AN: Hi, so first, sorry about the really long wait but I've had literally no time at all and wanted to make sure that this chapter was right before posting it. Also, thank you for everyone who has faved/followed/reviewed this story! I really appreciate it! I'll try and get the next one out as quickly as I can!
Chapter Fourteen: Shindig
Daphne stared at her reflection in the mirror, critiquing herself. A frown creased her brow; she was being stupid. It was just a meal. That's all it was. Just a meal. But as she carried on staring, Daphne didn't even buy the lie herself. It wasn't 'just a meal'. It might be for them, they all knew each other, they had gone through everything together... and then there was Daphne. On the outside looking in. She sighed, turning from the mirror and going back to searching her wardrobe. It wasn't a long search. Daphne had already tried on almost everything she owned, discarded clothes lay on her bed, thrown aside in a fit of temper by Daphne earlier that evening.
Pulling off her dress, deciding that it was far more formal than she had originally thought, Daphne threw it aside before skimming over the pile which she had already discarded. There was nothing wrong with them, per se, but Daphne was more than aware that she would have to make an impression. These people's opinion mattered. Whether Harry was prepared to admit it or not. Daphne sighed, any other event would have been met with her traditional scorn, a relatively calm period where she took far too long to get ready so as to annoy Draco, followed by an evening of tedium and boredom. But not this time. Instead of calm, Daphne was actually nervous. She scowled as she grabbed her black dress from the pile of already tried on clothes and pulled it on again.
Was it too much? It was a nice dress, there was no denying that. Tasteful, yet not plain and not so revealing that it looked as if she was about to fall out of it. But was this really a 'dress' occasion? But as she was just about to try something else on, there was a knock at the door and Astoria's tanned face poked around it. The honeymoon had suited her. She had cut her long brown hair into a small bob too, further accentuating her pretty face and beautiful smile.
"Hey Daph," Astoria beamed as she let herself into the room. Although her smile froze when she noticed the warzone which had become her sister's usually neat room. "What happened here? Looks like someone let a niffler loose."
"I can't decide what to wear," Daphne explained with a small sigh as she went back to staring into the mirror.
"What's the occasion?" Astoria asked excitedly. Daphne had to resist rolling her eyes. There was a reason she hadn't gone looking for Astoria's help, it was because the youngest Greengrass loved a party. Any excuse to be sociable, then Astoria was there a smile on her face, a drink in her hand and these days Draco on her arm. That, coupled with the fact that Daphne hadn't actually told her sister about the birthday meal, meant that Daphne had been hoping to avoid Astoria until all of this was over. But, apparently, Astoria had other ideas.
"It's Harry's birthday today," Daphne answered reluctantly. She was going to regret this. Astoria had been bad enough without any kind of information as it was. "He's invited me for a meal with a few of his friends."
Daphne couldn't remember the last time her sister's smile had gone so wide. It practically threatened to split her face in half.
"It's just a meal, Tori," Daphne said exasperatedly. Why was everyone so intent on setting them up? Could they not just be friends? Wasn't that allowed? "It's for him and his friends, I happen to fall into that particular category."
"Keep telling yourself that," Astoria replied, never losing that smile as she perched on the arm of the armchair which Daphne refused to let be taken downstairs. "So, what's with the big fuss?"
"Is this too much?" Daphne asked turning from the mirror so as her sister could see the entirety of her outfit.
"Where are you going? Out?"
"I'm not sure, Harry didn't say, all I know is we're meeting at Hermione's."
"Helpful," Astoria said shaking her head slightly before bouncing off of the armchair and towards the pile of abandoned clothes. She was silent for a minute, her pale blue eyes scanning the messy heap.
"You're trying too hard," Astoria remarked as she pulled out a pale blue shirt Daphne had forgotten she owned and a pair of black trousers. "It's just a meal, so treat it like you're going out with Tracey. I get that you want to make a good impression. But there's such a thing as doing too much. Try this."
Astoria's outfit, Daphne had to admit, made her feel far more relaxed than anything else she had tried on that evening. In place of the dresses and skirts Daphne had been alternating, the combination which Astoria had given her made her feel like herself. A sense of calm washed over the slight anxiety which had been pulling at Daphne's stomach as she looked in the mirror. This was different from any Ministry ball or family social. Daphne didn't have to present the best version of herself, Harry wasn't expecting that. He had invited her for her, not for her name. Old habits, apparently, died hard though.
"Much better," Astoria grinned leaning over her sister's shoulder and looking her up and down. "Definitely more you. Hang on, are you wearing make-up?"
"Is it that noticeable?"
"No," Astoria said quickly, "it's nice. I'm sure Harry will love it."
"And here I thought we were having a moment," Daphne said, rolling her eyes at her sister before checking her watch. The sudden realisation of just what the time was made Daphne curse.
"Problem?" Astoria asked as Daphne picked up her wand and gave it a quick flick, summoning the small bag she had enchanted so as it would hold far more than it should. It was small, dainty and absolutely no use to anyone who wanted to carry anything of any practical value. Daphne vaguely remembered having been bought it for a birthday a few years ago and had only rediscovered it when she had emptied her wardrobe with extreme prejudice in the search of an outfit.
"I'm late," Daphne answered hurriedly heading for the door as she summoned a coat which she thought vaguely went with what she was wearing from the huge pile of discarded clothes.
