Hello!
I'm sorry for being late on you.
Ta DA! Here is my new chapter, this is one of my favourites
I thank from the deepest of my heart my beta/alfa readers who I couldn't share without them be with me 'I love you guys '
Enjoy
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Chapter 12
A man in his thirties spent an hour looking at his reflection in the mirror and praising himself after shaving and cutting his hair shorter.
"Such a beauty!" Sirius Black complimented himself, as he ran his fingers through his raven hair in the bathroom of Grimmauld place.
"–I swear, if i were a girl,I would fall in love with myself."
"Who said you're not? " a chuckle from the doorway.
Sirius startled, turning around to see a familiar face "Merlin! Moony don't just show up like that, you almost gave me a bloody heart attack," he said putting one hand over his heart.
Remus hiding his laughter as he leaned against the doorframe..
"You're taking care of yourself, this is new! " Moony laughed.
"Of course I am, I'm still young after all... Look, Rem,this is perfect. Andi would be proud" he said as he stared at himself again in the mirror, fixing his hair and taming it to the back.
"She'd also give you hell for cutting your own hair"
"Why are you here at the bum crack of dawn," Sirius asked,raising an eyebrow
"Early? Gods, Pads it's almost noon. Besides, Dumbledore gave me strict orders to not let you out of my ! this is the third time you did it behind his back, how many times should we tame you inside, bad dog!" he said, scolding.
Sirius shrugged. "He sent you to make sure I behave today, how typical of him."
"No, not this time,I want to spend this day with you."He said, sighing.
"Right, a drink can solve that one mate, come on," he said, passing him,walking towards the living room, grabbing a bottle of fire whiskey on the way.
.
The two men sat on the sofa, only the sound of the liquid being poured into two glasses could be heard."I shaved because they'd see me looking like this as my giving up" Sirius finally said, breaking the silence.
"Lily would hate seeing you so shaggy," Remus smiled.
"Exactly, and Prongs would laugh; but Lils, you knew her,"
They raised their glasses to the other two glasses on the table symbolizing Lily and James;they may not be there with them but they are in their hearts
"Fourteen years already,the funny thing is that I've started getting used to them not being here", " Remus said.
"I never will," Sirius snapped, grief eating at him. It was obvious that he was filled with regret,each moment that, That bloody rat ran free.
"We will catch him mate– " Remus said."More importantly, how is Harry doing right now?, Thier thoughts simultaneously drift to Harry and how is he doing especially now. For some, today is the day the Dark Lord vanished those who observe the old ways,the day of Samhain. Muggles see it as Halloween,a day to run a muck collecting sweets, in fancy dress. To the two remaining Marauders it was the day they lost their best friends.
….The day Harry James Potter lost both his parents in a horrific way, at just 15 months old.
"Don't worry, he has company just like I have you," Padfoot said trying to make light of the situation, James wouldn't want them to blubber over him every damn always found good in everything.
Sirius promised himself, the moment he stepped out into the world a free man, to try and see the world through his best friend's eyes.
"You look creepy as you say it. Besides I have a girlfriend, if she hears you she may kick your arse," Remus glowers at Sirius
Sirius raised a brow at his best friend "Girlfriend?" He sputtered
"Moony, going on two dates doesn't make her your girlfriend. What was her name anyway Rose, Mary?" Sirius gave him a look.
"Apparently even after a dozen years away from you and growing up with an old fuddy duddy like Lyall didn't teach you about dating rules, and you call yourself a Marauder, shame! "Sirius said in an over dramatic fashion.
Remus and Sirius laughed, they raised a toast.
"To the marauders," they said in unison.
"Still, I had always wondered, even though you never explained, why not tell Albus about this?" Remus curiously asked.
Sirius groaned from the burning liquor that ran down his throat.
"Dumbledore mustn't know." He gestured with his hand.
"Why? " Remus raised his eyebrow,confused .
Sirius leaned in closer to him and whispered, "Because that man, was the closest advisor to the crown once upon a time" he whispered.
Even though Sirius was in his own home, he couldn't trust the portraits..especially that of his mother. Even in portrait form,the woman was a terrible gossip "Diane, the first queen, made a price for me and James to exit court, a price we'd never be free of."
Remus was oblivious to this facet of pure blood society,as he was raised in a muggle village along with his "little furry problem" Werewolves are the most dangerous in packs. Fenrir Greyback made it worse,he was known for his harsh punishments for those who break his trust. Even if Sirius was disowned,he knew things...being the heir to the Black family fortune and growing up with the parents he had..he read some questionable material in his youth
"Harry doesn't know?"
Sirius shook his head and smiled "I left all those rules and protocol behind me when Mrs and Mr Potter took me in. Andi made me see the light when she and Ted eloped and had Dora...James got me out of that hell hole"
James and Sirius were kneeling in the garden of the royal residence. Queen Diane was sat on a settee underneath the gazebo.
"My Queen, we are at your feet asking for your mercy"James said.
Her Majesty glared at the two sixteen-year-old boys, kneeling before her. They didn't dare look at her in the eyes,instead they kept their heads down.
