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A/N: Here is my Christmas gift to you all. As always, please enjoy and review.

Chapter XIX

March 1993

Harry stopped in the doorway of the Great Hall and took a deep breath. It was a wonder what full nights of sleep and days without world-altering visions could do to make each morning feel amazing. Daphne truly was a miracle-worker over a cauldron. It turned out the reason for his defective potions had been the simple mistake of not taking into account the lunar cycle in the time and length of his stirring and temperature control. And that little screw up gave him a new understanding of the word 'lunacy.'

"Honestly Harry, it's a wonder you ever woke up at all." Harry constantly heard Daphne say in his mind.

From that point forward, Daphne was in complete control of his sleep. It only made Harry feel a little uneasy but, thus far, she had only supplied him more Dreamless Sleep. It was amazing how things changed for Harry now that he could have the sleep he needed and not deal with the hallucinations and nausea.

The time he spent training with Danny, Fred, George, and Hermione had finally gotten to the level that he expected. Danny still had some issues with his magic but Harry was finally seeing an increase in his confidence. The acceptance of Granger and the twins had proven to be a very positive influence on him.

As for the others, it always caused Harry to feel a weird kind of satisfaction when he'd watch Fred and George pass out from exhaustion or when he heard that Granger had followed the social norm of using History of Magic as nap-time. Maybe there was hope that she would lighten up.

Harry had even had the brief thought that his dating life would also improve but besides Hermione, who Harry only spoke to when he had to, Daphne now stood as the only willing female to talk to him. Cho Chang had disproved some of her reputation and feed the Hogwarts's rumor mill that Harry was a budding sociopath. Something Harry had to admit his actions in Hogsmeade didn't entirely dissuade.

Harry truly didn't mind that he was no longer the object of affection among the female population. What it allowed now was that Harry spent even more time with Daphne, something that Harry was growing quite fond of. It was a very close second to spending time with his brother. Nothing about their relationship had changed outwardly but ever since Daphne had revealed that night with her mother, the two of them had a new closeness. They still had their petty fights and traded insults like nobody's business but now there was a new definitive understanding between the two of them.

His eyes scanned the Slytherin table and quickly found Daphne on the far end. As he walked that way, he smiled softly that all those previously smiling faces now stared at him with disgust and even a little fear.

When he made it to Daphne, he noticed that there was an empty seat next to her that already had a full plate of food. It made him have the outlandish thought that someone else was with her but as he started to take the seat on the other side of her, Daphne stopped him.

"What are you doing? You're seating here." She indicated to the seat with the food.

"What's that then?" He pointed at the plate.

"Your breakfast," she said in an ostensible manner.

"What?" Harry didn't understand. Daphne didn't do nice things: ever.

"I made a plate for you." There was a slightly annoyed edge to her voice.

Harry took a moment to think. He tried to remember any time that he had done something charitable for her that would cause her to return the favor but he couldn't. The only real thing he could think of was when she had confessed what happened to her mother. Perhaps she wanted to thank him for listening. Perhaps this was a sign that things were changing between them. And yet...

"What?" he asked in the same confused manner, though, more pronounced this time.

"This is a plate." She held up said object. "You put food on it." She presented the scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. "Then you eat the food." She mimed eating, really lying it on thick.

Harry finally took his seat and glared at her for her cheek. He still didn't fully trust her intentions and leaned forward to sniff the contents. He couldn't detect a sign of the usual poisons but there were still some that were odorless.

He was about to pull his wand to test for them when Daphne intercepted his arm and showed unusual strength in stopping him.

"Quit being an ass. Now here, drink this," she hissed as she offered him a goblet.

"What is it?" He still couldn't shake his suspicions but grabbed the goblet, nonetheless.

"Pumpkin juice, you twit!"

Harry minded the cup carefully. By all appearance, it certainly looked and smelled like pumpkin juice. And yet still, he couldn't trust her sudden and unusual charity.

"Jacobs!" Harry called over his would-be 'assistant.' Jacobs rushed to Harry's side and stood at attention.

"Yes, sir."

Harry held up the goblet to him but kept his eyes on Daphne. He wanted to catch any hesitation to allow someone else to drink her offering. Daphne, though, gave no such indication except that of extreme annoyance.

"Drink this."