"Can't have that," Astoria grinned, earning herself a scornful look from Daphne. "Have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't. Unless Harry enjoys it, then go for it!"
Had Daphne not been running behind her schedule she would have retorted, but instead she simply ignored her sister's barb and rushed out of her room as Astoria set about cleaning the carnage Daphne had left in her wake.
The journey didn't take long, thanks to both magic and forward planning. A few days earlier, before they had gone for lunch, Harry had shown Daphne where exactly Hermione lived. Daphne hated being unprepared, it made her feel out of control, a fact which Harry knew all too well. So the gesture had been appreciated more than she had been able to say. Daphne was a firm believer that big, grand gestures were not, as some people liked to believe, signs that someone cared deeply. It wasn't that Daphne didn't value them, but for her it was the little things. Small, everyday instances that actually showed what someone thought. Grand gestures required forethought, planning. The little things, they were natural and without force. Daphne had not asked Harry for his help, yet he had given it all the same because he knew that she might need it.
Unlike at Greengrass Manor, the sun had long since stopped shining in London. Dark clouds painted the night sky, blocking out the dying rays of the sun as it fell beyond the horizon. Pulling her coat closer around herself, Daphne turned on the spot looking for the gigantic apartment complex that Hermione had decided to call home. Daphne had never seen the attraction, although she had never had to. Her father had always said that he would never throw out either of his daughters, primarily because he had had the same done for him, but also because if any of them wanted they could go days in the manor and never see the other just because of the huge amount of rooms.
The complex of flats was grand, in a typically muggle and modern, understated way. Huge windows let in as much light as English weather would allow as Daphne climbed the stairs. The hall which led to Hermione's apartment was long and empty, white walls barely decorated and the thick, dark carpet muffling her steps as Daphne counted the various apartments until she came to a dead stop out of Hermione's door. 53. The gold numbers were polished to a gleam, Daphne could see her mutated and deformed reflection which had been warped by the light and shape of the golden numbers.
She raised her hand to knock, let it hang there for a long moment and self-doubt and a panic-fuelled fear clouded her mind. For the briefest of moments she considered turning back, heading away and going back home. But that was the stupid part of her. The part of her that refused to take a chance on people. The part of her that wanted to stay shut away. Daphne hated it, detested it. All of her self-doubt, fears about friendship and commitment. Taking a deep breath, Daphne shook herself, banishing those fears that had ruled her life for far too long and instead walking away she felt herself knocking on the door.
Too late to turn back now.
"Hi Daphne," Hermione greeted happily, a huge grin on her face as she pulled the door wide open. "Come in," Hermione stepped away from the door, allowing Daphne the space to head inside. "Just put your coat in there, everyone else has." Hermione told her, waving a hand at an open door to Daphne's left. Peeking inside, Daphne quickly realised that it was Hermione's bedroom. Not wanting to look like she was prying Daphne hurriedly took off her coat and threw it onto the bed with the rest of the discarded jackets and coats.
"I got you this," Daphne said, opening her ridiculously small bag and pulling out a bottle of wine that she had put in their earlier that day along with Harry's presents.
"You shouldn't have," Hermione assured her before quickly adding, "thank you though."
"It's alright," Daphne replied with a shrug and slightly forced smile not knowing what else to say. Gone was the cocksure confidence that she usually tried to present. Daphne hated these kind of occasions. Intimate, yet somehow still formal and with a bunch of people she didn't really know. There was a reason she was an unspeakable after all.
"Everyone's just through here," Hermione said leading the way down the slightly narrow hallway and deeper into the apartment. The walls were fairly bare, probably due to the rented nature of the apartment. Daphne had heard more than one horror story from Tracey when she had been trying to find the right one that suited her. Most of the ones she'd found wouldn't allow any kind of decorating for fear it damaged their precious walls.
True to Hermione's word, everyone was in fact there. It seemed that Daphne had been the last one to arrive. The chatter died down a little as Daphne entered the slightly full living room, which had clearly been designed for far less people than it was accommodating. A tall man who could be none other than Ron Weasley stood nearest to the door, a glass of firewhiskey in his hand. He was taller than Daphne remembered, and he had seemed gangly at school. Next to him stood Neville Longbottom, a veritable Herbology genius according to Daphne's father who taught with Neville at Hogwarts. He had changed a lot since Hogwarts, from what Daphne could remember Neville had always been a round-faced boy with the looks to support his shy behaviour. But no more, now Neville Longbottom was a tall, broad-shouldered and incredibly handsome man. Albeit a little shy judging by the way his eyes quickly darted too and then away from Daphne when she looked at him.
On the sofa sat two women who Daphne didn't recognise immediately, although she knew enough to fill in the blanks. The younger woman with the dirty blonde hair who wearing a butterbeer cork necklace, a flowing blue dress and a dreamy smile on her face. She was definitely Luna Lovegood. Next to her sat a far older woman, her hair was shorter than Luna's a slightly flecked with grey. Unlike her sister, Andromeda Tonks actually smiled at Daphne when she entered the room. It was slightly unnerving for Daphne to see anyone closely related to Narcissa by blood actually smile at her. Daphne made a mental note to ask the Malfoy matriarch if she was actually capable of doing so as Daphne had previously dismissed it as something which the Blacks and Malfoys were incapable of doing, or if simulating human emotions was too much for her.
