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 13
"You remember any of that, Daph?" Astoria questioned gently as she and her sister sat on their shared bed looking up at the screen.
"I remember sleeping on the opposite end of the room, alone," Daphne sighed.
Astoria winced. "Sorry, Daph."
"What about you, Tori?"
"Oh, I remember it," Astoria smiled wistfully. "One of the best sleeps I ever had. You know, I only drool when I'm really comfortable. That night, I drooled a little on poor Harry."
Daphne, despite her hurt, smiled softly. "I do the same."
"What's that?"
"Drool when I'm sleeping comfortably," Daphne revealed. "I thought I hadn't done it since before Hogwarts."
Astoria watched Daphne's lower lip tremble as she fought her emotions.
"Seems I was wrong. Every time I've slept near him, I've drooled. At least, from what we've observed."
Astoria wanted to tease her older sister. She wanted to feel heart warmed at the admission. Instead, she only felt sad.
-GU-
November 1, 1993, flashed across the screen. It was well past curfew, and Harry crept out the front doors under his invisibility cloak. He knew he was taking a massive risk, as Dumbledore had explicitly stated that dementors couldn't be fooled by invisibility cloaks. Something, and Harry couldn't explain what exactly, told him that his cloak was not bound by the same restrictions.
Emboldened by his need to speak with Sirius, Harry took the calculated risk and breathed a sigh of relief as he passed unnoticed by the foul creatures guarding the entrance. If they noted the door opening, they made no move to investigate. Harry began the long trek, on foot, to Hogsmeade, arriving roughly half an hour later.
He entered the Shrieking Shack slowly, cautiously, to find Sirius asleep on an old, shambled, bed. Harry removed his cloak, and quickly relieved Sirius of his wand, before shaking his Godfather awake. Sirius bolted up and started casting spells with his wandless hand. Harry stifled a laugh only because he did feel guilty for startling the man.
Eventually, recognition flashed across Sirius's face, and his mind caught up with what his hand was doing. He lamely let his arm fall to his side while Harry handed him back his stolen wand.
"Merlin's balls, pup!" Sirius exclaimed. "You scared the shite out of me!"
"I can tell," Harry intoned. "Sorry, by the way."
"How the hell did you get in here? And why didn't you use the mirror?"
Confusion plastered Harry's face. "What?"
"The wards," Sirius motioned by the door. "I know you're rather good at runes and wards, but there's no way you broke through those. Not yet at least. Also, why not use the mirror to call me?"
Harry blinked. "I just walked through the front door. As for the mirror, I wanted to see you in person."
"You really thought I'd sleep here without any protections?" Sirius asked incredulously as he stood and embraced his Godson.
Harry looked abashed. "Well, when you put it like that…"
Harry pulled away from Sirius and rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Did you come under your cloak?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "It got me past the dementors."
"That explains it," Sirius snapped his fingers as if remembering something. "Your dad was always real secretive about that cloak. But he did let slip once that it somehow ignored wards. When I surmised it could get me into the girls dormitories, I tried for weeks to 'borrow' that cloak of his."
Sirius made a sour face. "Bloody thing would never work for me though. The first time I successfully nicked it and threw it on I stalked up the Gryffindor girl's dormitory stairway. Wards triggered, alarms went off, I went tumbling down into the common room. Minnie gave me a month of detentions with Filch."
Sirius winced. "Was bloody awful. I swear, Minnie was tempted to let the git use the chains and hang me by my thumbs!"
Harry pondered for a moment before revealing something he'd rather not but felt it important since they were on the subject.
"I can confirm the cloak will get you past the girls dormitory wards," Harry muttered with a blush. "At least it worked on the Slytherin ones."
Sirius smiled ear to ear and gave a barking laugh. "Now this I have to hear!"
So, Harry shared that particular incident, which he'd pointedly left out of memories he had shown Sirius over the summer. By the end of it, Sirius was wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
"I love that elf!" Sirius chortled.
"What happened, Sirius?" Harry questioned solemnly. "Did you really try and get into the Gryffindor tower?"
"I had him," Sirius growled. "The rat's been hiding in the Forbidden Forest. I finally managed to root him out as Padfoot. Unfortunately, he got ahead of me and hustled back to the castle during the Halloween feast. I gave chase but he beat me to the tower."
Harry watched as Sirius sighed agitatedly and started pacing.
"Obviously, I'm too big to fit through the cracks in the wall. I pleaded my case with the Fat Lady. She, rightfully so, refused me access. I lost my temper and tore into her. Then I heard students approaching and fled."
"Did she see you transform?" Harry questioned worriedly.
Sirius paused his pacing and shook his head. "I transformed around a corner."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's not my first rodeo, pup," Sirius smirked.
"Huh?"
"Muggle expression."
"Oh."
"What I'm saying is, I know how to get around the castle without being caught. Did it for years with James."
"The stakes are much higher now, Sirius," Harry cautioned and hesitated. "I don't want you to go back to Azkaban."
