AN: For the Daily Prohpet Newsleter!

Word count: 2602

Spell Prompt: Wingardium Leviosa – [action] flying high above the ground on a carpet

"Who is she?" Harry asked one morning at breakfast, pointing at a random girl. A random Slytherin girl.

"Oh, that's Daphne Greengrass. She's in my runes class." Hermione said, pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice. "Why, what's up?"

"Nothing, I was just curious. She's not in her robes."

"It is Saturday, Harry." The light voice of Luna Lovegood filled his ears. Harry almost jumped. When had she gotten here? "We're allowed to wear whatever we want on the weekends."

"Seriously?" Harry asked, looking down at the same school robes he had worn every day for the past six years. "Why didn't anyone say anything?"

"I didn't know this was a thing either. Are you sure it's allowed?" Hermione questioned. Luna nodded, pointing over at the Hufflepuff table. Some of the students wore joggers and sweatshirts, others wearing warm winter robes and other clothes. It was pretty obvious to tell who was muggle-raised and who wasn't, but they all looked incredibly comfortable.

"Why don't we see people wearing them around the Gryffindor common room more?" Harry wondered, turning forward only to notice the pretty brunette girl was gone. Daphne Greengrass. Harry repeated the name inside his head a few times, mouthing the words to get a feel for them. Daphne… it was a pretty name. Like the flower. Harry's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.

"What's got Harry all silent?" Ron asked with a yawn, settling down at the table. "He's staring off into space."

"I am not," Harry refuted, rolling his eyes in playful annoyance.

"Harry's interested in a girl." Hermione teased, laughing as Harry's cheeks lit up pink. "Even asked for her name and everything."

"Harry? Asking a girl for her name? Bollocks!"

"He asked me for her name, but the same difference really."

Ron filled his plate with breakfast foods, taking a few bites before going in for the kill.

"So what's her name?"

Harry just groaned, stuffing his head into his hands.

"Don't worry Harry, I'm sure you'll be able to see her again." Luna comforted him. Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead. Honestly, this group gave him more headaches than his scar.

"Daphne Greengrass," Harry said aloud, liking the way his lips formed her name.

"Never heard of her, what house?" Ron asked. Harry swallowed.

"Slytherin."

"Seriously?" Ron said with a laugh, shaking his head. "Well, good luck with that then. You know Slytherins are all ice and no heat."

"Don't be like that Ron, they're people too." Hermione chided, not looking up from her book.

"Don't worry Harry," Luna whispered. "They aren't actually made of ice."

"Thanks, Luna," Harry told her, a smile making its way to his lips. It was a bit silly, but he didn't mind it.

Daphne Greengrass. What a beauty.

"I mean it's not like Harry will go up and talk to her," Harry heard when he zoned back into the conversation.

"What the hell, Ron?" Harry asked, dumbfounded.

"I mean, he's not wrong Harry," Hermione said with a grimace. "You aren't really the best at going up and talking to people."

"Neither is Ron!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah, but I don't have to go up and talk to people." Ron gave him a shit-eating grin. "Speaking of that, I should probably go find Lav. She wanted to show me a new lipstick she got."

Shovelling a few more bites into his mouth, Ron left the table with a wave. Hermione just sighed, taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

"Does he really think I can't go up and talk to people?" Harry grumbled to himself. Hermione snorted.

"Of course he does, Harry. You haven't gone up to anyone besides those in Gryffindor."

"I asked out Cho!" Harry tried to argue his case, but Hermione just shook her head.

"She didn't even know you liked her like that, Harry," She flipped a page in her book. "We aren't insulting you- well, I'm not anyway. It's okay to have anxiety or be shy when talking to new people."

"I'm not shy! And I don't have anxiety!" Harry huffed, standing up from the table. "I'll show you, I can go up to her right now!"

"I believe in you, Harry," Luna said with a smile. Harry grinned back at her.

"Thank you, Luna. At least someone believes in me." Harry gave a pointed look to Hermione and left the table. He'd find Daphne and ask her out!

Unbeknownst to him, Luna and Hermione winked at each other. Phase one is complete.

Harry didn't know where to begin looking for the brunette girl. All he had was a name and her house. What good would that do him when he was trying to find her? It's not like he could just walk into the Slytherin common room.

Making up his mind, Harry headed to the library first. He walked through the countless isles, searching every nook and cranny, trying to find where his Slytherin crush could be. After what seemed like forever, Harry muttered a quiet "Tempus" and saw the time. Almost thirty minutes had passed. Harry sighed, exiting the library under Madam Pince's tight gaze.