At the centre of the room, his legs crossed and his hair a complete mess as usual, sat Harry. In front of him was a young boy, whom Daphne knew could only be Teddy Lupin. His hair was jet black to match Harry's and he was giggling happily as his godfather played with him. The scene somehow took Daphne completely by surprise. She had never that side of Harry before. He looked as if he didn't have a care in the world, totally and utterly enraptured with his godson. A gigantic smile was plastered across his face, not for Teddy's benefit or anyone else's but because he was truly happy. Before she knew it that was smile was turned on her as Harry looked up at the sound of Hermione's voice. Somehow it managed to change, intensify slightly as his eyes locked with hers. She felt herself grinning back, despite the nerves in her stomach and the fear clawing at the back of her mind.
"Hey," Harry said with a small wave as he got to his feet, before down and saying something that Daphne couldn't quite hear over the general conversation which had started up again after her sudden appearance. No doubt they all knew who she was. Apparently awkward greetings were being saved later. Joy.
"Hi," Daphne replied as Harry carefully picked his way across the living room, avoiding the coffee table and the various drinks which were stood upon the coffee table, Teddy at his heels. When he was near enough to hear her properly Daphne added, "Happy birthday, Harry. Sorry, if I'm a little late."
"No you're right on time," Harry grinned, "and thanks." He waited for a second, allowing Teddy to catch up before saying, "Teddy, I'd like you to meet someone. This is Daphne. She's a very good friend of mine, say hello."
"Hello," Teddy said happily and confidently, his large round eyes fixed on Daphne as he looked up at her.
"Hello Teddy," Daphne smiled, entirely unsure exactly what to say or even how to talk to children. The last time she had spoken to anyone Teddy's age had been when Astoria had been that old, and ten-year old Daphne wasn't exactly helpful source of information. "Your godfather's told me a lot about you."
"You too," Teddy said.
"Good things I hope?" Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow at Harry who shrugged as if it was nothing.
"Uncle Harry never says bad things," Teddy told her, "unless people deserve it. Like the bad guys you chase, right, Uncle Harry?"
"You got it, kiddo," Harry smiled at the seven year old's slight over-simplification of what being an auror meant.
"Do you chase bad guys too, Daphne?" Teddy asked curiously.
"No, I'm an unspeakable. We ask questions," Daphne explained doing her best to simplify just what she did. No mean feat. Some days she wasn't even entirely sure herself.
"And poke things," Harry added with an air of helpfulness and only the hint of a smirk on his face.
"That too," Daphne conceded, rolling her eyes at Harry. "So, no, I don't do the same as what your godfather does. But that's probably for the best. I'd put him out of a job."
"You wish," Harry laughed as Teddy stared wide-eyed at her. Apparently seven year olds weren't too good at recognising sarcasm. "She's joking, Ted, don't worry."
"So, you're still gonna catch bad guys?"
"Still going to catch bad guys," Harry confirmed much to his godson's excitement. A small part of Daphne wanted to melt a little as she looked at the tiny boy, he was sweet and innocent and happy. Despite everything that had happened to him, that could have ruined his life, he seemed perfectly content. A large part of that, Daphne knew, was because of Harry.
"Dinner's ready!" Hermione called from the kitchen before entering the room. There was a sudden flurry of movement, people picking up their glasses from the coffee table in the middle of the room. As soon as the table was empty Hermione drew her wand and with a flick and a muttered incantation, the coffee table turned into a long dining table. With another few flicks of her wand, various other items of furniture turned themselves into matching dining chairs. Daphne wasn't even slightly surprised at Hermione's show of magic, the muggleborn witch always had been talented in the art of transfiguration.
"Would you like a drink, Daph?" Harry asked as everyone else started taking their seats. Andromeda had appeared behind him, ushering Teddy to his seat.
"Wine, thanks," Daphne answered. Harry nodded and headed into the kitchen, no doubt to offer his help to Hermione while he sorted out Daphne's drink. She couldn't smile at that. Harry was so willing to help anyone. Almost as much as he refused to accept any help himself.
Daphne found herself sitting opposite Luna Lovegood, who was talking animatedly to Longbottom about a creature Daphne had never heard of and wasn't entirely sure existed, and next to an empty chair, which presumably would be Harry's, and Andromeda Tonks who was busily making sure that Teddy was in his seat, much to the tiny boy's disapproval.
"Erm, Greengrass," Ron Weasley said awkwardly from across the table, with a look on his face that it made it clear he wasn't entirely sure what to make of her. Daphne privately thought that he would have made an awful Slytherin. No Slytherin would have been that obvious. Except perhaps maybe Draco. But then, he wasn't exactly a shining example of a Slytherin either. "How's work?"
"Good, thanks," was all a highly confused and startled Daphne could muster at the sudden burst of conversation from the last person she expected that she would be talking to. Ron had never made a secret of his dislike or distrust of anyone Slytherin, a habit which according to Harry hadn't changed much since they had left school.
Ploughing on, Ron added, "Harry's told us you made a big breakthrough or something? Time-turners that you can go into the future with, right?"
