GOOD DRAGON, BAD DRAGON

Daphne swore that she would get her answers. How dare Potter say such intriguing words and then expect her not to wonder with the way he had rushed off? It couldn't be that hard, she would just have to track him down.

When Daphne had said this would be easy, she hadn't meant it as a challenge. Seriously, how was he escaping her each time?! She had been tailing him for two weeks and she had yet to corner him even once.

She huffed as she entered the library, wondering if she could perhaps have a better chance of finding anything out if she followed around Granger instead. Turning a corner, she was startled seeing all the three Gryffindors on one table. Since when do Potter and Weasley spend so much time in the library?

Carefully, she approached closer, their flabbergasted expressions piquing her curiosity.

"Are you sure Hagrid was in the Dragons' section, Ron? Why would he be looking for books on caring about dragons, of all things?"

"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me the first time I ever met him," Potter added. Dear Merlin, were all Gryffindors that embarrassingly open? Looking past that, Daphne was not liking the direction this conversation was heading in. Not one bit.

"But it's against the Wizarding Laws-" Someone with sense! "- Dragon-breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop Muggles noticing if we're keeping dragons in the back garden - anyway, you can't take dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got."

"Okay, that's settled. What on earth is Hagrid doing? Should we go look?" Granger asked, as if they weren't going to potentially catch the school groundskeeper violating a law.

Oh, why was she even surprised? This was one of the closest friends of the younger brother of the Weasley Twins. She had heard enough horror stories to last her a lifetime. Shuddering, she shook off the thought and began following after them, keeping as close as she dared.

Circe, he actually had a dragon. HE HAD A DRAGON. IN HIS WOODEN CABIN.

Daphne felt like tearing her hair out in frustration. Speeding away, she panted as she finally reached the Slytherin Common Room. Composing herself, she uttered the password and entered, her eyes immediately falling on Malfoy a few feet away, gesturing wildly to his cronies. Frowning at the dreary feeling rising inside her, she inched closer to them.

"- kid you not, that filthy groundskeeper has a damn dragon in his shed thing-"

Stiffening, she moved away swiftly to avoid them catching her and exited the Common Room again, already having decided to warn Potter.

She turned a corner, scowling as she suddenly bumped into someone.

"OH, FOR-" Daphne exclaimed, noticing the increasingly familiar-looking shaggy black hair and thin frame. "Potter, we have got to stop meeting like this, it's not good for my health."

"Greengrass?! H-"

"I know about Hagrid's dragon-"

"HOW? Come on, you better not say anything to Snape, Hagrid doesn't know what's good and I swear, we're working on removing the dragon from him-"

Did he just interrupt me?

Interrupting, she told him, "I'm not the one you should be worried about, Potter. Malfoy saw the dragon somehow. He's currently trying to convince his friends about that. I have no doubt he'll try to reach out to Snape."

"WHAT?! How did Malfoy see us?"

"You guys weren't really subtle, you know. The Library is a quiet place, meaning you can eavesdrop on others' conversation without even trying to. Why do you think I heard you? I was just trying to study when you started shouting about Dragon Laws." That was a complete lie, wasn't it? But oh well, what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"Crap, he heard us too, huh?" Potter muttered, sounding bitter. Oh, she was feeling kind of guilty for lying now. "Well, thanks for warning me, Greengrass. I'll meet you later, I have to tell Ron and Hermione too."

"Wait, Potter-" And he was gone. Seriously, she could see why he'd been made Seeker. He was frustratingly fast.

And of course, it ended in detention. Did Gryffindors really not know the meaning of subtlety? Really, she gets that their entire brand is red, gold and obnoxious, but not every situation calls for such qualities.

What she was more surprised about, was that Longbottom had supposedly been found roaming about too, to warn the do-gooders. She conceded that maybe the Hat wasn't so mistaken after all.

At least, she had succeeded in not letting Malfoy inform any teacher, Merlin forbid it were Snape. Had he informed Snape, the bat-like professor would've gleefully traipsed down to the Groundskeeper's Cabin himself for a little chat. There would've been absolutely no chance at recovering had Snape been the one to find the dragon. Malfoy getting caught himself had been a little cherry on top. Served him right, honestly.

From the rumour mill though, Daphne gleaned that the dragon had been handed off with little to no trouble and the duo had been caught in the returning trip.

It would've been nice to hear the tale from Potter himself, though.

Sighing, she admitted to herself, Looks like it's not going to be so easy after all.

This was getting frustrating beyond belief. How could one person be so hard to locate?! Daphne almost believed higher powers were at play with how she had yet to corner Potter. Almost.

Finals Week was over and she had not been able to gain what she wanted. Her mother would be so disappointed.

Having given her last exam, she was on her way out to the Grounds for some desperately needed sunlight when she noticed the Trio rushing inside.

The trio were clearly out of breath and discussing frantically among themselves. They really do not know subtlety, huh.

"It's going to be tonight! You heard what McGonagall said, there's no better time than tonight!"

"And pray tell Potter, what exactly is tonight?" She smirked, watching all three of them jump and turn on their heels slowly as though expecting Death itself waiting.

"Uh, Greengrass-", an audible gulp, "Nothing of much note, honest. What're you doing here?"

"Was just minding my own business when I noticed you three being all suspicious. Again." She raised an eyebrow, watching Potter shrug a shoulder sheepishly.

"Well, seriously, it's not much. We were, uh, talking about a, uh, … Party! Party because, you know, exams are over and we're all so terribly exhausted that we deserve a break…." He trailed off nervously, wincing at the terrible lie.

"Really now, is that so? C'mon," She smiled, watching his ears go red as the other two watched on in obvious wariness and confusion, "You can tell me the truth."

"Um…"

"Come on, Harry. We have to … plan the details for, uh, party tonight-!" Granger snapped as she began tugging Harry away.

"Oh, seriously-"

"Greengrass!"

Damn it, I was SO close, Daphne fumed as she watched the three borderline sprint out of view and Parkinson, the one who had called out to her, come to a stop in front of her.

"Well, are you just going to-"

"Shut up." She interrupted coldly before storming off in the opposite direction. Next time, I'm not letting him off the hook even if I have to break his legs, she promised to herself, already knowing she was going to get her answers.

Author's Note-

Nobody:

Harry: *casually avoids Daphne*