Hermione hadn't been joking. Harry's homework had really gotten out of hand. Harry silently cursed Umbridge with every scratch of his quill as he worked on Essays for Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions. There was also work for Charms, history of Magic, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. In fact, the only class that had no homework was Defense Against the Dark Arts

Thankfully, he had help. Hermione had anticipated Harry's need to complete his mounting pile of work, and had joined him in the Library, along with Tracey, Daphne, and Neville, who admitted to needing help on his own work.

They managed to keep Harry on task, which was no small feat, as Harry had a bad habit of getting easily distracted when it came to his homework. The spent the entire morning working on his essays, and by lunch, Harry was halfway through it all.

"Well done, Harry." Hermione said as she finished proofreading his Potions essay. "I think you might be finished well before dinner, at this rate."

"Do you think we might take a break and get some lunch?" Harry asked. He looked quite drained, and Hermione, glancing at Neville who looked just as worn out as Harry, felt it wasn't a bad idea.

Gathering their things, the group left the Library and headed down to the Great Hall. As they approached the door, and Daphne and Tracey began breaking away from them, Harry tugged on Daphne's sleeve.

"Why don't you come sit with us?" He asked.

Both Daphne and Tracey looked surprised. Hermione smiled at the two Slytherin girls, nodding eagerly, while Neville looked just as stunned as the snakes. Daphne looked at Tracey, who could only shrug, before turning back and accepting the invitation.

They all sat at the end of the Gryffindor table, and eagerly began filling their plates with sandwiches and crisps.

"This feels a little weird." Daphne said after a moment. She had glanced up the table and noticed nearly everyone seated at the Gryffindor table was staring at her and Tracey. "I don't think we're welcome."

Hermione looked at her fellow Gryffindors and frowned. "Some people just can't see beyond their own noses."

"Still," Tracey said nervously. "Maybe we should have sat at our own table."

"No." Harry said firmly. "Everyone is just going to have to get used to the fact that we're friends. If they don't like it, that's just tough. If it makes you feel better, I'll sit with you at the Slytherin table at dinner."

Both Tracey and Daphne gawked at him, while Harry simply smiled.

"You are either incredibly brave, or seriously crazy." Tracey grinned. "You may not get to finish your meal."

"I seriously doubt anyone would do anything to me. Not while every single teacher is watching." Harry nodded his head towards the head tables

"He's got you there." Neville said. Harry smiled at the normally shy boy, he was keeping his eyes on his plate.

"See?' Harry said, turning back to the two Slytherins. "Problem solved. Now, let's finish eating so I can finish my homework. It'd be nice to get in some flying time before dinner."

"I knew it!" someone shouted triumphantly. They all turned to see Astoria standing in the Great Hall entrance way, smiling as if she'd just won the Daily Prophet sweepstakes. "I just knew I could get you two together." She joined them at the Gryffindor table, pushing Harry down on the bench to make room for herself. "Why aren't you sitting next to each other, though?"

Daphne's face burned crimson, and Harry noticed Tracey pushing her goblet away from herself.

"We're just having lunch." He said, giving a look to Hermione, who looked to be fighting a smile.

"Yeah, Tori. We're having lunch, and you weren't invited to join us." Daphne said, glaring at her younger sister.

"I know, but I just am so happy to see you two together."

"We're not together like that, and I would really appreciate it if you'd stay out of my business." Daphne said coldly.

"What do you mean you're not together like that? I saw you lean over to help him in the Library. I saw the way you rubbed his back." Astoria smiled triumphantly.

Daphne's eyes threatened to pop right out of her skull, her face burning so red, it was nearly purple. Harry looked at her quizzically. Neville looked up from his plate, his curiosity getting the better of him. Tracey and Hermione were both fighting to avoid looking at anyone. Harry suspected the two girls were on the verge of hysterics.

"Um, right." Harry finally said. "I know you think it's all very simple, but the truth is, we have a lot of obstacles to overcome. As much as I'm sure we'd like things to be simple, they just aren't."

"Is it because of Cho Chang? Is it because she kissed you?"

Now it was Harry's turn to be utterly humiliated. He looked at Hermione, who now had her head buried in her arms, shaking badly. Tracey had lost all control and was now laughing as if she should be sent to St. Mungo's. Neville's eyes had gone as wide as the golden plates before them, and Daphne looked…strange.

