Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K.R!
This story is a collaboration work between Avoranger and Cal the Wandcrafter!
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Emerging from McGonagall's office, despite the disappointment etched across his face, Harry couldn't help but feel a flicker of satisfaction deep within. Detention on the very first day meant nothing to him. He had a mission to accomplish.
Without wasting a moment, Harry retrieved the Marauder's Map from his pocket, eager to locate Daphne. The events in Defence Against the Dark Arts class had stirred a sense of guilt within him. He had broken his vow to avoid trouble with Umbridge, and in doing so, inadvertently dragged Daphne into the midst of it all. Slytherin students typically resolved their conflicts behind their house's closed doors, but Harry's reckless defiance had shattered that tradition. Word of Daphne's defence of him had undoubtedly spread like wildfire through the ancient halls of Hogwarts, and Harry feared the repercussions she might face at the hands of those who disapproved.
His gratitude toward her actions knew no bounds. If it weren't for Daphne, he could only imagine the dire consequences that lay in wait. The notion of transfiguring Umbridge into a cup matching her feline-themed collection, then shattering it into a wall, enticed him momentarily. The satisfaction he derived from envisioning the shattered fragments of the cup, feigning an accident, elicited a wicked chuckle. Yet, he quickly shook off such thoughts. Sure, individuals like Umbridge required a severe and fitting retribution. But what could he possibly do that would be enough to deter her, though? Even Bellatrix Lestrange, sentenced to a lengthy term in Azkaban, had shown no signs of remorse or reflection, and he doubted, imprisonment in that desolate fortress was not a suitable punishment for Umbridge… not that he had the power or authority do send her off to that rock.
After a few anxious minutes of searching, he finally spotted her. Daphne was out on the Hogwarts grounds alone near the lakeside, heading toward the castle. The anger that had consumed him moments earlier had diminished, thoughts of Umbridge and detentions being replaced with images of Daphne in her workout clothes, as she often was as they lounged around their flat. In the comfort of their shared intimacy, after a dinner he had meticulously prepared, she had once confessed that running had become an essential outlet for her. It began as a means to cope with the aftermath of war, but gradually evolved into a habitual practice. Exhausted from perpetually concealing her emotions and adhering to the expectations of a perfect pure-blood woman from a prominent British wizarding family, Daphne had succumbed to uncontrolled outbursts of fury. It was then that her father, unexpectedly, advised her to run whenever anger threatened to overwhelm her. Astonishingly, the advice worked. 'And thank God it did,' he thought to himself. 'I've never seen anything quite as breathtaking as her in tennis shorts.' He thought back to the early days of their relationship in remembrance. Though Harry had been introduced to Daphne by Susan and had subsequently pursued her, his apprehension hindered the progression of their relationship. His turbulent romantic history had left him wary of disappointing her.
Then, one day, a few weeks before their next planned date, he chanced upon Daphne at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's gym. She was running on the treadmill. The sight of her took his breath away, as if he had been ensnared by a potent spell. Blinking several times to regain his composure, Harry approached her without hesitation. Their conversation that day was akin to unlocking a new threshold in their relationship. From that moment onward, he knew the path he wanted to traverse. And so, on their next date, Harry resolved to reveal his feelings, fully aware of the uncertainty that lay ahead. To his astonishment, Daphne reciprocated immediately, sealing their shared emotions with a tender kiss. It stunned him momentarily, and as they parted, a foolish grin spread across his face.
Now, Harry hurriedly made his way toward Daphne, his body concealed beneath the Invisibility Cloak. Taking position near the alcove close to the castle's entrance, he awaited her arrival. Daphne's countenance had relaxed since their last encounter. Luckily, the drizzle and the fading light had enveloped the atmosphere in an almost mystical calmness.
"Daphne!" Harry's voice rang out, surprisingly loud, as he discarded his cloak, revealing his presence. Her eyes widened, recognizing the familiar voice, and she hastened toward him, moving with purpose.
"What are you doing here?! What if someone sees you?" Daphne's tone was curt, tinged with worry.
Harry sensed her concern and reassured her, "You didn't need to worry... Let's go to a safer place." He covered them both with the cloak, tightly gripping her hand as they made their way to the designated location.
"I'm not going to a broom closet," Daphne exclaimed, her reluctance evident. Harry couldn't help but chuckle, though he quickly cleared his throat upon seeing Daphne's pout.
