Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I own nothing. All characters belong to J K Rowling.
The Whore of Abbadon – Part III
Providence
In the astronomy tower Daphne stood waiting. She was leaning against the balustrade, a book in hand and her hair blowing violently. Clouds in the distance gathered over the mountains with the occasional flash of lightning. The sudden storm had gone as quickly as it appeared. The night was still cold enough for her to see her breath making her regret not wearing a cloak.
She could see why Harry said he liked it atop of the astronomy tower; the night sky was a curtain of black empty as it was comforting. When in lessons they were always too busy leaning into their telescopes and drawing their charts to really lose themselves in the immensity of it all.
"You look lovely gazing into the distance like that you know." A teasing voice suddenly came into existence.
Daphne was startled to see Harry stood leaning out against the open air beside her. He chuckled as she glared at him for getting the jump on her. It wasn't quite the reaction he was hoping for but he'd take it.
"That cloak really is remarkable." Daphne gave him a meaningful look. "I didn't even hear you come in, how long were you stood there?"
"Not long." Harry said folding the silvery fabric and stuffing it into his bag. "I hope there is a good reason you dragged me away from my party?" he grinned.
"I merely provided you with an opportunity to escape; you're the one who took it. I think that speaks volumes." She smirked back at him.
"I suppose you want a thank you as well?"
"A thank you is always nice, yes." Daphne looked at him and crossed her arms.
"Thanks. But I'm really not sure it's much safer being up here alone with you."
"Thus conscience does make cowards of us all." She smiled sadly, her hand over her heart.
"What's that from?" Harry asked amused by her uncharacteristic display. No one had ever claimed him of cowardice before, excluding Snape and Malfoy that was.
"Hamlet."
"I could never really understand Shakespeare." Harry said sadly.
"There is a certain magic in his words... sometimes I even suspect he was actually a wizard."
"And what is this one about?"
"The story tells of a prince who sees the ghost of his father, the recently deceased king of Denmark. The ghost asks Hamlet to avenge him and kill his uncle who has usurped the throne. The need for revenge drives Hamlet mad and in the end everyone dies."
"An unhappy ending, great. You read a lot?"
"Tracey and I used to explore muggle London quite often; we visited lots of libraries and many other sights of the city. The tower of London is particularly interesting. But libraries are my favorite places." Daphne said with a fond smile.
"Muggle literature, best friends with a half-blood and well integrated in both worlds it sounds. You know for a Slytherin I almost don't believe it." He stated.
Daphne looked at him with a furrowed brow.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I'm just… surprised." He tried to recover.
"You're really not one to talk." She said quietly.
"Oh?" Harry raised his chin defiantly.
"You are really quite terrible in reality. You know that?" Daphne's cold grey eyes pierced him. "You antagonise those you wish to push away, pretend to be average in order to blend in, but you don't hide your talents in Defence and Quidditch just enough to retain your popularity with others. And somehow you still keep everyone at arm's length. So many half-truths wasted on a desire to be ordinary. Such a ridiculous goal and yet you're smarter than most the ingrates in my house. You are a walking contradiction Harry Potter."
"Don't pretend you know me. Everyone is a walking contradiction." Harry said biting his tongue.
"I know enough, I only ask that you don't pretend with me anymore. If we are to be friends." She smiled coldly trying to read his expression without success.
"Where is this going Greengrass?" Harry gave her a hard look.
"Was the only reason you let me help with the task because I was already complicit in finding out about the dragons?" She asked out of nowhere, catching him off guard.
It wasn't an accusation, but the question hung in the air uncomfortably all the same. It made Harry shiver with unease.
At the time he had been too busy concentrating on the task to really give it any proper thought.
He liked her company and she fascinated him in a way. And she was smart, dangerously so as she was beginning to prove. He had prioritised in his mind that it was something he could use to his benefit. As usual he had done things on impulse without thinking things through. He fully intended to rectify that.
"I think you want to trust me." She continued. "But for some reason it is hard for you, you don't know how to. Tell me, was it Weasley you hit this evening?"
Harry narrowed his gaze as Daphne took a step closer. "I thought we said we weren't going to spy on each other."
"Your hand. I can see it's swollen, it must have been quite a throw." She said as she reached out and took his wrist. "Lumos."
Suddenly she was pooled with moonlight and Harry's throat went dry. Reluctantly he let her examine the damage with care. Her touch was gentle and light, his knuckle bruised purple and red.
She could make an educated guess as to what the fight was about.
"Yeah. It was Ron." Harry muttered stiffly. She sees far too much. If she gets any closer she find out about everything. He reminded himself.
It made him anxious.
Daphne simply nodded "Nox. You look lovely when you blush like that you know." The witch said suddenly with a crooked smile.
Harry avoided her gaze hoping that she wouldn't see anymore of the rising colour in his cheeks. "Who's blushing?" He tried to pull his hand away but her grip remained on his wrist, surprisingly strong.
Her smile softened. "I asked to speak with you because I don't want to see you getting into some serious trouble Harry. I need you to trust me." She forced eye contact with him, trying to convey just how serious she was.
He didn't miss the way she addressed him by his name for the first time.
"Did you feel anything when you encountered the dragon this afternoon? Like a pulling sensation in your chest, glowing warmth, dizziness or an increase in magic in the atmosphere – anything?
"Um no, not that I remember, why? What's this really about?" He asked.
"Just stopping you from making a mistake - the Ghostscale. You are planning on freeing her aren't you?"
"How could you possibly- "
"I am quite adept at reading body language. I could see it as plain as day; you were both disagreeing, trying to get something from another. It always seemed in Care that you have a way with beasts. It makes sense that the only possible thing you could offer her in exchange for your life was her freedom and being a Gryffindor, liar or not, you plan to go through with it. Am I wrong?"
"And you want to stop me?" Harry summarised.
"No, I want to help you." Daphne corrected him, looking towards the forbidden forest. "You could sneak into the enclosure and set her loose without being seen easily, I don't doubt that. It would cause havoc, she belongs to the goblins remember? They'll be sure to kick up a fuss. There will be an inquiry and the first person the ministry will look to is you. Maybe they could prove it was you maybe not. The way things are they would only need the grounds to administer veritaserum then the entire truth comes out..."
"I'm underage." Harry argued back.
"As long as you are a champion Fudge and Crouch would certainly use the fact the tournament is supposed to be for wizards of age as a justification, if it was put forward to the wizengamot you may have a fifty-fifty chance. Those odds aren't exactly favourable."
"Shit." Harry cursed under his breath. She knew what she was talking about, only last summer Fudge had refused a veritaserum testimony from him, Ron and Hermione to defend Sirius. Fudge did whatever suited him and his agenda.
"It is a minimum of twenty years inside Azkaban for the unlawful release of a level five dangerous beast. With the ministry not happy with you as it is, you'll need to make the breakout clean and by the book with no room for doubt. The ministry is corrupt Harry, and right now they are not on your side." Daphne warned.
"She gave me till three, the hour of the witch and they'll be preparing to leave for tomorrow. So what am I supposed to do, just leave her?" He couldn't help but run his hand through his hair in exasperation.
"I'm not saying that, the fact you could actually make a deal with her means there is an alternative."
"An alternative?" The question held much uncertainty.
"Do you know anything about familiars?" Daphne chewed her lip.
"I'm pretty sure Dumbledore has one but that's about it." Harry admitted.
So the rumour about the Phoenix is true. Daphne thought hiding an amused smile. "Not surprising, it was a subject we were supposed to be taught in our second year in Defence. You need to claim her as your familiar. It's why I asked you those questions."
"It's a shame we had a fraud that wasn't even qualified to teach anyone how to tie a shoelace." Harry grumbled.
"Indeed." Daphne looked at him oddly. "Sit down with me, seeing as we have plenty of time I can explain to you how we can free your dragon." She instructed and smoothed her skirt as she sat cross-legged on the floor.
