Chapter Twelve
Daphne Rackharrow was not like other girls. She didn't wear ribbons or bows, never did anything special to her hair, and the only "girly" thing she did was underline her eyes with dark makeup that gave her a bit of a vamp look. Punk rock was not created yet, but Harry often thought that people who dressed and behaved like Rackharrow probably laid the base for that movement.
Daphne was always covered in scratches and bandages – not out of clumsiness - she was a rough player, couldn't keep away from dangerous creatures and never exactly spared herself, for that matter.
Harry didn't really understand who she was at first, but as they kept training together, he got to know her closer. She had a sharp sense of humor and would always fit right into any sort of gang that was around. She was from a wealthy family, her father a whiskey tycoon, but she never boasted about it and always acted very cool. Harry liked her a lot, but... he wasn't sure he liked her the way she liked him.
That early cold December morning he was making his way to the Quidditch pitch for his individual training session when he found her leaning against the wall next to her broom, brown hair tied up in a high ponytail, one knee sock lower than the other, showing a fresh bandage on her knee, a cigarette in her hand. As soon as she saw him she threw it on the ground and smudged it with her foot, an impish grin spreading on her face.
- Morning, Harry!
- Hey, Daphne. What are you doing here?
She took her broom and came closer.
- Well, Luke talks a lot about the benefits your routine gives you in Quidditch, and I thought I'd try this masochistic religion of yours.
- Oh, - Harry awkwardly messed up his hair, - Well... I guess I could give you some tips.
- That would be great!
They started walking to the Quidditch pitch, Harry really not in the mood to talk yet, but Daphne seemed okay with it. It was comfortable being with her in that sense, but Harry was afraid she might get serious one day and do something embarrassing like ask him out. It would be like if Hermione decided she digs him all of a sudden.
Potter looked over the way Rackharrow was dressed.
- Where's your uniform?
- You don't worry about it, Harry, - Daphne looked at Potter, saw his raised eyebrows, and added, - The first things most girls want to learn is how to transfigure clothes. Didn't you know that?
- Didn't really notice girls do that back in my time...
Harry froze, realizing what he just blurted out.
- Back in your time? What is this supposed to mean?
Daphne tilted her head sideways.
- Uhm..., - Potter heard his voice shaking, - Just a weird choice of words, you know, "my time", "your time". "Don't waste my time". Just a figure of speech, nothing much.
- What are you getting on about?
Rackharrow frowned.
- Never mind! I just never noticed girls do that. Now, are you going to transfigure yourself a uniform or what?
He turned away and started calculating any possible risks. How the devil could he have let this slip?! If Rackharrow tells anyone about what he said, and it starts spreading, people making conclusions ... Well, then he's fucked! He had to make sure she forgets about it.
But how? A memory charm? He never cast a memory charm before, what if he damages Daphne's brain? Was messing the girl up worth protecting the slipped piece of information? How can he make her forget?
- Harry, you know, you don't have to look away. It's not like I'm naked here. I can transfigure clothes without taking them off, you know.
How can he make her forget? She has a crush on him, right?
- Harry?
Potter turned to face Daphne, darted close to her, grabbed her by the waist, closed his eyes and kissed her.
The pain between his legs was so sharp he thought he went blind.
- What the hell, Granger?!
Daphne pushed him away, and he bent in two, covering up his crotch.
- You think I'm out to train with you once and that means you can throw yourself on me?!
- No.., - Harry managed to find his voice, - I'm sorry, Daphne! Please don't be offended or anything, this is all very stupid...
- You're right about that!
- I'm not myself this morning, that's it...
- Are you some closet pervert?!
- No! I don't even like you that way!
- Then why the bloody hell did you kiss me?!
The pain was finally getting under control, and Harry stood up straight.
- I got confused, okay? I'm sorry!
Rackharrow stood fuming, fists at her waist, making a perfect impression of a teapot going off. Finally, she gave in and threw her hands in the air.
- Alright, I'm sorry too. Looks like it really hurt.
- It did!
- You should know, you're not my type.
- Glad to hear it.
For some reason Harry felt relieved. He was happy he didn't need to be on the lookout with this relationship. But how can he make her keep silent about the "girls back in my time" part?
- You know, Daphne, after that kick I can't exactly go train today. I'm not even sure I can walk right now, let alone ride a broom...
- I sense a gross note of manipulation.
Harry sniggered and decided to use that phrase next time Riddle decides to mess with him.
- How about we make a deal? You and I will happily forget about my stupid... stunt, every weird thing I said, and you damaging me. We won't tell anyone. As if nothing at all happened this morning, and you and I have never been here. Can you do that?
