Here's what you missed last chapter:

Harry declines Hermione's invitation to accompany her to Hogsmeade, having already committed to going with Daphne. They soon meet after breakfast and their journey to Hogsmeade is marked by an initial awkwardness and formality. However, Tracey's list of unconventional questions which she deviously replaced proves to be a catalyst, breaking the initial tension and paving the way for a more effortless and enjoyable conversation. Ultimately, both find themselves pleasantly engaged, with Harry even reaching a level of comfort that allows him to playfully tease Daphne by the end of their date.

Chapter 3

Harry's peaceful breakfast was interrupted by a white owl dropping some post next to his plate.

Still riding the high in the wake of last weekend's astonishingly successful date, he was strangely optimistic about the piece of rolled parchment despite his mail being usually negative in nature, either a notification about a pending detention or a reminder of missed work to hand in.

Undoing the delicate green knot that sealed the parchment together he unrolled it to find a letter with neat, tidy handwriting written in black ink.

Dear Harry Potter,

I extend to you my sincerest gratitude for the pleasure of your company during our excursion this past Saturday. Your amiable demeanour and engaging conversation contributed significantly to the enjoyment of the occasion, and I hope I was satisfactory in holding my end.

I eagerly anticipate the prospect of further engagements in the future, should you find it agreeable. In the meantime, please accept my best wishes for your continued success and ongoing projects.

Thank you once again for your time and attention.

Yours sincerely,

Daphne Greengrass

Harry raised an eyebrow at the letter before he couldn't stop a wide smile from splitting his face. This was so her. He understood that pure bloods were raised with considerably more rigorous parenting than most, but even this seemed like a little over the top. Not in a bad way however, of course.

He appreciated the sentiment anyhow. He unfortunately hasn't bumped into Daphne since the date, so he didn't get the chance to express his thanks. It's refreshing to see a girl have so much initiative.

He looked across the Great Hall towards the Slytherin table, and quickly spotted Daphne also having breakfast. She was sitting alone but was watching him from afar, and it made Harry smile like an absolute fool. Seeing Harry smile so widely, Daphne let break a small smile of her own before she averted her gaze awkwardly, having been caught staring.

Harry continued to gaze at Daphne in dazed joy as his heart swelled just at the thought of the girl. It was until somebody moved directly in the line of sight and didn't budge.

He looked up at the figure and saw Tracey standing over him, clad in her school robes, messy as usual.

"Top of the morning," Tracey said with a salute. "You sure look happy for a Monday morning. What's got your guts in a somersault?"

"Huh?" Harry said, blinking. He subconsciously held Daphne's letter closer to his chest. "Oh, nothing. Had a good night's sleep."

"Oh yeah?" Tracey said, a natural smile gracing her face. "Makes two of us. Ooh, what ya got there?" she asked, nodding at the rolled parchment in Harry's hand.

"This? Just some…" Harry racked his head. "Correspondence."

Tracey hummed, looking at the green string on the table. Her smile turned into a smirk. "Is that Daffy's? Mind if I see?"

Harry grimaced. He wondered how she knew and how much Tracey knew about her friend. "I guess," he said, handing over the scroll.

Tracey took it and eagerly unrolled it. It took her a couple of seconds to read the letter, before she burst into laughter.

Harry sat there awkwardly as a few nearby fellow Gryffindors looked towards the ruckus, but Tracey kept laughing and he wasn't sure what to do. After too long, Tracey finally exhaled deeply and composed herself.

"Oh man, this is classic," Tracey chuckled, wiping her eyes. "Of course Daffy would do this. She is so autistic."

Harry grimaced again at Tracey's rather crude language. "I think it's sweet."

"It's sweet alright," Tracey shrugged, handing the letter back. "Bro, this is so exciting. Daffy is finally coming out of her shell."

"I'm… not sure what you mean."

Tracey slid onto the seat next to Harry. "I'm sure you already know, but Daphne is a little strange. Not in a bad way of course, but I think all the pure blood training got to her and she ends up looking sour all the time. But you," she pointed at Harry's chest. "Got her acting even stranger because she's so out of her element. It's so cute. Wait." Tracey gasped as she was struck with inspiration, loading her with even more energy. "She's the one who asked you out, isn't she! How did she do it!? Oh my god, do you have a pensieve memory?"