Harry did as he was asked; He sat next to her with his back against one of the stone arches of the tower and conjured a large orb of blue flames to fight off the cold night air.
"After watching the task and guessed what had transpired I thought you may need this, so I borrowed it from my sister." She handed him the book she was carrying. It was dark blue and had a picture of a cat against a crescent moon, inside the pages were yellow with age.
"The Art of Animalism in Sorcery." Harry read out loud opening the book to its first chapter. "To really understand the being that is a familiar you must first have a versed understanding of the very fabric of magic, life, death and the soul. That sounds like something very few people have." He said arching an eyebrow.
"You can read it later. Astoria is quite particular so try to look after it. Right now I am going to give you the short but detailed version. "
"Okay then, enlighten me." Harry placed it in his bag.
"In simple terms they are supernatural creatures that aid wizards and witches. Spirits that take on the forms of animals, an apparition as they are sometimes known. It is believed their help is their penance before they can return to the afterlife."
"Is my owl not my familiar? She's always been very intelligent."
"Depends on the owl. Generally speaking our owls are already extremely intelligent but bred specifically with the abilities of locating and identifying people and places. You can understand why it might be disrespectful to actively sell an apparition, there are several reasons for this. Mainly it is because there is no market for them and not every wizard and familiar are compatible. But we'll get more into that in a minute."
Harry sat patiently waiting for her to continue as she shuffled closer the flames to warm her hands.
"Many animals while not classed as magical can still have magical blood but lack a magical core which is seated in the soul. You can think of it as the same difference between a muggle, a squib and a wizard. There could be a familial owl, a magical owl and a normal non magical owl. However a true familiar spirit has both magical blood and a core, this is obvious from the way magical beings and beasts have their own brand of magic. It is harder to distinguish with ordinary animals which are more commonly used as familiars."
"So only magical beasts and animals that have a magical core can be recognised as familiars?"
"Yes, magical creatures are trickier and can be unpredictable, there is a criteria. Which is why in the past cats, spiders, birds were used as your typical animal guide class familiars. They will bind themselves to a wizard or witch. Some would say it is fated when a wizard and apparition meet, they do not realise that familiars can also call you to them. "
"So... you think Ghostscale could be my familiar?" Harry looked at her doubtfully.
"It is a little more complicated than that." She answered with a clear voice.
"Complicated?"
"Normally a binding is immediate. But in the past couple of centuries apparitions have become a rarity. So wizards and witches buy pets and pretend otherwise, holding onto a lost praxis. Once bound to the witch or wizard, the familiar will be able to help their chosen reach their full potential, depending on the animal's characteristics and their individual magic gift their chosen with extraordinary abilities. There are a few other affects the binding will have on both the wizard and the familiar. Are you following me so far?"
"I think so… And with a dragon being a dragon it is sure to be more unpredictable and trickier than any other magical creature..." Harry thought he might need a moment to process all that information. "And the binding, I'm sorry but it sounds a lot like enslavement. I'm not very sure how I feel about that."
"That is a very ignorant point of view Harry." Daphne said with a sternness to rival McGonagall. "It is a partnership. A binding is the term for what happens when a spirit harmonizes with the wizard's, their magic links with yours forming a permanent bond. A familiar feels emotions the way any sentient being does. Because as long as they are helping you, you are helping them; they will be solely loyal to you, defend your life if they have to. And even though a familiar may not be able to speak the bond will allow both to understand the other completely. The bond is something you will feel spiritually, as an extension of your magic and yourself. In some cases the connection runs so deep that they will become so dependent on you that your life becomes their lifeline and when you die they can no longer bear to exist in this world, they find the path to the afterlife alongside you. I find that to be… poetic."
"Never would have guessed you were a sentimentalist." He commented.
Daphne sighed at him, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "While the relationship between a wizard or witch and their familiar is symbiotic, it is always the familiar that will ultimately decide whether its companion is worthy."
"Like the way a wand does."
"There are similarities, yes. But there are also many accounts where a familiar is uncertain after the encounter. For an apparition like that to bind themselves to a wizard, they may ask something of you. This is called a contract and was often just as common as an initial binding. In this age an initial binding and contracting are the only legal ways to acquire a familiar."
"You really know a lot about this subject." Harry eyed Daphne carefully.
"I do." She answered unfazed by his suspicious gaze.
"And you aren't even reading all this from a book…"
"Ask what it is you really want to ask Harry." Daphne's voice was soft and patient.
"It's just you sound like you're speaking from experience. Do you have a familiar?"
"Now that would be telling." Her lip curled into playful smirk. "I told you they are uncommon to find. But at one time they were as essential to a witch or wizard as a wand, sometimes even serving entire families, until they became an easy way to identify practitioners of witchcraft... At least when it was still customary to have them that is."
"Witch hunts changed that didn't they?" Harry asked.
"Yes." Daphne nodded. "A few hundred years ago any woman with a black cat was burned alive or drowned, innocent or not. We haven't ever forgotten the rampant cruelty and fear muggles had for our kind."
Harry looked away, hoping she couldn't see the same contempt reflected in his expression, that her grey eyes wouldn't see that he had learnt that lesson first-hand.
"So, you think I can contract the Ghostscale into being my familiar?"
"It is an option; if we're successful and convince the necessary people the ownership rights to the dragon would be dissolved. Magical law states she would no longer be considered property but technically a vassal of your house, making her your responsibility. I know you must have your doubts but I do think this is the best course of action."
"She isn't some superintelligent frog that will be able to help me cheat in potions though, she's a dragon. One of the most magical and dangerous creature on this planet, I don't think she'll exactly jump at the chance to be my spiritual guide." Harry wondered if Daphne's insistence was because she wanted him to have ownership of Ghostscale.
He had to admit, with his life being as insane as it is, having a dragon in his corner could be extremely useful.
"You probably don't like hearing this but you are special Harry, there are no two ways about it. So what if no one has ever been known to bind with a dragon before? Until today no one has successfully communicated with one either. So if anyone can, I would bet on you." Daphne smiled reassuringly, making his pulse race a little faster.
"You really believe that?" He asked. He could not help but wonder if the threat of the ministry using veritaserum was false or not now. Even if he had someone else free the Ghostscale it would still come down to him orchestrating the escape. Had Daphne already thought of that? She probably had, no - she most certainly had.
"Absolutely, and even if it doesn't work, well, we can always tell them she is your familiar anyway. We only have to convince a few handlers perhaps the head of the Dragon Restraint Bureaux and maybe Dumbledore. Apparently he is something of a dragon expert. To get them to believe you can just order her around a little in parseltongue. Then our dragon goes free, you remain the noble and dishonest Gryffindor without going to Azkaban. Who is going to know?"
"Why are you doing this?" He asked.
"I told you I don't want to see you locked away. Think of it as me protecting my interests. And right now my interest is in you." Her tone was almost seductive and her smile could have meant a hundred different things.
It put Harry on edge.
"Lucky me." Harry sighed and checked his watch, it was still a while until midnight. "You mentioned there was an illegal way?"
Daphne nodded. "Summoning."
"Why is summoning a familiar illegal?"
"It used to be how apparitions are called by force. It is classed as a Dark Art by the ministry because there are rituals using blood or soul magic to call a familiar spirit to you," Harry could hear disdain in her voice, "I know a little about the actual process and all the ways it can go badly and that is down to ignorance, impatience and a lack of preparation. Wizard kind's most common flaws, we are far too used to getting what we want when we want it, instant gratification." Daphne sighed sadly. "I would assume being magically summoned can't be pleasant if it isn't done properly. It would no doubt result in the familiar rejecting the binding."
"How badly are we talking?" He wasn't sure if he even wanted to know but curiosity as always got the better of him.
