I own nothing.
Chapter XIV
September 1991
Harry was caught in one of the many oddities of the universe when time slows down when he least wanted it to. Harry wanted nothing more than for this day to end and talk to Danny but every class felt like a week. None more so than Potions.
When Harry stepped into the dungeon classroom, he released a long sigh of relief. It was his last class of the day and, more importantly, he would no longer have to suffer as Daphne's potions partner. With the new year, Slughorn was sure to return them to individual study.
"Given how extraordinary you all performed on your end-of-year exams, I've decided to keep our partnership program for this year. As they say, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.'"
Harry really, really hated Professor Horace E.F. Slughorn.
"Professor, what about our OWLs ? Shouldn't we be learning on our own now?"
"Oh, Ms. Greengrass, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to smarten you all up next year. After all, OWLs aren't until fifth year."
Harry found bashing his head repeatedly against the table very tempting. He glanced at Daphne and noticed her to be in a similar state. There was a brief moment when their eyes locked but they both quickly looked away.
As per their custom, Harry was forced to pack up his station and move over next to Daphne in the front of the class.
"We both know how this works so we'll just leave it at that," said Harry as we unpacked his potions kit.
"Fine by me." She was already prepping her ingredients for their day's assignment. Halfway through setting the temperature on her cauldron, she stopped and timidly tilted her head towards him.
"I heard your speech. It was good. Effective." She spoke with her usual dryness as if their previous conversation had never occurred.
"Thank you." Harry tilted his head as well and they locked eyes briefly. "I had a lot of inspiration."
"Any time," she said as she turned away and set herself to the task of that day's assignment.
Harry didn't respond but her stared at her for a few extra seconds. He was incredibly confused about what he was feeling. He remembered why he dismissed her last night but seeing her now and the idea of being her potion's partner again made him question himself.
"Well! Stop standing there and get started. I'm not going to wait for you," she commanded forcefully, though, she didn't look at him. Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts and started working.
Those words turned out to be the last they spoke to each other for the rest of the class. Not even when Daphne needed the ingredients that Harry had prepared. She just held out her hand and waited for Harry to place them there.
There were a few moments when they would catch each other looking but all in all they acted as if the other wasn't there. Harry found it very awkward though he still couldn't figure out why. He was happy to be rid of her and not having to hear her incessant badgering and sarcastic repertoire. Oh how he was looking forward to the silence.
And yet, it had certainly kept things interesting and whether he would ever admit it or not, she was pretty handy when dealing with their house. He didn't know what to expect this year but if Malfoy's early stunt was any indication, then it could really turn ugly in a hurry.
He chanced one more look. She was entirely focused on their cauldron of Confusing Concoction. Her hair was held back in a stylish ponytail with a few strands of her bangs to frame her face. Harry thought it was a really good look for her. He took an inadvertent deep breath and could catch just a hint of vanilla.
Harry always liked vanilla.
'No! No! Stop it!'
Harry angrily stomped out the offending thoughts from his mind and returned to his work. He had to get the sneezewort ready for the final stage of their potion.
Towards the end of the class, Slughorn was making his way between the tables, commenting here and there on each group's potion. As usual, he left Harry and Daphne for last.
"And how are my two stars doing? Perfect as always, I'm sure?"
"Yes, professor," answered Harry politely.
"Everything is satisfactory." Harry rolled his eyes at Daphne's word choice.
"You know, the two of you are the reason I've extended the partnership program. Poetry in motion if I've ever seen it."
Harry and Daphne stared between them and Slughorn, clearly confused. Slughorn noticed and continued on.
"My word, don't the two of you remember your performance from last term? The way you move together; perfectly in sync. The grace, the…" Slughorn searched for the right words, "…elegance of your work, is not something I've seen in years. It's as if you two were made for each other. I see quite a future for you two." He added a suggestive wink at Harry.
Harry really wished Slughorn would stop. It was bad enough how he gushed over them but to insinuate that there was something between he and Daphne, especially given his incriminating thoughts from earlier, was making Harry very uncomfortable. He was sure it was the same for Daphne but when he quickly glanced over to her, she just looked indifferent.
Slughorn continued to prattle on about his Slug Club and how he wished that both of them would accept his invitation to join his precious club. Harry politely declined Slughorn's invitation, which Daphne echoed, and they went back to work. Slughorn moved on disappointedly and Harry and Daphne didn't speak another word to each other for the remainder of class.
Thankfully, the class bell finally rang. Harry was out the door before Slughorn could finish dismissing them. If he had turned around, though, he would have seen Daphne's face drop in dejection.
He walked hurriedly to the Great Hall. His mind was already focused on catching Danny going to dinner. He cursed not having the map. He didn't like waiting.
He didn't have to wait very long, though, as Danny arrived five minutes later and walked to him.
"Hey, Harry."
"Come on, I know where we can talk."
Danny nodded and followed behind Harry. They walked to the main staircase and waited for the stairs to take them to the third-floor corridor. From there, it was a short walk to the abandoned classroom where Harry and the twins usually met.
Harry opened the door and ushered Danny inside. He then locked and silenced the door. He leaned back against the door and released a long tired sigh of relief.
"You alright?" asked Danny, already knowing the answer.
"Long day," stated Harry simply.
"Yeah, I know the feeling." Danny pulled out his wand and haphazardly tossed it on the front desk.
"Wand not working out?" Harry asked rhetorically.
"It's a bloody mess." An obviously frustrated Danny dropped on top a desk. "I can do everything they ask for but not with that bleeding thing."
"Don't let Mum hear you talking like that." Harry could just barely catch a ghost of a smile on Danny's face. Harry smiled shyly as well. It was nice to recapture a little of normality between him and his brother. Harry moved over and settled down in front of Danny.
"So, want to tell me what's been bothering you?"
Danny shrugged a little. "I'm just tired of being kept out of the loop, is all?"
"What do you think we're keeping from you?" Harry couldn't think of anything.
"That I'm a freak," said Danny despairingly. "That I'm going to destroy the world."
"Danny…"
"I don't want to be like this, Harry!" His eyes shot up and stared into Harry's. They showed far more sadness and fear then should be in any eleven year old.
