A/N: Howdy everyone! Check out the HAPHNE discord #fanart for the illustrations from my wife. As always, thank you to those who review, favorite, follow and PM! See you next week!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Just happy to be here!
Chapter 11
"Harry!"
The feminine voice seemed so far away. Harry groaned, his eyes fluttering open, and tried to focus on whoever was calling him.
"Harry!"
That's Daphne's voice, Harry thought.
He gasped and his eyes regained focus on the tear-stained face of Daphne, who was holding his head in her lap, as she sat on the floor of the compartment with him. The door to the compartment was still open; crying, conversing, and sounds of movement emanated from the hall outside their compartment.
Harry groaned and coughed heavily, sitting up slowly with Daphne's help. He pawed at the seat for his unopened chocolate frog and shakily unwrapped it. The enchanted treat never got its first jump as Harry snatched it and took off the head with a swift bite. He immediately felt better.
"Here," Harry offered the frog to Daphne. "Eat and you'll feel better."
Daphne obeyed and her complexion began to return to normal. She shivered and rubbed her arms.
"Dobby," Harry called, and the elf appeared with a crack! "Can you please bring two blankets?"
"Dobby can do this for Master Harry and his Miss!" Dobby cried exuberantly and popped away.
"How-?" Daphne pointed at where Dobby was just as the house-elf reappeared with two thick blankets in hand.
Harry thanked Dobby, who promptly vanished, and cast an overpowered warming charm on the two blankets before standing and helping Daphne back into her seat. He closed the compartment door, not bothering to lock it, and draped one of the blankets over Daphne's shoulders. She clutched it to herself and gave him a gentle smile, shuddering with pleasure at the warmth.
"Thank you."
Harry forced a smile and took a seat next to her.
I heard my mum, Harry reminisced. It sounded like she was here in the compartment. My concentration broke. Daphne could have gotten hurt.
"What happened?" Harry's voice cracked and he cleared his throat.
"The dementor," Daphne flinched, "it forced the door open right as your Patronus began to dissolve. It reached for you, and you screamed and your Patronus flared brightly. I didn't see the rest, but I think the dementor might have touched you because you screamed and passed out, taking your Patronus with you. When my vision returned, the dementor was gone."
Harry nodded and Daphne shot up with a gasp, the blanket dropping from her shoulders. "Astoria!"
She prepared to bolt out of the compartment when an older, taller man with scars on his face and brown hair that had streaks of grey appeared at their doorway. He was dressed in shabby, patchy robes and looked at them appraisingly.
"Are the two of you okay?"
"We're fine, Professor," Harry replied. "But Miss Greengrass would like to check on her sister."
"I take it you mean Astoria Greengrass?" the man addressed Daphne, who nodded fervently. "I just saw to her. She made me promise to tell you she is fine."
Daphne choked back something that was a mixture of a sob and a sigh of relief and sank back into her seat next to Harry, who helped get the blanket back over her shoulders. She smiled toothlessly at him as she pulled the blanket tighter around her.
The man broke off a piece of chocolate from a large bar and handed it to Harry. "You two split that," he instructed. "It will help."
"Thank you, Professor Lupin," Harry nodded gratefully.
Remus hesitated and a flicker of surprise crossed his features before he inclined his head at Harry. "I will go speak to the conductor. Please try and stay in your compartment until we get moving once more."
Harry nodded and began gently rubbing circles on Daphne's back.
Remus left their doorway and Harry flicked his wand into his hand, waving it at the door which closed. He then recast his previous charms and ward and shut his eyes wearily.
Nothing we did could have prepared me for a real encounter with one of those creatures. Thank Merlin I was able to repel it.
He felt Daphne's hand tenderly touch his cheek, which still stung from the icy touch of the dementor.
"Just a red splotch," Daphne informed gently. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Harry admitted.
"I would imagine. That was a corporeal Patronus. Most adults can't do that, Harry," Daphne said through a mouthful of chocolate. She poked him in the ribs. "You should eat."
Harry complied and felt better. The chocolate from Professor Lupin must have been higher quality because warmth and energy followed each bite. Daphne, having finished her piece, snuggled closer to Harry and pulled her blanket up to her nose, burrowing in its warmth.
"I'm glad your sister is okay," Harry said.
"Me too," Daphne's voice was slightly muffled with her blanket over her mouth. "When did you learn to cast the Patronus charm, Harry?"
Harry hesitated. He really wanted to tell Daphne all about his summer and his newly discovered family. Sirius had made him promise, however, that he wouldn't reveal anything, even to Daphne. Too much was at stake for a slip-up. Harry, however, didn't want to lie to Daphne. It didn't feel right to him, so he chose to tell the truth.
"I learned it over the summer, but I can't say any more." He sighed and looked down at his hands. "Please don't ask me to tell you anything else about it. Also, I would really appreciate if you could keep my ability to cast a corporeal Patronus a secret."
Daphne stared at him for a moment before nodding slightly. "Okay, Harry."
