A/N: First of all, I want to apologize for a truly late chapter. Many things happened in my life recently. I have diabetes, and one of the things that happened was that it decided to turn unstable on me. So I had many nights staying awake and days trying to stabilize my diabetes, which luckily happened a few weeks ago. Now I'm fully rested and ready to write my story. As you might have noticed in the story, I got myself an editor, so the quality of the story hopefully will go up. Have fun reading!
Harry found himself wandering the corridors of Hogwarts, his mind occupied with thoughts of the Triwizard Tournament. The book Daphne had given him, "Kabbalah – the Path of the Mage," was proving to be a fascinating read, and he was eager to learn more. As he made his way to the library, he spotted Daphne sitting alone at a table, engrossed in a thick tome. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to approach her.
"Greengrass," he greeted, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from her.
"Potter," she replied, her tone less icy than usual. Despite her typically cool demeanor, Harry noticed a subtle warmth in her voice and a small smile on her lips.
"I've been reading the book you gave me," Harry began, deciding to get straight to the point. "It made me wonder... Are you a Yetzirah master?"
Daphne's eyes gleamed with a hint of mystery before she responded. "That's not something I share easily, Potter. Let's just say my understanding is advanced enough to be beneficial to you."
Harry nodded. "I know it is a bit of a personal question. I asked though, because I don't want to bring you any trouble when you teach me this stuff."
Daphne's expression softened. "I understand. I'm currently not in the position to teach as much as I'd like. But I'll teach you as much as I can."
Harry offered a small smile. "I appreciate that, Greengrass. It's been a bit overwhelming, you know? This whole bloody tournament, again the whole student body is against me. It makes me remember our second year." Harry sighed. "I'm learning every spell I can, yet I have the feeling I'm not getting any stronger."
"Understandable," Daphne replied, closing her book and giving him her full attention. "The Triwizard Tournament is no small feat. But remember, it's not just about raw power. Strategy and composure are equally important."
"That's what I've been trying to work on," Harry admitted. "It's hard, though. There's so much at stake."
Daphne nodded thoughtfully. "True. But you've faced difficult situations before and come out stronger. This is just another challenge."
Harry looked at her curiously. "You seem to have a lot of faith in me."
Daphne's lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile. "Let's just say I've been observing you. You have potential, Potter. Don't waste it."
Harry felt a strange sense of encouragement from her words. "Thanks, Greengrass. That means a lot."
"Don't mention it," she replied, standing up. "Just keep working hard and stay focused. You'll do fine."
With that, she walked away, leaving Harry to ponder their conversation and the unexpected support he felt from her. It was a strange feeling, but a welcome one.
Later, during lunch, Harry sat in the Great Hall, absentmindedly poking at his food. The hall buzzed with the usual morning chatter, but Harry's thoughts were far away, occupied with strategies and spells for the upcoming tournament. He was brought back to reality when Hedwig swooped down, dropping a letter on the table.
Harry recognized Hagrid's scrawl immediately and opened the envelope to read the note inside:
Harry,
Meet me by the forest tonight at eight. Got something important to show you.
Hagrid
Harry's curiosity was piqued. "Looks like I've got a meeting with Hagrid tonight," he muttered to himself, tucking the letter into his pocket.
After lunch, Harry threw himself into his studies and training. He spent hours in the library, poring over "The Tri-Wizard Tournament, a History" and various books on magical creatures. He learned that the first task involved facing a dangerous challenge, but the specifics were still a mystery.
Just then, Draco Malfoy and his usual entourage of Crabbe and Goyle strolled into the library, smirking and wearing badges that read, "Support CEDRIC DIGGORY – the REAL Hogwarts Champion!" in flashing letters. Harry glanced at the badges and gave a supportive nod. At that point, Malfoy pressed his badge, and the text changed to "POTTER STINKS." At the change of text, however, he looked back at Malfoy with indifference.
"Nice badge, Malfoy," Harry said dryly.
"Do you like it, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Everyone's got one. Even some of your precious Gryffindors."
Harry glanced around and, to his annoyance, saw that several students indeed wore the badges, snickering as they caught his eye. He clenched his fists but forced himself to stay calm. "Whatever, Malfoy. Enjoy your little badges."
Malfoy's smirk widened. "Oh, I will. And so will everyone else. You see, Potter, unlike you, Cedric didn't need to cheat to get into the tournament. He's a real champion, not some fame-seeking fraud."
Harry remained indifferent, much to Malfoy's dismay. "Enjoy your little show, Malfoy," he said, turning his attention back to his books.
Malfoy, frustrated by Harry's lack of reaction, scowled deeply. "You think you're so clever, Potter. But everyone sees through your act."
Harry continued to ignore him, flipping a page in his book. Malfoy, realizing he wasn't getting the reaction he wanted, clenched his fists. "You won't be able to keep up the charade forever. The whole school will know what a fraud you are."
Harry didn't even glance up, his indifference clearly unsettling Malfoy. With a final glare, Malfoy huffed angrily and stormed off with Crabbe and Goyle in tow, his face flushed with annoyance.
In the evening, Harry made his way across the grounds to Hagrid's hut, clutching his Invisibility Cloak tightly around him. The gamekeeper was waiting for him, a broad smile on his face.
"Evening, Harry! Ready ter see somethin' amazin'?" Hagrid asked, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Sure, Hagrid. What is it?" Harry asked, trying to keep up with Hagrid's long strides as they made their way into the Forbidden Forest.
"You'll see soon enough," Hagrid said mysteriously.
They walked in silence for a while, the trees closing in around them. Eventually, they reached a clearing, and Harry's eyes widened in shock. There, in front of him, were four enormous dragons, each in a separate enclosure. They were magnificent and terrifying, their scales glinting in the moonlight.
