Beta: Asma20 [although they haven't gotten back to me yet on any changes]
Original Release Date: 11/27/17
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the canon Harry Potter universe or any other universe, in addition to any references to things in the real world that currently exist. AU.
Chapter Sixty One – Four Points at Random
"Wait, you're meeting up with this girl, Daphne, from Slytherin, and spending Hogsmeade with her?! Mate, I think you've lost your mind" remarks Ron with disdain, crossing his arms.
"Why does it matter which house she's in? Shouldn't the bigger concern be about how she treats others, her hobbies, etc?" remarks Neville interjecting.
"I'm just saying-" begins Ron before being interrupted by Harry, "Ron, if she tries to kill me, then we'll know that there's a problem, otherwise why not trust her until she gives a reason to not trust her?"
"Just because Draco Malfoy is a spoiled ponce doesn't mean that other Slytherins are" adds Neville, rebuking Ron.
Exhaling, Ron mutters just audibly enough, "I get it, I'll give Daphne a chance."
"Thank you" says Harry thankfully.
/*the following Friday*/
Sitting down at the Gryffindor table, the quartet begin to eat as the sound of flapping wings crescendos in volume. An unremarkable brown owl lands with practiced ease in front of Hermione, hooting softly as Hermione places a handful of knuts into a pouch and retrieves the accompanying rolled up piece of parchment.
Unfurling the rolled up piece of parchment, Hermione's eyes get big before sliding a copy of the Daily Prophet across the table to Harry.
"'Potter Breaks Into Triwizard Tournament', hmm….what utter dribble. Oh look, a second article about me…something about me bawling my eyes out about my dead mum and shame that I'm being raised by a werewolf. You can keep this…rubbish" remarks Harry disgustingly, pushing the offending paper back to Hermione.
"I agree, it's disgusting, but I do like to keep abreast of current events. Unfortunately there aren't many newspapers that cover magical events in the UK" answers Hermione rolling up the paper and placing it into her bag.
"My father owns and runs The Quibbler, if you want a choice" comes a dreamy voice floating behind Harry.
Pausing, Harry slowly turns around and says slowly before resuming his normal speed, "Luna, I could just grant The Quibbler exclusive interview access and let your family gain the positivity from it instead of having the Daily Prophet drag my name through the dirt for some time to come. Do you think your father would agree to that?"
Cocking her head to the side, Luna pauses before saying, "I'll ask", before moving off towards the Ravenclaw table.
"Do you think that will work?" inquiries Neville looking away from Luna's receding figure and at Harry.
"I think it'll help make the Daily Prophet think that it has a monopoly over the news in the UK" answers Harry before continuing, "and I think it'll help drive The Quibbler's sales upwards, and I think that that would be a very positive thing to happen to society today."
"It would be nice to have a different viewpoint on the news honesty" offers Ron offhandedly.
Three heads turn to face Ron, staring at him for several seconds before Ron notices and asks clearly confused, "Was it something I said?"
"It's probably because you mentioned wanting a different viewpoint on the news" remarks Harry.
"Do you even read a newspaper?" blurts out Hermione before blushing and covering her mouth with her hand.
Furrowing his brows, Ron answers pointedly, "Yes. Harry got me into reading the newspaper. Mostly boring though."
"You…read a newspaper. It's just such an unexpected thing" remarks Hermione smiling.
/*morning of the Hogsmeade visit*/
Putting his hands together, Harry takes a deep breath and then exhales a few times, helping slow his racing heartbeat.
"Mate, surely you're not concerned about this date…are you?" asks Ron concerned.
"Partially, yeah" answers Harry having calmed down a bit.
"Harry, don't worry about it. You're well known but your ego isn't like Malfoy's, although you could respectfully pull it off" remarks Neville giving a grin.
Putting on his winter cloak, Harry then runs a hand through his hair before saying, "I'm leaving. I'd rather be early than late", before striding out of the dormitory, with Neville and Ron exchanging bemused looks.
Arriving in the Entrance Hall with two minutes to spare, Harry looks around, not finding Daphne amongst any of the eager Hogsmeade goers. A few minutes later, an emerald green cloak appears in the sea of students, growing ever closer.
