"How long do you think I'd get in Azkaban?" Daphne asked as she paced angrily in her dorm room. She had desperately wanted to murder her younger sister, who had proven to be rather fast on her feet, and quite elusive once back in the safety of the castle. Astoria had ruined what should have been the single most beautiful moment in her very young life.

She had been so close to kissing Harry Potter, and perhaps getting to be his girlfriend when her sister, who had apparently been following them had been unable to take the tension and had urged Harry to get on with it. This had of course, had the opposite effect. Harry had jumped away from Daphne as if he'd been burned, and Daphne turned to find her sister hiding unsuccessfully behind a short bush.

Daphne had slipped her wand from her robes and sent a dozen spells after her spry sibling, only to leave several large holes in the ground. Harry had then suggested they say good night, as they were apparently drawing quite a crowd. Humiliated and broken hearted over what had been denied her, Daphne agreed and they said good night in the entrance hall.

"I mean do you think I'd get life, or do you think the Wizengamont might show mercy given the reasons for killing her?" Daphne ranted. Tracey Davis was holding her sides, and crying with laughter at hat had happened.

"I think mum would understand. Dad might be a little mad, but I think he likes me more anyway."

"Stop." Tracey begged. "I can't breathe anymore."

"This isn't funny!" Daphne turned to glare at her best friend. "How am I even going to be able to talk to him now? This is so embarrassing! Half the school knows what happened by now, I'm sure."

"So what?" Tracey cried, trying very hard to calm down. "As far as most anyone else is going to figure, it's that you like Harry, and he likes you. Big deal. Okay, you may have to deal with the Potter fans, or the girls who think their destined to be his girl, but in the end…you're going to be the one to get him. You've heard what Hermione's been trying to tell you. You're going to end up with him because you make him feel comfortable."

Daphne sat heavily on her bed, her fists so tight with her anger her knuckles were white. "I hate her so much!"

"But in the end, if she ends up helping you get him…"

"Then maybe I'll forgive her, but all she's doing right now is making things harder." Daphne wanted to scream. She wanted to find Astoria and strangle her skinny little body until her life left her.

"She can't help it, and you got to admire her enthusiasm. At least she not trying to steal him from you."

The door to the dorm opened and Millicent Bulstrode walked in, her eyes pointed at Daphne.

"Is it really true? Did you kiss Harry Potter?" She asked in her low voice. She looked unlike they could ever remember seeing her before. She looked starry eyed. She sat on her bed, which was next to Tracey's and waited patiently.

"No. I didn't kiss him." Daphne sighed, unsure what to make of Millie's presence.

"What?" Her eyes had cleared, and she looked confused. "Pansy said that you two were kissing by that big boulder by the lake."

"She almost locked lips with the Gryffindor Golden Boy, but she had interference from an overzealous peeping tom." Tracey chuckled, while Daphne shot her an angry glare.

"Huh?"

"Her sister interrupted." Tracey clarified.

"Oh Merlin. You must want to kill her!" Millie said, looking quite sad for Daphne.

"Where did Pansy here about this?" Daphne asked curiously.

"The whole house is talking about it. I'm going to guess your sister said something to one of her friends." Millie said apologetically.

"She's dead." Daphne said, throwing her hands up. "She's so totally dead."

"Maybe you should take him to the Astronomy tower." Millie suggested. "Pansy says no one really goes up there, so it's quite private. It's where Draco takes her when he wants…."

"LA LA LA" Both Tracey and Daphne shouted, stuffing fingers in their ears.

"Sorry Millie, but I really don't want to think about what Pansy does to Draco. Ever! It's really disgusting.'

"Yeah. Sorry. I wish she'd stop telling me." Millie sighed. "By the way. You two should watch your backs. Draco's planning on making you both see the error of associating with lesser wizards."

"What's he think he's going to do?" Tracey asked. Millicent shrugged.

"Why do you keep hanging out with him, or Pansy for that matter?" Daphne asked wearily. "They treat you like scum."

Millicent shrugged again, looking away from them, her fingers playing with a loose string on her quilt. "No one else talks to me."

"We talk to you."

"Sometimes." Millie sighed.

"And we're really sorry about that." Tracey smiled kindly. "But neither of us can stand Parkinson, and she's always around you."

"Why not sit with us at breakfast?" Daphne offered.

"Really?" Millie looked up hopefully. Both Tracey and Daphne nodded, and Millicent smiled a real smile. It was intense, as neither of the other two girls could remember the girl ever smiling before.

"Are you sure you want me around?" Millie asked, afraid she was being set up for some kind of joke.

