November 3 (Thursday)
Ever since Harry's attack on Terrance Higgs, the situation in Hogwarts has become tense and strict. With auror presence always around the castle roaming around for security and to continue the ongoing investigation of Higgs assault.
Harry was really glad and satisfied when he heard that the investigators thought that a student was responsible for this is almost impossible and that they will only check the wand's history of spells so that they will check out that possibility.
With the effort and determination the aurors, the ministry and the Hogwarts staff have been showing to solve the case and catch him, Harry was still unfazed and unafraid that he would be caught. He had executed a perfect crime in these halls and the direction that the aurors are heading made him more confident.
The Potters is a clan that have long list of aurors and because of them becoming aurors, the number of members in the clan had greatly decimated to only his family due to the war of Grindelwald and this current war.
With many members of the clan in different fields of career they had left behind an extensive and detailed descriptions of the life at the specific career they are in especially the aurors.
When Harry was still a kid he always had a fascination in mystery and investigation and the journal of his ancestors exactly provided that and with that also came the knowledge of how aurors commonly operates their investigation.
First was to make sure that he doesn't use magic while doing the crime. That's because it leaves a signature that the aurors can easily get and trace it back to him.
And with magical signature present they can use that to replay the crime that transpired but the spell only works when a magic traces are present. Thus Harry used a mask to conceal his face and made sure to break his victim's wand before he spoke.
Then he had to mislead the aurors by making them think that the assault was through the use of magic by having his bones shattered rather than broken. A feat that seems impossible by physical actions alone but not for Harry since he has his haki.
The final step was his untraceable escape, Harry had discovered a room that would provide a student anything if he/she would only ask.
Harry had overheard some elves talking about the said room. Harry took the time to explore it alone of course, he experimented the possibilities of the room and was very glad and satisfied when it made a secret passageway to his dorm.
The rule changes in Hogwarts also brought welcoming changes in Harry's routine. Mainly the early curfews and increase security.
The increase in security lessen the bullying that Luna received from her housemates and the early curfew had given Harry more time to connect more with his fellow Gryffindors.
This also made Hermione expand her circle of friends within the house as he basically forced her to join him interact with Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Parvati and Neville.
At first it was very awkward between them and thankfully Parvati stepped up and apologized to her about ignoring his friend throughout the years and reasoned that they too were afraid about being made targets by Michael.
The others soon followed and that they told her they actually want to be friends as it seems she is no longer the target of Michael and Ron.
Hermione understood why they had done and that she knew why they had done it but she also told them honestly that it will take a long time for her to get used to this to which they understood.
Luna's problem is the hard one to crack for Harry. He genuinely wanted her to have a better relationship with her housemates. He had asked Parvati if there is someone in the Ravenclaw that could be potentially be friends with her.
Parvati told him that she'll ask Padma and a day later Parvati told him that there is no one in there that truly welcomed her or accepted her as a Ravenclaw.
That the way she behaves, the things she believed and just the way she is made her the outcast from day one. Harry wasn't too happy about the answer and so he began thinking of ways to make life happier.
He was distracted throughout 2 days until finally he came up with an idea. He just have to re-sort her into Gryffindor but he needed help and Hermione is the perfect person to help him with that problem.
November 4 (Friday)
Harry was in the common room waiting for his classmates to get ready. One of the annoying rules that they have to follow is that nobody is to roam the halls alone. He was in the couch laying in there, relaxing his bones and muscles after a hard workout session.
"What's up good chap? Do you mind if I sit here?" the man asked but he did not wait for Harry's answer and sat immediately beside him.
The man had blonde curly hair, he was the definition of a classical handsome, as Harry recall his name was Cormac McClaggen, Robert McClaggen's little brother.
"What do you want?" Harry asked with annoyance in his voice, he really had no time to socialize with his target's family member.
"I just want to ask a few questions about your friend Hermione." Cormac stated.
"What do you want to know?" Harry asked back to him with caution and annoyance.
"I just want to ask what your deal with her is. Are you guys in a relationship? Do you fancy her?" Cormac asked, it took a while for Harry to respond to him and when he did he just ask another question.
"Why do you want to know?" Harry asked cautiously
"I want to ask her out." the sixth year answered bluntly. "I kind of fancy her." Cormac continued.