Jacobs, appearing slightly confused, grasped the goblet and took a tentative sip. Harry kept a close eye out for any discolorations but Jacobs appeared unchanged. Harry, though, leaned over and grabbed a slice of bacon.

"Now eat this."

Jacobs did so and didn't immediately start vomiting as Harry expected.

"Anything else, sir?" Jacobs asked, still somewhat confused but still willing.

"No, Jacobs. Thank you." As Jacobs walked away, Harry remembered something he needed to mention. "Jacobs! Come back!"

Jacobs rushed back to Harry's side. "Yes, sir."

"Please inform Franklin and Christenson that I know that they are responsible for the hexing of first years. They will turn themselves in or deal with me."

For some time there had been reports of schoolyard hexing (Leg-Locking, Tripping, and such) happening in the halls between classes. No one had been able to ascertain the identities of those responsible but seeing as how none of the victims had been from Slytherin House, it became quite obvious that Harry had some bad sheep in his house. From there, it didn't take Harry too long to discover that two of his third years, the aforementioned Franklin and Christenson, were the culprits.

"Right away." Jacobs then scurried off.

"After you've finished your breakfast..." Harry's voice died off as Jacobs was already out of the Great Hall. Jacobs was always too eager to follow his orders.

'Definitely an Auror family.'

Harry turned back to Daphne and took a sip of the pumpkin juice and then set about his meal.

After a few bites, Daphne spoke.

"That really wasn't a very nice thing you did."

"Can you blame me? You don't remember—"

"Oh no, not that. You were right to suspect that." Harry suddenly didn't feel so good. He could feel his insides start to squirm. "I mean what you did to Jacobs."

Harry hung his head, feeling the fool. Why did he let himself be tricked by her again?

"What's going to happen?" He could already start to feel the pit of his stomach start to ache.

"Your body will purge itself entirely," she said clinically. "And Jacobs's now because of you, I suppose," she added as an afterthought.

"For how long?" Harry prayed he'd like the answer.

"Seven to eight hours."

He didn't.

"Why?" Harry tried not to sound pitiful but it wasn't working out so well.

"We need to flush out what remains of you poorly brewed potion and start you on your way to recovery." She still sounded like she was reading from a textbook.

"And how many times will I need to do this?" Again, Harry hoped for good news.

"Twice a week, probably until the end of term." And was sorely disappointed once more.

Harry stared at her incredulously as she made to stand up.

Daphne shrugged at him. "It's your own fault."

"And the reason for not telling me?"

"This conversation," she replied nonchalantly with a hint of a smile.

"You're a terrible human being." For a moment, Harry truly believed it so as he got up from his seat. His body felt about ready to burst.

Daphne just shrugged like she didn't care. Well, she probably did, just not in the way Harry would have liked her to.

Harry had to move quickly or else he was going to start spewing all over the Great Hall. He needed to find the nearest bathroom and quick.

"Harry!" Danny and Hermione had just then entered the Great Hall and intercepted Harry.

Harry didn't dare open his mouth to speak but he didn't have much time left before he started shooting out both ends.

"We've discovered something." Hermione said excitedly.

"Hagrid just told us—" started Danny before Hermione his arm to stop him.

"Not here, Danny. We should go to the Room."

"Right, sorry." It was then that Danny finally noticed that Harry wasn't doing so well. "Harry? Are you okay?"

It was too late. His mouth opened and a whole manner of hell erupted from him: all over his brother and Hermione.

He hated her. Forget every nice thing he ever said about her. By Merlin's name, he now hated her completely.

Harry's head remained firmly within the toilet bowl. The contents in which was an ugly purplish black, a sign of the potion leaving his body. He would remain in this condition until it returned to its normal greenish-yellow color.

Generally, he would only have to do this two or three times but because he was still on a regiment of Dreamless Sleep, it would take to about the end of term for him to be done with it, like Daphne had said.

Daphne. Oh how he hated her.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Danny asked nervously outside the open stall. Hermione had managed to clean herself and Danny with a well-performed Scourgify but there was still an odor of bile in the air around them. They both were looking forward to a nice, long shower but they wanted to report what they found before doing so.

"I'm fin—" Harry's head returned to the basin.

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione.

"Uhhh, not really," Harry moaned as another wave sickness hit him.

"What'd you do to Daphne?" asked Danny, slightly amused. It no longer worried him that Harry and Daphne had regular bouts against each other that usually left someone in a great deal of discomfort.

