A/N: Extremely extremely sorry for the late update. I was sick (never get wet in heavy rains!), on bed and on top of that had exams. Am good now and will be uploading regularly. This chapter is up, hope you like it. Enjoy reading! - lordgreencryztalz
Deathly Fate
Chapter 10 – Partners
"What's meant to be will always find a way"
The last few days at Potter Manor before the beginning of the school year passed much more quickly than Harry had anticipated. After the fiasco at the Quidditch World Cup, he had sunk himself in a rigorous training regime. He could not allow for what had transpired to happen again, sure he had got out and even bested a few death eaters, but he knew deep down that he still had a long way to go. Facing a real-life battle had given him a much open-eyed view of just how dangerous things can get and how even a moments distraction can cause great loss. When he had thought about his reactions in the situation, he realized that he needed to be more aware of his surroundings, and not lose his focus, whatever may come.
He had also thought about the people he had killed that evening. Truth to be told, it didn't affect him much. They were death eaters, had probably committed crimes unheard of. They deserved it for all he cared. After seeing what they were about to do to the woman and her daughter, he felt his actions were justified. He didn't know if he had become unhinged, he didn't like what he had done but had no remorse for it. But deep down he knew he was right, no matter what other would say. He had talked about this with Ignotus and his grandparents who were of the same opinion. They had made him realize the difference between murder and killing someone for protection of oneself or others, of killing someone who had committed great wrongs. After a long talk with them Harry had calmed down and came to his own conclusion and closure.
As the day to head to Hogwarts neared, Harry busied himself in packing for the fourth year. He would be continuing his training regime at Hogwarts, and hence had to be sure he had everything he would need. He had got a new seven compartment trunk which housed a sizeable collection of books from the Potter library, the grimoires, and other things he may need. He had also made sure to carry Ignotus' book, his firebolt with him. The invisibility cloak, he was able to summon on him anytime he wanted due to the Peverell ritual that would turn out to be especially handy. He was packed and ready to begin a new phase of his life. He would no longer hold back in his classes, and neither would he shy away from showing his talents. He had also decided to keep his mind open, and talk to new people and make good allies, something his grandfather had emphasized on if he were to take his place in the politics of Wizarding Britain.
Harry had wrote to the Weasleys and Hermione after the night assuring them, he was safe and asking about their safety in return. He had created a fake story of his elf Minnie appearing and disapparating him from the World Cup grounds after he had separated from and Hermione. He had also told them that he would meet them directly on the train to Hogwarts and not to worry about him.
[Break]
"Did you read about what happened at the World Cup that night, Harry?" Neville asked.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron had just made their way inside the Hogwarts express. As always due to Ron, they had climbed the train just as it was about to depart. After finding a carriage with only Neville in it, they had joined him and now were comfortably seated exchanging their summer holiday stories.
"Yes, I had read about it in the paper, quite the nasty business. I was there that night, so were Ron and Hermione." Harry replied.
"What?" Neville exclaimed.
"Yes mate, we were there to watch the World Cup, quite the great match it was. You should have seen Krum catch the snitch." Ron added.
"Ron, Neville is not talking about the stupid match! He is talking about what happened afterwards. We are really lucky we escaped the nasty business. You too Harry, thank gods you went with your elf as soon as we separated, otherwise who knows what could have happened." Hermione spoke smacking Ron on his head for his foolishness.
Ron rubbed his neck in embarrassment.
"Yes, you are right we were lucky. I heard Dad telling Mom the other night that some really bad fight took place that night at the World Cup and a few people were quite ruthlessly murdered. The DMLE is trying to identify the remains, but its rumoured that the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. Even the papers had a field day about it, speculating what could have happened. To add on to that Barty Crouch Sr is facing quite the embarrassment, what with his elf being found at the sight the Dark Mark was cast, with an unidentified wand in her hand, even Percy is over himself in embarrassment of his boss. You were not their Harry, but I and Hermione were their when they caught the elf red-handed. Crouch did the right thing free her, what good is such an elf. Anyways whoever offed though Death Eater bastards, did all good." Ron added.