"Well you could end up summoning a vicious demon. That would just be bad news for you and everyone you know. You call the spirit but not the corporeal form and the spirit will turn vengeful. The few recorded cases in recent last century have always led to either possession or insanity if not death. Luckily none of the cases were British. So it makes sense that it was forbidden as a practice. Stops the fools who don't know what they are doing."
"Demons, possession? All that can't be real."
"The existence of demons? Certainly, they are more or less just a higher form of magical creature. The image and idea behind demons has changed throughout time. Whether good or bad in spirit they should be seen as closer to deities than a magical creature. Infact one could argue that familiars are demons themselves. There hasn't been enough study in recent centuries. Kelpies for example are a breed of water demon, naturally extremely violent but that is not always the case. Demons, devils and dragons were often interchangeable names in the old tongue. There are others some completely unique, though not many people alive can claim to have seen one, demons are extremely dangerous. Anyone who says they do exist though is branded a religious fanatic and a devil worshiper. Ironic isn't it? We are the legacy of our pagan ancestors, we've lost so much yet we refuse now to acknowledge what teachings we have left. Christianity has had far too much influence on our culture as it is."
"How do you know all this?" Harry asked, suddenly finding not only his magical education but everything about himself rather lacking.
"I know it isn't really fair, but I was homeschooled from a young age. Mostly by my mother, there were other family members, my governess and several tutors. Coming from a true traditionalist household has its advantages. Mother loves history and I'd be lying if said I didn't take after her. She knows at Hogwarts that not only is the subject material outdated, it is also mostly irrelevant; completely skewed against muggles, goblins and giants. We've lost much in the way of knowledge and old customs. It makes learning magic here even more insulting." Daphne said with bitter sadness.
"Why is learning magic at Hogwarts insulting?"
"It is not Hogwarts specifically I suppose. Have you not noticed how all the spells we learn are based in Latin? It the single greatest triumph of the Roman Empire, during their conquests they tried to stamp out all other branches of magic where they found it in favour of their own, which they deemed 'superior'. Fortunately they didn't completely succeed but to this day it is still the main branch we use in the western world. Even here in Britain we aren't learning our true ancestral magic. We've practically all but lost our magical identity as Britons. Familiars are one of the last surviving threads of those practices."
"Careful you almost sound like Draco."
A cold glare told him just how offended she was by that statement.
"Please don't ever compare me to that narcissist. My family may respect traditions and customs but we aren't purists like the Malfoys. He was brought up to value ancestry and bloodlines whereas I was brought up to value lore." She looked at him pointedly. "If it weren't for the war I imagine you would have had a similar upbringing to mine, though slightly varied. The Potters were just as old and powerful. Don't you ever think about what your life would be like if the Dark Lord never killed your parents?"
"For a long time. When I first came here and learnt what little I know of them it was all I could think about. Dumbledore said to me once. 'It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live.' It's a waste of time thinking about all the things that could have been different, it can't change what happened and it won't change my future." Harry said looking up to the sky thinking about his nights spent in front of the Mirror of Erised, and the yearning that ate away at him with each visit. He understood Dumbledore's warnings of its toxicity perfectly now.
Daphne nodded sadly. "Perhaps you should think about all the things you can change for your future. You are their living legacy after all."
"I wouldn't even know where to begin. It seems everyone knows more about my family than even I do." Harry leaned back. "I only know what I've been told and some of it by Draco grossly enough. Apparently for generations the Potters were very influential and powerful. Even though not actively political they were respected blah blah blah."
"Perhaps you would be interested to know they were traditionalists too. I never knew my paternal grandfather but I know he bought out your grand-uncle Fleamont Potter's potion company, apparently his invention of Sleekeazy hair potions quadrupled their profits and the entire worth of the company. My father mentioned it before speaking about Charlus and Dorea Potter to a client over dinner. He actually spoke with admiration when he said witches and wizards of their caliber come few and far between. Despite the money and power they never gave in to pride and conceit. Even as purebloods your grandparents still had the courage to stand up and defend those without a voice in the magical community."
"Which is why they were targeted." Harry finished darkly.
"That still makes them braver than my family was." Daphne said with an equally grim expression.
"At least they're alive though. Did they stay neutral in the waror were they death eaters?"
"Neutral." Daphne gave a hollow laugh. "There is no such thing as neutrality. Not choosing a side is only ignoring the evil, an evil in itself. Eventually the dark lord would have demanded a choice from my father, he would have been too much of an asset to simply ignore."
"Maybe it wasn't about making a choice but about biding time? I'm sure it was a hard decision to make." Harry said thoughtfully.
"Perhaps… But I still think he should have fought back, he had enough resources and contacts to have been a big player. To make a difference. With my father it could have easily have gone either way, had he chosen differently we might not even be sitting here right now, I might have been the daughter of a follower of the Dark Lord." Daphne looked to the ground refusing to accept that possibility.
"Your father could have been a Death Eater?" He couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.
"Could have, but didn't. There is actually difference between traditionalists and the pureblood supremacists, I can't stress that enough." Daphne chewed on her tongue.
"And what would those be Greengrass?" Harry asked with a measure of doubt.
Daphne glared again. "It comes down to semantics dear Harry. For some they are one in the same, I would disagree with that statement. Both groups claim they believe in the betterment of wizarding kind, we just have different ideas on how to go about that. Most believe in preserving our traditions and customs and I do too, really. But I also want to see progress. Lost knowledge should be shared rather than regulated and hidden, society should welcome the inclusion of muggleborns and half-bloods with equal opportunity. Magical creatures should have the right to govern themselves, the goblins were the only ones who ever fought hard enough to secure that freedom."
Harry grinned as she spoke. "So you're an idealist and a romantic."
"Hm I guess I am." Daphne leaned back and looked at Harry intently. "You understand I have to hide that from the rest of my house? I'd be even more of an outcast if they knew even I thought blood status as nothing more than a bad joke. Some of the greatest wizards of our time have been half-bloods, muggleborn witches too. Pureblood supremacy is but an inferiority complex."
"Thus the conscience makes cowards of us all." Harry parroted back to her making her smile. "I won't hold it against you."
"It's true, I am a coward." She sighed. "I know it is witches like Granger that can bring about many positive changes to our society; muggleborns bring ingenuity and a fresh perspective to our way of life."
"So you really think a coalition or a middle ground can be reached?"
A dark look came over Daphne. "History will tell, because on the other hand I also can understand the pureblood's fears, if not more clearly. If too many muggleborns were in positions of power they'd try to change too much too fast to fit their view of society. The Sabbaths would all but be forgotten, they would try to make us integrate with the muggle world more and would only alienate themselves more and further the divide. If they pushed for up to date muggle studies on children what happens when wizards and witches learned the manner of weapons muggles have created? The London blitz was practically the start of the new purist movement before the Dark Lord took the charge."
"You know about the Blitz?" Harry didn't even know why he was surprised anymore.
"Tracey showed me several war movies for when I didn't understand what a gun was, she and the muggle side of her family have been the primary source of my muggle education. Non-magical history has grown more bloody and disturbing than our own. Are our fears of muggles not justified? I've read about the atom bombs that can turn entire cities to ash and burning rubble in an instant and poisons its victims for generations to come. I doubt there is a single shield charm that could protect us from that level of destruction. The way I heard it with the revolutionary war with Grindelwald on at the time the ICW barely managed to cover it all up. If that suddenly became common knowledge... can you imagine the panic?"
"The fear mongering purists around the world would seek the annihilation of muggles." Harry's brow furrowed, understanding the knife edge the world was actually balancing on.
"Precisely, and it would only take one country to succumb and the rest will fall. Fear is a powerful motivator. I don't doubt they would quickly win the support they needed, then break the statute of secrecy without a thought and have enough reason to forcibly push the muggleborns out of our world. It would plunge the world into a war we couldn't possibly win and another era of persecution – an era that wouldn't end with our kind fading into myth, not in this age." Daphne carefully explained, showing just how much consideration she had given the subject.
