Chapter 16:
Harry was shocked after realizing the truth of his cousin. He never thought Daphne could be a parselmouth even after knowing the common ancestry of both of them to Sophia Clayton nee Gaunt.
However, Harry was now fearing that, his cousin would be exposed being a parselmouth in front of the whole house .Harry had no doubt that, the early revelation of Daphne's parselmouth ability would create a problem for her and their family. Harry was also suspecting that, Moody would put Daphne in his suspect list if he came to kno0w about Daphne's parselmouth ability.
Harry was hoping for a miracle that would hide Daphne's identity.
"We have warned you about not casting any lethal spell. You foolish boy summoned a poisonous snake not an ordinary snake and you have no idea how to control it." Moody scolded Malfoy angrily. After that, he casted a spell that made the snake disappear.
Daphne and Malfoy resumed their duel. Daphne decided to go for the kill. Therefore her casted powerful modified cutting curse and stunning curse simultaneously, she casted a disillusion charms around herself to distract Malfoy. Malfoy got angry when he could not see his target.
Therefore, he was not prepared to face Daphne's spells that were coming towards him. Because of that, Malfoy found him stunned and fell to the ground.
Daphne was clam in her victory after Prof. Quirell declared her as the victor of the duel. Her friends and family rush to congratulate her on her victory over Malfoy.
"I was really worried when the Malfoy boy summoned the poisonous snake. But at the end, I am glad that, you are able to defeat him." Shawn remarked. He was clearly looking relived.
"I was also worried like your father and like him, I am also happy to see you as the winner of the duel." Athena pulled Daphne a loving hug after saying that to her.
"I like your style sister." Astoria also joined the party in congratulating Daphne on her victory.
"I will only say that, I will always remember the stunned face of Malfoy." Tracy happily commenting on stunned face of Draco Malfoy.
"You should all see the face of Lucius Malfoy; his face was so red in anger and shame that, it was really funny for all of us." Blaise commented on Malfoy Sr.
When all the family member and friends were praising Daphne on her victory, Harry was silent. He got himself busy in deep thought. He was hoping for a miracle when Daphne was about to be caught for being a parselmouth. He knew Daphne was struggling to keep her parselmouth a secret. Harry wanted to help her, as he already gone through the phase. He wanted to address her fear and assure her; he wanted to see her confident face again. Harry came out from his thoughts when he heard comment of Blaise on Malfoy Sr. Harry decided that, he would talk extensively with Daphne about that.
"You have done very well in the duel Daphne, I hope after those duels Malfoy and his friends will be more cautious about their choice of words." Harry finally praised Daphne's performance in the duel.
"Harry you are expecting too much from them." Tracy told him.
"May be, but, let's not talk about them now, let's celebrate." Harry commented.
Harry, Daphne, Tracy, Blaise, Shawn, Athena, and Astoria celebrated Harry and Daphne's victory in the duel by cutting a cake that was prepared by Greengrass house elf.
After that, Shawn, Athena, and Astoria departed for Greengrass Manor.
The Slytherin common room started to become empty. Tracy and Blaise already told goodnight to their friends. Harry and Daphne with 2-3 students remained in the common room.
"Daphne I have something to discuss with you." Harry told Daphne.
"Harry can we do it tomorrow, I need some alone times for me." Daphne suggested.
"If you insist on that, then I will not push you. However, I think I know what is in your mind." Harry suggested.
"Harry what you are saying?" Daphne asked her cousin in a worried voice.
"Be quite Daphne, let's talk somewhere else." Harry suggested.
Harry and Daphne left the common room and went to an empty classroom.
"Daphne, I think I know you are hiding something and it was killing you inside." Harry told Daphne in a non-confrontational tone.
"Harry everyone had some deep personal secret and I also have some of them. I just don't want to share it with anyone." Daphne replied in a defensive tone.
"Daphne your secret would be exposed during duel if Prof. Moody did not intervene." Harry tried to give her an indication that, he already knew about her secret ability.
"What you are indicating Harry." Harry could detect insecurity in her voice.