"Millie, we really want you to join us for breakfast." Daphne assured her. She couldn't help but feel proud that she had done something so selfless. Millicent gave another wide smile and agreed to going to breakfast with them. She waved to the both of them and started heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" Tracey asked.

"I figured I shouldn't press my luck. I was going to go back…"

"Millicent Bulstrode, you sit down this instant" Daphne grinned. "you are more than welcome to sit in here and talk with us all night, should we choose to stay up that long."

Millicent practically bounded to her bed, a very excited smile on her face. She had never been invited to talk to anyone. Not since Pansy had ruined her budding friendship with Mandy Brocklehurst in first year. Not only that, but Millie thought Daphne and Tracey were much cooler than just about anyone else in Slytherin. They were nice, and kind, and weren't interested in befriending her to use her as some sort of body guard. They liked her for herself, not how she could intimidate others.

"So what was it like? Almost getting to kiss Potter, I mean." Millie grinned, that dreamy expression back on her face.

Daphne groaned, and fell back on her bed, while Tracey burst into fresh giggles."

The tension in the Headmaster's office was so palpable that it was suffocating. On one side of the Headmaster's desk sat Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, and his Undersecretary, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Dolores Jane Umbridge.

On the other side was the current Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, and standing like a sentinel over his shoulder was his Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall.

Fudge had asked for this meeting, and had arrived with Umbridge at his side like some kind of faithful lapdog. Fudge looked triumphant as he entered Dumbledore's office, his lime green bowler hat twirling in his hands.

"We've passed some new legislation and I wanted to be the one to inform you, Albus." Fudge said, a grin on his face. Thanks to Dolores, I've been made aware of some very disturbing things, that need to be addressed right away. As such, I have named Dolores High Inquisitor, here at Hogwarts."

"High what?" McGonagall asked, looking seethingly between Fudge and Umbridge.

"High Inquisitor, Minerva." Umbridge gave one of her sweet girly laughs. "It is a very important job."

"Indeed it is. Madam Umbridge will be inspecting all of your teachers, Albus. She will determine who is fit to teach, and who should be dismissed, and she will be able to do just that. We only want the best for our young, and we feel this is the best course of action. Also, she will have the power to make new Educational decrees, to help make things run smoother, and put the focus back into the educational experience." Fudge smiled.

Dumbledore had sat passively throughout the entire meeting, nodding occasionally, and smiling benignly. "Am I correct in assuming that you were able to convince the school governors of these changes?"

"Of course I have." Fudge smiled. "Unlike some others, I follow proper procedures."

Dumbledore steepled his fingers as he leaned forward in his chair. There was no twinkle in his eye any longer, no smile threatening to take over his face. Just a tired old man staring at the Minister and his flunky.

"Cornelius, why must we continue this ridiculous charade? You are not a fool, so why do you insist on acting as one?"

Fudge's jaw clench, and his bowler hat stopped spinning in his hands.

"I have never sought to run the Ministry, nor do I have any aspirations to take your position away from you. That power rests with the voting public. I implore you to see reason, Cornelius. Lord Voldemort…"

"ENOUGH!" Fudge shouted. "I will not be made to look stupid, Dumbledore."

Behind Dumbledore, McGonagall gave a little cough, which the Headmaster suspected was hiding a laugh.

"Dolores will begin inspecting you teachers Monday morning, and then we shall begin fixing all of your other mistakes. This school will become the crown jewel of education that it once was, no matter what. And if we need to replace every teacher to make it happen, then by Merlin we will. Good evening!"

Fudge slapped his Bowler onto his head, and with Umbridge on his heels, stormed out of the Headmaster's office. When the door slammed shut, McGonagall stepped around to the front of the Headmaster's desk and sat down and sighed.

"It won't be long now." Dumbledore said sadly.

"What are you talking about?" McGonagall asked.

"I have heard talk that Cornelius believes me to be using Hogwarts to recruit for an army that I am building. I suspect his subordinate has been feeding him more 'facts' to support this story. The first thing that will happen is that she will begin inspecting all the mail coming in or out of Hogwarts. Not only that, but she will have the floo's monitored, or shut off completely."

"Oh Albus, what are you going to do?" McGonagall asked, feeling as if there was a great black hand hovering over her, waiting to swoop down and snatch her up, squeezing her until there was nothing left of her.

"I can only prepare for when they come to take me."

"They can't take you, Albus. Surely they won't try to…"

"I'm afraid, given Cornelius' growing paranoia, it is only a matter of time. As I suspect that Professor Umbridge to be quite ambitious, she will likely be named the new Headmistress once I am removed. So we must prepare to protect our students from her cardigan clad iron fist."