"I never thought of it like that." Harry said quietly.
But she was right. It made sense that their kind stayed hidden from the rest of the world. His own experience with the Dursleys hadn't really shown them in the best light. He knew there were those who were still good, just as there were wizards who were kind and cruel.
But as long as there were elitists in power, there would be those that didn't understand. They would stand by and do nothing or follow, then any kind of coexistence or peace would be futile. A diffusion of responsibility on a grand scale.
"Ignorance is a double edged sword, and will always be humanity's greatest enemy. We're a cauldron brewing to explode Harry. At the minute the Ministry is backwards, we're less powerful in terms of magic and fewer in number than ever. In the past fifty years magical Britain has been involved in a magical world war and a blood war. And the way the last one ended, the Dark Lord fell in the middle of subverting the ministry. There was little finality to it. There was no clean slate, so we didn't fully recover. Many Death Eaters went free and escaped justice, it left the purists the Dark Lord groomed still in positions of political power, rotting us from the inside." Daphne inhaled slowly. "You see Harry; I have plans. Large scale, widespread and far-reaching plans for the future, to reshape this country."
"Makes perfect sense you are in Slytherin then, those are some pretty big ambitions."
"Perfect sense. Hmm." Daphne mused. "Tracey says it's futile, that I worry too much, for a while I had convinced myself of it too... But Dumbledore won't be around forever and someone needs to at least try and protect this country from its own self destruction."
"So you're planning on taking up a seat on the Wizengamot in order to change the system and beat the man?"
Daphne ignored the humor in his voice. "I'd need more than votes and seats if I were to get anything done. The Wizengamot is nothing more than a disorganised troupe of mummers half torn between the dying dream of Dumbledore's golden era and dancing to the strings of the pureblood elite. A dysfunction born of a puppet minister that bows and scrapes before a criminal, bent and bought. Fudge is Malfoy Senior's bitch, anyone who is anyone knows it."
"So is that why you hate Malfoy? Because of Lucius?"
"In part." Daphne hummed. "If I told you everything though I am afraid I'd have to sew your lips shut. And that would be a terrible shame when I can think of much better uses for them." She smirked at him wickedly.
Harry shivered involuntarily he had almost forgotten about the cold. Tthe way she threatened him with such sweetness made Harry only more nervous. "Draco tried to warn me away from you, now I think I know why."
"Clearly his words fell on deaf ears, I'll just have to steal your glasses and you'll be blind, deaf, dumb and all at my mercy." She grinned. "So what did he tell you to try and frighten you away, that I'll eat your heart in a human sacrifice?"
"No, it was story about a girl and a lake-" Harry stopped what he was saying but it was too late.
"Oh. I see." Daphne's smile fell. "He told you about Miranda's accident." Harry felt like kicking himself, but he couldn't lie to Daphne. "So he suspected me for that all this time, he really is more observant than anyone gives him credit for. I suppose you are wondering if it's true?"
"I decided it wasn't my business, Malfoy isn't exactly a saint." Harry shrugged. Why the fuck did I bring that up?
"So he tells you I nearly drowned a girl to death when I was a child and you still think he's the greater evil? I'm flattered - truly." She gave him a sad smile and hugged her knees to her chest.
"Why don't you to tell me your side of the story, and I'll decide who is worse?" Harry asked.
"Behold! A righteous and noble lion about to pass judgment." She gave a sad pitiful laugh.
"Okay. Forget I asked."
Daphne grew quiet, sighed heavily and looked up once more. "Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love."
"More Shakespeare?" He asked but Daphne wasn't listening she was still staring up at the night sky.
"I figured out what it is you like about being up here you know. You can see everything so much more clearly, like the stars you are far removed from everyone. Did you know they are actually structures of fire like the sun? Muggle sciences really pushes the boundaries... I suppose you already did know that. They don't teach us things like that in Astronomy or anywhere... to many the sun is the sun, it has magic and it gives life, and that is it. Muggles though they strive to understand things that are greater than themselves. It is easy to forget we look at the same skies and same stars wondering about them, thinking how beautiful and mysterious they are. It's hard not to stand in awe when they try so hard to display their radiance isn't it? It's like they are desperately letting us know they exist before they eventually disappear. It is both simple and honest. I admire that." Daphne paused for a long time, just watching the last of the clouds as they slowly rolled across the sky towards a black horizon. "Have you ever felt like you were burning? So much it consumes your entire being and your mind, it just goes blank?"
Harry nodded silently.
"I don't remember much from that night I was blinded by rage and then… frightened. It was my fault, completely. She was cruel to my sister, and all proper pureblood houses teach their children that there is nothing more important than family. I love Astoria, probably more than anything in the world. She is someone very special, precious to me in fact. And with Miranda saying these awful things; I didn't care to understand why. But I remember standing on a balcony outside, I wanted to be alone. It began to snow and the lake froze before my eyes. Miranda was below, outside too. Excited by the snow she and her friends began to play. When I saw her skating across the lake the ice vanished. In an instant the snow stopped and disappeared. It was my fault, accidental magic. I knew that much."
"It's okay. Accidents are accidents." Harry reached out but at the last minute withdrew his hand. He wanted to comfort her, but what could he actually do or say? he had never really comforted anyone before.
"I know … but a part of me doesn't regret it either. I wanted her to get hurt, that's how accidental magic works, that is why it happened. I learnt that night you either live life getting hurt by others or you're the one doing something about it..." Daphne said with little emotion.
"Is that a justification?"
"It's a fact. Miranda never did say another bad word against Astoria. On some subconscious level she learnt her place." Daphne smiled weakly. "Thank you, for listening to me. I haven't told anyone that save Tracey."
"Anytime." Harry had made up his mind and squeezed her cold hand. Daphne turned to him in surprise, it had been unexpected, he had never initiated any physical contact until then. "If it makes you feel any better I blew up my aunt with accidental magic last year, it's a funny story. I actually ran away afterward ended up having tea with Fudge."
"Last year?" Daphne looked at him with wide eyes still caught off guard.
Harry nodded. "Let me guess, that doesn't happen very often for thirteen year olds?"
"Having tea with Fudge, not often no." She smiled. "Accidental magic at that age is even rarer. Outbursts of uncontrolled magic -"
"Correlates between strong emotions and the growth of your magical core." Harry knew this already, Hermione had already explained it to him when he had told her about the incident when they were staying at the Leaky Cauldron.
"But Harry, cases always cease before we begin Hogwarts. That's why we don't start practicing until we are at the age our cores begin to stabilize. It is less temperamental that way." Her eyes were still large, as if they were searching for some oddity in his own.
"I thought you said you started learning magic from a young age? Or was that lie?"
"I did but nothing practical that required any wand work." She answered; Harry could still hear her surprise. "Your core must be a very deep well of magic. Now I know why you can fight off Moody's imperius curse, although half of that it also supposed to be down to sheer will power. And the rumour about you being able to cast a patronus... That's true isn't it?" Her voice was creeping with excitement.
Harry grimaced. "That's me, abnormal even by wizard standards."
"You really dislike your magic that much?" Daphne paused and cast him a curious look.
"No, that isn't it. It's great being able to do these incredible things, really." Harry rubbed his neck. "But it all has a price. I can talk to snakes and apparently dragons now too, but everyone thinks I'm borderline evil because of it. I can cast a patronus, but I still had to learn it the hard way and the reason I had to learn it was because dementors want to kiss me on sight, orders or not. Remus, Professor Lupin that is, told me my soul for them is almost like a drug. I'm just that irresistible." He said sarcastically with a false smile.
Daphne stared blankly for a moment in surprise, the unpleasant sensation of guilt rising like a hand squeezing her insides. How could she have forgotten? Last year they had all learnt that before a dementor can feed off the soul it must strip away its natural defences, memories of love and joy, chipping away the will to live. The less the soul is defended by those emotions the easier it is to consume the soul and all its remaining misery.