Sirius knelt down and gave Harry a hug. "I'm not leaving you, pup. This is a necessary risk. The faster we get my name cleared, the faster we can get you out of the Dursley's and with me permanently."
Harry swallowed his emotions and nodded. He didn't like it. He knew, however, that Sirius was right.
"How goes the search for the map?"
Harry frowned. "I've searched everywhere you've recommended. Even Snape's office. That one was a hair-raiser. I swear Snape has sonar for hearing."
Sirius chuckled grimly.
"Someone has to have taken it," Harry sighed. "It's the only explanation."
"Then we'll just have to hope that they slip up and you figure out who they are," Sirius patted Harry on the back comfortingly.
"Why'd you guys have to make the bloody thing un-summonable?" Harry groused.
"Because James was a transfiguration prodigy," Sirius remarked.
Harry's brow furrowed. "What's that got to do with the map?"
"Nothing," Sirius smirked. "Your mum, however, was a charms prodigy."
"Oh. He was worried mum would take the map."
"Right in one, pup," Sirius sighed wistfully. "Right in one."
-GU-
November 6, 1993, flashed on the screen. Harry was making his way to the quidditch pitch, his Firebolt slung over his shoulder. They were supposed to be playing Slytherin today, but Malfoy was milking an injury he sustained in Care of Magical Creatures for all it was worth and Slytherin had petitioned for a delay. Instead, Gryffindor was now playing Hufflepuff.
Not a bad call, all things considered, Harry thought.
The weather outside had become ugly. Angry storm clouds released rain in sheets and visibility had been reduced to next to nothing. Harry was quite glad he no longer wore glasses. Trying to play in this monsoon would be next to impossible with the things. As if sensing the presence of players, the storm made its displeasure known by increasing its deluge. Harry mounted his broom and prepared for kickoff.
Unable to see any of the players, Harry listened for the shrill whistle indicating the start of the match. Eventually it punctuated the air and Harry shot off, firmly determined to end the match as quickly as possible.
Two hours later, Harry (who was now soaked to the bone) could barely feel his hands. The temperature had dropped dramatically, and Harry's breath came out in great plumes of mist. The warming charm he'd dropped on himself provided only a brief respite from the cold until the rain nullified it. His body ached, and all he wanted was to get the match over. Who won, at this point, no longer mattered to him.
As if answering his desire, a flicker of gold slightly above him and to the right caused a flood of relief to fill his spirit. He shot off in pursuit and, after a few twists and turns, finally had the snitch in hand. Visibility was so poor, no one knew the match was over. Harry immediately began his descent, eager to get to the locker room and take a hot shower. It was then that he felt it.
A prickling of fear, starting at the base of his neck, filled his mind. It quickly escalated into despair, and he began to hear faint voices. Familiar voices.
Shite, Harry thought. Dementors.
Harry broke through the cloud cover, still several hundred feet above the ground, and saw dementors swarming the pitch and stands. The few Professors who could had cast the Patronus charm and were holding back the swarm. Dumbledore had a large shield covering a wide berth, but not all of the students. Harry turned his attention to the Slytherin stands and noted that there were no Professors able to defend from the creatures.
Harry watched in horror as, one by one, the dementors turned to face him as he hovered in the air. He remembered reading in Newt Scamander's book that dementors were thought to be attracted to individuals with tragic experiences. Harry had plenty of those to spare. The horrific creatures began floating in his direction, their white, scabby, hands extended. Harry felt his skin crawl and shot back into the clouds as fast as his Firebolt would allow.
For the next several minutes Harry flew with reckless abandon. All the while, he did his best to ignore the memories the dementors were more than happy to dredge up. The cold had become lethal, and Harry trembled uncontrollably as he tried to steer his broom with numbed hands. He dove toward the ground, clearing the storm clouds, and noted that a couple of dementors had broken off in their pursuit in search of easier prey.
Harry felt a pang in his chest and clutched where his heart was. Lightning flashed, illuminating the area, and Harry instinctively turned toward where he somehow knew Daphne was seated. A dementor was close to her. Far too close. Despite the deluge, booming thunder, and myriad of screams from those observing the match, Harry heard Daphne scream.
I need to help! Harry shouted internally.
A bright orange flash temporarily blinded Harry, who was still in a full Wronski feint. Fawkes appeared atop Harry's shoulder, singing a trilling melody that breathed life and warmth into Harry. Inspired, Harry knew what he had to do. Even when dueling Sirius and Tonks, he'd never put all his power into a single spell. It wasn't practical in a duel, seeing as if you missed it would be all over.