"Daph, come on..." he coaxed, his voice gentle. "I promise we won't go to a broom closet... for now, at least," he added, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. He then mustered his best puppy-dog eyes, hoping to sway her.
"Fine! Lead the way, Mister!" Daphne conceded, her defeat palpable. Harry's grin widened, and he immediately guided her down a different corridor, away from the Slytherin dormitories.
As they ventured onward, Daphne couldn't help but feel a tinge of confusion. Where was her boyfriend taking her? Dinner was about to commence, and their time together would be limited. Anxious thoughts crept into her mind, worried that someone might spot them, even beneath the invisibility cloak. Their relationship, as far as both of them were concerned, needed to remain concealed for now. While they were eager to reveal their love to the world, the timing was simply not right.
Halfway to their intended spot, Harry retrieved the Marauder's Map from his pocket to assess the situation. Daphne let out a sigh of relief upon seeing him produce the map. Despite seeing the map multiple times, this was the first time she had actually had the chance to use it, she realised. She had often wondered what it would be like to use it during the school year, and now her musings had come true. However, she couldn't help but sigh again, realising that this was not how she had envisioned utilising the map.
They watched the corridor's condition on the map, finding no signs of anyone else. Harry swiftly removed the invisibility cloak, stowing it in his bag alongside the map. "We're safe!" he proclaimed, a sense of relief washing over him.
"You're not going to tell me where we're going, are you?" Daphne questioned, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Harry grinned sheepishly in response. "Of course not! It's a surprise!" he exclaimed. She narrowed her eyes and hummed nonchalantly, clearly not entirely convinced.
As they walked, Daphne decided to take in her surroundings. This corridor was unfamiliar to her. It felt remarkably different from the dark and damp path leading to her own dormitory. Where were they exactly? She hadn't had a chance to examine the map closely to pinpoint their location.
"Trust me," Harry reassured her, his smile warm and genuine. Daphne could sense his sincerity, and slowly, she began to relax. Almost as if he could read her thoughts, Harry chimed in, "Oh, in case you haven't figured it out yet, this corridor leads to the Hufflepuff common room. But that's not our mystery spot," he added with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. They continued to hold hands as they ventured onward, until finally, they came to a halt in front of a large painting depicting fruits.
"We're here!" Harry exclaimed cheerfully. "So, if we go further down, we'll find a row of barrels. That's the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room," he informed her, playing the role of a guide. Daphne shook her head, amused by his enthusiasm.
"I see. So why are we standing in front of this peculiar painting?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest, her gaze fixed on the artwork. Surprisingly, the painting remained still.
"This isn't just any painting, Daphne dear!" Harry declared dramatically. "Please, tickle the pear," he requested, his eyes gleaming mischievously. Daphne turned her head towards him, confusion etched on her face.
"What?" she exclaimed, bewildered.
"Just tickle it, please." Harry reassured her, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "Do you trust me?" Daphne nodded, albeit hesitantly, and cautiously tickled the pear within the painting. To her astonishment, the pear giggled and transformed into a doorknob.
"A doorknob?" she uttered, taken aback.
"Open it!" Harry urged, his excitement palpable.
Daphne opened the door, instantly being enveloped by the tantalising aroma and lively sounds of the house-elves. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of Hogwarts' kitchen. This was her first visit to this place, and it was grand.
The Hogwarts kitchen could be divided into five sections. In one corner, ingredients and stocks were neatly stacked, preserved by spells to maintain their freshness. In another corner, elves prepared the ingredients for the chefs to cook. Adjacent to that was the cooking area, with stoves blazing, sautéing and frying, ovens humming as they roasted chicken, and grills emitting smoke as meat sizzled to perfection. The delectable scents that had filled their noses earlier originated from this lively corner. In the middle of the room, a long table was meticulously arranged, filled with food ready to be served to the Great Hall for dinner, awaiting the appointed time. Unlike the feasts, they didn't need to wait for the Headmaster's signal. The final corner was their destination, where neatly arranged tables, reminiscent of Lily's Eatery, awaited them. "Welcome to the Hogwarts kitchen!" Harry exclaimed, a wide smile on his face as he observed Daphne's amazement.
She turned her attention to him, "You're not wrong. This is my first time visiting this place," Daphne admitted, occasionally observing the efficient movements of the house-elves. "How did you know? Oh, wait, that's a stupid question!" she rolled her eyes, prompting a chuckle from Harry. "Why did you bring me here?" she quickly changed the subject, her gaze fixed on him, trying to suppress her smile.
