Chapter 13
Here is the new chapter
enjoy,XOXOXOXOXO
"Professor, May I come in?" Daphne knocked on the door in front of her..
"Yes?" came the reply.
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 be of help at this time of the night?" Umbridge simpered.
Daphne apologized for her sudden appearance in her office at this time, but she was in an emergency that could not be delayed.
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 had to come at 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 a few seconds then nodded, "Maybe some tea won't hurt."
"My speech will be a little longer," she said in an apologizing tone.
Umbridge prepared the teapot with a wave of her wand and poured it into china tea cups.
After taking her first sip Daphne started talking.
"As you know, the OWLs are coming soon and it's time we, as students, start to think about our futures outside these walls. Honestly...I'm a bit embarrassed to say this, but ..," Daphne paused, biting her lip, eyes on her lap.
Umbridge encouraged her to speak.
"I had never thought about this before you stepped into this school of teaching, but after seeing that your tactics are to avoid violence I have started admiring it ,and I would like to be just like you Professor," she praised smiling.
Umbridge almost choked on her tea and looked up to see Miss Greengrass praising her and felt self-confident.
"Yes, yes, as you see, I am really a fan of your teaching methods, your rigor and the emphasis on the theoretical side. This place has become a ruin for anyone who could teach or study here. I personally hate violence," Daphne said with wide amazed eyes.
Umbridge felt shy from Daphne's praise and giggled in her girlish voice and Daphne smiled back broadly.
"That's why I said that if I wanted to be like you professor, I should know everything about you."
After the little fluffy conversation, Daphne put down her cup and cleared her throat.
"I wish to discuss what I was truly here for," she sighed.
"Excuse me? " Umbridge asked with confusion. Daphne blinked her eyes and the smile vanished from her lips leaving a mask of emotionlessness. Yet Daphne's eyes remained cold.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well...There is another reason why I'm here."
Umbridge stiffly snipped her tea, "Then what is it, Miss Greengrass? I like being straightforward."
"We all are, let's say that this is about …," Daphne paused and looked over to the cats, then turned her focus back on Umbridge with sharp cold eyes making the woman shiver.
"..you," she finally said in a monotone voice.
"Excuse me?" Umbridge eyes widened.
Daphne squared her shoulders like she saw what was coming, "As I said Madam."
Daphne and Umbridge stared down at each other. The silence stretched throughout the whole office until Daphne decided to break it.
"Let me tell you a story :
Centuries ago,
A colonizer entered one of the counties with a desire to invade and conquer it. The numbers of his forces were huge, about a hundred thousand fighters, at the time in front of a country whose army did not exceed a thousand warriors. During their occupation of this stubborn country, they fought fierce battles that lasted for months.
Colonialism was aimed at abolishing the material and moral existences of the people, to prove that the country belonged to him.
Nevertheless, despite the few possibilities that the people possessed, years of fighting unstoppable–"
"Why are you telling me this?" Umbridge interrupted her, seemingly annoyed.
"Allow me to finish the story," Daphne corrected her coldly.
Umbridge remained silent.
"–Today is not just any November the first Madam…it happens to be the same day when decades ago, the colonizer was thinking he had won, yet he was surprised by a huge revolution the original citizens of the country started all across the land. While the colonizer was celebrating his victory, he didn't expect such an attack. Who do you think won?" she finished asking Umbridge.
"Colonizer."
"Wrong, the revolutionaries won despite their lack of resources, they won with their intelligence, they were able to know the weaknesses of the enormous enemy army and used it to turn the tables in their favor..
The idea was to intend that a foreigner is a foreigner, and he will never be welcomed if he resorts to war, and that surrender is not possible. If the enemy had resorted to dialogue, they might have reached a peace treaty and they would have joined as allies."
She smiled, finishing her story.
Umbridge tried to seek the point, " How does this relate to our topic?"
"It is related. Who do you think is the enemy inside Hogwarts?" Daphne raised a brow.
Umbridge didn't answer while Daphne kept scanning her mind using her legilimency. She could hear thousands of thoughts popping up inside the old lady's mind. Few knew how strong a Legilimens she was, but her weakness over the past few years had made it harder for her to use it. In fact, she never used it unless it was necessary like the present occasion.
"While we're talking Professor, someone outside this door is preparing a complaint to present to the Board of Governors, and the minister complains about you." That statement made Umbridge almost drop her teacup.
"Wh-what!"
" Before you say anything, hear my words to the last, haste makes waste–," Daphne said, raising a hand to hush Umbridge.
"––You should have thought carefully before using the power assigned to you badly. I advise you to change the way you interact with students in the academic and disciplinary manners." Daphne advised Umbridge in a calm tone.
"Why? Why would I do that? In fact, who are you to tell me this and I don't think anyone can cross with me, it will not work in their favor," Umbridge meddled, trying to scold the Slytherinand defend herself.
Daphne pursed her lips trying to calm herself before speaking.
" Why, Miss Parkinson or Mr Malfoy haven't told you about this yet. Didn't the news reach them, I wonder," Daphne finished the sentence and Umbridge's lips turned into a fine line.
"Simply because everyone knows they are your eyes and ears inside this school. Not just that, but probably any Slytherin," Daphne replied to the questions that were playing inside Umbridge's mind.
"Who are they?" asked Umbridge with her jaw clenched, thinking of specific students.
"Who knows? I can not say for sure," Daphne said, putting her head in her palm.
"Anyway, don't worry, I told you that I like you, didn't I?" The blonde smirked at the DADA professor, Umbridge kept shooting Daphne a mischievous look that Daphne ignored.
"Leave the complaint to me, I'll take care of it." She raised a brow.
