Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. On his desk was the stone basin in which one could view memories. The Pensieve. Several crystal vials sat next to the Pensieve, each filled with silvery vapor that were important pieces of a great puzzle.
Dumbledore had managed to get the final piece of this puzzle, but unfortunately, it had not formed a clear picture as he had hoped.
Tracking down the owner of that memory had taken just over a year. Horace Slughorn loved his comforts, and being in the spotlight due to his relationships with famous witches and wizards, all of whom he had taught years before. However, when Dumbledore came out to announce the return of the Dark Lord, Horace Slughorn all but fell off the face of the earth.
Upon finding the old Potions master at last, Dumbledore had immediately offered the retired professor a job, explaining he would be far safer from the Death Eaters at Hogwarts than anywhere else. He also managed to drop a few names of youngsters who Slughorn would no doubt wish to add to his collection of famous students, including the Boy-Who-Lived.
Negotiations nearly failed when Dumbledore asked for a favor in return. Slughorn's large round face paled, and a sheen of sweat formed on his bald head when Dumbledore explained about his research.
"I remember how fond you were of him, Horace. I also know that you, like so many of us, were unaware of what he was to become. I am begging you to help me in ending this war. All I need from you is your memories," Dumbledore had pleaded. He remembered how truly frightened Slughorn appeared. At first he denied knowing anything that might help the Headmaster, but Dumbledore was not to be fooled.
It took several weeks, but ultimately, it was a narrow escape from Death Eaters that changed Slughorn's mind. He had written to Dumbledore accepting his offer of protection. Dumbledore was unsurprised to see a list of demands, all of which Dumbledore was more than happy to meet.
And so, at last, Dumbledore finally got his hands on a handful of memories featuring a young Tom Marvolo Riddle. The future Lord Voldemort, as he was in his formative years.
As Dumbledore studied these memories, he saw the signs they should have all seen. He was manipulative, even as a boy. The way he was able to get people to do as he liked through mere words. It was no wonder that Slughorn was embarrassed by these memories. He'd been a fool. A puppet for Tom Riddle to make dance as he liked.
But it was the last memory that both excited, and worried Dumbledore. It was something he had known for three years now. The secret of Lord Voldemort's immortality. Horcruxes. It was Slughorn who had given Tom the answers he had sought, though he clearly had not suspected what he'd just done.
Dumbledore also learned that there was a total of seven Horcruxes. Dumbledore had a long piece of parchment next to the stone basin, on which he had many notes scribbled out. There were two lists at the top. One list was quite long, and it consisted of locations all over the country. Locations, that to anyone else would appear benign. Unimportant. Many of the locations were scratched out. Places Dumbledore had been to, and found nothing.
The second list was small.
A Diary - Destroyed.
The Ring of Slytherin - Destroyed
The Locket of Slytherin
The Cup of Hufflepuff
The Gauntlet of Gryffindor
The Diadem of Ravenclaw
The Ring of Ravenclaw
The Star Pendant of Ravenclaw
The Serpent
Harry Potter?
Dumbledore had stared at the last item on his list, a shiver of fear running up his spine. He had researched for years on the cursed means to attain immortality. One needed to split their soul by committing murder. Voldemort had proven capable of that. Dumbledore had loads of memories that proved that. The Headmaster also knew that Voldemort was fond of trophies, and had also deluded himself into believing that he, and he alone, should own any artifacts from the founders of Hogwarts, as he was a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin.
That was the reason for the list. They were guesses of what Voldemort might have used to make his Horcruxes. He had no idea exactly what items were used, though they were very educated guesses. Dumbledore had done his research well, and had worked up a list of famous artifacts once owned and treasured by the Great Founders of Hogwarts. Only one item did not make the list. The sword of Gryffindor. That sword rested on the wall in the Headmaster's office. He'd used it to destroy the ring of Slytherin the night he'd retrieved it. The diary he knew was destroyed, pierced by the fang of a basilisk. The others…
The one item on his list that gave him so much pause for thought was the boy. Harry. Dumbledore was sure that Harry possessed a fragment of the Dark Lord's soul, though he was unsure if the boy was actually a horcrux. There were too many inconsistencies. Surely, if Harry was actually a horcrux, there would be signs.