"I just—" Harry began, but before he could finish his sentence, a sudden pop sound caught them both off guard.
"The Great Harry Potter, sir, is here!" an excited voice exclaimed. "Is there anything Dobby can help you with?" Dobby appeared before them, dressed in bright clothes with mismatched socks adorning his small feet.
Harry flinched at the sight of the lively and very much alive Dobby. His tennis ball-sized eyes eagerly locked onto them, awaiting their request from the kitchen. Harry realised that he had forgotten Dobby's presence in the Hogwarts kitchen, where he assisted the other house-elves. It stirred conflicting emotions within him. He wanted to cry and embrace the little elf, expressing his gratitude and appreciation, but he couldn't bear the thought of Dobby unknowingly sacrificing himself for him. Harry was definitely determined to alter that fate.
While Harry engaged in conversation with Dobby, Daphne took the opportunity to look around once more. She noticed the time on a nearby watch and realised that dinner was fast approaching. Glancing at the bustling elves, she felt a twinge of discomfort, as if they were intruding upon their work in the kitchen.
Before Harry could inquire about their dinner preferences, Daphne grabbed his hand and whispered in his ear. "Let's leave," she said, biting her lip.
"Why? I wanted us to have dinner here," Harry responded, his brow furrowing. "Don't you want to have dinner with me?" A hint of disappointment tinged his voice.
"Dinner?" Daphne stammered, flustered. "Aren't we intruding? It's almost dinner time, and the elves seem incredibly busy," she confessed, her discomfort evident.
His eyes lit up instantly, glad that she hadn't rejected his proposal. "It's okay. They would be happy to have us here. I used to often come here, you know! Especially during the Tournament," he explained, a grin stretching across his face.
Daphne's eyes widened as she vaugely recalled the events of their fourth year, where Harry had faced rejection and isolation. He had rarely ventured out, attending classes or participating in the Triwizard Tournament. "Harry, I'm sorry," she murmured, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her.
"Why are you apologising? It's not your fault. I know you never had one of those badges of Malfoy's back then," Harry turned his gaze towards her, squeezing her hand gently. "So, don't worry, Daph! For me, it's all in the past, and I've moved on. Honestly, if you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have even remembered," he shrugged, flashing a silly grin. Daphne playfully smacked his shoulder in response.
But then her expression turned somber. "I know, but I still feel guilty. I never mustered the courage to openly express my belief in you, not to you or anyone else," she confessed, her voice filled with regret.
"You just did," Harry said, winking at her, causing her cheeks to flush. "So, how about some dinner?" he quickly changed the topic.
"Thank you, Harry," she whispered gratefully, glancing over at Dobby, who eagerly awaited their order with his tennis ball-sized eyes.
"Now, what's the main course for dinner, uh... Dobby?" she asked hesitantly. Interacting with a house-elf that wasn't part of the Greengrass household made her feel a bit awkward, despite knowing that they were in Hogwarts. She thought back to Jo, her personal house-elf, who was given to her by her late grandfather when she was nine years old. Initially, Jo followed her around during her first year, but Daphne soon realised that not everyone had a house-elf accompanying them, and that Hogwarts had a whole team of them. She requested Jo to stay and assist at home while she attended school.
"Today's main course is roasted chicken!" Dobby answered excitedly, speaking to both Harry and Daphne. Harry beamed at the response.
"In that case, we'll order that, Dobby!" Daphne requested, before Harry added in his own request.
"And please serve us some ice cream for dessert. Strawberry, please," he smiled at Daphne, meeting her gaze as she smiled at Harry in amazement at his thoughtfulness.
"Right away, sir!" Dobby promptly vanished to fulfil their request.
"You weren't kidding, Harry." She spoke with an amused grin. "He is so enthusiastic about feeding us dinner."
"Dobby has always been enthusiastic, that's for sure. By the way, speaking of Dobby," Harry interjected, jogging his companion's memory. "I just remembered our first encounter back in 1994, after he gained his freedom." Daphne nodded, recalling Harry's previous account of how they had helped liberate Dobby from the clutches of the Malfoy family at the end of their second year at Hogwarts.
"Oh, and he mentioned that Winky was with him," Harry added. "When Dobby found out that Winky had also been granted her freedom but was struggling to find a job due to the expectations on liberated house-elves, he brought her to Dumbledore, hoping to get her a paid position here at Hogwarts." Harry shared this additional detail with Daphne.
