9. Daphne

Both Harry and Neville were pleased to see that Daphne's testimony on Harry's behalf had given her a bit more confidence.

She was able to overcome her shyness enough to confide in them a bit about her family problems.

"Astoria resents me because she's fallen victim to a hereditary blood curse. It will probably kill her some day. I don't have it, so…"

"I'm glad," Harry assured her, watching her blush.

Daphne's disclosure made him thoughtful. Could the Ritual of Displacement transfer the blood curse to someone else? Maybe someone like…Bellatrix Lestange?

But Harry knew he needed to be cautious about using the ritual. There might be repercussions he knew nothing about.

Even if there weren't, Astoria had been mean to Daphne; who was to say whether she might not grow to be as vicious as Bellatrix?

Harry decided to do nothing.

"Are you sure, Harry?" Sirius was anxious.

"Yes!" Harry had no doubt. "I want to be an animagus when I return to Hogwarts."

"Okay," Sirus sighed. "I'm probably being an irresponsible parent, but…I'll help."

It wasn't a quick process, but finally, two days before his birthday, Harry achieved his goal, and transformed into a peregrine falcon.

He wondered whether he'd ever again be content with riding a broom. He loved everything about his form.

"It's wonderful!" Neville applauded. "What will Daphne say?"

Harry's elation dimmed. "I haven't heard from her at all," he admitted sadly.

"Neither have I. I hope she's okay."

Sirius frowned. "I don't know much about the Greengrass family. Androcles Greengrass is the Head of House, but…"

"But what?" Harry pressed.

"He was in a relationship with Xavier Yaxley for a long time. Eventually, under a lot of pressure, he married Portia Parkinson to provide an heir. That hasn't happened."

Neville nodded. "Portia is at least ten years older than her husband, and the Parkinsons had to pay a huge dowry to get Androcles. No wonder Pansy's so mean to Daphne; her older sister probably hates her."

"Why would Portia hate Daphne?" Harry was baffled. His friend was so pretty, smart, and nice. He couldn't understand why anyone might dislike her.

Neville had an explanation. "Because Daphne has so many suiters, and Portia never had a single one until….finally Androcles Greengrass."

"Daphne has lots of suiters?" Harry found that idea upsetting.

"Pureblood, wealthy, beautiful," said Neville succinctly. "So, lots. Even Astoria does, although she isn't as pretty or as healthy as Daphne. But…money talks."

A horrifying thought occurred to Harry. "Could…they harm Daphne? So they could inherit her share?"

Sirius laughed. "Old Hector Greengrass thought of that! He fixed it so his granddaughters each have a huge dowry vault that only their husbands can touch. If either dies unwed, the vault is bequeathed to St. Mungo's. And- the girls can't be bartered away against their wishes."

"That's good." Harry was relieved. Still, a niggling worry about Daphne lingered in the back of his mind.

The train to Hogwarts sped north; Harry and Neville tried to locate Daphne but failed.

"Think she's okay?"

"Yes," Neville assured his friend. "If something had happened to her, we'd probably have heard."

Harry was still uneasy, and his worry didn't disappear until he saw Daphne with his own eyes. He could tell that Neville, despite his assurances, was nervous as well.

Their friend finally hurried in during the welcoming feast, and whispered that she and her sister, along with Pansy Parkinson, had been escorted to the school by an auror friend of her brother.

That made sense, since one of the escapees was Jepthah Parkinson, Pansy's …and Portia's…father.

Days before, a devastating breakout had occurred at Azkaban,, unleashing a dozen vicious Death Eaters on the wizarding world. In a somewhat ill-judged response, Minister Fudge had decided to send dementors to safeguard Hogwarts.

Tension pervaded the castle, even though the foul creatures were ordered to remain outside the castle wards.

"They're so creepy." Padma shuddered. "I hope they obey the orders."

"The Ministry should be able to control them," insisted Susan Bones. But even she seemed uneasy.

"We'd better find a way to deal with them," Harry asserted. "Just in case."