Harry didn't answer the question and instead asked his own.

"What'd you and Granger find out?"

"Wouldn't you rather wait until you're better?" asked Hermione while trying to hide her own revulsion.

Harry waved a finger around his head. "Need something to keep my mind off it."

Danny looked to Hermione and motioned for her to proceed.

"Danny and I were visiting Hagrid and we managed to get him to admit that he was the one that took whatever it is from Gringotts before the break-in and that it's more than just Fluffy that's guarding it."

"Did you manage to find out what it is?" They had spent so much time looking for references to Nicolas Flamel and what he may have to do with all this but had nothing to show for it.

"No," Hermione replied despairingly. "Hagrid realized what we were doing and made us leave."

"Anything else?" In truth, it didn't amount to much or get them any closer to solving this mystery.

"Yeah, never tell Hagrid a secret."

Harry didn't need Danny to tell him that. He liked the half-giant but loose lips, sink ships and this time the ship was the school and everyone in it.

"We're still okay, though, right? I mean, if the teachers and Dumbledore have put more protections around it then it'll stay safe." Hermione always showed a great amount of faith in Dumbledore and the staff. Harry figured it stemmed from her past before she knew she was a witch. Her teachers were probably the closest thing she had to friends.

"Hopefully," said Danny.

"Whoever's after it was powerful enough to break into Gringotts and get out without being caught." It was all Harry had to say. If someone could do what was believed to be impossible, then a few teachers would prove little challenge.

"You don't think it's Him, do you?" Danny didn't need to identify who 'Him' referred to for Harry to know.

"I don't know."

"Shouldn't we go to Professor Dumbledore now?" asked Hermione.

"Soon." Dumbledore would need irrefutable evidence or at least a suspect: they had neither. Until then, "He'll most likely tell us that everything is under control and we shouldn't worry."

"That should be enough then, right? Professor Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of the age. Surely no one will try to go after it while he's here." Hermione tried to sound confident but Harry could still hear her nervousness.

Harry didn't want to remind her that Dumbledore wasn't always at the school. That affairs of state sometimes required the headmaster to the leave for extended periods of time. All the thief needed to do was wait for the right moment.

"We'll keep up the watch, regardless. I've got the map," said Harry before his head returned to the toilet.

"Ummm, Harry?" started Danny, wincing as he listened to his brother's retching. "Wouldn't it be better if I took it back? You know, until you're better."

Harry would argue but Danny had a good point. Amidst all this, he was still dealing with his new treatment and running Slytherin House. Meanwhile, Danny and Granger were already accustomed to watching the map and keeping an eye on those that strayed too often around the third floor.

Harry reached into his robes and pulled out the map. As he handed it to Danny, he said, "You come to me first if you notice anything, got it?"

They both nodded.

Harry stepped through into the Slytherin Common Room with his arm across his gut still feeling a little uneasy. He no longer felt the need to stick his head in a toilet bowl but a day of vomiting was anything but pleasant.

"Harry! Over here!"

Harry looked up to see Daphne in their usual spot in the corner. His narrowed his eyes at her but she still continued to wave him over. Knowing that she'd just follow him if he tried to leave, he shuffled over to her and dropped into his chair across from her.

"How was your day?" she asked knowing full well how his day went but acting like she didn't.

Harry glared at her.

"Jacobs was released from the hospital wing, he got back just before you did." She pointed to the other side of the room. Harry followed her finger to see Jacobs with his head in the lap of a concerned girl with a few others seated around him.

'At least it worked out well for him.' Harry, on the other hand, felt like crap and the one person who he wouldn't mind resting his head on was the one who caused his current state of being.

"Here." Harry turned back to Daphne to see her push a phial across the small table between them.

Harry jabbed his head at it. "What's this?" His voice was hoarse and his throat felt on fire.

"Just drink it."

Harry would argue and insist on knowing but honestly didn't have the strength to resist. He uncorked the bottle, tipped it back, and immediately felt relief. The ache in his stomach and the soreness in his throat disappeared. Harry let out a long drawn-out sigh of contentment and sunk deeper into his chair.

"Thanks for that."

Daphne pushed another phial across the table. "This too."

Harry didn't even question it and knocked back the second potion. Once again the effect was immediate and this time it felt like he had just finished a rather large meal. Harry closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feeling.

"Better now?"