"Uh… I guess I could make one but she might not be pleased if I show you–"

"Come on," Tracey drawled, leaning closer. "She's never pleased. And she's my bestie, she won't be mad, promise. Not at you anyway. And you," she jabbed a finger into Harry's chest again. "Are going to be my second-in-command bestie. Second-in-command besties always share everything with each other."

"I'm pretty sure that's something you just made up," Harry said. "I don't know about this."

"Okay," Tracey leaned back, flipped her hair, and sat in a more proper position, clasping her hands together. "Proposition. I grew up with Daffy, so I know plenty of stories about her. Some are rather embarrassing. Wouldn't you like to hear them?"

"Well, of course I would–"

"Then I'm more than happy to tell you. But," she held up a finger. "They're not going to be for free. I'm willing to tell you one story of your choice at the expense of you showing me the memory of Daphne asking you out."

"Ah…" Harry breathed in sharply. "Only one story?"

Tracey nodded deviously. "I need to keep some bargaining chips."

"Right, still sounds like a good deal but…"

"But…?" Tracey encouraged, but Harry didn't say anything. "Exactly. It is a win-win situation. Well, win-win-lose, as Daffy ain't gaining anything from this. But no matter. So, do we have a deal or nah?"

Harry looked into Tracey's eyes, and she was so eager and so excited. And he kind of owed her one, she played a pivotal role in the success of their date. Besides it's not anything embarrassing, she simply asked him out and he said yes. There wasn't really any harm in showing her.

"Okay," Harry said. "I'll show you."

"Yes!" Tracey pumped her fist in celebration as Ron and Hermione made their way to the table.

"Ah, what's that snake doing 'ere?" Ron groaned.

Tracey jumped out of her seat and held out her hand. "Was just about to leave. Tracey Davis, Harry Potter's second-in-command. Enchanted to meet you."

Ron looked at Hermione in bewilderment. "The hell she on about?"

Tracey looked back at Harry and saluted again. "It was nice doing business with you. I will catch you around." And then she disappeared.

"What was that?" Hermione said as the pair sat opposite Harry.

"Not sure," Harry lied, hiding Daphne's letter underneath the table.

"The pensieve gods would cry when they realise what we are using this for," Harry mumbled as he and Tracey stood over the Hogwarts Pensieve, which were definitely not for use for unauthorised students, even if they were in sixth year.

"This is for a good cause, trust," Tracey said as she clapped her hands excitedly. "Man, I've never used one of these before."

"Professor Dumbledore has told me how dangerous pensieves are. Are you sure you still want to use it?"

Tracey scowled at him. "Don't you try to deter me now, Potter. Tracey backs down from no challenge."

"Did you just refer to yourself in the third person?"

"Put the vial in, we watch the memory, we leave, and we never get caught." Tracey commanded. "The longer we wait the more time Pansy Parkinson has to ruin our day. How did that hag even get prefect? Daffy was devastated. Rat."

"Okay, I guess here goes," Harry said as he poured his extracted memory into the pensieve and watched it swirl. "Just… dip your head in."

He and Tracey did as such, and instantly they were launched into the pensieve and into a familiar corridor.

"Hmm, potions corridor, very chic," Tracey remarked as she brushed the dust off her shoulder. "Oh, there's Daffy," she pointed out as they watched Daphne walk out of the classroom and lingered around. "I wonder how we can see her come out when it's your memory?"

"I must have seen her in my subconscious. It tries to recreate everything you see and feel."

"Subconscious my ass. Explain to me why she's vivid and the others are blurry as fuck."

"Can you blame me? I had a crush on her."

"And remarkably, the converse was true." Tracey smirked. "I wonder if I can sabotage from the future. Hey, Daffy!" she called, waving her hands wildly at Daphne but she did not appear to sense them.

"We're passive bystanders," Harry explained. "They can't see us."

"Shame," Tracey said. "Aww, look at her, that cutie pie," she grinned as she pointed to Daphne who was now pacing back and forth, a little tensed up. "She is so practicing her lines."

"What lines?" Harry said before the scene transitioned since Daphne had walked out of memory-Harry's eyeline and thus could no longer be part of the memory. They watched as Harry walked out of the potions classroom briskly, and Daphne suddenly stepped forward.