"I can totally understand their predicament," Daphne sympathised. "Employing a house-elf usually involves a binding agreement, especially when it comes to keeping family secrets. It must have been really tough for them magically." Harry nodded, acknowledging the difficulties that freed house-elves faced in finding suitable employment. "I'm glad they eventually found happiness working here at Hogwarts," She remarked, but suddenly Daphne's eyes widened, and she blurted out, "Wait!"
Harry turned to her, puzzled by her sudden exclamation. "What's up?" he asked.
Daphne took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. "Isn't Winky your house-elf?" she questioned, catching Harry off guard. He hadn't anticipated the direction of her inquiry.
"Yeah, Winky, she actually used to be with a pretty complicated family. But after the war, she sought me out, you know? When I met her the first time around, she was miserable and drinking herself to death. So after the war, she found me and said she felt completely lost and without purpose as a free elf. She wanted to be part of a family and dedicate herself to taking care of them. So, I made her an offer. I suggested we form a bond, where she would receive a salary and have a day off each week. And you know what? She didn't even hesitate. It was like the bond and sense of belonging meant more to her than any amount of money or personal time. Pretty surprising, right?" Harry shrugged, wrapping up his explanation.
"That's incredibly kind of you. So, what are you planning to do for Winky this time? Will you wait for her to approach you?" Daphne inquired.
Harry pondered the question for a few moments before responding, "If I recall correctly, around this time, she would be spending her days drinking butterbeer and rejecting any offers. I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to make her my house-elf now. Don't you agree?"
"Just call Winky now, babe," she said with a wink. It made him chuckle.
"Alright, but before we continue," Harry said, taking Daphne's hand in his and causing her smile to fade. He looked at her with a serious expression, holding her hand gently.
"Harry?" she frowned, puzzled by his sudden change in demeanour.
He took a deep breath before speaking his mind, "Daphne... I'm really sorry for getting you into trouble with your friend."
"She's not my friend... yet," she interrupted coldly. Harry winced but carried on.
"Okay, let me try again," he cleared his throat, and Daphne couldn't help but suppress a smile, "Daphne, I apologise. It's my fault that you ended up in a conflict with Parkinson. I honestly didn't mean for it to happen. A few days ago on the train, I promised you. Trust me, I prepared myself for that Defence Against the Dark Arts class, but I didn't anticipate it being so different this time," he said, regret evident in his tone. Harry looked at her with a remorseful expression.
Daphne bit her lip, considering his words. Even though she had managed to calm herself by taking a run along the shore of the Black Lake, she couldn't completely let go of her anger. But then she closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
"I forgive you," she finally said, causing Harry's eyes to light up with happiness.
"Thank you, Daphne! That means a lot," he said, kissing her knuckles.
"Just don't let it happen again! After all, we are grown adults. We should have better control of our emotions." she grumbled, trying to hide her blushing face. He couldn't help but feel incredibly happy at her reaction.
"I can't make any promises," he grinned, and Daphne simply rolled her eyes.
"I know you probably won't, but I trust you. What she did was completely out of line, and I think something has changed with Umbridge," Daphne said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Their conversation was interrupted once again, this time by Dobby arriving with their food. "Enjoy your meal!" he said, though there was something clearly bothering the little elf when Harry glanced at him.
"What's wrong, Dobby? Are you okay?" Harry asked, showing concern.
"Dobby is fine, sir! But it's about Winky..." Dobby hesitated.
"What happened to her, Dobby? Is she alright?"
"No, sir. Dobby needs to inform you that Winky has not gotten any better since her previous master abandoned her last year. Dobby is really worried about her, Harry Potter, sir! She is now drinking eight butterbeers a day!" Harry and Daphne exchanged glances. Daphne silently urged him to take action. Harry cleared his throat before turning his attention back to Dobby.
"Thanks for letting me know, Dobby. If she's sober, could you please ask her to meet with me after we finish our dinner?" he said hopefully, quickly adding, "Of course, only if she wants to see me."
Dobby's eyes widened, and he nodded eagerly, "Yes, sir! Dobby will tell Winky right away that The Great Harry Potter wants to meet her!" With that, Dobby disappeared, leaving Daphne looking at Harry with pride.
"Congratulations! You've got your own personal house-elf now!" she teased.
He chuckled, "We'll see if she accepts the offer or not, Daph. Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," he replied.
"Oh, right! Which family did Winky serve before becoming a free elf?" she asked curiously.