The Express started moving once more. Harry and Daphne, outside of a brief conversation regarding Dobby and why he called Harry 'Master', didn't speak much for the remainder of the ride, instead enjoying each other's presence. Before long, they were pulling into Hogsmeade and preparing for the start of the third year. Before Daphne left the compartment, she looked over her shoulder at Harry.
"I look forward to our Hogsmeade trip, Harry," she said with a dazzling smile.
"Me too, Daph," Harry returned her smile, feeling an emptiness in his chest as she left.
-GU-
The screen flashed to a new memory, with Harry sitting at the Gryffindor table while the sorting ceremony was underway. Currently, Astoria Greengrass was sitting on the stool with the hat atop her head and covering her eyes. Scattered whispering had begun throughout the great hall. It had been three minutes and the hat still hadn't sorted the girl.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouted, causing several people to jump in surprise.
The whispers turned to full blown murmurs and outcries of surprise. A Greengrass going to Gryffindor? Harry watched, appalled, as the expressions of his fellow Gryffindor students shifted to sneers. The Sorting Hat was pulled from Astoria's head, and she stared wide-eyed and afraid at the table. She took a tremoring step forward when the initial jeers from the students closest to her began, causing her to flinch and tremble.
What the hell is wrong with these people? Harry thought, outraged. She's an eleven-year-old girl! Not the second coming of Voldemort!
He heard the laughter and mockery getting louder from the Slytherin table behind him and scoffed.
Doesn't take long for them to turn on one of their own, does it? Then again, it doesn't take long for anyone in this castle to turn on you. What was it Lockhart said? Fame is a fickle friend. Hmph. Probably the wisest words he ever spoke.
Harry watched Astoria's eyes water and her lower lip quiver.
Fuck this.
Harry stood, uncaring of the silence that quickly enveloped the great hall, uncaring of the eyes that now watched him and not the scared little girl, and uncaring of whatever insults would be thrown his way. He stepped over the bench he was sitting on and strode, confidently, toward Astoria Greengrass, who had stopped and was staring at him with wide, fear-riddled, watery eyes.
He paused before her and extended his hand, which she gently took. He did a half-bow and brushed his lips across her knuckles.
"Miss Greengrass," Harry spoke loudly, "allow me to be the first to welcome you to Gryffindor. If you will permit, I would be honored to escort you to our table."
Starstruck, the girl could only nod wordlessly as Harry hooked his arm and allowed Astoria to numbly grab hold while he led her to where he previously sat. He glanced briefly at the Slytherin table and noted Daphne hurriedly swiping at her eyes with a relieved smile. Harry gently helped Astoria to sit and plopped down beside her before he gave her a warm smile.
"T-thank you," Astoria whispered timidly.
"It is my pleasure, Miss Greengrass," Harry nodded. "I'm Harry Potter, by the way."
Astoria, despite her nerves, giggled. "Everyone knows who you are, Mister Potter."
"Please call me Harry."
"Harry," Astoria amended. "Call me Astoria, please."
"As you wish, Astoria."
The sorting completed and food began filling the tables. Astoria looked around nervously and, seeing the glares coming her way, shrunk towards Harry.
"Don't worry about them," Harry soothed. "Opinions around here change as often as the front page of the Daily Prophet."
"I doubt that will be the case with me," Astoria mumbled as she looked at her hands currently clasped in her lap. Her stomach growled loud enough for Harry to hear, but she didn't move to load her plate. "The lions don't like having a snake in their midst."
Harry laughed and began loading a plate for Astoria, setting it down before her. "That's where you have it wrong, Astoria. You're no snake."
She looked up in surprise. "The Greengrass family has a long history of being in Slytherin," she protested. "Well, maybe Ravenclaw too, but never Gryffindor!"
"So?" Harry smirked. "Want to know a secret?"
She nodded and leaned forward, wide-eyed.
"The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin," he whispered in her ear, holding back a chuckle when she gasped in surprise. "So, if there's a snake in the midst of these lions, it's me."
Astoria smiled sheepishly at him. "But what does that make me?"
"Why, Astoria," Harry grinned at her mischievously. "You're a Little Lioness, of course!"
And as Harry chuckled and turned back to his plate he grunted in surprise as Astoria crashed into him, hugging him fiercely.
"Thank you!" she said harshly, tears budding in her eyes.
"No problem, Astoria," Harry found himself surprised that he didn't flinch at her touch.
"Tori," Astoria mumbled into his robes.
"Huh?"
"Call me Tori, please."
"Okay, Tori," Harry grinned down at her. "Are you going to let me go now?"
She pulled away and pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear before turning to her plate. Harry was pleased to note that she was smiling and no longer concerned with how people around her stared.
Must be a Greengrass girl thing. Hugging. Harry thought amusedly. Not that I mind.
After the feast, Harry made his way up to his dormitory while Astoria followed the Prefects with the rest of the Gryffindor first years. Harry arrived before Neville, Ron, Dean and Seamus and quickly inspected Ron's area, hoping to find Peter in rat form. Sadly, the cage was empty, and Peter was nowhere to be seen. Harry swore under his breath and retreated to his bed.
