A/N: HP/DG, more pairings later.

Chapter One

Isla Greengrass sat in the Godric Hollow home, watching out the window, a hand came to rest upon her abdomen, rubbing it gently.

Downstairs sat her best friend, Lily Potter, listening intently to the radio. She listened attentively for names, sitting an old rocking chair, expression blank at times. Praying, hoping, she did not hear her husband's name or their friends.

Isla reeked with frustration, mostly with herself, the dominant emotion swirling within. Frustration at her current condition she'd just recently discovered. Anxiety if she'd even get the chance to share the news with her lover.

"Isla," Lily called to her, immediately Isla rushed down to her.

"Are you alright?" Isla asked, concern banked her stare. She went to the woman's side and touched her hand comfortingly.

Lily laughed; her green eyes glowed. "I'm fine, the baby is fine."

The Potter woman was three months along. Isla's shoulder sagged, she frowned at her friend. "You enjoy giving me a fright, don't you?" She teased her good-naturedly.

Lily took her hand, "I was more worried for you." Her expression was knowing, her eyes glancing down at her friend's abdomen.

Isla sat down beside her on a nearby stool, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried myself."

"He'll be over the moon with joy," Lily reassured her.

"You don't know that," Isla appeared fretful. "We're in the midst of a war." Her hand touched her stomach.

"Sometimes the best surprises are unplanned," Lily rubbed her barely-there pump. "This war will not last forever." How certain she had sounded in the moment; Isla pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Have you thought of names?" Isla asked sweetly.

"I like Harry for a boy," Lily beamed at her.

"A beautiful name," Isla agreed.

"Sirius is dead set it will be a boy," Lily rolled her eyes playfully. "A boy, just like James."

"Would that be so terrible?" Isla laughed.

Lily smiled, "No, I think a little James would be grand." After chatting for a few hours, Isla hurried Lily off to bed, the red-haired woman was nearly passing out in the chair. The two awaited the return of their loved ones. It had been days since they'd last had contact through letters. Once assured Lily was sound asleep, Isla took a seat in the rocking chair, watching the fire roar in the fireplace. She absentmindedly rubbed her abdomen.

"What will you be?" Isla wondered out loud. "A little friend for Harry?"

In the moment she felt incredibly lonely and depressed in the house. The world was held hostage by Lord Voldemort. She'd just discovered the news of her condition three days ago, Sirius, Remus, and James had been gone for nearly five now. Sirius had been deliriously happy for his friends when he'd discovered the news of Lily's pregnancy. Would he continue to share that excitement?

Two days later, had been one of the happiest moments of her life. Sirius, James, Remus had returned, well and worn from battles. James had scooped up Lily in the excitement, hugs were shared all around. Isla had hurried down the stairs at the sound of voices. She reached the base of the stairs when striking grey eyes locked with hers. Tears instantly flooded her eyes.

"Sirius," She breathed and, in that moment, he was in front of her, pulling her into his arms, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Isla hugged him tightly. "You're safe, thank goodness."

"I've missed you greatly," Sirius told her, his voice thick with emotions.

That night the friends shared a warm hearty meal, the boys told of their stories with the Order, the battles they faced, those who had lost their lives. There was moments of grieving and moments of contempt, it was everything and more. They were all so young, barely grown at nineteen. Remus, James and Lily sat in the living area, a fire roaring, they sat in shared silence, all weary, always weary. There was little happiness in the world, but these moments together, this was continued to keep their resolve going. Their friendships, their love for each other, to protect each other. In hopes, they would make it to tomorrow altogether, but life was not always so kind as time would come to tell.

Isla and Sirius had exchanged a few words in private, Sirius looked grim with confusion at Isla's hesitation. Quietly, he followed her upstairs to the guest room Isla had been occupying. Remus and James exchanged curious looks.

"Is everything alright?" James asked Lily, her hand in his, she offered it a comforting squeeze.

"They'll be fine," Lily reassured both the marauders. "There are just matters they need to discuss privately." Both men continued to look confused. Lily cracked a smile. "Don't be so nosy, they'll tell you themselves when they're ready."