Diane turned to the guards ,then shot a look at her Ladies maid, Eva. The younger woman,ordered the guards to leave to ensure privacy.
"Your request is denied." She said dryly.
It felt like a slap in the face...denied? How? Why?
Sirius sensed a gigantic lion behind him nervous , he didn't l move a muscle. The Lion brushed his side as if it were a ghost. The monster sat at the Queen's feet but the animal wasn't a lion... it was a silver fox. It had nine tails and piercing grey eyes that shone like steel.
"The nerve!" Eva screeched but Her Majesty held up her hand to silence the other woman " I've thought long and hard about your request. What will your family think, you are wasting the opportunity of a lifetime!" The Queen chided.
"Do you know what you are about to do? Your poor mother,Mr Black..what would she say? After the disaster with your cousin becoming pregnant out of wedlock! No absolutely not. You are the heir to the Black estate."
Sirius closed his eyes as his body tensed up. The image still haunting him to this day. It was so vivid,he heard everything; Andi in hysterics as his mother raged on after finding out about Ted..and the baby. Narcissa crying as Uncle held her….Uncle he did nothing to stop his sister from coming down on his middle daughter..that's what he remembered most. With his heart pounding,he felt stuck..in that terrible memory,even three years after it happened..
"You two are apparently still children, what a pity!" She signed in disappointment
"Your Majesty!" Eva flew to the Queen's side.
"Ive never seen anyone refuse the cloak of the royal knights and worse still,refusing a week before taking oath. Where are your manners?" Diane admonished
"We are ashamed, my Queen, and I swear .. I swear if I had no personal reasons, I would have taken this great honour," Sirius eloquently tried to defend himself
"My Lady, Had it not been for your kindness and generosity we wouldn't be seeking your mercy" James said,visibly shaken.
"How dare you speak to my mistress in this insolent tone, guards!" Eva wailed
"Enough of this tomfoolery!" The Queen shot a look at all three people in the room
She motioned for James to approach her, while Sirius remained kneeling.
Taking James's chin into her long elegant hands, the queen thought aloud.
"Does this... flower deserve all this sacrifice for it?"
Sirius didn't move nor did James.
Sirius did however, send all his support to his best friend. He had seen how this "Flower" changed his friend for the better.
"It is the only thing worth living for, my lady," James confessed.
The Queen is silent,still studying James' face. After a moment she broke the silence "Give me your dagger, Eva."
"Your departure has a price..a high price. Are you up to the challenge?" She warned,pointing the dagger very close to James's heart.
Sirius scrambled and rushed to James's side, but Eva restrained him.
'Don't you dare,' was written in her ice blue eyes
Sirius tried to move but the woman cast a wandless,immobulus charm on him
But anguish rose on Sirius's face when James took the dagger from the Queen's hand, opened his shirt and directed the dagger towards his heart.
"James!"
Sirius dove towards the Queens feet kissing the end of her robe
"My Lady, You are the most merciful of Queens, I beg you to pardon him, and take my soul instead" Sirius pleaded.
He closed his eyes when he heard the dagger penetrate James' skin. Tears pricked in his eyes
He heard both women laugh and opened his eyes to see Eva grab the dagger just as it was inches away from James's heart, cutting her palm in the process.
"The courage of young men really delights the heart, leave it Eva," The Queen instructed her loyal servant to stand down.
James was in shock, while Sirius looked at the Queen with confusion, the woman turned to him, with a smile.
"The knights are a test of loyalty to the crown . As for life, it is a test of one's self, my son,"she educated.
"Stand up straight, young man. Don't worry, you are still young with full lives ahead of you...however there is still a price for your freedom, children"
"Anything your majesty!" the two choruses
Eva instructs the two boys to sit at the table while the servants brought tea and sweets.
"Its difficult for a mother to see her children being tortured in front of her. You shouldn't have to run away from your home, Sirius, don't be seen as a traitor. Your mother has her issues and can be difficult to handle and I understand that. Your father may be cold but they both want the best for you." Sirius kept his mouth shut,despite wanting to say 'My mother doesn't have "issues" she's bloody mental..father still has his marbles but is a pretentious snob'
He turned to James ,who was stuffing biscuits into his mouth. Sirius rolled his eyes,mouthing "Prat"
The Queen laughed.
"Now, after this little reprieve, Your Majesty, I think it is time for some serious thinking" James said,mouth still full of biscuit .
Diane sighed,pressing on the bridge of her nose
"Your freedom lies in what tomorrow holds. You have a difficult path ahead of you, James."
"Nevertheless, I see how much she means to you. After all ,together you will change the course of history forever"
"–And I feel that your offspring is the key path to achieving this vision." she revealed, turning to Sirius, leaving James blushing in embarrassment
"As for you, Sirius, you have a difficult path ahead, a path that I do not wish on anyone. However, you will find comfort at the end. Your rebellious spirit, do not make it a rope that takes your life,"
"There will come a day, I will need your help… A day when I have no power, no servants at my side. My inheritance will not help me then.
But you two can. I can count on. You are free to live as you see fit. Are you able to do this task, when it comes to fruition?"
