Chapter Six: Coffee

Daphne sat in the coffee bar she had agreed to meet Potter in mild bemusement as she watched muggles walk past her, going about their everyday lives. Everyone seemed to be in a rush. Not a single person took time to enjoy the sunshine, or rather relative sunshine when compared to the drab grey cloudiness that had claimed far too many days already that week. The ability to travel anywhere in a moment, Daphne decided, would have cut down on all the rushing and running. There was far too much of it. She had almost spilled her drink twice on the way to her table, bounced about by arrogant men talking into whatever it was they held to their ears. All of the muggles seemed to have one, little tiny boxes of light. From the tiny amount of time she had devoted to studying them she came to the conclusion they were for communication. That, and looking at pictures of cats if the woman wearing far too much black was anything to go by. Daphne had never understood the attraction to cats.

She had wait another few minutes before Harry arrived. It was not that he was late. Far from it. Well, not that far, admittedly, but Daphne had made the effort to be early. Primarily because she hadn't been too sure where the coffee shop had been, let alone what it looked like. Clad in jeans, a white shirt and slightly crumpled and creased blazer Potter blended perfectly into their surroundings. Although, she admitted, it was quite hard not to. People didn't even glance at the man on the other side of the restaurant who had glinting bits of metal sticking out of his face. Daphne had gone for a simple skirt and dark green blouse, leaving her heavy Ministry robes at work.

"Hi," Harry said with a slightly awkward wave. It was only when he was closer to her, within hearing range, she noticed the deep bags under his eyes. His hair was also more dishevelled than she had last seen it, although she put that down to him not bothering to try and fight it. Even at the ball he had failed to tame it but he had at least gone to a degree of effort. "Take it you managed to find it okay?"

"Easily enough," Daphne assured him. "I didn't realise it was this close to the Ministry. All this time and I had no idea about any of this."

"Better get used to that feeling." Harry told her. "We're the ones doing the hiding, remember?"

He paused, his hands rummaging around in the pocket of his jacket before pulling out some money. She had made a trip to Gringotts the day before to get enough for her little trip to the muggle world. Lord Selby, who had been having a rather loud argument with a stubborn goblin, had kept giving her sideways glances hoping to find a story no doubt. She didn't have to put too much thought into the wild versions of her day that he had probably concocted. A muggle love affair, for instance.

"I'll be right back," Harry said after having quickly glanced at the menu above the counter.

It took a few minutes for Harry to get a drink and fight his way back to her. The tiny shop was overflowing, people kept giving Daphne pointed looks as they waited around for a table, hoping she would surrender hers in the face of silent pressuring. She just smiled and continued to sip at her drink, far slower than before and taking far more satisfaction from their even steelier glares than she probably should have.

"Do you want to walk and drink?" Harry asked when he came back having just had to fight his way through three people who were being far too preoccupied staring at the menu above them to notice his existence, let alone the fact she wanted to get through. She nodded and together they headed out the shop, their seats taken by the girls who had spent too much time to be considered healthy glaring at Daphne.

They walked in silence for a moment, Harry leading them onto the main street but then quickly down a side road, heading away from the bustling crowd flocking to the many shops they left behind.

"Tori couldn't quite believe that you'd asked me out today," Daphne said after the silence continued, trying to fill the gap left by Harry's absence. There was something bothering him - it was a clear as a rampaging Hippogriff. "Although, she thinks all of my friends come out of the Department of Mysteries."

"It's hardly surprising," Harry pointed out. "I didn't know you. No offense but I probably still don't."

"I could say the same about you," Daphne added. It was true, other than what she already knew about him, the stuff that she had seen from the side-lines the same as everyone else, she didn't know much about Harry. Even when they had been talking about his failed love life with Weasley he had deflected and dodged her questions. All she thought she knew about him flew in the face of what he was actually like. He wasn't pig-headed or heroic or any of that. It was part of what intrigued her. Unanswered questions.

"What's your favourite colour?"