"All you have to do to ensure that you remain in Hogwarts is to work in a peaceful and civil manner. I don't believe you would want to be...forgive the word.. 'kicked out' of here."
"Of course not, Miss Greengrass!" Umbridge snapped with a worried voice.
Daphne nodded, "Of course you won't, you have more important stuff to do than observing the scar-head boy, isn't it?" Daphne said in a sharp voice.
Umbridge bit her lip as she thought about many things, not realizing that the girl sitting in front of her was reading her mind.
Daphne let the woman think about what she just said to her as a warning and decided to leave her, bidding a good night to the professor, who stood to lead her to the exit.
Umbridge held Daphne's hands in hers and thanked her, " Miss Greengrass, thank you for informing and helping me. I shall never forget that, truly you are just as your Lord father, smart and able to know what is right from wrong."
"It is my duty to help my teacher." Daphne smiled back at her and left.
Once Daphne was out of the corridor she leaned over the closest balcony and gazed at the night was clear and quiet, with only the sound of waves and owls around her. She knew that the prefects or the head students were around to check but she shrugged. If she came across them she could charm them with a few words and they would let her go as usual.
She let out a deep sigh of weariness, "Maybe I shouldn't use Legilimency." As she leaned her elbows more over the balcony, she started to feel a bad headache, a result of her reckless efforts. She had no choice but to read the woman's thoughts and anticipate her moves.
In only two months, she was able to study the woman and see her as a threat, her endless ambition became something to be afraid of.
It would have to be cut from its roots before it grew larger, by inserting a small trick that made her retreat a little, and the trick would not be complete unless the eye believed it.
Even if it took sacrificing her boyfriend's friends, and making them a goal for that woman, a little game into which the two parties fall, it would not hurt anyone, right?
The idea had popped in her head this morning.
The moment she woke up she couldn't move from the bed or lift her head off the pillow remembering last night, the sweetest night she ever had. she could feel butterflies dancing in her belly again, she touched her lips, they were still sensitive like it just happened, remembering the kisses but not just any kisses this time.
Harry had snogged her differently, his feelings were pouring like rain from him, and his magic did the same if he didn't stop himself, he might have made water flood around them.
He opened himself to her telling her to all his heart's content, his life and childhood everything. her imagination flew straight to his embrace, his warm chest. 'shit, shiiiit, why did he stop? ' her sinner self whined as she cuddled and curled in her bed burying her face in her hands, her face burning 'nasty, nasty! ' she scolded herself, she opened her eyes and thought, he was naked but he didn't do anything, she felt him, his co-cock, she never saw one.
She had heard stories, she was curious about sex, and the other side that she didn't feel yet, she learned what she should learn, but never felt it, a true maiden, as they say, she didn't even masturbate in her life, the idea itself was embarrassing in her opinion, but Tracey and the other girls were proud to share their sexual life with her.
How a girl bloomed into a woman, how a man deflowered his woman and made her feel heaven by just a climax, she wanted that, Harry was her husband and…her boyfriend, that was her duty to him no matter how much he said he wanted it to be special between the two of them.
As a girl, call her horny or anything but she wanted that! She liked Harry so much, and the moment he glanced at her even for a second she could feel herself melting. thanks to her icey persona, she showed nothing …
She let outa loud sigh and stood up. After taking a quick shower, she raced up to the Great Hall and seated herself facing the Gryffindor table, loading her plate with food, she could eat as much as an elephant can...
She looked up and found Harry sitting across the table facing her, enjoying his food, it seemed they were sharing the same mood.
Tracey flopped down next to her.
"Morning! Why didn't you wake me up? " She said cheerfully.
"Morning" Daphne mumbled, Tracey looked at her questioningly then at her plate
"woah! Are you gonna eat all of that, seriously? "
Daphne glanced at her then she returned to her plate. She took a piece of toast and pushed it inside Tracey's mouth in a surprising move.
"No, I saved some for you too, " She said sarcastically.
Tracey fought down the food swallowing it " Anyway, have you done yet the assignment professor Snape gave us? "
"What assignment? " Daphne got confused.
"The fifteen-page article about Venus's tears potion " Tracey's eyes were heavy.
"Fif-fifteen page? " Daphne couldn't gulp down the food 'how did I forget it? '.
She stood up wiping her mouth of any food leftovers and ran to the library as fast as she could.
Three hours and a half passed and Daphne was still burying her face in piles of books for the assignment, Professor Snape was merciless when it came to mistakes and she hated to be scolded, 'work brain, work! ' she was writing for an hour.
"I'm telling you, Harry, is not interested in me,not anymore," said A female voice from behind the bookshelf where she sat, which caused her to get her distracted.
Daphne recognised the voice so she sneaked to see who it was, and her assumption was correct.
Cho Chang was whispering to her friend about Harry, her Harry... At first, she was irritated but the feeling went away soon as she continued eavesdropping.
"What do you mean not anymore, Cho? " The girl asked, confused.
Everyone knew about Harry's crush on Cho last year and her rejection of his invitation to the Yule ball. She didn't attend the ball but she had heard of all the events from Tracey.
Cyrus forbade her from going to the ball, as too many people were attending.
She faked sickness so no one would doubt her.
Malfoy tried to ask her and Lee Jordan from Gryffindor and other few people from different houses and schools asked her too but she refused politely.
she shook her head from the memories of last year and returned her focus to the discussion behind the shelf.
"As I said, haven't you seen, I tried to steal his attention as you know but he shoved me off each time with a fake smile " Cho said with disappointment evident in her voice.
Daphne didn't realize that she had let out a breath of relief .
