A/N: Early post as promised, and I'm decently happy with how this one turned out. It covers a good amount of time, bringing us closer to where things really kick off. I'll wait to post 38 until I finish 49, but that should be relatively soon if life cooperates. Thanks for all the interaction with the story!

Chapter 37

May 6, 1996

"Harry Potter," Voldemort hissed as he strode through the wreckage, a decent number of followers apparating to his side. "You're becoming more than a simple annoyance..."

"Sorry, Tom," he answered, his voice unwavering. "I wasn't aware you were interested in a hospital. This one's taken, unfortunately, but you can have the next one if you'd like."

He moved as he spoke, crossing through his recovering troops and wiping blood from his own eyes. His team followed, and Albus joined him at the head of the small formation. The Dark Lord slowed as they neared each other, stopping ten meters from the group.

"What are we to do, Harry?" the monster asked lightly, twirling his wand. "Will this be the final battlefield? I've always pictured something more open, so others can see you fall."

"I fell last June, and the idiots behind you saw it just fine."

"I've been meaning to ask you about that…"

"I'd have to get you to sign a contract... I don't have it with me right now, but I'll bring it next time."

"Next time?" Voldemort asked with a disgusting laugh. "No, this is the end of your chapter in this story… Not as dramatic as I hoped, but an end all the same. The old man next to you won't be able to stop it, if that's what you're relying on."

"He's more nimble than you'd think," Harry countered, trying to buy Alpha Company the time they needed to complete the extraction. "If I get a vote I say we postpone the unpleasantness. We'll be outta here shortly, and then the building is all yours. Might need some new shingles…"

"I didn't come for the building. I knew your bleeding heart wouldn't allow the hospital to fall to me, but I didn't expect the speed with which your little group would move…"

"Thanks, Tom! I'd say the same about yours, but I can't help but think they're more animal than human at the moment."

"It'll be yours in cages, though..."

"No good… Charlie doesn't share spaces well. Did you bring Lucius with you? I've been meaning to kill him for a while, but my schedule's been pretty tight."

"We're here, Potter," a voice called from far behind Voldemort, which Harry immediately recognized.

"Draco, I'm so pleased to hear your voice! Come on up to the front of the class, if you would… it won't be for long…"

"Stay where you are," Voldemort ordered, his expression quickly turning from casual to dangerous as he raised his wand. "Enough of this."

Harry reinforced Bill's shield as the Dark Lord unleashed a torrent of pure magic, the stream of evil almost making him sick to his stomach. The dome shield managed to repel the burst, though he could feel the small toll the protection took from his reserves.

Albus immediately stepped forward, waving his arm wide, and a large swath of wind and debris flew at the Death Eaters at incredible speed. Voldemort cast a shield of his own that incinerated the debris, and the hallway quickly descended into chaos around them.

"Davies!" Harry called loudly as Voldemort and Dumbledore began to duel viciously. The man appeared next to him quickly, a surprisingly calm look on his face. "You and three others will ensure the Death Eaters in the breakroom aren't able to exit. Bring the building down if you have to, we're dead if they're at our back."

"Yes, sir!"

Harry felt Sirius on his left, and turned with a reluctant grin.

"Nicely done, kiddo. You bought us an extra minute at least… Ready for this?"

"Nope! Should be fun."

"Three deep breaths…"

The suggestion was ignored as they turned back to their team, while Charlie, Bill, and Remus fired a constant barrage of spells at the Death Eaters. Harry sprinted to his Headmaster at the front, and was grateful for the three Frenchmen and Enzo that joined them.

He watched as Albus spun around a spell as Bill's shield finally fell, and deflected another that approached the man as he moved. Albus quickly returned the favor as Harry sent a huge blasting curse at the monster mere feet away, though Voldemort apparated away from the spell, forcing three Death Eaters behind him to die gruesomely.