"It is not your fault, it is your gift Daphne, but I can also understand your fear." Harry told Daphne.
"No, you can't understand Harry my fear. You cannot understand my fear to be misunderstood for being a parselmouth. You cannot understand how many times I secretly cried in night for being a parselmouth. You cannot understand how many times I asked myself why I have that ability. There was no parselmouth in my knowledge in both house Sayre and Greengrass that make me feel that something is wrong with me.
I have a vision and political ambition that will be seriously hampered if people come to know that I am a parselmouth. I can imagine people will call me a Dark Lady. They will talk behind my back. In Slytherin house, I am trying to make moderate faction stronger. How I will be, present myself as an advocate for moderate voice in Slytherin house when I have the ability that is closely linked with dark wizardry.
You cannot understand that, how people will start to target House Greengrass because of me, my father is a leader of neutral faction in Wizengamot and he will definitely lose his leadership in that faction if people comes to know about my ability. People will also suspect you and Astoria because of you both are related to me.
I do not know if Tracy, Blaise will remain my friend if they comes to know the truth, they do not like dark faction therefore, I am very much afraid of their reaction when truth comes out.
I do not know about even you. I fear that you are seeing me differently after knowing the truth. May be you are not leaving my side because I am still part of your family. May be Mum, Dad and Astoria will also do not run away from me, but you all see me differently, I will be not the same person to you all." After expressing all her frustration, she began to cry, Harry swiftly pulled her into friendly hug, he let her cry, while holding her.
Harry might not understand her fear fully, but he could definitely somewhat relate her experience with his own experience. The media trial, the sudden negative reaction from the people was the things Harry had already experienced in his home universe. Harry Potter experienced how terrible it felt when suddenly people start to question about your intention, your character and in that new universe as Harry Sayre; he could see his cousin was fearful of such type of fate.
Harry could also remember how many times he questioned himself for having that parseltongue ability. How he was surprised when people started to blame him for something which he had no control on that matter. How many times he found himself alone with his problem and thoughts.
However, Harry decided that he would not let the same things happened to Daphne, he would not just let her to blame herself for having a quality which was ancient and useful.
"Daphne look at me , first you will stop blaming yourself for being a parselmouth. There is nothing wrong in you for being a parselmouth. Having the ability to talk with an animal is an useful one. There is nothing dark in it, and the people who think that way are idiots.
Now, you are suspecting that, I am seeing you differently after coming to know about your truth. Yes, I am seeing you differently because; I admire how you are holding yourself after realizing the truth. In fact, there are not so many people who can handle himself/herself like that and because of this today; I have more respect for you.
You are my best friend and my cousin nothing will change that fact. I also strongly believe uncle, aunt, and Astoria basic opinion about you will not be changed even after knowing that you are a parselmouth. You are an intelligent, family loving girl who is also a loyal friend and nothing can change those facts.
Yes, you are right about people, media and wizengamot, they will probably react negatively if they come to know about your truth. But there is no need to keep your secrecy to all yourself as you can share your fear and concern anytime with me and I am promising you, I will not misunderstand you." Harry assured his cousin.
His words seemed to be able clam Daphne's mind and she was feeling much better now.
"Thanks Harry, I really needed that, I am feeling so good after knowing that, you will be always with me. I was feeling lots of pressure for keeping all of that to myself." Daphne expressed her gratitude to her cousin.
"Yes, your best friend will be always with you and you know what you are also wrong in your assumption that, there was no other parselmouth in Sayre family." Harry informed her.
"I read all the information about House Sayre and it does not mention about any parselmouth." Daphne told Harry in a confused voice.
"There are some deep family secrets that you will not find easily. I can assure you; you are not the only one who is related to House Sayre and have the parseltongue ability. I can even demonstrate it." Harry commented.
"How?" Daphne was feeling really excited after knowing the fact that she was not the only one in her family history that have parselmouth ability. She was also curious about Harry's demonstration.
"Serpensotisa." Harry replied by casting snake summoning spell. Soon a middle sized snake appeared in the room.