They were married under bad circumstances and he didn't love her, so even though she is his wife, she wasn't the love of his life. she knew that he had the right to date any girl he fancied, yet last night he chose her. Was she jealous of Cho Chang? Was she seeing her as a threat? A rival? 'Nooo' she let out a small chuckle of pity , why should she be.
Cho left her friend and a few minutes later, an idea popped up in Daphne's mind.
She closed the books and went to the girl who was speaking earlier. Straightening her look and hair, cleared her throat.
" Marietta? Marietta Edgecombe, isn't it? " Daphne called out to her hoping it wasn't wrong. The girl jumped and turned around at the sound.
"Yes? "
"May I have a word with you? " She asked, smiling.
Marietta looked at her suspiciously but she got on with it.
Sitting aside in a corner so no one could hear them.
"I have heard so much about you Marietta and how loyal a friend you are, especially after everyone ditched your friend since the tragic accident last year, may he(Cedric) rest in peace" She said the final words with sadness.
"I admire that, " Daphne smiled, proud of the girl.
"What do you want from me, Greengrass? I have other engagements"Marietta said revealing her annoyance.
" Of course you have, I won't take long" Daphne shook her head.
"I heard that your family is having a rough time, don't they? your mother works as a simple employee at the ministry and the payment isn't great, while your father is without a job in the meantime " She pointed directly, thanking inwardly her wide web of information and the few others she had gathered out of Harry about the members of DA.
Marietta paled and denied any of it. Daphne put her hands on Marietta's shoulders and assured her that there was nothing to be afraid of.
"I can write to my father and let him find something for your dad , what do you think "Daphne offered, smiling innocently at the curly, reddish-blonde haired girl.
Marietta wanted to say something but Daphne stopped her " But first I need you to do something, something for me. don't worry it's not something bad."
The Ravenclaw girl thought for moments but Daphne could see that her offer was tempting her.
She hesitated but then nodded.
Daphne muttered 'good' then started to whisper to the girl.
" Umbridge is threatening the peace of Hogwarts and I'm fully disturbed by her actions. Unfortunately as a Slytherin, I can't do anything without making my whole house go against me. I don't want to be hated, yet I want to be good for once " Daphne said to Marietta with puppy eyes.
"–your mother is a ministry employee and I believe you know how laws work. So I thought that you can talk to your friends and convince them to sign a complaint demanding that Umbridge be removed from the school and placed under interrogation for misuse of her position for personal purposes. The use of such methods are inconsistent with the guidelines and disciplinary measures against students, in addition to preventing them from doing any activities on the side. What do you think?" Daphne finished.
Marietta kept quiet. " I don't think I can convince them," Marietta said, worriedly.
"You can, you can. Just try I don't think Miss Chang or any other person will decline such a good idea like this one" Daphne assured her.
And the girl only nodded. But Daphne reminded her to keep that a secret and not tell anyone about her being involved in it.
Now all she would do was sit aside and wait till the complaint was ready. Granger definitely will agree to the idea, she smiled to herself then went back to her dorm.
By the next day, Umbridge did just what Daphne expected her to do and no less. The woman changed her behavior completely and bullied less. Sûre she continued meddling around but didn't take far with it.
Harry was the first to be surprised as he was the number one victim to the lady's wrath which seemed awkward to
him but he shrugged it off because Hagrid was back.
Peace found his way back to the school.
Hagrid was here, he had returned to school, and to his job. Harry missed his friend and yearned for his lessons despite their strangeness.
"Gather round', "Hagrid said, encouraging the students around in the forest towards the place where the trees stood so closely together that it was so dark as if it wasn't daytime and no snow was on the ground.
Harry looked around and saw the Slytherins cornered away from the rest of the class. Out of the darkness a winged horse ventured out.
Hagrid patted the horse's head and asked the students if they could see it.
Harry looked around him at his friends but everyone's gaze was full of confusion, staring everywhere except four people; hiim, Neville, a Slytherin boy whose namehe didn't know and ..Rhaenys(Daphne) too?
"Excuse me, but what exactly are we supposed to look at? " asked Malfoy, trying not to laugh.
Daphne rolled her eyes by his side, irritated while the rest of the Slytherins were smirking.
Hagrid pointed at a pile of raw meat disappearing in the air. Everyone gasped and Hagrid explained the 'Thestrals' and how harmless they are.
Hermione turned to Hagrid and asked him.
"Only the one who saw death is true to them? "
"Aye" Hagrid sighed, looking at Harry, who avoided his gaze to somewhere else uncomfortably.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Hermione asked but his mind was dispersed.
"No, nothing." Harry rubbed his neck.
"So..who did you watch die?"Blaise asked Daphne, smirking
"You."Daphne replied sharply, sarcastic in her tone but with an innocent smile, leaving a frozen horrified Blaise.
Daphne kept staring at them with a faint smile on her face. Only if someone approached her they could see it.
"Daphne what do you really see, he's joking, right? Tracy said in a shivering voice, but Pansy only laughed loudly.
"They are just black horses, don't be afraid," Daphne whispered, smiling to her friend, who let out a relaxing sigh.
Umbridge arrived shortly after that and started to note on her clipboard about Hagrid but for once she didn't dare mock or assault him.
"–But you knew that thestrals are classified as dangerous creatures by the ministry? " she asked him, trying to sound normal.
"They aren' dangerous! Professor. "Hagrid replied, trying his best to remain calm.
And Umbridge muttered something between her lips.
As she was about to look up and say something, she saw Daphne, who smiled at her. That smile warnedUmbridge to behave which shut her up and made her back down from what she was about to utter and her face paled.
She apologised and left in a hurry without looking back for once.