"Yeah," Daphne said quickly, taken aback by Ron's sudden interest in conversation, albeit forced. It didn't take much of a leap to realise just who had enforced his new-found politeness. Ron had always listened to Hermione after all and the glare had sent him before she quickly rushed back into the kitchen, although she had tried to hide it, would have made lesser men wither. "Though, I think we're going to have a snappier name than that." When Ron didn't even slightly smile she continued, "We're just in the middle of testing it out at the moment. Although, it's going to take a while to do the next part."
"Why's that?"
"Human testing always does, forms, consent, that kind of thing. Bureaucratic nightmare really." Daphne told him. It was the same every time, finding someone was hard enough, particularly with experimental technology. If they didn't find anyone soon Daphne was prepared to volunteer herself. She was sick of waiting. Neither doing one thing or the other.
"That's why we just test our stuff on ourselves," Ron said. "Mind, George isn't going to be doing any for a bit. Not after last time."
"Why, what happened?"
"He got a bit more insight into what it's like being a woman than he bargained for," Ron explained as he chuckled at the memory. "Took us days to find the right antidote."
"Is this George?" Harry asked as he took his seat next to Daphne, passing her the glass of wine he had poured for her as he did so. She gave him a small smile in thanks as Ron nodded his face losing the tightness which it had whilst he had been talking to Daphne. Clearly she wasn't the only one who slightly uncomfortable with her newfound situation.
"He was only meant to change for a minute, turns out he got some of the measurements wrong and ended up stuck like it. Angelina still swears he's got the hips." Ron continued, apparently far more comfortable now that his best friend had joined the conversation.
"I can't believe he thought it'd be a good idea to try that stuff." Harry commented, a small laugh escaping his lips at the memory.
"You know what George is like," Ron shrugged. "Besides, who else are we going to get to test our new stuff? Verity won't let us."
"Would you after what George has put her though?" Harry asked.
"True," Ron conceded. "She has put up with a lot."
"How's the new store going, anyway?" Harry asked as Hermione walked in levitating several plates at once. Daphne debated offering to help before deciding against it. Hermione was the type of woman who refused help out of sheer principle. Daphne had seen enough of her at school and at the Ministry to know that much.
"Yeah, good, bit dead at the moment but it's the holidays so it's to be expected I guess. We're thinking about taking on more staff when school starts again. It was a nightmare, I had to get Verity to come in when she was meant to be off." Ron answered. "Though, Zonko's aren't too happy with us being there, think they've gotten used to having all the Hogwarts kids to themselves."
"You're competing with Zonko's?" Daphne asked, stunned. As far as she could remember no-one had ever tried to rival the Hogsmeade joke shop.
"Trying to, yeah," Ron answered with a noncommittal shrug.
"You're doing better than trying," Hermione said with a fond smile before giving her boyfriend a quick kiss on the cheek as she sat down. "Tuck in everyone, I hope you all like it."
There were several murmurs of thanks as everyone began eating. Perhaps unsurprisingly with Hermione involved the conversation at her end of the table soon turned towards work. Daphne was slowly beginning to wonder just how much the Ministry expected Hermione to be able to deal with, what she was talking about seemed impressive for anyone to cope with, when her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Andromeda Tonks to her right.
"So," Andromeda Tonks said brightly, having finally settled her excitable grandson done to eating the meal Hermione had laid out before him. "Daphne, Harry tells me you two have been seeing a lot of each other lately."
"Yes?" Daphne answered quizzically not entirely sure or comfortable with where this conversation was headed. The friendliest Black witch was eyeing her with a gaze which Daphne recognised all too well from when Astoria had brought boys home. Daphne silently cursed before continuing, "I mean, I guess you could say that, yes. It's not like we see each other every day or anything."
"It's nice for him to have someone," Andromeda said, a sad smile pulling at her lips as she looked past Daphne to Harry who was listening to Hermione's tirade about the German ambassador.
"Oh, no we're not together," Daphne blurted out hurriedly, not wanting Andromeda to get the wrong idea. Enough people already did. The last person that Daphne needed to add to that list was Andromeda.
"I never said you were," Andromeda countered, smirking, "not that it's any of my business. No, what I meant was that it's nice for him to find new friends. After everything that happened with… her, I think he needed it."
Daphne didn't have to ask whom Andromeda was referring to. "Well, I'm glad I could help," Daphne said with a slightly forced smile, trying to steer the conversation away from the still sore subject of Harry's ex. Whilst he may be starting to get over her, it was as plain as day that Andromeda's feelings were nowhere near as dulled on the subject.
"You're not the only one," Andromeda told her. "He's a good man." She paused for a moment, as if lost in herself before saying quickly and with a far brighter smile. "Where are my manners, I haven't even introduced myself. Andromeda Tonks, Teddy's grandmother."
"Nice to meet you," Daphne smiled. "Daphne Greengrass," she added on social automatic before realising that there was really no need, "not that you don't already know that."
"Greengrass?" Neville Longbottom asked from across the table, interrupting their conversation. As soon as he realised just what he had done his face went slightly red. Daphne simply arched an eyebrow, doing her best not to be annoyed by Longbottom's apparent lack of social skills. He may have moved on in leaps and bounds with confidence, but there was still some of the shy school boy Daphne remembered underneath the surface. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, but you're not related to Matthias Greengrass, are you?"
"I'm his daughter," Daphne explained.
"Really?" Neville asked incredulously. It took all of Daphne's self-restraint not to bite back with a sarcastic response but Longbottom really was making too easy for her. "Hang on, you're not married to Malfoy?"