"How did you know about that?"

"I hear things." Astoria shrugged, taking some crisps from his plate and beginning to munch on them.

"Right." Harry said simply, and looked to Daphne for help. She was still looking at him strangely, and Harry couldn't tell what she was thinking. It looked as if she was incredibly conflicted at the moment.

"Look, how about if we promise to try harder to figure things out?' Harry tried, not really sure what he should be doing. All he knew for sure was he wanted Astoria as far away from him as possible at that moment.

"Fine." Astoria said, rather dejectedly. "But if you two don't figure things out soon, I think you're going to be in for a really difficult time."

Before they could ask her what she meant, Daphne's younger sister left them alone again.

"Cho Chang kissed you?" Neville asked.

Harry shrugged. "This morning, when I was sending Hedwig off with a letter. It was…not what I expected." Harry said lamely.

"What do you mean?" Neville asked, oblivious to the strange looks Hermione and Tracey were giving him.

"Let's not talk about it." Harry suggested. He really didn't feel right talking about Cho behind her back.

"We should get back to the Library, anyway." Hermione suggested, her face still flushed from trying not to laugh during Astoria's visit. They all stood and began heading off towards the Library. Daphne, lagging behind a bit. Both Hermione and Tracey noticed, and told the boys to go ahead and they would catch up.

"Come on." Hermione said, guiding them into the ladies room.

"She kissed him?" Daphne asked Hermione when they were all inside the bathroom.

"Yeah. This morning. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. He didn't like it at all." Hermione said reassuringly. Daphne looked up questioningly at the bushy haired witch, who smiled back. "He said he didn't feel anything when she kissed him. He was worried something was wrong with him. He had expected something softer, I think."

"Softer?" Tracey looked puzzled.

"I think she was rather forceful with her affections." Hermione grinned.

"Well, at least now you have an idea of how he likes to be kissed." Tracey said optimistically. Daphne just glared at her.

"I though he really liked her." Daphne pressed on.

"I think he did. But he knows nothing about her. In fact, he was always too nervous to talk to her. I think someone who eases themselves into his life stands a better chance with him." Hermione remarked. "You're doing fine with him, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to get you two alone for a bit."

"Are you suggesting we lock them in a broom cupboard?" Tracey asked, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"No." Hermione looked aghast. Tracey harrumphed and kicked her toe at the floor. "I was thinking something a bit more on the subtle side. You heard him say he'd like to go flying this afternoon. Wouldn't it be a shame if Daphne was the only one able to accompany him?"

Both Tracey and Daphne looked up at Hermione's triumphant face. Tracey smiled proudly, nodding her head in agreement, while Daphne looked more than a but nervous at the prospect on being alone with the boy she liked more than just a little bit.

"Harry, can I ask you something?" Neville said as they took seats at their table in the Library.

"Sure."

"Do you fancy Hermione?"

Harry looked up suddenly to see Neville staring back, and expression of anxiety on his face. He smiled softly and shook his head.

"Nev, I know how you feel about her. I think we can thank Ginny for that."

Neville's face began to redden.

"I can assure you that my feelings for Hermione are more in the brotherly-sisterly way. Though, I'd be careful about Ron. I think he really fancies her, though he may not have it figured out just yet."

Neville nodded.

"She's a special girl, Neville, and if she gives you the chance, you just remember to treat her right."

"Thanks, Harry." Neville smiled. "But to be honest, I don't think it will ever get to that point. I don't think she sees me that way."

"I wouldn't assume anything when it comes to Hermione. I think it says a lot that she's spending time with you, but don't jump to conclusions. Just take things slow, and get to know her."

"Like you and Daphne?" Neville countered, and Harry's smile faltered.

"I don't know what we're doing. At this point, I'm trying not to think about it. I just want to get to know her better before I try and figure any of this out. I don't need the pressure, you know?"

"I think I understand." Neville smiled. "How are things with Ron?"

"You have noticed his absence today, right?" Harry said sourly. Neville looked apologetic, but Harry waved it off. "Ron has to figure out what's important to him, and get his head out of his arse. He was blaming Daphne for not making the team last night."