"Good morning to you, Harry" remarks Daphne warmly, coming up to Harry's side.
"And a good morning to you too, Daphne" answers Harry with a smile.
"Any particular place or set of places you'd like to visit in Hogsmeade?" inquiries Daphne turning to Harry.
"Other than at some point I'd like to get some food, not really" answers Harry honestly, flushing at his response.
Raising an eyebrow, Daphne says, "I'd like to get some new quills from Scrivenshaft's and there are a few books in Tomes and Scrolls that I wouldn't mind picking up if I had a chance, amongst other places to simply peruse, if you wouldn't mind accompanying me."
Shaking his head, Harry replies, "That certainly sounds like fun. I probably need a few more quills myself, despite using the muggle version for drafts of my essays."
"Then let's go; it looks like Mr. Filch is starting to let students leave the castle" remarks Daphne heading towards the castle caretaker.
Having their names checked against the master list, Harry and Daphne set off onto the windy trail heading to Hogsmeade. Walking in quiet for a few minutes, Daphne asks quietly, "Do you have any siblings?"
Shaking his head, Harry answers, "I do not. How about you?"
"I do, a sister" answers Daphne.
"What's her name? If you don't mind me asking" inquiries Harry curiously.
"Astoria Greengrass, my younger sister" answers Daphne coolly.
"I've wondered what it's like to have a sibling, but my parents died before…well Sirius and Remus think that I'm fitting into how my parents would have wanted me to act, what I understand. Probably less like Sirius by what I hear from Remus" remarks Harry lightly.
"I'm sorry to hear about your parents. But what I'd like to know how you ended up with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Amelia Black as your guardians" inquires Daphne curiously.
Taking a few breaths, Harry replies, "Sirius and Remus were friends of my father during their time at Hogswarts, and Sirius was my godfather so he got to be able to claim me. Of what I'm told, Sirius asked Remus to join him in raising me, and so they did. Amelia and Sirius married, so that's how that came to be. It's a hodgepodge family, but we care about each other so it all works out."
"Sounds like the opposite of my family. We tend to keep to ourselves and only help out if we want or if it benefits us" remarks Daphne quietly, a mix of sadness and anger in her voice.
Continuing their walk for several moments in silence, Harry asks quietly, "Does your family not get along very well?"
Stopping dead in her tracks, Daphne says nothing, just staring at Harry. As second after ever increasingly agonizing second drags on, Harry flushes red before apologizing, "I-I'm sorry Daphne. You don't need to answer that. I hadn't given much thought to families who don't get along with each other."
Keeping her face ever neutral, Daphne shakes her head once before continuing her way forward, saying quietly and dangerously, "My sister and I speak."
Taking Daphne's words or lack thereof into consideration, Harry clears his throat before speaking, "Of what I hear, Madam Puddifoot's has some nice tea if you'd like."
Glaring over the scarf cover the lower half of her face, Daphne replies haughtily, "Do you think that I particularly like the color pink, and it being spewed around a room and called interior design?"
Eyebrows furrowing, Harry replies confused, "I'm not certain by what you mean, however, but going by context I'll assume that Madam Puddifoot's is covered by pink items or something."
"You're asking me about the interior and if it's pink, yet you suggested that we go get some tea in her shop. You mustn't have been there before therefore you more than likely have inquired about places to go for a couple on a date. Am I correct? replies Daphne haughtily.
Exhaling loudly, Harry nods his head before answering, "I asked Hermione if she had any recommendations since she and Neville have been there before."
"Either you misjudged our relationship or Hermione Granger thinks that you and I should be together" remarks Daphne bemused.
"What do you mean about me misjudging our relationship? And why would suggesting that we go to Madam Puddifoot's mean that you and I should be together?" asks Harry clearly confused.
"Madam Puddifoot's is where couples go on a date, such as they are romantic entanglement. Simply put, couples that consider themselves to be boyfriend/girlfriend, not you and I who are going on a date to simply learn more about each other. Unless you think you know enough about me and would like to move our relationship from, let's call it acquaintances to boyfriend/girlfriend" explains Daphne before breaking out into mirthful laughter.