It was true that Harry had a strange connection to the Dark Lord, and he had managed to inherit a few of the Dark Lord's gifts, it was true, but that was not enough reason to think that Harry was actually a horcrux. Secondly, there was the fact that Harry had been bitten by the basilisk in his second year. If Harry was in fact a horcrux, the venom of the serpent king would have destroyed it; at least, Dumbledore thought it likely. Perhaps, then, the prophecy has been somewhat fulfilled. Harry inadvertently killed Voldemort, at least the part that resided within him.
There was also the fact that Harry was his own person. The boy had never exhibited any of Voldemort's personality traits. Even when he was living with those despicable people. Dumbledore frowned as he thought of the Dursleys.
He shook his head to clear the negative feelings and images that sprang to his mind when he thought of Harry's relatives. It was indeed a miracle that Harry had come out of that environment as well as he had.
If Harry were indeed a horcrux, That fragment of Voldemort's soul, which Dumbledore was sure rested inside the boy, would have manifested itself long before now. Especially given Harry's home life.
So, the question was, exactly how strong was that fragment of soul, and how to rid the boy of it once and for all. Maybe all they had to do would be to get a young priest and an old priest.
Dumbledore chuckled to himself. If only it was all that easy. No, Harry would face the Dark Lord in the end. Voldemort was now obsessed with the youth, and it was that obsession that would keep Harry alive for a while. So long as Dumbledore could keep the boy safe, and out of Voldemort's clutches, the boy had a chance. And Dumbledore had time to do what he should have done all this time. One year. One year to correct all his mistakes. One year until he would leave this world.
"Arianna, give me strength." Dumbledore whispered.
Harry lay in bed in his new bedroom, listening to the sound of the sea. He had revealed everything to his friends, expecting them to abandon him once he had finished telling all he knew. Thinking about it now, he still couldn't understand why he thought Hermione, Neville, Tracey, and especially Daphne and Sirius would leave him to his fate. Harry wondered if it had anything to do with how he'd been treated by the Dursleys.
Sirius had revealed that he had known of the prophecy, but had refused to hear it when Harry's father had tried to tell him nearly sixteen years ago.
"I didn't want to know. I didn't want to risk getting captured and having Voldemort learn it." He had grimaced at Harry. "I'm sorry, kid. But remember, you're not alone, and we're all going to help in any way we can."
Sirius had then went on to tell the teens just what they were in for during the holiday.
"Dumbledore's arranged for a few trusted Aurors to come by a couple times a week and train you all up. Starting Monday morning, you'll all start getting up at six, and running. Mad-Eye's going to be overseeing your physical training, and I'll warn you all now, he's a bit of a tyrant."
All the young faces paled a bit. Sirius smiled as he went on.
"In the afternoons, you'll have a handful of folks teaching you different things. Dumbledore's even gone and secured permits for all of you to use magic while you're here. And I'll be teaching you some of the finer arts of muggle combat, like sword fighting."
Harry felt excitement as he and his friends gathered on the large front porch and talked about what they might be learning over their holiday. Harry had only just begun learning sword play with his godfather last Christmas, and had to admit, the knowledge had helped.
Harry allowed a moment to let himself think of Lucius Malfoy shivering in a cold stone cell, staring at his stump, where his hand had once been. Harry then wondered if Lucius could have his hand re-grown, since it was not magic that had cursed it off. Wormtail had received a new hand from Voldemort, but it was made of dark magic. Would the St. Mungo's healers be able to replace a limb if it had been removed through muggle means?
"So that means we have two days to do nothing, except enjoy ourselves." Tracey said Bringing Harry out of his wonderings, and back to the present conversation. "And, I just realized I'm the only one without a boyfriend. I knew I should have flirted harder with Blaise in those last few weeks of term."
"You have a thing for Blaise?" Daphne asked incredulously. "When did this start?"
"During the DA. Didn't you notice how often I paired with him?" Tracey looked to the rest of them, all of them looking gob smacked. When none of them answered, she threw her hands up in exasperation. "Bloody love-blind wankers, the whole lot of you. Yes, I have a thing for Blaise Zabini, and I think he might like me in return. Alright?"
"I like Blaise," Neville said quietly, giving Hermione a warm comforting squeeze. "He's never been mean to me."
"He's also never spoken to you, dear," Hermione pointed out, leaning her head back and planting a soft kiss on her boyfriend's jaw. Neville smiled softly as he countered her point.
"That's not true." Neville smiled. "He once asked me if I knew how to get to the Astronomy tower."
"Wait a second." Harry said looking puzzled. "You remember one time in first year when someone asked you a question, but you can barely remember the password to Gryffindor Tower?"