"Is rejection a viable option? Shame on us if we reject your request," James said smiling cheekily
"So, go, you are free. Don't worry, you are safe" she smiled as the two bowed and started to leave.
"Oh right! Sirius, give this letter to your mother. It is from me, she will not bother nor blame you, " Diane assured him as she presented him with a sealed envelope.
"That was the last time I saw the Queen, after many years Eva came to me carrying the mission that the late Queen had entrusted us in fulfilling"
Remus let out a deep breath,after holding it for a while, this was a lot of information..and all at once as well. He didn't realise how secretive,this world was
He didn't know that James and Sirius made a blood pact for their freedom.
He didn't know…
He didn't know about the huge weight his best friend carried on his shoulders. How Sirius managed to live with this secret for years.
"The Queen could've pardoned you ! Why didn't she?"
Remus asked concerned
Sirius shrugged
"Who knows? According to Eva, the Queen grew ill shortly after the birth of her youngest child and died a few short years later. Her husband was named regent monarch until some can claim the throne.
Daphne dragged Harry into a broom closet. It was a small, claustrophobic space,meaning that they had to squeeze against the wall.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Daphne screeched "Did you really have to do that?"Her face was beginning to grow red with anger.
~~Few hours ago~~
Harry woke up drenched in sweat. He jumped from his bed going to the bathroom, vomiting violently. Heaving heavily he stood up shakily. He moved towards the sink and splashed cold water on his face. He looked up to see his haunted reflection stare back at him. With all his might he punched the god forsaken mirror.
He stared at the back of his hand to find it bleeding heavily and the fragments of the mirror stuck in it. He could hear the footsteps coming towards the bathroom, but he stood frozen for a while before he turned around to see Ron looking at him with a frowning face.
"Merlin! What the fuck happened here!? You okay, mate?" asked Ron rushing toward him.
Harry tried to find his voice but he couldn't. 'Not again, I thought this was over,' his mind was going crazy.
Ron tried to pull out as many broken glass pieces from Harry's hand and wrapped it with a makeshift bandage from the towel that hung nearby. He put his hands on Harry's shoulders, "They are back aren't they, the nightmares, the scar? What happened this time?" Ron asked patiently.
Harry nodded at him. "He's angry. I saw him Ron, h-he he was torturing a pregnant woman! A pregnant woman Ron!" his voice echoing the pain he had felt.
Ron spoke softly, "It's just a nightmare Harry." Ron looked at the broken mirror before he pulled out his wand and wave it at the mirror and muttered a 'Reparo'.
Harry didn't know what to say to Ron, his best mate. It wasn't a nightmare. It felt so surreal. The strings of light were now picking through the window, the sun was rising and he knew the rest of the boys would wake up soon. He was surprised the ruckus he had caused hadn't woken them up already.
Harry could not agree with Ron's words. It was not just a nightmare, it felt far too real.
That woman was suffering so hard on his hands, he had not heard what Voldemort was urgently asking her, but all he heard was her begging for help.
"We need first to heal your hand," Ron said calmly.
Harry remained quiet as he followed his ginger friend. He had just seen Voldemort torturing a pregnant woman, a woman with a child for what?
The rest of the day went in a daxe for Harry. He couldn't focus during breakfast nor during classes. He was too tired of all of this and just couldn't take it anymore. The memory of that pregnant woman in his head kept repeating over and over again and her cries of help certainly did not help during the DADA class.
Of course, Umbridge took it as a chance and accused him of laziness during her class and decided he needed a detention.
But he had enough of this woman because all of this is because of her and her minister's incompetence. While they were attacking him and Dumbledore who knew how many innocent people gave their lives.
"–Detention tonight and tomorrow at the usual time," Umbridge said calmly but anyone can hear the joy in her tone.
"What for?" Hermione asked Umbridge.
"For not focusing during my class."
"That doesn't make any sense!" Ron shouted.
"Do you want to join him Mr. Weasly," Umbridge warned.
Harry didn't speak up immediately. He shut his eyes firmly and bit his lip, trying to think of something else to contain his anger. Unfortunately, he could come up with nothing.
He slammed his hands on the table harshly that it echoed all across the classroom. "YOU KNOW WHAT? You can keep me as much as you bloody want, tormenting me, torturing me but the truth will soon show up and you know it, mark my words Umbridge, MARK IT!" Harry roared at Umbridge, his eyes burning with a fire. He gathered his stuff and walked out of the class slamming the door harshly behind him leaving the class muted in shock.
Hermione shared a terrified look with Ron.
Now he is facing a mad Daphne in a broom closet because of what he did hours ago. They could hear the giggles of students enjoying the Halloween night as they passed the corridors.
Harry was about to say something but seeing Daphne looking at him with deadly eyes he decided against it.
"If you were seeking attention, perhaps you should have said this from the beginning, perhaps we included you in the local team of Quidditch," she said, her eyes burning with anger.
He's seen her this mad only once and while he still regrets it, he was too gone right now.
"Well, I got it wrong and things got a little out of hand so what."
"Little!? 'LITTLE', you say as if it were normal. Only a lowly peasant would do what you did." She said trying to massage her temple
"I'm the one who is going to be punished, not you. Just leave me alone! You married me, get used to it!" Harry regretted it as soon as he said it.