Damn! Sirius did say it'd be unlikely for Peter to be hanging around.
Harry sat on his bed as the other four boys meandered in. Neville took to his corner and began preparing for bed, while Dean and Seamus continued to catch up on their summer escapades. Ron, however, approached his bed and took one look at the empty cage before swearing, loudly.
"Bloody cats!" Ron bellowed. "Poor Scabbers! They've probably gone and eaten him!"
"What are you on about?" Dean questioned, coming over to investigate.
"My rat!" Ron pointed at his cage. "One of those bloody cats got him! See the blood?"
Blood? Harry thought. How did I miss that?
He stood and approached. "Blood?" he asked aloud.
Ron snarled, spun, and shoved Harry roughly. "Piss off, Potter!"
Harry stumbled backwards into his bed. "What the hell, Ron?"
Ron whipped his wand out and pointed it at Harry who responded by flicking his into his hand.
"Shut it, Potter!" Ron growled. "We're not friends. Don't speak to me, and I won't curse you."
Harry, despite his anger, felt a wave of confusion wash over him. It must have shown in his expression.
"Confused?" Ron spat. "Tell me, Potter, did you even try to save her?"
Harry paled as realization began to take hold.
"Nothing to say to that, eh, Potter? Bloody Boy-Who-Lived? What a load of shite."
Harry forced his mental shields down, culling the emotions begin to swirl within, and put on an impassive expression. He stood straighter but kept his wand at the ready.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said calmly.
"What's your problem with Harry, Ron?" Seamus questioned.
"This git," Ron indicated Harry. "Is trying to claim he had nothing to do with my sister Ginny dying."
"You really believe I'd be allowed back in Hogwarts if I did?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
Ron snorted and shook his head. His face was as red as his hair. "You mean to tell me that you show up in McGonagall's office with Ginny's body and a snake and you had nothing to do with Ginny being dead?"
Confusion filled Harry's head as he considered the accusation. Snake? He had defeated the King of Serpents, yes. But he knew for a fact he didn't show up in that office with a snake.
"Is that true, Harry?" Dean asked, coming to stand beside Seamus.
"No," Harry shook his head.
"He's a bloody liar," Ron pointed at Harry. "The snake he saved is still here, after all. Hell, her sister is in Gryffindor now!"
Harry blinked. "You mean Daphne?"
"Caught on, have you?" Ron laughed derisively. "Took you long enough, Potter."
"Daphne Greengrass?" Neville questioned from his bed. He hadn't moved to intervene but was watching and listening intently.
"Look, Ron," Harry attempted a different approach. "I'm sorry about Ginny, truly, but-"
"SHUT UP!" Ron roared. "You don't get to say her name!"
Harry watched as Ron waved his wand and sent a Flipendo his way. He easily batted it into the ground where it flashed briefly before fizzling out. Suddenly, Dean, Seamus, and Neville were all moving toward Ron.
"Easy mate!" Dean said.
"Hold on, Ron!" Neville called.
"What the bloody hell are you doing, Ron?" Seamus demanded.
Ron found himself being held back by the three boys. He struggled and attempted to push through them but was unable to, so he settled for shouting at Harry.
"What happened, Potter?! My mum calls us home and tells us that Ginny died. She tells us you were the one who brought her body back. She tells us that Ginny's lower half was completely crushed. Then she tells us that you stood there, holding onto Daphne fucking Greengrass, a snake, who was still breathing, alive, and unharmed."
Ron burst free of the three holding him back, wand pointed at Harry. "Why did she survive but my sister didn't, Potter? Ginny worshipped you! She talked nonstop about how happy she was to come to Hogwarts where the bloody Boy-Who-Lived attended. But did you give her the time of day? No! And now she's dead because of you!"
Harry was doing his best to control his temper. Ron was grieving, that much was obvious. Harry had hardly spoken a word to Ginny at school outside of that dreadful Valentine's incident with the dwarf. Then again, he'd spent most of last year in solitude under his cloak due to the school believing he was the Heir of Slytherin.
If Ron expects me to apologize for saving Daphne, he's got another thing coming, Harry thought grimly. Even if I had to do it a hundred times over, my decision wouldn't change.
"I can't talk about what happened," Harry informed. "But I did the best I could. I'm sorry about your sister, Ron."
"So, you chose the Greengrass bitch over my sister," Ron said matter-of-factly.
"Don't call her that," Harry stated with a frown.
"Touched a nerve, have I?" Ron grinned maliciously. "You save your slimy girlfriend then tell us you can't talk about what happened to my sister?" Ron began laughing, but it sounded unhinged to Harry. "That's bloody perfect. You're a fucking hero, aren't you, Potter?"
"I understand you're upset," Harry grit his teeth.
Ron stalked forward until he was a few steps away from Harry. Neither had lowered their wand.
"Fine, don't tell us the truth," Ron hissed. "At least now I understand where your loyalties lie. You want to play with snakes, Potter? Don't be surprised when you get bit."
"Just drop it, Ron," Harry sighed, not wanting to argue or talk further. "Let's all go to sleep."