"Seriously?" The incredulity was clear in his voice but Daphne just grinned.

"Why not?" Daphne asked. It was a stupid question, she knew, but it was something. A detail. Where else was there to start? Harry wasn't exactly forthcoming and she wasn't about to ask what was bothering him. That was a can of worms that could hopefully be passed over if she side-tracked him long enough.

"Red. You?"

"Blue. Not dark a more light, powder I think you'd call it."

"Why did you want to be an unspeakable?" Harry asked when she didn't say anything.

"It's what I always wanted to do, ask questions and get answers. Discover new things. I could never be a boring Lady of the manor, although I am one, technically." Daphne answered. Being an unspeakable, as Harry had so bluntly put it, was essentially poking things and seeing what happened. Except far more complicated. "Take what I'm doing at the moment, for example, I'm working on improving time turners."

"I thought you were meant to be restoring them."

"And improving," Daphne told him. "Why be limited to a few hours or even days? If you have enough patience to do all the turns it would take then I imagine you could go back further."

"You imagine?" Harry repeated.

"Anyone who ever tried didn't show up again. The more you turn them the more unstable they become, they were never designed for long journeys." Daphne said, she was vaguely aware that the route they were taking was directing them back to the public entrance of the Ministry. She wasn't exactly sure how long it would take, as apparating made judging distances more difficult than it should be. "I'm trying to see if it can be done. It's like being an auror really, ask the right questions you get results, don't and well… We still haven't managed to find Reggie yet."

"Reggie?"

"A dog we were testing one of the new time turners on," Daphne explained. "We were trying to send him into the future by a few minutes. That was last week. I'm sure he'll turn up, somewhere."

"Somehow having curses thrown at me all the time doesn't seem so bad now," Harry mused sipping at his drink.

"Glad I could help," Daphne grinned. He just nodded and went back to drinking. There was still something that didn't quite feel right. For all his misery and bad-tempered nature at the Ministry he had still been a modicum of fun. Better than anyone Astoria ever tried to introduce her to. Supposed men of standing who all seemed far too interested in anything but standing with her. She knew she was going to have to do it. There was no way around it and patience, despite her work, wasn't one of her virtues. "How are things, by the way?"

"Fine."

"Want to try telling your face that?" Daphne asked only deepening his furrowed brow further. He didn't look at her, his eyes going down to his feet. She had to resist the temptation to walk away, budding friendship or not he was acting like a child. "Look, Harry, I know something's bothering you. Might as well just tell me because let's be honest who have I got to tell? Really?"

He continued with his intent staring. She was about to snap, about to tell him to go to hell, that if he really wanted a friend then maybe he should try opening up once in awhile. Strong and silent types were isolated for a reason. But she didn't get to say any of that. Not a bit.

"Ginny," it came out more like a whisper than anything else and she almost missed it. "Eliza, my - the woman the Department told me I needed to see - she said that Ginny probably had never really seen me. For me. Just the idea of me. The Boy Who Lived. I mean I loved her and if Eliza is right she never felt the same."

Daphne was quiet for a moment, not exactly surprised. She couldn't disagree with anything he had said. From he had told her and the glimpses she had seen, Weasley had fallen for the hero who'd saved the damsel in distress. What a surprise. But that's why people should never meet their heroes, or sleep with them. No story lives up to reality, Daphne thought sadly. If it did, why would anybody need fairy tales?

"So what if she didn't?" Daphne asked, not unkindly. "You loved her and you got your heart broken, that was true before and it's still true now. Want my advice? Move on."

"That's easy for you to say."

"It's easy for anyone to say, you've just got to decide what's more important, clinging to something that makes you miserable or putting it aside and starting over. I know which one I'd pick." After all I did, she added to herself trying to block out the memory that she knew would come flooding to the surface. She hadn't thought about that for a long time and she wasn't about to start now.

"Thanks," Harry said a sad smile on his face.

"Don't mention it."