Mulling over what Daphne said, Harry opens and closes his mouth a handful of times before shaking his head and continuing walking. Still laughing quietly to herself, Daphne asks, "Would you like to begin with perusing books first?"
"Sounds good to me" answers Harry before following her to the store.
Roughly two hours later, Harry and Daphne leave Honeydukes, a small bag of sweets apiece. "Shall we get lunch then?" asks Daphne turning to Harry.
"That sounds pleasant. Where would you like to go?" answers Harry.
"As long as I get a Butterbeer, I don't much mind" answers Daphne neutrally.
"We can technically go back to Hogwarts and get some from the kitchens. But that's probably not what you're meaning. How about the Three Broomsticks?" suggests Harry smiling.
"That sounds good" replies Daphne, heading towards the Three Broomsticks beside Harry.
Entering into the crowded building, Daphne and Harry take a seat around a round table in the back of the room, with Madam Rosmerta following up and taking their orders. Turning and facing Harry, Daphne looks around before getting closer to Harry and says, "Harry, you wouldn't mind purchasing me some of the items that are available for sale in your family's store, the Marauders Emporium."
"Yeah, I can do that for you. But I'm curious as to why you're asking me versus going and buying it yourself, if you don't mind me asking" answers Harry.
Sighing, Daphne tucks a strand of hair behind her right ear before replying, "Family. You are aware that many pureblood families, at least in Britain, are adverse to changes in political power, especially in how goods are traded, made, and the likes. Well, my family, or more importantly my father and mother dislike that Sirius Black, a pureblood, is in business with Remus Lupin, a werewolf. I for one don't care about such things, especially since he was a very fair and professional professor. However, my family doesn't want to see me even holding a single scrap of their merchandise, so they refuse to buy it and I can't buy it on my own by merely going to Diagon Alley and purchasing it. With that in mind, I figured that you could purchase directly for me and get it delivered to Hogwarts. Obviously I'd pay you for them."
Nodding, Harry withdraws his Omni Play from a cloak pocket and taps a few things before handing it to Daphne. Looking over the tablet, Daphne asks quietly, "What is this and why are you giving it to me?"
"It's an Omni Play, and it's currently on a screen where you can add what items you want to order to a shopping basket. It'll remember what you added until you complete your order, in which it will be sent to the home office, Diagon Alley, and printed to be bundled up and sent here. Then which you can pay me, considering this feature is in beta only. Otherwise you'd have to purchase it in person or use a prepaid card, which is still being tested, which would not work for you since you can't have family find out about these purchases."
Nodding her head, Daphne begins scrolling through the items, tapping several times to add items to the basket.
"Greengrass! What are you doing with Potter!?" exclaims a familiar voice.
Turning towards the entrance of the pub, Daphne audibly groans as the sight of Draco Malfoy alongside Crabbe and Goyle.
"I'm having lunch with Harry. Why do you care and when did you start caring?" accuses Daphne, standing up.
"He's a Gryffindor and we're Slytherin! We're competing in Quidditch AND in the tournament. How dare you fraternize with the enemy!" says Draco loudly as the rest of the pub goes quiet, watching the situation unfold.
"You never cared about anything that I did, except that I support Slytherin. Honestly, you're a spoiled brat that can't stand being told no. I will do what I please and there's nothing in the rules that forbid me from spending time with Harry Potter" answers Daphne dangerously, with a voice like liquid nitrogen to instantly freeze things.
Several long moments later without a response from Draco, Daphne continues in the same tone, "You might be a control freak; that's none of my business. However, you are NOT going to control my actions based on your prejudices. If I decide that Harry is worth my attention versus you, of which I can very much attest that he is, then I shall give him my time. You are a womanizer, flirting with all of the girls you lay your eyes on because you think that you're all that due to being a tournament champion. Let's compare and contrast actions from you and Harry, since you two are both Hogwarts students. You act high and mighty, and that it should be considered an honor for anyone to carry your bag and books to class because you might hurt yourself and damage Slytherin's "pride". Harry on the other hand hasn't done such a thing, at least of what the rumor mill has said, and is very modest about being a champion. He doesn't ask for special treatment for being Harry Potter or because he is a Hogwarts champion. You demand it and get it because you're pushy. Honestly, talking to you is like clapping with one hand."