"I don't want everyone staring at me, watching everything I do. Today in class, they all watched me and I could see their disappointment when every professor said that I wasn't allowed to participate."
Danny looked away and hung his head.
"I don't know why they did but everyone just looked as if I was impotent, like I should have insisted so they could all see what I can do. I wanted so badly to throw that damn wand at them and show them."
Danny took the bracelet off and allowed his magic to make his hands glow. They both just stared at it for a second. Underneath the skin, pulses of tiny balls of light went up and down his hand and disappeared into his arm.
"To show them that I can do things that they could never even imagine!" The way Danny sound had a different nature to it, like he knew something that no one else did.
But the moment the thought entered Harry's mind, Danny dropped his hands, extinguished the light, and put the bracelet back on.
"But I can't, can I?" Danny looked up to Harry with a frown.
"Why do you think you're going to destroy the world, Danny?" Harry asked carefully, recognizing that he needed to tread lightly around the delicate subject.
"I heard you speaking with Mum and Dad. I heard you guys say that I'm going to cause the extinction of our race." Danny spoke slowly and his despondency was prevalent with every word.
Harry wasn't expecting that. Danny was never to know about what had been discussed after their return from the demonstration with Dumbledore. It was a burden they didn't want Danny to carry. He looked to Danny and saw nothing but sadness, a single tear rolling down his face.
"You promised we would be in this together."
"I know. I'm sorry, Danny," Harry said sincerely.
Danny sniffed, wiped his face, and shrugged. "It's okay. I figured Mum and Dad said not to tell me."
"So why have you been so distant?"
Danny shrugged again. "Still made me upset and, I guess, I wanted you to feel what it's like to not know what's going on."
Harry got up and rested on the desk beside Danny. "Felt more than that, I'll tell you."
"Sucks, huh?"
Harry loudly hummed an affirmative. "I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know who we can trust or how we're going to get through this." Harry looked over and met his brother's eyes. "But if we're still together, then I know we'll win."
Danny didn't speak, he only nodded his head but Harry could see from the way Danny looked at him that he had his brother back.
"Still brothers?"
"Yeah." Danny smirked a little. "Hermione aside, you're the only one that treats me like I'm normal."
Harry was careful not to show his guilt. He was going to have to find out more about Danny and Granger's relationship. But by the sounds of it, there was going to be little he could actually do to stop them from being friends.
'But Merlin knows if she doesn't learn how to talk without resembling a tomato.'
"What about Fred and George?"
Danny sought how to put it delicately. "They're…odd."
Harry slung his arm over Danny's shoulder. "You get used to them."
November 1991
The next two months were filled with ups and downs for Harry and Danny. Danny was still having issues controlling his magic while using the fake wand. The whole process was just very unnatural for him and it only served to further shake his confidence. Thankfully, now that they were back on speaking terms, Harry was able to show Danny his training ground in the forest so that he could practice with his magic without the new bracelet. Their parents were almost frantic when Harry reported the crack in Danny's bracelet. They quickly sent the other one but their problem was clear; the bracelets were not a long-term viable option to contain Danny's magic. Control became all the more important.
"Alright Danny, aim for the middle one."
Set up fifty feet from them, three butterbeer bottles floated for target practice.
"Which way?" asked Danny as he eyed his target.
"Normal way. You still need to practice your wand skills." Harry would only occasionally have Danny use the orbs, only enough to keep his proficiency up. It was far more important for Danny to practice using his fake wand. The last thing they needed was for someone to notice that Danny's spells weren't always coming from the wand's tip. Plus, he still needed to practice the spells they were going over in class.
Danny nodded. He raised his wand and took aim.
"Reducto!"
His wand trembled a little before a jet of blue exploded from the handle side. The spell shot forth and easily eliminated the middle target.
"Damn it!" Danny yelled in frustration. It still appeared as if the spell was coming from his hand.
Harry held up his hands to placate him. "It's alright, Danny. We're making progress."
"It's been two months, Harry! I should be better at this by now. We've been lucky no one's noticed yet."
Harry put a comforting hand on Danny's shoulder. "Don't worry about that. Dumbledore's made sure the professors won't ask you to perform magic in front of the class. Not until we can get this down pat."
Danny turned the wand in his hand as if he would find the correct way to use it. "I know but now everyone thinks I can't do magic at all."
That was probably the hardest on Danny. They quickly found out that Dumbledore had instructed the professors to refrain from having Danny perform any magic in class. In fact, Danny rarely, if ever, did any form of magic away from here in the forest.
It was safe to say that most were disappointed and Danny even had gotten in a few confrontations where people demanded that he do something or called him a squib. Luckily, Harry or the twins were always there to break it up; thanks in large part to the map.
"We both know that's not true so don't worry about them."
"I know, it just sucks," said Danny as he looked back to the target. He scrunched up his face and tilted his head to the side. "At least I hit the right one this time."
Harry nodded along. "True, your aim is really coming around."
They decided to call it for the day and started their warm down.
"So how's life as King of Slytherin?" asked Danny with a smile. He still got a kick out of it that the whole school thought Harry was evil. If only they knew that he sucked his thumb until he was eight.
"Oh you know, the usual. Evil chanting while plotting to take over the wizarding world and if we're really feeling it, we'll sacrifice a goat or something." Harry bent his arm behind his head and stretched his triceps. "Not to mention how I'm planning to corrupt you and turn you over to Voldemort." Harry comically listed off with feign seriousness. "What else did Weasley say?"
"You forgot drinking the blood of unicorns," said Danny as he sat on the ground to stretch his calves.
Harry threw his hands up in the air. "Right, of course, how could I forget?"
Danny shrugged with a smile as he rose to his feet. "Ron's not that bad—Hermione can't stand him—but he's just heard too many horror stories thanks to Fred and George."
Harry had heard plenty about the twins' younger brother, Ronald. He certainly didn't sound like the sharpest tool in the shed and his eating habits were atrocious.
"Well that's his problem right there. You never believe anything the twins say."
They started towards the path that would take them back to the castle. They walked side by side with Harry's arm around Danny's shoulder.
"I've learned."
"And don't accept any food from them either."
When they reached the Great Hall for breakfast, they were met with a very determined looking first year.