"Ron, you are so heartless. How could you say such a thing about that poor house-elf, there is now way she cast the dark mark or was involved in what happened that night. If it is anyone who should be facing any action, then it should be Crouch. An as for what happened with all those murders, no one knows what the truth is. How can you say that the one who murdered all those people was good?" Hermione replied.
"Not people Hermione, death eaters, the worst scum on the earth, all evil Slytherins the whole lot of them. Anyone who offs them is good in my book and deserves an award." Ron defended hotly.
"They might be death eaters, but there is nothing to prove that. And as for killing them, death eaters or not, Professor Dumbledore would have not accepted it. Professor Dumbledore himself in the last war was against killing anyone, and believed everyone deserved a second chance and should be brought to justice. Are you saying you know better than Professor Dumbledore, Ron?" Hermione replied hotly.
"Um…, I guess you are right, though it would be interesting to know who is behind all this?" Ron said defeated and embarrassed.
Both Harry and Neville were listening on to the ongoing debate raptly. Neville who was trying to gain as much information as possible having not attended the event and Harry who was sweating trying not to crack listening to what his best friends were talking about. He had never thought about the public ramifications of his actions. Sure, the Daily Prophet had a field day, he had seen some copies and the claims were atrocious. He knew he need not worry about the incident being tracked back to him, as he had covered his tracks well, but the fear lingered.
"What happened Harry, you don't seem ok?" Hermione asked pausing her ongoing rabble about morals and ethics when she had a look at Harry's sweating face.
"Oh! Nothing Hermione, I just wanted to go to the washroom, excuse me." Saying so Harry hurriedly left the carriage leaving behind three confused teenagers, who focused back on to their seemingly important discussion.
[Break]
Daphne had just got into a compartment with her sister and best friend. She had a lot to look forward the upcoming school year. Summer had been a bittersweet affair for her, she had plans, plans from her father she needed to work on. She knew it would be a busy year, nevertheless she preferred it this way as she would be able to keep her mind occupied.
"Did you guys hear what happened at the world cup? It is all people are talking about everywhere" Tracy spoke beginning the conversation.
"Yes, even mom and dad were talking about it back at home, I heard it was quite bad. Would have been interesting to be there to see what actually happened." Astoria spoke.
"Tori there was nothing interesting about what happened at the world cup, and we should be thankful we were not there, it was such a mess!" Daphne exclaimed.
"Daph, I know it was dangerous there, but even you cannot deny being curious about what happened there. I for sure want to know who it was that killed those men, he must be so brave to take a fight with so many men alone. Its almost like one of the muggle novels Tracy had given me to read. I hope his identity would be discovered soon; I am dying with curiosity to learn who it must have been." Astoria added.
"Yes, I am curious about who it was, but whoever it is, he or she must be gryffidorishly foolish to do something so stupid. He could have gotten himself killed. Sure, he did best them, but the death eaters are no dumb people to mess with, there is a reason they were so feared in the last war." Daphne said.
"Daph you are such a bore. Just think if he is a handsome man, with great powers like a knight in shining armour that saves people from the evil. It would be so cool to meet him." Tracy exclaimed with a dreamy smile.
"Tracey, you need to get your mind out of the stupid muggle fairytale books you read, and also please stop giving those to Tori, I have had enough with just one of you drooling over such atrocious ideas." Daphne said exhausted at the stuff her friend made up in her mind.
"Oh! Daph there must be at least a romantic bone somewhere in you. Maybe we could find some hope for you, but anyway have you heard the rumours about this person's identity. Some say the person must have been an unspeakable, some a retired auror, other say that he was a time traveller, there are also some rumours that it was the Dark Lord himself, punishing his men for the lack of their loyalty!" Tracey spoke with a conspiring tone.
Astoria was listening on in rapt attention, trying to discern some truth in the rumours.
Daphne rolled her eye at the pair, and focused her attention at the potions book she was trying to read. She had no benefit in engaging in such frivolous discussions. Whoever that man was, it was not her business, she had many other things to worry about.