"Go on, I will be back later," Daphne said to Tracey. Then she went to the creatures, ignoring the annoying presence of Pansy and the rest of the snakes, and asked professor Hagrid politely if she could touch them. Hagrid smiled broadly and agreed with pleasure.
She approached, ignoring all the gazes and passed near Harry, who was leaving. They shared a look, and she felt a warm wave of air surrounding her.
The creatures had always been wonderful to Daphne , despite their ugliness. Daphne admired them, and her curiosity urged her to approach them. Even though she was in Hogwarts for five years now, she had never paid any attention, so to her this was truly like her first time seeing them.
Cyrus used to have winged horses in a stable. Her original family had horses and lions, ghouls and dragons and many other unaccounted monsters...dragons, how long she missed them.
She threw her hand on the horse's face and patted it. The horse licked her hand and she giggled.
All the while in another part of the class
'Cute!' all the males thought of that scene, the ice queen was showing a cute face, which was rare of her.
All the class returned to the castle but she stayed.
Harry tried to go back to her but he was surrounded by his friends so he left too.
Daphne could feel Draco Malfoy's presence near her, he didn't leave with the others and since breakfast this morning, the boy had been trying to talk with her but Pansy or Blaise was always by his side. So she decided to give the arrogance of Malfoy a lesson or a test, and see what he wants.
"Come Draco." Daphne called him innocently in a soft voice, almost a whisper.
Draco tried not to show his hesitation when Daphne asked him, he was quiet and far, so he was surprised to know that she found out he was there in the first place.
He approached her.
"How did you know it was me?" He asked, trying to remain cool.
"A secret is a secret." She said in a low voice, putting a finger on her lip.
She kindly asked him to give her his hand that held an apple. Draco looked at her strangely, but she responded to him with a gentle look and took his hand between her soft fingers and slowly pointed it towards the mouth of the thestral.
It started biting the apple from his hand.
"She loves apples just like you." She giggled at him but he couldn't be sure if he should return the smile or not, hiding his disgust or fear for sure.
"Fear not, she is eating because she is hungry."she said to him, without looking.
"–They sense fear when it comes close to them."
"So, you really can see it?" He asked, trying not to show his amazement.
"Yes," she smiled.
"How do they look?" Draco asked her in a weak voice that no one else could didn't expect this question from him and managed to hide her surprise with a smile.
"Scary but beautiful," they both laughed together.
'He is nothing but a spoiled child.' Daphne thought while she was laughing with him.
After an awkward silence "So, tell me, what do you want? " She said, turning the focus on him.
Draco hesitated and started rubbing his neck, "I want to break up with Pansy." he finally said with a quick breath.
Daphne looked at him and gestured to him to walk with her in the forest. Busy with Draco, she didn't feel Harry's eyes staring at her in the darkness of the forest who had managed to return back to her ,and Harry wasn't the only one looking at them, but Pansy as well.
Pansy was almost bursting from her anger as she was spying from behind the tree. Millicent got close to her and said,
", Didn't I tell you?" Millicent giggled.
Pansy shot her a deadly glare.
Daphne and Draco continued to walk side by side in slow steps.
"Why, I thought the two of you are happy." She added from the corner of her eye.
"That's what everyone thinks, but–"
"Draco, why are you telling me this? Of all your friends, I don't think I'm the best to consult with" She turned to him and the two stopped walking.
"Believe me, you're the perfect advisor." He raised his brows.
"Very well, I'm all ears to you." She told him.
And the two continued their conversation while heading to the school.
The high palace
The suite of Queen Mother Aurelia was glorious, and of course, it had to be, gifts from all around the world filled a part of the room.
Bejewelled vases, crowns, laced and jewelled dresses and paintings.
Queen Aurelia sat looking at her two daughters, who went through the gifts choosing what they like, with delightful smiles.
Each one of her daughters had a celestial beauty and grace. Of course it ran in their veins, the blood of Vasilia's dynasty, the great blood.
Here was Aurelia witnessing her flowers blooming in front of her. In a couple of years the two of them will come of age and choose husbands; it would be perfect timing with her son being newly crowned. Engaging her daughters with high, noblemen to ensure their loyalties. Unfortunately, she would have to wait since they were only eight years old.
Aurelia couldn't believe the grace she finally reached after a long-suffering, she was finally where she belongs, in the high palace as the mother Queen, she had worked so hard for this day,
When she entered the palace for the first time as the second wife, she didn't get the respect she deserved. Everyone bowed to her in front of her because of her Husband, and whispered behind her back.
His children from his first wife make it much harder for her, reminding her at every chance of who she was, a servant, a slave..nothing.
But now she was the queen of the world, and then, she giggled at the thought, the old dynasty is dead…
She had gotten rid of all her enemies except for one, Rhaenys…
That girl managed to survive from her plots and traps all the time…
She still doesn't know who helped her escape but she will find out soon enough.
A loud knock on her door was heard, meddling her musing.
"Enter" Aurelia announced, knowing they were waiting for her response.
The door opened and a servant entered bowing.
"Your Grace, his majesty the king has returned to the palace, " The servant announced.
And the Queen, alongside her daughters, jumped off their places, fleeing out of the suite out of happiness to the private chambers of the king.
Aurelia was going to explode out of happiness, her son had returned safe, she thanked God for the great news she heard.
They stood waiting for the arrival of the king eagerly.
At the right moment a knock at the door caught the attention of the royal women and a black-haired lady entered elegantly with a beautiful smile on her face.
Everyone bowed to her as she approached and stood beside Aurelia.
"You Grace Corvina, what an honor " Aurelia greets.
"Good-sister " Corvina greets back before looking at the young girls beside her.
"My twin angels," Corvina said, approaching each girl "Faye,Seren" .
