CHAPTER TWO- My Third Year

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My home was and is a complete hellhole, but it hardly matters; now I'm on my way to Hogwarts, the best place in the world. Draco had offered to let me stay at his house over the summer, but I said no. I had to face the reality of my home and my life. But now, as I ran through the brick wall onto Platform 9 3/4, I knew I was finally home. So much had happened in the past two years. It all started with Malfoy on the train, and then being sorted into Slytherin. Slytherin was truly the best place for me. The Sorting Hat had said that I might belong in Gryffindor. How could it be so wrong? I wasn't some brave dork who wanted to save the world. I was shy, timid Harry Potter, best friend of the Slytherin Prince. To be honest, I wasn't all that good at school, although I tried my best, but I excelled in Potions. Professor Snape said that it was genetics, but I think it was just luck. I was almost friends with everybody at the school and was commonly referred to as "The Nice Slytherin". All of us are nice, trust me, you just have to get to know us. The only person who I wasn't friends with was Ronald Weasley, the bratty Gryffindor who had been my first real friend. Trust me, I personally had nothing against him, but he seemed to have everything against me. He would always mock me whenever he got the chance, and Draco would always have to fight back for me. I sighed as I smelled the sweet train air of the Hogwarts Express. A bit further down, I saw Draco saying goodbye to his parents. I pushed my trolley over to him, and waved. He was about to get onto the train, but saw me coming, and stopped to wait for me.

"Draco! Long time no see!" I said cheerily. He gave me his infamous bad boy smirk.

"'Ello Potter, how was your summer, they didn't hurt you, did they?" His eyes darkened and I grinned. Although most people found his menacing look scary, I didn't.

"Trust me, Drake, I was fine."

-Short Time Skip to sitting in the train-

"Anything from the trolley?"

That sound of the dear little old woman in charge of the treats was the only thing that could be heard from a mile away. All of us were just too excited. I truly was, but I guess something looked a bit off about me, maybe the slight frown, or the lack of sparkle in my eyes. I don't know. I mean I love this school; it was the only place I can comfortably call home and family, but I was still worried. Draco's cautious voice brought me back to reality.

"Hey, you alright there?"

I nodded with a fake smile, but I don't think he believed me. I'm just wondering. Last year Tom Riddle's ghost almost took my life and the she Weasel's life. The first year, I was attacked by a paranoid DADA teacher, Quirrell. How am I going to almost lose my life, or get seriously injured this year? Oh well, nevermind that, the castle is in view. Once we got into our dorms, we gave a great big cheer, and looked around at our old mates. We were cheering so much, two mates elbowed me in the torso and the back, which totally killed my air supply, as I fell forward, trying to breathe. My hands were gripping the edge of the desk, knuckles turning white.

"Harry, mate, you alright there?" Draco came up from behind. My scar burned, and I knew that something was definitely not right. I felt sick to my stomach; my knees buckling from the pressure.

A new voice entered,"Draco, don't be so dense! Can't you see he's practically dying? Step aside, and let me handle this, properly."

Draco stepped back in surrender and muttered a few words that sounded strangely like bloody hell, woman, what's got your panties caught in a twist? I felt someone come up behind me. Two cool hands touched my face, caressed my cheek, and I felt the feeling go away. My vision returned as I watched Daphne Greengrass give me a smug look. All I heard was a faint you're welcome, before falling into Draco's arms.

I woke up my head aching and having no memories of the previous night. I watched Draco and Blaise chat in the corner as I groggily woke up.

"Oh, hey mate. You're finally up," said Draco coming over to sit at the foot of my bed. I turned around remembering pain, and then nothing.

"What happened?" I asked. Blaise smirked and decided it was his turn to chime in.

"Oh, typical story, mate, you decided to take a couple shots, got drunk as hell, then bedded Daphne Greengrass."

"WHAT?!" I yelled, completely awake now. Draco scowled at Blaise.

"Ignore him. Your scar just started to hurt, and you fell down. Daphne like touched your face or something, and you got a little better. I think it is because she is training to become a Healer."