"That'd be Astoria, my sister, I've got far more taste." Neville laughed, seemingly relieved by her answer.
"She's nice," Luna interjected dreamily. "She helped me find my shoes once."
Not entirely sure what do with that piece of information, Daphne simply nodded. Astoria had mentioned Luna a few times during their time at Hogwarts, primarily because she thought it was unfair how some of the other girls treated her fellow Ravenclaw. Astoria had always had a big heart. It was part of the reason she'd been so willing to accept Draco.
"What's it like being related to Malfoy?" Neville asked as he cut up his steak into smaller slices.
"As fun as you'd imagine," Daphne replied sarcastically, before adding, "It's not been too bad the last few weeks, they've been in France for their honeymoon so I haven't really seen him. Not that he actively seeks my company anyway. We're not exactly on the best of terms."
"Because he's a complete git?" Neville guessed.
"Something along those lines," Daphne nodded. Despite her vow to tolerate the little worm, Daphne knew that she would never be friends with Malfoy. She knew it was petty, but seven years with him had put her off permanently. People changed, sure, but sometimes they stayed the same too.
Luckily Daphne was saved any more questions about Malfoy when Andromeda asked Neville about how his teaching career was going. Neville excitedly began telling her stories about his students and some of the research he was doing as part of a project with Professor Sprout who had asked for his help in investigating underwater Mediterranean plants and their uses.
The meal went rather quickly after that, Daphne doing her best to interact as well as she could with a room full of people she hardly knew. Harry did his best to include her, although Ron seemed slightly reserved with this everyone else happily chatted with Daphne. Towards the end of, when they began reminiscing about Hogwarts, Daphne began to feel slightly lost, having never shared in any of their adventures or joined Dumbledore's Army. She knew they weren't excluding her on purpose, that it was normal for a large group of friends like that to talk about the past, so instead of feeling bitter she sat back and listened as Andromeda and Teddy did to the stories. They skated over any of the particularly violent ones, the fight at the Department of Mysteries or the war. Instead they focused on the happier times, Dumbledore's Army, Hogsmeade trips and old teachers.
When everyone had finished eating and the table had been cleared and then shrunk back to its original size, leaving far more space in the previously quite cramped living room, everyone set about getting comfortable again. Some of the chairs that Hermione had transfigured remained, although Ron attempted to make his a bit more comfortable, eventually succeeding with a little help from Harry.
Daphne was just settling down on the sofa next to Teddy, who had taken an interest in her which she couldn't quite explain, although Andromeda assured her that he was like that with all new people, when the lights dimmed and Hermione re-entered the room carrying a large birthday cake in the shape of a twenty-five. There was a chorus of 'Happy Birthday', with a slight variation on Harry's name from Teddy who was happily singing the loudest, before a slightly sheepish looking Harry blew out the various candles on his cake.
"You going to open your presents now, Harry?" Ron asked loudly when the cake had been distributed to everyone.
"Sure, mate," Harry said, rolling his eyes at his friend's excitement.
"Wicked," Ron grinned, pulling out a poorly wrapped present from the inside of his robes and throwing it to Harry who caught it deftly with one hand as he set down his drink with the other. Hermione shook her head slightly at their antics, taking a seat next to Ron leaning in to him slightly as she watched Harry unwrap his present from Ron. Daphne had never thought that they would work, having seen their constant arguments at school. She had thought perhaps their relationship had come out of desperation, induced by war and fear. But somehow they worked. Maybe because Ron seemed to be a lot calmer than he had been, grown-up. Or maybe Hermione had just grown to be more accepting and less uptight. Whatever the reason, from the outside at least it seemed like their relationship was built to last. Not overly passionate or burning too brightly, but not devoid of emotion either. It was clear in the way that they looked at each other just how much they cared about each other. A slight twinge pulled at Daphne's heart, as loathed as she was to admit there were times, very brief ones, where she wished that she had someone who looked at her like that.
Ron had bought Harry an array of chocolates and Weasley's Wizards Wheezes' products, complaining a little that George had still insisted he pay for it. Hermione's gift was undeniably practical, a dragonhide wand holster, designed to be worn on his wrist underneath the sleeve of his wand arm. Teddy insisted that he was next, presenting his godfather with a clearly home-made card as well as slightly wonky red and black scarf, which Daphne assumed that Andromeda had helped him with. The clearly personal nature of the seven year old's present earned him a sweeping hug from his godfather. Seeing that side of Harry really was going to take some getting used to, Daphne thought as Andromeda passed Harry her present, which turned out to be a new, dark green cloak.
Luna came next, giving Harry her neatly wrapped present to Harry with a wide and happy smile as he opened it.
"Luna, that's…" Harry said lost for words as he stared at his present, a framed, square painting of Hogwarts. The sun hung high in the background of the painting, sending streams of light over the old castle. In the foreground of the painting written in delicate, curling handwriting were the words: Friendships forged forever. It was only when Daphne read those words that she realised just why Harry was reacting the way he was. Luna had painted it herself. "Thank you, it's amazing."
"It was nothing," Luna assured him beaming. "Although, I'm glad you like it, Harry."