Neville shrugged, and the others chuckled at his embarrassment.
It wasn't long after that Tracey, Hermione and Neville had all excused themselves for bed. Harry and Daphne remained outside a little longer, enjoying the view of the half moon hovering over the sea.
"I'm glad I got to come. I'm looking forward to spending summer with you, even if we are just learning stuff." Daphne smiled. She leaned into Harry and captured his lips softly, her arms slithering around his neck as she deepened the kiss.
"Somehow, I don't think it will all be spent training. Dumbledore won't allow it, nor will Sirius. We'll have time to just do…whatever. I'm sure of it."
"Good." Daphne smiled. "I can work on my tan."
Daphne's face then scrunched, and she began to laugh softly.
"What?"
"I don't have my swimsuit. I didn't know where we were going, so a didn't pack that much. I don't know that I'm daring enough to lay out in the nude." Daphne grinned.
Harry felt his face getting hot as his mind pictured his stunning girlfriend laying on a beach towel, the sea air kissing her bronzed skin.
"I, uh, I don't have any swim wear either." He mumbled, which made Daphne stop laughing. She began to turn a bit red, but smiled at Harry.
"I guess we'll just have to make due, then, won't we?" Again she reached up and kissed him lightly.
"Ahem."
Harry and Daphne broke apart, and saw that Sirius was leaning in the door way.
"I think your problems will be solved tomorrow. We've arranged for a quick trip to the mainland so you five could get some essentials. Tonks will be taking you to the muggle shopping center tomorrow. Apparently, it's all on Dumbledore. He seems especially concerned that Harry gets some proper clothes, and he figured with three young ladies to help, it would be no problem."
Harry looked puzzled. "He does?'
Sirius nodded, his smile clearly visible in the moonlight.
"He's paying for it all?" Daphne asked, looking rather confused. "Why would he do that?"
Sirius merely shrugged. "You to ought to get some rest. Tonks will be here bright and early. Go on."
Harry's room was up one floor from the others. Neville had his own room, while the three girls all bunked in one very large room with their own private bathroom. Harry would not have minded bunking with Neville, but was actually thankful for the privacy he had now. As he lay in his very comfortable bed, he kept thinking on how strange his day had been. He couldn't help but wonder what the summer had in store for him.
Just as Sirius had told them, Tonks arrived bright and early the next morning, and explained over breakfast just what the plan was to be for the day.
"This is supposed to be the only time you're going to be off the island, so you all need to take advantage. Anything you'll need for school, or other magic needs will be taken care of. But as far as clothing and personal item, this is your only chance. It'll have to be muggle, as well, as there aren't any magical shops in Aberstwyth." Tonks looked pointedly at Tracey, Neville and Daphne here.
"You have to appear as muggles while you're in town. We're pretty certain that there won't be any Death Eaters there, but you never can tell. So do your best to blend in and not draw attention to yourselves. We have a handful of people undercover who'll be watching out for you, as well as personal escorts. I'll be going with the ladies, while you two gents will have the company of Lupin."
It was then that the Floo flared up, and Remus Lupin stepped out, wearing muggle blue jeans, trainers, and a black button down shirt and waistcoat.
"Looking good, Professor." Tracey smirks, and Remus gave a casual nod of thanks, returning the smile. Both Hermione and Daphne chuckled at Tracey's boldness.
"Running a bit late, old friend." Sirius remarked, pouring a cup of tea for Remus.
"Rather late night. Dumbledore had me and Moody checking out a few potential Death Eater safe houses. All of them empty."
The teens all perked up at this information, and Harry was surprised that they didn't lowered their voices or change subjects. "Maybe they all finally realize that we're capable, and need to be informed," he thought.
"We'd best get moving." Tonks said, looking at her watch. "I imagine the ladies will want to spend quite a bit of time in the shopping center."
Aberstwyth turned out to be quite nice, for a smaller coastal community. The shopping center was nothing to scoff at, though it had nothing on London. Tonks and Remus agreed on a rendezvous, and then with waves, and a couple of kisses, the males went in one direction, while the girls went off in another.
Harry had never really cared much for shopping, but perhaps it was due to the fact that he never got anything. In fact, the more he thought about it, he came to the realization that when he shopped in Diagon Alley, or Hogsmeade, he rather enjoyed it. However, shopping for clothing was very different from shopping for potion ingredients, or a new cauldron.
Simply put, he was clueless.
Neville wasn't much better off.