Harry closed his eyes in contentment. "Oh yeah."

"Good."

When Harry opened his eyes, he saw her reading a book in her lap. He couldn't tell what it was about but he knew she was enjoying it. She had the habit of twirling her fingers through her hair when she was working on something that she was interested in. He watched the reflection of the fire dance across her face until his eyes drifted down to her exposed legs, where they lingered slightly, all the way to her bare feet. It was one of the odd things about her. The Slytherin Common Room was in the dungeons that lied in the section of the castle under the Black Lake so, naturally, the temperature of the room was usually frigid. And yet, Daphne loved to be bare-foot as much as possible. When Harry had asked if she got cold, she'd simply reply that it didn't bother her.

Suddenly feeling tired, Harry stood up and waited expectedly. This was usually the time where Daphne would hand him his nightly dose of Dreamless Sleep.

"Not tonight," she said without looking up from her book.

It didn't take Daphne long to notice that Harry was still standing there like a statue staring blankly at her with his hand still outstretched. When she looked up at him, Harry tried to turn away before she could see the fear in his eyes but he knew that she had. It had been months since the last time Harry had tried to sleep without some form of magical aid. So much time without dreaming about the graveyard that it had become 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind.' The thought of going back there filled Harry with unending dread.

"Harry?" Daphne's voice broke Harry from his thoughts. He steeled himself quickly and retook his seat across from her. When he looked back at her, concern was etched across her face.

"I'm not that tired actually." Harry tried to play it off casually but Daphne wasn't buying it.

"Harry…?" she started to probe.

Harry rubbed his temple. "Please, Daphne, I don't want to talk about it. It's com—"

Daphne interrupted him quickly. "Don't you dare say, 'it's complicated,' after all the grief you've given me for using that excuse."

Harry had to admit that she had him there but was he really ready to tell someone about his dreams and what he thought they meant. He especially never thought that it would be Daphne, but as he stared into her eyes and saw how genuinely concerned she looked, he finally saw a reason to speak.

"I see myself in a graveyard surrounded by bodies. Bodies that I put there. That I did things to. That I…I…" Harry couldn't finish. The mental images of the bloodied and mutilated bodies he had tortured and dismembered were too much for him and he couldn't bear to go into detail with her.

"They're just dreams, Harry." Daphne had closed her book and gave him her full attention.

"No, these are different." How could he possibly make her understand?

"I get they're different to you. I mean, I used to dream about…that night…all the time. Every night, it seemed liked, and no matter what I could do or say, it always ended the same way. Sometimes my mum would look at me, blame me, tell me that it should have been me. It took me a long time to accept that my mum would never had said those things; even longer to accept that there was nothing I could have done to save her."

Harry listened and understood what she was trying to say, and yet, couldn't help but see the differences, like how it was never her that did the act. Too many of his dreams were of the black-eyed, tattooed version of himself flaying those he loved. Feeling all the hatred and anger, the desire to cause as much pain and suffering as possible. He knew, though, if he told her that it would be opening a door that he didn't think he could close.

"You're right, I guess they really are just dreams." Harry played it off well as Daphne didn't give any sign that she didn't believe him.

"I'm not saying they don't mean something. No matter how many times I've said it, you're not stupid. It's just…this is a very dangerous thing you've done to yourself."

"I know and I haven't said it but it means a lot that you're helping me."

"What are friends for?" she said, reciting what he had said so many times before, before returning to reading her book.

'Friends,' Harry thought. Was that all that Harry thought her as? Finally finding the courage, "Daphne?"

"Hmmm…" she hummed as she took her time looking up.

"I've been thinking lately that you and I—"

Two loud voices grabbed Harry's attention and he wasn't happy to hear them.

"Did you get a look at their faces?"

"Yeah, they were priceless. 'Oh no! My nose is broken! Boo-hoo!"

Harry couldn't help but look behind him as Franklin and Christenson walked through the entrance wall. A quick look over to Jacobs, who also took notice of the commotion, and Harry knew that Franklin and Christenson had ignored his order to turn themselves in.

Daphne also must have recognized the situation. She picked her book up again. "You better go take care of that."

"Daphne, I want us to—" He really wanted to talk to her instead but her attention was back in her book.

"Now, Harry, you can't let that stand."

"I'm trying to ask you—" If he could just get this out.

Daphne looked up at him confused. "Why are you still here?"