The ground was too close. Harry pulled up sharply, feeling his shoulders and arms protest violently. Fawkes continued to stay latched to him, trilling gently in his ear. His toes skimmed the grass and Harry flicked his wrist, sending his wand to his hand. He took a deep breath, recalled the memory of his first kiss with Daphne, and began focusing all of his magic into his wand.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Harry roared the incantation out and felt magic flowing from Fawkes feeding into his body, amplifying his spell even further. A white wave exploded from his wand, the backlash snapped his arm backward at an impossible angle, and Harry knew something -no, several somethings- had just broken. The recoil of the sheer force of the spell dislodged Harry from his broom.
His Firebolt went tumbling forward, riderless, onto the pitch. Harry felt Fawkes flap his wings and his body lighten, but he still landed hard on his back. His body felt as if it had been hit by a sledgehammer, and he couldn't feel his right arm. Harry, accustomed to pain, was too scared to look at his right arm.
There's no way my arm is still attached, he thought, panicked.
Harry looked up in a dazed surprise and squinted against the blinding white light that had overtaken the sky. A gigantic phoenix blazed above, flapping its ethereal wings, and sending a sensation of joy and happiness through the entire area. Anguished, unearthly, screams exploded from the dementors who fled in a desperate retreat, taking their unholy fear and despair with them.
The rain abated, the concussion from the spell having disrupted the weather itself. Rays of sunlight shone down from patches of blue sky as the storm fought to restore dominance over the sky. Harry managed, with a herculean effort, to turn his head toward the Slytherin stands. Relief flooded through him. Daphne seemed okay.
Fatigue coursed through Harry, and he fought to keep his eyes open as Fawkes chirruped nearby, one of his wings brushing Harry's cheek. Above, the phoenix Patronus flickered briefly before resolidifying. Harry, using his left arm, tried to sit up but failed. He grunted and lifted his head as best he could to observe the Gryffindor stands.
Astoria is okay, Harry thought, relieved. Daphne is okay. Good.
The Patronus violently flickered several times. Harry spasmed and twitched as his body strained to maintain the link.
Aunt Andi warned me this would happen if I ever drained my core, Harry groused internally. Fucking Cruciatus curse.
He heard Fawkes chirp.
"Hey, buddy," Harry croaked wearily. "Thanks…" He trailed off, almost falling asleep. His Patronus nearly dissolved along with his consciousness. Stubbornly, Harry rejected the comforting abyss of sleep.
Where… Are… The… Professors…?
Each thought seemed to come slower and slower. His brain was mush and his body thrashed. Finally, Harry heard a voice calling in the distance. He had no idea who it was, although it sounded feminine and strangely comforting. Two words echoed in his mind before darkness overtook him.
It's okay.
-GU-
Harry awoke later that night. A quick glance and a dull ache in his spine gave no doubt about his location: the hospital wing.
"Figures," Harry muttered.
"Harry!" He heard someone call and was buried beneath black hair.
"Hey, Tori," Harry hissed as his right arm protested the contact. He investigated his still-attached right arm. It was in a cast from his shoulder down to his wrist.
"Sorry!" Astoria gasped and pulled away. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
"And you?" Harry questioned.
Astoria nodded. "I had a minor episode, but I'm okay. Your Patronus saved us all." She started bouncing on her heels, a look of hopeful glee on her face. "Can you teach me how to do that spell? It was incredible!"
"Maybe next year," Harry groaned. "Your core needs to be more developed."
"I can wait," Astoria grinned. "I still can't believe you can do a corporeal Patronus! Do you know how rare that is?"
Harry ignored her, needing to know more important answers.
"Is Daphne okay?"
"She's fine," Astoria assured with a knowing smirk.
Harry sighed in relief. "What happened, Tori?"
Astoria's happy expression faded, and she pulled a chair closer to the bed where she took a seat and grabbed Harry's left hand.
"The dementors showed up for some reason. No one is really sure why, although at first the rumor was Sirius Black may have been spotted."
Harry swore in his mind.
"But no one seems to believe that, because the dementors were randomly attacking the stands and players. It wasn't until you popped out of the clouds that they all turned on you."
"I caught the snitch," Harry said softly. "I was trying to get to the ground as fast as I could."
Astoria nodded solemnly. "Once Madam Pomfrey made sure you were okay, Madam Hooch found the snitch on your person. Gryffindor won, 220 to 70."
Harry wasn't surprised at the low score. How anyone was expected to perform in that level of storm was beyond him.
"We all saw you pull up into the clouds," Astoria said softly, her eyes watering. "I was so scared, Harry. They all chased you. There had to have been a hundred of them."
Harry nodded but didn't comment.
"Then you appeared again, in a full dive, and the dementors started attacking the students. But they seemed to only target specific people."
"Who?" Harry croaked, and Astoria moved to get him a glass of water with a straw, which he sipped slowly.
"Neville from Gryffindor," Astoria started counting on her fingers. "Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. Luna Lovegood, a second year, from Ravenclaw." She hesitated.
"And Daphne," Harry finished. "Right?"
"Y-yeah," Astoria stated, befuddled. "You're not surprised?"
Harry shook his head. "Dementors are especially attracted to those with tragic experiences."