Sirius was far more concerned now, "Isla, what's wrong?"

He'd never seen her so withdrawn from him, they'd been lovers for many years now, since their third year in Hogwarts. For the first year, he'd kept it all secret, James and Remus would never understand. Isla Greengrass had been a Slytherin. But he had found himself quite taken with her, glowing blonde locks, deep blue eyes set in a pretty face. Many students had fancied her, many silently in other houses. Yet, it had taken her less then a week to coax him into her bed in fourth year. He had told his friends about their love affair, a Gryffindor and Slytherin, it had been positively outlandish. Yet, James, Remus, Peter, and Lily had all welcomed her warmly.

"I'm pregnant," Isla spoke bluntly, her hands automatically went to her abdomen, her eyes fixed on his expression.

In a single moment Sirius's face went through a myriad of expressions, shock, being at the forefront. They were only nineteen, a whole lifetime ahead of them. He simply stood there, staring at her, jaw slack, grey eyes wide, still the most beautiful man she'd ever laid eyes upon.

A moment later he had her gathered up in his arms, his lips on hers. She felt a warm liquid against her cheeks, tears? Was her wizard weeping? Slowly he drew away, indeed, there was tears brimming in his eyes. His beautiful eyes. And suddenly he whispered to her, with all the affections in the world. "Marry me?"

It was a quiet affair, in James and Lily's living area. Remus, James, Lily, and Peter attended. It had been a joyous night. Sirius and Isla had received a letter from Dumbledore himself containing his congratulations and his deepest sympathies he was unable to attend. Sirius would be able to provide for his new family, he had a decent amount of gold left to him on his seventeenth birthday by his Uncle Alphard, the only man in his family who had truly cared about him. Possibly the only Black who'd been capable of showing some capability of love and fondness.

The happiness was not meant to last. October 31, 1981. Death had come for them. Lily and James dead, November 1st, Sirius had gone on a massacre and killed twelve muggles and their once friend Peter Pettigrew. In the grief of her losses, Isla had nearly sunk into darkness, her mind crumbling inside her. The only thing that kept her alive, the beautiful face of a girl with soft grey eyes, Daphne Black. Her daughter.

Nearly five years later, Isla lay on her deathbed, a delicate silver band with runes lay in her palm. In front of her sat a beautiful little girl, long blonde waves, striking grey eyes set in a heart shaped face and heart shaped lips and a dainty nose.

"Daphne," Isla called her to her. The little girl was quick to join her mother on her bed. Isla had long since grown frail and weak, barely able to leave the bed. She pressed a kiss to the child's brow, smiling against the warmth of her skin. Daphne was warm and strong whereas Isla had become cold and frail due to illness. Drawing back, the two smiled at each other. There was a soft knock on the door, Isla greeted the older woman.

"Andromeda," Isla greeted warmly.

"My dear," Andromeda Tonks looked sympathetic to the young woman's plight. "Are you sure?"

Daphne glanced up at the older woman curiously, "Mummy, who is this?" Andromeda's heart instantly melted at the sweet child.

Isla hugged the young girl, "This is your Aunt Dromeda, she's going to look after you for me."

Daphne's grey eyes looked up at her mother, "Mummy, are you crying?"

Isla smiled sadly, "I just love you so much, my darling."

In truth, Isla suffered from a blood malediction as a result of a curse placed on her Greengrass ancestors. Over time the condition had left her frail, weak, and now on the verge of an early death.

Isla turned to Andromeda, "I can't allow her to fall into the hands of the Greengrass, nor the Blacks. They'll fill her mind with pureblood supremacy. Sirius always spoke highly of you, like him, you were always different from other purebloods. I have no one else I can trust Andromeda, and my time has come. I can't protect her any longer."

Andromeda looked sorrowful, "I'll do as you ask, Isla, I promise to raise her well and she will be very loved."