She watched as his expression became cold and sullen.
"You know when a dementor gets near you relive your worst memories, you want to know what I hear? Voldemort laughing and my mum screaming my name as he kills her. A sick joke right?" His voice cracked.
It must have been one of the most personal details of his life and despite everything he trusted her enough to share that with her, Daphne thought. Another trade? His past for her past? She hoped that wasn't the basis for their relationship, it wasn't healthy. Suddenly like a craving she realised just how much more she wanted to know about him, to have his trust. To ease his pain somehow.
He hung his head, messy black hair hiding his face.
She had never seen him look so exposed before. He had been agitated, moody, even cocksure at times. Daphne always saw this indifference to others as a defence, an armor to keep away people who only saw the fame. She sensed something was very off. Astoria's warning was ringing in her ears. Was he cursed? The strange events that happened around him... it could very well be the universe trying to right the wrong that happened when he survived that night thirteen years ago.
"That's why you fainted on the train last year." She registered quietly. "And why they were attracted to you more than anyone else..." She watched him fighting something within himself. "Fate has been unkind to you, dreadfully. It goes beyond unfairness. Believe me, I know how the fine line between gifts and curses. And the weight of both." She rested her head on his shoulder and breathed deeply. "Harry. I should probably tell you something."
"Hm? And what's that?" His voice was dull but he raid his head at least.
"Telling me that.. it couldn't have been easy for you. I am aware friendships requires honesty, and that honesty goes two ways. I just don't want what I have to tell you to change anything or for this to change-"
"Greengrass." Harry said interrupting her, she had never been unsure or doubtful, it was unsettling.
"I… used to really hate you." She bit her lip. "I didn't even have a good reason. The way the dementors affected you, I laughed along like everyone else in my house. I am very sorry for that."
It had been something she was very vocal about when she returned home during her second year. Her rage at her father coupled with the untimely arrival of hormones left her in need of a figure to blame. The Heir of Slytherin was the obvious choice for her problems.
"It's alright, you couldn't know."
Daphne looked up at him confused. "How is it you're like that? Does it not upset or surprise you?"
"Thick skin. I told you before, I wasn't very popular in the muggle world either. I've always been different and because of that I have always had people who hated me. I learned to accept that a long time ago. I think that is something we have in common, wouldn't you agree?" Harry was unsure as to what other answer he could give.
"You're right, that is something we share. But I don't think it is right to accept it so easily, don't you at least want to know why?" She asked.
"Not in the slightest. Judge people in the present not by their mistakes. So if it is in the past, do us both a favour and forget about it. It isn't like we knew each other then." It was another one of Dumbledore's moments of wisdom he shared in order to encourage the kindness he saw in Harry.
He is hiding something, I thought the distance was him being guarded but that isn't it. He is more comfortable and at ease being hated than being liked.
Daphne didn't like it one bit. But aren't I the same? No. It is almost like he wants to punish himself... he feels like he doesn't deserve happiness.
She also presented her own front. But she couldn't help that around Harry it washed away. The witch could see gradually it was the same for him, or at least she hoped that was the case, it was hard to tell at times. The more time she spent with him, the more connected she felt. But connections could become entangled and viscid, Daphne knew this and clearly so did Harry.
"So we are okay?" She asked in a small voice. She was actually relieved that he didn't care, it was easier for them both that way. She wondered if he already knew that, that he was somehow sparing did not like how that made her feel, it was a mercy she didn't deserve. More guilt coiled itself in her stomach.
"It's weird, I never thought I'd make any friends in Slytherin. Everyone makes you all out to be dark but you're not bad Greengrass. I'm glad I met you, even if it was because of this tournament."
"Daphne. Please, call me Daphne. For what is worth I'm glad to have met you too, this version of you at least." She could feel herself blushing and a cold shiver ran through her.
She didn't know what else she could say. She was partially stunned. Gods damn you Harry Potter. What are you doing to me?
For a long time they sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts, but neither wanting to seperate from the other.
After a while Daphne shook herself, she had grown too comfortable around him like this. She went back into teacher mode and gave him the rundown of what magical laws entailed familiar ownership.
Harry listened intently rapt with just how incredible the girl was.
"Okay Daphne, let's go contract me a familiar." Harry said finally and pulled the map out from his bag. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Tapping the parchment with his wand.
"Nice password, it really has natural charm." She said finding her voice again, she shook her head, ran her fingers through her hair and tried to focus on the matter at hand.
"Thanks. Does yours have one?"
"No. The grimoire is locked by other means. Sorry I can't tell you how, I'm bound to secrecy." Daphne gave him an innocent smile all the while silently hating herself.
"I was just curious." He said and turned back to the map. "That's good, Moody is in his office, he isn't moving… looks like he is asleep that's good for us. Snape is in the North tower with Filch. It's a good job we left when we did." Harry smiled to himself. "Both Flitwick and McGonagall are patrolling the first floor and Dumbledore is… in Hagrid's hut. Ah fuck." He suddenly cursed as he turned to the page with their location.
"What is it?"
"A group of students at the bottom of the tower, waiting for Sinestra most likely. They must have Astronomy tonight." Harry looked at his secondhand watch, it was nearing midnight which was when practical astronomy classes were scheduled for the third years and below.
Daphne peered over his arm her eyes scanning names with a resentful sigh. "Second years, my sister is among them."
"We need to hide or get out of here." Harry said, his eyes glinting dangerously in the dark.
"The quicker the better. If Astoria sees me alone up here with you I'll never hear the end of it and that would be very bad." The witch muttered.
Harry laughed, "And I don't particularly want to be stuck up here hiding under the cloak for an hour listening to bratty thirteen year olds." with that he pulled his firebolt from his bag. "Come on."
An amused look appeared on Daphne's face. "Is flying your solution to every problem?"
"Pretty much actually, yeah." He answered with a shrug and a small grin.
"You're well prepared I'll give you that."
The young wizard mounted up his grin widening. "Just a preventive measure really."
"And what makes an interwoven extendable and featherweight charm preventative exactly?" Daphne teased as she watched his raven hair become even more messed up in the wind.
"Hermione did it for me. I decided I might need to keep my valuables close by from now on. I've made a few enemies in Gryffindor lately and security in there is a bit of an issue." He said holding out his hand for her.
Daphne could hear the door opening and the loud chatter of the second years, Professor Sinestra's voice trying to reach over them to be quiet. Quickly she took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled up. She barely had time to wrap her arms around his waist before they were soaring high above the castle. Sitting sidesaddle her hair began whipping around her viciously again.
"If we are going to do this. Does that mean you trust me Daphne?" Harry asked calmly as they drifted in the air, a crescent moon hanging above them.
"I suppose I don't have much of a choice now do I?" She answered with a short laugh even though the cold was freezing the blood in her exposed legs.
"I suppose not…" Harry smiled to himself. "Hold on very tightly, okay?"
"Why? What are you planning on-"
Daphne's voice was drowned out in the rush of air as they plummeted towards the ground at an impossible speed.
"Harry! Harry! What do you think you are doing?! We aren't supposed to be practicing Wronski Feints until Christmas break!" She shouted into his ear. All she could see was a blur of black, her eyes were watering and the freezing air bit her cheeks.
Harry laughed as he suddenly pulled pulled up just over the lake, water spraying behind them. A tentacle from the giant squid rose up and waved at them.
Daphne growled in his ear fiercely. "You should know if you hadn't executed that perfectly you would be so very dead, and if not I would definitely have finished the job."
"I thought you protected your interests?" Harry quipped.
"Not ones that try to kill me. Now be quiet and fly us to the enclosure already." She rolled her eyes in indignation.
"Yes ma'am." He obeyed, rising from the water's surface and towards the forest.