Next, he went outside. There was fresh snow on the ground, maybe Daphne liked the snow? Casting a few warming charms over himself, Harry headed out, nodding at everyone who passed. Still, he couldn't find her, and his warming charms were beginning to wear off. Where could she be?

It's like she was purposefully avoiding him, and the girl didn't even know Harry!

Harry groaned, leaning against the castle wall as he waited for his body to warm up again. Maybe he could use a point-me charm? No, he had nothing of Daphne's to use. Harry paused for a moment. Was this creepy? Oh god, was he being a creep?

Shame flooded his senses as his ears turned bright pink. Was this appropriate? Would she find him weird for looking for her? Merlin's saggy ball sack. He shouldn't be doing this.

So, with a groan, Harry made his way back to the Gryffindor common room. He trudged along in the hallways, almost missing his exit point on the moving stairs. Wow, he was really out of it. Harry shook his head, messing up his slightly tamed hair. He was an absolute fool, wasn't he? A lovesick fool.

Wait, love?! Harry flushed pink. This wasn't love, Harry thought to himself. Absolutely not! It was just a simple infatuation. She was pretty, very pretty, and she seemed smart. Harry just needed to get to know her and-

A soft thud sounded, Harry's head turning to find the source of it.

"Potter!" A girl in a Slytherin uniform called out, her books lying on the floor. "Oh this is perfect, stay there!"

And the girl ran off, leaving both Harry and her books in the dust. A look of pure confusion crossed Harry's face, but he decided to stay there, picking up the girls' books instead of just leaving them there.

A few moments later, a pristine-looking Daphne Greengrass walked up to him. Harry's jaw almost dropped. He had to be dreaming.

"Potter."

"Greengrass."

"I heard you were looking for me?" She said, a smile playing on her lips as her arms crossed.

"You may have heard wrong," Harry told her, suddenly embarrassed. How had she known? Who snitched?

"Oh, is that the case? Never mind then, I won't bother you." She swiftly turned around, her straight brown hair following her perfectly.

"Wait," Harry said. She paused, turning around. Harry may be stupid sometimes, but he could clearly see the smile on her face. Did she know? Was he about to be taunted, teased, and rejected?

Merlin, Hermione was right. He really was bad at talking to people.

"Yes, Potter?"

"Will you- wait, no, can I take you out on a date?" He rushed out, palms beginning to sweat. He resisted the urge to wipe them on his robes.

"This Thursday at seven, Potter. Don't be late." Daphne told him with a teasing smile.

"Call me Harry."

"Daphne, then." Daphne's smile turned softer for a moment, and the girl walked off, her short black heels clicking as she walked away from him.

Harry was absolutely smitten.

"I don't know what to do!" Harry told his friends, sitting in the Gryffindor common room. "I asked her out but have no plan!"

"Well, that was a stupid move mate," Ron told him, smirking. Ron was his best mate, but sometimes he was a stupid jerk who lacked sympathy. "I don't envy you, Lav's pretty much comfortable with anything. Our dates are usually just us talking and her doing my makeup."

"She does your makeup?" Hermione questioned, looking up from her book with an odd look.

"Yeah, she's pretty good at it too," Ron said, returning to his magazine. "I look good in eyeliner, did you know that?"

He was promptly ignored while Hermione pulled out an old-looking piece of paper.

"Here, take a look at this, Harry." Hermione passed it to him. It's super romantic, any girl would love it."

"Yeah, but will she?" Harry questioned. "I barely know anything about her."

"That's what dates are for, Harry. To get to know the other person. It's not like you asked her to marry you." Hermione suddenly burst into laughter as the tips of Harry's ears flushed a deep red.

"Slow your thestral's, Harry," Ron said with a chuckle. "Gotta make her agree to a second date first."

"Then what, I propose?" Harry said sarcastically.

"Of course, that's how it works." Ron shot back with a grin. Harry rolled his eyes before beginning to read the paper Hermione had given him. Huh, this could work.

Harry began to write a letter.

Thursday evening couldn't come fast enough. Harry had waited patiently, having gotten confirmation that his special delivery was set and already prepared that morning. Harry was itching to see Daphne. The girl had given him coy smiles all week long and it was easily driving him mad. They had only had one actual conversation since their initial meeting, and even that was cut short by her friend Tracey. Harry couldn't wait to see her. He rushed through all of his classes, even potions, and had packed up quickly at the end of every one of them. He was excited.