There was a silence for a moment, but she didn't press it. Harry needed time in his head, sort out all the demons in there. Sure, he was damaged goods, you could tell that by looking at him. But Daphne knew from experience that somewhere along the line most people were.

"You got any plans?" Harry asked eventually. Not exactly scintillating stuff but he was trying.

"Finish at work and then I'm seeing Tracey at the Leaky Cauldron." Daphne replied. It had been too long since she had met up with Tracey, mainly because her best friend had been working double shifts at Saint Mungo's all week. Between sleeping, working and occasionally eating she had no time to see anyone. Trying to get a promotion wasn't easy, but Tracey never really knew when to take no for answer. "What about you? A glamorous night out? A charity event? One of those little parties that only rich people can afford to go to?"

"Funny."

"You're the millionaire, not me. Admittedly only just, but who's counting?"

"No, no parties. I'm seeing my godson though. I make sure I do every night." There was a sincerity in his voice that was sweet. Harry really did care about his godson. Most people, in Daphne's experience, took the duty of godparent rather lightly. She had only ever met her godmother once and as for her godfather, the last Daphne heard he was in Peru. But Harry was not most people.

"Teddy, right?" Harry nodded. "His father was a good man, don't tell dad but he was probably one of the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers Hogwarts will ever have."

"Like to think he's the best?"

"He likes to aim to be," Daphne corrected. It was something he had always tried to instil in Daphne and Astoria as children. The way he saw it if you were going to do anything you might as well it right. No point doing it otherwise. The consummate professional, supposedly. Although, Daphne got to see him when he shut the world out. Her father wasn't just a man of principles and a dedicated work ethic. But he wasn't overly fond of sharing that fact with everyone else.

"How long has he been doing it now?"

"Six years, going on seven." Daphne told him. "He took the job after we left, although Tori wasn't lucky enough to miss out on having him teach her N.E.W.T's."

"He broke the curse then. Does he enjoy it?" Harry asked clearly intrigued.

"He seems to," she replied. Her father liked to keep his home life and work life separate. Mainly because he spent so much time at Hogwarts. "Did you? And don't look at me like that, Harry, everyone knew you headed up that little band of misfits in fifth year. Malfoy wouldn't shut up about it."

"Yeah, it was good. You should have joined."

"I think you're forgetting something. I was in Slytherin remember? Half of, what were you called the D.A.?" He nodded. "Well, half of that lot would have hated me on sight. Not just the Gryffindors either. I wouldn't have needed to anyway."

"Why not?"

"I was still getting E's despite Umbridge's woeful teaching." Daphne said a little smugly. She had worked hard to get that grade. Unlike almost three quarters of their year, she hadn't had help from Harry. Daphne had had to it the hard way. Revising, practicing where she knew no-one else could see and convincing her father it would be a good idea to let her into the family library. There were books in there that certainly were not for the faint hearted. But knowing what you would be fighting was half the battle and Daphne's knowledge of what dark wizards could do had definitely been improved.

"It wasn't just about that, I mean sure, Umbridge was rubbish. But I was helping them learn how to protect themselves."

"I had an auror for a father, he taught me all I needed to know about protection." Daphne pointed out. "And more besides, a protective father and daughters isn't the best combination believe me. Although, it did come in useful when Goyle got a bit too friendly at the Yule Ball. It took him a week before he could sit down without cushions."

They continued to talk well into Daphne's lunch break, reaching the visitors entrance with a few minutes to spare. She had only ever used it once before and it was still as cramped as she remembered it. Happily though unlike most of the other phone boxes they had passed on their way, this one didn't stink. Muggle repelling charms had their uses. It wasn't that she hated or even disliked muggles, but she wasn't overly fond of standing in something which belonged in a toilet. Muggles in general, she could get along with. If she ever tried that was. Life as an unspeakable didn't demand it.