Fortunately for them, there was several young woman working in the men's department more than eager to help them. Remus seemed more than a bit entertained to watch the young men get helped.
Neville wasn't too bad off, as most of his clothing fit properly, though he did get himself some new jeans, shirts, shoes, and most importantly, swim trunks.
Harry, on the other, hand ended up getting an entire new wardrobe, thanks in large part to Remus, who casually mentioned that it was high time he got clothes that had never belonged to someone else.
So it was that Harry ended up getting jeans, shirts, socks, shoes, swim trunks, and most embarrassingly, underwear. The shop girls picked out nearly everything, urging him to try on as much as possible, and offering their opinions. Harry felt like he had become their personal dress up doll. He kept shooting angry glares at Remus, who could not stop chuckling at the entire scene.
Once the clothing was taken care of, Remus noted that both boys needed some other items. Toothbrushes, combs, and razors, as Remus noted that girls didn't really like the feeling of sandpaper against their skin. The shop girls agreed, and Remus made sure that both boys got the very best razors in the store.
"It's the least Dumbledore can do for you both." Remus muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Harry made a note to question him later about it. He'd heard similar tones in Tonks and Sirius' voices when the Headmaster had been mentioned.
Once everything had been rung up, Remus handed over what looked like a credit card to the clerk, and then, weighed down with all their purchases, Remus led Harry and Neville out of the men's department.
It had been fun at first. Rummaging through racks, and picking out new clothes. Even though she wasn't really a shopaholic, like more than a few girls she knew, Daphne did enjoy going out with friends and picking out new clothes. Or, she had, until they got to swimsuits.
Daphne had found a few really nice bikinis, anticipating Harry's reaction to seeing her body. She had taken her selections to the dressing rooms, and taken off her shirt to try on her first selection.
She stopped short as she looked in the mirror. There, just as angry looking as the day she'd received it, was the scar she'd gotten during the night in the Department of Mysteries.
It was so ugly, standing out starkly against her smooth, fair skin. Tears formed in her eyes almost at once as she looked at it, entranced by it.
"I'm hideous." She thought to herself. At once her mind began picturing scenarios where Harry would finally see her disfigurement and turn away in disgust.
"Come on, Daphne. Let's see." Tracey called from the other side of the door. Daphne could hear Tonks, Hermione and Tracey mumbling. She imagined them all trying on great suits and commenting on how great they looked.
"Daphne, we're waiting." Tonks sing songed. Hermione chuckled at something, and Tracey guffawed. Daphne ignored it, simply staring at herself in her white bra, with that evil looking ropey scar slashing across her chest.
The door suddenly clicked, and Daphne turned quickly to see Tracey peeking inside. "Why aren't you coming….oh."
Tracey's eyes had landed on Daphne's scar. Her reaction sent Daphne over the precarious edge she'd been balancing on, and crumpled to the floor, clutching her arms over herself.
"Oh, sweetie." Tracey said comfortingly as she entered fully. She wrapped her arms around her best friend, while both Tonks and Hermione peered in, each wearing fantastic looking swimsuits, which only made Daphne feel worse about herself.
"I'm so disgusting." Daphne moaned.
"That's not true!" Tracey said angrily. "Why would you even think that?"
"Harry's going to be so grossed out. He's going to…"
Hermione cut her off before she could even think of finishing her thought.
"Are you out of your mind?" The bushy haired witch looked angry. "He'd never turn away from you over something so superficial as a scar. He's not that shallow. He loves you more than anything, and he's not about to let you go over that."
"But he tried to…." Daphne began, but Hermione wasn't going to let her get a foot hold in the argument.
"And you didn't let him. I know that he wouldn't have been able to let you go, either. I bet if you asked him, he'd tell you he was going spare without you. He tried to leave because he thought it was going to protect you, not because of that." She said, pointing at Daphne's scar. Daphne began wiping her eyes, and looked to Tracey, who was smiling once more.
"If you're that concerned, why not show him a bit. Talk to him about it." Tracey suggested. "He's going to see it eventually, isn't he?"
Daphne blushed crimson, and Tonks chuckled. The other girls looked at her, and she shook her head.
"Teenagers and hormones." She laughed. "I remember. In fact, maybe later I'll share a few stories with you three." Tonks winked. "In the meantime, I don't think these are for me."
Daphne's eyes went wide as Tonks' breasts shrank a bit. Tonks smiled, and threw a wink at them before going back to her own dressing room.