Harry and Albus sensed the man's magic immediately, both turning to their left. The teen sent a huge burst of unfocused magic in the Dark Lord's new direction, giving Albus enough time to pass him the Elder Wand. The Wand seemed to rejoice at the reunion, and the boost it gave him lifted Harry's spirits. He felt his team working alongside the troops behind him, and saw Death Eaters falling away from them steadily.

Enzo had chosen to follow the pair, however, and Harry felt him deflecting and shielding an incredible number of curses aimed at their backs. He knew it was only a matter of time before something went wrong for his people, and pushed the attack in an effort to prevent it.

His next explosive curse pushed Voldemort physically backwards, though the monster's shield was able to contain the magic. Albus followed the spell with one of his own, while he animated three nearby benches with his offhand. Voldemort destroyed them with a casual wave of his hand, and returned the earlier spells with vigor.

Harry deflected the incredible blasting curse sent his way into the Death Eaters to his right, and was slightly gratified to hear screams of pain in its wake. He began to fire spells without thought, intent on keeping Voldemort on his back foot, and the Elder Wand almost sang in response. The monster withstood the barrage, however, and apparated away when his shield began to flag.

Albus turned with a shield immediately, and Harry fired through it as the man reappeared behind them. The quick response was the only thing that saved Charlie from catching a Killing Curse, and the redhead sent the pair a nod before firing on the Dark Lord himself. Three powerful wizards casting at once proved too much for the man, and he disappeared once more.

Harry took a moment to extend his senses, finally feeling the monster appear in the breakroom Davies was guarding. He sprinted through the chaos to stand in front, Albus, Charlie and Enzo struggling to keep up.

"Davies!" Harry barked. "Voldemort's inside, ease your men back."

The order was thankfully followed in time, as Harry felt a large swell of magic beyond the doors. He raised a shield just as the explosion sounded, deflecting the doors up and out of the destroyed roof. Most of the squad flinched at the explosion, but Harry sent an explosive curse of his own in response. He saw an unknown Death Eater turned to pink mist at the end of his spell, but Voldemort was unaffected.

"Your group is good," the Dark Lord called loudly. "But far too small."

Harry felt a huge influx of magic at the words, and realized a large number of new Death Eaters had joined the fight. He felt his team fighting frantically behind him, and knew the larger number would quickly overwhelm them. He reached for the floo at his hip, but it chirped to life before he could grab it.

"St. Mungo's clear! Get out of there!"

"Alpha Company out!" he called loudly, relief filling his chest. "Now!"

—

Daphne tried to relax as her mother combed her hair, but her anxiety wouldn't allow it. Her father had lost three straight chess matches to Ron, and Neville was working with Astoria and Tracey on their shielding. A thoroughly normal afternoon in the Room… except for the tension sitting thickly around them. There was an unspoken uneasiness among the group, but she knew voicing it wouldn't serve any positive purpose.

It felt like there were invisible bugs crawling around her body, and she fought a constant battle to not react physically. The waiting was unbearable, and she renewed her vow to never be left behind again.

Her mum's hands stilled as the door to the Room creaked open, but Daphne's eyes closed instead of turning. The outcome was binary for her, and the thought of anyone but Harry opening that door was devastating. A brief second felt like an hour as she wished for the desired person, and her Mum sighing heavily was more confusing than it was comforting.

"How many wins in a row, Ron?"

The unseen greeting was more than enough of an answer, and Daphne's body followed her eyelids as she shot up from the couch. She crossed the room in three steps, stopping short and taking in the sight of her boyfriend.

His clothes were a lost cause, riddled with holes and burns, and his visible skin was also the worse for wear. His left cheek was cut deep, though the bleeding had already stopped, and his right arm was slowly dripping red. His legs seemed unharmed, but as Daphne's eyes traveled back up, her heart nearly burst.

His stupid lopsided grin was as prominent as ever, and his carefree expression made her want to scream in frustration despite the joy she felt.

"Exactly what are you so happy about?"

"You," he answered softly, taking a step forward. "We didn't lose a single person, though we have a few injuries, but all I could think for the last two hours was how much I wanted to see your face. Here it is, so why shouldn't I be happy?"