"I want you to let me be Danny's friend."
Harry's eyebrows shot up at Granger's declaration and could only detect a slight amount of blush creeping up on her face when she looked at him.
For the last two months, he easily noticed that Granger never listened to his command to stay away from Danny. She would shy away whenever she noticed that Harry was watching but she clearly was still friends with his brother.
Danny was oblivious to it all. When Harry had asked how he and Granger had become friends so quickly, Danny told him the story of his first night at Hogwarts.
After Danny had left Harry on the platform, Granger was the first person to ask who he was. Danny, without thinking, had given his full name and was immediately swarmed by the other first years. He could feel his magic rising but Granger had stepped in and demanded that they leave him alone, even going as far as pulling her wand on them. Once they were both sorted into Gryffindor, it was only her and the twins who treated Danny as just another person.
During their morning workouts, Danny would often talk about her and how she would offer to help him on his school work and spells. She was extremely smart and was always looking to learn. Danny would usually joke about how he didn't really need her help but would let her because he knew it made her feel better. Harry would always quietly listen and found it very curious how Granger had ended up in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw. At the moment, though, he could see why she was a member of the courageous lions.
"What is she talking about, Harry?" Danny stared confusedly between Harry and Granger.
"Harry said I couldn't be your friend but—" started Granger quickly.
"Granger! Be silent." Harry turned to Danny. "I just wanted to make sure that you made the right sort of friends." He looked back to Granger. "And I approve."
Danny rolled his eyes. "Oh thank you, Harry. Come on, Hermione, I'm ready for some breakfast."
As Danny approached his bemused friend, Harry called out. "Danny!"
"Yeah, I know. I won't. I promise," Danny called back without looking at him.
"Good." Just because Harry approved of the friendship didn't mean that Granger was allowed to know Danny's secret.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione as she allowed Danny to lead her away.
"Nothing," Danny said quickly.
As they were making their way into the Great Hall, Harry heard Granger say, "You know, your brother is very rude."
Harry watched the pair disappear with a small smirk on his face. He hoped he had now put a dent in the bookworm's crush on him.
Not feeling particularly hungry, Harry started back towards the dungeons to take a shower. He made his way leisurely, deciding to take the long way and enjoy the scenery and portraits throughout the castle. This was among his favorite things about Hogwarts. Everything was just so beautiful all the time. It reminded him so much of the Cove and helped ease his home-sickness.
He would often take these walks to just be alone with his thoughts. He spent so much time worrying and keeping up appearances that he rarely got time for himself. There was so much pressure on him to keep everyone in his family safe that there were times that he thought he would crumble under it all. Those were the times he missed home the most. Times when he didn't have to act like the stone-faced unemotional Harry everyone thought him to be. Sometimes, he missed being just Harry; the cool older brother who wanted nothing more to live a long, happy, peaceful life with his family.
Harry didn't know if that future would happen but that was the point of everything he was doing now, wasn't it?
With that resolve, Harry had redoubled his efforts to make Hogwarts a place where he and Danny could make that future possible. His reputation had taken quite a hit when the school found out he was friends with the Weasley twins.
A Slytherin/Gryffindor alliance: unthinkable.
Malfoy certainly had tried to use it to weaken Harry's position but it didn't end very well; at least, for Malfoy. For a whole week Malfoy received, as Fred and George would say, 'The Greengrass Special.' Malfoy took the hit well but that smirk of his had certainly disappeared and he still maintained a small following among the other first years. Harry enjoyed it all immensely and really wished he could have read the letter Malfoy had surely written to his father. The best part, though, was that it had driven home the very reason Harry had approached the twins in the first place.
Do not mess with Harry Potter.
He wasn't paying much attention to where he was going and wound up in a courtyard outside the Transfiguration classroom. There were only a few students who were enjoying the early morning sun. Winter had still not yet arrived completely and Harry had the inclination to grab his homework and find a quiet spot to work. It wasn't the most exciting way to spend the weekend but Harry didn't mind at all.
He looked across the courtyard to scout out a potential study spot when he suddenly had an urge to find a different outdoor venue. Ten feet in front of him sat Daphne underneath a tree with a number of textbooks and rolls of parchment. She seemed to have the same idea as him.
Harry stood still and found himself watching her. She was twirling her bangs which was something he noticed she did whenever she had a problem she couldn't solve right away. Harry would normally step in and hold the answer over her.
He smiled: he always enjoyed that.
Things between them were awkward at best. Harry always had the sense that she wanted to talk but could never actually start the conversation. It was days later when he truly comprehended his actions towards her. If his mother had seen what he did…he shuddered. He was now left with an estranged relationship with a person that on a good day, wasn't so bad to have around. He didn't have the slightest inkling on how to fix it, never mind on actually bringing it up.
Potions was the worse. Every time they would set up stations, she would turn to speak but Harry flat out refused to look at her. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to her, he just didn't know what he'd say back.
His smile dropped and he rapidly paled when Daphne looked up and right at him. He quickly came to his senses and returned the way he came. He walked faster than usual but not fast enough it seemed.
"Harry!"
Harry stopped and closed his eyes in despair. It looked like they were finally going to have that conversation. He turned back around to see Daphne rushing after him.
"Harry, I have to talk to—" She stopped a few feet in front of him and her nose wrinkled in disgust.
Harry looked down at himself. His shirt was covered in sweat and there was definitely an odor. He looked back to Daphne, she had her hand covering her nose and shuffling away from him. He huffed and pulled his wand.
"Scourgify. Happy now?" asked Harry irritably.
"Smell," she said through a pinched nose.
Harry rolled his eyes and cast an air-freshening charm on himself. He held up his hands to present himself and hopefully now fulfilled her requirements. She dropped her hand from her nose and took a tentative sniff. Her nose still wrinkled a bit but decided it was good enough.
"Malfoy has convinced the second years—Wait! Where are you going?"
Harry started walking away as soon as she said 'Malfoy.'
"I've got it handled," he said over his shoulder, not bothering to stop.
Daphne raced up and grabbed his arm to stop him and turn him around to face her.
"Really?" she said skeptically as she crossed her arms.
"Jacobs. He keeps me appraised on everything going on. Malfoy only thinks he has the second years."