Honestly, it scared him a bit. Never had he taken such a deep interest in someone, not even Cho Chang. Something about her though… It made him extremely happy; like he was simultaneously relaxing and getting fired up all at once.

The clock struck seven, and Harry knocked on the Slytherin common room door. He was dressed in a pair of Hermione's pants (since they fit him, surprise surprise.) and one of his few nice muggle button-downs. When no one answered the door, Harry sighed, looking up at the snake engraving, the little beast flicking its stone tongue out at him. Harry blinked once, twice, and a third time before trying something else.

"Will you let me in, please? I have a date." The Slytherin snake hissed back at him like he wasn't going to help, but the door slowly slid open, and Harry took a step inside.

He instantly spotted Daphne, the girl walking into the common room wearing a light purple dress. Her eyes met Harry's, and she suddenly looked shocked.

"Hello, Harry." She said, "This is a surprise." Harry could feel the gaze of every other Slytherin staring daggers at him. Oh boy.

"The snake let me in. Are you ready?" Harry asked her, offering his arm when she nodded her head. The couple left the room, whispers breaking out as one Tracey Davis cheered in the background.

"You look really pretty," Harry told her honestly, cheeks turning pink as he led her up the stairs.

"Thank you, Harry. You look very handsome as well."

"Thank you." It was a bit awkward, but it wasn't too bad. Daphne was a little far from him, but he didn't want to push the girl. At least she was holding his arm!

"Where exactly are you taking me, Harry?" She asked. Harry looked over at her, grinning.

"You'll see." He told her excitedly. "You'll enjoy it. Or at least, I think you will. Sorry, I've never done this before."

"Me neither," She whispered. Harry thought he wasn't meant to hear it, so he didn't say anything.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the seventh floor, a house elf clothed in every colour imaginable waiting for them.

"Master Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby said, hugging his leg. Harry patted his head with a smile. "It's exactly as you like, to the tea!"

"Thank you, Dobby. You're very helpful." Harry thanked the elf. "And it's T, like the letter."

"That's what Dobby said. Tea." Dobby mimicked taking a drink as Daphne laughed softly. Dobby bowed low. The two stone doors opened slowly, letting Harry lead Daphne in while also adding to the suspense.

When they fully entered, the doors closed softly behind them, and Daphne gasped.

"Do you like it?" Harry asked nervously. "I tried to get everything you enjoyed by asking around, but I didn't really know-"

"It's beautiful, Harry." She looked at him, brown eyes wide as she stared at him. Harry suddenly felt very warm. "It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Around the room, daphne flowers were strung up everywhere. Butterflies flew, landing softly on petals and wall decor as a few birds sang softly from golden cages. Harry grinned at her, leading her to a table with food.

"Are you hungry?" He asked her. "I have something I want to show you before we eat."

"Lead the way," Daphne told him, slipping her hand into his. Harry guaranteed there were more butterflies in his chest than in the room.

Moving past their dining table (which Harry had made sure was adorned with beautiful butterfly and bird engravings) Harry brought her to a small carpet, big enough for the both of them.

"Here, sit." He told her, sitting on the carpet. She eyed him suspiciously but took his hand and sat down on the red carpet.

"Do you trust me?" Harry asked her, holding her hand close as she looked into his eyes. She hesitated for a moment, but nodded, breathing deeply. Harry smiled at her, pulling his wand and tapping the rug below them. "Wingardium Leviosa."

The carpet lifted upwards, higher and higher, until they settled far above Hogwarts. Harry felt he could reach out and touch the stars if he tried hard enough.

"Oh Harry," Daphne gushed, looking at the world below them. Harry smiled broadly.

They were silently admiring the sight before them - the castle's turrets and battlements against the darkening sky, the flickering lights in the windows and balconies, the surrounding lake and forest. Slowly the carpet moved over all of them, wrapping and looping the castle in slow movements.

For a moment, they were silent, both lost in the majesty of their surroundings. Then Daphne broke the silence, her voice soft.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she said, her eyes fixed on the castle. Slowly her head came to rest on Harry's shoulder, making his hair stand up straight. His eyes found hers and he smiled.

"Yes, it is."

They sat on the magic carpet in silent contentment for a while longer, until the sun had completely set and the sky was pitch dark. They only decided to return once their stomachs growled in unison.

And if they decided to take their meals back up into the sky with them, well, no one had to know except them.