Rackharrow shrugged.
- Yeah, whatever.
They turned back to the school.
- You know, Daphne, any tips you ever need, or if you want to try training again - we can do that. And I promise to act normal.
The girl flashed him a grin and put her arm around his neck.
- Yeah, alright. Sorry for giving you the wrong idea. I really like you, just not like that.
- I'm honestly glad to hear it.
Tom Riddle was taking a break from his rounds with Avery, healing some of the more painful wounds, when he noticed through the arrow slit a pair of people walking up to the Quidditch pitch. He could make out Slytherin's quidditch uniform and messy hair along with a knobby tomboy figure tagging along.
- Look, - he called Avery, - Your seeker is out to train too. With your chaser.
Luke walked up to the arrow slit, wiping blood off his lip with the back of his hand.
- At least that crush on Granger gets Daphne's bony ass out to train, eh? - he said, squinting, - What the hell is Granger... Oh, you bastard!
Tom turned back fast enough to see Harry kissing that girl. Then she kicked him right in the balls.
- Nice one, Daphne! - Avery cheered, - That ought to teach Granger to follow my damn rules! Well, at least now I know that Harry's into our teammate, and not the enemy's.
Riddle was watching Harry's chaotic gesticulation, when Avery's words caught his attention.
- Do you mean that Hufflepuff seeker?
- Do I mean him, - Avery scowled, - I even talked to Granger, asked him to stop chatting up that bloody badger, and you know what he said? He said if I put my nose in his private life, he'll quit the team! That prick!
Tom didn't like that connection either. He was watching the Hufflepuff since the duel, and their close relationship bothered him.
- Isn't Shacklebolt seeing that mudblood from Ravenclaw?
- That's what I heard, but have you seen them together lately? I'm having some serious doubts there, - Avery paused and shook his head, - Nah, Harry is a straight lad, look at the way he threw himself at Daphne! But whatever he and that Shacklebolt got going, it's nothing good for the team! I'm sure of it.
Riddle kept watching the two Quidditch players, and it seemed that they made up, had some laughs and where heading for the castle. The tomboy even wrapped her arm around Harry. Something was suspicious about that whole kiss, and Tom didn't know what bothered him more: Granger and Rackharrow, Granger and Shacklebolt, or the fact that any of it mattered to him. Either way, his mood was ruined.
- Lucas, go talk with Rackharrow and find out what happened. Why your teammates are breaking your rules.
- Shouldn't I talk to Harry then?
- No.
Tom looked at Avery and found him staring back in bewilderment.
- He's not the one who's afraid to get off the team, is he? - Tom explained, - I will deal with the Hufflepuff. You speak with Rackharrow and find out what was that about. We're done for today.
- Alright.
Tom returned to making sure all his scratches and bruises were gone. He patched himself up feeling Avery's eyes on his back. Finally, Tom sighed and turned to face his partner.
- It would be wiser if you spent your time healing rather than guessing why I'm helping you with your Quidditch affairs.
- Sorry, Tom, - Avery took his wand and began working on himself, - But you never care what goes on in Quidditch. Or in other people's love lives, for that matter.
- Don't misinterpret my decision to help protect Slytherin from unwanted Hufflepuff drama. I never cared about anything but my reputation and the reputation of my House and I never will.
- Sure, yes, okay.
Tom cast Lucas a heavy glance.
- I get it, and I'm extremely grateful! - Avery raised his hands in surrender.
- Then don't waste my time and talk to Rackharrow while you can still get her against the wall.
Riddle checked for the last time that he had no bleeding, and put his shirt back on.
Harry was reclining in an armchair in the Slytherin Common Room, thinking up a remedy to recover from that kick he got from Daphne, when Augustina made her way in with an air of owning the room, Hogwarts and all the rest with it. The Queen of Slytherin stopped right before Potter, hands on hips, a smug smile blooming on her face. She didn't look like the morning she dropped the help-me-break-my-engagement bomb on Harry: her long platinum hair looked sleek, her makeup was well done, her whole look was impeccable, so Potter had the feeling that what was about to come wasn't another tantrum, but something well-planned instead.
- What do you need? - Harry asked, wishing to get this over with as fast as possible.
- Oh nothing, Harry-baby, don't worry. I just came to congratulate you.
What the hell was that about?
- Congratulate me on what?
- Well, on your love life, of course! Daphne Rackharrow is a great catch for a mudblood like you.
Harry felt the hair on his head prickle, while Tina continued.
- Poor girl, though. She was strange enough with all her interest for "boy" things. Now she might lose her inheritance over this humiliation. Not to mention the way people will start treating her here...
