Chapter 11 – The Letter Left Behind

After the events of the day, Daphne found herself seeking comfort within the familiar walls of her home. She asked Tracy to join her for an evening of catching up. As they settled in Daphne's cozy room, cups of steaming tea in hand, the exhaustion from the day gradually began to melt away.

Tracey leaned back against the plush cushions with a mischievous grin on her face. "So, Daphne," she began, her tone laden with playful curiosity, "Did you notice how Harry was practically entranced by you the whole time we were at the orphanage?"

Daphne's cheeks flushed faintly as she rolled her eyes, attempting to brush off the notion. "Oh, come on, Tracey. He was just being friendly, that's all."

Tracey arched an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Friendly, huh? Well, last time I checked, friends don't usually stare at each other like they're lost in a daydream."

Daphne's lips twitched, caught between amusement and exasperation. "Oh, please. It's not like that."

Tracey chuckled knowingly. "Sure, sure. And I suppose he was just being 'friendly' when he kept finding reasons to be near you and holding doors open for you?"

Daphne's protest was half-hearted, her cheeks now a deeper shade of pink. "Well, maybe he's just polite. And it was just one door Tracey"

Tracey playfully exaggerated a sigh. "Polite, my dear Daphne, has its limits. I think it's high time you consider the possibility that he might be harbouring more than just friendly intentions."

Daphne opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the sound of a light knock on the door. She glanced at Tracey, a puzzled expression on her face, before calling out, "Come in."

The door opened, revealing Astoria. Astoria's eyes lit up when she saw the two friends. "Oh, good! You're both here. I could use a distraction from my Arithmancy assignment."

Tracey smirked and quirked an eyebrow at Daphne. "Speaking of distractions, I wonder what Astoria would think of our theory about a certain bespectacled wizard."

Daphne shot Tracey a look, her embarrassment evident. "Please don't encourage her."

Astoria's curiosity piqued, and she leaned in, her voice a playful whisper. "What theory? Do tell!"

Daphne sighed, knowing that she was outnumbered. "It's nothing, really. Just Tracey's overactive imagination."

Tracey grinned unapologetically. "Oh, Daphne, you can't blame me for seeing the obvious. Harry's got a soft spot for you."

Astoria's eyes widened in delighted surprise. "Really? Harry Potter?"

Daphne's cheeks burned as she attempted to salvage her dignity. "It's not like that, Astoria. Let's not make a big deal out of it. There is nothing going on between me and Harry"

Astoria's smile was knowing, her tone teasing. "Alright, alright. But you can't deny, Daphne, that the way you say 'Harry' instead of 'Potter' suggests a certain level of familiarity."

Daphne groaned, sinking deeper into the cushions. "Ugh, can we talk about something else, please?"

And so, the evening unfolded with laughter, teasing and easy conversation between the trio. Astoria was glad to see Daphne like this. The events of the battle and the aftermath had really shaken Daphne up. Astoria had been worried about her emotional wellbeing. But now, seeing her sister like this ignited the hope within her. Things were getting better. One step at a time.

==/==

In a quiet corner of Diagon Alley, Harry Potter received an owl bearing the emblem of St. Mungo's Hospital. He had hoped to get some supplies in the early hours of the morning before the place filled with people. The volunteer work at the orphanage wouldn't start for another hour.

His heart raced as he opened the letter, his eyes scanning the words with growing apprehension. The message from Healer Anne Eltington explained that further diagnostics had revealed unexpected changes in his magical core, and he was urgently needed for further assessment. The note further stated that he must come as soon as he received the letter.

A knot formed in Harry's stomach as he reread the message. Would he ever have an ounce of normalcy in his life? With a sigh he apparated to St. Mungo's. The sterile scent of the corridor hit him as he navigated the halls to Healer Eltington's office. He knocked lightly on the door before entering, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Mr. Potter, thank you for coming so quickly," Healer Eltington greeted, her tone a blend of sympathy and resolve.

Harry nodded, his voice slightly shaky. "What's going on, Healer Eltington?"

The healer's gaze met his, her expression grave. "It appears that whatever happened has triggered an unexpected response in your magical core. Your core is expanding at an accelerated rate, Mr. Potter."

Harry's brows furrowed, absorbing the information. "Is that... bad?"

Healer Eltington sighed, her eyes kind. "Not inherently, but such rapid expansion can lead to instability. It's a precautionary measure to ensure your safety, but we'll need to put you in a medical stasis until your core stabilizes."

Harry was stunned. "How long will I have to placed in the medical stasis?"

"I cannot say for sure but a few weeks at most given the rate of expansion." She replied.

"What happens if we don't induce the medical stasis?" Harry asked expectantly.

Healer Eltington had a serious look on her face. "Well best case, nothing. Worst case, you take out an entire block with accidental magic seriously hurting yourself in the process."

"Okay. So ill just take care of some things and be back here in two hours. I have…"

She cut in. "I am sorry but I must insist we commence immediately. There can't be any time lost, Harry. Every moment you spend outside of an induced stasis you pose a threat to yourself and everyone around you."

Harry sighed. He wasn't worried about himself but the thought of hurting others, he couldn't bear. "Can I at least write a letter to my friends to make sure they don't worry about where I am?"

"Sure. In the meantime, I'll get everything ready." She replied.

"Also, please make sure no one finds out I am here. I am telling my friends that I have gone to visit my Aunt and her family for a few weeks. I don't want them to worry about me." Harry explained.