He had recruited Jacobs practically from the start. Jacobs was a popular person among his peers which would surprise most. He was neither from a particularly well off family or had the ancestry.
Harry, though, wasn't so slow on the draw. Harry's reputation intimidated most in their house and since his break from Daphne, there were few who were in Harry's circle. The twins were no longer a secret but Jacobs was one of the few that Harry didn't absolutely disdain. That put Jacobs in a very fortuitous position and, like a true Slytherin, was taking full advantage of it.
"Well…then…" Daphne paused as she searched for something to say.
"Sorry, Daphne, but if there's nothing else, then I got to go eat something." He still didn't feel very hungry but he'd do anything to get out of this.
"Don't eat the porridge. The Weasleys jinxed it to make your tongue swell up."
"I know." Harry started walking away but before he walked too far he turned around and started walking backwards with a slight smile. "Who do you think told them to do it?"
Daphne's eyes narrowed angrily and he half-wondered if she had nearly fell victim to another Weasley prank. As he walked toward the Great Hall, a new thought entered his mind and only increased his unending confusion in all things Daphne Greengrass.
'Why did she just try to help me?'
December 4th 1991
Hogwarts in winter was probably when it's at it's most beautiful, Harry thought. He loved snow and snowfall in the area had the tendency to really open up once it started. Thankfully, the stone castle had some of the best heating charms Harry had ever seen. The snow also meant the beginning of the Christmas season at Hogwarts. The staff would go all out to decorate the castle and grounds. The halls were lined with hundreds of pristine Christmas trees that made everything smell of pine. The Great Hall's candles were transfigured to look like angels and the resident ghosts, besides Peeves and the Bloody Baron, sung carols while they ate. It all made it Harry's favorite time of the year.
Except this year.
Harry and Danny were standing near the Entrance Hall, preparing to head out for their morning workout. Danny was holding a broom they had borrowed from the Quidditch closet so they could ride over the snow under their father's invisibility cloak without revealing their path to the forest. They were about to depart when Danny had told him something very distressing.
"You've agreed to what again?"
"Hermione thought it would be a good time," said Danny sheepishly.
Harry whirled around to hide clenching his teeth from Danny, desperately trying to keep from screaming. He turned back to Danny.
"I have spent two years—TWO YEARS!—avoiding that man. But oh wait! 'Hermione thought it would be a good time' so…Ahhh!" Harry finally let out a scream in frustration.
"We could just not go," Danny offered up meekly.
Harry was about to retort when a loud feminine voice called out to them.
"Danny! I made it. Where are we going to go?" Granger ran up to them, dressed in baggy sweatpants and a sweater. She smiled up to Harry with a tinge of red in her cheeks. "Hi, Harry."
Harry glared at her. Granger's smile dropped and turned to Danny. "What's wrong?"
"You told Slughorn that you and Danny will be at his Christmas party." The words sounded bitter in his mouth. And to make matters worse, Slughorn had decided to make this year's party Victorian-Era themed. Harry and Danny's wardrobes were pretty diverse but they didn't have anything from that era: because who would.
Hermione appeared confused. "Professor Slughorn is a Hogwarts teacher and has a long standing history of helping his students build relationships between prominent members of our society and—"
"Stop talking, Granger." Harry pinched the brim of his noise as he turned to Danny. "And what does she mean 'Where are we going to go?' Where are we going, Danny?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Danny smiled awkwardly. "Hermione wanted to get more involved and train with us."
An evil smile crept on Harry's face as he looked at Granger. "Does she now?"
"You're being mean, Harry." Danny stood next to his brother with his arms crossed.
"I think we've been taking it easy so far today," Harry offered innocently.
"You know what I mean."
Harry turned his head and amusingly watched Granger shuffle laboriously through the snow. There was no way Harry was going to take Granger to their spot in the forest so instead they stayed on the grounds and did wind sprints and suicides through the snow. It was easy goings for Harry and Danny, even with all the snow, but Granger didn't have an athletic bone in her body. She fell behind from the start and could barely move through the snow. She was lapped twice before she finished her first sprint.
Harry shook his head. "Nope. No idea what you're talking about."
"We don't have to go you know." Danny offered for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Of course we're going. By now, Slughorn has told everyone he can reach that the famous Daniel Potter is going to be at his party. If we back out now then someone may think we're trying to hide something—which we are, mind you—and I can't very well leave you alone with those vultures, can I?"
"And Hermione?" They both looked up to see that Hermione had tripped yet again and face planted into the snow.
Harry smiled a little despite the disapproving glare from his brother. He rolled his eyes as he finally gave in to Danny's silent plea.
"Granger!" She stopped and looked at them. "Go home."
Granger exhaustively nodded her head and sluggishly headed back to the castle without a word. Once she had disappeared into the castle, Harry and Danny ran some more drills. They eventually made their own way back to the castle but instead of heading to their respective common rooms, Harry led them to the third floor corridor where two people were waiting from them.
"Howdy doody, Harry."
"Jolly good to see you old bean."
"Shut up," said Harry as he amusingly shook his head at their antics. One of the twins started to speak but Harry raised his hand to stop him. "Before you try he's Fred and you're George. And I'd appreciate if you stop doing it to my brother."
"Gah!" George disappointedly fell back into his seat. "Always got to ruin a good thing."
"How do you know that anyway? Not even our mum can do it."
Harry ignored the question. There was no way he was ever going to tell.
"I need you two to stay here this weekend."
"But it's a Hogsmeade weekend." They whined together.
"And I have to go and get Danny and me costumes for Slughorn's party."
Fred and George were at a loss for words but that didn't stop smiles creeping onto their faces.
"Details," they said together as they scooted forward like a pair of schoolgirls at a slumber party.
Harry didn't answer, he just glared angrily at Danny.
"It was Hermione's idea!"
The twins broke down in laughter. Harry turned his glare onto them.
"We know we know, but still, you got to admit it's pretty funny."
"The Chosen One is whipped."
They both made the whipping motion with a loud, "Wuh-psssh."
"Hey Danny-B, how do you navigate all that hair?"
"Run into any birds nest yet?"