"Potter, wait up."

Harry watched as his old self whipped around and Daphne started speaking with him. Of course, he remembered most of what she had said because it was such a gigantic moment for him, but it was refreshing seeing everything play out again – their body language, the subtle rolls of Daphne's feet, Harry's bewildered expression.

"…would be prudent if we headed to Hogsmeade and discussed our options further." Daphne was saying, and with a brief glance to his right he could see Tracey biting both her hands' nails, completely overjoyed.

"I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?"

"Well, you like me."

There was a pause. "Do I?"

Daphne deflated. "You don't?"

"WAIT! PAUSE PAUSE!" Tracey suddenly exclaimed and the memory froze in place. "Oh," Tracey said as she looked around her. "I did not expect that to work. But oh my god she did not say that. And you did not just say that."

Harry was confused at what 'that' was. "I guess we did."

"Just look! Come come," she gushed, gesturing for Harry to follow. "Look at her little face," Tracey grinned as they stood next to her frozen form. "She is so embarrassed." She took one more glance at Daphne before she broke down in diabolical laughter.

"I suppose she is," Harry said blankly. He didn't find it as funny as Tracey clearly did, but at least she was having fun.

"I wish I had a camera. Hopefully I can have a pensieve memory of watching your pensieve memory. How cool would that be? A two-layer memory?"

"I don't think you should, these things are dangerous."

"Oh, that's boring. You're starting to sound like Daffy yourself." Tracey rolled her eyes. "But man, this is even better than I imagined. Imagine the scenes. Daffy gaslights herself into thinking you're enamoured with her only to get the bitter sting of rejection. I would laugh my head off."

"Kinda mean," Harry drawled.

"As if Daffy isn't," Tracey grinned. The scene resumed and beside Tracey squealing every so often like an eleven-year-old girl, there wasn't that much left that Harry hadn't noticed already, except for when Daphne shook Harry's hand one last time and hurried off to her next class. As soon as Daphne knew her face was out of sight, she smiled wider than Harry had ever seen and honestly, she looked so much better when she was smiling so naturally.

"So socially inept," he heard Tracey tut under her breath next to him. "But man do you guys make my heart melt."

They were pulled out of the memory and were once again standing next to the idle pensieve.

"Phew, that was a ride for the ages," Tracey said as she wiped her eyes. "Thanks so much for showing me. I had a crap ton of fun."

"I'm glad you liked it. But please don't tell Daphne."

"Oh I won't," Tracey said. "I'll just spook her with a few vivid details of her asking you out. She'll never guess it was a pensieve."

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but then they heard a couple of people coming down the stairs.

"Ah shit," Tracey hissed as she crouched down. It did not make her any less visible. "We're fucked. At least it was worth it, I guess. You ready for four weeks of detentions?"

"No need," Harry responded as he reached into his robe and took out his invisibility cloak. "Should fit both of us if we go slowly. And quietly."

Tracey squinted at the item in Harry's hand before she realised what it was and grinned widely. "You are a genius. I understand why people call you the Chosen One now, because you are him, yessir!"

Harry grimaced. "Just get in," he said, spreading the cloak and Tracey was more than eager to comply. He soon got in with her and turned invisible just as a few professors walked into the room. He just about managed to fit but it was very cramped.

"Don't get too close now," Tracey hissed, as she nudged him with a grin. "Daffy might get a little jealous."

"Shut up," Harry hissed back. "Now's not the time. Let's get out of here."

Tracey thankfully stayed obedient, and they got out of there without too many hitches.

Harry and Hermione were walking out of Charms class soon after they were dismissed when they bumped into Daphne walking opposite their direction.

"Oh hey," Harry said as they stopped in front of each other.

"Good afternoon," Daphne greeted. "How are you today?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Better now that you're here," he blurted. Probably not the most conventional thing to say, but it was the truth. "You look great."

"Thank you," Daphne responded. "Same goes to you. I see your robes are uncreased."

"Ah yes, you noticed," Harry said, feeling a little shy. "I decided to take inspiration from you."

"That's kind," Daphne replied. Harry smiled back in response, and a part of him wished Hermione wasn't with him because his time with Daphne was limited as it was, and he hadn't spoken to her in a while.