[Break]
The common room was abuzz with excitement and chatter, everyone had only one thing in their mind,
The Triwizard Tournament
Dumbledore had just announce it after dinner in the great hall, and everyone was quite thrilled and excited to find out about what it entails. The mood was a bit soured when it was announced that an age limit will be put forth to not allow anyone younger than seventeen years of age to compete in the tournament. Many had loudly and strongly voiced their opinions against the same, Ron Weasley, Zacharias Smith, Draco Malfoy being the loudest voices among them.
The announcement of the foreign schools arriving for the tournament had garnered a lot of commotion and chattering among the student body, everyone now even more excited for the tournament.
Back in the common room, Ron had moaned on and on to anyone who would listen about how a chance to prove himself was stolen from him, and if given how he would win the tournament over. A chance for eternal glory and a prize money of 1000 galleons it was.
Hermione found all the madness for the tournament stupid, but even she could not deny that the challenges presented in the tournament intrigued her.
Harry had already decided to keep himself out of this business. He had plans, he needed to train and the farther he stayed away from this tournament the better for him. But since the announcement he could fell a lingering feeling in his stomach, something really bad was about to happen, and he could only hope that the at least this year he could be granted some peace to do what he wanted.
What had got Harry's interest more than the tournament was the new DADA Professor. Alastor 'Mad eye' Moody as the twins had described him, a famed veteran auror from the times of the last war. The man himself looked like a battlefield, scared, and rugged. Harry had heard about him even from his grandfather and Sirius, both had many praises for the man. Harry was quite interested in attending the man's classes and learning from him. Perhaps the man could guide Harry based on his real-life experiences.
It was quite late at night, after prefects intervention the chaos in the common room settled and everyone went to sleep.
Harry followed his roommates to the dorm and after setting his things in the new dorm, changed, and climbed in the bed. But sleep was not something Harry was looking forward to. Throughout the train ride and arrival at Hogwarts, there was only one thing Harry was thinking about, trying to find a solution for. His training, and how he could continue it while at Hogwarts, with the classes and students it was a challenge. Upon that he had decided to keep his training a secret, even from his friends, something he knew would be quite an arduous task.
He already had an answer for it but was confused on whether to act on it or not.
The Chamber of Secrets
The place was remote, inaccessible to anyone except him and well Tom, but seeing the odds, it would be rare to find Voldemort trying to access it directly. The chamber would serve his purpose well. It had enough of open space to practice and train and with the basilisk dead, Harry believed the risks were minimal.
Making up his mind, Harry decided to scout the chamber, before beginning his work.
Making sure everyone was well asleep, he quickly summoned his invisibility cloak over himself. Slowly slipping out of the dorm, Harry made his way to the place that had almost killed him the last time he was there.
Entering the girls lavatory on the second floor, and making sure Myrtle was not around, Harry hissed near the snake engraving to open his access to the fabled chamber.
He was just about to jump in, but then a thought stuck him, there was no way Slytherin or even Voldemort would have just slipped down the entrance like a child's playground slide. He though about it for a second and hissed,
"Stairs"
Suddenly there was movement around the entrance and coiled stairs winded down the tunnel.
Happy at not having to slide down the centuries old grim, Harry climbed down the stairs into the chamber.
Entering in he looked around to find the rubble of stone, Lockhart's spell had created great him.
This was something he would have to repair over time, to gain easy access to the chamber, but for now, Harry just climbed in through opening in it to the other side.
Making his way forward, Harry inspected each and every corner of the chamber. Opening the doors to the main chamber with a hiss, Harry was greeted by the sight of the beast he and Fawkes had slain. The sight in front of him steeled his nerves and a chill ran down his spine. Even today he could not fathom just how he had overcome such a huge and terrifying snake, especially without an ounce of training.
The creature was as terrifying as ever, though something Harry noticed was the dead body showed no signs of rot or decay, the basilisk looking the same it did the day he had first seen it. Making sure it was dead, Harry continued the exploration of the chamber.