Figuring he never get through to her until he dealt with this, Harry stood and made his presence known to the two third-years.

"Franklin! Christenson! Here! Now!" His loud booming voice got the attention of the entire room.

"What do you want, Potter?" Franklin sneered.

"Yeah, we're busy," Christenson added dismissively.

"I told you to turn yourselves in." Harry flicked his wrist and his wand shot into his hand. "You know what happens when people don't follow my rules." He had to put on a good show since he didn't want to give in and resort to real violence.

"It's not their fault, Potter." Malfoy waltzed into the conversation, showing off his trademark smirk. "I told them I'd take care of it. Told McGonagall that I saw the Weasels hexing those first years."

"Yeah, Draco has our backs."

"Why should we lose house points when we can get Gryffindors in trouble instead?"

Harry scoffed at the two of them. They were just pawns in Malfoy's schemes. Malfoy was the one he needed to be concerned with.

"Professor McGonagall is not going to believe that Fred and George are hexing their own." He was just stating the obvious.

"So what?" said Christenson.

"Yeah, it's not like she has anything on us," added Franklin.

"Unless you tell on them." And that was Malfoy's move. Force him to choose between upholding his rules or the well-fair of the house. For Harry, though, it was hardly a choice.

"That's exactly—" Harry was interrupted by a hand on his arm. He turned to see Daphne shaking her head.

"Don't. It won't help. He's won this one," she whispered. Her eyes screamed for him to listen.

"Zero tolerance, remember?"

"You have to make some exceptions." It was sensible advice. Compromise was often a necessary part of leadership: but not with Malfoy. Give that parasite a finger and you'll find yourself without an arm.

"No. I don't."

Harry stepped away, releasing himself from her hold. A part of him wanted to stay there with her and finish asking what he wanted to ask but he needed to get this done.

As he walked out of the common room, Harry never broke eye contact with Malfoy. Malfoy did the same, smiling that little smile of his. He looked like he was getting exactly what he wanted but Harry didn't care. Malfoy's popularity may be growing but Harry still was much more intimidating. He would swallow this blow to his position if it meant reminding everyone that he never backed down. And now that he was mostly stable, he could make sure that something like this wouldn't happen again.

The halls were mostly empty with it being nearly curfew. Professor McGonagall's office was on the first floor near the Transfiguration classroom. Harry could have gone to Professor Slughorn but Harry avoided the man at all costs. How many different ways must he say 'No, I don't want to be in your club,' before Slughorn took a hint.

Harry made the turn to take the main staircase. He wanted to get this done as soon as possible and prayed that the stairs would cooperate. As he approached the stairs, he could already tell that they weren't in the right position to take him up to the first level. Instead, the stairs went up all the way to the third. Harry waited for them to change but his patience quickly wore out and decided to take the stairs and then find another path to the first level.

As he quickly made his way up the steps, Harry started to notice that there was someone standing at the top. Harry easily recognized the long white hair and fluorescent blue robes as Professor Dumbledore. It looked as if the headmaster had been waiting for him.

"Good evening, Harry. What a coincidence meeting you here?"

Harry didn't think it was a coincidence at all and had the sinking suspicion that Dumbledore had some kind of control over the staircase's movements. Harry, though, wasn't going to discuss it now.

"Good evening, Headmaster," Harry greeted the headmaster with a curt nod.

"And what has you out and about so close to curfew?"

"Just taking care of some inner-house issues."

"Ah yes, the manner with Mr. Franklin and Mr. Christenson."

"You knew."

Dumbledore only gave him a knowing look that made Harry feel foolish for asking.

"It is a valiant effort, trying to put an end to the rivalry between the houses, but I fear it is in our nature to seek it out."

Harry really wasn't looking for a philosophical discussion at the moment or small-talk for that matter.

"Why am I here, Professor?"

Dumbledore's demeanor changed to a more serious one as he finally got to the point.

"I believe we have reached the point where we can no longer ignore that our thief has realized that his target lies here."

Harry had known that for some time but was at least glad that Dumbledore had as well.

"What are you going to do? Where will you move it?"

"Nowhere." That surprised Harry but didn't voice it as Dumbledore pressed on. "If he can find it here then I highly doubt there is anywhere that he will not find it."

The wheels started turning in Harry's mind. "So the safe becomes a trap."