"Yeah," Ron snorted. "That's right, coward. Turn tail and run. Just watch your back, Potter. You and those Greengrass bitches will get what's coming to you."
Something in Harry snapped at that statement. Quicker than any could follow, Harry disarmed Ron with an Expelliarmus, chained into a Depulso, which sent Ron crashing into the far wall, and hit the red head with an Incarcerous, which conjured thick ropes around him. All of this was done silently and within what felt like a heartbeat.
Neville, Dean and Seamus stared at Harry in shock as he glared down at the struggling Ron who was too disoriented and surprised to shout.
"Listen carefully," Harry said with deathly calm. The air around him crackled with magical power, causing the three standing boys to take a step back. "You can say and think whatever the hell you want about me. But if you lay a finger on Daphne or Astoria Greengrass, I will end you."
He stared down each boy before they wisely looked away. "Any of you," Harry emphasized.
Harry turned and stalked out of the dormitory without another word. He had excess energy that needed to be burnt off, and he wanted to talk to Sirius now more than ever. He saw Astoria sitting in a chair near the fire, speaking with an older girl. Both were smiling. Astoria caught Harry's eye and waved. Harry shot her a friendly smile and waved back before exiting through the portrait of the Fat Lady.
-GU-
September 4, 1993, flashed across the screen. Harry and Astoria were walking down to breakfast together.
"People have been really nice the last couple of days," Astoria chattered animatedly while Harry escorted her to the great hall.
It had become somewhat of a routine for the two to walk arm in arm everywhere. Astoria thought it fun, and Harry figured it was good to practice for when he escorted Daphne at Hogsmeade. It also helped that Harry found Astoria incredibly easy to get along with, friendly and, in contrast to her older sister, quite bubbly once you got to know her.
While Tonks filled the role of an older sister (who had the ability to beat his arse into the ground), Astoria filled the role of the younger sister. The fact that Astoria was related to Daphne, Harry's love interest, certainly helped solidify the perception Harry had toward the girl. Astoria was just fun to be around and to talk with.
"That's good," Harry nodded. "Let me know if anyone isn't."
Astoria gave a very unladylike snort. "There's been a very interesting rumor recently. Have you heard it?"
"There are always rumors at Hogwarts," Harry groused. "I swear news travels in this place faster than a breaking story at the Daily Prophet."
"You didn't answer my question," Astoria pointed out.
"You didn't tell me the rumor," Harry countered with a smirk.
Astoria huffed. "Okay, Dark Lord Potter," she rolled her eyes.
Harry stopped and groaned, rubbing his face with his free hand. "Seriously?"
"Well, that's what they're calling you now," Astoria shrugged as if it didn't bother her. Harry figured it didn't. "I'm just curious how you earned said moniker. What'd you do the night after the welcoming feast?"
Harry frowned, "Nothing that needs spoken."
Astoria released Harry's arm and walked ahead of him before spinning on her heel and walking backwards. "That's not what I heard!" She sang. "I heard that you threatened your dorm mates with unspeakable horrors should they defy your demands."
"Like ensuring I have a peaceful breakfast?" Harry snarked.
Astoria paused and Harry, who was lost in thought, found himself enveloped in a hug. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered.
"Sure thing, Little Lioness." Harry patted her on the head affectionately. "I really am hungry, though."
"And I am looking forward to you taking me for a ride on your Firebolt!" Astoria poked him in the ribs. "Don't think I've forgotten!"
"How could I?" Harry chuckled as they entered the great hall. "You keep reminding me."
"It's not every day you get to fly with the 'Youngest Seeker in a Century'!" Astoria exclaimed as she began loading her plate up.
"Then you won't mind if we use a school broom?" Harry asked innocently as he took a bite of toast.
"Prat!" Astoria smacked him playfully on the chest. "Where's the fun in that? I want to feel the speed, Potter!"
Harry snorted and sent a spoonful of eggs tumbling off his plate. If the Little Lioness wanted to test the limits of the Firebolt, he would be happy to oblige. The two finished breakfast and made their way outside toward the Quidditch Pitch. There were several students enjoying the weekend by flying around or hanging out around the Black Lake. Harry pulled his Firebolt from his pocket and unshrunk it as they arrived at the Quidditch Pitch.
"Okay, Tori," Harry instructed the girl who was currently bouncing on her heels in anticipation. "Let's go over some basic-"
"Yeah, yeah," Astoria waved off Harry's instructions. "I got it. Hold on tight. Don't let go. Have fun."
"Right," Harry shrugged and mounted his broom. He looked over his shoulder at Astoria. "Well come on then."
Astoria clambered up and seated herself, scooting forward and wrapping her arms around Harry. He made sure she was secure before nodding to himself.
"Ready?" he called.
"Yes!" Astoria huffed. "Now less talk! Show me what this thing can do, Harr-eeeeeeeeee!"
The Firebolt shot off like a bullet at Harry's command, taking them high into the air. This was where Harry felt his most free. In the air, with the wind whipping at his face, everything else faded away. The past, the present, the future, none if it mattered when on a broom. All that mattered when Harry took to the sky was how far he could push his own limitations.