With a stunned silence over the room, Daphne pulls Harry to his feet before laying a kiss right on his lips passionately for several seconds, before turning back to Draco and just glaring at him. Mind racing, Harry just goes along with what's happening when Daphne speaks once more, "And Harry and I are in a relationship, thank you very much. If you could kindly check your ego at the door next time, that'd be appreciated", before sitting down right beside Harry, his arm quickly wrapping itself around Daphne's shoulders.
Fuming mad, Draco mutters loud enough to be heard of the hooting in laughter at Draco's rebuke, "Come on Crabbe, Goyle. I've lost my respect for this…establishment" before stomping out the door being followed by his two lackeys.
As the sound slowly returns to normal, Daphne flushes red and turns to Harry, "I'm sorry about that. I wanted to put Draco in his place. But I honestly feel that way about you Harry. If you're your open to it, I'd like to be your girlfriend."
Still getting the odd look from the other patrons, Harry says, "I'd like that. You're interesting to be around, and you know what you want. I'll be your boyfriend."
Snuggling into Harry, Daphne smiles before adding a few more items to the shopping basket. A few hours later the newly joined couple walk back into Hogwarts, holding each other's hand. "We should do this again some time" remarks Daphne smirking.
"We can, but not for a while. Angelina wants a few more Quidditch practices alongside the tournament and whatever it throws at me" answers Harry smiling, gripping Daphne's cool hand a little tighter in his.
"Good luck with the Quidditch match" remarks Daphne.
"Even though it's against Slytherin?" asks Harry jokingly.
"I don't have a great love for my house, or at least most of the individuals in it" answers Daphne flippantly.
"Well, if you don't want to sit with the Slytherins because you think that they might not want you around, you're always welcome to sit with my friends. They'll welcome you" offers Harry with a smile.
"Thanks. I'll give it consideration if they become too hostile, but I'm not too afraid. I'd like to think that I'm more than your average witch" remarks Daphne with a raised eyebrow.
Smiling ruefully, Harry comments, "If you start hexing anyone, well, I'll see you after the match. Have fun", smirking, before departing for the Gryffindor common room.
Arriving back at the common room, Harry looks around before heading to the dormitory and sits on his bed, all alone. Closing his eyes, Harry reflects on the events before falling backwards on his bed and smiling.
"Did you enjoy the trip?" comes a voice entering the room.
"I did. I got a girlfriend, just like you do" answers Harry, still laying down.
"Congratulations. What is the plan for handing the ensuing aftermath for other ladies who wanted to become your girlfriend?" remarks Neville chuckling.
"Plan? Just let them deal with it I suppose. I mean, what else am I supposed to do honestly?" answers Harry.
Laughing, Neville answers, "I don't know. I suppose just deal with it and let them handle that they didn't get to you first."
"Thanks. So, you do mind keeping an eye on Daphne over the next coming days? I have a feeling that some might target her, with both magic and physical attacks" requests Harry turning serious.
"Of course! I don't think too many people will try anything, but I'll definitely have her back if and when you're not around" answers Neville.
"I don't think too many people will either, but you never know, especially with Draco. I don't think he particularly cares about Daphne, but as soon as it involves me, he has a problem with it" answers Harry.
"How about the Quidditch match? Feeling confident about it, especially with Beauxbaton and Durmstrang able to watch?" inquiries Neville.
Opening his bag of sweets, Harry pops a hard candy into his mouth before pausing and answering, "I don't think it'll really matter. They might see my flying skills, and that might be a task in the tournament but I doubt it."
/*a few days before the first task*/
A hush settles over the four champions as they stand in a line in an unused classroom. "The first task will be decided by spinning a wheel, with three unique letters on it that correlate to tasks.. Miss Delacour, you will get to spin for this task" remarks Ludo Bagman jovially.
Stepping forward, Fleur looks at a wheel divided into three differently colored portions with a single black peg on the edge of each section. "Err, 'ow am I to spin?" asks Fleur confused.
"Just grab a peg and push or pull so the wheel spins" answers Bagman jovially.