"She used to be the Crouch family's elf until last year. Someone framed her during the World Cup for casting the Dark Mark. Crouch Sr. was furious and set her free. She became my house-elf a few months after the war ended," he explained.
"I remember reading about it in the Prophet. We watched the World Cup too, you know. We didn't camp there, though. We arrived before the match started and left after it ended," she said, humming with interest.
"But I didn't see you in the top box. I can't imagine your father being down in the lower levels," he said, sounding confused yet amused.
"We were in one of the top boxes, just not on the same side as you. We sat on the opposite side of the field, in a private box. My father didn't want the enjoyment of the match to be mixed with politics, so he avoided all that," she replied, amused.
"That was a smart move. I wish I had done the same," he complained. "Fudge kept trying to talk to me, and the other heads were equally annoying. The Malfoys were right there too," he grumbled. She sympathetically patted his hand.
"So, Winky's problem will be solved soon. How about Dobby? What will you do with him?
"Dobby?"
"Yeah, he's also a free elf, in case you forgot," she reminded him. "And you looked like you'd seen a ghost when you saw him," Harry rubbed the back of his neck nervously - It was a topic he didn't particularly enjoy discussing. He hadn't revealed all his secrets yet, and while he did share everything about his adventures up until sixth year with Daphne, he hadn't told her about what he went through on the run and the events leading up to defeating Voldemort.
Only Hermione and Ron knew the full extent of what had transpired. He even turned down offers from Kingsley and the head of the Unspeakables to find out more about their quest. Harry looked at his girlfriend, her eyes fixed on him, waiting for an answer.
He mustered a smile and took a deep breath. "From what I can remember, he's happy as a free elf. He's an odd one, that's for sure. If you want, I'll ask him about it, but I really don't think he would go for it." he shrugged. "And as for why I reacted like I saw a ghost, it's because he died while helping me escape from Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix Lestrange threw a cursed knife at him when we apparated from there to Shell Cottage," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. Daphne immediately grabbed his hand and squeezed it. She gave him a warm smile, for which he was immensely grateful. "I think it's time I told you everything about what I was up to in 7th year. I can't keep it from you any longer," he said with frustration.
Her voice carried a hint of hurt as she withdrew her hand from Harry's grasp. "So, you're saying you wouldn't have told me if we hadn't travelled back in time?"
"No! That's not what I meant," he hastily replied, reaching out and holding her hand again. "I had been planning to talk to you about it for months, but then the bomb case and the serial killer case came up. It slipped my mind with all the department's workload and the added pressure from Internal Affairs on your end."
Daphne winced at the mention of her job. "I believe you, Harry," she reassured him with a smile.
"Thanks, Daph," he squeezed her hand and smiled back. "But for now, I think we should put that aside. Maybe we can discuss it tomorrow or in a few days? Tonight, let's just enjoy our dinner and maybe even make Winky my house-elf if she's interested,"
"Remember, we'll face this together. It's only the third time we've met in this timeline, Harry. We have plenty of time to plan for everything. We'll ensure that this war ends differently from the last time."
"We'll prevent anything bad from happening to our friends and family," he said, determination shining in his eyes.
"Yes, Harry. We will!"
They continued their meal, discussing lighter topics until their plates were empty and they were ready for dessert. Harry called for Dobby once again.
"Dobby?" In an instant, the enthusiastic house-elf appeared with two bowls of ice cream.
"Here are your desserts, sir!" he said, serving the bowls in front of Harry and Daphne.
"Thanks, Dobby. Oh, before you go, what did Winky say?" Harry inquired.
"Winky said she's willing to meet with you, sir!"
"Wonderful! Could you fetch her now?"
"Right away, sir!" Dobby disappeared, and a few seconds later, he returned with a very unsteady Winky. She couldn't stand on her own without Dobby's support, slowly regaining consciousness.
"I'm sorry, sir! The sobering potion takes a while to take effect," Dobby apologised.
"No worries, Dobby!" Harry reassured him with a smile before turning his attention to Winky. She was in tears, murmuring quietly, showing signs of slowly sobering up.
"Hello, Winky! I'm Harry Potter," he introduced himself, capturing her attention. She looked up at him, her brows furrowed.
"I remembers… Dobby said you wanted to meet with Winky?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Yes, Winky. I would like to talk to you. How are you feeling? I heard you're not happy being free. Is that true?" Daphne observed the interaction while enjoying her ice cream.