"Because," Daphne countered, taking a step back as he continued to move forward. "Because… I've been miserable for the last eight hours, and I… I don't… I'm not…"

Harry's smile grew more understanding as he continued to approach, and Daphne stopped her backpedaling at the sight. He reached a hand out tentatively, close enough for her to grasp if she wanted, and her brain seemed to break through her confusion at the action. She swatted the hand away with her left and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his midsection for support.

"I'm okay," he whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"I knew you would be," she countered softly, tears streaming from her eyes. "But this waiting thing isn't for me..."

—

May 24, 1996

The weeks following the St. Mungo's extraction settled back into an odd sort of normal, though Harry spent quite a bit of it at home. The Brunsons had helped his team meticulously plan for the influx of people from the hospital, but the reality of the situation was more difficult than expected.

The most awkward moment for Harry had been addressing the newcomers, a large handful of whom were very displeased by the 'kidnapping' they experienced. The Village was placed under lockdown before the extraction, so the new arrivals, willing or otherwise, were unable to leave until they signed a confidentiality contract about what they'd seen.

Albus was on hand to help ease tensions a bit, but there was a small minority that were clearly on Voldemort's side of the political spectrum. That group flipped from being overly hostile about the extraction to overly curious about their current location, and Harry'd been forced to confine them to their quarters until they were allowed to leave. Despite their demands otherwise, every person over the age of sixteen signed the contract, and the children caught in the net were placed under very careful memory charms.

Arthur caught a ton of flak from the Prophet over the operation and the vocal minority was furious, but the vast majority of Wizarding Britain was thrilled the hospital was now relatively safe. The Minister gave an interview detailing a new smaller medical facility for anyone that remained neutral, and there was just enough dissenting staff from the hospital to man it comfortably.

His team felt torn on providing and paying for a hospital for what they knew would be the other side's coming casualties, but none felt good about leaving the few stubborn neutrals without medical care. It was an imperfect solution to an impossible problem, but the benefit of having the influx of staff and equipment for the Village outweighed the risks in Harry's eyes.

As classes concluded for the week, the teen made the familiar journey to his Headmaster's office after a surprisingly formal invitation. The meeting felt a bit foreboding, as the pair already spoke a few times each week over breakfast and for training, but Harry entered the office with a smile when he sensed the others inside.

Albus sat behind his desk, though he was one of a small handful. He was joined by Arthur, Jean, and the delegates from Italy and Poland, Lorenzo Ricci and Jakub Volkov.

"Gentlemen," he greeted warmly, the group's smiles setting him more at ease. "A pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is ours," Jakub countered as handshakes were shared. "And congratulations on securing St. Mungo's. We heard it was quite the battle."

"The close quarters definitely complicated matters," Harry agreed as he found a seat. "But our team was better prepared in the end… and perhaps a bit lucky."

"Luck comes much more frequently to those who work for it," Lorenzo offered with a smile. "Enzo's version of events have only widened my trust in you."

"I wouldn't be sitting here if not for him. He had my back wherever I went, and I didn't have to so much as dodge a curse from his direction."

"I told you he's good. I had a letter from his mother when she heard he was involved, however… not the most pleasant of correspondences."

"I'll apologize myself if you'd like," Harry offered seriously. "I didn't plan on him being with us, but looking back I'm certain things would've gone much different if he wasn't. Same for you, Jean."

"It was fun," the man said dryly. "I haven't had a building crumble around me in a long time."

"I've heard golf is a good time, too. Maybe try that instead from here on out..."

"Once this mess is over, I'll buy us both memberships to the best clubs in the world."

"Sounds like a plan," Harry grinned in return. "Not to rush things, as I'm pleased to see all of you, but may I ask what this meeting is about?"

"Our support," Ricci answered simply, earning nods from Jean and Volkov. "Our Minister has been hard at work building a wider majority, and our troops are already undergoing intense training."

"As is Eastern Europe's," Jakub agreed. "Poland will have two hundred ready within a month, and the rest of my bloc aren't far behind. Russia currently has six hundred training, with plans for the same number once they're done, though their Ministry hasn't yet agreed to deploy them."