They shared a smile before Neville picked up his present, which he had disappeared earlier to collect from the bedroom along with some of the others who had left theirs in there too, and passed it to Harry gently. Frowning at his actions, Harry matched the same gentle touch as Neville as he unwrapped the relatively small and strangely shaped object.
"It's a Ramblesnatch rue flower," Neville told Harry as the wrapping fell away to reveal a beautiful flower, its small yellow and purple petals were elegant and encircled the dark centre of the flower. Its green leaves were equally small, if not smaller and twisted under the flower.
"It doesn't explode, does it?" Harry asked eyeing the plant warily. Daphne wondered where that had come from but Neville didn't appear to be offended.
"No, it's not like mimbulus mimbletonia, although they're both quite rare though. I found it when I was working with Professor Sprout. There's more common variations, but this one can really only be found in a few places. I've been growing some at home ever since we came back, yours is the one I got the cuttings off actually."
"Thanks, Neville," Harry grinned, before carefully placing his new plant down next to his steadily growing pile of unopened presents. Neville smiled happily, resuming his seat next to Luna as most eyes turned to Daphne. Last but not least, she thought to herself as she retrieved her present from the bag she had packed earlier that afternoon. Harry flashed her an appreciative smile before tearing back the wrapping to reveal the present underneath.
"The photos came last week, so I thought you might like one," Daphne explained as Harry stared at Daphne's gift, a framed photo of them together at the wedding. Although, she knew that Harry had complained about the amount of times the photographer had insisted they do it, somehow none of those complaints could be seen on his face as he smiled down at the picture at the memories it contained.
"Cheers, Daph, that's great." Harry said, turning his smile on her.
"Look at the back," Daphne told him, a hint of nervousness filtering into her words. Having seen everyone else's presents she had begun to wonder if the second half of Harry's present was too much. Too late now, she told herself as she watched Harry dutifully turn over the frame and discover just what Daphne had hidden on the back.
There, spell-o-taped to the back were tickets to the final of the Quidditch World Cup.
"Whoa," was all Harry managed as he stared at the tickets. "Daph, these must of cost you a fortune! You really didn't have to."
"I wanted to," Daphne said sincerely. It was true. Although, she would never, ever tell him the price. He wasn't wrong when he had said it would have cost her a fortune. They had. Partly, because it was the World Cup, but primarily technically they had sold out months in advance. Seats were always reserved for giant corporations and their representatives, they weren't going to miss two. But even so, it had taken more galleons than Daphne had thought was reasonable and an incredibly large personal favour that her father had cashed in for them. But it had been worth it. Just to see the gigantic smile that was slowly spreading across Harry's face.
"Besides," Daphne shrugged, "Tracey couldn't get the time off work, so I suppose you'll do."
Before she was quite sure what was happening, Harry had risen from his chair and enveloped her in a hug. It took Daphne a brief second to realise just what he had done. He had never hugged her. A sudden warmth spread through her heart, making her grin as she hugged him back.
"What is it, Harry?" Ron asked, trying to peer at the back of the delicate silver frame upon which the tickets had been stuck to when Harry and Daphne broke apart.
"Daph's got me tickets for the final of the World Cup," Harry said, still slightly stunned by her gesture.
"You're kidding!" Ron practically shouted from his seat next to Hermione. "No way! I thought they'd all sold out!"
"You must have been looking in the wrong places then," Daphne said in an attempt to cover up what she had actually done to get the tickets. While it wasn't illegal, she wasn't proud of having to resort to using her father's name to get them. But that was just as much the fault of the system as it was hers, Daphne had reasoned. "The game's at seven on Friday, I hope that's not too short notice?"
"No, it's fine, Friday evening should work," Harry answered with a smile. He looked as if he was about to say something else but before he could a loud yawn interrupted them.
"I think someone should be getting home," Andromeda said, a fond smile on her face as she looked down at her grandson. All of the energy that had seemingly possessed the small child earlier that evening had vanished. Instead of being a tiny ball of excitement and joy, his head had drooped as he nestled against his grandmother. "Come on you, let's get you back."
There was a muffled protest from Teddy, but Andromeda ignored him, picking him up instead.
"I'll show you out," Harry offered quickly, placing the photograph down gently before getting to his feet.
"Lovely seeing you all," Andromeda said in farewell before adding, "and nice to finally meet you, Daphne."
"You too," Daphne replied honestly. Despite having been initially filled with trepidation about meeting Harry's friends and 'family', for that was what Andromeda had become to him, Daphne had actually enjoyed meeting them all.
"Don't be a stranger," Andromeda smiled, before giving everyone a final wave and following Harry out of the living room.
"Is it me," Ron began to ask, "or does it only seem like five minutes since he was crawling around and trying to make friends with the gnomes?"
"Doesn't feel like that long since we left school," Hermione added before asking, "does anyone want another drink?"
Only Ron answered in the affirmative, being the only one whose glass was practically empty.
Daphne wasn't sure how much longer she stayed after that. With Andromeda gone the group went back to reminiscing over past times, or friends they all knew and missed. The Weasleys were avoided as a topic for as much as they could be, perhaps for obvious reasons as Mrs Weasley and Harry were still not on the best of terms, despite it being abundantly clear that her daughter had been the one in the wrong rather than Harry. Daphne found it harder from that point to join in, knowing only half of the names they mentioned and even fewer of the things they had done. But she didn't mind, instead she simply sat back and enjoyed the light conversation, joining in when she could. It wasn't that they left her out, if anything, after the initial awkwardness at the beginning of the evening they actively included her, mainly telling her the stories themselves rather than talking amongst themselves while Daphne listened.