"This must be an overwhelming day for you Aurelia , His Majesty returned after one month away, safe and unharmed" Corvina said. Aurelia looked at her and bowed, nodding at her words smiling.
"Indeed, Your Grace, we had faced dark days, " Aurelia said back.
Corvina arched a brow and was going to say something but–
"MAKE WAY! "Someone yelled from outside the door. The royal family looked towards the door.
"HIS MAJESTY, KING PHOBOS! " The door opened.
Everyone bowed as Phobos walked in.
"Dear Mother, " Phobos greeted kissing Aurelia's hand.
"My warrior son, we had missed you so much " She replied with a wild smile.
Everyone kissed his hand in respect.
After a sweet chat with the royal family, everyone excused themselves and departed except forAurelia who went and sat on the chair of the chessboard table, Phobos followed her act and sat across her.
"So, how was your tour? " She asked curiously.
Phobos stood up and poured some wine for the two of them.
"Russia, France, Bulgaria, Spain all are under control and as I walked on the streets undercover, everything seemed fine except for Britain," Phobos said, taking sips of his wine.
Aurelia raised a brow then played with the goblet of hers.
"I talked and warned the minister, yet you can smell the scent of fear and lies coming out of him. He blames the Warlock Dumbledore." He eyed her.
"Dumbledore?" That had her attention, she stood up pouring more wine into her cup.
"The previous Advisor of King Dorian, your great grandfather? " She asked him, smelling something fishy.
Phobos nodded, "And he was father's advisor in the earliest days of his reign, father talked nothing but good things about him." Phobos recalled.
"Indeed, a brave and clever man, he is the headmaster of a magical school, Hogwarts" Aurelia added.
"Which is why I see Fudge lies about it, but you know the rules, whatever is happening in Britain is his responsibility as minister to solve it and if things get out of control I will make the proper preparations."
Aurelia nodded at him.
"I will tell them to prepare a girl for you tonight," She said, about to leave.
"No need, I'm tired".Phobos raised his hand to dismiss her.
That took Aurelia unguarded, this was not usual, she nodded and left. On her way out she met with Sam, the personal guard of Phobos, who bowed greeting her before he went inside the chambers of her son.
Daphne cancelled her meeting with Harry because of terrible thought maybe it was a side effect of the new pills she was taking. Professor Snape had told her repeatedly not to take them,but she couldn't help it, she could never be safe and secure without them , it was the only thing that made her relaxed all the time or else there would be no ice queen . Sending a word with Dobby to Harry to make it up to him when she felt better was the only option and he could take some time off without her and relax around a bit.
Two weeks later,
Daphne and Harry had returned back to their training session, after some warming-up exercises, the two started their usual ritual.
Daphne felt Harry was being rougher than usual with her and she barely managed to hit him somehow. She tried a few shots but none worked on him, he guarded himself well, was he finally beating her? Or was her body tired? Another failure and Harry managed to hit her a few times causing her to back up and retreat for seconds.
'You want to train, I will show you what training is.' her eyes burned with the fires of challenge.
Daphne tried to strike first, but Harry grabbed her punch. Daphne retreated and took a deep breath.
She prepared for another attack and sprang forward. At the last second before she hit him , she shifted her weight straight to his unguarded left side. What she didn't expect was that he guarded it instinctively.
In a flash, Harry slipped his foot under Daphne's and unbalanced her. While he did that, he countered the punch with one on her right side, and turned her outstretched arm around. Daphne was lying on the ground shocked, trying to catch her breath. She understood nothing of what happened.
Daphne felt shame and overwhelming fury yet she felt proud, he was getting better and better. She spun on the ground in a flash and knocked Harry's feet out from him. Harry joined her on the ground but before she could feel the joy of victory, Harry grabbed her hands. He tucked his feet under himself and flipped Daphne down. She fought back, but Harry wasted no time holding her wrists and pinning them beside her head , straddling her .
Daphne felt cold shivers of fear running through her veins , his cold gaze paralyzing her body.
"Was Malfoy good company? "
Daphne's eyes widened.
',What! How? Has he seen us?'
Harry kept his gaze fixed on her, holding her tightly, and her wrists started to ache.
"Is my sweet lion mad or is he jealous? " Daphne cleared her throat , giving up on her struggle.
"Jealous my arse! " He let out a sharp chuckle.
"It seems that her majesty has forgotten to whom she is speaking" He continued, his face inches from hers.
"And who am I speaking to? " She asked in a seductive tone leaning her head forward.
"Your friend… your boyfriend and your husband, little girl. " He hissed, smirking, his lips barely brushing hers in a teasing way, yet not kissing her which almost turned her on. Wicked of him to distract her in that way.
Daphne started laughing first in a low voice. Harry got confused as her laughter went louder .
"Oh Harry!" She said with pity. His hands were still on her wrists, in a flash she wrapped her legs around his waist and spun him around exchanging the position , sitting on top of him in the same way that he was a few seconds ago, breathing hard, sweat pouring down from both of them .
She bent over him and whispered, "Your friend, your girlfriend and your wife ...and your little girl, huh?" she teased, tracing her fingers along his jaw .
"You could have joined us too, for more fun." She mocked him, rolling her eyes and her hands moved slowly to his chest as she sat still on top of him while he was getting tempted.
"What were you doing alone with him? " He repeated, gritting his teeth.
"Weren't you the one who said ' try to find what Malfoy and Parkinson are up to?' I was trying to do what you wanted me to do." She complained, crossing her arms as she was still sitting on top of him . This caused Harry to back up.
" A certain lion is quiet , why is that?"
Harry said nothing, but kept gazing at her. He didn't want to look like the kind of man who suspected his girl in anything she did.