"Albus, this is really no time for jokes." McGonagall scolded, though the barest of smiles parted her thin lips.

"It is quite late. I should like to see you and Severus first thing in the morning. We have much to prepare for."

Professor McGonagall stood, bidding Dumbledore a pleasant evening before leaving him to his thoughts. As she headed for her private quarters, all she could think of was what was going to become of the school if what Dumbledore believed was inevitable actually happened. More importantly, what would happen to young Harry Potter without Dumbledore's protection?

Harry finally climbed into his bed at a little past one in the morning. He, Neville and Hermione had agreed to have breakfast in the morning, and Hermione had gone to bed a few hours earlier. Neville and Harry had stayed up, just talking about nothing. Harry had really enjoyed Neville's company, and found that the usually shy boy was immensely witty, if not a tad vulgar.

Harry had really enjoyed hanging with Neville that night. Not once did they talk about brooms, Quidditch teams, or great plays, stats, or anything even remotely related to the sport. It was more than a little refreshing, Harry had felt.

Despite the rather abrupt, and embarrassing end to his evening with Daphne, Harry couldn't help but think back about what had nearly transpired. It was almost as if he'd been drawn to her. The way she had looked at him, or how they had talked as if it were the most natural thing in the world for them. It was hard for Harry to believe that they had only spent a week together. Still, as he lay in his bed, staring up at the canopy of his for poster, he could still see the way she leaned into him, her head tilting up towards his, her eyes fluttering closed, and the overwhelming urge he had to press his lips to hers.

"I hope she doesn't really kill her sister." Harry thought as he remembered the indignant shriek Daphne had emitted when the younger Greengrass girl had voiced her encouragement. "Hex her or something, just not kill her." Harry grinned to himself.

He closed his eyes and felt himself relax as sleep cradled him.

He saw himself flying in the air on his Firebolt, Daphne whispering in his ear to go faster, to go higher. They laughed together as Harry aimed his broom and chased down Draco Malfoy who was wearing Professor Umbridge's cardigan and that tiny black bow in his hair.

Harry urged his broom into the Great Hall, hoping to knock Malfoy into a pudding, but the as he passed the entrance, the Great Hall was not recognizable. He was now standing in the middle of a very long corridor. Everything was done in dark marble, and Harry felt impatient.

"Bring it to me." He hissed. From behind him, there was a whimper, and Harry turned to see a man he was sure he recognized, though he could not remember from where. The man took several steps forward, looking back at Harry. His eyes were clouded over, and he looked utterly bewildered.

"Do as I command." Harry said waving a long skeletal and towards a door in front of them. His point of view switched now to the other man's, though he could still feel the growing impatience of the first. His body felt sluggish, as if he could not control it. He did not want do as he'd been ordered, but he could not stop himself either. He reached out to grasp the doorknob, and then his vision went white.

Harry found himself back in the first man's place. A white hot anger gripped him and he let loose a bellow of rage that echoed off the marbled walls.

Harry sat bolt upright in his bed, sweat pouring off him like a waterfall, his sheets cold and wet. He was breathing as if he'd run a marathon, and his stomach churned. He forced himself to steady himself, to calm himself down.

"What the hell was that?" he asked himself. He knew that he had just seen through Voldemort's eyes, though he had no idea where he was or what he'd been attempting, though he was sure that the man he'd recognized had been under the Imperius curse. What ever had happened, Harry thought for sure that Voldemort had failed, especially if the throbbing pain in his scar was any indication.

Harry finally managed to settle himself once again and eased himself back down onto his pillow. He knew that his dream was important and decided he would try to see the Headmaster in the morning and tell him about what he'd seen. Perhaps the Headmaster would understand it better than he could.

Harry did not see Dumbledore the next morning. Not knowing what else he should do, and not knowing the password to his office, Harry sat down for breakfast, vowing to tell the headmaster about his dream at lunch, sure he would be able to get a minute of Dumbledore's time then.

"You looked really tired, Harry." Hermione said as they all sat at the Gryffindor table. Harry simply shrugged and began to fill his plate. As he began buttering his toast, he looked over to the Slytherin table, not sure what he expected to do if he caught Daphne's eye.

"I don't believe you!"

As one, Harry, Neville, Hermione, and nearly every other head in the Great Hall turned as Cho Chang stomped up to Harry.

"Who do you think you are? You ignore me all day yesterday, and then find out that you were kissing another girl by the lake last night?"