Neville and Luna left soon after Andromeda and Teddy, although Daphne suspected that it had actually been a lot longer than she thought. Both had early mornings, Neville because that was the only time he could get an international portkey, whilst Luna had an early morning interview planned with a man who claimed to have seen what Daphne could only describe as a monster made up of fangs, teeth and other pleasant things which were designed to maim and generally cause discomfort. That left Daphne alone with Ron, Hermione and Harry. A situation which she could never have imagined herself being in only a few months before.
"There's no way we're going to lose to the Japanese," Ron concluded, having been engrossed in a ten minute debate with Harry and Daphne, Hermione had not even bothered to mask the fact that she had zoned out, about the chances of the English Quidditch team in the upcoming games before the final.
"They're not a bad side, though," Harry pointed out.
"Beat Germany without even catching the snitch," Daphne added. "Their chasers are incredible."
"So are ours, and we've got a way better seeker than them." Ron argued. "So, once we get past them, can't see us having to face anyone but the Americans. Bulgaria bottled it. Same with Ireland."
"That'd be a pretty good final," Harry grinned, his eyes flicking first to his present and then to Daphne.
"Still can't believe you managed to get tickets," Ron harrumphed with only a hint of sulkiness in his voice. "Lee's meant to be commentating too, should be a laugh if we actually do make it. There's no way he'll manage to go the whole game being unbiased."
"Doubt he'll even manage a minute," Harry laughed. "He never used to. Should be fun. Wonder if he'll manage to cause an international incident?"
"Lucky we're not playing the French, otherwise I wouldn't put it past him." Ron said. Daphne couldn't help but agree with him. Thankfully for Lee Jordan, famous commentator on the Wizarding Wireless for all things Quidditch, the host nation had gone out early on. Had Lee Jordan actually had to commentate on a game involving England and France then there was no doubt where his allegiances would have lain. "How are you guys even going to get there? Portkey?"
"Safest way," Daphne nodded. "No way am I flying across the channel, even if it is sunny."
"It does get a bit boring after a bit," Harry confirmed.
"When did you fly across the channel?"
"I didn't," Harry replied, "we flew from my aunt and uncle's once in the summer. Mad-Eye kept making us double back in case we were being followed. Took us ages to actually get anywhere. It freezing too. I swear if we'd been up there any longer I'd have gotten pneumonia."
"So, portkey it is then," Daphne nodded, she didn't fancy risking pneumonia, even for a Quidditch final.
"Great," Harry grinned excitedly before adding, "I'll have to let you know when I can get to yours for it next week, if that's okay? It should be okay though."
"Should be?" Daphne asked, arching an eyebrow at her friend. He nodded, his face pulling tight as if he was trying to find the words but couldn't quite think of what to say.
"They've let me back," Harry said slowly, "the aurors, I mean. I start back next week."
"That's brilliant, Harry!" Hermione beamed. Daphne forced her most rehearsed smile onto her lips as Ron began to celebrate too. Her heart sank like a stone and she hated herself for it. She knew that she should be happy for him, ever since they had met all he had wanted was to get back to work. Although, not as much over recent weeks. If anything, Harry had seemed to be enjoying his life as it was. Gone were the wistful comments about getting back to work. That had helped Daphne to simply forget that he would, one day, have to go back. Partly, because they hadn't talked about it for weeks and she had lied to herself and told herself that that was, truly, the only reason. But it wasn't. It wasn't even the primary one. Deep down, Daphne knew exactly why she had tried to forget the inevitable, because it meant that everything would change. She knew what the life of an auror meant.
"Thanks guys," Harry said, breaking Daphne's reverie. "But, I'm not going back to my old job."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, nonplussed. Daphne couldn't help but share in his confusion. Confusion furrowed her brow as she looked at Harry.
"I asked Davis if he could transfer me to the academy," Harry explained, "and he agreed. I start on Monday."
"I never realised you wanted to work at the academy, Harry," Hermione said. Neither had Daphne. He'd never mentioned it once. Not that they talked about his work much anymore. Harry had tended to be more interested in what she did and Daphne hadn't wanted to remind him of the life he had left behind.
"I hadn't planned on it," Harry admitted.
"And Michael let you just do that?" Daphne asked, slightly sceptically. The Michael Davis she knew was tough, single-minded and rather demanding of his recruits and staff. Although, he was no less demanding of them than he was himself. It was part of the reason why Daphne was such good friend's with Tracey. When he and his wife had been trapped at work, Tracey had been dropped off at Greengrass manor in the care of Daphne's mother.
"Yeah, he wasn't happy about it. But I think he understood why I needed the change." Harry told her with a shrug. Daphne arched an eyebrow but didn't say anything else, instead she could not help but mull over the implications of his words. Had Tracey's father wanted to do the same as Harry had done all those years ago? Or had he simply just seen others unable to deal with the stress of a lonely and all-consuming job? "So, looks like we'll still be able to do lunch Tuesday, after all."