"Okay. And don't worry. Things will be back to normal soon." Healer Eltington smiled kindly.

The morning sun bathed the orphanage courtyard in warm light, casting playful shadows as children giggled and played. Volunteers buzzed around, setting up activities for the day. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley led a group of kids in a game of magical tag, their laughter echoing in the air.

Daphne Greengrass, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, watched the scene with a fond smile. She'd been looking forward to seeing Harry, but as the hours stretched on, her anticipation began to wane. Her eyes kept scanning the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of unruly black hair and those unmistakable glasses.

A shadow of disappointment crept over her as the morning turned into afternoon, and there was still no sign of Harry. She exchanged a glance with Hermione but couldn't really gauge what her expression meant. Daphne's conversations with Tracey about Harry's intentions came to mind, and a troubling thought wormed its way into her mind—had he decided not to come after all?

Daphne's patience dwindled as the day progressed without any sign of Harry. Graham Winters, a volunteer she knew by sight, made a snide remark that pricked at her irritation.

"Seems like Potter was just here for a bit of PR, don't you think? He was all over the newspapers today."

Daphne's usually composed demeanour faltered, her frustration pushing its way to the surface. She turned to face Graham, her voice frosty with anger. "You have no right to make unfounded assumptions. Unlike some who seek attention for their actions Harry at least is genuine and compassionate. Maybe if you knew him, you'd understand that."

Graham looked taken aback, his face reddening under her reproachful gaze. Daphne's words were a mix of defence and disappointment, a reflection of her worry for Harry's absence.

Hermione caught the gist of Daphne's exchange with Graham. An amusing smile on her face as she approached Daphne. "Hey Daphne."

Daphne turned to see Hermione behind her. She had pondered talking to Hermione to ask about Harry but she didn't want anyone to make absurd assumptions. But after waiting for him to show up throughout the day her patience was at a minimal capacity. She wouldn't admit but she was worried about Harry. Something within her screamed that he was not okay.

With all these feelings inside her she couldn't control herself and blurted out. "Where is he? Is he alright? Has something happened?"

Hermione raised her eyebrows in amusement, her tone teasing. "Good day to you to Daphne. Surprising how eager you seem to know about a certain someone."

Daphne flushed scrambling to find words. "No. It's not that. It's just that.. you know.. the program.. and children… yes… the children were asking about him. So, I just thought to ask you."

"Well its sounds like the CHILDREN are missing Harry." Hermione emphasized on the word children.

Daphne understood the implication of the emphasis but she didn't care about that right now. "So?"

Hermione was surprised with the care in Daphne's voice. The tone softened. "We were also worried but we received his letter in the morning. He had to go visit his Aunt and her family. Apparently, they contacted him and he feels its very important to mend things with his only living relatives so he went immediately."

A semblance of relief coursed through Daphne. Her worries at bay for now, she continued with the rest of the day in a much better mood. However, at the back of her mind remained a niggling feeling.

==/==

Days turned into weeks, and though the orphanage continued its activities, there was an underlying sense of emptiness within Daphne. Hermione and Ron worked tirelessly to fill the gap, but Daphne couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Little did she know, hidden behind the hospital walls, Harry's magical core was expanding and transforming, a phenomenon he could never have predicted.

As time passed, Daphne found herself gazing at the entrance to the orphanage, hoping against hope for a glimpse of Harry's familiar figure. The children's laughter and the banter of the volunteers became a bittersweet reminder of the absence that lingered.

It was a cloudy afternoon when Healer Eltington's owl arrived at the Greengrass estate, delivering a letter to Daphne. It had been two weeks since Harry left to visit his relatives.

She read the message with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Why would a senior healer from St. Mungos request her presence? And why would she request discreetness? It surely must be something serious. Without hesitation, she made her way to St. Mungo's.

In the sterile halls of the hospital, Daphne was led to a room where Healer Eltington awaited. The healer's expression was a mix of sympathy and professionalism as she explained the situation in detail. Daphne's worry deepened as she realized the subject of the discussion was Harry.

"He's in stasis?" Daphne asked, her voice a mixture of concern and disbelief. "But he is visiting his relatives, isn't he?"

"No. That is just something he told his friends so that no one would worry about him. He wrote multiple letters to them before he went in stasis. I have been posting them on his behalf to keep up the ruse" she replied.

"So, what has changed? Why break the ruse now? Is everything okay?" Daphne asked anxiously.

"Relax Miss Greengrass. Harry wrote another letter before he went in stasis. A letter he told me to deliver to you personally if he was under for more than 2 weeks. It has been 2 weeks so I am just fulfilling his request." She handed another letter to Daphne.

Daphne took the letter, her face still held concern and her tone anxious. "What about his situation? Is him being in stasis still the best way to help him?"

Healer Eltington nodded, her gaze gentle. "It's the best course of action for now. His core's expansion is unprecedented, and until it stabilizes, we can't risk any further complications."

Daphne's heart ached as she processed the information. She wanted to be there for Harry, to offer support and reassurance, but the situation was beyond her control.

"He's not alone, Daphne," Healer Eltington said softly. "We're monitoring him closely, and I assure you, we'll do everything we can to ensure his well-being."

Daphne nodded, her expression a mixture of gratitude and concern. She looked at the letter in her hand. Fear and nervousness with a hint of excitement were her core feelings. She was afraid of what might be in the letter but she was also curious. Why had Harry written to her when he could've written to his best friends. What did the letter hold?