A/N 1) – Now beta'd by CasketFan5 – who is trying to make me look good, I hope he has succeeded.

A/N 2) – Recommended Reading - A humorous little one shot of less than a thousand words Tolerance by Viscount Anarchy.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns it all, I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Harry sighed, it was seven am, and he had been woken again by the insistent pull of his magic. 'Two hours... a measly two hours' was all the freedom he currently had before his magic wanted to reconnect with Daphne's.

She was going to be difficult about this; he could already see that, not that he blamed her. This was his fault after all. He sighed once more, 'why did things always get messed up when he tried to help, it wasn't like he had tried to bind them together, he just didn't want someone else to die.'

He rolled to his side and stared at the curtain, he could feel her on the other side, still in her potion-induced sleep. His magic tugged at him, urging him to make the connection, slipping quietly out of bed, he moved with a long practiced silence around the curtain.

She always looked peaceful whilst asleep and she was definitely beautiful if only in an untouchable sort of way. He tried once more to reconcile the girl that he had seen around Hogwarts with the girl that her mum, Tracey and Astoria described.

His memories of her weren't at all substantial. They had shared classes together of course, but she was hardly interactive with the majority of the class. He frowned, well at least from fourth year on. The three years prior she wasn't exactly sociable but she didn't go out of her way to be unfriendly to people, she would acknowledge you if you had cause to interact.

Shaking his head, he moved closer to her bed, he knew that he could hold out for longer, but eventually he would suffer the consequences; blurred vision, headaches, nausea, and shaking were the best of them. It had been six hours after he had saved her life before Poppy had understood what had happened and by that time, he was a wreck. For the last five days, he had rarely pushed it past the two-hour mark.

He pulled the seat up that he seemed to have taken up residence in, subconsciously her right hand sought his left, and the magic flowed between them at the first touch. There was warmth to it, a gentle pulse that felt intimately familiar and ever so slightly arousing. He blushed, face lighting up, it was something he still had no control over, much to Astoria and Tracey's glee.

Those two were unlike any Slytherin's he had ever met. During morning of the second day after the battle of Hogwarts as it was now known, Tracey had hobbled over to Daphne's bed and promptly asked him what exactly he was doing holding Daphne's hand. Astoria had followed watching carefully.

It had taken the intervention of Madam Pomfrey to assure them that he had no ill intent and that he and Daphne would require a small amount of physical contact at different stages through the day and night, otherwise their magic started acting out.

It hadn't taken long for them to open up a bit, they were both warm, bubbly and funny and entirely too happy to tease him. They hadn't shared any great personal details with each other yet, but he had come to know them somewhat, finally realising that his view of all Slytherins had been tainted by Malfoy coloured glasses.

The two of them had become a beacon of happiness, in what was an ocean of sour tears. It was not that they had tried to make him smile which they did with disarming regularity, but they also joined him when he sat with Daphne and talked to her, telling her what was happening, teasing him and generally just keeping him company.

He found himself almost relaxed when in their company and his mind free from the bitterness that he felt most of the time. Too many had lost their lives, so many sacrificed and yet he was getting all the plaudits and acclimation, so he had taken to hiding away when not in the hospital wing, surfacing occasionally for meals, waiting for the furore to abate.

His own friends had taken the news in mostly typical fashion, Hermione had at least waited until they were alone before launching into a tirade, asking him 'what was he thinking, why hadn't he asked them to accompany him' and generally berating him for poor decision making.

Then before he knew what was happening, she threw herself into his arms apologising, and reassuring him that they would find away to fix it. Just as promptly, she turned and left to go to the library, before returning sheepishly, less than a minute later when she remembered that the library was still in disarray.

She was frustrated in her inability to help, so she tried to be there for Harry whenever she could find the time from helping with the rebuild of Hogwarts. Her eyes would always eventually find Daphne and a puzzled expression would adorn her face until something else grabbed her attention.

Ron was typical Ron; he blamed Daphne for the whole problem saying that she had probably been plotting a way to get Harry away from Ginny so that she could sink her fangs in him.

For the moment, Harry had given up trying to convince Ron that this was his fault but now that Daphne was awake, he knew that he would have to broach the subject again, before he made the situation worse.

He didn't blame Ron for how he felt, he knew some of the trauma that the entire Weasley family had suffered at the hands of Slytherin House. On the other hand, he also conceded after talking with Daphne's friends and family that just like not all Gryffindor's were honourable, not all Slytherin's were backstabbing self-serving snakes. He knew that Ron would come around but right now, he was struggling to deal with the loss of his brother and Daphne was a convenient outlet for his frustrations.

Ginny was a completely separate conundrum, she hadn't visibly seemed too upset by the whole saga at all and Harry was at a loss as to how he felt about this. Had she been screaming and throwing hexes then at least he would have understood what she felt, but he was unsure of how to handle the Ginny that had found him hiding at the top of the astronomy tower one night.