Fred and George laughed out loud and high fived each other. It was clear that they were just getting started with their teasing and Harry was going to let them.
'Hopefully it will teach Danny a lesson about letting girls manipulate him,' thought Harry while completely understanding that the same had happened to him last year.
Danny ignored them as he hesitatingly glanced at Harry, trying his best to avoid looking him in the eye.
"Um, can you also pick something up for Hermione, too?"
Harry woefully closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Wuh-psssh!"
Harry didn't have anything against Hogsmeade. His family had told him a multitude of stories about the random hijinks they got up to on the monthly visits that students were allowed once they reached third year. He had often imagined what the Shrieking Shack looked like and the different kind of sweets and pranks offered at Honeydukes and Zonkos. But, with Danny at Hogwarts, Harry wasn't about to leave him alone in the castle while he enjoyed a carefree day.
He had planned to just get his, Danny, and Granger's costumes at Gladrags Wizardwear and then return to the castle. But, once he walked down the snow-laden paths, he just couldn't help his curiosity.
All the places he'd heard off, he went. He had a butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks and was embarrassingly caught staring at Madam Rosetta's considerable bust. He tried every piece of candy in Honeydukes while picking some of Danny's favorites. He grabbed some Zonko products for the twins and picked out some Christmas gifts for his parents and uncles.
Harry rounded out his trip walking up to the Shrieking Shack. He found it particularly hilarious how amazed the small crowd of scared students looked on as he casually stepped into the supposedly haunted house. Harry gave himself a tour of the dilapidated house, making a note of the myriad of claw and teeth marks all over the walls and floors. For the first time, Harry really stopped and thought what would happen if his Uncle Moony didn't have the benefit of the Wolfsbane Potion.
The day wore on and Harry found himself mindlessly walking and enjoying the scenery. He kind of wished that the twins and Danny were with him but he found the alone time refreshing.
Once he finally found his way to Gladrags Wizardwear, the owner was well aware of Harry's need for Victorian-style dress robes but was confused by the request for two additional outfits several sizes too small and one for a female. Harry annoyingly explained the situation and paid for his purchases. As he was stepping out the store, he heard a familiar voice call his name.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to see Daphne staring quizzically at him and the three garment bags he carried. Harry did his best to ignore her and barreled forward without a word. Daphne didn't try to stop him or say anything. She just continued to puzzlingly stare at the obvious conclusion of what Harry was carrying. In a strange thought from the back of his mind, Harry felt as if he had betrayed her.
The only thing they both could always agree on was that there was no way on Earth either of them would ever attend a Slughorn event. Their mutual disdain for their Potions professor was the first instance they were ever able to find a common ground and had sparked the small flame of an actual friendship between them. And yet, if Harry had bothered to turn around, he would have seen Daphne give a long contemplative gaze between Harry and Gladrags Wizardwear before making her way into the boutique.
December 20th 1991
Harry uncomfortably fidgeted and pulled at his collar. His Victorian robes were very in keeping with the time period and there was certainly a debonair quality to it that made Harry appear very gentlemanly: if they weren't so damn constricting. Harry felt like a mummy due to how little the garment breathed.
He waited just outside the Gryffindor common room as he waited for Danny and Granger to emerge. Harry wished they would hurry so they could get the night over with. He hoped that if they arrived early then they could avoid a majority of the party's more fashionably-late guests and then leave early while still appeasing enough of Slughorn's vanity.
Harry stopped fidgeting as the Fat Lady opened to reveal Danny and Granger.
"Ready to go."
Danny nodded while Granger was too caught up staring at him. Harry tilted his head as he annoyingly sighed at the common occurrence. He violently snapped his fingers at Granger.
"Focus!"
Granger jumped in place and blushed furiously. "Sorry, Harry."
"You're regressing," Harry chided instructionally.
"I know," she replied despairingly.
When Granger attempted for the second time to join Harry and Danny for training last week, she had grown nearly catatonic when Harry had removed his shirt to cool down after a long training session.
Harry had had enough which led to a very awkward conversation between him and Granger on the nonexistent chance of anything ever happening between them. Through her embarrassment, Granger had nodded her understanding and promised to try to repress her infatuation. But, much like the present moment, Granger was still working on it.
"Be nice, Harry, and let's go or we'll be late being too early." Danny started to lead Granger along while Harry brought up the rear.
With her focus no longer on Harry, Granger quickly opened up on her expectations for the night.
"I heard Susan Bones say that her Aunt Amelia would be attending tonight. She's the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I'm really looking forward to meeting her. She sounds like quite a role-model. Imagine a woman as the head of such an important department. Though, I still think Professor McGonagall is who I prefer. She's so knowledgeable and authoritative, don't you think?"
"She is sufficiently scary," agreed Danny.
Granger laughed and swatted at Danny's shoulder. "You're so funny some times, Danny."
"Is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing…?" She looked behind her to ask Harry but stopped at his stern expression. She cowered a bit and turned back to Danny. "…Danny?"
Danny shrugged. "No one really. I'm not supposed to talk to anyone."
"Oh, right because of your secret." Granger walked a few steps before she realized that Harry and Danny had stopped.
"What do you mean?" Harry really hoped that he had misheard her.
"Whatever it is about Danny's magic that people can't know." Granger nervously played with the seams of her skirt and tried her best not to look at Harry.
Harry glared accusingly at Danny.
"I didn't tell her, I swear," said Danny with his hands up. Harry could tell he was telling the truth so he rounded on Granger.
"I—"
"Stop. Don't say another word." Harry interrupted. He scanned up and down the hall before he roughly grabbed her and Danny and dragged them to the nearest empty classroom. He closed, locked and silenced the door before he rounded on Hermione.
"Tell me what you think you know."
"I-I—" She was picking at her fingers and biting her bottom lip really hard.
Harry easily saw how scared she was and realized that he was the cause. Feeling guilty, Harry guided her to the nearest chair and knelt down to her level.
"Listen, Granger, I…" Hermione instantly clammed up and refused to look at him. Harry looked back to Danny for support. Danny grabbed another chair, sat next Hermione, and grabbed her hands comfortingly.
"Hermione, it's very important for us to know what you know. Not just for us but for your own safety."