The chamber needed a few repairs, but was good, in fact it was just as he was expecting it to be for his training sessions. Harry had already planned to return to the chamber every night, clean it up and begin his practice.
Now there was something else he wanted to try.
In Parseltongue, he spoke.
"Speak to me Salzar Slytherin, the greatest of the Hogwarts Four."
The statue of Salazar Slytherin in the middle of the chamber slid open with a loud creak.
When Harry had seen diary Tom do it, at the time he had not thought much of it, what with being in mortal peril and all. But now that he was back here and there was no eminent threat, he could not stop from wondering what contained beyond the statue except the basilisk.
He slowly climbed up the stairs that had descended from the mouth of the statue, his wand in hand. The though of another basilisk being there, chilled his spine, but he brushed it aside hoping Slytherin thought one basilisk enough to protect the school.
Reaching the mouth, he climbed in and lit his wand tip brightly. Right in front of him was a long corridor, and under his wand light he slowly walked ahead hoping no disaster would find him.
After a short walk an old, dusty wooden door greeted him, Harry's heartbeat spiked, curious to know what laud beyond Harry slowly pushed the door open and brandished his lit wand inside the room.
As his eyes adjusted to the light from his wand, he looked around.
Blank
Empty
That was all that was there, the room was bare except for a wooden desk in the centre.
Harry walked in and looked around, tried to find something, something hidden, something that had missed his sight, but no, the room was as empty of things at it could possibly be.
Harry was left a bit disappointed. He had hoped to find Slytherin's possessions up here. He had hypothesized that since it was Slytherin's chamber he would have kept his most valuable possessions in here, in his chamber.
But that was not so. As Harry though of it, he could not believe how dumb he had been to think so. Of course, Voldemort would have got rid of any belongings from the room and kept it for himself. Now that it made sense, Harry felt a bit disappointed, but there was still hope. He was Lord Slytherin, and had access to the Slytherin vault in Gringotts, somewhere Voldemort could never enter. Though he had no access to the treasures of this room, he had an entire vault of the Slytherin family knowledge and heirlooms to himself, resources that would greatly benefit him. And beyond that he still had access to the chamber, which would now serve as his training area. This was more than enough for him, but still the curiosity of what might have been in the room lingered.
As his trip to the chamber ended, Harry checking the chamber once more, just to be sure returned to the dorms, and climbed in his bed, sleep catching him soon after his exhausting night adventure.
[Break]
Monday morning was as busy as it got in the magical castle. Students were rushing around for the first day of the term.
Students from all years were in a hurry, eating breakfast. The teachers were handing out timetables.
Professor McGonagall walked towards the Gryffindor trio, their timetable in her hands.
"Mr Weasley, here is you timetable for the year, I see you are continuing all the courses of the past year. I hope you decide to focus more on your studies this year." She said handing Ron her timetable.
"Ms Granger here is yours, it good that you decided to drop a few courses and stick to those you wanted to do the most. I hope you continue performing just as brilliantly as you always did." She said handing the paper to Hermione, who quickly got busy colour coding her timetable.
"Now Mr Potter, I see you have made some striking decisions, and I am quite proud of them. I have accommodated your request to enrol you into the fourth year Arithmancy and Ancient Ruins, but the Professor of each will test you in the first class to see if you are up to the syllabus level so that you can continue. I wish you all the best and hope that you take your studies more seriously this year. Harry your parents will be quite proud of you." Saying so McGonagall handed Harry his timetable and swiftly left the trio.
"Harry!" both Ron and Hermione exclaimed in shock, ink spilling on Hermione's timetable as she almost jumped in air.
"Harry! Have you gone blood mad, why did you chose to have two of the most difficult subjects this year, and how can you do this. You will be bloody loaded with homework and studies. I thought you would continue Divination and Care of Magical Creatures with me, why didn't you tell me."
"Ron, Divination is basically useless unless you are a true seer, and as for Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid is a brilliant teacher, but I believe learning Ancient Runes and Arithmancy would be much better for me in the long term."
Ron was about to speak something but was interrupted by Hermione who was now done cleaning ink off her precious timetable.
