Chapter 14 – Is this how I really feel?
The soft rays of dawn filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow across the room as Harry stirred awake. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light of the familiar surroundings. He sat up, the realization of being back at Grimmauld Place settling in.
As he made his way downstairs, Kreacher had prepared a modest breakfast spread. The aroma of toast and eggs filled the air, comforting and inviting. Harry sat down at the table, lost in thought as he savoured the first bites of the morning meal.
Harry's mind drifted, transporting him back to that day at St Mungo's—the haze of consciousness returning, the sense of awakening after what felt like an eternity lost in the void.
He remembered the blurred vision, the colours and shapes coalescing into a familiar silhouette as his eyes blinked open. Daphne stood there, a mix of relief and concern etched on her face. He tried to speak, but words failed to form, his throat dry and parched.
And then it happened—her sudden rush forward, her arms wrapping around him in an embrace, genuine and heartfelt. It felt instinctive, the raw impulse to comfort someone she cared about. For a moment, they were just two people caught in the fragile tenderness of the aftermath.
Harry's lips curled into a soft smile as he recalled that embrace.
Daphne's fleeting lapse in awareness, her realization dawning quickly, and the sudden flush that coloured her cheeks as she hurriedly withdrew, flustered by her own action.
After that instant, others joined the scene—the room filled with the presence of those who had stood by him, offered their expertise, and aided in the unconventional procedure that had brought him back from the brink. He remembered their faces—Hermione's reassuring smile, Ron's relieved expression, Healer Eltington's encouraging nod, Tracey's teasing remark...
"Back to your old Hogwarts habits, Harry? Hospital wings seem to be your second home," Tracey's playful jab echoed in his memory, drawing a chuckle from the others.
"Yeah, mate, not to mention your impeccable timing," Ron chimed in, his tone light but filled with relief.
The banter continued as they all stood by him, Harry filled with gratitude for their unwavering support, their presence a comforting balm to the lingering uncertainty.
"Thanks, everyone," Harry had said, his voice a mix of genuine appreciation and a touch of amusement at the familiar camaraderie they shared.
"Anytime, Harry," Hermione replied warmly, a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
As they parted ways for him to be taken to the ward, Harry's heart was lighter, his spirit uplifted by the camaraderie and shared laughter that echoed through the hospital halls.
But as he relived those moments, his thoughts lingered on Daphne—her initial rush of emotion, that brief and intimate connection, and the subsequent absence. It puzzled him, leaving an unspoken question hanging in the air, the answer eluding him.
Hermione's arrival disrupted his reverie. She greeted him warmly, taking a seat across from him. "Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling today?"
"Morning, Hermione," Harry replied, his tone light. "I'm feeling much better, thanks."
Conversation flowed between them, Hermione filling him in on the latest developments. But as the chatter continued, there lingered an unspoken question in Harry's mind—a question he had been turning over for days.
Hermione noticed his distant expression. "Is something bothering you, Harry?"
He hesitated, his mind navigating through the memories of the past few days—the dizzying rush of emotions and the peculiar absence that troubled him.
"It's just…" Harry began, his voice trailing off briefly. "I've been thinking. After everything that happened at St Mungo's, I expected to see Daphne. But she never came back after that first day."
Hermione regarded him thoughtfully, her brows furrowing slightly. "You mean she didn't visit you again?"
Harry shook his head. "No. Only you, Ron, Neville, Ginny, Andromeda, Teddy, and the other Weasleys visited. But no sign of Daphne."
Hermione's concern deepened. "That is odd. Considering everything, especially her role in helping revive you, you'd think she'd want to see you."
Harry nodded, his expression tinged with a trace of confusion. "Exactly. It's been on my mind since I left the hospital yesterday."
Hermione observed him for a moment, understanding the weight of the situation. "Have you tried reaching out to her?"
Harry hesitated, his thoughts swirling. "No, I thought I'd give her some space. Maybe she had her reasons."