- You've got this all wrong! Daphne and I are just friends.
Augustina's smile grew wider, giving the girl a shark-like look.
- Oh, sure. Do you kiss all your friends like that?
Damn it. Daphne couldn't have spilled the beans! He was sure of it. Then who was it?
- Who told you this?
- Juliette.
- Who the devil is Juliette?
- It doesn't matter, baby.
- Why should you believe this girl that doesn't matter?
- Well, she learned this from Rose. And she got it from Grace. Now, this girl does matter.
- Again, who is Grace?
- She's the hussy Avery is sleeping with currently.
Oh, that girl. She was Daphne's roomie... Still, Rackharrow often said she wasn't friends with them, so why would she brag?
- You, know, Lestrange, I always took you for a smart girl. Do you really believe everything you hear from some girls?
Augustina rolled her eyes and sat on the side-table next to Harry.
- Of course not, Harry-baby. I double check. You know, your team captain always had a soft spot for me. They all do, - she gave Potter a playful wink, - And I asked him what the deal was. He told me he saw you kiss Daphne.
That's it. Harry was cornered.
Where the bloody hell was Avery hiding to see him make a fool of himself?!
- If he saw the kiss, he should have also seen what came next. Did he tell you about that?
Augustina studied his face, taking him all in, before she answered.
- He did. It doesn't mean anything though, unfortunately.
- It means everything, there is nothing even remotely close to romantic between me and Rackharrow!
- No, it doesn't mean anything, Granger, because that's not the story Grace is spreading with her runny, dirty mouth.
Harry grabbed his head. This was unbelievable!
- Now, Harry, there is a way to stop this from spreading. If you don't want your friend Daphne to suffer from the backlash she is already starting to get, then I can help you. Tit for tat, of course.
Potter squinted.
- Do you mean me telling Dumbledore on your future hubby again?
- That exactly. You help me, I help you. Trust me, I know how to shut those girls up.
- Thanks, but no thanks.
Tina kept smiling at Harry, but somehow it seemed she was considering murdering him.
- I can help you or I can make it worse.
- You really are a bitch, aren't you?
The smile was gone. Tina stood up, her eyes cold as ice. Then she gathered herself and put that fake smile back up.
- Think about it, Harry-baby.
Tom didn't exactly understand why he was wasting his time hounding the Hufflepuff seeker for chitchat, rather than making sure that Myrtle Warren's case was put to sleep. Perhaps, he even liked this sort of recklessness. Why bother? Dippet would stay Headmaster for at least five more years according to Slughorn, and that made Dumbledore out of reach of any deeper investigations. And by the time Dumbledore's Headmaster, Tom will be much more powerful.
The realization that Harry's connection to Shacklebolt was now his first priority almost made him laugh in Dumbledore's face. Only, for some reason, it sort of felt like an excuse, because his wish to see the Hufflepuff seeker's dumb head bitten off by the Basilisk was growing by the day.
Damian Shacklebolt was making his way to the Hufflepuff side of the castle when he noticed Tom waiting for him. The seeker stopped, looked around and approached him, regret written all over his overly confident face.
- Hey, Riddle.
- Shacklebolt.
- Can't imagine why you would be waiting for me.
- I wanted to talk to you about my housemate.
Damian sniggered. Tom didn't enjoy using Crucio generally, but that moment would have been one of the few.
- What is it about Granger that has you so concerned? - Damian asked.
Tom studied the seeker's grinning face. What was he so happy about?
- Avery is worried about the bond you two have. And personally, although I consider Quidditch a waste of time, I can agree this does nothing good for my House.
Shacklebolt gave Tom a doubtful look.
- Really, Riddle? We're gonna go that way?
Tom ignored his words.
- Didn't you at one time date a student with a... questionable bloodline?
- What does this have to do with anything? - Damian's voice turned cold.
- Orion broke you two up, didn't he? After you threatened to expose Malfoy, - Riddle was watching every muscle on Shacklebolt's face freeze, - No one saw you together lately. Is Harry your substitute?
- WHAT?
Damian Shacklebolt had a genuine look of surprise on his face. Somehow Tom felt relieved.
- You're jealous, aren't you? - the seeker's eyes squinted.
It was Tom's turn to be surprised, which he didn't try to hide at all.
- Jealous? - he laughed, - Of what? A mudblood?
- Aren't you one?
Riddle turned pale with anger, and Shacklebolt just stood there smirking at him.
- You know, I can get you in real trouble for speaking to me like this, - Tom spoke softly, clearing the anger from his voice.
Damian grinned and lifted his hands up in mock surrender.