Isla looked grateful, though her face had become gaunt and hollow with sickness, her blue eyes glowed with life, acceptance of her time had come. She could go with peace knowing her daughter would be safe. The previous year, Isla had had everything altered. the care of Daphne had been secretly transferred to Andromeda in the time of her passing. Very few knew of Daphne's existence, she'd kept her securely hidden away from the past few years. Her own parents were long since dead early on in the war, they had died loyal supporters of lord Voldemort. Daphne's godparents both gone, James and Lily. Lupin due to his condition had been unfit to raise a child. Sirius had detested his own mother greatly, Isla could not allow her child to fall into the Blacks hands, she knew many would have eagerly taken her, a pureblood with strong bloodlines. It was best her existence as a Black be known to few as possible.

Isla gave the silver band to Daphne, "This is yours now, my love." Daphne held onto the ring, looking curious.

"What does it say?" Daphne looked at the runes, her brows furrowed together in concentration.

Isla smiled, "It says 'Everything I am'. One day, you'll understand." Isla turned to Andromeda, handed her a large bag, "Everything you'll need is in here. And everything she'll need when she grows older." Her breathing had gone ragged, she was struggling at times. Over the next few days, Daphne spent time with Andromeda Tonks and her daughter Dora, unbeknownst, it had been Isla's way to help her acclimatise to what would become her new life, a life without Isla.

Each day, Andromeda would bring Daphne back to visit her mother. It was one day, nearly two weeks later. It would be her last visit. Like any other visit, Daphne would share the stories of Dora, seven years her senior, she was very fond of the older child. They had quickly grown close. Isla had happily and contently listened to each story.

This time, Isla had fallen asleep, her arms wrapped securely around Daphne. It wasn't until Andromeda had heard Daphne's wail; she entered the room in a flurry. The child was in tears, trying to wake up the sleeping woman.

"Daphne," Andromeda quickly ran to the bedside, touching the girl's golden head.

"She won't wake up!" Daphne cried; Andromeda's expression quickly softened. She took the girl into her arms, giving her the tightest hug.

"Oh, my little sunshine," Andromeda whispered, tears in her eyes, grief heavy in her heart. Isla Black had passed, a gentle smile upon her lips, a peaceful look upon her face. She cradled Daphne close to her. Whispering her soft apologies for the child's loss. Andromeda slowly leaned back, and gently began to explain to the tearful child, she would no longer be able to visit her mother.

A quiet funeral was held, Andromeda had had Isla buried next to the Potter's grave in Godric's Hollow. Andromeda had had Daphne's name changed to take on Tonks, to keep her true parentage private as possible. In years to come the young girl would attend Hogwarts, while her father and Andromeda's cousin Sirius remained locked away.

She worried for her safety, no one knew what Sirius was capable of. The man had betrayed his best friends, killed innocent muggles. Part of her couldn't believe her cousin was capable of such heinous crimes, but the evidence had been compelling nonetheless. The only witness to these crimes, Peter, had been killed along with the rest.

The child had suffered enough loss. Daphne had turned six, already the young girl's talents were beginning to show. Andromeda would describe her magic as warm and vibrant. Often Dora and Daphne would play tricks on each other, on their mother. They had a happy home.

On her eleventh birthday, Daphne had received her letter. The young, promising witch had been sorted into Slytherin. The sorting hat had noted her skill, her cunning and ambition to become a great witch. The hat had teetered with this witch, Slytherin or Gryffindor, but one thing was certain, she was would become capable of great and wonderous things.

Daphne rarely got along with the girls in Slytherin, often she kept to herself. Preferring her own company then to the snotty pureblood brats that filled her house. How cruel the sorting hat had been to put her here. In an odd twist of events, Slytherin is where Daphne had found family, in the form of her cousin, Draco Malfoy.

Their first few altercations had been anything but smooth, in fact, they fought and argued. Both shared a mutual disgust for each other's presence.

It had been their third year, Daphne had been in the library, face buried in a book as was her usual. She'd picked a quiet corner in the back of the library to finish her assignments. When she heard a whiny voice, a familiar one, one that was nails to a chalkboard, Pansy Parkinson.