"She's a Metamorphous." Hermione whispered.
"Oh, what I wouldn't give to be able to make my boobs bigger at will." Tracey looked envious.
"Daphne, why don't you get a one piece like me?" Hermione smiled, stepping in the doorway a bit more to show off the suit she'd chosen. "They can be just as flattering as a bikini."
Daphne wiped at her eyes, and put her shirt back on. She went back out and selected some different swimsuits. The girls went on to get more clothes, and even adventured into the lingerie section. Tracey was like a kid in a candy store, especially with Tonks at her side. Hermione was a bit more conservative, and could not stop blushing the entire time.
Daphne, still feeling self conscious, didn't really bother exploring. She did select some new bras and knickers, but that was it. She could no longer imagine scenes where she might be showing herself off to Harry wearing something silky and sexy. The rest of the day, she remained quiet and introspective, thinking only of what Harry might say or do if he ever saw what was hidden under her shirt.
"Daphne, I have to tell you, I think Harry might be far more interested in your boobs than some silly line on your chest." Tracey had said at one point, trying to lift her best friend's spirits.
"Got to say, the girl makes a point." Tonks said jovially as they finished up their excursion, and she handed over a gold credit card. "Boys do get quite mesmerized by a girls chest, especially if the girl lets him touch them."
Daphne couldn't help but blush. She wasn't the only one, as Hermione looked scandalized. Tonks and Tracey both started laughing hysterically.
The girls met up with the boys, who looked to be just as burdened with purchases as they were.
"Hey." Harry smiled, kissing Daphne softly. At once she felt warm as she looked into his brilliant green eyes. As she stared into his eyes, she couldn't understand why she would ever think he would abandon her over a stupid scar. For Merlin's sake, he'd lived with one on his forehead all his life. If anyone could understand, wouldn't Harry?
Still, there was the smallest seed of doubt in the back of her mind, but she knew that both Tracey and Hermione were right. She would need to talk to him, or even…show him. He deserved honesty at the least.
The chaperones allowed the teens to get lunch at a small restaurant before heading back to the Flamel House. Harry noticed Daphne's change in demeanor, but when he asked her about it, she simply shook her head. Harry felt it was best to wait until they were alone to try again.
After putting away all of his new possessions, which he still had trouble figuring out why Dumbledore had paid for it all. Remus's words about it being the least Dumbledore could do kept repeating in his mind. What had he meant? Why had Sirius' and Remus' attitudes changed towards the leader of the light? Had the Headmaster admitted his failings to the Order?
"Remus tells me you got a bit of attention from the shop girls." Sirius smirked. Harry turned and saw his godfather leaning against the door, his hands shoved in his pockets. "That's the kind of thing one might use as leverage against you. A bit of blackmail material."
"It would be, if I had flirted with the girl, or something like that. To be honest, I was a bit frightened of her. Both of them." Harry shrugged, putting the last shirt in his wardrobe. "Do you know why Dumbledore paid for all of this? Not just my stuff, but everyone."
Sirius shrugged, but his eyes went dark for a second. Harry didn't miss it.
"What is it you're not telling me?" He asked, holding Sirius' gaze.
Sirius heaved a great sigh and ran his hand through his long black hair. "The night after the Ministry, Dumbledore called a special meeting of the Order. Tensions were already high. The six of you had proven something which many of us had been arguing for. The only way to deal with the Death Eaters is to fight them. They can't be negotiated with, or reasoned with. Dumbledore had held tightly to the idea that most of them could be turned back to the right path."
"Not likely." Harry smirked.
"Exactly. That night, Dumbledore admitted that he had failed. He'd failed all of us. He stepped down as the leader of the Order."
"WHAT?" Harry was completely shocked by this. "Who's in charge then?"
"Amelia Bones. Dumbledore is now acting in an advisory position. He says that he now has something else he has to so. Something that will lead to Voldemort's downfall. He and Amelia spoke in private, and The order is going to go after the Death Eaters, and try and thin their ranks, while Dumbledore carries out his…mission."
"What is his mission?" Harry asked, curiosity burning within him.
"Only he knows, and he hasn't told anyone. But I think it's a safe bet that you're a part of it. McGonagall told some of us that he's been traveling a lot."
Harry sat on his bed, his mind working through all he'd just learned. Dumbledore had relinquished his leadership position to concentrate on…what exactly? Training Harry and his friends? That couldn't be it. They were going to have Moody and other people training them. Dumbledore had only said they would do stuff when they were back at school hadn't he?