- Hear me out, Riddle. You have nothing to worry about. Harry and I are just friends. He's not any substitute for anything, there is no scheming to undermine your House, or to win over the Quidditch House Cup in an unfair way. I would even say, Harry has an honest urge to destroy me when it comes to Quidditch.
- Why is he friends with you then?
- Why? Don't you remember how your House treated him? - Damian dropped his hands and sighed, - Listen, I mean no harm. But I'm not going to stop being friends with Harry just because it bothers somebody. I've had enough of meddling with my life.
Tom observed Damian, probing for a weak spot.
- I'm sorry Orion caused your break up with..., - Tom paused, remembering the Ravenclaw's name.
- Alex.
- Alex. Orion will graduate in half a year, and Malfoy too. I will probably be the next Head Boy. I will not stand in between you and Alex, if you don't cause me trouble and if you are discreet. I will stop any bullying. I will even convince Professor Slughorn, who is good friends with your father, as far as I've heard, to give this Alex of yours great recommendations. Perhaps, I might even convince Orion to lay off now.
Damian Shacklebolt's smile was gradually sliding off his face as Tom spoke, and disappeared completely by the end of his monologue.
- All this just to keep me away from Harry?
- There is nothing I wouldn't do for my House.
- Why not just ask Harry then? And what will Harry think when he finds out about this?
- I don't care. You have your deal. The decision is up to you.
Riddle turned and walked in the direction of his own House. So, these two were just friends. Then what about Rackharrow? Tom didn't like the idea of Granger getting close to someone. He preferred him to be isolated or surrounded by his future Death Eaters. After all, who knows what the boy might spill about Tom if he gets too comfortable around somebody?
Tom walked down the stairs to the Dungeons and saw Avery coming his way.
- Tom! So this whole story with Daphne appears to be some sort of mistake. She said he was just acting all weird, and that there's actually no feelings. What about that Hufflepuff douchebag? Did you speak to him?
- Yes. I gave him a deal to keep away.
- Will he?
- There is a good chance.
Luke leaned back, letting out a sigh of relief, but Tom needed details.
- What else did Rackharrow say? Why was Granger acting weird?
- She doesn't know. He said some weird things...
- What weird things?
- Something about the time.
- The time?
- What was it... He mentioned some "girls from his time". No idea what that is about, it makes no bloody sense.
The time. Girls from his time. Girls from his time...
- I'm just happy there are no slushy feelings going around in my team, you know? No distractions. And if this Shacklebolt guy falls out... Hey, Tom! Where are you going?
- To the library.
Harry needed to speak with Damian. He was the expert on bullying, wasn't he? Potter never wanted Rackharrow to suffer from anything he did, and he had to stop the stupid gossip from spreading.
- Damian! - he called, finally noticing the Hufflepuff sitting on a windowsill in the Courtyard.
It looked like Shacklebolt turned stiff. That was odd.
- Damian, hi! I really need your advice about...
- Harry, hi, listen..., - Shacklebolt interrupted, - I have to talk to you about something too... It's a very uncomfortable subject, so sorry in advance.
Harry frowned. That was quite out of character for Damian. Everything about the way he acted seemed weird.
- Let's start with your question. What advice did you need?
- Well, Rackharrow and I kissed accidentally, and this sort of got out, and now she's going to be bullied apparently because I'm a mudblood, and I never wanted any of it for her. The kiss was a stupid mistake, no one likes anyone, but she has to deal with the backlash! What do I do to stop this?
Damian watched Potter while he was going through with his explanation and then burst out laughing. Maybe Harry was wrong about his weird behavior.
- Harry, how in the world do you end up in these situations?
- I don't know! What do I do?
- Who's spreading the news?
- A bunch of Slytherin girls.
- That's bad, they won't stop too soon. I would advise just to wait out the storm and try to protect Daphne when you have the chance.
Harry sighed. Suddenly the upcoming weeks seemed more stressful than he planned. And just when everything seemed to cool down after Myrtle's return...
- I'm going to miss talking to you, Harry.
What on earth was Damian talking about? Harry stared at him, the question apparently written all over his face.
- So... Do you remember that duel you had with Malfoy?
- Sure.
- How I tried to reason with Orion about giving Malfoy a proper punishment for using the Cruciatus Curse?
- Yes, of course.
- He said then "keep silent or your father will learn about the blood status of your love interest".
- Yes, I remember that too.
- It turned out my "love interest", her name is Alex, was there and heard everything... and broke up with me.
Harry suddenly felt guilty.
- I'm really sorry, Damian. I wish you didn't stick up for me...