"Indeed." Dumbledore smiled at the fact that he didn't have to explain his plan.

"And you're telling me because...?"

"I wanted to be sure you approved seeing as how that this may increase the risk towards your brother."

Harry took a moment to think about it. He was glad that Dumbledore was willing to keep him in the loop and was honoring their deal. Whoever this thief was, he was dangerous and had shown the capability to achieve the impossible. Such a thing was not what Harry wanted around Danny but, given the circumstances, it wasn't enough to remove them from the school.

"I can keep him away from this but—"

"He and Ms. Granger are a curious duo."

Harry nodded.

"Well then, let's give them less to feel curious about. The item that is being protected is the belonging of Sir Nicolas Flamel, a famed alchemist. He is the only wizard in history to successfully create the Philosopher's Stone. An object with the ability to turn any material into pure gold and is the key ingredient to brew the Elixir of Life which will grants its owner eternal life."

Realization dawned on Harry. "So when Danny and Hermione were trying to look up Nicolas Flamel in contemporary history..."

"They were looking in the wrong century."

"Right then. So when you said 'old friend' you were saying..."

Dumbledore smiled softly. "It in the literal sense, yes."

"But why is the stone in danger now. Surely others have tried to steal it."

"Legions," answered Dumbledore decisively. "But no one has gotten this close. My friend, Nicolas, came to me for my help. He and his wife, Perenelle, have grown tired of hiding and hoped to throw the thief off their trail by first keeping it in Gringotts and now with me."

"Is it Voldemort?" If it was, then he and Danny were definitely leaving Hogwarts. No way were they ready for a face-to-face with him.

"I don't believe so, though, the stone would be extremely tempting for him." Dumbledore stroked his long white beard. "No, I believe it is another. Perhaps someone looking to gain favor with Voldemort or simply desires it for themselves. Your guess is as good as mine."

"So what's the plan to stop him?"

Dumbledore looked as if he was waiting for Harry to ask that question. He motioned for Harry to follow him.

"There is another protection I plan to place on the stone. One that should secure it beyond the reach of our thief, despite whatever wondrous abilities he might possess. I was hoping that you would assist me." Dumbledore looked down at him with a soft smile.

"What can I do?" Harry doubted very much he could be of any real assistance, at least, in the magical department.

"You can be exactly the person I have grown to know you as."

Not fully understanding what Dumbledore meant by that, Harry followed him as Dumbledore lead them through a series of hallways that left Harry disorientated and not exactly sure as to where they were.

Dumbledore stopped in front of a door that, once opened, revealed nothing but an empty classroom. It took Harry a moment to notice that the there was a large object covered in a sheet in the far corner.

Dumbledore waved his wand and the sheet lifted to reveal a large ornate mirror. The frame was made out of gold and even the feet of it were elaborately formed into claws. There was some sort of inscription on the frame, but Harry couldn't read it from where he stood.

"A mirror? How's a mirror..." Harry's voice stopped dead as he moved directly in front of the mirror. What he saw was something that he would never speak of. He only let himself stare for a moment before he had to look away with tears beginning to form.

"What is it?" he whispered softly. It was obviously no mere mirror.

"It goes by the name The Mirror of Erised. Its origins are unknown but it has the power to show the deepest, most desperate desires of our hearts."

Harry peeked back only for a moment at the image he saw in the mirror's reflection. The field of bodies. Harry standing among them, posed to attack. His expression full of determination and anger but not like the one he would see in his dreams. He couldn't explain how it was different only that it was.

Whatever it meant didn't matter. All Harry could focus on was that he couldn't hide the fact that deep within him was a desire to kill. That the monster from his dreams could actually exist inside him.

Harry watched as his doppelganger twirled his wand over his head and sent a massive beam of light at his next victim.

Harry couldn't bear to look at it any longer. If had, he would have seen the spell hit Voldemort, killing him instantly in a blinding display of light. But he had already stepped out from in front of the mirror so that the only thing he could see was himself.

"How is this supposed to protect the stone?" Did Dumbledore honestly expect the thief to get so caught up in what he saw that he'd forget to take to stone?

"That, I'm afraid, is something I must keep to myself. For security purposes, of course."

"Of course," Harry echoed. Then, like a switch going off in his mind, Harry realized something.

'Why did he bring me here? Why did he want me to see the mirror?'