"Ron don't be dumb and don't swear! And Harry I am really happy you decided to have these classes. But there is no way you can directly join fourth years classes. The courses are quite tough and there is no way you can catch up so soon. Professor McGonagall also mentioned you being tested in the first class, how can you be so foolish, you know nothing about the subjects and even with my notes you will never be able to complete the syllabus before the test?" Hermione said looking worried.
"Hermione don't worry, I have studied the subjects over the summer, and I am confident I will be able to handle them." Harry replied.
"Oh Harry! Its nice you tried, but there is no way you can study these subjects by yourself, you have always relied on my notes for past three years. I will give you the notes now itself, you better be studying well, you wouldn't want to fail the first test you give in these classes." Hermione said hurriedly getting gup to go grab her notes.
"Hermione cool down, don't worry I have got it handle, and after studying I found these subjects quite doable and easy. Now lets hurry or we will be late for Snape's first lecture." Saying so Harry got up and left toward the dungeons. Frankly, he was a bit irritated by both Hermione and Ron's attitude towards his decision. He had thought both would openly accept it, but Ron was being just him and Hermione, though she cared seemed to be more worried about him not knowing and failing a test than his decision itself.
Ron and Hermione hurriedly followed Harry, Hermione trying to talk Harry into preparation plans, and Ron mumbling about how he could convince Harry to revert his stupid decision.
[Break]
"Two years, which is all I will have to bear you all dunderheads. At the end of your OWLs as I know many will be unable to continue this subject, me choosing only the best to go forward. Now you better keep this in mind if you ever planning on continuing Potions, which I tell you is one of the most important courses to complete as a prerequisite for many careers. Now this year is going to be more challenging than your previous years, as a leading up preparation for your OWLs. We will be brewing more complex potions, and I warn each one present hear, I want no accidents in my class especially with the students of other schools joining us midway of the term. Am I clear." Snape bellowed as he stared each of his pupils his gaze lingering on the trio for a bit longer.
The students all nodded their head and voiced their affirmation.
Harry just stared back at Snape. He had enough of the man's bullying attitude and had decided that if Snape were to mess with him anymore this year, he would pay for it.
"Now, our esteemed headmaster, in spirit of increasing co-operation and friendliness among students has decided for each of classes to have students partnered with members of other house. He believes that doing so will allow our students to form connections with members across different houses and promote unity of Hogwarts students. So today I will be assigning each of you a partner, with whom you will work for the rest of the year in this class. As the names of these chits are called, you can take seat with your respective partners."
All of the students collectively groaned. The Gryffindors lead by Ron and Seamus protested the loudest.
Snape with a bang form his wand, quickly quietened the class.
"Now listen, even I am as interested in this as much as you, I prefer my class ordered and this is only going to make it more chaotic, so any of you that cause trouble will face two weeks of detentions with me cleaning the cauldrons. Let's begin." Snape intoned.
"Neville Longbottom-Tracey Davis"
"Parvati Patil-Millicent Bulstrode"
"Ron Weasley-Draco Malfoy"
At this both exclaimed, groaned and complained loudly, but ignoring their protests Snape continued.
"Hermione Granger-Pansy Parkinson"
The list continued as chits were levitated and names called.
Finally, Harry's name was called.
"Harry Potter-Daphne Greengrass"
Harry quickly grabbed his materials and made way to the girl's desk who he recognized as Daphne. He was quick not wanting to give Snape a chance to make any stupid comments.
Harry quickly made way to one of the front desks in the classroom, where a black hair blue eyed girl was standing, her potions equipment's orderly placed in front of her.
Harry had never talked to her in his entire three years at Hogwarts and now that he thought of it, he had never talked to anyone except a few of his housemates. He had talked to almost none in the other houses. Well, this realization was definitely a humbling start. Perhaps the old coot was on to something suggesting such an exercise. Harry didn't know how he would procced from there, or how would they work together, he only hoped that Daphne's brilliance in potions as he had heard Hermione once complain would save his grace.