Hermione nodded slowly, considering the possibilities. "Daphne does tend to keep to herself sometimes, but this does seem unlike her, especially considering the circumstances."
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess I'll never understand girls and their ways," he said with a half-hearted chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Hermione offered a small smile in return. "You never did quite figure out the mystery of girls, did you, Harry?"
"Definitely not my strong suit," Harry replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I've had my fair share of trouble understanding them."
Their conversation meandered, drifting to lighter topics. Yet, the question about Daphne remained an unanswered thread in Harry's mind, a lingering concern that tugged at him with each passing moment.
==/==\==
The sun streamed through the sheer curtains, painting gentle patterns on the walls of Daphne's room at Greengrass Manor. She stirred from her slumber, the warmth of morning casting an illusion of comfort as her thoughts drifted back to Harry.
Her internal conflict waged its silent war within her. Her desire to see him clashed with the unsettling doubts that plagued her mind. What if everything she felt, every longing, every inexplicable pull, was merely a by-product of Harry inadvertently imbuing her with his essence? It was an unsettling thought, one that pierced through her consciousness and clouded her feelings.
Deep down, she yearned to see him, to assure herself that he was truly alright, to feel his presence and know that he was there, breathing and alive. Yet, the nagging uncertainty held her back. What if her attraction to Harry, her admiration, was based on an inexplicable magical bond rather than genuine emotion?
As she battled these conflicting thoughts, a darker notion emerged—a whisper of doubt. What if Harry's potential feelings for her were also influenced by the essence he had unknowingly left within her? It was a cruel twist of fate, a haunting possibility that tore at her insides.
Her heart ached with a weight she couldn't define. She knew that if she allowed herself to visit him, the overwhelming need to be close to him would triumph over her rational fears. But she was Daphne Greengrass—an individual with her own desires, dreams, and a strong sense of self.
To love and be loved for who she was, not because she carried a fragment of someone else's essence—this was the unspoken longing that tugged at her soul. It was a dilemma she couldn't easily resolve, a choice between the gratification of closeness and the preservation of her identity.
Daphne understood the complexity of her emotions, the turmoil that brewed within her. She knew that for both her sake and Harry's, she needed clarity. But finding that clarity was proving to be an insurmountable challenge.
==/===\==
Hermione Apparated outside the gates of the Greengrass Manor, her heart beating a tad faster than usual. Her visit to Harry had been heartening yet perplexing. He was recovering, but something seemed amiss—something that tugged at Hermione's instincts. Hermione knew that there was something else weighing on Harry's mind—Daphne.
A house-elf guided Hermione through the pristine halls of the Greengrass Manor, a sense of unease growing with each step. The house-elf left Hermione in the living room to go and fetch Daphne.
When Daphne arrived, Hermione noted the subtle distress in her eyes, an unease that was difficult to conceal. Hermione offered a warm smile, trying to ease the tension. "Daphne, I hope I'm not intruding. I just thought I'd stop by after visiting Harry."
Daphne managed a polite smile, her eyes betraying the turmoil within. "No, not at all. You're always welcome here."
Hermione could sense Daphne's unease, and her concern deepened. "Is everything alright?" she inquired, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Daphne hesitated, attempting to brush off the question. "It's nothing, really. Just a bit tired."
Hermione wasn't convinced. She'd seen through enough facades to know when something was amiss. "Daphne, you know you can talk to me, right?" Hermione gently pressed, her gaze fixed on the person she had recently began to consider as a friend.
Daphne hesitated, glancing away for a moment before meeting Hermione's gaze. "It's about Harry," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
Taking a seat together, Hermione listened intently as Daphne poured out her inner conflict. She spoke of the uncertainty regarding her emotions, the fear of them being influenced by external forces rather than genuine feelings. Her words carried the weight of a soul in turmoil, torn between longing and apprehension.