Furrowing her brow, Fleur grabs a peg and pulls it downwards, causing the wheel to spin a few times before a plastic strip stops the wheel.
"The 'L' task then" states Bagman before grabbing a roll of parchment, breaking the seal and begins to read, "For two hours you will have
to retrieve some most precious
Difficulty breathing encompasses all
Find a way to survive and retrieve
Or lost will all be."
As silence falls over the champions, Draco complains out, "Is that ALL we get about the task?"
"Is there a problem with that?" answers Mr. Crouch firmly.
Muttering, Draco answers, "No."
"You each get a copy to keep and reflect on before the task in three days" remarks Bagman before handing a roll of parchment to each champion, "you are not to share these with others, even with family and close friends. You must puzzle this out yourself, and meet us in the Entrance Hall at 10:30am on the day of the task. Now, off to dinner or what have you."
/*day of the Quidditch match*/
Entering into the Great Hall, Harry looks around the students trickling in slowly before taking a seat at the Gryffindor table. "It's a Saturday, so we can change tables, but almost everyone is at their own table, except for the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton" remarks Harry to Ron, sitting across from him.
"So what?" grunts Ron before digging into his plate of food again.
Shrugging, Harry comments out loud, "Good point."
Ten minutes later as the hall begins to fill more rapidly with students, Harry gets up from his seat and exits the Great Hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Quidditch match we've all been waiting for, Gryffindor versus Slytherin! Joining me in commentating is the famous LUDO BAGMAN!" announces Lee Jordan from high atop the control center at the Quidditch pitch.
"Thank you Lee for that emphatic welcome! And what a glorious day to be on the pitch I might add. Not only is there the Inter-House Quidditch matches, but you have the Triwizard Tournament happening as well. And today is a special treat, we've got the two Hogwarts champions facing off against each other as opposing seekers! Mr. Krum and Miss Delacour would do well to watch their competition carefully" announces Bagman excitedly.
The players walk onto the field and captains meet before Madam Hooch says quietly so just the two teams can hear, "I want a clean match, especially with our guests from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton watching", before blowing her whistle starting the match.
Zooming into the air, all thoughts unrelated to Quidditch fly out of Harry's mind before looking around for the snitch, and taking a quick look at a scoreboard to help keep track of the points. Flying around as to not stay in a single place for too long, Harry spots a glint of gold high in the sky before losing sight of it. Flying higher to see if the snitch would resurface, Harry smirks before speeding towards the ground with Lee announcing, "Potter's found the snitch!" and Bagman announcing, "And Potter dives towards the ground, is it a Wronski Feint?"
Preparing to pull up from the dive, wind whistling in his ears, Harry spots a glint of gold dart in front of him and pause before flitting off. Pulling his broom up in a ninety degree angle, Harry remains attached to the broom only by his hands. Removing a hand while still being only connected to the broom with his hands, Harry reaches out and grabs seemingly thin air before coming to a heart pounding stop. Solidifying his position on his broom, Harry raises his fist in the air, the golden wings of the snitch protruding from the clenched fist.
"Mr. Krum, I dearly hope you were watching, Potter's performance was superb! Excellent performance of the Wronski Feint! If Mr. Potter's performance is an example of what we will see from him this year, I'm sure we'll ALL be in for a treat" announces Bagman jumping to his feet.
Touching down on the pitch, heart still thundering from pulling off the Wronski Feint, Harry quickly gets mobbed by his fellow team members and joyously leaves the pitch, heading towards the locker rooms.
Hours later laying down in bed, Harry tosses the snitch into the air a few times before catching it before it could fly off. "Definitely an interesting and exciting year so far" Harry mutters to himself before slipping the snitch into a drawer and falling asleep.
/*day of the first task/next day*/
Arriving in the Entrance Hall, Harry looks around and spotting no one, takes a seat on the stone floor, and closes his eyes. Clearing his mind, Harry sits and waits until footsteps walk by him a few minutes later. "'arry, 'ow are you?" comes a French voice.
"Hello Fleur. I'm doing quite well, how about you?" asks Harry, getting off of the floor.
"Fine, thanks. Are you ready for the task?" asks Fleur nervously.
"I think I'm ready, but I won't know until we get to it" answers Harry with a hint anxiousness in his voice.