"To answer your questions, Hermione and I are just friends and I don't know if I fancy her or not." Harry answered.
"So you won't mind if I ask her out?" Cormac asked again with amusement.
"Hermione is a smart woman, she can decide for herself and I'll support her no matter what she decides." Harry answered.
"Great!" Cormac exclaimed and left immediately.
"Are you okay?" a question directed at Harry, he turned around and saw it was Katie Bell, his team mate.
"Why wouldn't I?" Harry answered her question with another.
"I don't know, everyone just assumed that you two fancy each other and that having Hermione being asked by another would be painful for you. It would be for others." Katie answered with a shrug.
"I'm not like other people." Harry stated indifferently.
"Yeah, I guess you're not. Anyway, I just want to tell you that we will be practicing later. Training starts at 6 and will end at 9. Do you want to get breakfast together?" Katie said to him and then asked him.
Harry smiled at her happily at being asked by her. "Sure, lead the way." Harry answered, while gesturing for her to walk first which she did and Harry walked beside her.
"You know, I'm really excited in our next week's game against the Hufflepuff. I'm looking forward to watching the Gryffindor chaser in action in a real game rather than in practice." Katie just looked at him smugly, "Well of course, we are the best chasers in the history of Hogwarts." Katie added.
"Okay, now you're just being arrogant and it's not a good look on you." Harry said teasingly and Katie just giggled.
"You know, I'm equally excited to seeing you play, I think you are as good as Oliver, Angelina think so too." Katie said.
The two continued talking about quidditch, classes, Cormac, Hermione and many more until they finished breakfast. The two separated ways when it was time for classes.
His first class of the day was Ancient Runes, it was together with the other four houses as it was only a few that took the class. He understood though because out of all the subjects he had studied he found Ancient Runes to be very difficult.
Harry arrived late in class since both he and Katie got lost track in time, the tables were already occupied and everyone had already partnered up. Even Hermione was partner with Neville, it was usually him but since he is late they weren't partners.
The only table that wasn't occupied was the table besides Daphne Greengrass, her usual partner Tracey Davis if Harry's memory serves correctly was partnered Blaise Zabini.
From what Lavender and Parvati had told him that she is feared among the populace, the ice queen of Hogwarts, the Slytherin Princess and that she is someone you don't want to mess with.
Harry smirked internally, interacting with her would be fun and he was looking forward to her reaction when he gets her riled up.
Harry walked towards the empty seat, Daphne kept staring at him and narrowed her eyes, daring him to sit down beside her. Harry just kept walking towards her with no hesitation and was also staring at her and when she narrowed her eyes he sneered at her and with that he already got under her skin.
When Harry sneered at her, Daphne mind was thinking of actions to put him in his place. That he was not in the same level as her. After Harry sat down, professor Babbling continued her lecture. Both of them cease their silent animosity toward each other and focused on the lecture.
When they got to the oral recitation part of the class, Hermione, Padma, Anthony Goldstein and Terry Boot were the highly participative students in the class that always raised their hands.
"Aren't you planning to answer some questions? Or are you too much of an idiot to do it?" Harry asked amidst the uncomfortable silence between them.
"I don't need to do anything to validate my character Potter. Unlike you who have the uncontrollable need to be validated and complimented that it's pathetic." Daphne retorted with coldness in her voice.
"That was a smart answer for a dumb blonde." Harry stated in whisper and he looked towards the professor again. Daphne turned her head and glared at him while raising her hand and answer the question that was asked.
"I thought you are not the kind of person that needs to be validated and complimented. Pfft, typical dumb blonde." Harry commented on her action.
"Not everything is about you Potter. Maybe you're not as different with your brother after all." Daphne retorted back condescendingly.
"I am very different from Michael. The only things that we are the same is our looks and even that has differences." Harry replied.
"Really? So what you're doing to me is not the same with what your twin has been doing with Granger for the past four years? Belittling people and bullying them to submission, you two are the same, the only difference is that the victim you choose wears different colors." Daphne said smugly, she always had a keen eye for details and by observing the twins she exactly knew that both of them hate each other.
"Ha, you must be really an idiot if you thinks the difference between you and Hermione are the colors of your clothes." Harry said with a chuckle and he raised his hands.