Now, on what was currently the fastest broom in existence, Harry intended to find out. The fact that he had a laughing Astoria clutching to him for dear life was icing on the cake. He leveled out of his steep climb high above the Quidditch Pitch. Astoria was gasping for air behind him as she laughed giddily.
"Wow!" She screamed. "This is incredible!"
"Oi, Tori!" Harry called. "Ever heard of the Wronski Feint?"
"Nope!"
"Hold on!"
Astoria screeched as Harry dove down, the Firebolt rapidly shrinking the distance between them and the ground. At the last possible second, Harry pulled up sharply and their feet barely skimmed the grass. Astoria laughed so hard she began coughing.
"Alright back there?" Harry asked over his shoulder.
"Y-Yeah!" Astoria assured, coughing wetly. "Faster, Harry! Take me over the lake!"
"As the Lady wishes," Harry took off once more, allowing Astoria to get a spectacular view of the Black Lake.
"Beautiful," Astoria breathed as they glided through the air.
Harry heard Astoria cough, wetly, again. "Tori?"
"H-Harry *cough* can you take *cough* me down?"
Harry immediately complied, landing on the far side of the lake. He turned and stared in horror at Astoria, who was coughing blood into her hands. Blood had trickled down her chin and onto her school robes.
"Tori!" He cried and prepared to take off. "I'll get you to Pomfrey!"
"No!" She gasped, sucking in air between wracking coughs that doubled her over. "Please don't!"
Harry hesitated. "But you're bleeding," he protested.
"Please," Astoria begged, sliding off the broom and sitting in the grass where she took calming breaths. "It's my fault."
"What?" Harry dismounted and sat beside her, rubbing her back as she continued to cough sporadically. "Dobby!"
The house-elf appeared. "How can Dobby help Master Harry?"
"Can you please bring some towels and clean water?"
Dobby nodded enthusiastically and popped away, reappearing less than a minute later. Harry thanked Dobby and handed Astoria a towel while wetting another in the clean water.
"Thanks," Astoria smiled weakly as she held back smaller coughs.
"Mind filling in me on what's going on?" Harry wrung out the wet towel and handed it to Astoria so she could clean her hands. A flick of his wrist sent his wand in hand where he used a Scourgify to help clean Astoria's robes.
"I'm dying, Harry," Astoria said somberly.
Harry felt like he'd been hit in the gut with a bludger. "W-what?"
Astoria sighed in relief as her cough subsided. She gratefully accepted another wet towel from Harry and wiped her face with it thoroughly before tossing it into the grass and pulling her knees up to her chin.
"Do you know what a blood curse is, Harry?" Astoria questioned softly.
Harry paled. He'd seen those mentioned in some books from the Black family library at 12 Grimmauld Place. When asked, Sirius had told him it was some of the most bitter magic invented, as it required a living sacrifice from the last living member of a family. Even the Black family, known for its proficiency and creativity in the Dark Arts, had not delved into the magic of blood curses, although they did appreciate both their vindictiveness and viciousness.
"I know that they require a living sacrifice of the last living member of a family," Harry replied with a shudder.
Astoria nodded. "That's a decent enough explanation." She coughed and to Harry's relief it didn't sound wet. "Once cast, a blood curse manifests randomly within children born after it is cast."
"That's awful," Harry said. "Why would anyone want to do that to another family?"
Astoria shrugged. "It's been so long now that we're not sure. From what we've gathered, a deal over some land went bad between the Greengrass clan and Thatcher clan. An invading army of a nearby fiefdom nearly wiped out the Thatcher clan shortly after the deal was struck or violated, we're not sure. The last member of the Thatchers, enraged, invoked the blood curse on the Greengrass family. I was the lucky inheritor for this generation."
"What does it do?" Harry asked hesitantly. "The blood curse, I mean."
"It's ugly, for both the family and those who have it manifest," Astoria replied. "You can't marry out of it, and any with Greengrass blood can manifest it. This means even Daphne's children will have a chance of getting the curse. Once manifested, any strenuous activity, heightened emotion, or mental exertion can cause an episode where you lose blood rapidly, as you've seen. It also has the happy repercussion of shortening your lifespan."
Astoria began plucking up blades of grass aimlessly. "Of course, there's no telling how long you have left to live when you have a blood curse. Only that every time you have even a minor episode, you are reducing whatever time you have left."
Harry looked appalled. "I'm sorry, Tori! Had I known, I would have never-"
"NO!" Astoria shouted violently, then began sobbing brokenly. "Don't apologize! Don't pity me! Please!"
Harry watched as Astoria sobbed into her hands and slowly pulled her into a hug, hoping it could be some comfort to her. She calmed down over time and Harry was thankful she didn't start coughing again.
"All my life, I've been treated like a glass doll," Astoria said morosely. "You're the first friend I've ever had who has treated me like a normal person. I don't want that to change, Harry."
