Daphne came to with two very worried faces hovering over her.
"Ugh, what happened?" This drew a snicker from Hermione.
"Well, you kissed Harry, got married, then fainted. A dramatic one, aren't you?"
Daphne glared at the brunette. Then what the girl said clicked.
"Married?" Seeing the nod from Hermione, she turned to Harry for confirmation. He slowly, and gently, handed her the letter confirming the news.
"So it seems."
"I don't understand. How can that be? You were already married to Hermione."
"According to this letter from the Ministry, we are soul bonded. It was the same way when I kissed Hermione. Neville tells us there was a flash and then these letters appeared."
The three sat in silence for a minutes. Daphne, lost in her own thoughts, was soon drawn out by Harry's ruminations.
Two bonds. Why does this feel familiar? It still feels incomplete though.
What is incomplete, Harry?
Daphne had not been expecting to hear Hermione's voice. There was a crashing sound in her head as voices became repetitive as each reflected on the voice. It was becoming overwhelming and after a moment, Daphne threw hear hands over her ears and screamed. This scream, however, was out loud and caused both Hermione and Harry to flinch. They turned and saw the slightly manic look in Daphne's eyes. Both immediately knew what had happened.
It had been similar for them with their bond. Their first day or so after had been painful due to the experience. Not only did they hear their own thoughts, they heard the other mate's reflection and consideration on them. It made for a very busy mind.
It had taken a full day of practice and headaches to manage to tame their minds in such a way to balance one another. Luckily for Daphne, she had two experienced people to assist her.
"Daphne, look at me."
The blond turned to face him, but her eyes were really not focused. She had the thousand-yard- stare going on. This caused Hermione to also kneel down in Daphne field of vision. She then reached her hand before the blond and snapped her fingers.
"Daphne. Daphne! DAPHNE!" This final call brought the Slytherin witch to her senses. Which naturally caused her to hear the voices once more. The other two watched her wince.
"Easy Daphne. Harry and I went through the same thing. You are currently tied to us and have all of our minds talking to one another. Not really sure why. But we will help you through this. First, you must focus on one voice at a time. Can you do that? Focus on Harry's thoughts."
The trio would spend the rest of their time until curfew helping Daphne learn to navigate this new experience. She had Occlumency training, and the ideas behind that tied in nicely with what Harry and Hermione had developed. Still, with her dealing with two additional voices in her head suddenly as opposed to the one the Gryffindors had faced, it still took time and focus for her to overcome the strain.
It was a very tired group that left the Room of Requirement. Daphne said her goodbyes, kissing Harry and then, after a moment's hesitation, giving Hermione a peck on the cheek as well.
It was this very Happy Daphne who began her stroll back to the Slytherin common room. She was stopped by one Draco Malfoy and his goons, but halfway through the blond's rant about how she should be thrilled he was considering her, the ponce suddenly got a haunted look on his face before he randomly turn and fled. It was a very confused Crabbe and Goyle who found him half an hour later lying in his bed with his knees drawn to his chest lying in his bed. While the two brutes were not the brightest, they knew the image this would set for their leader. They quickly drew the curtains around the boy before going to work on their own homework.
Neither the Slytherin trio nor Daphne noticed on odd fourth-year in Green and silver watching the events from the shadows. They also missed the feral grin forming on the features of said Slytherin as they snuck back into the shadows.
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Two days after the First Task, Harry was held after his joint Transfiguration class with the Slytherins. McGongall had made her announcement about the Ball and Harry knew what was coming next. As such, he was unsurprised when the elder Scott mentioned making sure he had a date for the ball.
Waiting outside had been both Hermione and Daphne as well as the rest of the Gryffindor fourth years not to mention several from Slytherin. This included each and every female in their year.
Harry groaned as they watched him, reflecting on his past few days.
Harry's days since the first task had become complicated. Whereas before the task, he received looks of disgust from the room, regardless of oaths, he was now the constant source of apologies. Offers of friendship abounded and there were many asking him to do tricks with fire. The first task had left Harry as a fire elemental. Harry had only told a small portion of the staff as well as Hermione and Daphne the details behind what he had done.
And naturally, this meant the entire school knew by the next morning. It had appeared in a special evening edition of the profit, considered supplemental to the Triwizard Tournament.