"No, the difference between Granger and I is that I'm not weak enough to let people walk over me." Daphne said with a sneer.
Harry stood up and answered the question that the professor quizzed him. He sat down and he look at her in the eye and said "No, the difference between you two is that you're weaker. You present yourself as if you're strong and someone to be feared when in truth is that you're vulnerable and weak. At least with Hermione, she recognize her weakness and act towards to improving herself."
"You don't know anything about me Potter." Daphne replied weakly.
"But I just did. For a Slytherin, you are surprisingly easy to read." Harry replied back with a sneer as it was clear that Harry won their battle of wit.
"What's your goal Potter?" Daphne asked and Harry just smirked as a reply right after that moment Professor Babbling dismissed them. Harry slid closer to Daphne put his hand on her leg and whispered seductively "My goal is for us to rule the world."
Daphne was eating lunch at the Slytherin table. Being a member of the house meant that you'll probably have no friends and only have alliances such as Draco Malfoy. She went under his protection in exchange for fealty as of the moment.
Her family was a pureblood family but was not at the top of the hierarchy since they only have a small business in Diagon Alley but because they are pureblood it granted them privileges and protection against the Dark Lord.
Being in a constant paranoia and caution, Daphne is well versed in reading people. Knowing their characteristic in how they move, how they talk, how they presented themselves and the people they are with.
Harry presented himself like a typical Gryffindor, a perfect Gryffindor. He was charming, intelligent and brave. He can easily be the center of attention in a group, the one that people are attracted to, and the one who has a strong gravity of getting people to like him. He was also brave to befriend Granger.
Being a muggle-born in a world that is prejudice against her is difficult as it is but to be called the smartest of her age rubs salt in the wound of a few purebloods, mainly Draco Malfoy.
She knew that Granger already have a target in her back and that she would die young but having a Potter as a friend changes her future drastically. Thus those who befriends her also gets a target in their back like the Lovegoods.
Although being the date of Viktor Krum did made her the center of attention but it quickly faded. Ever since Harry Potter had befriended Granger and Lovegood, people had been looking at them at a different light, they no longer see them as the outcasts but the potential power that those witches have.
Daphne did not know then if Potter did it intentionally or he just did it because if his Gryffindor characteristic of protecting the weak and oppressed. But their conversation a few hours ago just gave her a lot of information to the other Potter twin and it was clear to her that befriending Granger and Lovegood was intentional.
The answer to her question was absurd and a joke but Daphne believed that it was truly his goal and that he can do it. It was because he omits power that can only be seen if one looks close enough.
Maybe he could do it. From what she observe he clearly has an ulterior motive and that he was not one of Dumbledore's faithful followers like his brother. She should definitely talk to him more and test him herself before she decides a course of action.
Daphne was sitting at back of the classroom, she denied her housemate Tracey Davis to sit beside her. She kept looking for signs of his arrival. When he did arrive, both shared eye contact and Daphne offered him a seat subtly which he understood and accepted.
Harry sat beside Daphne and both were in silence, awaiting for the teacher to start her lecture so they too can continue their conversation.
When Professor Vector started her class and both of them were taking notes. Daphne broke off the silence between them and spoke first "What do you mean "Us" in the answer you gave on Ancient Runes?" Daphne asked.
"What do you think it means?" Harry answered with another question. Daphne paused on lost focus on the lesson, thinking of the meaning of that one particular word in his answer.
"We don't trust each other nor do we have a good relationship. So the meaning that for the two of us will rule doesn't make any sense." Daphne muttered, she was biting her nails rapidly amidst her brainstorm.
Harry listened to her mutters while taking notes on what's written on the board. 'So the "Us" must be in general group where both of us are in the same category. You're not pure-blood nor a fanatic so that cancels out blood purity. You also show no hostility towards anyone, they may be muggle-born, half-blood or pureblood which means that you really don't care about blood status. You're rich so toppling the people at the top of the social hierarchy includes you. Wizards and Witches already rule the magical world and the only kind that could rival us are the muggles.' Daphne thought.
"Is your goal to conquer the muggles and rule over them? Is that it?" Daphne asked for confirmation. Harry stopped taking notes and looked at her and gave her a smirk.
"Not just me but for us." Harry answered.
"Us. Wizards and Witches you mean?" Daphne continued asking.
