Chapter 10

A/N: Here's chapter 10! I know its a short one, but I felt like I needed to get this part out there so that I can start getting into some deeper parts of the story.

Harry's POV

As the four of them discussed ideas and brainstormed some more, Harry looked up at the exact moment that Hermione walked into the pub. He was about to call out when he then saw Ron follow her in. He stiffened slightly when Hermione spotted him and started walking over. Standing up, Harry moved forward to meet her.

"Hermione, can I help you?"

Hermione stopped in front of him and waited for Ron to join them. "Harry tell Ronald what you've been up to."

Ron was looking at the table Harry was sitting at earlier, and he immediately clocked in on Daphne. "Who's that Harry?"

Harry looked at Ron with some trepidation. Giving Daphne's hand a grab, he held his head high and responded, "That Ron, is my girlfriend Daphne Greengrass." Ron whipped around and looked at Hermione with shock.

When she shrugged, he looked back at Harry. "Girlfriend? But what about Ginny?" Harry sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"We just have had too much going against each other, since I've been re-sorted as you know, and I just can't deal with her being possessive and pushy towards me. It's annoying and honestly not very attractive. She's acting like a child, instead of a young adult." He waited with bated breath as Ron's face circulated from anger to understanding and finally settled on contemplation.

After waiting for what seemed like hours, Ron finally spoke up. "You know, I can actually see that." He looked into Harry's eyes "Ginny has always been childish and pushy, kind of like I can be, and after not being around her for a few months, it really shows that I can't stand it. So, I can understand your position." Harry stood there, absolutely frozen in shock. Is this his best friend, is this the man who got angry after Harry 'put his name in the Goblet of Fire' when they were 4th years?

"Who are you and what have you done with Ronald Weasley?" Hermione asked with surprise. Harry and Ron both turned towards her, and she was just staring, wide-eyed and jaw open, staring at her boyfriend.

"It's still me Mione, I'm just growing up finally I guess." They all shared a laugh at that, and then Ron clapped Harry on the back. "Look, I get that Ginny can be a cow occasionally, and I can say that she'll get over it eventually, give her time, and don't let her get to you."

Neville stood up from the table at that point. "Since you're both here, why don't you join us?"

Surprisingly Ron declined, "Sorry Nev, but Hermione and I are having a little Date today to catch up with each other and spend some time together. So, we'd love to, but maybe another time." Bidding farewell, Ron clapped Neville and Harry on the back, and gave Susan and Daphne a smile, Hermione hugged Harry, and the two of them headed off to the other side of the pub, towards the empty tables. After the two of them were out of sight, Harry and Neville sat back down, and Harry turned to Susan.

"So, Susan, how are you enjoying this year so far?"

Susan smiled, "Well, I'm glad to be back at Hogwarts without needing to watch my back as I walked down the halls, and keep my wand at the ready."

Harry saw a bit of apprehension in her eyes "I never thought of what it must've been like for all of you last year, I was so busy trying not to get caught while on the run that..."

"Don't you dare finish that sentence Harry." Daphne interrupted, "Even I had problems as a member of Slytherin House. We were expected to follow the rules to the letter, and torture students like we were Death Eaters in training. Believe me, nothing was more painful than having to cast the Cruciatus on a second year or watch them torture your younger sister if you refused." She shivered, "The things I saw people do, and I had to do just to survive were horrible."

Neville gave her a smile and squeezed her hand. "Don't beat yourself up about it, we know what you and Blaise Zabini did, you tried to help the students the best you could without getting in trouble. Seamus told me about how the two of you would tell him about the Carrow's patrols and how to get students away from them." Harry was quite surprised by that, and he grabbed Daphne's hand and rubbed circles over the top of it. He noticed that Daphne's agitation hadn't subsided so he looked up at her, and he saw her eyes looking over his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Draco Malfoy at the entrance of the pub. Narrowing his eyes, Harry watched Malfoy make his way over to the table. Before Harry could act, Neville stood up and confronted him. "What do you want Malfoy?" Malfoy flinched slightly at the hostility coming from him and held his hands up in surrender.

"Easy Longbottom, I just want to talk to Daphne about some family business."

That's when Daphne stood up, "I know why you're here Draco, and just like last time the answer is no!" Your father tried for years to get mine to finally cave, and now that he's gone, you think that I will be convinced?" She laughed in his face, "Guess again Ferret. I've never liked you, and I never will do business with your family. Now leave before I sick Longbottom and Harry on you." Malfoy then snarled and pulled his wand, "You think that you can avoid this deal forever Greengrass? Your family's business will cave eventually, and you'll need the financial backing of the Malfoy fortune to keep it from going under. Your father never was the businessman that your grandfather was, and you aren't even as good as your father."