"But I don't want you to shorten your life, Tori," Harry said gingerly.
"I'm going to die anyway, Harry," Astoria glowered at him. "Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe twenty years from now. The blood curse guarantees I won't live a long life. I just want to live, Harry. Today, I got to experience flying on a borderline professional level. Do you know how wonderful that is?"
"I don't know if I'm that good," Harry protested while scratching the back of his head. "I think I understand where you're coming from, Tori. I just don't know if I can knowingly do things that will allow you to have an episode."
"Isn't that my choice?" Astoria challenged. "Or are you going to be like my sister and deny me any opportunity to experience life?"
Harry stiffened. "I'm sure Daphne is just looking out for you."
"Daphne would have me in a permanent bubble if she could," Astoria snipped. "I love my sister, Harry, but it's exhausting when I'm hardly allowed to even breathe for fear of shortening my life." She flopped back on the grass and stared at the sky. "I know my time is limited. That's why I want to live to the fullest. Even if it's only for a little bit. Did you know that Daphne argued I shouldn't come to Hogwarts? That I should be privately tutored, slowly and carefully, because magical exhaustion can trigger my curse?"
Harry shook his head dumbly. Of course, he didn't know those things.
"I fought and kicked and screamed to get here," Astoria huffed. "And now that I'm here, I want to experience it all. Magic, flight, potions, love, everything. Damn the consequences!"
She rolled over and looked at Harry expectantly. "So, what are you going to do, Harry? Are you going to run to a professor or, worse, run to my sister and tell her what happened?"
Harry swallowed. He was already uncomfortable enough about keeping his summer discoveries from Daphne. To knowingly hide he knew about Astoria's affliction and behave as if he wasn't taking time off her life? Could he really do that? Images of his time with the Dursley's in his younger years flashed through his mind. He knew what it felt like to be caged and unable to experience life.
"No," Harry sighed. "I won't tell anyone."
Astoria stood up shakily, staring down at Harry. "You're serious?"
No, Harry thought automatically. Sirius is my Godfather.
"Damn you, Sirius," Harry muttered under his breath. How many times had he heard that quipped back to him over the summer? He almost groaned aloud when he replied, "Yes, I'm serious."
Astoria tackled Harry with a hug, sending them both sprawling to the ground. She clutched him so hard he thought his ribs would crack.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She cried. "You're an amazing friend, Harry!"
"Cant. Breathe." Harry choked.
Astoria pulled away and sat back sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Listen," Harry took a deep breath. "I won't say anything, but you have to say something if you're feeling over-exerted. I get that you want to experience life, more than you know, but I don't want to knowingly be shortening your life."
Astoria studied Harry for a moment before shooting him a smile and holding out her hand. "Deal."
-GU-
In the great hall, Daphne turned to Astoria.
"Did you really mean that, Tori?"
Astoria regarded her older sister with a sigh. Daphne looked like hell and tears still spilled slowly down her cheeks.
"Yes, Daph. I know you do it out of love and concern for me but frankly, it's stifling. With Harry, I was able to experience so many wonderful things. Yes, I suffered many times from our antics, but I've never once regretted it."
She paused for a moment in thought. "That's not true. I regretted one decision."
"The Patronus charm," Daphne stated knowingly. "Because of my reaction."
"I don't blame you," Astoria assured. "Had I been in your shoes, I probably would have reacted the same way."
Daphne shook her head. "But he taught you the Patronus charm because you asked him to. I attacked him for it. Worse, I never gave him a chance to explain himself."
"But we know that you didn't have some of these memories," Astoria gestured at the screen. "You wouldn't have known he had a childhood like he did. That he would understand me and want to help me experience life."
Daphne sniffled and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Tori, you have to look at this from his perspective. When I attacked him over what happened, he would have been under the assumption that I knew about his childhood. Then I don't give him a chance to explain his actions, and I refuse to forgive him. How do you think he took that?"
Astoria knew how he took it. "Poorly."
"One more dagger in the heart," Daphne said miserably. "One more reason for him to hate me forever."
Astoria watched as Daphne sobbed into her pillow. She desperately wanted to comfort her older sister, to tell her that it was going to be okay, and that Harry was going to forgive her. At this point, however, she wasn't so sure. Yes, Daphne clearly had someone tampering with her mind and emotions. But did Harry know that? Did he know that her actions were motivated based on false memories and emotions? She reached over and pulled Daphne into a hug.
-GU-
The screen flashed September 9, 1993. Harry was walking toward his first DADA class with Professor Lupin. He was also extremely frustrated at his failure to locate the Marauder's Map. Just last night, he had spent several hours raiding Filch's office, where Sirius had been sure the map would be.
I checked every bloody drawer, cubby, nook, and cranny of that office, Harry thought bitterly. All I have to show for it is the strong suspicion that Filch has an unhealthy obsession with chains.
He arrived outside the classroom and noticed Daphne was there. She approached him with a smile.
"Hi, Harry," she greeted.
"Hey, Daph."
"I just wanted to say thank you for what you did for Astoria," Daphne quickly grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"It was my pleasure," Harry tried to ignore the blood rushing to his face. "Tori is awesome."