It was only when they reached the entrance to the atrium that they stopped. By rights Harry probably shouldn't even be this far in the building, but he hadn't passed the security guard who was watching them with a mixture of boredom and… no it was just boredom. In fact he wasn't even staring at them. He wasn't really staring at anything. It mustn't be a fun life, Daphne mused, but someone had to do it.

"This is as far as I can go," Harry said. "Suspension and all that."

"Right, well I'm sure I'll see you around."

"How about same time next week?" Harry asked in what he probably thought was a casual tone. So much for the big bad auror, Daphne thought.

"Sure," Daphne agreed. She couldn't see any reason why not and it had been nice to get out of sitting at her desk all lunch. Besides, she had enjoyed seeing muggle London. It was amazing how much she had missed. Trapped in the Wizarding World it just passed her by. It had always amazed her how muggles got by with magic, but her little trip through London had shown her they did far more than simply 'get by'.

"Okay, see you then."

"Bye," with a small wave he turned and walked away, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he did so and looking far less depressed than he had done an hour earlier. She smiled to herself as she headed back to work, glad that time turners weren't the only things she could fix.

oOo

Tracey Davis was late. But Daphne had expected it. Tracey was always late. Although if she was much longer she would be setting a new record. Daphne had already ordered their drinks and was halfway through her own when her best friend finally appeared. Tracey was still dressed in her healer robes, but that wasn't saying much, as she practically lived in them and Daphne had been expecting little else when her friend had been coming straight from work.

"Hey Daph," Tracey smiled as she took her seat opposite Daphne, attempting to flatten her wind tousled brown hair as she did so. "Sorry for being so late. I was looking after Mrs Chandler."

"What happened?"

"She burst," Daphne's natural inquisitiveness suddenly curbed, deciding she didn't need to pursue the topic, it was quite alarming. "So, how're things? It's been ages. Thanks for the drink by the way, I'll get the next lot."

"They're good, Tori's out with Draco again tonight though so I'm trying to avoid going home. Especially after last time." She shuddered. That had not been fun to come home to. The noise alone had been enough to scar her for life.

"I don't blame you. You never know they might go back to his place, Narcissa loves Tori."

"Shame the feeling isn't mutual really," Daphne mused. It would be so much easier if Astoria actually got along with her future mother-in-law, as it stood she barely tolerated her. But as Astoria loved to point out she did for Draco's sake. The pointed insult didn't escape Daphne's notice. Not that she cared. She wasn't about to start kissing up to Draco now. The temptation to kill the slimy worm would be too high. "They've got so much in common, both of them are as blind when it comes to him."

"Not really something to base a mother and daughter relationship on though."

"Well if they're round again I'm putting a silencing charm on the pair of them. I couldn't sleep last time."

"Neither could they by the sound of it," Daphne shuddered not wanting that mental picture in her head. "Too far?"

"Little bit,"

"I love being an only child." Tracey said with a laugh before she started on her drink. Daphne let it slide, knowing that when it came to anything less than serious Tracey was lacking in sympathy. "It's so much easier. Although Matthias did want to adopt me at one point so I suppose I'm sort of not. When's he back, your dad? I haven't seen him since Christmas."

"Soon, a few weeks I think. NEWT's and OWL's are in two weeks aren't they?"

"Don't ask me, I stopped keeping up with them when we left." Tracey shrugged. "Shouldn't you know?"

"He did tell me," Daphne admitted. "I've been busy."

"I heard," Tracey smirked, raising one eyebrow suggestively. "How is Potter?"

"Tori told you," it wasn't a question. She didn't need to ask. There was no one else that Tracey talked to who knew she even talked to Harry. She had wanted to tell Tracey herself, but with her work she hadn't had the chance. No doubt that Astoria had gone to Tracey the first opportunity she had gotten. To see if Tracey knew any more than she did, which wasn't much. Daphne had enjoyed the look of shock on her sister's face too much to spoil it. A momentary indulgence that had come back to bite her. Not that Daphne was surprised, Astoria had an annoying habit of turning to Tracey when Daphne would keep secrets from her.

