? What should he believe?
He turned to his deputy, who was still looking down at the two children. "I have to talk to Severus and Remus," he said quietly. "Minerva, take care of our students."
McGonagall looked up, a sparkle in her eyes. "Always, Albus."
Minerva McGonagall had seen many different children in her life, especially while teaching at Hogwarts, and could therefore clearly recognize the signs. Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass had not had a nice childhood. Most likely they had even been abused.
Of course, the two children never talked about it, but their behavior betrayed them. What they had looked like when they had been late for their first class. How they avoided the other students and, above all, flinched from physical contact. How they never mentioned personal things to Filius and her. How they especially wanted to learn defense spells. How they relentlessly trained their magical skills and were already the most brilliant students she had ever taught. The list could go on and on.
McGonagall had seen abused children many times, but the two particularly hurt her. Every time she looked into young Harry's face, she saw Lily and James. They had been so young. Far too young to leave their son behind, alone in this world...
She didn't believe the rumors that were circulating about the two. They didn't coincide with her experience with them. Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass weren't merciless monsters and legacy hunters, as the other students called them. McGonagall was deeply ashamed that even students from her own house were not beyond that. Sometimes children could be so cruel...
McGonagall was glad that the two had at least found each other because they were doing good to one another. One had only to look at them to notice that. One had just to see them huggle together and smile happily in their sleep. What were they dreaming?
With that thought in mind, McGonagall turned away. There was still a lot to do that night. Albus really hadn't had to ask her; Minerva McGonagall always took care of her students. The most fragile of them had at least been able to find some peace for the length of a dream, while only a few miles away a man fueled by hatred once again vowed bloody revenge.
Next chapter: Merry Christmas and Merciless Vengeance
Preview:
Stunned, he looked in the face of Sirius Black, traitor of his parents.
AN:
So Harry and Daphne started their third year at Hogwarts in this chapter. However, the third year – so much can be revealed at this point – will not be as long as the second year. However, some interesting things will still happen, as you can probably see from the preview of the next chapter.
Perhaps some think that the behavior of Pansy and Ron in this chapter was somewhat irrational (Why is Ron also throwing Daphne? Why doesn't Pansy stop when she sees Ron and takes a risk instead of leaving everything to Ron?). If it is not already clear from the context: Ron has the same motives as Pansy, but I chose a Pansy POV and not a Ron POV, because we already had a Ron POV and I really wanted to give an insight into Pansy. And Pansy is angry here and no longer thinks rationally. A true, sly Slytherin would probably have stopped and left everything to Ron alone to not suffer the possible consequences.
Please leave comments! I always read all of them and your comments are my great motivation!