"But…" Astoria's eyes widened in surprise.
"What happened next, Tori?" Harry pressed.
"Well," Astoria licked her lips but stared at Harry as if she'd realized something incredibly disturbing. "You cast that Patronus, and the dementors all screamed and fled as fast as they could. Everyone was shocked. Even Dumbledore looked like he couldn't believe it."
I'll bet he couldn't, Harry thought bitterly. Bastard is probably trying to figure out how I had so much power. Thank Merlin for Fawkes. He'll be the perfect excuse for my sudden display of power.
"Merlin, Harry," Astoria exhaled heavily, her eyes glassed in remembrance. "I could barely follow you; you were moving so fast across the pitch. Then you cast your spell and it was like something had knocked you backwards. It was, well, I'm not sure how to describe it."
Harry watched as Astoria's face scrunched in concentration. "What do you mean?"
Astoria shook her head. "The sky itself reacted to that spell, Harry. All day, people have been whispering that you're the second coming of Merlin himself."
Harry blinked and then laughed in disbelief. "Ah, the Hogwarts rumor mill…"
"I don't blame them," Astoria whispered, stopping Harry's laughter. "Clouds moved and disappeared. There was actual sunlight pouring into the area. The rain stopped. The Ministry confirmed it was one hundred dementors that were repelled. You saved a half-dozen students from being kissed as well."
Harry closed his eyes, knowing what was coming next.
"They're calling you a hero all over again," Astoria continued. "I'll be shocked if you're not front page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow."
Harry groaned and banged his head against his pillow. That was the last thing he wanted. Publicity and press would mean more scrutiny and people watching him. More scrutiny when a 'convicted' mass-murderer was on the loose meant more controls. More controls meant a much lower chance of finding Pettigrew. It took quite a bit of willpower to not start swearing.
"Once the dementors had retreated, the professors were still staring in shock and tending to the students most heavily impacted." She winced. "Like me."
Harry gave her a comforting smile.
"Then…" Astoria swallowed nervously. "Well…"
"Tori?"
Astoria took a steadying breath. "For some reason, no one could reach you. It was like your magic was repelling anyone from getting to you except that bird."
"Fawkes," Harry smiled and heard a chirp. He watched as the phoenix, who had been at the foot of the bed, hopped atop his chest and nuzzled his face.
"He hasn't left since you got here," Astoria giggled, reaching out and gently petting his plumage.
"He's a wonderful friend," Harry admitted, joining Astoria in petting the phoenix. Fawkes preened proudly. "Thank you again, Fawkes."
Fawkes trilled softly.
"I heard someone tell me it was okay," Harry said absently while staring at the gorgeous phoenix who had settled atop his chest and was hiding his head under his wing.
Astoria bit her lower lip and Harry first thought she was upset. It took him a minute to connect that Astoria was biting back laughter and was turning red from the exertion.
"Do I want to know?" Harry questioned cautiously.
"Oh, I'm certain you do," Astoria assured. "After all, it was quite romantic."
Harry groaned as Astoria burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles.
"Like I said," she managed to finally get out. "No one could get to you. Except Daffy."
Harry shut his eyes, trying, and failing, to hide the blush that was creeping on his face.
"We all saw you fighting to keep your Patronus from disappearing," Astoria continued. "But Daph understood that you needed to know everyone was alright. She was creating a stir in her attempt to get someone to go down to you. Not realizing no one could, she took off to the pitch and crossed right through whatever barrier your magic had put up."
Of course she did, Harry thought amusedly.
"She sprinted toward you and was yelling at you. Apparently, you heard her tell you it was okay," Astoria finished with a giggle.
"I see," Harry sighed.
"She didn't leave your side until she knew you were okay. Your arm was broken in a lot of different places. Madam Pomfrey rattled off the different bones you broke, but I didn't really follow all of that. What I did follow is that you should be right as rain in the morning."
Harry watched Astoria cast a Tempus.
"And Daffy should be here within the next ten minutes or so," Astoria smirked. "I'm going to make myself scarce. No need to interrupt your smoochy time."
Harry snorted, not even bothering to protest. He knew it wouldn't do any good. Astoria stood to leave.
"Hey, Tori," Harry called.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
-GU-
Ten minutes later, the door to the hospital wing opened and Daphne crept in, shutting it quietly behind her. She hurried over to Harry when she noticed he was awake, a blinding smile on her face. Harry returned it and ignored the pain when she crashed into him, hugging him desperately.
"I was so worried!" Her voice was thick with emotion.
"I'm okay, Daph," Harry assured gently, holding her close. "How are you?"
His eyes widened when she grabbed his face with both hands and smashed her lips into his. She pulled away reluctantly when Fawkes chirped. The phoenix was at the foot of the bed, watching them both intently. Harry had a stupid grin on his face and Daphne blushed prettily.
"Better now," Daphne giggled quietly.