The flight to the enclosure was much quicker than when they walked. The last of autumn's leaves barely clinging to the branches of the trees. With Harry's occasional but inevitable expeditions into the forest, he had this method of journeying in mind since they had first found out about the dragons. It was much safer than travelling by foot alone without Hagrid, especially when they could hear the sound of unknown creatures moving through the dark beneath them. Now it was put into practice he could appreciate how effective it was.
"Last time we were in here, was it your first time?" Harry asked thoughtfully remembering how she was pressed up close to him beneath cloak just like she was now.
"Yes, it was." Daphne looked over her shoulder back to the castle.
"Were you afraid?"
"I was a little nervous." She admitted. "My mother told me that when a witch walks the woods she must believe in her very soul that she is the most terrifying being there, even in the darkest forest."
"You believe that?"
"It certainly helps. It also helped having someone who is already experienced and survived this forest." She whispered into his ear.
"So long as you don't go too deep there is little danger, but if you start seeing giant spiders turn the opposite way immediately. Trust me." Harry warned.
"Acromantula? It is a good job I don't intend to make this a habit then."
"That would probably be for the best." Harry agreed.
"How many times have you been in total?"
"Five times I think it is now." He said thinking back honestly. Does it count being there twice in one night but at the same time? He wondered. Ugh time travel is so confusing.
"You are either very brave or very stupid." Daphne shook her head disapprovingly.
Harry snorted. "I get that a lot."
All of a sudden they heard a ear splitting roar telling them were close. Harry gradually began to descend. As they flew between the branches and the thick tangle of trees, the sight of the enclosure opened up before them; all of the dragons were all back in their over sized cages snarling and snapping, just as frightening as before.
The pair landed behind a large gnarled oak, hidden from the handlers.
"Do you know who we need to speak with to get this done?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"Whoever is in charge I suppose." She said. "Do you need me under the cloak?"
"No, if something happens I may need you. It should be alright that I'm here, I know a couple of the handlers they said it should be fine but if things go wrong I can say I blackmailed you or something."
Daphne's expression became confused. "You don't need to that. I chose to be here remember?"
Harry nodded in understanding and stepped out of the cover of the trees. Daphne walked by his side, dead leaves crunching beneath their feet.
It was easy to spot Charlie, he was sitting with Rolf by a fire while the other handlers worked on feeding caged the dragons with large carcasses of roasted meat.
"Charlie." Harry called out to him as they grew closer.
The second oldest Weasley turned his head in surprise. "Harry? You're here? It's past curfew I thought you weren't going to show."
Many of the handlers stopped what they were doing to watch them.
"Yeah sorry about that, Fred and George threw a huge party. It was hard to get away." Harry ruffled his wild mess of windswept hair.
"You have some serious balls coming out here without Hagrid or Dumbledore." He noted with a grin. "How did you find us?"
"Oh you know, we flew over and just followed the sound of thunderous explosions." Harry joked holding up his firebolt for him to see.
"And who is this?" Charlie's grin subsided as he eyed the Slytherin colours of Daphne's tie.
"Daphne Greengrass." She said with her signature cool gaze. Almost immediately Charlie looked back to Harry with worry.
"Harry do the teachers know you are here?" Rolf asked with unease briefly glancing at the girl before Charlie could say anything.
"Ugh not exactly… You will probably need to fetch Dumbledore soon though, you probably can find him at Hagrid's."
"What do you need Dumbledore for?" Charlie looked from Harry to Daphne.
It was the witch who answered. "We believe Ghostscale, the dragon Harry faced today, is an apparition and that Harry has initiated a contract with her."
"Lady Snowheart is going to be your familiar? You're serious?" Rolf's eyes widened as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Of course we are serious, we wouldn't be here otherwise. I hope you understand the gravity of the situation and the laws involved." She looked at the large white dragon. The Ghostscale had her large golden eyes fixed on them. "Are you in charge here?"
"I am and I do." Rolf answered. "But Harry… a dragon can't-"
"A dragon can." Harry suddenly heard Ghostscale hiss.
The group turned to face the pale white calamity as she rose to her feet in her cage.
"She disagrees." Harry said. "Her mind isn't like the others Rolf, she can understand everything we say. It's why she is so docile with you."
Charlie and Rolf shared a meaningful look.
"Harper! Khort! Fabien! Go up to Hagrid's and bring Professor Dumbledore as quick as you can." Rolf then yelled walking towards the nearby tent. "Charlie keep an eye on these two, I'll be back in a sec."
Charlie moved closer to Harry. "Bloody hell mate. You really don't do simple do you?"
"I would if I could I swear." Harry let out the breath he didn't realise he had been holding. "It's been a very long fucking day Charlie." He rubbed his aching arm where it had been burned by the Horntail.
"Mum would clip your ear if she heard you using language like that. You doing alright?"
"Mm as well as I can be. Ron and I had another fight earlier... I kinda hit him, I feel real shitty about it." Harry confessed to the older Weasley.
"Ah, well I hope that knocked some sense into that thick head of his." The well built redhead joked.
"I doubt it, it was a bad fight Charlie, we both said a lot of things. I am still pissed at him for what he said right now but I was way worse. "
"Even if things are bad between you and Ron, Ginny still fancies the pants off you. Fights happen between friends you'll both get over it." Charlie knocked him on the shoulder playfully. "So, Ghostscale? That's a cool name for a familiar. This is kind of a big deal but don't worry Rolf and I will make sure this stays quiet. Why don't you go ahead and talk to her, this kinda makes her yours now anyway, right?"
"Seems that way. Thanks, for everything. Daph, you coming?" Harry gestured with his head.
Daphne nodded, taking an uncertain step forward, her eyes never leaving the dragon. As she grew closer she could fully appreciate what a magnificent creature she was. The Ghostscale stood proud behind the thick magically enforced bars of her domed cage, looking down on the young witch and wizard.
"Come closer Harry Potter." The dragon's black tongue flicked out. "And this must be the female from before, she has the same scent."
"What an outstanding deduction." Harry rolled his eyes, stepping closer the cage as he was asked.
"You have a sour sense of humour child. What troubles you so?"
"Right now freeing you. But that will be over soon I suppose." Harry said with a slight grin. "So, you can become a familiar?"
"In a manner of speaking, a very ingenious ploy. But also a lie, we have no such contract. Is it your wish for me to bind myself to you?"
"Not if you don't want that, it wouldn't be fair to exchange one set of shackles for another."
The Ghostscale began to laugh which must have sounded sinister to Daphne as it made her jump.
"You are so very fascinating…" The dragon whispered with a silky hiss. "Men would so very rarely pass up an opportunity to subjugate another being, whether greater or lesser. That alone makes you worthy. The conditions however have not been met, our agreement was made out of self interest and does not consign for us to be made one."
"And what would these conditions be?"
"As you are now you are not prepared to give me what I need. You needn't concern yourself with my desires my child. But I shall be indebted to you, and should circumstances change... fate will decide our futures."
"I thought as much. It would make this a whole thing more legitimate, but if we get this done legally I will be responsible for you. I'll need reassurances."
The Ghostscale thought for moment carefully. "Then you will have them, within reason. Rest assured I shall not harm or kill any humans as we already agreed."
"That's good. You'll also be indebted Daphne here, without her we wouldn't be able to pull this off."
"Is that correct? Hm... inform the girl that she has my gratitude as well."
"I'll be sure to do that. So, er do you have any plans once you are out of this cage?" Harry asked casually.
"To travel east and west. Land and sky are my domains but the world has changed a great deal from the one I once knew. I will need to learn much if I am to live in it once more."
Daphne was watching in awe at the conversation between Harry and the dragon. She listened closely to the sound of the ominous hissing, to her it was strangely melodious, the variation in tones interchanging subtly, each utterance pulsing with raw magic. It was just as she remembered from their second year. And even though she could not understand, she thought it sounded beautiful.
"Harry. You are sure she is fully sentient?" She asked.
"I'm sure." Harry looked at the dragon.
"Does she have a true name?"