He might have misunderstood the scene, he didn't want her to have a rough time., They were housemates, there was nothing wrong with it. Besides Malfoy was dating Parkinson.
"I forgot about that ...too many things are happening. It's just...two weeks Rhaenys, what were you doing?"
"I was tired and wanted a break."
"And now you're okay?"
She nodded at him.
"You and your friends need to be more careful during your DA meetings, those idiot housemates of mine's eyes are on you." She warned him.
"Indeed, don't you think that Umbridge is acting weirdly?" He said, changing the topic.
Daphne pursed her lips and put her fingers on her chin thinking for a while.
"Nah, well.. She looks pretty normal to me. Why?" She turned to him and then rolled off him and sat aside. He rose up and sat with a serious face, putting his left arm on his knee.
"Not to me, she seems off these days , she didn't mock Hagrid back in the forest, and she didn't annoy any student or teacher at all after that " Said Harry in a low voice, thinking.
Daphne gulped. "Alright I think we had enough with these for today, but with this level, we can start with magic training sooner than I anticipated," she said, distracting him. Standing up, she felt some pain in her back and wrists, he had been rough with her. Was this his real power and he had been just soft with her all this time? Did she have to make him angry so he could show his true powers?.
She eyed him carefully as he was resting on the floor deep in thought. She started massaging her back since she had fallen hard previously on the floor, causing her some pain. She stared at the snake statues.
"Did I hurt you?" He raised an eyebrow.
"No," said Daphne, trying to regain her composure.
"This is just… strange."
"Strange? " He looked up at her.
"You never fought this way before, I mean…rough".
He frowned, "Rough? " Harry jumped off his place checking her wrists which were red by his harsh touch. She shrugged it off. He didn't.
"Strip off this shirt " He ordered her directly with a serious tone.
"What!?"
"It's cold, No!" She said, running away from him.
"Take off the shirt" He said bluntly, devoid of emotions. They did not feel the cold because they had cast warming charms on themselves before the session like every other time.
She said nothing but refused to take it off. He tried to take it off himself but she kept resisting like a little child.
Riiiiiiipp
And suddenly the shirt was bunched up and yanked from her.
"Hey! I like this one!" She yelled angrily.
Harry knew she was wearing a sports bra under it, and Daphne didn't cover herself with her hands like a shy girl but darted her eyes away angrily. This shirt was one of her favorite ones, she had bought it this summer when she was in Surrey.
"Turn around." He demanded with seriousness. Daphne glared at him, rose on her cheeks and she quickly turned around.
Harry checked her back if there were any bruises, her back was red and that made him realize how harsh he had been.
Silence.
"Cat got your tongue?" she teased.
Harry reached for his bag and pulled out a jar of healing cream. He had asked Hermione to make several for him and for the DA, so they didn't need to go to Madam Pomfrey.
He grabbed it and started healing her back.
She shivered for the instant when his cold fingers touched her bareback.
" They will heal on their own so stop it."
It was true, her scars and injuries always healed on their own, no one bothered to help her before treating them. Except him. 'Eros'.
The scar on her neck was a good reminder of that. When Chronos had burned her, she had fainted from the pain, and he had forbidden anyone from helping her. It had her curling up in pain for days, but then Eros had showed up and treated them for her.
Harry ignored her and continued treating the wound as he was the one who had caused it.
Silence.
"Cho Chang suggested in last week's meeting, to write a complaint to the Hogwarts Board of Governors.. " Harry said, trailing his hand down her back and she moaned, both from the pleasure she was getting from his hands, he was good, so good. And that her plan had started working. The Marietta girl had been a good choice.
"A complaint? For what? " She asked, faking curiosity.
"For Umbridge, silly. She said to write one to the minister too, so at least they can change the employee...After a long argument among the members, everyone agreed eventually."
"Did you agree?" She asked, turning her head towards him.
Harry stopped and looked at her.
"No."
She arched a brow and said nothing. Should she tell him not to sign, wouldn't he ask why she was against it? But that was a smart move from him. He better stayed out of that.
"Then don't," a few simple words, nothing much.
"Now your arms," He said, waiting for her to turn around. Which she did.
He started massaging her wrists with the cream and she kept gazing at him. His eyes didn't meet hers.
"Don't blame yourself.. " She said softly.
Harry stopped the treatment and stared at her with sad eyes holding her hands.
"Blame? I-I didn't control myself with you, I don't know what happened to me. I don't know what's happening to me. I promised you not to get mad yet I somehow always end up getting angry at someone."
She gestured to him to lay his head in her lap, when he did she massaged his temples.
"You didn't lose control, you were fighting equally. Like man to man, not man to a girl, finnaaaally " She said, narrowing her eyes.
"You're not mad? " He was confused.
"Of course not!, I liked it, sooooo much, " she admitted, biting her lip. She always felt bored during her sessions with him , he wasn't fighting with her for real.
"How did you feel when you dropped me down? " Daphne asked, caressing his cheek.
"Power, control, domination," she whispered in a seductive tone to him trying to wake his powerful, wild inner strength. Was she that fucked up, that his rough way with her turned her on?
Harry went into a deep sea of thoughts after hearing those words. She was right about the fact that when he had seen her pinned underneath him, when he had held her wrists until she gave up, he had felt power and control. Was this really what having control felt like? He shook his head.
"You were losing. How could that be pleasing?" He enquired.
"But you were winning." she said, smirking.
He let out a loud groan. "I beat a girl, there is a difference."
Daphne smacked his shoulder.
" Yeah, yeah in war there is no difference between a girl or man. I think you know better, Potter."