"Well…" Hermione took a deep breath before she launched off like a rocket. "Danny never uses magic and the teachers always excuse him from practicing new spells. I thought it was strange that Danny didn't use magic but then I remembered the first night when everyone was crowding Danny and I remembered that his hands looked brighter somehow. At first, I thought I was just imagining it but that was when I noticed a red glowing light from under Danny's shirt sleeve. A couple days later I caught a glimpse of a black bracelet with a big red ruby. I thought it was special so I went to the library and did some research. There aren't many magical bracelets that use rubies except for something called Devil's Grip but, of course, that's ridiculous because why would Danny wear a bracelet that would take away his magic. I have heard some people say that Danny's a squib. I didn't know what that was but when I looked it up in the library, I figured there was no way that was true. I looked up the prophecy and it said that a haloed moon had blessed Danny with the power to destroy something unnatural so he definitely had to have some kind of magical ability. So that's when I got to thinking that there must be something different about Danny's magic and you had to keep it secret."
Harry and Danny couldn't hold back their gobsmacked expressions. Granger sheepishly looked between them.
"I didn't want to bring it up because we had just met and I didn't want to ruin things." Hermione paused as she started picking at her fingers even harder.
"Ruin what?" inquired Danny.
"I-I-I've never had friends before and I was worried that if I told you what I knew that we couldn't be friends anymore."
Harry and Danny looked between them for what they should do next. Danny moved first and wrapped Hermione in a hug. She instantly latched on and squeezed him tightly.
"You don't have to worry, Hermione. We'll always be friends."
Hermione didn't respond but tearfully nodded into his shoulder.
Harry rose to his feet and put his hands on his hips as he contemplated what to do next. He was constantly worried that something like this would happen and if Granger could figure it out then what's to stop someone else from doing the same. All their precautions—Danny always wearing long-sleeve shirts to hide the bracelet, the teachers excusing his participation—undone by an eleven-year-old. And now, he had to do something he wished he would never have to do. He pulled his wand which didn't escape Danny's notice.
"What are you doing, Harry?" he said as he positioned himself between Harry and Hermione.
"I've been practicing the Memory Charm in case someone ever saw something they shouldn't." Harry shuffled to the left to get a clearer shot.
"No! You can't!" Danny moved to block him again.
Harry tried to get a different look but Danny wouldn't budge. "Move aside, Danny. I promised Dad that I would protect you and she knows too much."
"You don't have to do this, Harry. We can trust her," pleaded Danny.
"I can't take that risk. The spell will wipe all memories of you from her mind." Harry moved forward and pushed Danny aside.
"No!" Danny's voice grew and his hands stared to glow brighter. Harry looked away from the trembling Granger.
"Danny, stop it!"
"No! I won't let—" Danny stopped when Granger slipped her hand in his, completely unfazed by the growing light.
"It's okay, Danny." Granger stood and moved in front of Danny to draw his eyes away from Harry. "It's okay. Harry is just doing what he thinks is best," she said with tears leaking down her face.
Danny's face fell as he dropped his hands and extinguished the light. He gave her hand a firm squeeze as he silently apologized for what was about to occur.
Hermione turned around and cast her head down as she waited for Harry to perform the spell to wipe her memory. Harry gripped his wand tighter as indecision rocked his mind. He was confident he could perform the spell correctly but the consequences would be severe. There were so many risks to her knowing what she knew but if he did this then things would never be the same again between him and Danny. He was sure that Danny would never forgive him for taking away his first friend's memories. Harry knew that he shouldn't compare his own experience with the first friend he made but the thought of Grey, or anyone outside the family, knowing about Danny was terrifying to him.
But Granger was different. She was passionate, kind, and a good friend to Danny. Sure, her little crush on him was tiresome but her eagerness to help endured her to him. Plus, she and Danny already had a tremendous bond given the short amount of time they knew each other. The two were outsiders in their house; Danny for his supposed inability to do magic and Hermione for her thirst of knowledge and bossy attitude. What was worse, and more and more apparent every day, was that Danny really was all Granger had.
It was that thought that made Harry drop his wand.
"Fine. You're part of this now, Granger."
Hermione nodded confidently as she wiped her eyes. "You can trust me. I won't say a word, I promise."
Harry nodded his head. "Let's go. We're going to be late being early. Granger, I want you to stay close to Danny." He looked to his brother. "Keep her from talking too much."
Harry could tell that Danny was still angry at him but nodded regardless as he escorted Granger to the door. Harry followed closely behind them and they soon arrived at the banquet room Slughorn had set up for his party.
Harry's plan to arrive early and avoid a majority of the crowd proved somewhat correct. The room was marginally full with various people of varying levels of importance. Harry had to physically retrain the fan-boy in himself when he saw Gwenog Jones, captain of the all-female Holyhead Harpies. They weren't his favorite team but who wouldn't love a Quidditch team made entirely of young athletic women. He wasn't ashamed to admit that he had of rather large poster of her on his wall at the Cove.
Harry's eyes glazed over a little. 'She wicks and blows a kiss at me.'
Also in attendance, Harry recognized Madam Bones and her niece Susan. There was Ambrosius Flume, owner of Honeydukes, and Barnabas Cuffe, editor of the Daily Prophet. There were also a number of people who appeared to be from other countries.
"Oh blessed Merlin, you came!" Slughorn wobbled over to him, his face already flush from the sherry he was holding. He grabbed hold of Danny's hand and shook it excessively. He made a play to put his arm around Danny's shoulder and lead him away but Harry intercepted it for a handshake.
"Professor Slughorn, thank you for inviting us."
"Oh, Mr. Potter, it was my pleasure. Quite overdo, wouldn't you say? And Ms. Granger, how lovely to see you. Come Daniel, I have some people I'd like you to meet." Slughorn tried once again to lead away but Harry interceded again.
"Professor Slughorn, I'm sure Hermione would appreciate if you could introduce her to Madam Bones. She's a great inspiration for her." Harry nudged Granger forward. He didn't like the idea of sending Granger off but he needed time to ease the tension between him and Danny.
"Yes, Professor, it would mean a lot to me." Harry could still hear some shakiness in her voice.