"I can't imagine how you're feeling kid." Sirius sighed again, entering his godson's room at last. "Like the whole world is on your shoulders. Just try to remember that you aren't alone. Neville, Hermione, Tracey, Daphne, Me…we're all here for you. No matter what they throw at us, we're together in this, and none of us are going to stop fighting."
Harry looked up at his godfather, who was smiling at him proudly, and nodded. There was a soft sound coming from the door. Both Sirius and Harry looked to se daphne standing there, looking a bit nervous.
"Well, that's it for now, I guess." Sirius smiled knowingly. "Dinner'll be ready in an hour or so." He gave Harry a pat on the shoulder and left the two teens alone. Daphne came in the room, shutting the door behind her.
"Are you alright?" HArry asked. "You've been really quiet since we went shopping, and you …"
Daphne cut him off by grabbing hold of his face and kissing him deeply. Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly to him. There was something in her kiss that frightened him. A desperation he'd never felt from her before. When she broke the kiss, Harry saw there were tears in her eyes.
"What is it?" He asked, grabbing her arms as she tried to slip away from him.
"It's stupid. I know it is, but…I feel like I'm wretched."
Harry's face changed to a look of utter confusion. Daphne averted her eyes from his, and pulled her hands away. She clutched the hem of her shirt, and tugged it up. Harry reached out to stop her.
"What are you doing?"
"Harry, I…Just wait a minute." She said shakily. She pulled her shirt up a bit more so that Harry's eyes saw the bottom of the angry purple scar. Harry gasps, and his hand reflexively reached out to touch it. Daphne took a step back instinctively.
"I'm sorry." Harry said quickly, fearing that he had upset her further.
"I was trying on swimsuits, and…I had forgotten all about this. Then when I saw it, I kind of freaked out. I love you Harry, and you really hurt me. I thought that once you saw this, saw that I wasn't perfect, that you might try and leave me again.
Harry lunged for her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and kissed her so deeply, Daphne felt her toes curling in her trainers.
"I'm not going to leave you again." He said staring hard into her eyes. "I was an idiot before, and you made me se that. So what if you have a scar. So do I." Harry rolled his eyes, and Daphne couldn't help the small chuckle that erupted from her.
"At least you can hide yours." Harry grinned, and Daphne laughed again, a tear escaping her eyes. "You will always be beautiful to me. But why is it so important?"
"Harry." Daphne said rolling her eyes at him. "We're teenagers. I don't know about you, but I'm nearly sixteen now, and my body is wanting to do things with you. Last year, we didn't get to …explore that way other couples do, and because of that, I think we have a much stronger bond. However…I figured that sooner or later, hopefully sooner…we might…"
Recognition lit up on Harry's face. He looked at Daphne, who began laughing again at her boyfriend's curios, and embarrassed expression.
"Wow." Was all he said.
"I'm not going to pressure you or anything, because quite frankly, I'm not exactly sure what I'm ready for. But I hoped that we could…" She felt her stomach tighten, and she looked away. She felt Harry relax a bit, and he turned her face back so he could look into her eyes.
"I'm not sure what to do, or even how to begin." He admitted. "But I have to admit, I've thought about…Things."
"Really?"
"Daphne, I'm a nearly sixteen year old boy. Of course I have. Plus, I've been roommates with Dean and Seamus. I've heard them talk. I just don't know what …"
"Maybe this is one of those things that we just make up as we go." Daphne smiled softly. "See what happens, you know?"
Harry sighed, feeling a bit of relief wash over him. He nodded, and Daphne smiled softly. She lifted her head, and he captured her lips in another soft kiss.
So it wasn't just him. Daphne wanted to take things further, physically speaking. Harry had been trying to quiet those urges for a while, unsure of what exactly they were, or why he felt the way he did, even though a part of him knew it was natural. Still, he hadn't wanted to scare Daphne. Plus the fact that he had absolutely idea what he was supposed to do to her. Part of him wanted to ask Hermione, but his utter mortification prevented him from even thinking of broaching the topic with the smartest person he knew.
Then something occurred to him. In that moment, holding Daphne in his arms, and wondering just how to make things progress into the "next level", he was as normal as any other boy his age. He was just a normal teenager. He smiled to himself, and buried his face in his girlfriends sweet smelling hair, holding her tightly, and sighed contentedly. Daphne would probably never know just how much that conversation had meant to him.