She had been reserved and quiet, but hers eyes had been puffy red, and for the longest time she sat opposite him just watching. When he had started to apologise, she had shushed him. 'Don't Harry this isn't your fault, I don't blame you for what you did, it's who you are, it's why we love you,' she had turned then, to watch the stars on the Black Lake, taking the time to compose herself.

He wanted to go and comfort her, but this wasn't the Ginny he knew and he was entirely uncertain of what to do, so he had waited.

Her voice was low and strained once she continued, 'I'm not angry with you, how could I be? You did it without thinking, to save a life, much like you saved mine.' Then she turned, kissed him, whispered 'good luck,' and left him alone.

He had hardly seen her since that night; Hermione told him that she had taken to spending a majority of her time with George, trying to help him overcome the grief of losing his other half. He had hoped that if he survived, that they would try again, but as each day slipped past that future seemed less and less likely.

Neville and Luna had taken it in their stride, Neville had merely winked at him and said 'only you Harry' before laughing and wishing him good luck with it all. 'I'll be here if you need someone to hold you down whilst Madam Pomfrey patches you up.' It had taken him a good couple of minutes before he had composed himself enough to pat Harry on the back and leave.

Luna had blamed some exotic animal explaining obviously he had no choice but to save Daphne's life, and that he had several of them still plaguing him. 'Don't worry Harry, the Nargles tell me you will be fine... eventually' she had smiled impishly and then skipped from the room, leaving Harry utterly confused.

Daphne stirred, shifting in her sleep, 'please not yet, don't wake up yet' he had no desire to try explaining why he was currently holding her hand whilst she slept. Just a couple more minutes and he could move back to his own bed, to try to get some more sleep, and then they could deal with this whilst there were witnesses, he knew her reputation for hexing first and questioning later.

He sighed, rolling his aching shoulders and he felt tired and worn. His body ached as though he had been held under the cruciatus again, perhaps he should talk to Madam Pomfrey about it, maybe he had some lingering effects from his foray into the forbidden forest.

'Mum?' Daphne yawned without opening her eyes.

Harry froze; shut his eyes and hunched in on himself, 'just my luck' hoping beyond hope that she wouldn't freak out, 'one of these days I'll catch a break.'

'What time is it' she stifled another yawn, blinking the fog from her eyes. 'WHAT IN MORGANA'S NAME ARE YOU DOING POTTER?' Her voice smashed the tranquillity of the early morning, and multitude of emotions flickered across her face, faster than Harry could comprehend.

Snatching her hand from his grasp, the connection broke and she hissed 'what the fuck was that?' looking at her hand as though it had betrayed her.

Harry grimaced, he could hear the hospital wing waking up, 'that was the connection between our cores,' she was not going to like this, not one bit.

She scowled at him 'Explain..., explain to me why you are here in the middle of the night holding the hand of a girl you don't know, like some creepy pervert.' More emotions washed across her and she shifted subtly away from him, drawing in on herself, whilst looking about in a slight panic.

'Calm down Daphne, I'm not going to hurt you, I think it best if we wait for Madam Pomfrey to discuss this', he held his open hands up, trying to calm her down.

She stared back at him eyes narrowing, 'Where's my wand?'

'Your mother has it, she thought it best that she kept it until you woke,' he said as he watched her face, adding 'thank god,' under his breath.

'What was that,' she was still scowling at him as if it would eviscerate him where he sat.

Before he could answer, Madam Pomfrey appeared from behind the curtain, 'Good morning dear, I see you are awake,' she smiled. 'Good morning to you to Mr Potter.'

'Morning' they said in unison, still watching each other.

'I take it, she woke a little earlier than you were hoping Mr Potter,' her voice lifting slightly as she found the humour in the situation.

'You could say that' Harry grumbled, 'I doubt holding my hand is going to be the highlight of her day.'

'You can say that again Potter and you still haven't answered my question,' she huffed. Calming somewhat now that someone else had joined them. 'Poppy what is going on?' Her gaze shifted to the medi-witch, 'Why does he seem to think he has the right to hold my hand anytime that he feels like it, and where is my mother?'

'It's okay Daphne, we will explain everything but you need to remain calm, Mr Potter isn't doing anything too harm you, he's actually helping you,' Madam Pomfrey was waving her wand over and around Daphne. 'Hmmm... the cruciatus damage is still healing far faster than usual I see, at this rate in about a week you should be able to come off the potion regime.'

Harry jerked; this was the first time he had been present whilst Madam Pomfrey examined Daphne since that night, he definitely needed to talk to Madam Pomfrey a bit later, regarding how he currently felt.

'Mr Potter could you please contact Cassandra, I think given Daphne's state of mind we need to have this discussion sooner rather than later, don't you?' seeing Harry nod, Madam Pomfrey started to hand Daphne potions.

Harry smirked whilst he watched Daphne grimace her way through the potions, he could sympathise, most of them tasted vile. Lazily he flicked his wand into his hand and called on 'Prongs' and asked him to go and fetch Mrs Greengrass. Then unexpectedly, he was wearing one of Daphne's potions, they really did taste vile.

'Morgana's saggy tits Potter, some warning would be nice before you do shit like that,' Daphne coughed.