"I'd be lying if I said she didn't," Tracey replied. "She just thought I might know why you'd started gallivanting around with him. So, what's he like? Arrogant and stupid? Strong and silent? Or are we just on the kissing and no talking stage?"

"Do you have to lower the tone? I've only met him twice." Daphne said exasperatedly. Tracey had always had her mind half in the gutter. She had been just as bad when they had been at school. Every boy Daphne had been near Tracey assumed that Daphne was trying to make him a conquest, or become one of theirs.

"That's more than enough time for some," Tracey pointed out, ignoring the fact that every relationship Daphne had ever been in, not that there were many, had never included a one night stand. There were some depths Daphne would never stoop too. "So I take it you're not eloping next week then?"

"Not even the week after. Just another one of your dreams about my love life shattered forever." Daphne said dryly. "And to answer your first question, no he isn't arrogant and stupid or any of those things. Okay, maybe a bit silent, but he's busy thinking the universe hates him at the moment. Don't get me wrong, I like him but I doubt he's what you'd expect."

"You're making him sound a lot less dreamy than the Prophet does these days." Tracey sighed.

"You sound disappointed," Daphne commented with an arched an eyebrow.

As far as she was aware Tracey had never had a thing for Harry. Not even a little one like most girls their age had. Growing up on stories of the 'Boy-Who-Lived' and imagining him as some knight in shining armour amazingly meant many girls fantasised about being Mrs Potter someday. Daphne had never shared such delusions, but then again, she had never really thought about boys until the Yule Ball. By that point Harry had been a Gryffindor for four years so was off limits. Not that she would have noticed him even if he'd been in another house. Harry had been a very withdrawn and shy boy.

"I am, you try having to deal with cocky healers or men who get too handsy after their potions and see how you like it. I preferred the lost but strong and silent soul desperate for new love after his heart had been broken. That's way more interesting than Doug Collins and his collection of door mats. He insisted on showing them me today, he has pictures."

"Of door mats?" Daphne asked sceptically.

"Yeah, from all over the world. He's even got one from Hungary. It cost him three galleons because of how rare it is."

"I can see why you're preferring dreamy now," Daphne said her respect for Tracey rocketing. There was no way she would be able to manage a day with people like that. Dealing with over-excited old aged men with door mat fetishes was not in her forte. Throwing something at them probably was. Even a few hours in there and she doubted she would be responsible for her actions. "Sorry to disappoint."

"I'm sure I'll be able to forgive you," Tracey grinned. "When do I get to meet him then? I'm guessing you like him and that you're not just talking to him because you're bored and I haven't been around lately."

"I do and why do you care? It's not like I'm dating him, Trace."

"He's the first person I've heard you talk about who you don't work with in ages, of course I'm meeting him. Besides, when do I get to meet a celebrity? Even when they're ill they see senior healers, I never get a look in."

"I'll ask him," Daphne sighed knowing that Tracey wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted. It felt strange, the idea of him meeting her friends and family. She wasn't even sure if she would classify them as friends yet. Sure, she liked him well enough. But friends? That was something else. "I don't know what he'll say though."

"That's all I ask," Tracey said before finishing off her drink and noticing that Daphne's was empty. "Same again?"

"If you insist."

Daphne wasn't quite sure what the time was when she got home. All her partially drunk brain managed to piece together was that it was dark, Astoria and Draco were either mercifully asleep or even better not there and that her bed was far more comfortable than she remembered it being the night before. Tracey, who was drunker than Daphne, had only managed as far as the living room sofa before falling face first into a cushion, mumbling something about how much she loved the Greengrass house before she started snoring. Daphne wasn't looking forward to the morning, the only consolation being that Tracey was going to feel rougher than her. There really was no rest for the wicked. Or was it weary? She was pretty sure it wasn't windswept.

Shaking her head she rolled over, one hand yanking at the covers. It had been a good night. Nights with Tracey usually were. With a small smile to herself she let her eyes shut. Seconds later she was asleep.