"Magicals" Harry answered.
"Why are you telling me this? Aren't you worried that I'll tell anyone of your disturbing goal?" Daphne asked again, confusion in her tone.
"Because it won't matter anyway. Dumbledore will never believe you as you're Slytherin and Voldemort would just laugh at you for being gullible. And the Ministry? The people there are too worried about politics to worry about me." Harry answered with a sneer.
"Why Granger? Why make her your best friend when you can befriend anyone more powerful and beautiful like Goldstein or Bones? Isn't it better to associate yourself with someone powerful?" Daphne asked.
Harry just shrugged and replied "Just felt like it."
Silence ensues around them, Daphne was not paying any attention to the professor at all while Harry was taking notes and listened to the lesson diligently. "Can I join you?" Daphne pleaded to him while grabbing his arm with a strong grip.
Being in the revolutionary and being an infamous pirate, Harry was excellent in reading people's heartbeat when he listens to it with the use of his observation haki. By the way she is expressing herself and the way her heart beats he knew that she was sincere. "Meet me in the fifth floor of Barnabas the Barmy portrait after this class." Harry answered.
Daphne was hiding in a dark corridor at the fifth floor near the meeting place. There were still a few aurors patrolling the area as it was still in the afternoon. Daphne was enjoying the silence that was looming in the halls, the only noise was the sound of nature. It was peaceful and she likes it.
"Hey." she heard a voice and she almost gave their presence away if harry had not casted a silencio at her.
"Follow me." he instructed while she complied. They walked to the portrait where Barnabas the Barmy was located and the Harry walked back and forth three times.
She questioned his actions and was shocked when a door suddenly appear. Harry invited her to come in but she was still in shock so harry grabbed her hand and lead her inside.
"Why do you want to join me?" Harry asked immediately. "What's your goal? Your purpose? Your reason? Tell me honestly because I'll know if you aren't." Harry continued while letting out an intent of murder. Daphne swallowed heavily, she was right, he was powerful, more powerful than she imagined.
"Because you're right. I am a weak girl that presents an image of a powerful woman when in truth I am no one." Daphne paused so she can catch her breath. "The Dark Lord, through the use of force and extortion had already set up a life for me and my sister. We are to become the wives, whores really of the future death eaters to breed their own offspring if we value our lives. I don't want to become like that. I want to be more than just a wife of a pureblood and so does my sister." Daphne continued explaining.
"So what's stopping you from doing it yourself?" Harry asked again.
"Power, I am just an average witch, with beauty, mind and cunning as her greatest asset. If I were to do it alone, myself and my family will die. If you let me join you in your quest I will be a loyal servant as long as I'm treated with respect and dignity." she answered.
"Not enough reason for you to join me. Come on Daphne, search your feelings, dig deep in your mind and tell me why you really want to join me in my quest." Harry encouraged her.
"Because I want to change this rotten society. I want to kill the bastards that threaten me and my family that made us submit to their quims. I want to have a future where my sister and I will flourish and be at our best. For us to be in a position of power and not just breeders for this death eaters to use. And only you can give me that opportunity. Dumbledore is just a man on the other side of the coin of you-know-who. He does not want to change anything for the better, he only wants to keep everything as it is. Turning blind to anything that could be chaotic." Daphne ranted, lost in her emotions while proclaiming her reasons, and when she took control of it and paid attention to her surroundings she saw that Harry was smiling.
"Valid reasons Greengrass but still not sufficient. For you to join me." Harry said, sneering at her.
"What do you want me to do then?" Daphne asked with frustration. "An oath." Harry answered. Daphne was shocked at his answer. An oath is not something you just decide instantly and it must be worded carefully. Daphne was silent still pondering at what her action will be. Is it really worth it? Was the main question in her mind.
"You know what. I'm also going to take an oath if you are taking one." Harry stated, and his doubts immediately began to fade, this was fair and this way she can be sure. She nodded both of them wrote an oath for each other. For Harry it says that he is not to betray her and that he will help her goal of saving her family and taking revenge on the death eaters. For Daphne, it also says that she won't betray him and that she will honestly and faithfully follow him in his quest.
When both of them finished their oaths they looked at each other and silence ensues between them, "How is your Occlumency?" Harry asked, breaking the silence between them.