Daphne was possibly thinking the same thing, for both their eyes drifted to Hermione who was watching them curiously. Daphne's smile disappeared and there was a moment of awkward silence. A little flustered now that she was now under attention, Hermione said, "I should be getting to my next class. I'll catch you later, Harry?"

"Okay, see you in a bit," Harry said, and Hermione gave him a quick hug and continued on her way down the corridor.

Daphne looked back to watch Hermione walk off with narrowed eyes. "Can you tell me a little about the dynamic of your relationship?"

"Huh?" Harry said, a little caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

Daphne was still watching Hermione, who had reached the far staircase. "What is Granger like when she's with you? Have you sensed anything… unorderly?"

Still not entirely sure what Daphne was trying to aim at, Harry responded, "Hard to describe but she's been a good friend of mine since, well, forever really."

Daphne hummed as Hermione walked down the stairs and disappeared from sight. She looked back at him, but her expression was unreadable. "When and how did your friendship begin to blossom?"

"I think it was sometime in first year when Ron and I rescued her from a troll in the girl's bathroom. She stuck with us since and here we still are, I guess."

Daphne nodded slowly, a small frown on her eyebrows. "Do you have reason to believe she might have romantic inclinations towards you?"

Harry choked on his spit. "I'm sorry?"

"Do you have reason to believe she might have romantic inclinations towards you?" she repeated.

"Uh, not as far as I'm aware. I doubt it. Probably would've known by now if she did," Harry replied, a little bewildered at Daphne's sudden stream of questions. Daphne was staring at a spot on the floor in thought and didn't look fully at ease. "Why do you ask?"

Daphne blinked and looked at Harry again. "Oh, no reason. Just curious."

"In any case, I definitely don't have any towards her," Harry said.

That seemed to appease Daphne. "Enough about her for today." She took a breath and composed herself. "How have you been? Have you been up to anything interesting since we last met?"

"To be honest, I don't think I did much at all. Not much can be more interesting than last Saturday, at least," Harry responded.

The memory gave Daphne a small smile. But she soon controlled her expression. "I would've thought the contrary. I had rather concluded you have been very busy, considering you never responded to my letter."

"Oh," Harry grimaced. "I have been meaning to write back, but truthfully, I wasn't too sure what to say. I hope you're not too bothered about it?" he said hopefully.

Her expression was blank. "Of course not."

"It's actually convenient because I have been meaning to give you this, but I haven't had the chance before now," Harry said, taking his backpack off and rummaging inside it. Eventually he took the item out of his bag.

"What is this?" Daphne inquired when she took the piece of parchment from Harry's hand.

"It's enchanted. I have one as well," Harry grinned, lifting his own. "It's linked to each other in the sense that whatever we write on it would also appear on the other one."

"I assume this is for us to communicate to each other without owls?"

"Exactly," Harry nodded enthusiastically. "We could reach each other at, well, any time really, and I thought it would be handy since we don't see each other all that often with curfew and classes and house stuff. If you want it, that is."

"Of course I do," Daphne said quickly. "That's very neat. Thank you."

Harry smiled in response as Daphne placed the enchanted parchment in her bag.

"How come you have come to obtain all these gadgets?" she enquired.

"All these gadgets?" he echoed.

"Yes. The map. The cloak. And now the enchanted parchment?"

"Oh," Harry smiled, feeling a little cheeky. "That would be because I'm the Chosen One."

He was a little worried that his jest would fall flat and be taken seriously, for Daphne's expression remained impassive for a few seconds.

But to his relief, she eventually said, "Chosen by Trelawney when she was high on mushrooms."

Harry laughed while Daphne cracked a smile.

"On a more serious note, I should probably go in now, the other Slytherins would be coming soon," she continued, nodding towards the Charms classroom.

"Yes of course," Harry said quickly. "Oh, just before you go, I've been wondering about how…" he racked his brain for the right phrasing. "You feel about people knowing?"

"Regarding our affiliation?" Daphne elaborated and Harry nodded. She thought for a few moments. "While I'm not eager for everybody to know about us given we're still at an early stage, I don't wish to hide it either. There might be repercussions and trouble, but it's worth it if I can go on excursions with you without fear of the public eye."