Daphne nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, turning as the classroom door opened. They filed in to find all the desks pushed to the side of the wall, creating a large open space in the center of the room.
"Go ahead and place your things against the wall," Lupin called. "Just wands today."
Harry and Daphne set their things down next to each other and stood side by side as Professor Lupin introduced himself and the objective of the class. Today, they would be learning about how to combat boggarts. There were a few questions for the students to answer and then everyone was told to line up.
No one looked overtly enthused to be broadcasting their greatest fears to other students. After Neville broke the ice, however, with a Snape dressed in old grandma clothing, it helped assuage many concerns. Harry got wrapped up in the laughter around the room, which was the key to defeating a boggart, and found himself looking forward to his turn.
That changed, however, when Daphne took her turn before him and the boggart morphed into Astoria laying in a pool of blood, her face deathly pale, and her eyes wide-open and unmoving. Daphne attempted the Riddikulus charm and the boggart, instead of changing into something funny, morphed into Harry, laying on the floor and coughing black, brackish, fluid as he struggled to breathe.
Harry paled as Daphne screamed, dropped to her knees, and began crawling forward. He'd never watched the memory of his fight with the basilisk, so he had no idea how bad of shape he was in after the fight. Instinctively, he moved to reassure Daphne he was okay, wand in hand. Professor Lupin arrived first, however, and pulled her away from the boggart, which rounded on Harry.
The boggart appeared unstable for a moment before it morphed into a standing Daphne. Harry hesitated.
"Get away from me, freak!" the boggart-Daphne yelled. "How many times do I have to reject your advances before you leave me alone? I hate you! You're a freak! Didn't your parents raise you to be better behaved? Who could ever love you?"
Harry reeled as if struck physically before clamping down on his mental shields and shaking his head. The boggart morphed once more, and Daphne was now writhing on the floor screaming. The way she was jerkily moving, Harry knew what he was witnessing: Daphne being tortured by the Cruciatus.
I hate that fucking curse! Harry roared in his mind, raising his wand.
The boggart morphed a third time, this time turning into a dementor. Harry gasped as the room was suddenly flooded with an unearthly chill. Voices assailed his mind once more.
Please!
Harry swayed and raised his wand while muttering, "Expec…"
He's just a baby!
"to…Pat…"
Move, girl!
"ronu-"
Avada Kedavra!
Harry nearly blacked out and suddenly Professor Lupin was there, arms stretched wide. There was a popping sound as the boggart morphed into a large white ball. Lupin cast the Riddikulus charm and banished the boggart back into its cabinet before dismissing the class for the day.
Harry moved over to check on Daphne who was still sobbing brokenly. She clung to Harry tightly when he knelt next to her. Harry enveloped her in a hug and breathed in her sweet-smelling shampoo, thankful she was okay. Professor Lupin offered them both some chocolate, which they gratefully took, before sending them off.
Daphne grabbed Harry's hand and held it tightly before dragging him into an abandoned classroom. The moment the door closed she threw herself at Harry and attempted to squeeze the life out of him.
"I'm sorry, Harry!" She exclaimed. "For what that boggart said. I would never say those things."
Harry swallowed, his eyes watering. "It's okay, Daph," he managed to say huskily. "You're okay. I'm okay."
"I won't ever hurt you, Harry," Daphne said quietly. "I won't ever leave you. I promise."
They held each other for nearly half an hour before it was time to go to their respective next classes. Reluctantly, they stood and made ready to leave. Daphne hesitated with her hand on the door handle. She turned back to Harry and leaned forward, kissing him just to the side of his lips.
She turned away, her golden blonde hair covering her face from Harry's view, and likely hiding her furious blush. All the Occlumency shields in the world couldn't prevent the blush on Harry's face. He gently touched where her lips had just been before he felt Daphne take his hand and open the door.
"Walk me to my next class?" she asked, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Sure, Daph," Harry stated numbly.
Harry found he didn't care if the school saw them holding hands.
-GU-
In the great hall, the screen faded to black, and Astoria turned to Daphne who was clutching her head, wide-eyed, and pale.
"Daph?"
"Fucking hell," Daphne choked. "Oh, Tori…"
Daphne swooned and Astoria caught her before she pitched off the bed onto the stone floor.
"Daph!" Astoria shouted, pulling her older sister close. "What's wrong?"
"Class…" Daphne sobbed so hard it felt like she was convulsing. "I don't remember that class that way."
"What do you remember?" Astoria asked as Daphne continued crying.
"Harry went before me, and his fear was a dementor, not anything to do with me," Daphne bawled. "But that's *hic* not *hic* the problem!"
"Calm down, Daph," Astoria soothed. "Just breathe."
Daphne began hyperventilating. "His fear, Tori."
"Which fear?"
"The *hic* first *hic* one!"
Astoria was confused. "I'm not following you, Daffy."
Daphne felt the room begin to spin and she felt the contents of her stomach rising. "B-bucket."
"Shite! Madam Pomfrey!" Astoria called.