She sniffled, her voice trembling. "Winky prefers taking care of a family... Winky doesn't like being free."
His expression thoughtful, Harry nodded. "In that case, would you like to become a part of my family?" he offered, his words hanging in the air. Winky's eyes widened, along with Dobby's, who stood beside her.
After a moment to compose herself, she responded with hope in her voice, "You... you want Winky to be a part of your family?"
"Yes, Winky. What do you think? I would still provide you with a salary, you'd have a day off once a week, and you can call me Harry or Sir," he explained, extending his hand with a warm smile.
Winky trembled, her gaze shifting between Harry's outstretched hand and his genuine smile, ensuring it wasn't a mere illusion. She also glanced at Dobby, who nudged her shoulder with a supportive smile. After swallowing nervously, she finally took Harry's hand in hers.
"Are you ready, Winky? By accepting this, you agree to the conditions I've set," Harry clarified.
"Yes, sir! I'm ready!" Winky replied, her voice filled with determination.
"Daph!" Harry called out, prompting Daphne to pull out her wand and hold it above their intertwined hands. As her wand touched their hands, a soft blue glow enveloped their palms. Daphne nodded, signalling Harry to proceed.
"Winky the house-elf, I claim you as my house-elf. Do you accept?" Harry asked formally.
"Yes! I do, sir!" Winky responded confidently.
In an instant, their hands emitted a golden glow, the radiant light gradually permeating their bodies before eventually dissipating. The ritual had reached its culmination. Winky immediately embraced Harry tightly, tears streaming down her face. Harry reciprocated the hug, gently patting her back until she calmed down. He noticed Dobby brimming with pride, and he reciprocated the grin.
She released him and looked at him with her large, brown eyes, brimming with happiness. "Winky is so elated! She has her family again. Thank you, Sir! What can Winky do for you?" she eagerly inquired.
"Hmm, could you refill my ice cream? It seems my girlfriend devoured it all," he groaned, noticing Daphne squinting at him after swatting him playfully.
"Oh, and fill up her bowl too, Winky," he added, snapping his fingers, and instantly two bowls filled with ice cream appeared.
"Winky is delighted to serve, sir!" she replied, bowing deeply.
"Thank you! You don't need to bow like that, Winky," he said, stopping her from bowing further. "Winky, until I ask otherwise, I want you to help everyone here at Hogwarts. Perhaps you can team up with Dobby?"
"Yes, sir! Winky understands!" Winky nodded enthusiastically before disappearing to assist the other Hogwarts elves, leaving behind Daphne, who resumed enjoying her ice cream, and Dobby, who remained in the same spot.
"Dobby thanks Harry Potter, sir, for wanting to take Winky as his house-elf," Dobby said, tears welling up in his eyes. "Dobby is happy for her. Thank you, sir!"
Harry looked at him kindly and placed his hand on Dobby's tiny shoulder. "I just did what was right, Dobby. And I also want to thank you for being a friend to her when others seemed unfriendly," he expressed gratefully.
"You don't need to thank me, sir!"
"Do you want to be my house-elf as well, Dobby?" Dobby's eyes widened, but then he shook his head.
"No, sir! Dobby is happy and proud as a free elf," he declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
Harry chuckled. "Then that's enough for me. Go and help the other elves!"
"Yes, Harry Potter, sir! Good night!"
"Good night, Dobby!" Dobby popped out to join the other house-elves.
Daphne kissed Harry's cheek, resting her head on his shoulder while holding his hand. "I'm proud of you, Harry!"
"As I said to Dobby, I simply did what was right," he replied, glancing at his empty bowl of ice cream.
"Damn, Daph! You finished my ice cream!" he complained, and she playfully swatted his shoulder.
"It tempted me, I couldn't resist," she said dramatically, and he shook his head with amusement.
"Shall we continue our previous discussion?" he asked.
Daphne glanced at her watch. "Sure, we still have time before curfew."
He grinned. "I still can't comprehend why Umbridge did that to me. It was completely different, and that book! I wish I could burn it in front of her."
She rolled her eyes. "You're not the only one who wants to burn that thing! And I suppose your spectacular trial last month was the reason Umbridge changed her tactics."
"It was only a trial!" he exclaimed. "I defended myself fairly and squarely. As you know, I had been replaying it in my head for years! Like… Do you ever just stand in the shower and think about weird arguments you had years ago, and then imagine how you could have said something different?" he declared dramatically.