Summertime he had sure studied potions with his other subjects, his own grandmother who herself was quite adept at potions had tutored him, but even then, potions was definitely not for him. He had got the theory for much of the previous years as well as much of fourth and fifth year down in hopes that it would help, but in practices he had still blown a fare number of cauldrons back at Potter Manor.
"Potter, do you just stare at people blankly or even introduce yourself?" Daphne spoke her voice as cold and aloof as ever, her mask tight on her face.
Now Harry had no experience in talking to girls, the only one he spoke to regularly were either his quidditch teammates or Hermione, but hearing Daphne's voice sent a chill down his spine. He had never spoken to someone so cold and calm in their demeanour, especially at such young age. He didn't know what it was with this girl, he had heard rumours last year of her, of why people had started calling her the Ice Queen, and he had no desire to know that personally. He preferred his bits intact.
But thinking on the bright side, he had got a good deal, unlike Ron and Hermione with whom he could sympathize but had no wish to exchange places with. Surely, he could hope for the best, this was what he had always done.
He looked her in the eye and spoke,
"Err.. Hi you must be Greengrass, Daphne Greengrass, right!" Harry said not knowing what to say. Well, if someone had said to him this morning, he would be partnered with a Slytherins and a girl in potions, and that to for a year, he would have never believed. Well, someone should have, at least then he could prepare for a better conversation. Now he just wanted the class to be over with.
"Ah! You must be Potter, Harry Potter. Nice to meet you, didn't know you did introductions so what to say, umm uniquely. Must be easy for you as everyone knows you." Daphne said with a heavy sarcastic tone.
Harry rubbed his neck, and almost blushed. Sure, he was doing good, god knows how he would survive the year.
"Oh! No, it's not like that. I knew your name from the sorting. Anyway, nice to meet you." Harry added trying to not put his foot in his mouth anymore.
"Oh! So, the great Gryffindor Golden Boy knows of us evil Slytherins. It's a pleasure." Daphne replied, the sarcasm never leaving her tone.
"Gryffindor Golden Boy?" Harry asked. Now he didn't know what was it with this girl, did she always speak like this, did sarcasm run in her blood. Just what he could not figure out. Not that he wanted to. The stories of her revenges were quite known among boys of his house.
"That's what everyone calls you, surprized you didn't know. Anyways, first I will clear one thing with you and that is I care about my grades, and pride myself in my knowledge of potions. Also, I don't care what you do as long as it doesn't harm me or my grades. So, try to keep whatever incompetence you have in potions to yourselves, and do as I say, and we will do fine."
Harry seemed fine with it, except for his incompetence part, but held his tongue knowing saying anything wouldn't do him any good here.
"Deal" He said and focused on arranging his materials.
"Attention, today we will not be brewing any potions, but focus on listing down various different ingredients, there preparation methods and the effects they give in a potion. We will continue this study throughout the week, and I except you to work with your partner to list down as many ingredients you can in time outside of the classroom also." Snape spoke.
The class again protested and collectively groaned at this part.
"Silence, you can begin your work, anyway we only have half hour left for today." Snape said as he started trotting around the classroom observing each of the students.
"Potter, I like this just as much as you, so we better get this done as quick as possible. I don't fancy spending anymore time than required with you. Also try not to copy what I write, find yourself, maybe you could learn a thing or two." Daphne said as she began her work listing down a few ingredients, their use, place of origin, preparation method, and effects.
Harry nodded his head and began his work. Now he might have been abyssal at potions before, but the whole of holiday of rigorous theory work on potions had made him quite competent in writing on ingredients. He picked up his quill and began the work, listing down the ingredients he had read about in the Potter library and the ones his grandmother had told him about.
"Well, I hope you don't rub off your incompetence on one of my best students Mr Potter, afterall the entire school knows of your excellent ability in potions. Ms Greengrass, I hope you are not having any trouble with our resident wonder boy." Snape bellowed as he breathed on Harry's neck from behind the desk.
Now Harry didn't know if it was a Slytherin trait or something they learned but did every Slytherin have to be so sarcastic. He was about to retort to Snape, but Daphne interrupted.