"What if he wins? I'm just a boy with nothing, Shielded by Dumbledore's protection, and the latter doesn't make it easier, he has been avoiding me since the beginning of the year. At first I had thought it was because of what was happening but," He said his jaw clenched in anger and annoyance.
"Is that what made you angry? " She asked, clapping his cheeks with her hands.
"— do you always think that low of yourself? Fuck that, first look at yourself, you are amazing, hot and strong and even smart when you want to bean–"
"Say that again." He interrupted her, smirking.
"Smart." She repeated innocently.
"The other word."
"Strong," she repeated innocently. Harry rolled his eyes at "the other word".
" Ho–" she cut herself covering her mouth.
Harry looked up at her with a proud smirk, ",You think me hot huh?"
"You know what, I don't think the massage is working with you. I'm out of here, " she said, dropping his head on the floor and standing up to go change her outfit, or whatever was left of it, rubbing the sweat off with a towel.
"What! Already? What about me, are you gonna leave your hot boyfriend alone here? I'm hurt," Harry pouted, touching his heart dramatically.
She stood for seconds trying to fight his offer.
"What time is it?" she asked without looking at him.
Harry looked at his watch, "3 a.m."
She bit her lower lip, "I don't want to leave."
She flopped down next to him on the floor and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Tonight…Can I sleep with you?" she asked in a low voice.
He was in deep thought, and for a moment he wondered if he'd perhaps imagined the entire conversation. Nonetheless, he responded, hoping it had not been happening in his mind.
"Yes"
"Winkey! Dobby!" she summoned and the elf appeared.
"Winkey go to my room. Under Tracey Davis's bed, you'll find a locked box, open it and bring me a bottle of Bourbon and bring me my PJ and Harry's too. Unless you want to sleep in boxers, I heard boys like sleeping that way, " she ordered Winkey and turned to Harry.
"PJ please, it's mid-November, I don't want to be frozen unless you want to warm me up with your body. I won't object."
"Dobby, bring us a mattress, a sheet and two big pillows."
A few minutes later the elves returned. Winkey with the bottle, cups and some snacks too, while Dobby prepared the mattress.
"Really " he muttered.
"We don't have to be Sirius all the time, let's relax." she shrugged and Harry laughed merrily at the way she used his godfather's name.
" You're lucky tomorrow is a weekend. Pour me some," Harry requested.
Dobby finished the preparations and disappeared, followed by Winkey leaving the two alone.
"I must admit, these two elves are quite efficient," she praised their work.
Harry changed first, then grabbed a cup and she filled both of their cups with the Bourbon.
She changed to her PJ then and curled next to him on the mattress. It would have been romantic if it weren't for the snake statues around them.
They stayed quiet for some time enjoying the muggle alcohol.
Then they talked of which food they liked and hated, colors and music, everything they had in mind.
" So you just end up searching for her the whole night? " He asked her after she told him of her month in Surrey.
"We found her later sleeping on a bus station," she said, taking a sip of her drink.
", I can't believe you met Lucy Clarke in Surrey, if I didn't go with Sirius maybe we would have spent more time together and I would have met her".
",Is she that famous?'' she asked as she grasped the bottle pouring more into her cup.
" Well, she is, I only read two books of hers, those adventures she writes! Gods! They are similar to the Lord of the Rings series of books. Amazing, can't believe she lives in Guildford and has a son too.. Damn it Rhaenys I'm jealous, " Harry gushed remembering the books. It had been given to Dudley on his birthday but he had thrown it away like he had thrown the Lord of the Rings series and Harry had taken them from the garbage to read them.
"Lord of the Rings?" Daphne boycotted his thoughts.
" It's a famous muggle fantasy book series. I hope they turn it into movies, it will be awesome."
"Well she gave me a manuscript of her new book as a farewell gift, you can have it. Maybe one day, we will go and visit them, I really liked them."
"Really?" His eyes glowed excitedly.
"Consider it as an early Christmas gift," she tilted her head at him.
"Now you make it hard for me to pick a gift for you."
"I still can't believe that your aunt cut all your hair leaving just the fringe," she turned the focus onto him laughing so hard as she imagined a bald Harry. Her stomach ached from laughing at the image.
He protested it was not that funny whatever it might have looked.
"Oh come on! It's funny just like the time Lockhart healed your hand," she cackled at the memory.
Harry now truly laughed as he remembered those awkward weird moments.
"Not to forget, Hermione turned into Bulstrode's cat," he remembered.
They kept laughing and chatting . Daphne told him of her tomboy days, how she used to be a troublemaker, she told him how she used to sneak into the training field and watch the soldiers fight and copied their whenBerz caught her she begged him to let her learn and due to her stubbornness, he couldn't get rid of her. She had tailed him around like a puppy until he gave in. She recounted how his training had been a living hell and that was how she got the fighting skills she was teaching Harry and how she did it in secret behind her father's back. She loved all the colors but her favorite was emerald green, she loved nature and wanted to camp outside one day. Her passion for pottery that she discovered that summer, her favorite food was seafood and how she preferred French cuisine, Turkish delights like baklava and lemon cakes, and also her love for music and poetry. Harry also discovered her dream of travelling around the world.
After a long talking and laughing time , her laughter died out and she let out a tired sigh.
"I always wondered, if I could forget about everything and be a regular school girl Daphne Greengrass like Granger or the Weasleys, free of the ties… ," she said revealing a secret wish.
" I wonder how good it will be…,"
"And… ," plucking up all of her courage and releasing it from inside, " I could be with you." Forever.
She turned to him and her emotions were trying to break out. "... Like this."
She knew that even though she had his body and mind, but not his heart. It would not be hers.
Harry was gazing at her with parted lips.
Yet, here she was destroying the chance for him to know.