"Oh Draco, why are you being so cruel?" She complained, she heard a frustrated, loud sigh, one that was on the brink of losing what little patience remained.

"Pansy, quit chasing after me, how many times do I have to tell you, you're annoying." The annoyed voice belonged to none other then Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin prince. The exchange continued back and forth for minutes. Until, Daphne could no longer control herself.

Daphne slammed the book shut, quickly signalling to other two Slytherin they were not alone. Draco and Pansy rounded the corner to see stormy grey eyes glaring them down. "Do the you two of you mind? Some of us prefer to use the library for studying."

Draco stared her down warily, but as much as he seemed disgusted by her, she was of him as well. Pansy glared. "Don't you have manners, Daphne, you're interrupting." Pansy sneered. "What do you want?"

Was the woman daft? Daphne rolled her eyes, "Clearly your head is so full of hot air, you've lost your ability to hear. What I want is for you to shut up." Daphne snapped; Pansy paled.

Draco smirked at Pansy's expression; Malfoy was thoroughly enjoying himself. Pansy had annoyed him to no ends with her clingy ways recently.

"You're cruel," Pansy hissed.

"And you're pathetic," Daphne stood up, gathering her books, her mood ruined. "Trailing after Malfoy like some lovestruck bimbo." She paused, glaring them both down coolly. "In fact, you're both equally pathetic, congratulations, you deserve each other."

Draco's smirk instantly fell at the insult, how dare she. Pansy was spluttering, fuming, unable to form a coherent sentence in her anger. Daphne made for the library exit; she knew she'd get an earful tonight in the Slytherin girl's dormitory.

Pansy turned to Draco, completely vexed. "Did you hear her? That little bitch, how dare she insult me like that! Tell me you'll get revenge for me, Draco! Tell me!" She latched onto his arm.

Disgusted Draco shrugged her off coldly, "Shut up already." He glared at her; Pansy was furious in her silence.

Later that evening, Daphne had slipped back into the school, undetected. Unknown to most, Daphne had a struck up a friendship with the groundskeeper, Hagrid at the start of her second year. From time to time, she often visited Hagrid's hut. At times, it felt as if he were her only friend. He often encouraged her to seek out friendships in the other houses, namely Harry and his group. Daphne had been reluctant. Gryffindor and Slytherin just didn't mix well. She'd seen the numerous encounters, and neither went exceedingly well.

And yet, every time, like clockwork, Hagrid would tell her, "Give him a chance, Daphne. You'd be surprised."

As Daphne rounded a corridor to head towards the Slytherin common room, Draco had been coming down the stairs towards her. She walked right into him, causing them both to stumble back.

"Watch where you're going," Draco snapped, until his eyes settled onto her. "Oh, its you, cousin." Draco's tone was instantly flooded with disgust, it hung on heavily on the last word, their shared relation. Daphne ignored him, moving to push past him. Draco grabbed her arm. "Don't think I've forgotten your little insult earlier."

Daphne pulled free of his hold, "And what do you plan to do, cousin?" Her tone was quickly filled with contempt for him.

Draco raised a brow; he was sightly surprised by her challenge. "Wait until my father hears about it."

"And what will Lucius Malfoy do?" Daphne quipped with feigned curiosity. "Will he have me punished? Or worse expelled? Really, Draco? Even your father has no power like that in Hogwarts." She scoffed at him. No one had had become the source of his ire that could rival that of saint Potter.

Draco rarely found himself defeated, and more then anything he hated defeat, especially from those he felt beneath him.

"You'll regret that sorely cousin," Draco murmured.

Daphne's grey eyes settled onto him uncomfortably, "I've regretted many things, Draco, but putting you in your place will never be one of them. Goodnight." She pushed past him.

Draco had never been so furious.

The following weeks had exactly as Draco promised, she'd almost been regretted standing up to him. At every turn, Slytherin students bullied her, she had no escape in the girl's dormitory, or in class. Pansy had nearly drowned with happiness as her little crew drove Daphne mad. But Daphne took it in stride. She refused to show how much they'd begun to wear her down. It had been Hagrid who she'd gone to night after night, nearly in tears. He'd comforted her the best he could.