"Sure… that's why you take so much time in the shower." she replied with a grin. Harry immediately rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
"Very funny, Daphne. Still it was pretty funny, locking Dumbledore out of the room," he admitted.
"But at least you're satisfied, right? There won't be a third time, you know," she teased, causing Harry to flinch.
"Uh, two times is enough, thank you very much! Try not to fling us into the past anymore, will you?" Daphne laughed with satisfaction.
"You have to be careful, too." she cautioned, as her laughter subsided.
"I know. I hope my detention will be the same as last time. Maybe if we are lucky, we can leverage it into getting her sacked," he resignedly expressed. Daphne nodded in agreement, but she had a feeling that Harry's upcoming detention would definitely be different from the previous one.
"Well, let me accompany you back to the Slytherin common room," Daphne playfully nudged him on the shoulder, making Harry giggle. They held hands as they made their way to the concealed entrance of the Slytherin dormitory. Fortunately, the corridors were quiet, as most students had already returned to their dormitories, nearing curfew.
"Good night, Harry," she said with a sweet smile.
"Good night!" he replied, covering his body, but leaving his head uncovered with the invisibility cloak, not wanting to leave until Daphne had safely entered her dormitory. Instead of giving the password to the entrance, he felt a warm sensation against his lips, surprised to receive a peck from Daphne before she whispered the password to the wall and disappeared inside, leaving him stunned and grinning foolishly. Luckily, no one witnessed his reaction.
Covering his head while chuckling happily, he was certain that he would sleep very well that night.
"Harry! Where have you been? You didn't even have dinner in the Great Hall! And what did McGonagall want? Did she give you detention?" Hermione exclaimed as soon as she spotted Harry climbing through the Fat Lady's portrait to reach the Gryffindor common room. His blissful state was abruptly shattered by Hermione's demanding questions, even before he fully entered the room.
Harry scowled. "I needed some time to clear my head, and I had a meal in the kitchen. Don't worry, I'm fine. It was just a regular chat with McGonagall, although she wasn't pleased when I ended up with detention from our new professor," he replied sarcastically, slumping onto the sofa next to Ron.
"When did she start acting like this?" Harry whispered to Ron, who was engrossed in a chess game with Dean, having grown tired of watching Hermione pace back and forth.
"Since we got back to the common room. She's been pacing around like a caged niffler. It's making my head spin. I think she's upset that a Slytherin defended you before she had a chance," Ron answered casually in a low voice, causing Harry to roll his eyes.
"Harry..." Hermione's voice cut through the air sharply, making him turn his head towards her. Without hesitation, she launched into an impassioned speech. "I simply cannot understand why Professor Umbridge would target you during today's class, Harry. It's absolutely absurd!" She paused momentarily, glancing at Ron, who seemed just as perplexed. "I won't stand for it, Harry. Not at all."
Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Hermione raised a hand to silence him. "No, Harry. Let me finish, please." She took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to say. "Why you said what you did, I'll assume it was for the greater good. Just this once," she asserted sternly, with a hint of fear underlying her words. "And I must express my gratitude to Greengrass for interrupting. I shudder to think what might have happened otherwise."
Harry glanced at Ron, who shrugged his shoulders. "Ron mentioned that you were upset because Greengrass took your place defending me," Harry blurted out, trying to make sense of the situation. Ron shot him a reproachful look, but Hermione silenced him with a glare.
Ignoring Ron's reaction, Hermione pressed on. "If Umbridge continues teaching from that ridiculous book, we'll never pass our exams," she declared with conviction. "It's an outrage!"
Harry couldn't help but smirk at her sudden passion. "I don't recall ever hearing her call a book 'ridiculous' before," he whispered to Ron, who solemnly nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, mate. That's definitely out of character for her, isn't it?"
Running his fingers through his unruly hair, Harry watched the flames dancing in the fireplace, pondering Hermione's newfound fervour. Her unwavering dedication and determination impressed him, and he felt a pull in his chest. He had always seen her as a sister, oftentimes the role of smarter older sibling had just come natural to her, but now with his more mature mindset, it was oddly easier to view her as a teaseable little sister. It was a strange sensation, seeing her like this again, and it caused him to clear his throat in an attempt to suppress a laugh at his own absurd thoughts.
"Are you done?" he asked with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Hermione nodded, her arms still crossed tightly. Her breathing remained heavy with emotion. "To answer your questions, perhaps you should reflect on what happened at the Ministry last month," he suggested pointedly.