The DMLE had shown up shortly thereafter, requiring him to register. All elementals were required to be registered by the Ministry of Magic, they had noted, including how they had become such. Harry, for some reason, knew these two Aurors were flunkies for Fudge. As such, he had managed to get Susan to request her Aunt visit. When Amelia had arrived and discovered Two of her Aurors were here, claiming official DMLE business, but she had no records of it, she became livid. When they stated their purpose, she apologetically turned to Harry, noting that was what the law said.
So Harry, who was ever thankful for his random knowledge which had suddenly appeared, reminded her that prior to reaching his majority the Ministry was only required to know he was one, nothing more. In addition, he could, and he informed her he would, claim that it was family magic so nothing could be registered beyond the time and situation which had led to the change.
It was with a crafty grin which Amelia turned on her Aurors, informing them both they were on temporary suspension pending review of their actions and orders. In addition, she told them that should they ever attempt to supersede her authority again without express written permission, she would call them out not only for their position, but for an honor duel. Both Aurors, with well over a decade of experience, cringed at this idea. Amelia Bones was not a woman to cross in the political arena, but if it came to wands there were very few who lived who would dare to draw a wand on her, let alone actually fight her.
Harry knew he had needed the woman as an ally, and after she was done dressing down her Aurors, he had stepped in and asked if she might join he and her niece for lunch. The offer was quickly accepted.
And of course news of this was everywhere, making Harry yet again the center of attention.
So now Harry stood with all of these eyes hopefully watching him. The worst, however, was Daphne and Hermione. Both were looking at him expectantly. He had pressed them from his thoughts. With this situation, how was he supposed to pick one wife over the other. Could that be fair at all?
With a hall full of individuals hoping beyond hope that Harry would choose them to go to the Ball, Harry took a deep breath. This was not what he wanted. He just wanted to be Harry.
He would, apparently, never get that chance.
It was in this environment where Ron made his apology. The red-headed one came closer to Harry, his eyes diverted and his cheeks blazing.
"Harry mate, ummm, well, you see…" There was a sullen pause. Everyone else was watching closely.
"Yes Ron?" In the past, Harry would have let the young man off the hook. Ron was his first friend. But with knowledge of the future, Harry knew how difficult Ron could become and how troublesome he could be. Harry would probably forgive the young man, but not without Ron actually and legitimately apologizing.
Ron appeared to struggle a bit more. His eyes briefly flashed up to meet Harry and Harry could see the frustration there. But it was not the frustration of apologizing. It was the frustration of Jealousy. Harry could almost hear Ron's thoughts. The red-head was wondering where this half-blood got off making him, a pureblood, look like a fool in front of so many people. Why did Harry get money? Ron had taken in the crowd and seen the women all waiting to speak to Harry, and as such was torn. How could all these lovely witches be interested in the boy? Even Hermione, seeing all of that attention, still looked hopeful. What was going on?
And Harry realized he could hear Ron's thoughts. Not like he could Hermione or Daphne's, but in a more subtle, 'I will read the train of thought' sort of way. It was scary and brilliant all at once. Then Ron seemed to come to a decision.
"I'm sorry Harry." And then a silence fell. Harry decided he would push the young wizard a bit further. He needed to know where Ron stood, because while he was a friend, his thoughts said otherwise.
"Sorry for what exactly, Ron?"
Tension filled the air once more. It was almost palpable. Then something unexpected happened. Ron's face began to grow red, and as he did, wind began to gently sweep around the drafty corridor. Ron's anger was getting away and he was a powerful wizard. Easily one of the stronger in their year. How else could he have levitated a troll's club not even a semester into their first year.
But Harry was stronger. And instantly the wind grew but rather than pushing the others back, it simply created a pressure on Ron. Harry spoke again, magic filling his words. While it did not really mean much, it was quite a show.
"Sorry. For. What. Ron?" There was a tense standoff before Ron cracked.
"Forget it. Apparently you are too important now to hear the apology of a friend."
Harry stood shocked. He hid it well, but inside he had no idea how to respond to that. As he felt his magic withdraw itself, he looked around the room. The remaining guys looked on with either fear or respect or some mix of the two.