- You and the duel itself had nothing to do with this, Harry. Alex is the one who never really believed us could work... She never wanted me to risk ruining my relationship with my father, who is quite... sensitive when it comes to muggles and muggle-borns. She had a good idea of what muggle hate was too, as she was terribly bullied here in her first years at Hogwarts, and still is sometimes. Believe me, you are not the first person who was tortured with the Cruciatus Curse by Abraxas Malfoy...
- What?! - Harry couldn't believe what he just heard.
- Yeah, Abraxas is one spiteful piece of shit. And I have a soft spot for bullied souls...
Shacklebolt shook his head.
- We had this whole plan. I was to get a spot in a Quidditch team after graduation. The money I'd get would be enough for us to rent a house of our own. She would get an internship as healer, and in a couple of years we'd get our finances straight and have a normal life together. Have kids. Raise them in a world with no muggle hate. All she asked of me is not to tell my father until I get a job. She didn't want me to face his fury, to get kicked out - I'd have nowhere to live, as her folks are a whole other story... They can't stand me for a lot of ridiculous reasons. So, what happened after the duel made her change her mind. She saw a future where both of us struggled. Outcasts in the magic and muggle world alike. And so far, it's been really hard being separated. If only I had a chance to make it work, I'd take it without thinking.
That guilty look was back on his face.
- As it happens, I do have this chance. Alex is a very talented, bright witch, and if Professor Slughorn, who my father respects very much, were to give Alex good recommendations, there might be a chance for him to accept this relationship. And that will prove Alex that we do have a future together. That times change and attitudes change as well.
- But that's great! - Harry patted Shacklebolt on the shoulder.
- There is a price.
Damian looked sadder by the moment.
- The only one who has that power over your Head of House is Riddle.
Oh, not him again...
Potter crossed his arms on his chest, waiting for whatever hell might break out next.
- And he offered me a deal, - Damian continued, - That I would have to keep away from you.
- Why?! - Harry yelled out, knowing the answer in advance. Of course he would ask that. Isolate Harry from everyone, make him suffer, just like he always wanted, older and younger self, apparently.
- Because he thinks this is bad for your House, - Damian shrugged, - And so does your captain, which actually makes sense. I'd ask the same from my teammates.
- No, you wouldn't!
- You don't know that, Harry! Quidditch rivalry can get pretty intense, and you and I are an exception. We've had some nasty things occur in the past.
Harry dug his knuckles deeper into his armpits.
- So what, that's it?
Damian smiled with a shadow of a plea on his face.
- I'll always be your friend, Harry. If you really need me, I'll be there for you. But I need that damn recommendation.
Potter was fuming. There were moments when he was ready to kill Voldemort, he was always ready to fight him, but never before did he want to punch him in the face.
Harry sprung into the Slytherin Common Room, looking around for that smug face, but all he did find was Avery. He walked over to him.
- WHERE THE HELL IS RIDDLE?!
Avery had the decency to look guilty. He probably knew about the plan.
- He's in the library.
Potter turned without giving Luke a second look and ran out of the Dungeons.
That jerk. Instead of giving any fuck about the fact that Myrtle was back, and that Harry knew who killed her he decides to take away Harry's only friend!
That bastard was definitely trying to isolate Potter again. What about their agreement? What about the bloody agreement not to bully Harry?! He should have known better!
Harry ran into the library and started pacing past the bookshelves, looking in between books to find where that son of a bitch was hiding. After a couple of turns, he noticed Riddle at a table covered with books.
- What do you think you're doing?! - Potter yelled, marching up to him, - You promised me! What if I tell on you now?!
Riddle lifted his head up from the books. Something was weird about the way he looked. He had a hungry sparkle in his eyes, and Harry averted his own eyes, apprehensively.
His gaze fell upon the small mountain of books and notes scribbled on parchment lying around Riddle, making out the titles one by one:
"The History of Time", "Bending Time", "Time Magic", "The Introduction of The Hour-Reversal Charm", "Eloise Mintumble: The Tragedy of Time Travel".
He looked back at Riddle, praying he was wrong. The movement of his mouth hypnotizing him as the words of doom left it.
- Are you a time traveler, Harry?
Author's note.
That's it, Harry, you are screwed. Big secrets take a lot of energy and don't allow distractions.
I hope you like Daphne though :)
This chapter came really fast because it was written more than a month ago and just needed correcting. I have another one complete and half of the next one written, but it's still very raw. We're actually getting to New Year in this story. If I am lucky, and my friend Editor is generous, I might publish before I go away on vacation in August. If not, then the next chapter should be expected somewhere closer to the end of summer.
Thank you so much for staying with me, for all your follows, favorites and reviews! I hope I'm keeping you entertained.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.