Harry felt suddenly like running away and hiding until Christmas. He was more than a little confused by Cho's ranting.

"uh….what?" Harry asked, showing his complete control over the English language.

"I kissed you in the Owlery. Didn't that mean anything to you? Or am I just something to play with?"

"What are you talking about?" Harry said, his own anger rising now. "I didn't ask you to kiss me. Then you ran away before I could say anything."

"So it did mean nothing to you!" Cho shouted, tears now falling from her eyes. "I should have listened to my friends. They all told me you weren't worth it! I defended you. I told them you weren't like that!"

"Like what?" Harry asked, now hopelessly lost. Cho simply screamed and ran out of the Great Hall, her curly haired friend right on her heels. Harry turned to look back at Hermione and Neville, both looking as confused as he felt.

"Can either of you explain to me what just happened?" Harry asked.

Hermione sighed. "If I'm not very much mistaken, I'd have to say that she felt by kissing you yesterday, you and her became a couple."

"But, We'd barely spoken before that. On top of that, she never even said that she liked me. And I wasn't kissing anyone by the lake."

"But you almost did." Neville reminded Harry.

"Well, yeah." Harry said, his eyes fogging a bit as he remembered how Daphne had looked the previous evening. He quickly shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "But I wasn't cheating on her. We…I…She didn't…"

"Harry." Hermione snapped her fingers in front of her friend, helping him to quiet himself. "Evidently in her mind something more happened than her kissing you. However, she should have clarified to you what it all meant, rather than running away from you, no matter how embarrassed she might have been. At the very least she should have given you the chance to decided if you wanted to be with her."

"Hi Harry!" Astoria Greengrass smiled as she sat down next to Harry. "I'm sorry about last night. Really I am."

She looked over to the Slytherin table, and Harry followed her gaze to see Daphne looking rather glum, and actively avoiding looking in his direction.

"I really was just trying to help you two get together. Apparently I'm not helping as much as I thought. She's really mad, and I don't know if she'll even talk to you right now. She said I really embarrassed her, and you."

"It was kind of humiliating." Harry admitted. "But your heart was in the right place."

"I feel really bad." Astoria said glumly, still looking at her sister. "She's always been good to me, and I was trying to be a good sister, and help her with you. She really does like you, you know, and not because you're famous or anything like that. I used to listen to her and Tracey talk about you last year. When I found out that she was trying to get to know you, well…"

Astoria shrugged and looked back at Harry. "She really deserves to be happy, because I think she's a really good person."

"Astoria, you can't force people together. If Daphne and I are meant for each other, we'll get there in our own time. For now, I'm truly happy that she's my friend. Beyond that….I just don't know."

"Will you at least think about it?"

"Believe me, I already am." Harry smiled. That smile seem to lift Astoria's spirits and se once again hopped off the bench. Then she did something Harry hadn't expected. She grabbed Harry around the neck and hugged him tightly.

"Thanks Harry." She said, and once again, skipped off down the tables.

"You really have a way with women." Neville chuckled. "You can anger one in one instant, and make another feel on top of the world with just a smile in the next. You certainly are one powerful wizard, Harry.

"Ah shut up." Harry laughed.

Harry wanted to speak to Daphne, but the she and Tracey had slipped out of the Great Hall before he was able to catch her. Unsure of what else to do to pass the time until lunch, Harry took Hermione's suggestion to read ahead in some of his subjects. Feeling he needed the most help with Potions, Harry had taken his potions book and was about to start preparing for the coming week when Lavender Brown approached him.

"Harry, I thought you liked Parvati." She said rather sternly. "Then I hear you and Cho Chang are together, and now there's this business with you kissing a Slytherin? What is going on?"

"Why is it your business?" Hermione asked rather scathingly.

"Parvati is my friend and I want to make sure she's not going to get hurt." Lavender said crossly.

"I'm not going out with anyone right now, nor do I have any desire to do so at this time." Harry said angrily. "Who I choose to spend my time with is my business, and no one else's!"

"Wait." Dean Thomas asked from across the Common room. "What do you mean he was kissing a Slytherin?"

"I heard from Lisa Turpin that Harry was snogging a Slytherin girl by the Lake last night." Lavender said.

"I was not kissing a Slytherin!' Harry said, but no one heard as Fred, George and Lee Jordan began wolf whistling.

"Atta boy Harry!" Someone else shouted.

"Why would he want a Slytherin?" Someone else said. "There are plenty of good looking gals in Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw."

"He doesn't even really need to look outside Gryffindor." Another person said. "We got all the best looking girls."

"A love potion, It's gotta be."