The women, on the other hand, looked hungry. And Harry instantly knew what was coming next. Wiithout thinking, he grabbed Hermione and Daphne's hands.
"Come on. Neville, see you later?"
At the slightly pudgy boys nod, Harry took off. Twenty minutes later found the tri ensconced in the Room of Requirement. Harry flopped down on the couch.
"Well that was infuriating."
Harry missed the two witches come over and move into his sides. He missed the slight look which passed between the two. Jealousy had not really been an issue, but it was suddenly flaring as the two realized that Harry needed a date for the Ball and both of them wanted to be it.
"Come on Harry, relax." Daphne's husky whisper in his ear drew his eyes to her. She slunk closer and began to nibble on his neck. Hermione was not to be outdone and moved from her side.
"Yeah, it will all be alright." She nibbled on his earlobe and began kneading his shoulders.
It only took another twenty minutes for the tension to begin leaving Harry's shoulders. That tension returned, however, when the massage and nibbling stopped. Harry turned to look at the girls who both had that same hungry look in their eyes. Harry, when he was older, would have said that room would need a bedroom immediately. In this moment, he associated it with the look the other witches had been giving him.
"Et tu, Brute?"
Daphne looked at him confused. Hermione had the decency to look ashamed for a minutes before looking back at him defiantly.
"Well you have to take someone Harry."
"Yeah, McGongall sa-" Daphne clamped her hands over her mouth. Harry looked at her incredulously. He then turned his attention to Hermione and once more saw the shame drift across her face. With a tired sigh, Harry stood.
"Ladies, you both know I care for you. But this is too much. I refuse to take one of you and not the other, but to be honest after seeing the looks you two have been sharing, I'm not sure I want to take either of you anyway."
With that Harry strode to the door, leaving a flabbergasted duo behind. He stopped as he opened the door, setting his head on the door jamb as he sighed once more. Fighting back tears at seeing the two people he trusted not to see him as anything other than Harry see him as something else, Harry called back.
"I love you both, I really do, but you two need to straighten this out. Do you want to be with me because I am Harry, or would you prefer to be with The-Boy-Who-Lived, Triwizard Champion."
With the, Harry left. As the door clicked behind him, Hermione and Daphne both stared at the door for a bit before quietly turning to face one another. Both had tears forming in their eyes.
"You know what I hate most about this?" Hermione's voice fought not to crack. Daphne, not trusting her own voice at the moment, shook her head to indicate She did not know.
"He is absolutely right. All he has ever wanted to be was Harry. None of this other stuff. And that is why I fell in love with him."
"Me too." Hermione smiled at Daphne's quiet admittance.
"And yet, for all he has ever given me, I turned on that idea in a small fit of jealous rage. I know he loves us, but…"
"But will he forgive us." Daphne finished the statement. With tears fully forming, the two reached out and held one another. They wanted to go and apologize to Harry right then, but knew that would not work. Worse, they had to forgive and apologize to one another.
Hermione, for so long, was used to being the only woman in Harry's life. Daphne had managed to change that and now Hermione, for her part, needed to learn to deal with that. It had caused jealousy and feelings of inadequacy to form. And Hermione hated herself for letting it happen.
Daphne, new to this group, had found herself desperately and hopelessly in love with one Harry Potter. She had no idea how he had managed to break her defenses. First there had been the contract, but Harry had broken it to free her. He had been a friend, breaking through her ice queen defenses. She had fallen in love with him, but he was Hermione's. And then there was that kiss and marriage and she felt as if she was playing catch up. It had led to jealousy of her bond mate, and it had driven the other one away.
The two clung to one another, apologizing and crying.
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Harry had left the room. He was unsure of what to do. He loved both of them dearly. He needed them in his life. Yet the fact of the matter was that both seemed to want something from him he could not give.
Oh, Harry knew better. This was the first ever instance of jealousy he had seen from Hermione and he knew of her past. He knew she still felt self-conscious. He knew the incredible woman Daphne had become and he had become friends with her, but he had learned how fragile she was at this age. It had come to a point where the blond had even addressed suicidal ideation with Harry. It was something, she had said, which only Tracey and her sister had managed to get her through. So Harry knew there was a great deal of tension for both girls. Further, he knew that their relationship was awkward and would require time and openness.