That's when Harry decided to get involved. "Back off Malfoy, you are ruining our date, and I'd appreciate it if you back out now, before I get really angry, and am forced to take action." Malfoy glared at him but put his wand away and stomped out of the pub. Harry and Neville watched him leave, and then sat down with twin sighs of disappointment.

Daphne's POV

Daphne watched as Draco left and when he did, she turned to Harry and said "I need to get some air after that."

Harry smiled at her and nodded. "No problem Daphne, take your time." She gave him a small smile and kissed his cheek. Walking out of the pub, she spotted Draco in the alley, leaning against the wall. She headed the other way and moved towards the end of the village.

As she walked along the road, she cursed the name of Draco Malfoy, "Who the hell does he think he is?" she muttered angrily, "Our company is doing fine, we can last for at least another year, and that means I can rally some support of some kind to keep us afloat."

She was brought out of her mumblings, when there was a call behind her. "Daphne!"

She turned and saw her sister Astoria heading towards her. Smiling, Daphne moved forward, "Stori! It's been a few weeks! I'm sorry I haven't been available to talk."

Hugging her sister closely. She just sighed happily. "It's ok Daffy, I understand, it's been hard for you to balance your duties, your new hunk of a boyfriend, and NEWTs all at once, plus now you're playing Quidditch."

Daphne couldn't help but blush when she mentioned Harry and she slapped her sisters' arm. "Astoria! Be nice to Harry, he's been so good for me right now, and I don't want to ruin it." They both laughed at that statement. Daphne looked at her sister, and saw her eyes were a bit red. "Stori, you ok?"

Astoria's eyes widened, and she looked away. "I'm fine, Daphne, don't worry about it." Daphne could tell she was lying to her, so she grabbed her sister's shoulders and spun her around so they were looking in each other's eyes.

"You have been crying." Daphne bluntly stated, and Astoria averted her gaze.

"I just saw Draco. He's being… different… and it scares me." Daphne felt her heart break slightly, and she wrapped her arms around her sister.

"I'm sorry to tell you Astoria, but you're finally seeing how Malfoy is to the rest of us that isn't someone he's interested in. You now see him for the slimy little git he is, and I'm glad that you see it." Astoria had stared at her wide-eyed at her after that statement. Daphne could see the magic in her head swirling as she thought about what Daphne had said.

After what seemed like forever, Astoria finally made eye contact with her sister. "I never knew." She almost whispered. "How could someone be so charming, and so kind, flip at an instance and be cold and uncaring the next?"

Tears began to form in Daphne's eyes, "Oh Stori!" She cried and squeezed harder, holding her sister to her chest. "You couldn't have known, but know that I'm here for you, and that I love you." Daphne felt her blouse getting wet, and she just hugged her sister harder. Daphne stood there as she let her sister cry, and just held her, giving her the comfort, she knew her sister needed. Astoria finally let go of Daphne after quite some time, looking up at her and smiling, with tear tracks down her face and eyes red.

"Thanks for being here for me Daffy. It means a lot." Daphne conjured a handkerchief for her to wipe her eyes on. Taking it, Astoria smiled and thanks. "I need to get going back to Hogwarts, but I appreciate the moment." Bidding her sister goodbye, Astoria headed back towards the castle. Watching her go, Daphne couldn't help but feel like she had done a good thing for her sister, even though it made her feel terrible. Daphne headed back towards the Three Broomsticks, knowing that Harry and the others were worrying about where she had gone. She made it to the door, and quickly made sure she looked presentable in the window and stepped inside. Walking back to the table, Harry looked up at her approach and smiled, but she could see the worry in his eyes.

"Feeling better?" She smiled back at her.

"Much better thank you, Sorry I took so long, I ran into Astoria and I just had to talk to her."

Harry looked at her. "Everything ok with her?"

Daphne nodded, "Yes, everything is just fantastic."

Harry finished his drink and grabbed his coat. "We have yet to go to Gladrags before the day is over." Offering his arm, he looked at her. "Shall we milady?"

Daphne couldn't help but let out a little giggle, and took his arm. "Absolutely milord." They bade goodbye to Neville and Susan, and they left.

Neville couldn't help but let out a parting jab at Harry. "Try not to let her buy too much!" Susan slapped his arm, and Harry laughed and flipped him the two-finger salute. Daphne and Neville laughed, and then the two of them left the pub.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that little tidbit! I'm working on chapter 11 and 12 right now, so It will be a while until I release the next one, since it will have a lot more content! Until then!

Rei