It wasn't until one fateful evening, Daphne had had enough and left the great hall when her annoyance with Pansy had grown to great, Crabbe, Goyle, nearly the entire Slytherin house sniggered and jabbed at her. Draco had been nowhere in sight to share in their fun, thankfully. Daphne made her way down a dark corridor that would lead to the Slytherin common room. When she heard voices.

"Draco, tell me, do you purposely choose to embarrass the Malfoy name, or are you so incapable of being anything but a disappointment to me." It was Lucius Malfoy; the older man was dripping with anger. He shoved Draco into the wall, holding his gloved hand at Draco's neck threateningly.

Draco scoffed, "Sorry to be a constant disappointment, father."

"Insolent child!" Lucius snarled; Draco was unflinching. He grabbed Draco's arm, wand in his opposite hand. Daphne watched in horror as the man pressed the wand into Draco's forearm, the next moment, Draco was nearly doubled over in pain. His face showed his agony, but he made no sound, refusing to give his father the satisfaction. "Listen closely boy, if the Dark Lord were still with us, you'd be dead this very moment."

Draco smirked, "To coward to kill me yourself, father? You'd be doing me a favor."

Lucius pressed the wand harder into Draco's forehead, this time Draco cried out in pain. Daphne grimaced. "You only live because I love your mother, you live because you are my heir. A disgraceful one, but my heir nonetheless. I will make you an heir worthy of name Malfoy, whether it kills you or not, do not try me boy." Lucius withdrew his wand; he shoved Draco back into the wall. "Do better." He placed his wand back into his cane.

"Yes father," Draco murmured with contempt as Lucius turned and disappeared down the corridor as if he'd never been there in the first place.

In the eerie silence that followed, Daphne heard a soft drip echo in the lonely corridor. Draco's forearm was bleeding. She heard a muffled cry, her heart shattered, she'd never seen the prideful Draco so broken. She sighed, she felt regret, for the first time, immense regret. Carefully, she made her way down the hall towards him.

"Draco," Daphne called his name softly, he looked up quickly, startled. He appeared every bit a wounded animal.

He sneered at her, "What are you doing here?" He all but demanded, back to his former glory. "Eavesdropping, were you? Going to run off and tell all your friends what you saw?" He watched her with something akin to bitter amusement. He was unaware of her inner turmoil at the sight she'd seen.

Daphne looked at him, he gave her a black scowl when he saw the pity in her eyes. "You're bleeding."

Draco looked down at his wound, red angry marks littered his forearm old and new, blood oozed from the newest one his father had carved into. He grunted, "I've had worse."

Daphne ignored him, pulling out a clean cloth from her bag. She dapped it gently onto the cut. Draco withdrew immediately, he was about to go on a tirade of what she thought she was doing. Daphne cut him off first, "Honestly, will you just shut up and let me help you." Draco studied her for a good minute, there was no mockery or trickery in her gaze, it was passive, almost kind.

"Do what you want," He murmured his acceptance of her assistance.

"Come on," Daphne nudged him good-humoredly towards the Slytherin common room. Draco silently followed. He suddenly looked weary; all the fight gone from him. He seemed to give in to his fatigue, no longer having to put on his masterful display of the spoiled, entitled Malfoy heir. Alone they sat in the common room, by the fireplace, while Daphne expertly cleaned and bandaged his arm. Draco watched her carefully. Daphne sighed, "Will you calm down, you're buzzing like a hornet."

Draco furrowed a brow, had she felt his intense gaze and stiffened posture this entire time. He was on edge, always on edge when he was vulnerable. Draco rolled his eyes, unenthusiastically saying, "Sorry."

Daphne paused in her meticulous work, to cast him a mischievous smile. "I'll take it, I'm surprised that word was even in your vocabulary."

"Shut up," Draco said sardonically.