But none of that made him feel much better at the moment.
Harry slipped on his invisibility cloak to make it through the castle undisturbed, and made his way outdoors.
As Harry approached his favorite tree near the Lake, he heard sniffling. What's more, the sniffling was coming from his tree. Cautiously, not wanting to disturb someone but being worried, Harry snuck around to see who it was.
Sitting there, with her knees drawn to her chest, was a young blond girl wearing the uniform of a Beauxbatons' student. Harry would imagine she was a first year, if a young one at that. The small girl appeared to be 9 or 10 at the most. Her skin was pale and perfectly smooth. She reminded Harry a great deal of Fleur, at least from what he could see. As Harry tried to sneak back and leave her undisturbed, his foot snapped a twig. Harry froze at the sound, as did the young girl. She turned and began to look around. As if seeking the sound of the noise. Harry was entranced by the face. There was an unearthly beauty to the girl. Harry felt the same sort of pull he had from Fleur, but it was nowhere near as strong. This girl had a soft heart-shaped face, yet a sense of aristocratic beauty. Her lips were lush, even for one so young, and her eyes were the darkest blue Harry had ever seen. Were they much darker, Harry would have called them black. And yet they glistened like the night sky, an effect only drawn out further by the light coating of tears.
"Qui est là! Who iz zere!" After a tense moment of searching, the young witch drew her wand and Harry could have sworn he saw her other clenched fist smoldering. Throwing caution to the wind, Harry did the only thing he could think of.
He pulled off the cloak.
"I'm sorry. I did not mean to frighten you." Harry raised his hands in a placating manner. Unfortunately, his appearance scared the poor witch. She jumped in fright and dropped her wand. As she collapsed on the ground, he smoldering fist lit on fire and she threw the ball at him.
All action ceased at this. Harry was concerned. He knew that Elementals could handle fire as hot and dangerous as a dragon's, but Veela fire was an unknown. But at their distance, Harry did not have time to react as the fire struck him and he too fell to the ground. He heard words in French as the young witch jumped to her feet and made her way over to him.
Harry felt the hole in the front of his robes. They certainly were not fire-proof. But the skin beneath, it looked unaffected. And this was how the French witch found him. He first saw her concerned eyes come into his line of sight, followed by a confused look crossing her face, before realization set in.
"You…You are ze Harry Potter!"
"Well, I do prefer Harry and you are welcome to drop the 'The'" Harry spoke with a smile and then groaned as he sat up. This drew another concerned look from the witch.
"Oh no. Did I 'urt you?"
"Hmm? Oh, no. The ground is rather hard though." Harry showed her the unburnt skin before massaging his back. A Silence fell between the two. Finally, Harry decided to break it.
"So, if you don't mind my asking. Why were you out here?" Harry kindly left the crying part off and based on the brief smile he got from the girl, it was well appreciated.
"Well, zere iz ze ball coming. All of my friends have dates, but none of ze boyz want to go wiz me." There was a slightly crestfallen look on her face. The two had settled down by the tree once more. Harry would ask himself years later what led him to do it, but he decided it was time. He reached out an arm, offering the young witch a place to cuddle into him which she immediately took. As she buried her face into his shoulder, Harry said the words.
"I would be honored if you would be willing to lower yourself to be my date miss…?"
"Really? You would go wiz me? Oui! OUI! Of course!" The young witch reached up and kissed his cheek before jumping to her feet. "I must go tell Amalie and Rebecca and…and zhe dress! I need to talk to Fleur and Maman! Zey will never believe I am going wiz ZE Harry Potter." Harry could see the smirk on her face as she said this and knew that she did not mean it in that annoying fangirl way. She was teasing him.
As the excited witch prepared to spring off, Harry carefully reached out and held her shoulder, turning her back to face him. Harry noticed he stood about a head taller than her.
"Well, I would be honored to take such a lovely woman with me, but I would like to know your name." Harry offered her a lopsided grin, one which her own brilliant smile met.
"Gabrielle Delacour, Mr. Potter. And I would be honored to be your guest."
At that, the small blond witch turned and fled for the Beauxbatons Carriage.
Then it hit Harry. He had a date for the ball and it was neither Hermione or Daphne.
They were going to kill him when they found out.