Harry felt a surge of affection. "So if somebody asks if I'm seeing anybody, am I allowed to mention you?"

"Yes, by all means," Daphne responded. "Although frankly, they probably won't even believe you."

"That's true," Harry chuckled. "You do have a reputation."

"Only good things I hope."

"It's, ah, subjective."

She smiled briefly before pursing her lips. "It is just the Slytherins that I am worried about. I am growing less fond of them as we grow older," she continued. "Especially that ferret Malfoy."

"You have a thing against Malfoy as well?"

"He was okay, albeit a little arrogant. That was until he told me he liked my sister and asked me if I could put in a word. My younger sister," she clarified when Harry stayed quiet. "She's in fourth year."

"Oh okay, that's bad."

"I know!" Daphne groaned. Harry loved it when Daphne's stoic demeanour fades away and wished it wasn't so rare. "Merlin knew I wanted to twist his balls but alas, we were in the common room and I wanted to maintain my clean academic record."

Harry laughed. "I kinda wish you had done it."

"Don't tempt me. I still very much would like to do so." She looked back again and saw a group of Slytherins coming. She sighed. "I really should get going. It's been a pleasure speaking to you, Harry."

"Likewise." There was a moment of half-awkward silence as they stared at each other's eyes, unmoving. "Not going to shake my hand this time?" Harry quipped.

"Oh shut up, you," Daphne laughed with a roll of her eyes. "I'll talk to you later."

Harry waved her goodbye before heading towards the Gryffindor common room to unwind from this conversation. Speaking with Daphne could be a little scary since she made him nervous, but he felt he did a good job today, and he liked speaking to her a lot.

He was two staircases down when he bumped into his second-favourite Slytherin who was running up the stairs three steps at a time.

"I'd love to stop and chat," Tracey panted. "But I'm a little strapped for time. Charms. I'm kinda late."

"Okay, go, go," Harry laughed.

Tracey nodded and ran past him, but turned when she was halfway up the stairs. "Let me know when you want story time!" she called.

"Can't wait!"

Tracey saluted him and continued running up the stairs, making Harry wince when she nearly slipped.

Just before curfew, Tracey made her way back to her dormitory only to find Daphne writing away at her desk in her sleep robes.

"Ah, doing your charms homework?" Tracey called as a way to announce her presence, but Daphne didn't turn around and kept writing. It was as if Daphne hadn't heard her at all.

Clearing her throat, Tracey tried again, "Daffy! Hello?"

There was still no response, only the sound of Daphne's quill scratching against the parchment.

Sighing, Tracey chucked her broomstick in the direction of her bed and walked up the desk. "Greengrass!" She clapped loudly in front of Daphne's face.

"Ah!" Daphne flailed as she dropped her quill and looked up, and to Tracey's utter bewilderment Daphne was smiling. What could have happened in doing her charms homework that had enticed a smile on Daphne, of all people? "Oh, hello," she greeted. "You didn't have to do that."

"I kinda did?" Tracey said. "I already called you twice."

"Ah, I must have not heard you then. I apologise," Daphne said, but her attention was drawn towards the parchment again and Tracey could swear some writing was appearing from thin air.

"Are you doing the charms homework set today?" Tracey asked.

"Huh? No," Daphne said with that smile again on her face. She was obviously distracted.

Tracey was very confused. What on earth was on that parchment?

"Okay, you're weirding me out. Why are you smiling like that?"

"I'm not smiling," Daphne said, her obvious smile poorly concealed. She noticed Tracey's eyeline drift towards the parchment she was writing on, and Daphne quickly folded it in half. "Go have a shower, I'll talk to you later."

"Right…" Tracey said suspiciously. She backed away slowly and gathered her supplies and a towel. On her way out, she looked back and Daphne was, once again, scribbling away at the parchment.

She made her shower as quick as possible so she could catch Daphne off guard, although it probably wouldn't be very hard considering Daphne basically had her ears deactivated when she's writing away. If it wasn't the charms essay, what else could it be?

Tracey finished her shower and upon re-entering their dormitory, Daphne was still at her desk and writing. A soft sound escaped Daphne's lips and Tracey could swear it was a giggle.