After another moment, Daphne secured the wrapping. "There, done. It should hold until the bleeding stops, anyways. I'd advise you see Padam Pomfrey, but I doubt you will."

Draco inspected her work; she had done well. Then he replied, "You'd be right." He had been listening.

Daphne nodded; she gathered her belongings. She paused a moment, "I'm sorry."

Draco cast her a confused look, "What are you sorry for?"

"For how I spoke to you in the stairwell," Daphne told him as she grabbed her bag. The fire illuminated her blonde hair, setting it a blaze into the image of shimmering gold.

Draco snorted, "I didn't take you for the sentimental kind."

Daphne smiled slightly, "And you're not pathetic after all." She turned and took her leave, leaving Draco sitting there alone with his thoughts. He looked at his bandaged arm again, and then towards the stairs Daphne had disappeared to the girl's dormitory. He pulled his sleeve down to hide his injury. It wasn't long until the common room with brimming with life as Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle all showed up, questioning his absence.

The days following, Draco had waited for Daphne to utter a word of what had happened. But as the days passed, and the hours, no word had returned to his ears. She had continued on as if nothing had happened. It wasn't until three days later, when Pansy and their usual group had corner Daphne, Pansy had slapped the books from her arms, and pushed her into a wall.

Draco had been quick to jump to her defense, "Still picking on her, are we?" The Slytherin had quickly parted to allow the Malfoy heir to walk forward, he idly came to stand in front of Daphne, his hands casually in his pockets.

"Draco, what are you doing here?" Pansy asked, batting her eyes, he ignored her.

"I could be asking you lot the same," Draco said boredly. "It's been weeks, do you all have nothing better to do."

Blaise stared at him, almost challengingly. "It was you who started this game."

Draco raised a brow at his audacity, but deep down he knew Blaise was right. "And now I'm ending it." His tone was authoritative and frigid. Blaise quickly drew back. Draco glared at him, 'Know your place.'

"But Draco," Pansy whined. "Why?"

Draco paused; he noticed the curious expressions. He sighed. He would have to make a public claim. "She is my cousin." It was the first time he had openly acknowledged her as family in their three years at Hogwarts. Silently the Slytherin students nodded and began to disperse, until only Draco and Daphne remained.

"Draco," Daphne looked at him, shocked.

Draco ran his hand through his hair, "Don't, I already know." He, himself, was equally shocked at how easily he had claimed her as family.

"Why?"

"Because," Draco said quietly. "You're different then everyone else in our family." He turned to look at her, as if he didn't quite understand her completely himself.

Unlike all the Blacks and Malfoys, he knew, Daphne possessed a heart.

Draco cast her one final glance, his hands casually back in his pockets. "I'll see you around." He turned to leave, but paused. "Cousin." His tone was soft, as if testing the word on his tongue, unsure of how he felt about it.

From that moment on, Draco and Daphne had grown close.

It was another year later, Hogwarts was alive with life as the students eagerly awaited to see who would be crowned winner of the Triwizard cup. In the confusion of it all, Daphne had witnessed the rise and fall of Harry and his friends. She'd heard Harry, Ron and Hermione arguing in the library, Ron had been cruel, throwing insults at Harry and not believing him. Harry had tried numerous times to convince the Weasley boy he had not put his name in the goblet.

"Piss off," Ron had snapped at him before storming off, Hermione had watched between the two, apologetic to Harry. Ginny, followed after her brother, leaving Harry alone. Harry sighed, slumped into a nearby chair.

Hagrid's words just earlier that day rung in his ears, "Please Daphne, for me. Befriend Harry, there's something going on with them, him and Ron. I can't do much to intervene. But Harry's going to need a friend, and quick." After years of hidden friendship, Daphne knew she owed a lot to Hagrid. "I tried to ask Ron, but he refused. Bring Harry to the forest tonight. He needs all the help he can get. I'll meet you both there."

Daphne sighed; she stepped forward from her spot behind the many book shelves. "Harry."