"Are you saying Poland has?"

"The two hundred to start," the man confirmed proudly. "With another hundred each from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Hungary, and Belarus. I'm still working on others of our neighbors, and your friend Viktor Krum has taken to holding political rallies in your favor everywhere he goes."

"I'll write to him to say thanks," Harry promised, his gratitude radiating from his face. "As I'm thankful to the three of you."

"France's three hundred will be permanently stationed in Britain whenever you wish," Jean offered. "And we've agreed to join the Italians under the new Commander Moretti. Six hundred total, not including those Jakub is bringing."

"Twelve hundred," he breathed in response, the figure briefly stealing his ability to think.

The number would match Voldemort's last known strength, and Harry had faith the troops, when combined with his own, could outmatch whatever rabble the monster fielded. His eyes eventually found Dumbledore's, and the man simply smiled in response. Arthur's expression showed the same relief, though he quickly turned serious.

"Gentlemen," he began formally. "Britain isn't yet prepared to thank you properly for your assistance, but I promise you we'll get there. To know we don't stand alone is a balm to our anxious souls, as I think you can see from Harry's expression. They'll be protected as if they're our own, and we are eternally in your debt."

"Nonsense," Jakub countered with a smile. "Our parents still speak of what the British Wizarding Forces accomplished in Europe during Grindelwald's reign… At best we shall now be even."

"Politically, perhaps," Harry agreed, shaking himself from his amazement. "But personally, you've all earned a very inexperienced yet fervent ally in whatever ways I may be of use."

"A handful of signed photos would be a good start," Lorenzo countered teasingly.

"I'll pose for a fucking calendar if you want..."

—

May 25, 1996

"Better!" Daphne congratulated as Neville deflected a quick string of spells.

The pair had continued their regular training over the last few weeks, and they'd both improved by leaps and bounds. Neville was now her equal in a duel, but Daphne's focus was split on other avenues of magic. She was now able to sense incoming spells if she focused, the skill growing every day, and the research she'd done on Blood Magic was as fascinating as it was useful.

She knew she wouldn't be as much of a powerhouse as Neville or Harry, but she prided herself on her ability to think calmly and creatively under pressure, something that would come in handy in a battle. Through some unseen agreement along the way, she and Neville had decided that they'd soon be involved in the war. She knew that there may be those more gifted, but none were training as hard as the pair, and they'd keep up the effort for however long it took.

"It felt better," Neville agreed as he lowered his wand, heading towards a towel hanging from a nearby wall. "It's nice to finally see some improvement."

"That it took you this long to see it is ridiculous," Daphne countered with a grin. "The Neville on September first of last year, and the Longbottom in front of me, are two different people. You're doing great."

"Thanks, Greengrass. You're no slouch yourself."

"Gotta keep up with Harry somehow."

"Who says?"

Daphne and Neville both jumped at the interruption, matching scowls growing on their faces when the named teen appeared. Harry coalesced into existence sitting calmly on the couch, his lopsided grin filling her with a joy-tinted frustration.

"How did you get here?" she hissed after a moment, his grin growing wider in response.

"Magic."

Daphne fought her innate fondness of her boyfriend's dumb joke, and rolled her eyes at his wiggling fingers. As much as she cared for the boy, he was becoming a bit infuriating to her. Every step she took he seemed to leap, and every time they dueled he'd beaten her without breaking a sweat. The fact that he was improving so much was an incredibly joyful thing in reality, but her pride couldn't help but take a bit of a hit.

"How, Harold?"

"I walked in when you two were going blow for blow," he answered calmly. "You were both focused, so I disillusioned myself to not be a distraction."

"Stand up."

"Why?"

"Stand up!"

"Why?"

"Harry Potter… stand… up."

"... why?"

"Because I'm frustrated with you, and Neville's gonna help me take you down!"

"You shouldn't vent your frustration physically," Harry countered, his smirk returning. "Use your words, Daph."