"Greetings noble snake, I hope I did not disturb you." Harry hissed in parseltongue and that was enough to shock Daphne. She was stunned to know that, her cousin also a parselmouth like her , she was not alone and she had someone who can truly relate with her experience. She focused her attention to the summoned snake.
"You are a speaker, I am feeling very lucky to find a speaker," The snake hissed in reply.
"I am also feeling very glad to meet you I am Hadrian Sayre and I want to introduce you with another speaker my cousin and best friend, Daphne Greengrass." Harry urged Daphne to speak with the snake.
"Greetings to you noble snake, I am Daphne Greengrass." Daphne hissed to the snake confidently, she was no longer feeling uncomfortable for having that parseltongue quality.
"I am very fortunate to meet with two speakers at the same time; all of my companion will feel jealous when they will come to know that, however I need to leave now, as I need some prey for my dinner." The snake told them and Harry send it to its original habitat.
"I still cannot believe it, you are a parselmouth like me , I am not the only one with that ability, there is not something uniquely wrong with me, I cannot tell you Harry how much lighter I am feeling now after knowing all of that. I am feeling excited to know the parseltongue history of our family, please Harry tell me more about it." Daphne urged Harry.
"It all started with a man named Octavian Gaunt." Harry started to tell Daphne about the parseltongue history of their family.
He told her how Octavian removed trace of Gaunt family magic from his daughter. He also told her about how parseltongue ability became a recessive trait among the descendants of Sophia Clayton nee Garrison. He told her how Anna Sayre nee Clayton had only parselmouth child who was their great grandfather. He also informed her how the two sons of their great grandfather who was their grand fathers did not have parseltongue ability.
"So you can see that, we should not be ashamed of our parselmouth ancestry. Our ancestor Octavian Gaunt was a great wizard, philosopher, and scientist at the same time. He was way ahead of his time. I think for the first time we have two parselmouth in same generation of Sayre family."
Daphne felt very much comfortable after kno3wing the full history of parselmouth in her maternal family. All the time she thought herself an abnormality in her family history. She also wondering about, how her cousin was able to cope with his own parseltongue ability. How he was able to maintain his clam, why he was not freaking out being parselmouth like her.
"Harry when you come to know that you are parselmouth?" Daphne asked her cousin curiously.
Harry knew that he could not directly tell the truth to his cousin.
"Five years ago when I spoke with a snake, I did not know that, I was speaking parseltongue with that snake. Yes, people showed a negative reaction towards me after coming to know about my parselmouth ability. Yes, I initially felt hurt because of their sudden change in behavior towards me. However, I finally realized that, it is not our ability that determines who we are in our life; it is the choice we make regarding that ability truly determines whom we are." Harry replied. His answer gave a new hope to Daphne. She was not alone in that journey; she had a cousin and best friend who could understand her deeper feelings.
"Thanks Harry, I am feeling much better now." Daphne asked.
"Daphne I think you should enjoy being a parselmouth. It has several advantages, Daphne you know what, I think being parselmouth is really cool." Harry told her cousin.
"Tell me about the advantages, my fellow parselmouth cousin." Daphne demanded to know about it from her cousin. She was in lighter mood now.
"There were many spells which can be only uttered in parseltongue. If you use parseltongue spells in potion making, it will have positive results. Every stunners, hex, curses, shield are more effective if we cast them in parseltongue. Being parselmouth also helps in non-verbal spell casting it helps you in mind arts. The coolest thing is being a parselmouth we can enter into any room of Hogwarts castle without knowing the password.
The summary is there is endless possibility if you know how to use your parseltongue ability." Harry gave her a satisfactory reply.
"I assume, you are already starting to take some of those advantages." Daphne gave Harry a curious look.
"I am a Slytherin Daphne. Of course I will take advantages of my ability." Harry smirked.
"Will you be kind enough to teach me?" Daphne politely asked although Harry was sure that Daphne would not take no as answer.
"What I will get in return? Harry asked playfully.