'Sorry' he said simply 'I didn't think.'

'Well that's obvious, you never do,' came the hacking reply.

'What the hell do you mean by that' snarled Harry, she'd been awake for less than ten minutes, and already she was getting on his nerves. Tracey and Astoria had been playing a joke on him he decided, because this girl was exceedingly painful to be around, nowhere could he see the intelligent, witty, and fun girl they had described. Instead, she appeared to be a good-looking banshee.

'Children... behave,' Madam Pomfrey instantly cut across both of them, glaring at them until they both hung their heads. 'Are you both going to be good or do I have to wait until Cassandra arrives before getting Daphne another potion?'

The question hung in the air before Harry answered sourly, 'we'll be good.'

Madam Pomfrey looked at them calculatingly before nodding and leaving to get another potion. Five minutes later when she returned, the atmosphere was frosty, neither of them had moved and both wore petulant looks.

Daphne had just finished the last of her potions when Mrs Greengrass, Astoria and Tracey walked in, 'Good morning you two' she greeted them with her customary smile. Cassandra Greengrass was a very good-looking woman, Harry had to admit. She was tall, every bit of five foot ten inches with a lithe dancer's body. Her blonde hair fell past her shoulders, and she carried herself with a grace that Harry had seldom seen. It was easy to see where the two Greengrass girls had acquired their looks.

Harry barely grunted a good morning back whilst Daphne greeted her family cordially.

'What's happened?' she enquired her smile slipping slightly.

Daphne seized on the opening, 'Oh I don't know, how about when I woke up this morning, Mr Creepy over here was holding my hand,' her eyes boring into Harry. 'Or how about, when did you all get friendly and on first name basis with the "boy who lived", huh? I thought you were supposed to be my friends and family,' Daphne seethed eyes roving from one to another.

'What about the fact that the only two times I've been awake since the battle, he's been here too, and apparently he knows all about my diagnosis and treatment,' her anger rolled off her in waves. She opened her mouth to continue but her mother cut her off.

'Daphne stop!' Her mother gave her a glare, her face showing her embarrassment. 'That's enough young lady, start engaging your brain before you dig the hole you're in any deeper.'

Astoria goggled at her mother, as Tracey watched on, cringing at her friend's tirade.

Daphne turned back to Harry, 'Leave Potter...now and don't come back,' the venom in Daphne's voice was unmistakable.

Harry rose to his feet, his face white, 'Tracey, Astoria, Mrs Greengrass, its been a pleasure getting to know you, thank you for your time and understanding,' his voice strained. 'I didn't want this to happen and I don't want to get between you all, so I'll leave you to it, maybe it will be fine now she's awake.

He turned to leave but Tracey grabbed his arm. 'Harry please don't, she doesn't understand what she is saying' she begged, her eyes imploring him to stay.

'Let him go Tracey, I know exactly what I am saying,' venom still dripping from her tongue.

He turned to Daphne, 'You know Greengrass, your family has done nothing but sing your praises, but you know what? I think you've been hiding your true self from them, because from what I've seen your nothing but a selfish and petulant bitch, you don't deserve them.'

'Oh and I suppose you do,' she lashed back.

'No, no I don't, but I would appreciate them,' he made to leave again but Tracey still held his arm.

'Harry please, just give me a minute and then you can go' Tracey looked him in the eye waiting for him to acknowledge her. he gave a slight nod and she relaxed somewhat before turning to face Daphne, letting go of his arm.

'Daph, you know I love you right, so what I'm about to say is for your own good. So shut up and listen and if you interrupt me so help me I'll hex you.' Tracey's voice was calm but her breathing had a ragged edge to it.

'I know what you are doing, but you're being stupid again. For four years I have tried to get you to see reason but you refuse, deluding yourself that you're fine.' She clenched her fists 'I have begged you to get help, this cold heartless bitch you've become isn't you, you need help.'

Daphne sat back in mouth falling open as Tracey continued, 'The girl I knew, my best friend, I lost her 4 years ago and I have been desperately trying to get her back.'

She looked Daphne in the eyes, 'But you know what Daph, at some point you have to admit defeat and I just can't do it anymore. I bet you haven't even thanked Harry for saving your life. You haven't thought about what it cost him, after he had already sacrificed so much. I don't know him well, but even I can see he is hurting.'

She pointed at him 'Look at him Daph, I mean really look at him. Does he look like he is going to take advantage of you? He wouldn't know how to do that.' Tracey was gulping in large breaths. 'I won't do this anymore, until you self perform a rectal craniotomy...'

'A what?' cut in Harry.

'She means pull her head out of her arse' Astoria filled him in

Tracey glared at them both before continuing 'then you can deal with this on your own...' she looked to Mrs Greengrass and Astoria, 'I'm sorry Aunt Cass, Astoria but I can't do this anymore. Call us when she needs him,' she turned back to Daphne 'trust me Daph, you will need him.'

Then she pivoted and snatched Harry's arm, 'Come on Harry, we're leaving,' and with that she marched him out of the Hospital wing.