She looked at him straight in the eyes. A fake smile to accompany her biggest lie she ever told him, "Just kidding."
Harry brought her to his chest holding her in a tight embrace as they laid together in silence. He held her, and his hands were warm, she felt safe in his embrace.
He pulled her face up and gave her a soft kiss. She sighed into his lips and Harry took it as a sign to continue. Then one last deep kiss to her forehead and the two fell asleep. In each other's arms.
In the shadows of the chamber, someone appeared out of nowhere and looked at the drunk teenage couple.
Kou, the silver-haired man and the wicked Japanese fox bent down and caressed the check of Rhaenys. He kissed the girl on her forehead. He visited her to see how she was doing and after seeing her in that position he knew that she was in good hands. It had been so long since the last time he watched her sleep peacefully.
"It's too early for me to appear yet my dove," He whispered down at her sleeping face.
Daphne curled in Harry's arms and Kou let a faint smile appear on him, and vanished into the thin air like a ghost.
It was morning when the couple woke up and the effects of the hangover rolled over them.
Daphne was sleeping on top of Harry and didn't want to get up.
"Hey," Harry whispered to her.
She looked up at him with eyes barely opened and messed up hair, "Hey" she whispered to his chest.
Harry felt his morning erection and his eyes widened, her legs were on the other side, which meant she didn't feel it.
"Come on, get up, " he said, looking around for his watch, which showed the time well past ten.
"Shit! Get up, it's almost midday, " Harry threw her to the side, which didn't wake her up at all. He was about to rummage his bag for clothes when he suddenly found them in front of him. His mind went directly to Dobby, the elf loved serving and spoiling him
"Come on get up, " Harry tried calling her gently and it seemed to not work. She is a heavy sleeper, worse than Ron, Harry mused.
"Leave me alone, " she mumbled, her face buried under the pillow and her hair covering her messily.
This was definitely a new side of her which he was seeing, much different from her elegant princess mask.
After a few tries she finally woke up.
Daphne sat rubbing her eyes to find Harry gazing at her.
Her thoughts went to the images from the previous night, they were a bit blurry but as soon as she remembered, she felt her cheeks heating up.
She didn't want to get up and sleep more. She eyed the pillow, it was calling her to cuddle with it.
"Nooo, you are not going back to sleep," a voice interrupted her special moment with the pillow.
Raising her head from the pillow she looked up to her husband's face.
"Good morning sleepyhead," he chuckled.
"Good morning," she whispered happily.
"Your husband tried to wake you up a lot," he pouted dramatically.
She didn't know what to say. "I- Sorry," she sported her puppy eyes as a way to apologize. It had helped her a lot in the past, her husband pouting face soon transformed into a smiling one.
"How about a kiss on the cheek? " Harry suggested smiling.
Daphne learned to kiss his cheek but Harry moved his face and caught her lips with his and pulled her to the mattress. She was starting to get used to this new sensation, it made her crave for more.
"Some time here won't hurt," he whispered against her lips.
"Weren't you the one who wanted us to get up quickly?" she teased him.
"I changed my mind after seeing this beautiful face staring up at me," Harry said lingering his hands on hers.
She blushed hearing his words and giggled softly.
Harry asked Dobby to bring breakfast for them and the elf happily answered the request.
The two broke their fast happily, chatting a bit before they separated, returning to their other lives.
Harry returned to the dorm thinking of her hoping she didn't fall asleep again in the hallway. He tried to remember last night but his memory was fuzzy.
Hermione jumped in front of him out of nowhere and almost gave him a heart attack.
"Merlin's balls 'Mione! " He groaned, touching his temples, which throbbed from his strong hangover.
"Where have you been? Ron woke up and could not find you and we have been looking everywhere for you, Hermione let out a deep breath folding her hands.
"I didn't return to the dorm last night."
" Obviously, you didn't, " she wrinkled her nose. Suddenly she sniffed him and her eyes widened.
"Harry, there is some feminine perfume on you, did you..?" she leaned closer to him and whispered sounding shocked.
"What?" Harry smelled himself 'fuuuuck! ' his mind raged.
Harry raised his arms, "Mione you're definitely wrong or imagining," he shrugged off any idea popping up in Hermione's mind, muttered about taking a shower and escaped to the bathroom.
In the dungeons
Daphne was being scolded by Tracey for getting drunk without her.
"Spit it out, who is he? " Tracey snapped.
"Who is who? " she feigned ignorance, drying her hair with a towel.
"The boy! It's pretty obvious you're seeing someone, the smiles and blushes every time on your face, and zoning a lot. I bet he is fucking hot, " she noted.
Daphne rolled her eyes at her friend, "There is no boy silly. I wanted to get wasted alone, spare me."
Tracey narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her friend. She took a cigarette in her mouth and lit it after a few drags she piped up
"Is he in the seventh year?"
"No, but keep it to yourself. I don't want any gossip," Daphne warned.
Tracey zipped her fingers on her lips mouthing 'not a word'.
Daphne laughed at her friend who jumped to her side and demanded juicy details making Daphne groan out of annoyance.
The days passed by quickly. Harry was not lazy in his work until he became accustomed to it. He divided his time regularly among studying, training with the DA and his girlfriend..wife, and Quidditch. On the other hand, Daphne had started to visit his Quidditch training, watching him in secret. When one gets used to such things even if they are arduous, the novelty and excitement become an ordinary routine and monotony sets in.
The complaint was signed by over ninety students, even Slytherins, who wanted Umbridge to be sacked from office.
November ended and December finally knocked on the doors of Hogwarts, with not just more snow, but also unexpected surprises.
So
what do you think of this chapter
what is Daphne truly wants.
Stay Safe
XOXOXOXO