Harry looked up to the headmaster to see Dumbledore staring intently at the mirror. Harry noticed that he had moved directly in front of it.

Harry observed him and could detect a hint of sadness at what he was seeing. As if sensing he was being watched, Dumbledore turned to look at Harry.

"It is a harrowing thing, is it not? To see what truly lies within us."

Recalling what he saw, Harry replied, "Yes. Yes it is."

April 1993

In the weeks that followed, Harry found himself with many different distractions to keep his mind off what occurred with Dumbledore and the mirror.

Danny and Hermione were both a little disheartened to hear that Dumbledore already knew everything they had discovered but still pleased that more protections had been placed around the stone. Hermione, in particular, was fascinated by the idea of creating an object with the powers of the Philosopher's Stone. She would go on and on about wanting to study alchemy and criticized the school for not having it as an elective. Harry thanked whatever deities existed that he didn't have to listen to that twenty-four hours a day. He really didn't know how Danny could stand it.

Fred and George were up to their usual tricks and schemes. They were trying desperately to recruit Harry for one of their projects. Something about candies that could get you out class. Harry wasn't all that interested. Despite some professors that weren't quite to Harry's standards, he enjoyed learning and wasn't looking for ways to help others be lazier.

And then, Daphne. She wasn't all too pleased with him at the moment. Franklin and Christenson had both received detention and lost fifty points each. That had caused Slytherin to fall out of first place for the House Cup and many were blaming Harry and calling him a 'Gryffindor-loving snitch.' Harry, of course, could care less but Daphne wouldn't let him hear the end of it.

"You need to do something."

They were walking together outside on the grounds around the Black Lake. Harry had hoped the fresh air and scenery could make Daphne let go the matter, at least, for a little bit.

"Why?"

"Because Malfoy is getting exactly what he wants," insisted Daphne to which Harry just shrugged.

"So what. He still would have to challenge me. Do you honestly think he'd stand a stone's chance in hell?" No matter how much he as trying to avoid fighting, nothing would stop from putting that little ponce in his place.

Daphne pitched the brim of her nose. "These things aren't always decided by duels you know. And while, yes, it is the most effective way to show one's superiority, there are other ways he can overthrow you."

"And that's why I have you." Harry playfully put his arm around her. "You'll keep me safe from the knives in my back, won't ya?"

Daphne annoyingly plucked his hand off her shoulder and shoved it away. "Not if I'm the one putting them there," she said sarcastically.

Harry chuckled softly and turned to stare back at the view of the lake. Spring was starting to blossom and the grounds were alive with life.

"Why are we out here?" Daphne complained, breaking Harry's moment of peace.

"It's called nature, Daphne." Harry picked out a spot along the water's edge and lied down with his hands behind his head. "Try and enjoy it." He shifted around to get comfortable and closed his eyes.

"Nature's dirty," she complained with her hands on her hips.

"That's because there's dirt," he answered wryly, still with his eyes closed.

There was a moment of silence.

"Can we go back inside now?" she whined.

"No."

Harry heard her drop to the ground next him and the rustling of grass near his head. He took a quick peek to see that she had lied down next to him with her head only a few inches from his. She was staring up into the sky and hadn't notice he was watching her.

"You should—" she turned her heads towards him but stopped when he quickly tried to look away.

"Were you staring at me?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

Harry shook his head emphatically while mentally cursing himself for being caught.

Daphne prompted herself up on her elbows and looked around suspiciously.

"Why did you want to come out here in the first place?"

"Fewer ears to listen in on us," he answered quickly. Harry didn't want to admit that he did it so that they could be alone together. "We are strategizing, right?"

"I've been strategizing," she emphasized. "You just want to laze about all day."

"We both could use some relaxation, Merlin knows I do." Just a little piece and quiet was all he wanted.

"Right because your life is so hard," she fired back wryly.

Harry opened one eye to stare at her to which she rolled her eyes and said. "Okay, fine. It kind of is."

Harry closed his eye and smiled. "Thank you."

There was another moment of silence.

"But why can't we relax inside?" Harry had never heard her whine so much.

"I am relaxing. I don't know what you're doing."

Daphne moaned loudly in frustration and dropped back down to lie beside him.

Harry opened an eye to see her plucking grass from the ground and slowly pulling them apart.

"I'm bored."

'I can't take this anymore,' he though as he sprung up to a seated position.