She mentally shook herself, as her boyfriend's grin was thoroughly distracting, and forced her own smile down as hard as she could. She'd wanted to try this for a bit, and was happily surprised by the teen's arrival, but his smug attitude needed to be dealt with.

"My words are as follows: Stand up, or I'll blow the chair out from under you."

"Nev, I'm sorry you're being dragged into this..."

"Eat shit, Potter."

"Et tu, Brute?"

Harry's grin widened, and Daphne had to force the butterflies in her stomach to still once more. The worst part was, her boyfriend knew exactly what he was doing to her. His eyes were dancing teasingly, and it was infuriating and alluring all at once. She moved backwards towards Neville, her wand raised, staying far enough away to provide two distinct targets.

Harry finally stood, his innate grace and efficiency showing in the movement, and stalked forward with his hands in the air. His demeanor changed as he entered the training area, and Daphne was forced to dive away from a supernaturally fast stunner. She regained her bearings as she rolled, popping to her feet as Neville deflected two spells sent in his direction.

She growled to herself when she realized Harry still hadn't drawn his wand, but bit down on her frustration to make him pay for the insult. She cast three spells as quickly as possible, though her stomach clenched when she realized how much power she put into the blasting curse. Her anxiety was proved unnecessary, as Harry literally caught the curse in his offhand. She'd seen him do it before, some sort of modified wandless shield, but the dramatic effect the move held would prove dangerous in an actual fight.

Harry's eyes found hers with a hint of surprise, and she sent him a threatening glare in return. Daphne's stomach unclenched with a flip as he grinned in response, and she couldn't help the involuntary twitch of her lips. She fired three more spells without thought, though none came close to finding their target. Harry deflected the first towards Neville who was forced to dive out of the way, and spun through the next two gracefully.

"Where was that on the dancefloor, Potter?" she called teasingly, unable to keep the stubborn smile off her face.

"Maybe that's the trick… you send a blasting curse wherever you want me to twirl. The people around us may not like it, but it'd probably give us some space…

"I can't wait to see it," Neville offered frustratedly as he regained his feet. "I'm not sure what kind of flirting you two are doing right now, but I feel like I'm gonna end up paying for it."

"There's an idea," Harry countered with a grin. "Daph, how 'bout we switch up the teams?"

"She wouldn't turn on me," Neville answered confidently, casting curse after curse that his target dodged easily. "It's us against you, mate."

"You sure about that? You're dating her younger sister, you know. An impressionable younger witch…"

Daphne watched as Neville's eyes widened slightly, and decided to play along. She turned to her right, her eyes dangerous, though she sent the anxious boy a ghost of a wink as she did. He seemed to catch on immediately, though his stance shifted as if he was fighting two at once.

She overpowered the blasting curse she sent his way, knowing Neville was capable of deflecting it, the spell accelerating impressively as he did so. His aim was true, and Daphne's heart sank to her feet when she saw her boyfriend's shocked expression. She lurched forward helplessly as the spell rocketed towards him, and her sunken heart shattered as she watched it connect with Harry's chest.

Daphne expected him to be blown off his feet, but the boy merely grunted and fell to the ground. She reached him first, Neville crashing into her from behind, and struggled to keep the pair from falling onto her injured boyfriend.

His eyes were closed in pain, and Daphne hadn't seen his chest raise in a breath since he fell. She racked her brain for what to do in this situation, but quickly realized her inexistant medical training wasn't capable. She turned to Neville, hoping the boy would have an idea, but was met with an equally lost and terrified expression…

She woke up an unknown amount of time after, and watched as Harry casually Ennervated Neville. Her heart nearly exploded a second time when she saw he was okay, but quickly turned to stone as she realized she'd been duped.

"You idiot! You scared the shit out of me!"

"No, I just stunned you," the boy answered distractedly while he watched Neville regain his bearings. "It was the two of you that attempted murder…"

"We thought you'd dodge it!" she countered, her heartbeat racing as she sat up from the floor.

"Why dodge when I can absorb and teach you two a lesson?"