"Let me think, I think I will give you three boxes of chocolates from my personal collection." Daphne also replied in same manner.
"I think its fair cousin." Harry told Daphne. Both cousins laughed after Harry's reply.
"On a serious note, I think we should start our training tomorrow. First, I think you should know how to prevent yourself from uttering parseltongue whenever you see a snake, rather than that, I will teach you how to establish a mental link with the snake where we can communicate with the snake mentally in parseltongue." Harry commented.
Daphne was glad to know there was a way to communicate with snake non- verbally. In her opinion, it would certainly help her in present situation.
"You are the expert between us regarding parseltongue; therefore, I will follow your instruction." Daphne remarked.
Harry smiled after hearing Daphne's comment. Suddenly Harry realized that it was getting late, therefore both cousins decided to leave for Slytherin dormitory.
Harry was still thinking about Daphne being a parselmouth when he was resting on the bed. He was thinking to train her properly. Daphne would definitely touch new height if she could be properly trained in parseltongue . Harry also felt better after sharing one of his secret with his best friend cum cousin.
He was sure that, his confession being a parselmouth to Daphne would make to feel her better. He also felt that, after today's conversation his friendship with Daphne would become stronger than ever. Harry would do everything he had in his ability to help his best friend. He promised himself.
On the other hand, Daphne was feeling so much better than previous few nights. She was glad to know about parselmouth history of their family. She also realized that, it certainly felt better when you came to k now that you are not alone with those kinds of ancient ability. She also felt grateful to her cousin for consoling her and sharing his secret with her. His words and companionship gave strength to her.
She was also feeling excited about exploring various advantages of being parselmouth. She was also felt glad that, parseltongue training with her cousin would not only increase her magical strength, her understanding of magical theory but would also make her proud for being a parselmouth.
Daphne slept peacefully on her bed that night.
Shawn Greengrass was in a good mood when he came to wizengamot in the next morning. He was feeling proud of both Harry's and Daphne's performance in honor duel. The humiliated face of arrogant Lucius Malfoy made her day.
"Hello, Lucius, how are you doing now? I hope young Draco is ok now. Believe me I told Daphne to go easy on your boy." Shawn teased Lucius.
"Draco will be ok within few days and Shawn you should not gloat. Last time was your family's time but believe my family's time will also come and when it will come I will take full advantage of that." Lucius angrily warned Shawn.
"Lucius you cannot seriously think, I will be afraid after hearing your empty threat." Shawn told Lucius in amused voice.
"I am not that type of person who makes empty threats, Shawn. I think you will realize it very clearly within a month." Lucius confidently reply.
"Then, you should also know if anyone tries to undermine me and my family then he/she will face full might of House Greengrass." Shawn left wizengamot after saying that.
Lucius Malfoy was plotting something against his family. Shawn vowed to himself that he would protect his family at any cost.
In Hogwarts
Harry joined with his friends at dining hall for breakfast. All of the friends noticed the other students of the house Slytherin became slightly friendlier towards them and it seemed Malfoy and his friend's position in the house slightly declined after their defeat in yesterday's honor duel.
Both Malfoy and Moon were under care of Madam Pomfrey for night. However, they had to return to common room in the morning. Slytherin house was very keen in showing unity in front of other three Hogwarts house. Older Slytherin strongly believed that, if other houses of Hogwarts detected any signs of disunity among snakes then, it would create further problems for members of house of snake.
That could be one of the reasons behind of Slytherin's relatively cautious reaction especially, in front of everyone even after yesterday's honor duel.
"The situation for us becomes better every day in our house." Blaise commented.
"Yes, but we should not forget that, we still have to walk long way before we can reach to our destination. Now, Tracy tells me about what you are thinking about our upcoming flying sessions." Harry changed the topics, as he was sure many people of their house were trying to hear their conversation.
"Harry I am very much excited about it like you. It is a shame that, we cannot be included quidditch team before second year."Tracy told them in a passionate voice.
"Daphne we do not think we will talk about anything else in this morning as these two of them is literally quidditch fanatics." Blaise teased Harry and Daphne.