"Sweet Merlin! Fine!" he exclaimed as he got to his feet. "We can go back inside!"

"Well only if you insist." Harry could tell she was trying to bait him into another one of their games of back-and-forth but he wasn't in the mood.

Daphne held out her hand, waiting for him to help her up. Harry almost didn't want to. He had tried to get them to spend some peaceful time together where they didn't talk about school or Malfoy or any of the other myriad of topics they always talked about but, like always, things could never be easy with her.

Daphne cleared her throat loudly and insistently. Harry gave in and helped her to her feet, though he didn't wait for her to step in stride with him and immediately started back to the castle. He just felt an annoying amount of frustration.

"Hey! Wait up!" called Daphne as she raced to catch up. Harry didn't, though. Instead he walked a little faster.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked when she caught up with him again. When he didn't respond she carried on. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry I'm not into nature and stuff."

Harry brushed her off. "That's not it."

"Well then why are you mad at me?"

"I'm not mad," he brushed off again which only agitated Daphne further.

"Right, no, of course you're not," she said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

When Harry once again wouldn't stop to talk to her, Daphne grabbed him by the arm and forced him to look at her.

"Tell me, please," she pleaded.

"It's nothing." Harry resisted looking at her for fear that she would see the truth.

"Obviously it's something."

Harry couldn't think of any way out of this. He was going to have to admit that he had feelings for her. He finally looked at her and was momentarily swept up in how beautiful she looked. Her cheeks were a little flushed from chasing after him but that only seemed to add to her allure. More than anything, though, it was the way she was looking at him now. For the longest time, especially when they first met, there was always a subtle wall in the way she looked at him, as if she was unwilling to ever let him get too close. He was sure he was the same way but now, those walls were crumbling and he could now see her completely. And what he saw filled his heart with hope that maybe, just maybe, she had same feelings for him that he had for her. He knew now was finally the time to see if it were true.

So why was he so incredible nervous?

"I've…I…I don't…" Why couldn't he form words right now?

"What?" she asked impatiently.

"It's just…We…Us…" Words. Hard. Speak. Bad.

"Just say it already."

Harry gave up trying to speak. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers. It was over very quickly but when Harry leaned back he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulder, only to have them crushing back down on him when he saw Daphne's face. It was like her eyes were about to shoot out of her skull.

"What was that?"

Finally able to form coherent sentences. "I've been thinking a lot lately, about you and me, and I thought that, maybe, you and I could—"

"Be an 'us,'" she finished for him. Some clarity had returned to her but she still looked a little befuddled.

"Well, yeah," he answered lamely. This wasn't exactly going as he had hoped.

"I see." Daphne turned slightly away from him. It was obvious she was thinking heavily about this. It was literally the longest moment of silence of Harry's life and he felt like an idiot just standing there.

"Okay." Daphne said suddenly before she walked up to him and kissed him. This one was exceedingly longer than the one before and Harry felt himself get a little light-headed.

'Her lips are so soft.'

When they pulled away, they both opened their eyes at the same time and stared at each other.

"So is that a yes?" he asked, his mind was still thinking about the kiss.

"No," she answered with a shake of her head, sending a crushing wave of depression down on Harry.

"So it's a no?"

"No," she said with another shake of her head which only made Harry confused.

'So—"

"I don't know," she interrupted. She looked every which way except at him. "I just…I need to think."

"Okay." He stepped closer but Daphne backed away.

"Alone, I…I need to be alone."

Daphne then walked away towards the castle, leaving Harry standing there by himself.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." Harry banged his head against the wall after each word.

"Real smooth, Harry. I…uh…I…err…just up and kiss you. Brilliant plan, moron," Harry scolded himself, going back to bashing his head against the wall.

'But then she kissed you.'

Harry stopped his self-torture at that thought. Harry had no idea what to make of it. Shouldn't that have meant she was interested? She certainly looked like she had enjoyed it (he definitely did). And it wasn't like Daphne was the 'kiss anything that moves' type. Especially if the thing moving was him.

'But why did she run away?'

It all made his head hurt or it was from all the head banging, it was difficult to tell.

Harry turned around and rested against the wall with his eyes closed.

"I'm such an idiot."

"Yes. Yes you're are," a low, deep voice called to his left.

Before Harry could open his eyes to see who was there, a spell hit him in the chest and he slumped to the ground unconscious.