"What the hell were we supposed to learn?" Neville asked as he stood.

"Don't try to kill me?"

"I'm gonna need another lesson after that bullshit, mate."

"Sorry, Nev," Harry laughed carelessly. "Albus taught me how to shield portions of my body, figured it'd be a fun reveal."

"I think I've had enough fun for one day," Neville answered, taking deep breaths to regain his composure. "Not sure what little dance the two of you are doing, but I know I'm unnecessary for it. I think I'll go find your impressionable younger sister, Greengrass."

Daphne attempted a witty rebuttal, but the last ten seconds robbed her of her intelligence. She merely nodded in response, her eyes not leaving her boyfriend's. She heard the door to the Room open and close, but nothing else seemed to register besides the glowing green eyes in front of her.

"Daph, you're starting to worry me."

Harry's questioning tone seemed to snap her from her confusion, and Daphne stood with a huff.

"You jerk!"

"What did I do?"

"You let me curse you!"

"I let you?"

"No! I mean… I thought I… I didn't mean to… I thought you'd block or dodge…"

"I did block…"

"Yeah, but… that wasn't funny, Harry."

"I disagree," he said with a chuckle. "I could see the frustration in your eyes, and decided I'd give it an outlet."

"Not a great outlet!" she squawked indignantly. "I think I died for a second!"

He moved forward in lieu of response, wrapping his arms around her waist while lifting. He carried her to a couch as if she weighed nothing, carefully laying down and pulling her into her spot. Her mind was still whirling by what just happened, but she couldn't deny how good the closeness felt.

They laid in silence for a few minutes, and Daphne focused on getting her emotions and thoughts under control. It wasn't fair that the one person she couldn't live without was also the one person that could break her composure so easily, but she decided it was a decent trade in the end.

"Wanna tell me what's going on?" Harry whispered, his breath blowing her hair gently.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean with you the last few weeks. Something's been… different."

Daphne's heart painfully missed a beat as she wracked her brain. She couldn't think of anything out of the ordinary extraordinary their daily lives held, but she was immediately filled with fear that she'd been acting strange enough that he wanted to talk.

"I don't know…" she whispered. "I didn't know I was weird. Is it a bad thing?"

"Not at all," he assured, allowing her to breathe a bit easier. "Just different. You've been much more competitive and combative… Again, not in a bad way, but it's just like you're amped up beyond anything I've seen from you, and I want to understand it if I can."

Realization dawned immediately, and Daphne blushed at how transparent she was to the boy. It was slightly annoying, but the fact that he noticed and wanted to understand warmed her in a way no one else could.

"It was watching you walk away to St. Mungo's," she said honestly, feeling his arms tighten around her in response. "I know we started this relationship with problematic walking away, but I'm over it, and that was the worst one yet."

"I'm really sorry... but you know I needed to be there."

"Of course I do," she promised gently, nuzzling deeper into his shoulder. "I'm just telling you where the change started. Watching you walk away that morning almost killed me, and I'm not willing to do it anymore."

"I'm assuming that's why you've spent every available second training?"

"I wanna be able to go through whatever training I need over the summer. I want to join your team, because you going without me will kill me just as easily as a curse."

"I don't know what to say," he whispered, his body tense. "I'd be lying if I said I liked the idea, but I also know how capable you are, and how much stronger I am with you around. There's a real ugly father somewhere you'll need to speak to, though..."

"I know," she agreed with a smile. "And I'll figure him out. You're really okay with it?"

"Daph, I'm not your dad, boss, headmaster, Minister, or whomever else exists that can tell you what to do. I'm your boyfriend. Your partner… and I think partnerships should stand on equality. You haven't once told me not to go somewhere or do something, why would I?"

"Gryffindor nobility and a misguided misogynistic worldview?"

"Let's keep this to smaller words so my dumb Lion brain can keep up," Harry pleaded, drawing a laugh from her despite herself. "Even though the attack on Hogsmeade feels like a lifetime ago, you saved us. And when Dobby started to fade, you saved him. Anybody that looks at you as incapable because you're a woman or young is dumber than should be allowed."