Harry continued to hold Daphne close, enjoying the feel of her body against his, and breathed deeply, committing her smell to memory. As his mind settled from the stress of the day and the confirmation that both Greengrass girls were okay, Harry realized he needed to call Sirius as soon as possible. There was another, equally important, matter to address.
"Hey, Daph," Harry whispered in her ear. "My Firebolt…?"
Daphne pulled back and looked around. "I made sure it was brought back here." She vanished beneath the bed briefly. "Ah! Found it!" She reappeared with it in hand and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Madam Hooch said it was still in perfect condition. Something about factory preventative charms?"
"I'm just glad it's okay," Harry admitted sheepishly.
"I'm glad you're okay," Daphne poked him in the chest. "And I want to know what on earth you did. That was nothing like the Patronus you cast on the Express."
"I used all of my magic this time," Harry shrugged. "Fawkes was there too and did something to amplify my magic. It felt weird but comforting."
Daphne bit her lower lip. "There's a lot of talk around school. Most think you're going to be on the front page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow."
"Astoria told me what you did," Harry stared into Daphne's sapphire blue eyes. "Your father?"
"I'm going to talk to him on Christmas break," Daphne revealed. "I…" She blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want you to enter into a courtship with me."
"That would be brilliant," Harry's eyes widened in hopeful surprise.
Daphne nodded and smiled before leaning in and pecking him on the lips.
"It's late," she whispered, glancing at the door. "And I had to sneak out to see you."
Harry really didn't want her to leave. He knew, however, there would be ramifications if she was caught past curfew in the hospital wing with him.
"How are you getting back?"
"Carefully," Daphne whispered. She blushed as she admitted, "I had to see you."
"Let me help?" Harry asked.
She shook her head. "I could never borrow your cloak, Harry. It means too much to you. And I know it's the only heirloom you have from your father."
"I appreciate that, Daph," Harry smiled at her compassion. "I was actually going to suggest someone else."
Harry gestured at Fawkes with his left hand.
"What do you say, buddy?" He addressed Fawkes. "Can you help Daphne?"
Daphne seemed unsure and Harry placed his hand over hers.
"We've done it before Daph," Harry reminded her. "Chamber of Secrets, remember?"
"O-okay," she stammered.
Fawkes flew and landed on her shoulder, waiting expectantly.
"Good night, Daph," Harry whispered. "Thank you for helping me, and for coming to see me."
"Good night, Harry," Daphne leaned forward and kissed him gently.
The kiss ended far too soon for Harry's liking.
I should tell her, Harry thought as he stared at her beautiful face. I should tell her I love her.
He hesitated and Fawkes, sensing it was time, flashed away, taking Daphne with him.
Next time, Harry thought firmly. When she gets back from Christmas break. If she manages to convince her father and we can enter into a courtship agreement. Then I can tell her I love her.
The hospital door opened, and Dumbledore stepped inside. Alarms rang in Harry's head as he saw the headmaster approach with a grandfatherly smile upon his face. How much had Dumbledore heard? How much did he see? Harry desperately wished he had support for this impromptu meeting. As if on cue, Fawkes returned in a flash, alighting himself on Harry's chest.
"It seems Fawkes is quite taken with you, my boy," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
Harry pointedly kept his eyes trained on the phoenix as he began stroking his plumage, much to the agreement of Fawkes.
"He's a wonderful friend," Harry replied.
"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed. "And quite useful for absconding romantic acquaintances back to their dormitories." He said it without any implied malice, but Harry felt the danger of the statement and the hairs on his arms stood up.
Fawkes chirped comfortingly.
"I-" Harry began but was cut off.
"I mean nothing by that comment, Harry," Dumbledore assured. "For the magic of love is, in my experience, the greatest magic we can wield. It warms my heart to see your budding relationship with Miss Greengrass."
Somehow, Harry didn't feel comforted.
"And I assure you that your secret is safe with me," Dumbledore added. "And that Miss Greengrass will not suffer any consequences for her nighttime rendezvous."
That helped, slightly, but Harry was still on edge. Dumbledore wasn't here to discuss Daphne, that much Harry was sure of. He thought he felt a subtle probe on his mind, but it was gone as fast as it came. Harry sensed Dumbledore was waiting for him to respond. He sighed in mock relief.
"Thank you, Headmaster. Daphne is…" he trailed off. "Very important to me."
Dumbledore inclined his head graciously. "I fear that my visit is more than a simple wellness check."
Here we go… Harry thought.
"I was hoping you could regale me the tale of what happened during the stellar quidditch match."
"Which part?" Harry questioned cautiously.
"Ah," Dumbledore nodded as if remembering something. "My sincere apologies, Harry. It was inconsiderate of me to expect a full tale, as it were, seeing the late hour. I find myself particularly interested in your ability to cast a Patronus, as well as how you cast one so powerful."
Harry prayed Dumbledore wouldn't see him sweating as he thought furiously.
"Fawkes helped me," Harry responded.