"Here we all are! Now, follow me for the first task" booms Bagman smiling ear to ear, leading a way out of the castle.
Heading down the slopes in the brisk air, Bagman leads the way, eventually going into a tent by the lake that from the outside could only handle a handful of individuals. "If you haven't figured out yet, this task revolves around the lake and its murky depths. You all will start at randomized locations around the lake, but each is roughly one kilometer away from the goal, which remains the same for everyone. The trials and tribulations that each will face will differ based on your location, but you won't know what you will face until you get into the lake. Each one of you will select a number between one and four, and that will correspond with which location you will start from, using our map. Since Miss Delacour selected the task, Mr. Krum, you will get to choose a number first, with Miss Delacour being last" states Bagman eagerly.
"One" answers Viktor gruffly.
Scribbling down the answer, Bagman asks, "Mr. Malfoy, what is your answer?"
"Two of course, since I can't get first pick" answers Draco with a smirk looking at Harry.
"Mr. Potter?" asks Bagman.
"I choose….four" answers Harry.
"And Miss Delacour get's the third spot. Before we show you where you will be starting from, the, erm, Marauders Emporium would like to say a few things" remarks Bagman with a smile.
Clearing his throat, Remus steps forward, "You all have been given equipment to use for practice, but for each task you will receive a new set. For this task, each one will receive a PRT that will send you, if you use it, to the medical tent. To activate the unit, you just need to press a finger against the flat section for three seconds to be transported. In addition to that, you will have a chest plate to help protect yourself from whatever you might find in the lake. It has been set with several charms so you shouldn't be able to drown due to being lightweight. However, that doesn't mean you have to use the chest plate during the task, it is your choice."
Offering everyone a PRT and a chest plate, Remus passes out the two items to each person until Draco remarks haughtily, "I need not your charity."
"Mr. Malfoy, everyone is required to have a PRT for safety's sake" remarks a voice from the shadows, as Bartemius Crouch Sr. coming out of the shadows.
Grunting a response, Draco angrily grabs the PRT and shoves it into a robe pocket before looking around as Remus exits the tent. "Potter, so where's your girlfriend?" whispers Draco quietly to Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry whispers back.
"She never made it back to the dormitory I hear" answers Draco smugly.
Ice begins to fill Harry's gut before he shakes his head and says, "I'm sure she's fine."
Eyes narrowing, Draco mutters inaudibly before Bagman strolls back into the tent holding a piece of parchment, "Here we go! The starting locations for the task! Please take a good look at the map and head towards your starting location. There you will find a stake with a number, and I believe a camera person, right, Remus? Yes, yes. A cannon will fire when everyone is in place, and that the task will begin and that you will then get into the lake. Now, let's begin!"
Walking towards his spot, Harry finds a blonde haired individual standing by the spot where he is to start the tournament from.
"Oh, hi Harry. You seem to have some wrackspurts flying around you" comes a dreamy voice as Harry arrives at his spot.
"I've got some stuff weighing on my mind, Luna. But it's wonderful to see you again. And thank you" answers Harry giving a small smile.
Clearing his mind, Harry readies himself for the incoming cannon blast that'll start the first task.
Author note: Thanks for reading, reviewing, following, etc! Last I checked, Luna Harry pairing was winning, but I think I'm sticking with Daphne and Harry. This is partially because I'm not really good with dialogue, in addition to I'd more than likely butcher Luna's character somehow, and I'd like to avoid that if possible. Thanks for bearing with me all these many years, four in fact. Unfortunately I can not do a release twice a month, or even a release every month. So it will fall to being quarterly, (January through March = quarter one, etc). However, I will strive to write two if not three chapters worth of content per release. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and any other holiday or day(s) that you celebrate between now and the next chapter release! :)
According to the Harry Potter Wikia, Daphne's blue eyes and blonde hair is fanon (not canon), so my apologies for retrieving and using that for Daphne in this series. However, it's going to stay.
Thanks to AriArlene (real life friend) for having coffee with me and letting me bounce ideas regarding the first task (she knew what it was and what it will contain next chapter). :)
And thanks to Asma20 for beta reading what they have so far for this series.