I nodded, my cheeks turning slightly red. I had always had a tiny crush on Daphne since I saw her in the first year, but she rarely talked to me. I rubbed my scar tentatively, wondering what had caused the pain.

"Okay, whatever, I guess I'll just have to live with it…"

I always knew Hagrid had a thing for animals, first Fluffy, then Norbert, and Fang,...but….A HIPPOGRIFF?! Is he trying to get into trouble?! We all know he loves them, but in the end, he always has to sell or give it away. The bond never lasts. Buckbeak, was fine though; I think he favors me. In class, I was the only student who was allowed to get close. I doubt he's very fond of Draco, the little stinker recklessly stood up to the animal and took it head on. Of course...he managed to break his wrist in the process. He'll be fine. But the thing that really bothers me, is that, just last night I heard the big guy plead with some officials to spare the bird creature. I know it's forbidden to keep such a creature, but to put it down is just cruel. I've got to stop them. As far as I know, tomorrow may be the last day that bird sees the light.

It took a couple weeks for me to find out exactly what happened. Apparently Draco had told his father about the incident and now the poor creature would have to pay with its head. I knew I couldn't let it happen, but Draco could never find out.

Morning came, out I went, on my mission to save a life. The life may not be worth much compared to a human, but it's one that I care deeply about and I must protect him with an oath. I crept behind some pumpkins adjacent to the hut. Some guys with a scythe knocked on his ruddy door. Hagrid stumbled out with a dampened handkerchief in his hands. The men were invited for a cup of tea as they discussed the procedure. I followed right up to the window in my invisibility cloak. Oh yeah, I got one, back in first year. Apparently it was my father's and was in a great condition. Anyways I heard a few fragments of the meeting.

" Mr. Hagrid, we need you to chain 'im up and tie 'im the the wooden post…...yerrr, we will have to chop his head off with this Ministry approved scythe…..You mustn't worry…..for the best…..at noon today….it must be done."

That's all I needed to know. I had to find a way to change the events that will happen before it's noon. Right now it's about nine. I was about to creep up further when a hand shot out and grabbed my hood. They harshly yanked me back and I hit my head on the dirt.

"What the bloody hell was that for, you good for noth-" I cursed.

"Shhh….Harry, I know we aren't on the best of terms, but we've got to work together on this one. We both adore Buckbeak and I can't imagine what Hagrid must be going through right now," that voice. I know it inside and out. Hermione Granger.

I sighed, not happy with working with the enemy, but accepting it, because I had to save the beast.

"Ok, here's the plan, I'll distract them, and you will lead Buckbean away, got it?" She spoke harshly, and in a bossy tone. I could see why she had no friends.

"Why do I have to lead him away, he nearly killed my best friend?!"

She rolled her eyes mumbling something about overdramatic Slytherins.

"I saw you during class, you were really good with him. I don't know how or why, but he seems to like you. Animals hate me…"

Touche, I thought to myself, as I nodded in agreement. We waited until Hagrid had the bird tied up outside. At Hermione's signal, I ran out to the beast, and untied him. He watched me in curiosity.

"Come on buddy, work with me, I'm trying to save your life!"

I don't know if he understood, nonetheless, he followed me. I pulled him into the nearby forest, and waited for him to leave. He simply stared at me, and I could tell Hermione's distractions wouldn't last much longer.

"Go on buddy, fly away, be free!" I yelled as forcefully as I could. To my surprise he listened, and took off into the woods.

Completely forgetting about Hermione, I ran all the way back to the castle. I met Daphne at the door.

"I saw what you did there, Potter," she said, and I flinched.

"Listen, I know it was stupid, but please don't tell Draco, he would kill me! I'm sorry, i'll do any-" She silenced my blabbering with a kiss. A simple kiss. My cheeks turned bright red, and I awkwardly kissed back. I stared at her dumbfounded and she giggled.

"I think it was really sweet. Don't worry, my mouth is shut."

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Hey guys! Sorry if the chapter seemed rushed or had grammatical errors. I have a Social Studies quiz tomorrow, so I'll leave the chapter off here.

Should we see some more DaphnexHarry action? (I need a ship name for them :P)