Ever the socialite, Slughorn took the situation in stride. "Of course, right this way, Ms. Granger. Something about Amelia you'll love…"
Harry led Danny away to the food table. They grabbed a small plateful and moved away to an empty corner.
"Alright, we'll stay for another ten minutes and then we'll go."
"I'm not leaving without Hermione." There was obviously a lot of anger in Danny's tone.
"We'll get her before we leave. I don't want her to stay any longer then we have to."
They didn't speak for a moment and Harry felt plenty of tension between them. The longer they stood in silence, the worse Harry felt about what happened. He didn't think he was wrong but it could have been handled better. Finally, Harry leaned in and apologized.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I know she's your friend and I should have trusted you. But I promised—"
"—I know, 'you promised Dad that you'd protect my secret,'" Danny angrily finished. "But it's like you think that I can't do it myself. That I can't make any decisions."
"I know you can." Harry grabbed Danny's shoulder so they could look each other in the eyes. "I do. But there are things that we don't know. People we don't know if we can trust. You. Me. That's who I trust, that's it."
Danny stepped forward. "And I'm telling you that we can trust Hermione. She spends all her time studying spells that I've never even heard of and she gets them almost instantly. She's a genius. Smarter than you, I think."
Harry gave him a scathing look. Danny smirked.
"I'm just saying, she can help us."
Harry nodded slowly as he started to come around to the idea.
"Alright but she'll need to start Occlumency right away and she better master it as fast as you say she can."
"I'll train her." Danny laughed a little. "It'll be nice to actually know something she doesn't for a change."
Harry looked over where Granger was standing. She was talking animatingly to Madam Bones and he could see an amused expression on the politician's face at the girl's enthusiasm. Harry nudged Danny and motioned towards her.
"You better get over there and make sure she doesn't tell them everything."
"You're going to let me go over there by myself," asked Danny skeptically.
"You said I should trust you," Harry smirked with a small nudge forward, "and I do."
Danny looked back and forth between Harry and the crowd of people before he quickly caught on. "You just don't want to have to talk to them, do you?"
"There's that."
Danny grabbed another plate and filled it with food that Harry could only assume was for Granger. As he walked off he turned and said with a big sarcastic smile, "Try to relax, Harry. It's a party."
Harry attempted to playfully grab him but Danny was too quick. Now that he was alone, Harry wandered through the growing crowd of people while always keeping a close eye on Danny and Granger. A few people would occasionally stop him and ask who he was but most lost interest once they found out he wasn't the Potter they were looking for. Harry didn't mind. It made things simpler if people didn't pay attention to him.
Danny, on the other hand, was the center of the party. Most seemed to simply want to shake his hand or have their picture taken by the photographer Barnabas Cuffe had brought with him. Harry actually found it funny that all these important people were acting like little fan-girls and all because of his little brother. Danny, though, handled it gracefully and Harry couldn't see any discomfort from all the attention.
"You're the brother, right?"
"I…" Harry turned and almost collapsed when he saw who was talking to him. Gwenog Jones stood right in front of him with a very confused expression. That's when Harry realized that he hadn't finished his thought and yet his mouth was still moving.
"Quite a wordsmith," said Gwenog Jones.
Harry blushed with a goofy smile and laugh. Gwenog smiled knowingly, mostly likely used to this particular kind of reaction.
"The two of you look well trained." She squared up on him and gripped his biceps. "Very strong. I'd say either beater or chaser for you with my money on chaser."
"I-I-well-umm-I…" Harry didn't know what was wrong with him. He knew the words he wanted to say but for some reason he couldn't say it.
Her eyes were just so blue.
"Relax, I only recruit women."
"For the Harpies!" Harry finally managed a sentence but ended up screaming it.
Gwenog laughed. "Right. So tell me, anyone on your team I should see?"
Harry struggled to find the way to say that he wasn't on the Quidditch team without losing the opportunity to keep talking to her.
'She's so pretty.'
Harry looked away for a second to try and see if it could help him focus when he saw someone that really confused him. Without even thinking, he walked away from Gwenog Jones and stepped right in Daphne's path.
"What are you doing here?" Harry was right in Daphne's face, his tone emotionless.
"I was invited, same as you," she replied coolly, staring right back at him with her usual indifference.
Harry looked around before he gripped her underneath her arm and escorted her to one of the more secluded corners of the room. She offered little resistance and didn't bat an eye at his actions.
He couldn't comprehend why Daphne was here. Coupled with the previous events with Granger, he didn't like all the surprises he had encountered this evening. The night certainly wasn't going the way Harry thought it would.
When Harry released her, he took a few steps in a small circle as he collected his thoughts. Feeling a little more in control, he rounded on her.
"You and I both know that there is nothing that could make either of us come to one of these."
"And yet here you are," she said in her usual wry tone.
"Not by choice."
"And what makes you think that the same doesn't go for me?"
That took the wind right out of Harry's sails and the conversation took a new turn. Daphne's normal apathetic persona faltered and Harry saw genuine sincerity in her expression.
"I'm here because I still need yo—"
"Great Merlin me, my two star pupils are here," interrupted an even rosier Slughorn. He looked merrily between them. "And together it seems. What did I tell you, Harry?" He whacked Harry hard on the back. "I see great things from the two of you."
Harry, though, still hadn't taken his eyes from Daphne and what she almost finished saying. She too hadn't stopped staring at him, though, she showed signs of annoyance at Slughorn's presence.
Inside, Harry was fighting a battle with himself. He could either take the out that Slughorn had provided or finally clear the air once and for all between him and his one-time 'friend.' With a look at Daphne and Slughorn, he came to a decision.
"Forgive me, Professor, but could you give us a moment."
"Oh yes, of course, I understand," he said with a wink as he waddled away.
Now that they alone once more, Harry turned back to Daphne.
"You have one minute."
"I…" Daphne stopped herself as she sought for the right words. They stood in silence with Harry's impatience growing.
"Fifty seconds."
"I'm not used to this, okay?" she fired off, clearly annoyed. "I'm not used to being around people or having to consider what others want, especially if it's not what I want."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "And why should I care?"