"So I can join your team?" The idea filled her with an overwhelming mix of fear and excitement, though she forced the fear to one side.

"You can try. If it's not a good fit ability-wise it may take some time, but I'd never say no to anything you're passionate about without giving it a shot."

"God I love you."

Daphne's eyes instinctually snapped shut, her words annoyingly quicker than her brain. She nearly screamed at herself in frustration, though she couldn't deny the truth behind the slip up. The only reason she hadn't said it yet was that she didn't want to scare him, but here she was, letting it fly without a thought. Harry stiffened at the comment, though he relaxed after a long moment. The relaxation eventually turned into silent shakes, and she reluctantly cracked an eyelid to see what was happening.

Harry was trying, and quickly failing, to hold in his laughter, and the sight snapped her out of her self-hatred immediately. She knew he wasn't being intentionally rude or mocking, but the response still wasn't what every little girl dreamed of.

"And what is so funny?"

"Your face," he blurted, a laugh escaping with the words. "I'm sorry, but seeing you so visibly angry at yourself was just too funny."

Daphne glared at him until he composed himself, though she could see the humor in the situation from his point of view. She still felt silly for blurting her feelings out, but was happily surprised by his response. The simple fact that there wasn't a Potter-shaped hole in the wall was a win in her book.

"Daph," he whispered. "Hearing those words from you will be the strength behind my Patronus for the rest of my life."

"But…" she continued, knowing it was coming.

"But I… I just don't know what that is when it comes to partners. I didn't even see a loving couple until I was twelve, and then it was only for a few days at a time when I was with the Weasleys."

"What about your parents last summer?"

"I saw too much of it with them," he answered with a grin. "It was incredible, but it just felt so alien to me. Same with your parents."

"I don't need you to say it back," she offered honestly, knowing he wasn't ready. "It just slipped out..."

"I know, and I appreciate it, but I still want to explain."

Harry gently moved out from underneath her, and the pair sat up on the couch with their shoulders touching. He grabbed her hand, pulling it onto his leg, and took a deep breath.

"You know that my childhood wasn't the best," he began, surprising her with the sudden change of topic. "I spent ten years of my life, my formative years, being told how unlovable I was. How annoying, needy, whiny... How much of a burden I was… and that's what I felt about myself when I came to Hogwarts."

"Harry," she offered softly, leaning into him. "No child should have to grow up like that."

"I completely agree, but that doesn't change the fact that I grew up like that. And all of a sudden I have friends, mentors, time with my parents, relationships with other adults, and most incredibly, an amazing girlfriend.

"It would be so easy to say, 'Okay! This is what life really is. That mess as a kid was just a figment of my imagination!' But my brain isn't that easy to flip. It's something I've been working on with Healer Wilson, and I'm doing much better than I was a year ago, but I'm still a work in progress."

"I understand," she whispered, her mind whirling at the small revelation. "Any chance you'd give me the Dursleys' address?"

"Maybe one day," he chuckled, before turning towards her with a serious expression. "I just don't think I know how to love, and it's terrifying..."

The misery in his change of tone broke Daphne's heart, but she forced it away to smile at him. She saw his eyes widen at their closeness, and was glad her smile still had the ability to render him speechless.

"Yes you do," she countered, squeezing his hand. "I see you do it everyday. With your friends, Hedwig, Dobby, all the random adults you've collected… and most importantly with me. You're great at love, Harry. I don't need to hear the words, because you show them every time I see you. I'm happy to wait until you're ready to say it, as long as I keep feeling it."

"So I continue as I've been? That's it?"

"What'd you expect? I knew you weren't ready for that conversation, but my dumb Snake brain has been clamoring to say it for months. Did you think I'd be storming away from you right now?"

"I dunno," Harry answered bemusedly. "You've been hard to read the last few weeks... Last Monday you went from ranting angrily about how strong my shield is, to pushing me to the ground to snog. It's like a handful of Bertie Botts with you these days..."