"Admit it Blaise, you are just jealous of us as your flying skill is simply below average." Tracy retorted back.
"Please, Tracy, I may not be a superstar on the broom, but my flying skill is obviously decent." Blaise deafened his flying skills.
"You call your flying skill decent, are you kidding me? It was laughable, even a 7 year boy can handle his broom better than you." Tracy remarked.
Both Harry and Daphne were silently laughing after seeing the antics of their friends. Both of them enjoyed their light arguments. Both Harry and Daphne hoped that, the four of them would always remain friends.
Four friends along with rest of the first year student body gathered into quidditch pitch. Everyone was making some comments about their flying ability. Malfoy was commenting how he would become a regular member of Slytherin quidditch team from next year. Harry realized that, some things never changed even in different universes.
When the flying instructor told them to call their brooms several students shouted 'up'. Harry and Tracy's brooms jumped into their hands. Even Daphne's broom responded to her in her third attempt. However, Blaise was not so lucky like his friends; his broom was not leaving from its ground. Harry decided to help his friend and after that, Blaise was successful in getting his broom in his hand.
Madam Hooch left the field for an official emergency and because of that, several first year students started to talk roughly with other students especially those from different house.
"Look at Zabini; he can't even handle a broom." A Hufflepuff named Zacharias Smith commented.
"He was having some difficulties with broom but it is nothing serious." Tracy passionately defended her friend. Yes, she argued with Blaise on his flying skill but she done it light heartedly and she would not let anyone to mock her friend in front of the whole first year.
"Wow, Zabini I don't know you have a girlfriend." Smith remarked.
"You are ignorant about many other things Smith, like you don't know anything about Potion; you are a joke in Transfiguration class and you always able to shock Prof. Flitwick with your horrible Charms skills." Harry commented on Smith's skill.
"Sayre, you are too harsh on Smith." Hanna Abbot complained.
"Your housemate was making a scene and Harry just returns the favor." Daphne informed Abbot.
"Yes, Abbot get lost everyone know that, you puffs are branch of losers." Malfoy commented from behind.
Harry got alarmed when he heard Malfoy's voice. Malfoy wanted to escalate the conflict and Harry could not publicly oppose him when it was seemed like Malfoy was supporting Zabini despite their differences over Hufflepuff.
"What you call us?" Susan Bones shouted.
"You are not deaf Bones, yes I called your house as house of losers, and I bet Sayre who is a first year student can easily beat your star seeker Diggory." Malfoy smirked.
Harry realized that, Malfoy wanted to humiliate him in front of the whole student body. Malfoy knew Cedric was a very good seeker and he was sure that Cedric would handily beat Harry. Malfoy was hoping that, after that, Harry's influence in Slytherin house would diminish.
"The arrogance of House of Slytherin is unbelievable. Ok, we accept the challenge we will request Cedric Diggory to compete with Sayre in a friendly quidditch match between our houses." Justin told them in a challenging tone.
"We will handily beat you." Nott told the puff.
Nobody from Hufflepuff got the chance to say anything in reply as Madam Hooch came back to the field.
Malfoy and his friends winked at Harry.
"They are thinking they trap you Harry and I think they are somewhat right. Diggory is very talented on broom. He is in his house team from second year and often regarded as best seeker of the whole school." Tracy commented.
"I don't know you have a crush on the cute Hufflepuff seeker." Harry teased
"Harry stop joking, I am worried about you." Tracy complained.
"Don't worry I will not go down without a fight." Harry smirked; he had a surprise ready for whole Hogwarts.
After lunch:
Daphne went to an empty classroom. She wanted to practice the spells she learned for the upcoming dueling tournament. She wanted to do well in that tournament.
After entering the classroom, she felt she was not alone, and she was proved right when she saw someone removing cloak of invisibility from him.
"You?" A shocked Daphne was able to utter only that single word.
Chapter end
A special thanks to all the reviewers of my previous chapter and they are
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In next chapter
Harry trained Daphne in parselmagic
Harry's pet project