"Well?" Harry looked at the dragon expectantly, last time he had asked she had evaded the question.
"I have had many names. Agrona, Ananke, Inanna, Abyzou. They are but a few. But in your tongue you may call me Lilith."
Both Harry and Daphne felt a chill as she spoke. "Lilith, she said we can call her Lilith." Harry said in a quiet voice.
"Someone is approaching." The dragon announced.
Harry turned but saw nothing, even still he trusted Lilith's senses better than his own. "You'll be free soon. I promise."
After a while Harry and Daphne watched as Rolf and Charlie welcoming Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid, who was standing behind looking at the dragons happily.
"We'll be right back." Harry muttered.
The wizard and witch walked over to the Professor with trepidation, everything had been leading up this moment, even when the future had seemed so uncertain. If they could make Dumbledore believe them Harry was sure everything was as good as done.
"Good evening Harry, and Miss Greengrass what a pleasant surprise. When they said you were with a girl I had expected you to be accompanied by Miss Granger." Dumbledore said looking from her to Harry with an amused look.
Daphne gave the headmaster her most charming smile. "Good evening Professor."
"Mr Scamander and Mr Weasley here were just saying how you believe to have discovered an apparition willing to become Harry's familiar. And that it is in fact this dragon, is this true?"
"It is Professor." Harry said meeting his gaze. "I hope this doesn't create any problems."
"As do I. The solution should be quite simple and can be easily resolved. First I will need you tell me what happened in the arena."
Harry gave Daphne an uncertain look, but understood what was being asked. If Fawkes was truly Dumbledore's familiar he knew exactly how a binding worked from personal experience. It explained the relationship between the phoenix and the headmaster perfectly.
"When I was facing the Horntail at the last minute I used parseltongue, it was a last resort to try and deter her I guess I was just desperate I wasn't really thinking. Just after... I don't know what it was but I felt something within me, a surge in my magic, I grew really hot and I felt tremors. Like I was charged with electricity or something." Harry looked again to Daphne who nodded subtly in encouragement, signalling she approved of his explanation. "And then she appeared before me. We spoke for a while, as you saw I was confused and just wanted to get out of there. She proposed to serve me as a familiar… and would explain everything if I returned to her tonight. When I told Daphne about what happened she offered her help since she knew a little about the subject."
Dumbledore stood silently for a while as he thought over what Harry had said. Daphne could feel herself tense. "And did she ask anything of you, a task perhaps?"
"Tell him I only asked you to remove this collar." Lilith whispered. Harry's eyes glanced over the wreath of black thorns. He couldn't tell if it was stone or metal, considering the size of her it must have been extremely heavy.
"The collar she is wearing, she wanted it gone. That was her demand for the contract." Harry informed him confidently.
"Mr Scamander Mr Weasley, if you would please open the cage. I think that will be the easiest way to determine whether Harry has her allegiance and that there is truth to this matter." Dumbledore said.
Everyone shifted uncomfortably around the headmaster glancing from Harry to the dragon.
"Headmaster is that really wise?" Rolf questioned.
"Have your men on hand and ready just in case, but if Harry is being truthful we should be in no danger. And Harry has my utmost trust." The darkness only made Dumbledore's eyes twinkle more vibrantly.
Daphne cast a curious look towards Harry.
Everyone suspected that there was more to the Headmaster and Harry's affiliation than just student and teacher, it was obvious ever since the end of their first year. The first name basis and Dumbledore's faith in him was beginning to prove that theory. It suggested friendship or at least something of a deep understanding of one another.
Daphne was sure it meant that after Hermione, Dumbledore probably knew about Harry and his life more than anyone. All the things he kept hidden so well.
Carefully Rolf and Charlie drew their wands and removed the giant locks and bolts from the cage. With a long drawn out creak the giant metal bars swung forward and Lilith took one step forward.
The enclosure was silent. The handlers stood at a distance wands raised, the other dragons even settled down, looking on with wild jealousy. Only Hagrid wore a giant beam, tears of happiness welling in his eyes.
"Beautiful. Jus' grand she is." Hagrid rumbled with the giddiness of a child. Which was most strange to witness.
With several more giant steps Lilith was stood in the center of enclosure stretching her wings and neck, tail flicking. "Mmrr, thank you child." She said lowering her head to look at Harry and Dumbledore more clearly.
"Your welcome." Harry let out the breath he had been holding, only just realising how much he had been missing the oxygen he had refused himself.
"Mr Scamander could you please bring Harry Lady Snowheart's file, I think he will find it most illuminating. In the morning I will contact the ministry about the necessary paperwork." Dumbledore suggested.
Rolf gave a nod, still in awe of Lilith's amenable behaviour, and heading towards the tent once more.
"Professor what are we going to do about Gringotts?" Charlie asked slightly worried.
"I shall handle the situation with the Goblins of Gringotts as well, something tells me they will demand compensation but will be more than satisfied with the outcome of tonight's events."
Rolf returned with several sheets parchment and handed them to Harry. "Here, be sure to take care of her okay?"
Harry gave him a smile and a nod, feeling slightly guilty.
"Rubeus I am sure you and Mr Weasley have much to catch up on and talk about. Harry, Miss Greengrass, Lady Snow let us take a walk."
Daphne edged closer to Harry and the two of them followed the Headmaster out of the enclosure with Lilith right behind them. They walked in silence until they were far from, the dragon folding her wings, it was fortunate the trees were so large and the space between were just far enough apart for Lilith to snake through.
"I think here is as good place as any. Mr Weasley informed me that Lady Snow can understand what we are saying, is that correct?" Dumbledore said stopping at a clearing casting a white orb into the air to light up the area.
"Yeah she can." Harry answered looking up from the document he had been previously been squinting at to read in the darkness.
"You might be wondering why I have led us away from the others but as this delicate matter I think it best we remove ourselves from the others. Removing this collar would normally prove to be quite difficult."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because it is made from obsidian. I see from Miss Greengrass' expression that she understands why this will not be an easy task even for the most experienced wizard. Miss Greengrass could you please explain to Harry why that is."
"Well, natural obsidian is produced when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. However using dragon fire obsidian can be created artificially, when it is, it is the only known material known to have anti-magical properties. Goblins have perfected this craft."
"Indeed, I expected nothing less of the daughter of Antares Greengrass, fifty points. It is a very well kept secret that Goblins temper their metals with obsidian in order to produce some rather incredible alloys, most notably Goblin steel and silver which is highly sought after." Dumbledore said. Lilith hissed loudly with displeasure. "However Goblins are not the kindest masters and relish being in control. Unfortunately they have a monopoly on the dragon trade, both legitimate and underground. I fear this collar was used to help do many terrible things to this dragon." The headmaster's voice was sad as he rested his hand on Lilith sympathetically.
Harry looked on as the dragon stared at Dumbledore strangely.
"Do you know how we may go about destroying its hold over Lady Snow, miss Greengrass?" The headmaster asked Daphne.
The witch bit her lip. "I would try drawing a runic array on the collar in order to recreate a temperature hotter than dragonfire. Perhaps with numerals to assign the temperal values. Which would be over three thousand degrees centigrade... is that correct?"
Dumbledore chucked. "Very good, you truly are a gifted student."
"Only in the subjects I excel at professor." Daphne said looking to her feet.
"Modesty is a very admirable trait, but you do yourself little credit." Dumbledore said. "Would you walk Harry through the creation of this array?"
Daphne nodded and gestured Harry to follow. "Lilith could you please lower your neck?" She asked politely.
"Lilith?" Dumbledore asked.
"It's the name she said we could use instead of Snowheart or Ghostscale as we had been calling her." Harry answered, as he did the dragon complied gently lying down on the ground but shook the earth nevertheless. The crows in the trees awoke, screaming into the night as they departed.
With a graceful leap Daphne straddled the base of Lilith's neck. Harry followed her lead jumping up and sitting on the other side of the collar opposite her.