"Because I know you do," she replied emphatically which through Harry for a loop. "It was why you broke our deal. You weren't mad at me, you were mad because you thought you had lost your brother. Don't think I didn't notice you staring at him the whole night of the Sorting. He brushed you off and you took it out on me. I would suspect nothing less from a meathead like you but that doesn't mean that I don't know you. You try hard to make people think you don't care but I've seen you with him. I've seen just how much you care."
"He's my brother, of course I care about him?"
"And the Weasleys?" she countered, hoping to push him into a corner.
"They've earned it."
"And I'm asking for the same."
Harry was about to lay into her that it wasn't something you could just ask for when he yet again saw someone he did not expect. This time, though, an unbridled fear coursed through his very being.
Cornelius Fudge, Lucius and Draco Malfoy had just entered and were immediately greeted by Slughorn. Harry couldn't hear what they were saying but he easily read Fudge's lips say 'Daniel Potter.'
Harry quickly searched and found Danny and Hermione by one of the other hors d'oeuvres tables. Luckily, there was a healthy-sized crowd blocking Slughorn from pointing them out. He then grabbed hold of Daphne, startling her, and stared intently in her eyes.
"You say you want my help?"
"Yes," she answered with no hesitation.
"Then distract them." Harry indicated with his head.
Daphne turned to see to whom Harry was referring and realization quickly dawned upon her.
"I can do that," she said as she turned back to him. "But you and I haven't finished this discussion."
Daphne then walked off to complete Harry's task while he discreetly moved across the room towards Danny and Hermione; all the while keeping a close eye on Fudge and the Malfoys.
"This has been fantastic. Don't you think, Danny?"
"It's not bad—"
"Danny! Follow me, right now!"
"What's wrong?"
Harry motioned slightly behind him. When, Danny peered around him, his eyes bulged.
"Hermione, let's go."
Hermione had the good sense not to question what's going on and followed Harry as he lead them to one of the other doors to the banquet room. When they reached the door, Harry pushed them through.
"Get back to the common room and stay there until I call you on the mirrors. Understand?"
"You're staying?" asked Danny incredulously.
Harry steeled himself. "I'm finishing this."
Danny nodded.
Hermione grabbed hold of Danny's hand. "You can count on me, Harry. We won't stop for anything."
Danny smiled coyly in an 'I told you so' manner as he and his friend raced off.
Harry, though, didn't smile back. The world around him slowed to the point that it seemed like the crowd around him was moving at a crawl. Harry never let his eyesight wander. There was nothing that could distract him, not even Gwenog Jones.
He moved through the crowd stoically until he came upon Slughorn, Fudge, the Malfoys, and Daphne. Fudge saw him first.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, how wonderful to see you again?"
"Minister, Lord Malfoy," greeted Harry with slight bow.
"The Minister and I were just talking about how we were hoping for the chance to meet your brother. Draco has told us so very little about him." Harry still couldn't stand the oily way Lucius spoke.
"Yes, I was just looking for him when Ms. Greengrass came and asked us about the state of things in Bulgaria." Slughorn clearly was ignorant to the confrontation before him.
Harry smiled politely. "I'm afraid Daniel is not feeling well. I sent him off to bed to sleep it off."
"Of course you did," was Lucius's glib response.
"How strange? He appeared in good spirits when I last spoke with him, not ten minutes ago." Slughorn once again showed off his naïveté.
"Must have been something he ate." Harry really wished that Slughorn would leave.
"Hmmm, I'll have to go check with the elves. Wouldn't want anyone else to get sick."
Slughorn walked off quickly. Once alone, all manner of politeness vanished from Lucius and Fudge.
"Well played, Mr. Potter," said Lucius. He then turned his attention to Daphne. "How lovely to see that you and Ms. Greengrass are still so close? Draco, here, had told me you two had had a falling out." Lucius patted his son on the back but Draco still didn't speak.
"We did." Harry pointedly stare at Daphne to indicate that she should leave. Daphne, though, completely ignored him.
"We've come to a new understanding."
Harry didn't agree but now wasn't the time to voice it. Lucius, meanwhile, displayed the trademark Malfoy smirk.
"I'm sure the Krums would be interested to hear that." Daphne showed no obvious signs of discomfort but Harry was well practiced at reading her and could see the subtle signs of her trepidation.
"I've recently started a new business venture with Aleksandar Krum. He and I will be working closely for years to come." The implications were evident. Daphne tried to keep her composure while Harry wondered why Lucius would be so interested in blocking Daphne's relationship with the Bulgarian family.
"As well as boosting our international cooperation. I'm afraid that the Bulgarian Minister isn't the easiest man to work with. The man doesn't even understand English, for Merlin's sake," interjected Fudge.
"Whatever the Malfoy family can do to help our country." Again, Harry read between the lines and realized that Fudge and Lucius weren't referring to the same cause.
"Perhaps Mr. Potter could see it within himself to do the same." Fudge showed absolutely no subtly.
"I have little interest in such things and I can say the same for my brother," said Harry with absolute finality.
"Mr. Potter, this hostility has gone far enough. No one in our administration means your brother any harm."
Harry looked Lucius right in the eyes as he said, "I know exactly what you want from Daniel."
Lucius tilted his head slightly and his nose twitched. Harry then turned his attention back to Fudge.
"But like I said, Daniel's not feeling well."
Fudge gave him a pointed stare before he released a drawn out breath in frustration. There was little he could do to force Harry to do what he wanted. It would be very politically unwise to force his will against an Heir Apparent of a Noble and Most Ancient House, especially the house of the Chosen One.
"Lucius, I'm going to go speak with Amelia since we're here, care to join me?"
"In a moment, Cornelius. I want Draco to meet some of the other guests."
"It's important that people know the Malfoy Family is a part of this world and will continue to be so." Draco donned his trademark smirk as he said his first words of the encounter.
"Well said young man," said Fudge as he turned to Harry and Daphne and gave them an expression that said they could learn something from the Malfoy scion.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Potter, Ms. Greengrass."
Before Fudge could get too far, Harry called out to him.
"Minister, I should warn you that Daniel has a history of not feeling well." Harry turned and look Lucius right in the eyes. "I wouldn't want you to waste your time in the future."
With that, Harry walked out of the banquet hall with Daphne following closely behind him.