There was a dark glint in her eyes as she whispered, "I swear if you were not my husband, I would have killed you myself and buried your body in the woods"
Harry reclined on the wall and slid to the ground burying his face between his hands. "I'm tired. Please leave me alone".
Daphne did not realize what she should do. The quarrel was over trivial reasons, but this is the first time he had ever spoken to her this way. She felt as if she might be a major reason for his behavior, and she felt guilty that she did not realize that he was suffering in secret without telling her. And, was he regretting marrying her?
Daphne prayed and hoped that she was wrong. Muted by his words she knelt in front of him taking both his hands in hers. Looking him in the eyes with sad icey eyes of hers she spoke with vigour, "Then please tell me what's wrong with you. I know that you've been lying to me lately. We're in this together. Do remember 'your pain is mine' andall this rage all the time is not a solution, my dearest," reminding him who she was to him, reminding him of his own words with pleading eyes. She hates being left out. She has no else but him.
He let out a long sigh of pain - not daring to look her in the eyes as she kept her gaze fixed on him and her face closer to his, "I-I have been seeing nightmares of him, Voldemort, they are getting real which each night goes," he finally confessed to her.
"Oh Harry!" she wrapped her hands around his neck burying him in her embrace. Daphne had been mad but all her rage and anger had been swallowed by his one confession. Nightmares are the worst torture a person can suffer from. Her own experiences with them were harsh too. How she trembled and cried for her servants when she was in the palace to help her. How much she cried and screamed of the persecution that she was exposed to, many things that have happened so far that she's still trying to forget it. And, Eros was the only one who knew about it and Cyrus.
Harry buried his face in her neck, closing his eyes with pain as he wrapped his hands around her back . They stayed like this for a while. Harry felt himself relax and he stood up while Daphne was still on the floor. He fixed his look preparing himself to go to Umbridge's office.
Daphne took his hand in hers. "Come on, let's go," she stated.
"Umbridge?" he got confused.
"Don't mind her, she can rot in hell," she said, fixing up his shirt with a smile.
Umbridge is a problem that can be delayed, Daphne thought. She will deal with that woman later but now Harry is all that matters.
They snuck to the seventh floor and reached the room of requirements.
"Erm Daphne, if it is one of your training sessions I really dp prefer Umbridge than it," he said walking away.
She grasped him from his wrist, "Gods! You are really a pain in the arse," she whined.
Once they entered the room, they were standing in big luxury royal bathroom
Surrounded by lit candles, towering pillars and flowers dangling from the ceiling, and sporting soft golden-orange light tones in the entire space, while a tub as big as the size of a pool was in the middle and everything. Everything was in white marble and gold.
Even the prefect's bathroom was small compared to it, Harry thought as he felt Daphne leaving his side. He turned to her and found her stripping.
His face turned fully to red and he coughed as she turned her face to him as her bare back still facing him and smiled "Why don't you go to the sofa at the corner and relax a bit while I prepare the bath," she commanded him directly, he rubbed his neck and went to there like she ordered him while she changed her outfit, Harry tried his best to avoid looking at her.
Daphne finished all the preparation inside the bathroom. The water was at perfect temperature for relaxing, the bubbles floated around, the candles were everywhere giving the bathroom charm and warm aura.
She glanced and stood up from her place and gestured to him to approach, Harry was speechless for an instant as he was memorizing her look. She was wearing a light green nightgown similar to a greek chiton. The fabric was very shear and even with layers a silhouette of her figure could be seen. The fabric draped like silk hugging her curves and appeared as if held on just by one point on each shoulder and flowed loosely in front while extra fabric hung off at the sides.
Harry for an instant thought that he was in the grace of a Greek goddess. Daphne walked toward him and stood a few inches from him.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier, " Daphne said looking away.
"And this is the way you apologise, hmm apology accepted " he said crossing his hands.
"Actually, no, not because of that, because, uh I know what today is " she said looking down.
"Everyone does Daph... It's Halloween," he eyed her.
"No..I know how special today is for you.. Lady and Lord Potter's ...I will not leave you alone today," she stared at him playing with her fingers.
His eyes went wide and his mouth parted yet unable to say a single word.
Daphne turned her back leaving him and gestured for him to strip.
Daphne heard him enter the water and let out a groan. She turned around walking to the edge of the tub gathering his fallen clothes and folding it.
"Is it good?"
"Mmn, it is, thank you," he said, closing his eyes and letting the feel of the water and put his head and back braced the edges of the tub.
She hummed and sat beside him on the lines of the tub playing her feet in the water.
In deep and long silence and harmony both enjoying each other's company in silence.
"Harry?" she called in a low voice so as to not disturb him. "May I wash your hair, it's dirty," she offered and he only nodded.
Daphne moved herself and sat behind him letting his head between her legs. She grasped a bottle of shampoo and poured some of it on his messy hair and start rubbing in slow circles massaging his head all around while her husband's eyes were still closed.
She still wonders how she managed to prepare all of this and how she boldly decided to stay with him.
It seemed that Harry was tired more than she expected, she let a sigh, it saddened her seeing him like this.