Not sure whether to be more curious or horrified, Tracey peeked over Daphne's shoulder to see a line of handwritten text fade into the page, and it wasn't Daphne's handwriting.

I'm sorry, but they genuinely all taste the same to me.

Daphne gasped and picked up her quill again before Tracey decided to interrupt.

"Is that Harry?"

Daphne jumped. "Tracey! You need to stop scaring me like this!"

"What do you mean!" Tracey said. "Why are you still smiling like a fool? Who are you and what have you done to Daphne?"

"I'm not smiling," Daphne said again.

"Say it a thousand times and it remains a lie," Tracey rolled her eyes in exasperation. Then it suddenly clicked, there could only be one explanation. "You're talking to Harry aren't you. Where did you even get that?"

Daphne thought for a bit, sucking on the insides of her cheeks. Then she sighed and conceded, "Yes, he gave it to me earlier today. Neat, isn't it?"

"I suppose?" Tracey said dubiously. "How long have you been here talking to him?"

"I don't know. What time is it?"

"Half past."

"Nine?"

"Ten."

"Oh dear." Daphne said. "Time really does fly."

"Oh dear indeed. Can I have a look?"

"No way."

"Can I talk to him?"

"Absolutely not."

"Come on," Tracey drawled. "Just one line."

"No."

"Why not?" she pouted.

"He will think it is me, and only Merlin knows what diabolical things you will come up with."

"Shame," Tracey shook her head. "That you are so boring. Whatever. I'm going to do my charms homework."

"It's due on Friday?" Daphne frowned.

"Unlike you, I'm not a procrastinator. Well, except for last Friday night when you were stressing to get all your work done before your date." Tracey grinned.

"It was a good decision!" Daphne said defensively.

Tracey shook her head again good-naturedly before she went to the shelf to grab some parchment, but then something in the bin caught her eye. It looked remarkably familiar.

"Oi!" Tracey shouted when she picked it up. "These are my questions!"

Daphne turned around. "Oh yes. I disposed of them."

"Why?! Harry loved them!"

Daphne scowled. "You put me through all seven stages of humiliation with those questions!"

"Please, there aren't even seven stages of humiliation!" Tracey said. "There's two, max. You feel embarrassed and then you take it like a champ and laugh it off!"

"Even then, there is no way I'm putting myself through that again."

"I spent ages on making this," Tracey sighed as she opened it and read through the questions. Damn, did she want to see how Daphne answered these. Maybe she could bargain another story to see the pensieve memory? "So rude of you to throw it away like that."

"I'm sorry," Daphne simply said.

"You're just like the other girls," Tracey remarked, folding it up. "Idolising the marvellous Harry Potter and turning to mush whenever he speaks to you."

"I do not turn into mush when he speaks to me. Also, this is different. I do not idolise him. The other girls like him because he is Harry Potter. I like somebody who just happens to be Harry Potter."

Tracey stared at Daphne for a few seconds. "The hell is the difference?"

"I like him because he is Harry Potter, not because he's called Harry Potter."

Tracey was very confused. "You're talking nonsense."

Daphne exhaled sharply through her nose. "If he wasn't the boy who lived, there was no prophecy about him and had a different name, I would still be attracted to him. He happens to be my type, and he has a good personality. The other girls will not say the same. Do you understand now?"

"Ah, got you," Tracey nodded. "That's very cute. You must have gotten to known him at a greater depth," she said slyly. "His demeanour must have been very amiable."

Daphne scowled, a little spooked at the uncanny phrasing. "Correct. Exactly how I would've put it."

Tracey grinned. "I need to do this stupid homework now. Please help me so you can come to my game tomorrow."

"What game?" Daphne enquired.

"Quidditch? Against Hufflepuff?"

"Oh yes, of course."

"Can't believe you forgot. Need to get less Harry and more Tracey on your mind."

"I didn't forget," Daphne said. "It was a temporary lapse in memory."

"That is the definition of forgetting," Tracey rolled her eyes. "Say your goodbyes and let's get this over with."

Thank you all for the immense support on this story, and as a result I'm going to extend this to a mini-series. I'll give Harry and Daphne some more development, though I'll avoid veering the story off the progress of the relationship (e.g. no Voldemort hunting). As always, I thank you all for reading, and I would love to hear your thoughts :)