"She didn't do anything. I was with her the whole time." Neville said defensively. "She was there to support him."

"I know. Hermione told me all about it. But, Ron would rather blame someone else than accept that he just wasn't good enough this year. It was too much, and I told him so."

"Told who?" Daphne asked, as she and Hermione and Tracey sat down with them.

"Ron." Harry said bitterly.

"What happened?" Tracey asked.

"Ron was blaming Daphne for his tryout performance." Neville said rather acrimoniously.

"Well, that's just this side of ridiculous." Daphne looked indignant. "How did I affect his keeping abilities?"

"He reckons that you slipped Hermione some kind of poison to give to me. I think he believes you're a master at casting the Imperius curse or something." Harry shrugged. "By the way Hermione, hank you for the Murtlap. It was working great, until Ron knocked it away from my table."

"You didn't use all of it, did you?"

"No, but after my row with Ron, I just went to sleep." Harry shrugged. Hermione looked saddened at the comment, but refrained from commenting further.

"Harry, I'm really sorry. I never meant to come between you and Ron. I simply wanted…"

"Daphne, it's fine. Honestly." Harry smiled warmly. "I should be allowed to have as many friends as I want, no matter who they are. Ron doesn't own me, nor does he have any say in who I keep company with. Come on, I need to finish this stuff."

Hermione had been correct, and with their combined effort, Harry was completely finished with his homework in virtually no time at all. With a few precious hours left before dinner, Harry raced up to Gryffindor tower, where he tossed his school bag onto his bed, retrieved his Firebolt and sprinted back out of the portrait hole all the way down to the Entrance Hall, where his friends waited.

They quickly made their way to the Quidditch pitch, and without a word, Harry mounted his broom and took to the skies. It felt so good to feel the wind whipping at his face. He soared high into the clouds before, pointing his broom back at the ground in a death defying dive which he was sure made Hermione dig her nails into her palm as she watched.

As he flew, all thoughts of Umbridge, the Ministry, and Voldemort were washed away, replaced by the soothing calm he always felt when he was riding his broom. After nearly a half an hour of barrel rolls, loops, and high sped dives, Harry turned his broom to the stands where he noticed only one person watching him. As he got closer, he saw that Daphne was sitting alone in the stands.

"Where'd everyone go?" He asked as his feet touched down.

"Tracey wanted to go read ahead in Runes, which got Hermione excited, and Neville went with them. He really likes her, doesn't he?" Daphne smiled nervously.

"Yeah, I think he does. Would you like to try?" Harry asked holding out his broom. Daphne smiled but shook her head.

"I was never very good on a broom. Plus, it's kind of cliché, you know. Witch riding a broomstick, and all." She shrugged.

"Except, you're much prettier." Harry said. It took half a second for him to realize what he'd just said. "I mean…prettier than other witches…Muggle witches. The way Muggles picture witches."

Daphne was giggling softly now, and grabbed his arm. "I get it, Harry. I've seen Muggle television shows. I know what you're trying to say."

"You've watched Muggle television?"

"Yeah." Daphne smiled. "My parents took us to France when I was younger, and we stayed in a Muggle hotel. Astoria and I watched Bugs Bunny cartoons almost everyday. Crazy stuff, but we got an idea of how Muggles think of witches."

"Wow. Not many Pure bloods could say they know who Bugs Bunny is." Harry smiled, impressed.

"I always felt bad for that coyote." Daphne admitted, looking morose. "All those great schemes and not one that worked. Almost as if he'd been cursed."

"I think I can identify.' Harry said, looking to the pitch. "Are you sure you don't want to give it a go?" Harry turned back, holding up the broom. Daphne looked at it for a moment before staring to shake her head.

"I'd probably just fall off it."

"I could ride with you." Harry smiled, and Daphne's eyes lit up.

"Um…alright." She found herself saying. Harry held out a hand to help her to her feet, and then he mounted the broom. She climbed on the back and slowly wrapped her fingers around his waist.

"Make sure to hold on tight." He said over his shoulder as he kicked off the stands and steered them higher into the air. Daphne had never felt incredibly comfortable on a broom. Her family usually traveled by way of Floo powder, portkey or occasionally Apparating. She'd tried to ride a broom a few times in her first year, but never quite got the hang of it.