"How good is your conjuration? We are going to need a knife to carve the runes into the stone by hand, drawing spell lines won't work."
"Venit lamina." Harry answered with a flick of his wand. An single edged ornate dagger with a hilt of black bone appeared suspended in front of him.
She watched impressed as he took it, not expecting him to materialize a masterwork. Though by this point she realised she probably shouldn't have been so suprised.
"Do you know what runes we will need?" Daphne asked shaking her head and fixing the curtain of hair that had hidden half of her face.
"We want extreme heat and power so thurisaz, kenaz and uruz? Perhaps eihwaz in reverse somewhere." Harry grasped at straws having never actually created an array before, he had seen some examples but that was all.
"Correct but there is something else we must use first. Our main objective is to make it work so we will start by carving the sowlio rune right here." She pointed to where he should begin.
The sun rune. The rune exactly the same shape as his scar. "Right." Harry nodded and leaned over the obsidian band of thorns. How did I never notice it before? God I'm so fucking stupid.
Harry swallowed hard and with the knife carved the lightning bolt shaped glyph into the centre.
He had learnt with Daphne that the sowlio rune signified a time when power will be made available, it divined positive changes in someone's life. Had she already made the connection but kept kept silent waiting for him realise it? His text books told him it could imbue victory, health, and success. It could also bring fluidity between the higher self and the unconscious, representing wholeness, power and elemental force.
There is no way that it's a coincidence, nothing is ever just a coincidence. He told himself. Sword of flame and cleansing fire. Whatever that means anyway... It felt like one of the universe's bad jokes, much like the rest of his life.
"Now kenaz, uruz, eihwaz, then eihwaz and sowlio in reverse. Finish with dagaz and thurisaz for breakthrough and containment."
Harry watched as she slid off Lilith's neck, her pleated skirt briefly revealing her uppermost thigh. Harry quickly tried to avert his eyes.
"Then carve M three times one beneath the sowlio rune and then on either side at one hundred and twenty degree angles. "
"Will this work professor?" Harry asked as he finished the last of the carvings.
"Oh yes, now have you learnt how to charge runes yet in class?"
"Not yet no, this is technically my first practical."
"Miss Greengrass perhaps you would do the honours then?"
"But professor shouldn't Harry be the one to do it? He carved the runes, if I did it I might cause a magical backlash..."
"Harry has no practical experience, it requires a delicate hand and if he were to do this on his first try he will certainly over charge the array, which could end quite disastrously for us." Dumbledore smiled kindly.
Daphne nodded. "Would it not be better if you were to charge them then?"
Harry was sure if it was anyone but the professor she would probably be glaring.
"Miss Greengrass I would not ask if I did not think it safe. I am sure there is a reason it is you who are here tonight rather than any of Harry's other friends. However just in case include a ten second delay so we can retreat and stand safely behind my shield charm."
Daphne stepped forward and drew her wand. Touching the sowlio rune with the tip of her wand she quietly began to chant.
Harry watched fascinated as the runes he had just drawn one by one began to light up with a pale blue glow. As they did, Dumbledore conjured a bright white shield and Daphne quickly hurried to join them behind it.
Gradually the runes grew brighter and brighter until they were a brilliant white and the obsidian began to crack, the gaps glowing with intense light.
In that moment the collar suddenly liquidated, melting into lava and dripping from Lilith's neck like it was water. The dragon then stood back up, shaking her neck of the last of the hissing drops of melted stone.
Thank you my child, Daphne, and you master sorcerer.
Lilith's sweet voice resounded in Harry's head. Daphne gasped as she too heard Lilith speak in her mind. It sounded so warm, like honey, if anything it was almost too pleasant, like a gentle sun on a summer afternoon tempting them into a lazy slumber.
"Remarkable, the Goblins used the collar to dampen your abilities." Dumbledore said in as much awe as the young wizard and witch beside him.
That is correct. She answered. Revolting creatures, an entire race whose only desire is power and gold. Lilith spat a cloud of smoke from her snarling maw. Her tone became fiery.
"What did they do to you?" Daphne asked softly.
"They forced her to breed." Harry said bitterly, looking again at the parchment Rolf had given, though he felt had always known. "Tried and failed. None of her eggs could be fertilized. But that didn't stop them from trying, over and over again. For fifteen years. Even though she grew extremely violent killing several goblins they didn't stop until the end of October. When they handed her over."
Lilith was growling the entire time he spoke.
"They wanted her to pass on her certain characteristics no doubt, but they had no knowledge that her infertility was likely because she is much more than a simple dragon." Daphne whispered in disgust.
"That is the most likely case, though we can not know their motives for certain. The Gringotts Romanian branch may run things very differently to the way Britain's does" Dumbledore nodded. "North of here is a large hollow with an underground cavern that should be able to house Lilith. I trust it will make a fine home to nest in, you are welcome to stay in this forest as long as you please. There is good hunting and other sentient creatures you can find company in. As headmaster of this school Hogwarts will always be a sanctuary for you, however if you wish to leave I shall not try to stop you. I only ask that you not look for retribution when there is a chance they may recapture you..." Dumbledore said facing to the white dragon.
Lilith turned her head. I shall do what I must master sorcerer. She told Dumbledore. "We all require our revenge." Her black diamond pupils shifted to Harry. "We shall meet again Harry Potter, boy-who-lived." She hissed in parseltongue one last time.
With that she stretched her wings and took flight, leaving them on the earth in favour of the sky. Dumbledore watched with a sad smile. Ignoring the worried look Daphne was sending in Harry's direction
"You knew this whole time didn't you?" Daphne's mouth formed a hard line.
"Yes, I was aware you and Harry have not been entirely truthful." Dumbledore smiled, doing nothing to ease their concern.
"Then why did you help us let her escape?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Much like Hagrid I have a deep fondness for dragons, such incredible and fascinating creatures. I am very happy to have met Lilith she is truly unique as they come, perhaps even ancient. I would not see her back in the hands of her once captors. Now the hour has grown late and bed calls." Dumbledore's voice was gentle and content.
Harry found himself agreeing with the sentiment. It was the right thing.
"Professor there was something I had been meaning to ask you about that night." Harry's gaze turned from looking out the headmaster's window to the Forbidden forest and to his own hands.
"And what would that be?"
"When I created the runic array. I couldn't help but notice the sowlio rune and the similarities it has, you know, with my scar." Harry asked carefully, once again he sat down in front of the headmaster's desk.
"You are wondering if there is any connection between the two? Well it is not a possibility I have dismissed. Though it would be strange for a spell to hit and leave the mark of a rune. Even with a normal spell let alone the killing curse not without some prior enchantment." Dumbledore pondered for a moment while he chewed on the wine gum in his mouth. "What you may want to consider is the wand movement for the killing curse, which is the same shape as the sowlio rune. That is what I believe to have shaped the scar when the curse rebounded. There is perhaps some connection there. Though it is even beyond me how a curse created to cause much evil could be related to a rune with so many positive attributes."
"You've given me much to think about again professor." Harry sighed
"As you have for me. Now do not forget the dream diary I have asked you to start writing. I think you are very right to be concerned and in the months ahead we will need to tread very carefully, as my good friend Alastor likes to warn everyone-"
"Constant vigilance, I know Professor. I take it that will be all tonight?"
"Yes a good night's rest will be much needed if you are to make it through tomorrow." Dumbledore winked as Harry got up, confused by the comment. "Good look with your duel Harry. I may not be allowed to outwardly choose favourites, but I hope you do surprise everyone and emerge victorious."
"I'll do my best, goodnight." Harry grinned from the doorway, shutting the double oak doors behind him.
An - This concludes the first arc of AA and I am really happy with how it is turning out. Apologies for any mistakes.
I Just want to take this time to thank you for all your feedback, and those that fav and follow (you guys are awesome too) It all goes a long way. Seriously.