"You don't have to " Harry interrupted her thought.
"Of course I have to, beside I like it. Your hair is funny " she said joking
Harry managed a smile.
"Do you want to hear a song?" she suggested as she finished washing his hair.
He said nothing and she let the words escape her mouth.
As she continued her ritual
"Loo li lay lai**
Lay down your head and I'll sing you lullaby**
Back to the years of Loo li lay lai**
And I'll sing to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow**
Bless you with love for the road that you go**"
She sang the music of unforgotten years again in her soul and Harry listened, drowning in her angelic voice. It was the first time she sang in front of him. She had been a bit nervous but once she sang she forgot it all.
When she finished Harry made sure to praise her, making her blush.
"Beautiful lullaby," he admitted. It had relaxed and calm.
"Thank you, my mothe– I'm sorry," she replie
She suddenly felt ashamed she shouldn't say that. She apologised but he shrugged off.
"Tell me about her. Lady Potter?" she asked curiously, massaging his temples.
"My mother, yeah," he sighed. He went quiet for a moment. How can he describe someone he never met.
"She was smart and beautiful woman they said, I inherited my eyes from her and my look from dad, her name was Lily Evans Potter and my dad was James Potter they are my heroes and my role model "
She listened to him thinking about her parents in law, what their reaction would be towards her, would they like her? She took a deep breath and tried to clear her thoughts
"Tell me Harry, who are you? Tell me everything, tell me about your nightmares, your parents, Sirius Black, your life," she asked, wanting to know the real Harry, not the silly boy who lived.
He smiled, not minding. He told her everything from the very beginning of his life, the abuse of Dursleys, Hagrid's first visit, seeing Diagon Alley for the first time, his adventure to find the philosopher's stone, his adventure during second year against the chamber of secrets and his meeting with Sirius and the time turner. He told her about the Triwizard's Tournament, Cedric's death, he told her of the marauders and his mother and how he escaped from Voldemort. She listened with no word or comment as he let out a huge burden off his shoulder.
"I am sorry. I only made it worse," she hugged herself.
"You had no idea who I am nor why you were involved with me, I'm sorry," she said.
"Hey, I do not regret it, you are the first to tell and the last, I didn't share with you for you to feel guilty, you are my partner, aren't you?"
She nodded he smiled and tried to cheer her up after the gloomy cloud lurked around them
"Then, why the long face. Don't make me regret telling you? " he pointed at her
"Well, of course I am a bit sad," Daphne said, trying not to look weak.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Well, we can change that."
Harry's hands reached hers from behind and squeezed it .
A brief look of horror crossed Daphne's face and she shook her head vigorously. Harry increased the pressure on her hands and smirked. "NO! Harr–" before she could finish her sentence, Harry yanked on her hand and pulled her to the bath.
Daphne failed for seconds to find balance until Harry catched her from her waist and helped her stand up. She let out a gasp, her hair hung wet against her head and the nightgown she was wearing clung tightly and heavily to her body showing her skin under it. She almost strangled him but instead punched his shoulder. He laughed.
"Damn it! Harry it's not funny," she spluttered at him.
"Sorry, sorry hahaha," he said.
She pouted dramatically at him but he leaned in, kissing her cheek and hands. Daphne fought strongly not to smile. She splashed some water on him, In her embarrassment and pouting suddenly something caught her attention.
This was the first time she saw her husband naked chest and he wasn't slender as it always looked like with clothes on but well fit, the results of training started to show up even though the water reached the middle of his chest, she still could see as the bubbles started to fade away. She tried to clear her mind 'focus girl, what's wrong with you?' her inner self battled.
She picked a cloth and breathed before closing the distance between them, he observed her features that only made her nervous. His eyes looked weary. A delicious throng of sensation hitted her.
"You haven't cleaned your body," she whispered and he was about to start washing his body but she stopped him taking off his glasses
"Hush, Harry," she said, "Let me finish so you can rest"
"Just lean your head," she asked gently and he only complied.
She took a deep breath and picked the cloth again, she cleaned his neck and collarbone gently than his shoulder, she tried to do her best as she felt Harry's gaze on her. She didn't let her hand dare to venture too deep into the water as she washed his chest.
She saw his body relax under her touch, or maybe he was trying his best not to let her know. Afterall he was stark naked under the water as she was still in her clothes. And she only felt that she was taking advantage of him.
His eyes closed slowly, as he let her be free to do what she wanted, she cleaned tenderly as she saw marks on his chest and on his arms. Light scars, only if someone looked closely they may see them. When she looked at him he closed the eyes and she thought he was asleep, she raised her hand and let the cloth fall on his cheek.
Harry opened his eyes instantly and grabbed her hand.
"I thought you slept," Daphne spoke calmly
He shook his head and let go of her hand .
"Now let me clean your back " .
Harry was still for a few minutes, and she supposed that he would refuse after a little pause he gave her his back.
She ran the cloth over his shoulders as she felt them relaxing, she thought she heard Harry sighed, but she couldn't be sure.