"While I assumed that Fawkes played a part, I doubt he taught you how to cast a Patronus."
"Oh," Harry thought of kissing Daphne so he would blush. Hopefully, Dumbledore would interpret it as embarrassment. "I learned earlier this year. Professor Lupin mentioned it as a counter to dementors and I did some research in the library on it."
"Interesting that Professor Lupin would mention such a charm to a third year," Dumbledore looked at Harry over his half-moon glasses.
"It was after my encounter with the boggart," Harry licked his lips. "It turned into a dementor."
Dumbledore nodded and motioned for Harry to continue.
"I started practicing in an abandoned classroom and finally got it shortly after Hogsmeade," Harry lied and ensured all his concentration was on keeping his Occlumency shields active.
"A corporeal Patronus requires a large amount of magic to cast," Dumbledore noted in a slightly disbelieving tone.
"I did pass out afterwards," Harry replied and rubbed the back of his neck, hoping Dumbledore would interpret the motion as a shy response instead of nervousness.
It seemed to work as Dumbledore smiled.
"I admit I am impressed," Dumbledore admitted with a gentle smile. "To be able to cast such a spell at such a young age. Although it does, rightly so, appear to take a toll on you."
"Yes, sir," Harry nodded, immensely relieved.
"It also requires an extremely potent memory, as you know," Dumbledore observed. "I hope you do not take it as prying. Call it an old man's curiosity. What memory did you use, my boy?"
Harry didn't have to fake the blush this time. "I kissed Daphne in Hogsmeade."
Dumbledore chortled. "That would most certainly do it. I take it this memory powered your Patronus today?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, Headmaster."
"And has your Patronus always been a phoenix?" Dumbledore queried.
"It was a stag at first," Harry replied. "I think Fawkes had something to do with its form today."
"An astute observation," Dumbledore agreed. "It may please you to know that your father, James, also could cast a corporeal Patronus and his too was a stag."
Harry smiled brightly. He already knew this from discussions with Sirius after he'd gotten the charm down over the summer. Dumbledore didn't need to know that, though.
"That's… Wonderful," Harry continued smiling. "Thank you."
"I think I shall take my leave now, my boy," Dumbledore smiled. "I wish you peaceful dreams, Harry."
"Good night, Headmaster," Harry nodded and settled down, Fawkes still atop his chest.
Dumbledore departed with a final glance and a twinkle in his eyes. Harry breathed a heavy sigh of relief when the hospital wing door closed.
"Thank you, Fawkes," Harry stroked the phoenix's plumage. "Thank you."
Fawkes chirruped and hid his head beneath his wing.
-GU-
"Tori," Daphne said distantly as she watched the memory begin shifting. "Do you remember that night with Harry in the hospital wing?"
"Yeah?" Astoria looked confusedly at her sister. She gasped, suddenly hopeful. "Do you?"
Daphne swallowed and shook her head. "I remember the game. I remember that Patronus and the Daily Prophet's coverage of Harry until Christmas break."
"Do you remember running out to help him?" Astoria questioned.
Daphne shook her head. "In my memory, it was you who ran out to help him."
Astoria nodded. "And the hospital?"
"No memory," Daphne sighed defeatedly. "Morgana save me, I wish I did remember though."
Astoria looked down at her charm bracelet with a gentle smile. Maybe a change of subject would help?
"Which charm did he get you for that Christmas, Daffy?"
"Don't call me that," Daphne scolded absently. "The Shrieking Shack charm."
Astoria nodded. It made sense. It was where they shared their first real kiss, after all.
"That's sweet," Astoria said gently and immediately cursed internally when tears started falling down Daphne's cheeks.
-GU-
December 25, 1993, flashed on the screen. Harry sat in his dormitory on his bed with no presents. He expected nothing less. Astoria didn't have the ability to buy him anything, Daphne never had, and Sirius felt it too dangerous to send anything. He assured Harry they would celebrate Christmas in the summer.
Therefore, Harry was surprised when Dobby appeared in his dormitory holding a rolled-up scroll.
"Master Harry!" Dobby exclaimed in excitement. "Dobby wishes you a happy Christmas!"
"And a happy Christmas to you as well, Dobby," Harry smiled at his friend.
"Dobby is unworthy!" the house-elf wailed in joy.
"You're a wonderful friend, Dobby," Harry grinned as the elf went into hysterics.
A couple of minutes went by before Harry managed to get his hands on the scroll. He thanked Dobby who popped away with a final well-wish. Unfurling the scroll, Harry found two letters and read the first.
Happy Christmas, Pup!
I took some time off from the Shrieking Shack since I was freezing my bits off. Bored, I continued my battle with the Mailpocalpyse and found a letter I think you'll be most interested in. If I find any more like this one, I'll make sure to send them your way via Dobby.
…Although we'll need to coordinate with the mirrors to make sure you're alone before Dobby pops over. He seems to be quite enthusiastic with his greetings.