Harry quickly looked up, startled. He'd often seen the pretty Slytherin, but never spoken to her. Though, he had been quite infatuated with her since last year. Anyone would be blind to not notice the beauty, Daphne Tonks was.

"Daphne," Harry said quickly, scrambling to his feet at the sight of her. Daphne looked at him in curious amusement.

"Are you alright?" Daphne asked with a small smile.

Harry flushed, "Oh yeah, I'm fine." He said quickly, he was anything but.

Daphne looked sympathetic to his plight, "Would you join me for a walk?" Harry stared at her in confusion for a moment as if he hadn't quite heard her.

"A walk?" He repeated.

"Yes," Daphne nodded. "With me."

"Ah, okay." Harry answered sheepishly, trying to hide is embarrassment. "Is there something wrong?"

"Of course not," Daphne offered him a kind smile. "We've never spoken, I thought it was about time I introduced myself." She turned to him, formally holding out her hand. "I'm Daphne Tonks, pleasure to meet you."

Harry looked at her and then her hand, slowly her took her hand in his and shook it, he smiled warmly. "I'm Harry Potter."

Daphne's grey eyes glowed, "I guess that makes us officially friends."

"Friends?" Harry seemed to echo her sentiments. He chuckled when he saw her raise a brow. "I'm sorry, my experiences with Slytherin haven't been all that great. I've never befriended one." He looked at her, his bright green eyes a mix of warmth and confusion. "Until now."

Daphne laughed; it was tuneful. "You're my first Gryffindor friend." He returned her smile.

They had been walking aimlessly, wandering towards the forbidden forest. He began to question if he was right to trust the Slytherin. He'd let his infatuation with the Slytherin girl get the better of him.

"Where are we going?" Harry questioned her skeptically.

Daphne looked at him teasingly, "Where's the fun in that." Harry paled slightly and just followed, resigning himself to his fate. The sun had long since gone down, Harry was growing wary. There was a sound in the distance. Daphne stopped turning to look at him. "I may have lied, I'm sorry. It was Hagrid who asked me to bring you here."

"Hagrid, why?" Daphne took his hand; it was warm in his. She led him further along until they were behind a small group of bushes. She knelt down, Harry followed. The sound was louder, roars, angry hisses. "What on earth is that?"

Daphne looked at him, "It's your first task."

Harry saw a large container open and an angry, giant lizard was furiously hissing. Shock was quick upon him. "Dragons?"

Daphne nodded, "Hagrid said he tried to tell Ron to bring you, his brother Charlie delivered them. But Ron wouldn't. And Hagrid didn't have time to get you himself, so he asked me."

"I…" Harry was at a loss. Was his friend really so hateful of him?

"We should go before we're spotted," Daphne told him quietly. Harry nodded, quickly the two students made their way back to the castle. Harry had been silent the entire return. His mind a muddled mess. "You must be nervous, rightfully so."

Harry sighed, nodding after a moment. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

"I think you can defeat a dragon," Daphne encouraged him.

Harry smiled slightly, "Thanks, and thanks for bringing me here. I appreciate it."

Daphne offered him a kind smile; they had reached the castle. "This is where I leave you. I should get back to the Slytherin common room before my absence is noticed." She turned to leave, pausing a moment, when she noticed Harry's crestfallen face. "Your friends will come around."

Harry looked thoughtful, "Not soon enough, right now I have no one."

Daphne's lips parted. Hagrid's voice thick in her thoughts, 'Give him a chance.' "You do have a friend, you have me. I'll be cheering you on."

Harry looked at her surprised, had he truly befriended a Slytherin. His mind told him to remain on guard, while his heart was leaping in his chest at her words. He was more conflicted then ever. Before he could utter a word, Daphne reached out and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Goodnight, Harry." Daphne said sweetly.

"Goodnight, Daphne," He murmured as she entered the castle.

Could Gryffindor and Slytherin be friends?


End of Chapter One

I hope you all enjoyed, this story has been on my mind for awhile, so I'm giving it a shot. If no one is interested, I'll abandon it. So please leave a review, if you'd like to keep reading more!