Daphne stood in mock offense, glaring down at the boy with her hands on her hips.

"After I just told you I love you, you respond by telling me I'm a jelly bean?"

"A really pretty one?"

She continued her glare, though she couldn't stop her lips twitching slightly.

"The most pretty one," he amended with a grin. "A treacle tart jelly bean with gorgeous blue eyes and an incredible figure. A pin-up jelly bean! The bean that all the other lady beans are jealous of... The most beautiful, understanding, amazing…"

Daphne interrupted his demented rambling by dropping heavily into his lap, straddling his legs and pushing his shoulders back with her hands.

"Enough of the bean-talk, Harold."

"Oh man, if only the boy beans could see me now…"

She moved as if she was going to stand, but Harry responded exactly as she knew he would. His arms circled her back, and he pulled her forcefully towards him. Daphne fought his kiss for the slimmest of seconds, unable to continue her 'anger' any longer.

—

"Harry."

Ron's voice stopped the teen as he moved to their dorm, and he turned confusedly as he'd just said goodnight to his friends.

"Can we talk before the others come up?"

"Of course."

The pair entered the room, each sitting on the edge of their beds, though Harry's mind whirled anxiously at the formality of the request. Ron's awkward fidgeting didn't help, and he took a deep breath to settle his nerves.

"Ron," he began gently. "Whatever it is, just say it."

"I can't join your team," the boy offered, his expression miserable.

Harry took another deep breath, giving himself time to think through the confusing statement. He never expected Ron or Hermione to join him in the war to come, at least not until they graduated, but the thought clearly bothered his friend more than he realized.

"So you're coming back to school?"

"I am. I wanna work for Dad's Ministry, and I'll need my NEWTs to do it."

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather see join him," Harry answered honestly, trying to give his friend the respect his admission deserved. "I don't blame you, and I actually expected it."

"I figured," Ron countered with a smirk. "But Hermione wanted me to mention it. It's always been the three of us, and she's worried you'd feel betrayed or something."

"I appreciate that, but I was already mentally preparing myself to only see you two on breaks. No hard feelings, mate."

"I'm still gonna train like crazy, and you know she is, too. If it comes down to it, we're there."

"I know you are, Ron, and the training will come in handy regardless. Honestly, this takes an awkward conversation out of my hands... I was trying to figure out how to tell both of you that you weren't ready."

"Well that's fun to hear," the boy said with a wry smirk.

"I don't mean it like that," Harry defended. "You two could take over the school if you wanted to, but you haven't been training to join the war. It's just a bit of a different scope."

"Trust me, I know. It took a few weeks for Hermione to convince me, but she's right. I'm not ready, and I'd only be in the way if I tagged along."

"Hold on… Are you saying you want to join, but Hermione talked you out of it?"

"If I did I didn't mean to... I'm saying I'm sixteen, and I can't think of any other teenagers besides you, Daphne, and Neville that are able or willing to fight a war. My heart wants to be right next to you when curses start flying, but my brain is telling me I'd be little help."

"Ron Weasley listening to his brain before his heart is a sign of the apocalypse, but one of the good ones."

"Well we're not gonna be idle," the boy promised, smiling at the insult. "Hermione has a plan to integrate the houses, and keep an eye on any students that need it. We'll keep things under control here, so you'll have one less thing to think about."

"Honestly a load off my mind, and I appreciate it. I'm glad you're gonna finish, and I'll come to you for a job once this mess is over."

"You'll come to me for babysitting before that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on," Ron said exasperatedly. "You and Daphne are tied to the hip. It's like you skipped the teenager portion of dating…"

"We're doing our version of it," Harry countered. "It might look different than yours, but it works for us."

"So it's going well?"

"She told me she loved me tonight…"

"She did!? That's amazing! What d'you say?"

"...You really don't wanna know…"

"Harry…"

A/N: A small skirmish to set the stage, and morale has gotta be great for the good guys… The war will only pick up from here, and it'll grow in scope as we go! Thanks for reading!