I do love that elf though. I would kill for Kreacher to be like him.
At any rate, give me a call on the mirror today. I'd like to wish you a Happy Christmas in somewhat person.
Love you, kiddo,
Padfoot
Harry smiled and felt his eyes water. It was good to know Sirius had taken some time away. He didn't like the thought of his Godfather being so close to the dementors. He was also immensely curious about the second scroll he now held in his hand. What could Sirius have found that would warrant sending Dobby over? And on Christmas, no less?
With trembling hands, Harry opened the parchment. He sat down on the bed heavily as he began reading. It was a letter that was postmarked December 23, 1988.
Dear Harry Potter,
Hi. My name is Daphne Greengrass. I'm writing to you because I'm hoping you can help me with a problem that no one else seems to be able to help with. My sister, Astoria, is very sick. Mum and dad have taken her to so many healers and none can fix her. They tried to keep me from learning, but I know. I heard it one night when sneaking around.
Astoria is dying. She gets sick and coughs blood. It scares me. They don't know how long she has left to live. I don't want my sister to hurt and be sick anymore. The healers can't help. Mum and dad can't help. So, I wanted to see if you could help. I want my sister to live.
Mum reads us your stories. How you do great things like slay dragons and save princesses. I'm not a princess. But if you can save princesses, maybe you can save my little sister. I don't have anything I can offer you that you don't already have. I mean, you're Harry Potter! I'm just me.
If you heal Astoria, I will give you anything you ask for. If I don't have it, I'll work for the rest of my life to obtain it. There is no one in my life I love more than my sister. Not knowing how much time I have left with her terrifies me. Knowing that Astoria won't be able to experience a full life makes me very sad.
I want my sister to grow up with me. I want to be an aunt someday. And I really want Astoria to have a daughter one day who is just like her and drives her nuts like she sometimes drives me nuts. Please help me, Harry Potter. Please save my sister.
I almost forgot. Happy Christmas!
Sincerely,
Daphne Greengrass
Harry set the letter down on his nightstand. He would reread it later. His mind was swirling with emotions as he did the math in his head. Daphne would have been eight years old when she wrote that letter. A letter he should have received. He knew full well there was nothing he could do to break the blood curse on Astoria.
That wasn't the problem. No, the problem was Harry had never received that letter. A letter from a hopeful little girl begging on behalf of her sister. And Harry had been denied it. All because of one man: Albus Dumbledore.
How many other letters, just like this one, did I never receive? How many of those letters could I have actually helped with, had I known who I was? Influence can work wonders, as Sirius has taught me. I'm the Boy-Who-Lived. Surely, I could have helped people just like Daphne.
He shook his head angrily and gently picked the letter back up. He read it one, two, three more times. Harry reverently folded the letter and debated where to keep it. In his mind, it was a priceless artifact of a life he was denied. Instead of growing up with his Godmother, Daphne, and Astoria, Harry had grown up in what essentially amounted to hell on earth.
Harry gently fingered his cloak, hoping that his next idea would bear fruit.
I need a place to keep this letter. A safe place. Always on my person. He grabbed the cloak in his fist. Pocket.
And the cloak responded, forming a small pocket on the inside of the cloak. It was deep and allowed Harry to place the folded letter safely within. Satisfied, Harry leaned back on his bed and grabbed his mirror, preparing to call Sirius.
I don't care how long it takes me. How much money. How much effort. I will figure out how to break that blood curse.
For Astoria.
For Daphne.
-GU-
In the great hall, Astoria turned to Daphne who was staring at the screen wordlessly, her face drawn and pale. Astoria tentatively reached out and touched Daphne's arm. Daphne started at the contact and glanced at her sister, her eyes wet.
"Daph," Astoria whispered. "Did you really write that?"
Daphne hadn't forgotten that she had written that letter to Harry Potter. She licked her dry, chapped, lips and nodded slowly.
"I wrote it one night when you were sick," Daphne spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mum and father would never tell me what was wrong, just that you were sick. That particular night, you had a bad episode and I snuck out of my room and hid in the shadows outside of father's study. He and mum were talking, and I overheard you were dying. It terrified me, especially when mum said they had tried everything."
"So, you wrote to Harry," Astoria stated in a watery voice.
"Yeah, I did," Daphne replied, her voice wavering. "All those stories, Tori. Stories of Harry living in castles, fighting dragons, curing ailments, saving princesses. I thought…-" Daphne choked back a bitter sob.
"That he could help me," Astoria smiled toothlessly.
"And I feel so stupid now," Daphne buried her face in her hands. "Even more so knowing that he likely has that letter still with him." She looked up suddenly and wiped her cheeks, her expression hardening. "No. He's burned it. I'm sure of it. After what I said, there's no chance he's kept that letter."