A flicker of understanding crossed Hermione's face as she recalled his disciplinary trial, and she nodded in realisation. "Ah, yes. You mean your trial," she acknowledged.
"I assume you read the Daily Prophet the next day?" Hermione nodded again, and Harry continued. "Well, from there, you can draw your own conclusions," he said, bitterness lacing his tone.
"But it's all so absurd!" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes flashing with indignation. "You did nothing wrong, and you deserve to be exonerated!"
"Thank you, Hermione," Harry said, offering her a grateful smile. "Unfortunately, Umbridge and her Ministry cronies see it differently. Even the Minister of Magic himself." He shrugged, observing as Hermione sank into the couch beside him.
Dean finished his game against Ron and headed over to the corner where Fred and George were stationed, tucked away from the rest of the Gryffindor common room. Harry, seeking a distraction, turned to Ron with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
"Hey Ron, fancy another game of chess?" Harry inquired, retrieving several Galleons from his pocket and placing them on the table.
Ron, still nursing a grudge over his friend's earlier betrayal, hesitated to accept the challenge. However, Harry wasn't one to give up easily and sweetened the deal by adding a few chocolate frogs to the table. After a few minutes of contemplation and a begrudging huff, Ron finally agreed to Harry's proposal.
As they commenced their game, Hermione, lost in her thoughts, watched the chess pieces move back and forth. When the curfew bell signalled the arrival of nightfall, she rose from her seat, prompting Harry and Ron to look at her in confusion.
"Is everything alright, Hermione?" Ron asked, his concern evident.
Hermione waited for the curfew bell to stop ringing before expressing her idea. "How about we form a Defence Against the Dark Arts study group?" she suggested.
Ron's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What do you mean? Are we going to study on our own? Who will be the teacher? McGonagall? Or would you?" he turned to Harry, seeking his input.
Harry could already anticipate where Hermione was going with her proposal. He leaned back in his chair, attempting to push aside thoughts of the previous Dumbledore's Army formation. It was difficult to forget that they had become rebels at a young age, forced to train and study in secrecy due to Umbridge's tyrannical rule. It had been a dangerous path, one that had led to child soldiers, and Harry wasn't the only one who had played that role.
"No!" Harry instinctively blurted out but quickly clarified, "I mean... Why don't you be the teacher? You're one of the top students in our year."
Hermione blushed at the compliment but shook her head in refusal. "Thank you, Harry, but I excel more in the theoretical aspects. You, on the other hand, have the highest scores in Defence Against the Dark Arts and the most practical experience."
Across the table, Ron nodded in agreement. "She's got a point, mate. If we want to become Aurors someday, you'd be the best person to learn from."
Harry turned to gaze into the fireplace, observing the flames as they flickered and danced. He couldn't shake off thoughts of the previous Dumbledore's Army, but he also sensed that Umbridge would be even more dangerous this time. 'Something significant must have changed when I pulled that stunt during the trial,' he thought to himself. 'Well, maybe we can avoid involving everyone in the Ministry this time. After all, forewarned is forearmed, and I'm confident that Daphne and I can devise a plan to confront Voldemort and the prophecy by the end of the year.' Straightening his posture, he looked back up, and with a groan, Harry gave in. "Alright," he relented. "I'll do it, but I have the final say on the rules, security, and all other decisions. We need to be cautious, and I won't take any unnecessary risks. We can't afford to let anyone discover what we're doing."
A satisfied glint gleamed in Hermione's eyes, a clear indication that she had a cunning plan in mind. Harry let out a resigned sigh.
"Care for another game of chess?" Ron suggested innocently, his tone contrasting with Hermione's scheming nature.
"No, thanks, Ron. Not tonight. I'm utterly exhausted. Goodnight, you two," Harry replied, making his way toward the staircase. However, mischievous thoughts swirled in his mind, and a wicked grin spread across his face. "By the way, don't forget to cast a protective charm and a silencing spell. This is the common room, after all," Harry cautioned in a mock-serious tone. But before he could finish his sentence, Hermione hexed him, causing him to wince in pain. Ron gasped in shock, his face as red as his hair, and he attempted to cast a tripping jinx, but Hermione was quicker.
With laughter in his voice, Harry darted up the stairs, dodging spells as he went. He could hear Hermione and Ron's voices echoing through the common room as they gave chase, their laughter blending with his own. Moments like these made Hogwarts feel like home.
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