She washed his back a bit lower than she had done to his chest as she stared at the scars trying not to care about them. The scars on his back were showing more than the ones in front. She returned to him and placed her hand on his chest,
"These scars… were they by the Dursleys?" she asked
"Aye, maybe..not all ".
She kept her gaze fixed at him for more answers knowing her determination as he put on his glasses to see her better.
He gestured to his hand where a pierced hole of the basilisk fang that never healed completely, then he showed her where the line left of Wormtail's dagger was, the rest she understood them automatically without his confirmation.
"Do you know why I let my hair fall down all the time Harry?" she blurted in a low voice then she moved her silver blond hair to the side and turned her back to him showing him her neck.
A big burn scar was traced and she turned again to face him "That's dad's way of showing his care and affection toward his kid, that's his mark on me to prove it, " she explained smiling weakly.
"Your father did that?" Harry gasped, shocked, unable to believe, what kind of monster could do that to his own child.
She nodded "They were the worst. There was a tattoo of my family's sigil on it. A sweet father of mine thought that it would be better if he removed it from me, as I shall not worth carrying it. They may be ugly scars that shall never heal but they are also a reminder of a beautiful one of who my mother was and my brother for I shall never forget her," she said gleefully.
She wanted so badly to tell him of her burdens but instead she said, "The scars, inside or outside they are reminders, think of them as good reminders... Of how good you are."
"What?" he raised a brow at her as if she said something funny. How could they be a good reminder?
She shook her head, "It shows the beauty of the soul, it tells a story of surviving."
She leaned forward and took in both hands, his right hand licking her lips, she pressed a deep kiss on the back of his hand where Umbridge left her words.
"–How you kept stick to the truth not twisting or back on it no matter how much she tortures
you" she said her lips still pressed on the back of his hand.
Harry's breathing got heavier with an unreadable expression on his face showing gratitude, admiration, passion, warm…
"—how you saved Ginny Weasley, " she said kissing where the basilisk fang scar was.
"—For not accepting defeat and fighting till the very end," she said, kissing the scar where Wormtail's dagger cut.
"—For being patient all these years in those sons of bitches's wrath," kissed the scars on his chest and Harry moaned.
She went higher this time to his forehead scar and kissed it deeply putting all her emotions on the kiss.
"For your parents heroic sacrifice and for your survival to stay as the good boy they would have raised," she said then kissed his chin and nose – Harry attacked her lips hungrily and kissed her passionately. Surprised she let her hands fall on his heavy breathed chest and kissed him back in the same passion. His lips tasted each time she kissed them more deliciously than before. Harry licked then bit her lower lip for entrance and she just melted in.
The water around felt nothing as his kisses, she allowed him, following her instinct she opened her mouth and granted an entrance deepening their kiss. Their tongues danced around each other in hunger, and it got hotter and hotter.
He tasted everything she may ever want. Harry's hands were exploring and wandering her body through that wet nightgown of hers and she didn't protest but wrapped her hands in his wet hair instead. They both parted to breath but their foreheads still touched feeling each other's breath.
"Harry," she moaned at his play when he took her lips again, and she felt fireworks and strings of magic linking with hers, Harry's magic was manifesting. She could sense it, it was rebelling. If they did continue only God knows what would happen.
Harry grabbed her back and lifted her to sit on his lap in the tub. Daphne moaned breathing hard as she felt his member down between her legs.
They stopped for a moment staring at each other breathlessly "I can't resist you, no matter how I fight it," he laughed.
She smiled then leaned to his ear, "Magic. Somehow it's linking us, binding us and guiding us, can you feel it," she whispered as her hands wrapped around his neck and faced him again and lust hovered in her gaze. She tried to connect her magic with his 'feel it' she pleaded.
Harry closed his eyes and let out a groan, he started to sense it, strings of it running like silk ropes all across his body cold ropes,he smiled breathing hard, "Amazing!" He gave her a slow kiss and let his lips travel down her neck, "You make angry me sometimes, mocking me but damn–" he smirked against her neck and licked and sucked. She leaned to his touch and more moans escaped her mouth, while her hands played with his hair. She really loves his hair.
"Don't leave marks you, fool! " Daphne warned him between her moans,despite been in the water she could feel herself wet down there between her legs.
"Do I deserve you, your beauty, your honesty, your gentleness? Even your rough side, I like it too by the way," he whispered, still licking and kissing her jawline tracing down her collarbone.
'Claim me 'she prayed. She took his face in his hands and looked him in the eye with a fire burning her icey color ones staring in the emerald ones "The question is who should I ask that what did I do to deserve an Angel like you Harry," she said smiling.
"I'm no Angel, sweetheart" he chuckled denying her comment.
"Yes you are!" she argued.
He laughed, "Then we both are, my angel of darkness" giving her a quick kiss .
"I like this title," she giggled, dropping her face on his chest. His smell caused her to melt, she rested her head on his chest hearing and feeling each thumb of his heart echoes as if it was a melody and she inhaled his smell again. She didn't love him but couldn't stop lusting after him more and more, respect and admiring his eternal kindness.
"Really, I thought you liked being called Ice queen ?" He mocked her. Harry pressed her body tightly against his. She tangled her fingers in his and stayed in that position for a while enjoying it even with a wet gown, she didn't want to ruin the mood. Harry spun her around so she could lay back, and have a rest just like him.