She wasn't afraid of heights, nor did she hate the idea of being in the air. She just couldn't seem to keep a broom under control very long.

But now, up in the air with her arms around Harry's waist, she actually felt like she was on her way to heaven. He took things easy for a while, simply circling the pitch, taking the broom low to the ground, and then soaring to the clouds.

After several laps, Harry looked over his shoulder, a mischievous smile on his face. "Are you ready for a real ride?" He asked. Daphne nodded, her arms tightening their grip on his waist in anticipation of what she knew he must have in mind.

Harry gave a little laugh as he aimed his Firebolt straight down, Daphne's shriek of terror encouraging him to put on more and more speed as they dove. At the very last second, and the apex of Daphne's scream, he pulled the broom up, their toes skimming the blades of grass on the pitch.

Harry was laughing hard as he felt Daphne trying to catch her breath.

"That was amazing." She said when she was finally able to speak once again. "No wonder you love flying so much. It's such a rush."

Harry brought the broom down, and the two teens dismounted. Harry noticed how white Daphne's face was and felt a pang of regret until she smiled at him.

"Do you think we might go again after dinner?" She asked

Harry grinned and nodded, and together the headed up to the castle for the evening meal. As he had promised, Harry joined Daphne at the Slytherin table, where Tracey was sitting, waiting for them.

"You look white as a sheet." She said when Daphne sat down.

"Harry took me flying. It was amazing." Daphne grinned as she took a baked potato. Harry began filling his own plate, ignoring the murmurings around him. Daphne saw Malfoy glaring malevolently at her and Harry, and wondered if Harry had been right that afternoon when he said no one would dare try anything in front of the teachers.

"What are we doing after dinner?" Tracey asked, trying to distract Daphne from her fellow Slytherins and their predjudices.

"Going flying again." Harry smiled as he swallowed a mouthful of chops. "She only got to experience one good dive."

"What are you doing here, scarhead?" Malfoy called out, obviously unable to control his anger.

"Enjoying dinner with a couple of friends. You should try it." Harry smiled politely.

"You're not welcome here." Theodore Nott said icily. "You should really go back to your own table before you get hurt."

"I think I'll stay here until I'm finished, thank you." Harry smiled, putting another bite into his mouth.

"I asked Harry to join me this evening. I don't recall asking your opinion on the matter." Daphne said, her tone cool and her eyes narrowed menacingly.

"I swear, Potter, If you don't leave this table right now, I'll…"

"What, Malfoy? What will you do? Hex me in front of every teacher in the school? Are you so desperate to get rid of me that'd you'd risk serious punishment?" Harry challenged, Draco looked over to the staff table, and noticed several teachers watching the situation intently, including Dumbledore.

Shoving his plate away, Draco stood and stormed out of the Great Hall. Nott gave Harry one last look of contempt and went back to his meal, as did many others.

"I guess you were right, Harry." Daphne smiled.

"Draco won't do anything to me unless he thinks the odds are in his favor." Harry shrugged. "And no one would risk starting a fight right in front of the teachers."

"But, I'd watch my back from now on." Tracey warned. "I think Draco might be getting a bit tired of getting humiliated."

Harry nodded and they finished their dinner, keeping the conversation light. When they were finished, Harry took his broom, and with Daphne at his side, headed back out to the pitch.

When they got there, however, it looked as if more than a few others had thought a good fly was in order.

"Gotten a bit crowded." Harry sighed.

"Seems a shame to waste the daylight." Daphne remarked, and Harry agreed.

"We could take a walk, I suppose."

Daphne smiled and the two began walking towards the lake.

"Tell me about your family." Harry said as they walked. Daphne looked at the lake, a soft smiled on her face.

"Well, Astoria you've met." She said, her tone menacing.

"She's nice. Bit forward, but still pretty nice."

"She's a menace, nothing else. She means well, I'm sure. I hope, anyway." Daphne's brow furrowed. "I'd hate to kill her and find out she was truly trying to help and not make me die from embarrassment."

Harry laughed at that, which made Daphne's smile return.