Hermione's empathy swelled as she understood the depth of Daphne's internal battle. "It's a lot to deal with," Hermione sympathized, her voice soft yet reassuring. "But remember, your feelings are valid, no matter where they come from. You're entitled to your own emotions, free from doubts or external pressures."
Daphne nodded, grateful for Hermione's understanding. The comfort in knowing someone comprehended her dilemma provided solace amidst the confusion. As they sat together, Hermione offered her presence—a silent vow that Daphne wasn't alone in navigating this labyrinth of emotions.
Hermione remained thoughtful, contemplating every word Daphne had shared. The turmoil her friend was experiencing was complex and layered, and Hermione knew it needed a thoughtful approach.
"Daphne, what you're feeling is completely understandable," Hermione began, her tone gentle yet resolute. "But consider this; according to the research, the connection between a wizard and an imbued artefact is strongest when they're in close proximity. You wouldn't feel anything right now if your emotions were solely tied to the connection Harry accidentally formed with you. It's like the artefact losing its magical presence when it's far from the wizard."
Daphne's brow furrowed in thought. "That does make sense. But what if there's still a lingering effect? Harry's magic might be stronger than what's considered normal, right?"
Hermione nodded, acknowledging the possibility. "That's a fair point. But here's an idea, what if we test this theory? If distance weakens the magical connection, then travelling to a different country or even another continent could provide some clarity. Even the most powerful wizard can't extend their magical reach across continents, especially if this was a minor imbuement, as Healer Eltington mentioned."
The notion seemed to strike a chord with Daphne. The idea of distance severing the connection held a promise of clarity, a way to untangle her emotions from the imbued essence.
"That could work," Daphne mused, a glimmer of hope dancing in her eyes. "It might be the solution to finding out what's really going on."
Hermione's gaze remained steady, her resolve firm. "Let's discuss this with Healer Eltington. If she agrees, we can plan this together and see what she suggests."
With an understanding nod exchanged between the two, Hermione and Daphne decided to seek Healer Eltington's counsel on their theory, hoping it would shed light on the enigmatic link between Harry's essence and Daphne's feelings.
==/==\==
The cool serenity of Healer Eltington's office offered a calming embrace as Daphne and Hermione discussed their plan for the distance test. Healer Eltington, after carefully considering Hermione's theory, concurred that the distance might indeed help clarify Daphne's feelings.
"I believe this could be a good way to discern your feelings, Daphne," the Healer affirmed. "The distance might provide some clarity."
Daphne nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Thank you, Healer Eltington. I'm ready to give it a try."
With the plan set, Daphne and Hermione organized a day trip to Hawaii, extending the invitation to Tracey and Astoria, masking the true purpose behind the outing. The idea was met with enthusiasm, and the day was set for their adventure.
The anticipation before their planned day trip to Hawaii had an air of excitement and hidden tension. Daphne was filled with mixed emotions, her thoughts oscillating between hope and concern as the time for the distance test approached.
In a private discussion with Hermione, the night before the trip, Daphne shared her apprehensions. "What if this clarifies my feelings, but it doesn't tell us anything about Harry's emotions?" she fretted.
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. "It's a valid concern, Daphne. The trip can help you understand your emotions, but it won't uncover Harry's. However, once you're certain about your feelings, you'll have a clearer perspective. You might decide how to approach Harry about this."
Daphne nodded, though the uncertainty still gnawed at her. "I just don't want to be left wondering, you know? What if my feelings are genuine, but his are influenced by the essence he inadvertently imbued in me?"
Hermione put a comforting hand on Daphne's shoulder. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, focus on this trip as an opportunity to understand yourself better. And whatever the outcome, you're not alone in this, Daphne."
Their conversation was filled with moments of silent contemplation, both acknowledging the intricacies of the situation. They strategized the trip's plan, keeping it subtle, ensuring that Tracey and Astoria remained unaware of the real purpose behind the day out.