"Why would you think that?" she asked him, surprised.
"Well, you never commented on it."
"Not answering does not mean that I agree to it, so in other words, you like being called the golden boy or the boy who lived hah," she smirked,
"You got a point."
She laughed at him "Well, while lying, I don't like the title, but it has many benefits, no one bothering me or crossing its limits with me," Daphne remarked.
"Wicked! " Harry called her with a mischievous smile. She hummed a song closing her eyes while he stretched his arms on the edges of the tub. Surprisingly. he sided her hair to the shoulder and pressed a soft kiss on the back of her neck where her scar was and ran a finger down it .
"Consider it as payback for your kisses. I want nothing but your lips on mine,feeling them swallow all my anger, I do wish to have the honour to make you fully my wife" he muttered on her skin, and she kept listening holding her breaths.
"But.. It's early for it" 'wait… What!' Daphne didn't expect that, what was early for them to consume the marriage, or what? Her mind was in a dilemma. He continued, "I don't want my desire to conquer over my relationship with you. I want it to have special meaning to both of us. It may look silly but I believe that this is not the perfect moment or timing. I also believe you agree with me. Both you and I were trapped in this marriage, admit it. You keep saying I'm your husband all the time as if you're forced to say it . You feel that you are forced to help me. You keep giving to this marriage, even though that. Fuck…" Harry baited his lip trying to find words as he run his fingers in his hair.
"I don't see it like that, Harry! " Daphne meddled his thoughts as she faced bim with knitted brows .
"What was my first request? Trust, wasn't it? I also do not want you to feel for a moment that you are forced to do anything with me. I will not blame you after all the events that have passed, let you get angry and empty your rage on me or anyone else. You wake up one night and your godfather tells you that you are forced to marry a girl you barely know. Your constant attempts to be by my side and your patience for my sudden anger. And do not question me. Do you know how happy I am?" She said taking his hand and putting it on her breast where her heart was going to jump off it.
"A few months ago, I met secretly with my brother Eros and told me about the marriage. He did not tell me who he was or how old he was. All he said, 'Rhaenys , I arranged a perfect one .I trust him with you ' . These were his final words to me. True, I even doubted you for a moment. I thought maybe this is punishment and not salvation, but when you embraced me as I read the will, I wished death for my doubts," she paused laughing at herself trying to fight tears, lights and shadows of reliving memories crossed her face.
"When you smile at me, I forget all my concerns and think only of you or even when you steal a glance at me in the class, or when you pass me in corridors. Even when I train with you or train you make me happy/"
Daphne lifted his hand to her cheek and leaned into it. "I hate the facade that I am making in front of the world, and I hate smiles and false compliments, but with you I do not laugh forcibly and do not speak forcibly. Ohh, if you knew, how bored and tired of running all my life. I pray all the time if I would return to this indifferent child that you saw in the picture, who only care in sweets and toys and swords," she let out a sharp chuckle.
"–Each action now has a thousand accounts.
Oh if you know how much I want to leave the snake den
Oh if you know how you make me feel when you kiss me, even if it's just a joke or a hug from you.
Your embrace, your smile makes me feel home, far away from this inferno.. If you ask me to drown myself, I will do without hesitation," she confessed what she had been keeping to herself.
Harry did not hesitate for a moment and pulled her face back to his chest,
" Daph.. No, Rhaenys ,my sweet Rhae–" he didn't finish the sentence when he heard a gasp coming out of her lips and how teary-eyed she was, making him stunned.
"Say it again"she requested softly.
"...Rhaenys" Harry whispered with a smile.
Hearing her real name coming out of his lips made her eyes tear up with happiness, he was really her home, "I don't want you to feel for one second that I'm taking advantage of this marriage to fulfil my inner needs, it won't be a beneficial marriage... How about a secret girlfriend? It sounds more Exciting and enthusiastic, marriage makes us feel old don't you think?" He finished smirking or smiling she couldn't tell.
Harry took her hand between his two hands and leaned his head forward rising his with eyebrows,v"Rhaenys Eumilia Phopine would you like to be my girlfriend?"
She stared with awe at him, these words affected her more than she expected as the tears flood from her eyes.
"O hot tears, what do you want from me?
Let me get to see Harry, let me alone, damn it!" She said wiping the tears, Harry chuckled and wept them for her.
"Is this all by me, I'm flattered, what would Hogwarts reaction look like, when they knew that the famous magnificent ice Queen is a crying girl," He joked.
She sniffed laughing and in her chuckles she sneezed.
"Alright.. Let's get out or you'll get sick," Harry said in a bossy tone to her.
he leaned his forehead on hers.
"I will control myself next time," Harry said in a departing tone of apology promising her of not raging or doing reckless things..
Harry stood from the tub stark naked.
Daphne was pretty sure he only did it because he was tired, she couldn't think straight so she let her eyes fall to the water and swear that her face is red as blood.
"Also… thank you," said Harry as he stepped out of the tub "You.. being here with me, today especially."