Astoria didn't bother countering Daphne's statement. She didn't believe Harry would burn that letter, not when he'd sworn to himself to break the blood curse. Truth be told, Astoria wasn't very optimistic about Harry finding a cure. Especially not when so many before him had tried and failed. Blood curses went back to before the founders of Hogwarts.
So, unless there was a founder's portrait somewhere who could give the history of blood curses, it was nigh impossible for Harry to break the curse. It still warmed Astoria's heart that Harry had made such an oath to himself. She coughed wearily, blood speckling in her hand, and took a calming breath.
Astoria was tired. They had been watching Harry's memories for several hours, and she was hoping it would be over soon. Unfortunately, with it still being in his third year, it seemed they still had a few more hours to go. Astoria pulled her wand and cast a Tempus to check the time. It was 8:55pm. They'd been at it for just under three and a half hours. The Halloween feast had started at 5:30pm.
"Hey, Daph," Astoria stifled a yawn with the back of her hand.
"Yes?"
"You know I love you, right?"
Daphne reached over and pulled Astoria into a hug. "And I love you, little sister of mine. So much more than I can articulate."
Astoria melted into Daphne's embrace, her eyelids heavy. "Do you remember what happened after that Christmas break?"
Daphne stiffened and cautiously searched her memories. "I remember giving you the Shrieking Shack charm and agreeing to do my duty as Heiress Greengrass."
Astoria's eyes shot open, and she pulled away from Daphne in surprise. "You don't remember fighting with father?"
Daphne blinked in confusion. "N-no?"
"You don't remember fighting with father about wanting to enter a courtship with Harry?"
Daphne paled. For some reason, she had glossed over the memory of her and Harry in the hospital. The memory where she said she was going to approach father about a courtship with Harry. She wracked her mind, throwing caution aside, and found nothing but blank spaces.
"Daph?"
Daphne clenched her eyes shut and tried to focus on the blank spots, forcing them to go away. She concentrated and felt a sharp pain in the front of her head. She growled and ignored it, breaking through the block. Daphne opened her eyes and found she was no longer in the great hall.
-GU-
Daphne sat in her room, staring out her window at a gentle snowfall. It had been a trying week. Ever since she'd approached father about entering a courtship with Harry Potter, it had been a slog. At first, father had protested it vehemently. For the first time in her life, Daphne had held her ground, staunchly refusing to roll over.
This had surprised her father, and he had attempted to employ her mother to convince her of her duty. When her mum had, seemingly reluctantly, joined Daphne in her protestations, her father had retreated to evaluate. What followed was an unending negotiation. At first, it had been to allow five other potential suitors of her father's choice to escort her.
Daphne was not happy, especially when one of those five was Draco Malfoy. Father had been incessant about Malfoy being one of the suitors. Daphne had finally broken down and shared her first and second year experiences with Malfoy and his goons. Both of which Harry had rescued her.
That had changed the tone of the conversations. Suddenly, Malfoy wasn't on the list, much to Daphne's relief. Father still wasn't sold on the idea of tying the Greengrass name to the failed House of Potter, but he hadn't been shooting the idea down outright.
So, Daphne sat up, praying to Morgana that father would see reason and allow her, just this once, to indulge in her wishes. She felt the creeping of fatigue begin to seep in and, with a gentle sigh, she climbed under her covers and settled down to sleep. Just as Daphne was dozing off, she heard her bedroom door creak open.
Daphne sat up in bed but didn't see anything outside of her cracked door. She shuddered, thinking she hadn't fully closed it, and made to stand when she froze. Footsteps echoed on the wood flooring of her room. She turned to her nightstand, fumbling for her wand when she saw a wand appear in the air, held by a floating hand.
Her world went dark.
-GU-
Astoria flinched when Daphne started screaming and clutching her head. Blood began running out of Daphne's nostrils and Astoria panicked, hollering for Madam Pomfrey and trying to hold onto Daphne who was beginning to convulse. Madam Pomfrey hurried over and began waving her wand, muttering spells. McGonagall and Flitwick joined shortly after and offered what aid they could.
Astoria coughed heavily, trying to keep her emotions in check. Having an attack from her blood curse right now would help no one, and she knew that Daphne must have tried to remember something and was having a reaction. She watched as Daphne's eyes rolled back in her head and McGonagall conjured a piece of leather which Pomfrey managed to get between Daphne's teeth.
Agonizing minutes went by before Daphne suddenly went limp. Astoria tenderly brushed Daphne's sweat-soaked hair from her forehead, uncaring that her own tears were falling atop her older sister.
Daphne jolted and took a shuddering breath, shaking heavily and pawing at the air for her sister. She felt Astoria grab her hands and hold them tightly as Madam Pomfrey forced a potion down her throat. The taste was horrid, and she swallowed down the bile that quickly rose in her throat.
I have to tell Tori, Daphne thought determinedly.
Astoria watched as Daphne opened and closed her mouth several times, gritting her teeth and attempting to force something out. Finally, Daphne managed to cough out a single word which made Astoria's blood chill.
"Father."