Pomfrey came rushing over with a bucket and Daphne promptly emptied what little she had remaining in her stomach. She was shaking uncontrollably, sobbing, and choking on her phlegm. Pomfrey forced another calming draught into her and conjured another blanket and pillow, placing warming charms on them, before forcing Daphne to lie down.
The calming draught appeared to help, but Daphne still trembled beneath the blankets and wept quietly. Astoria fought back her own tears that were falling, not wanting to trigger her blood curse if she could help it. She coughed weakly and lay down beside Daphne.
"Daph, talk to me," Astoria pleaded.
"I'm so weak," Daphne whispered pathetically. "If I didn't let them do this to me."
"Stop, Daph," Astoria said firmly. "You didn't let anyone do this to you."
"His fear," Daphne blubbered. "His fear, Tori."
Astoria waited for Daphne to get it out.
"In Potions."
Astoria stiffened.
"I *hic* said *hic* the same *hic* words to him," Daphne admitted.
"Oh, sweet Morgana," Astoria choked. "Did you say more?"
Daphne bit her lip and nodded, tears pooling into her pillow.
Someone in that class shared Harry's fears with whoever did this to Daphne, Astoria thought.
-GU-
September 10, 1993, flashed on the screen. Harry and Astoria sat in the Gryffindor common room on a couch near the fire. Astoria closed her textbook with a thwap! and turned to Harry.
"So, you and Daphne, huh?" She grinned mischievously at him. "When were you going to tell me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry scoffed.
"Puh-lease," Astoria waved off his protestations. "The whole school knows!"
"Big surprise there," Harry muttered irritably.
"It's not like you've done a good job hiding it," Astoria pointed out. "Even Daphne, who is usually pretty sneaky, hasn't been very Slytherin about it."
"And pray tell how you're so confident these rumors have merit?"
"You mean outside of the DADA incident where Daphne's greatest fear is you dying and yours is her rejecting you or her being tortured?" Astoria deadpanned.
Harry flinched. He didn't like thinking about that, and he hadn't wanted to face a boggart since.
"Those aside," Astoria showed him some form of mercy. "You two constantly sneak little smiles or glances at each other whenever you're in the same room. And don't get me started on your woeful attempts at being subtle when you brush hands with each other in passing."
Harry balked. "We don't-"
"Spare me," Astoria interrupted. "You do. Admit it."
"Whatever," Harry groused. "Since when did you get so observant?"
"I'm the baby sister," Astoria shrugged. "It's my duty to find out as much embarrassing information as possible and then use it to humiliate my older sister."
"You are pure evil," Harry observed.
"Prat," Astoria smacked him on the arm and looked at him expectantly. "Well?"
"Well what?" Harry questioned, trepidation lacing his tone.
"You do fancy my sister, yeah?"
Harry spluttered and started to stand, only to be jerked back by Astoria. "Answer the question, Potter."
"Well, I mean, y-yes!" Harry flailed his arms in exasperation. "Yes! Okay? I fancy Daphne."
Love her is the better way of saying it, Harry thought.
"So?" Astoria folded her arms.
Harry blinked. "Is this some sort of guessing game girls play? Because I'm lost."
Astoria rolled her eyes. "When are you going to ask her out?"
"Technically I already have," Harry stated automatically. "I'm escorting her to the first Hogsmeade trip this year."
Astoria's eyes widened with every word Harry spoke. Harry's brain finally caught up to his mouth and he gulped and clamped a hand over his mouth right as Astoria squealed, loudly. He frantically threw a hand over Astoria's mouth to shush her as those in the common room glanced over at the pair in confusion.
"Will you be quiet!" Harry hissed. "We don't want the whole school to know!"
Astoria narrowed her eyes as Harry kept his hand over her mouth. Daphne did this to her sometimes. There was a surefire way to get free. She licked his hand.
"Ugh!" Harry shivered in disgust as he jerked his hand away.
Astoria cackled then yelped as Harry rubbed his hand across her face.
"Gross!" She wailed.
"It's your spit!" Harry protested.
Astoria writhed on the couch, pawing at her face. "Don't teach that trick to Daphne, Potter!"
"I will if you don't keep your mouth shut about this," Harry warned.
"Gah! Fine!" Astoria acquiesced before sitting up with a wry grin. "Well?"
"Merlin save me!" Harry prayed. "Well what?"
Astoria smacked his arm. "Tell me how the bloody hell you got father to agree to let you escort Daphne!"
Harry groaned and leaned back while shutting his eyes.
"This has something to do with the basilisk, doesn't it?" Astoria whispered conspiratorially.
"Merlin's balls, woman!" Harry swore. "How do you know about that?"
Astoria just glared at him. "Well?"
"Oh no! I'm not talking about that," Harry said while folding his arms defensively.
"Okay," Astoria seemed unperturbed. "Let's talk about your budding relationship with my older sister then." She batted her eyelashes at Harry. "Have you two kissed?"
"It all started when the Chamber of Secrets was opened…" Harry began, pointedly ignoring the question.