"Never say that again..ever!" Daphne said coolly 'Get you act together, you saw nothing! ' her inner self boycotted her, she may have been inside with him but the water and bubbles hide anything except his chest. After wrapping a towel to cover his nakedness her turned to her and threw his hand to her and helped her get out of the tub.
After wearing their clothes, they stood at the door and none of them wanted to leave.
It seemed hours, Daphne broke the ice and said "I didn't answer you by the way.. "
Harry titled his head in wonder..
She opened the door a bit and turned one last time to him. "Yes, I would be honored to be my boyfriend, Harry James Potter," said Daphne with a delighted smile.
And Harry smiled back happily to her, giving her a kiss on the back of the hand and letting her go.
The next day, the rumour of Harry's raging on Umbridge by every student in the school, making it no easy for Harry, the punishment for escaping from detention is still unknown as he has not yet met Professor McGonagall,
But despite the tense atmosphere, this did not hinder his mood, especially after a wonderful relaxing night with his dear Rhaenys.. His?,
The funny thing is that he did not stop thinking about it, and was about to surrender to his desires. His admiration for her had increased with each day for her dedication and determination. Her stubborn personality and compassion. he told her everything that had been pent-up inside him for years. And she always tried her best to smooth things for him, if he didn't stop her they would they have done it. Harry wondered, for him it was a bit earlier. They knew each other for a couple of months now and despite the marriage thing they were in, they weren't a real couple, they would kiss and hug and as a matter of fact had been husband and wife, he had never experienced these kinds of things and to do it with her.
Sirius during the summer teach him everything about sex and how to please a woman, the lessons was awkward but Sirius was determined about teaching him. 'I don't wanna my godson to look like a bloody virgin for the first time. I was the sex god of Hogwarts and as my godson you will inherit my best weapons and secret techniques to you. Even if you never experienced it, you will look like a professional hahaha it's time for you to come out of that caterpillar, from cub to lion, son of lions.'
He chuckled about those days, He still remembers her sweet ambrosial scent, roses scent,
And how their bodies were bound without the silk piece that was between them, how kindly she kissed his body, he wanted at that moment to take her but he could not, it was difficult, to prevent himself from sex and tell her that. Other than her breathtaking divine beauty and her angelic voice, which he had never heard, singing before, because she doubted that it had enchanted him.
Now they understand why Lee was having a huge crush on her last year. She was the opposite of all the expectations, rumors and reputation famous for it. After spending his day normally optimistic yet feeling weird, no-one seemed to know that he escaped his detention and the hag didn't appear or made a fuss the whole day. He decided to go to her and discover what was waiting for him instead.
He realized that he had exceeded his limits yesterday and he should not have spoken to her that way. Despite everything, she is a lady first. She may not resemble a high-end lady in anything but a woman in the end and an academic professor, also he promised Rhaenys to fix things.
He knocked twice at the door of her office. Surprised when Umbridge was surprised by his presence, she tried to ask him to sit down, but he politely refused.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I went over my limits yesterday and deserved any punishment that you dictated to me," Harry said.
The woman's eyes widened with amazement and then smiled at him.
"Because you apologised, I will oversee your escaping last night but since you come, I will be easy with you tonight," in mischievous grin
As soon as Harry closed the door of the office behind him, sitting in his usual chair and holding the blood quill, with each word he wrote, he imagined Daphne's angelic voice singing that lullaby to him
'may you bring love and may you bring happiness
beloved in return to the end of your days' the song was a charmed blessing swaying his pain away.
He didn't even realise that the time was over and once he was outside the devil's doors, he let a breath he was holding all the time.
Long after Harry was gone, Umbridge heard a soft knock on the door. She thought amusedly 'Who would come in this time of night?'
"Professor?" Daphne said stepping inside into Umbridge's office after knocking.
"Yes?" came a reply.
"May I come in? " she asked in manners.
Umbridge was surprised to see a Slytherin student in her office in the middle of the night. "Well, Miss Greengrass, what a delightful surprise. How can I help in this time of night?" Umbridge greeted happily.
Daphne apologized for the sudden appearance in her office at this time , but she is in an emergency that is not worth the delay.
Umbridge smiled, especially as Cyrus Greengrass's daughter was in her office, and asked her to sit down. That was in favor of Daphne.
"An urgent matter, I hope I didn't disturb anything? " she answered quietly.
"No! Not at all please do come in," Umbridge said leading the way. Scanning the pink room as she entered Daphne instantly spotted the cats on the walls and smiled.
"Is it that urgent, that you came in a late hour?" Umbridge asked.
"Oh yes, very very," she said innocently
"Then a tea should do, would you like a cup?" she suggested.
Daphne thought for seconds then nodded. "Maybe some tea won't hurt," Daphne nodded
"–My speech will be a little longer," she said in an apologizing tone.
Umbridge prepared with a wave of her wand the tea and poured it in the China tea cups.
So what do you think of this chapter
The song or lullaby is my favourite lullaby, and trust me it works and is so relaxing "sleepsong of secret garden" listen to it on Youtube and you won't regret
See you in the next one, and I will try my best not to be late
don't forget reviews
XOXOXOXOXOXO