Harry had his fill. He stood up slamming his book on the table before him. "Everyone, SHUT UP! It's none of your business who I snog or why!"

Harry then turned on Lavender. "As for me and Parvati, all I said is that we would discuss it. I haven't spoken to her, nor has she expressed any desire to explore the issue. If she feels that she would like to spend time with me, it is up to her, and she can come talk to me herself."

Lavender looked extremely annoyed, and sun on her heel, whipping Harry in the face with her curly blonde hair, before stomping up the stairs. All around him, other Gryffindors became very interested in their previous activities.

"To hell with this." Harry said, and headed out of the common room.

"Should we follow him?" Neville asked, concern for his new friend on his face.

"Not right now." Hermione said wisely. "Let's give him time to cool off."

Harry had no idea where he was going, until her found himself in front of Hagrid's hut. He had been just about to knock on the door when he remembered that his friend wasn't home. He had no idea where Hagrid was, or even if he was alright.

Harry sunk down to sit on the half giant's front steps, his anger still palpable. He couldn't understand all this sudden interest in his romantic life, when he wasn't even sure if he had one. He'd only had one date, and he had botched up pretty badly, in his opinion. He apologized, and now what? Did Parvati expect him to ask her out?

And Cho. One kiss and they were a couple. It wasn't even a good kiss. At least not as far as he was concerned. It had been rough and empty.

Were all girls this mad? No. Hermione wasn't crazy. But maybe it was because she didn't like him like that. Tracey was easy to get along with, and wasn't always blushing when he looked at her. And Daphne…

Well, Daphne was different, wasn't she. If she was nervous around him, he never had any idea. She was always so calm, and she was funny, and so easy to talk to. He really liked it when she was around. But how did he really feel about her.

They'd only really know each other a short time. Was that enough to feel anything special? Was there even such a thing as love at first sight? For that matter what did love feel like? He knew that he cared deeply for Hermione, and Sirius, and even Ron, though right now he was a complete and utter git. But love?

"Hey."

Harry looked up and saw Ginny standing in front of him. "You look like you could use a friendly ear."

"I suppose." Harry shrugged. "I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment."

"I kind of figured that, seeing as your sitting on Hagrid's doorstep, and he's not home.' Ginny smiled, sitting next to Harry. 'What's on your mind?"

"I don't understand girls. How can a girl kiss you, then run off and expect you to know that that makes you a couple?"

"It doesn't." Ginny said simply. "If you want to be with someone, you have to make sure they feel the same way as you. We girls have lots of ways to show boys that we're interested. The way we look at you, or how we touch you. Boys are just generally dense, and often don't get it right off. But thankfully, we girls are patient."

"Why not just say it?" Harry asked.

"Oh, Harry." ginny nudged him with her shoulder playfully. "It would take all the fun out of it. Besides. Guys like it, they just don't know it, because they don't really understand it."

"I don't get it."

"Ok, let me try and make it clear." Ginny smiled. "When a girl likes you, she gives hints. When you walk with her, she'll walk very close to you, so that your arms touch almost all the time. She might even brush her fingers against yours. That's kind of how she tells you that she wants you to hold her hand."

Ginny brushed her fingers against Harry's to demonstrate this. Harry nodded his understanding.

"When you sit together, she sits very close, much like I'm sitting next to you now. When she talks to you, she stares into your eyes as if there's nothing else in the world.

Ginny was now staring at Harry, her voice had dropped several octaves.

"And when she wants you to kiss her," Ginny whispered lowly now. "She'll lean in a bit, and offer her lips to you. She might even put a hand out on your chest like she wants to push you away, but she actually tying to pull you closer."

Harry turned away from Ginny, his brow furrowed deeply, as if vexed. He missed the look of bitter disappointment on Ginny's face as she pulled back, sighing.

"Ok, that I understand. Daphne did most of that last night, and I wanted to kiss her. But Cho…"

"Is a cow." Ginny said vehemently. "She's trying to fill a void in her life, Harry. She doesn't really care about you. Most of the girls here don't care about the REAL you. Can you be sure that Daphne does?"

"I think she does." Harry said softly. Ginny grunted and stood up.

"Harry, there are a lot of girls in this school who think they belong on your arm. If you're not careful, you could get hurt really badly. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you make any decisions."

With that Ginny turned and walked away, her footsteps a bit hard, in Harry's opinion. However she had a point. Harry was sure he liked Daphne, but he really didn't know her, and if he was going to allow himself to become involved with her, then he should know what he was getting himself into.

"Well, then." he said standing up. "I guess I should get to it then."