"My parents are really good people. Dad was a Slytherin, of course. He and my mother started dating right after Hogwarts. She was a Ravenclaw, and they didn't really start making friends until near the end of their seventh year. I'm not sure what my dad does for work, though I'm sure it's something in law."

"You mentioned that on the train. I still think it's weird that you don't know." Harry said, looking puzzled.

"Dad really likes to keep work and family separate. I tried to ask a few times, but he always brushed it off. For a while, I thought he might be a hit wizard or something. Then, I realized he was home every night, and didn't travel too much." Daphne grinned.

"What about your mum?" Harry asked.

"Ah, Mum. She's a writer. She's wrote Wit Beyond Measure. It's a biography on Rowena Ravenclaw. She was immensely fascinated by her, and did years of research. It was an amazing book." Daphne said, looking thoroughly proud. "I think she enjoyed being a writer, as she could stay home with me and Tori when we were younger."

"That sounds really good." Harry said.

"What about your family?" Daphne asked, and immediately regret it. Harry's face darkened.

"I live with my aunt and uncle, who abhor anything to do with magic. I also have a cousin, who I'm convinced is part whale."

"You don't like living there, do you?" Daphne asked, knowing the answer just from the look on his face.

"If I had a choice, I'd live with my godfather. He's incredibly funny, and he's given me loads of good advice. If it wasn't for his situation, I would have gone to live with him a while ago."

"What's stopping you?" Daphne asked curiously.

They had come to a large boulder and Harry leaned against it, setting his broom down. He looked at Daphne, wondering how much he should tell her. He didn't think she would freak out, or go running to the Ministry or anything like that, but he was very protective of Sirius. He would rather die than do or say anything to jeopardize his godfather's safety.

"Let's just say he's got some problems with the law. He's innocent, and they don't believe his story." Harry shrugged.

"A lot of that going around these days, huh?"

"I suppose there is."

"Can he prove his innocence?" Daphne asked hopefully.

Harry shook his head. "Unfortunately not."

"Well that's just…" Daphne tried, looking for the right word for the situation. "Well, It's really bad." She said lamely. She looked at the ground, and saw his hand, looking raw and red from where he'd had to use the Blood Quill. Very gently, she took his hand in her own, and raised it so she could examine it closer.

Harry had to suppress a shiver when Daphne took his hand in hers. He didn't understand the feeling of shame he felt as she examined his wound. He wanted to pull his hand away from her, and yet, he didn't want her to let go of his hand.

"You can't let this happen again, Harry." She said, her soft brown eyes looking into his emerald green ones. "I wish there was a way to make her pay for what she's done, but we can't. Not right now, at least. One day soon, You-Know-Who's going to make his presence known and then they'll see."

"But until then, I have to just sit here and take it all." Harry sighed softly. "It just isn't fair. I'm trying to help them."

"I know that." Daphne said.

Harry was suddenly aware of how closely she was standing. He was also aware that his back was to the giant boulder. But probably the most important thing he realized was that he couldn't think of any place in the world he'd rather be.

"So how do I keep my temper in check?' Harry asked. Daphne gave a very shy smile.

"Whenever you start feeling angry, you force yourself to think of something else. Something relaxing. Something special." She smiled. She took a step closer to him now, and he returned her smile.

"Do you have any suggestions on what I could think about?"

Daphne nodded slowly, her eyes flickering between Harry's eyes and his lips. Harry took a step closer to her.

"We might be able to come up with something together." She smiled. She took another step closer to him, which he mirrored so that there was very little space between them. Harry's head was moving slowly towards hers.

"I think you could be right." He said in a near whisper.

Daphne felt her eyes closing, and her hands had gone to his chest as if drawn there. She could feel his breath tickling her skin as he bent towards her.

This was it. The moment she had dreamt of for nearly two years. She was about to kiss Harry Potter. She had thought it was going to take much longer, and loads more patience, but it seemed fate had other ideas, and she was not about to argue. She could sense his lips so close to hers. Her stomach was dancing with anticipation. She desperately wanted to feel his lips on hers. She felt she might die if he didn't kiss her. She needed to taste him. NOW!

"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN! KISS HER ALREADY!"

Although she was completely unaware of actually doing it, Astoria Greengrass had just signed her own death warrant.