"We are doing fine Professor. I have already listed down eight ingredients with the required information." Daphne replied.
Harry looked at her questioningly, and was about to say something, but this time Snape interrupted.
"If you say so. And good that you are taking the assignment seriously Ms Greengrass. Now Potter show me what you have listed." Saying so Snape snatched the list Harry was working on.
Snape passed a cursory glance over the list, and just as he was about to say something, stopped himself and suddenly read the list again more carefully, this time a single eyebrow being raised.
"Mr Potter, I prefer students not copy their partner's assignment, 20 points form….."
"Sir, Potter has not copied my assignment, in fact I didn't even show mine to him. What has he wrote?" Daphne said before Harry could say something.
Harry merely stared at Daphne, not giving him a single chance to say a word.
Snape hurriedly picked up Daphne's assignment and read it.
Now indeed both his eyebrows raised much higher than ever before as he compared both the lists in front of him.
"Ms Greengrass you have done a wonderful job, keep up the good work and Mr Potter perhaps good company has a positive effect on your brains." Saying so Snape returned both the lists on the desk and hurried to check over the other students.
The entire class observed the scene in rapt silence and attention, not understanding what was happening.
"Potter, show me what you have written." Said Daphne herself puzzled.
Harry handed her the list, a small smile on his face. The satisfaction of getting one over Snape soothing in his body like hot chocolate in winter.
As Daphne read the list and reread it again, her eyebrows to shot up.
"I didn't know you were this good in potions Potter, I wonder why are you always so clueless in the classes if you know so much about so many ingredients.
"Oh! I read up a bit of theory over the summer, my practical is just as you aptly describe it abyssal."
"You must be mad Potter; you have listed down fifteen ingredients in the time I have listed eight. And I am one of the best potions students of our year, whereas your grades till date have been much less to talk about till today. Some of the ingredients you have written down are so rare that even I have only hear their name, and my mother has a mastery in Potions." Daphne said looking at Harry in a puzzled expression.
"Oh! Its nothing, like I said I brushed up my theory which was lacking over the summer. I am still quite confident that my practicals are just as bad as ever." Harry said a large smile forming on his face.
"We will se Potter, we will see." Daphne said as she looked back at her list.
"By the way, why did you save me in front of Snape?" Harry asked Daphne.
"Oh! I just like a bit of calm and peace. If I had not interrupted, you would have retorted something to Snape and that would have led to more rebuttals between the both of you just as always. Presented the opportunity that I could stop the class from getting chaotic, preserve my peace of mind and as you had not actually copied from me, I thought it a better choice to interrupt." Daphne replied swiftly.
"Thanks" Harry said, looking grateful.
"Now don't you thin I will be going soft on you Potter. Just because you have listed a few ingredients doesn't mean I will save your ass from Snape every time. You make a mistake; you pay for it." Daphne said the coldness returning to her voice.
Harry just shook his head, thankful for the first uneventful Potions class of his life.
Just then the bell rang signalling the end of class, and after hearing the instruction from Snape for the assignment and homework, everyone quickly packed their materials and left eh dungeons, especially the Gryffindors.
A/N:
Another one done, again extremely sorry for the late update, just couldn't upload any while I was sick.
I will try to stick to a chapter a week schedule, but more chapter will be uploaded this and next week to make up and bring the story to pace.
Harry and Daphne have met in a quite common possible scenario, but their paths will cross more and let's see where it leads them. Hope you like their interaction. Daphne in her quintessential way will be cold and aloof towards Harry just like everyone else, let's see how they warm up to each other.
Next Chapter will have Harry returning to his training, the start of tournament and more.
The results of poll for Harry's animagus form are in.
The winner is "Thunderbird" with 20 votes on the profile and a few more in the comments and inbox, totalling to 27 votes.
Thanks everyone for participating, will have a lot of fun writing Harry as a thunderbird animagus, hope you like it, it will be part of the story soon.
Thanks for reading, please do leave a review.
lordgreencryztalz