"And here I was hoping I'd finally gotten rid of you," Daphne smirked in an attempt to hide that smile that wanted to spread across her face and the slight soaring of her heart. As loathed as she was to admit it, even to herself, Daphne was glad he wasn't going back. She had only just grown used to having him in her life. Their friendship was… important. Daphne hadn't wanted to imagine what she would have had to have done had she lost it. "Looks like I'll just have to try harder next time."
"This was you trying hard?" Harry asked dryly, gesturing towards his present.
"Some people hate generosity," Daphne pointed out. "How was I meant to know you'd be one of those weird people and just accept it?"
"How selfish of me."
"I know, right?" Daphne agreed sarcastically. "Some people, just can't take a hint."
"Well, for future reference, I don't disappear that easily." Harry said, his dry humour disappearing slightly to be replaced with a warm sincerity. Daphne could not help but smile. She knew exactly why those words had left his lips, just as he knew the fears that had dominated so much of her life.
Their words were interrupted by the sound of the clock, which was held on one of the many bookcases which lined the walls of the room, chiming the hour of '12'. Daphne hadn't realised it was that late. Had she really been there all night?
"I'd better get going," Daphne said, getting to her feet.
"Me too, actually," Harry agreed as he too rose from his chair. "Thank you for this, though, Hermione. It's been great to see everyone again."
"It was," Hermione agreed before adding, "Good luck next week, not that you'll need it. I'm sure that you'll do amazing. You'll have to let me know how you get on."
"I will, don't worry," Harry said smiling good-naturedly at Hermione's high-speed fretting. And with that he and Daphne bade goodnight to Harry's two closest friends. Perhaps unsurprisingly Hermione was a bit more enthusiastic with her farewell than Ron, partly because he had almost single-handedly taken on a bottle of firewhiskey, but also, Daphne suspected, because he wasn't entirely sure what to make of her yet. The only difference between the Ron that had gone to Hogwarts and the one that Daphne had just had dinner with was that the younger Ron would have been more obvious about it.
After grabbing their coats and saying goodbye to Hermione and Ron once more, Daphne and Harry left the apartment and headed down the hallway, retracing their footsteps from earlier.
"So, how'd you find them?" Harry asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen between them.
"They're nice, not the super-powered heroes I was expecting, but guess I can't have everything."
"Super-powered heroes?" Harry repeated, surprise tinging his words.
"You really don't know how everyone else sees you, do you?"
"You give up listening after a while," Harry shrugged. "It's easier and less annoying."
"Where were you with advice like that when my face was all over the Prophet?" Daphne teased, ignoring the fact that he had more than once told her to just simply ignore them. Although, as Daphne had pointed out at the time, just because he had had lifetime of points and stares, didn't mean that everyone else was so used to it.
"You know we're going to get it again Friday, right?" Harry asked as Daphne led the way down the narrow staircase back towards street level. "Reporters, cameras, a front-page spread, the works."
"Don't remind me," Daphne said bitterly. She had known that it would happen. Vane had gone to town last time Harry had been seen at a quidditch match, Merlin only knew what she was going to be like when there were reports of Daphne and Harry together. But it would be worth it. Both for the fact that it would be nice change to see England actually get there, but also because Harry would love it. He had bemoaned more than once growing up in the muggle world and as a result missing out on his favourite sport. "Honestly, can't take you anywhere."
"You should really know that by now," Harry pointed out, "so, technically it's your fault."
"I'll take the tickets back then," Daphne threatened as she pushed open the door to the ground floor and headed for the exit.
"But then who will you go with?"
"I'm sure Draco wouldn't mind seeing the game," Daphne argued, unable to keep a straight face as she did so. Even Harry's mock serious face cracked as he laughed at the thought. Daphne couldn't imagine much else worse than being forced to go with Draco Malfoy. She suspected that, despite their newfound tolerance, she would miss most of the game because she would have cursed him.
"Thank you," Harry said seriously, his face slightly losing its smile as he looked at Daphne.
"For?"
"The tickets," Harry explained, "they were really thoughtful. The photo too. I love it. So, thank you. I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it, it's what friends are for. Besides, I wanted to do something special. It might surprise you, Harry, but I don't have that many friends. Think of it as my way of saying thank you. For sticking around, putting up with me, being my friend, and for… for making me feel special."
Daphne wasn't quite sure why she said those words. She had almost kept them locked inside her. Not because it was a lie, it anything other than a lie, but because Harry deserved to know just how much he meant to her. All her life Daphne had had trouble making friends, true friends, not just acquaintances. People she saw and liked, but not people that she truly, deeply cared about and who felt just the same about her. It was her own fault, she knew that. After her mother had died, Daphne hadn't wanted to risk losing anyone ever again. But despite that, Harry had managed to claw his way in, and for that she was grateful.
Harry didn't say anything for a moment, instead he simply came to a stop in the cold night air. His eyes never left hers, but then he spoke, his voice low and sincere, "thank you for exactly the same."
They stood there for a long moment, the cold air billowing around them, but Daphne didn't notice it. Had she, then she would have cast a heat charm to keep them both warm. Yet, as she smiled up at Harry somehow she didn't notice the cold biting at her skin, and the wind blowing at her coat. It was as if a warmth was flowing from her heart. Rarely had she felt this comfortable, this happy with someone. She had shown him exactly who she was, opened up to him and he simply accepted her. Not for her money, or her name, but because of who she was. There were very few people whom Daphne could be herself with. She was glad that he was one of them.