"Dragons, Hagrid?" Harry whispered, awe and fear mixing in his voice.
"Aye, they brought 'em in fer the tournament. Gotta figure the champions will have ter deal with 'em somehow," Hagrid explained. "But I reckon yeh might want ter see 'em up close."
Harry's mind raced. A dragon. Of all the creatures he had studied, dragons were among the most formidable. He swallowed hard, nodding to show he understood.
"Thanks, Hagrid. This... this helps," Harry said, though he felt a sense of dread settling in his stomach.
"Jus' be careful, Harry. They're dangerous, but if yeh keep yer wits about yeh, yeh'll be fine," Hagrid said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Over the next few days, Harry threw himself into his studies and training. He practiced defensive spells, honing his agility and reflexes. He also spent hours in the library, researching dragons and their weaknesses. His only solace was the occasional, quiet conversation with Daphne, who provided him with invaluable insights.
One evening, as he was studying in the library, Daphne approached him again. "Potter, I see you're still at it."
"Yeah," Harry said, looking up from a thick tome on dragon anatomy. "I need to be ready. Any advice?"
Daphne considered for a moment. "Dragons are incredibly powerful, but they're not invincible. Their eyes are a weak spot. If you can blind it, even temporarily, you'll have a better chance."
"Thanks, Greengrass," Harry said, genuinely grateful.
Daphne nodded. "Just remember, Potter. Stay focused and stay alive."
As Harry continued his preparations, he found himself struggling with an internal challenge. No matter how much he trained, not matter how long he thought, he decided to try and discover his innermost desire. He knew that reaching this level of mastery would not only increase his magical prowess but also provide him with a deeper understanding of himself. One night, after an intense training session, Harry sat cross-legged on his bed, closing his eyes and focusing on his innermost desires. He had read that reaching Yetzirah involved looking deep within oneself and connecting with the core of one's magic.
He concentrated, letting his mind drift. Images and memories flashed before his eyes: his parents, their love and sacrifice, his life with the Dursleys, the weight of his responsibilities, and the countless dangers he had faced. He searched for a unifying thread, a single desire that defined him. But the more he searched, the more elusive it became. Doubts began to creep in. What if he couldn't find it? What if he wasn't able to make his desire take form? If Harry thought that the Patronus charm was hard, this was another level. Hours, days and even weeks passed, and Harry grew more frustrated. His mind felt like a maze with no clear path. Finally, he gave up. He needed Daphne.
The day after he gave up, Harry ran into Daphne in the library. "Potter, you look like you didn't sleep at all," she said with a hint of concern in her voice.
"I didn't," Harry admitted. "I was trying to reach Yetzirah, but no matter what I do, I just can't seem to find my deepest desire. I thought it was bringing my parents back to life. But that is impossible. So I search and I search but I fail every time."
Daphne's expression softened. "It's not something you can force, Potter. Reaching Yetzirah takes time and introspection. It won't come to you just because you want it to."
Harry nodded, though he couldn't hide his disappointment. "I just feel like I need to be stronger, better prepared."
"You are strong, Potter. But strength isn't just about magic. It's about knowing yourself and trusting in your abilities. Keep working on it, and it will come when the time is right."
Harry appreciated her words, even if he didn't fully believe them yet. "Thanks, Greengrass. I'll keep trying."
Daphne gave him a small smile. "Good. Now, let's get back to preparing for that dragon. I'll try to find something that might help you uncover your desire."
The days leading up to the first task were a whirlwind of activity and anxiety. Harry continued his rigorous training, focusing on spells that would help him face the dragon. He practiced late into the night, often pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion.
One evening, Daphne approached Harry in an empty classroom where he had been practicing. She watched him for a few minutes before speaking.
"Hard at work I see?" she observed.
Harry looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes. After Professor Moody caught me tipping off Cedric about the dragons, he gave me the tip to play according to my strengths. So I thought I'd summon my broom, as I reasoned that they would not let teenagers fight against dragons, they would most likely let us get something guarded by them." Harry sighed. "I've learned Accio to summon my broom, and I am learning some offensive spells. What about you? Did you find something?"
Daphne stepped closer. "Sit down, Potter. I want to show you something that might help."
Harry complied, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Daphne sat across from him and took a deep breath.
"Close your eyes and focus on your breathing," she instructed. "Clear your mind of all distractions."
Harry followed her instructions, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
"Now, think about what drives you," Daphne continued.
"To survive," Harry answered.
"No, I mean what do you hope to achieve in your life?"
Harry concentrated, letting his mind drift. He thought of becoming an Auror, of getting a girlfriend, starting a family. That sparked something warm in him. He felt his magic flow through his body. His hands were starting to get warm. Just when he was about to enter into some sort of state, he lost the feeling.
He opened his eyes and found Daphne smiling at him, but when she spoke, her voice was calm and steady. "You were almost there, Potter. Keep at it, and you'll find the state of Yetzirah before long."
Harry smiled at her, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thanks, Greengrass. I needed that."
Daphne smiled softly. "Anytime, Potter. Now, let's take a break."
Harry countered that he wanted to train some more and made himself ready for more exercises.
"You're pushing yourself too hard, Potter," Daphne's voice cut through the silence.
Harry turned to see her standing in the doorway, her arms crossed. "I have to be ready, Greengrass. It's a dragon, after all."
Daphne walked back, her expression thoughtful. "From what I saw, you have trained more than enough for now. What you need now is rest... and maybe more confidence."
Harry frowned. "It's hard to be confident when you know a dragon could incinerate you."
Daphne's lips twitched into a small smile. "Fear is natural, but don't let it control you. Channel it into focus. Remember, a dragon is a creature of instinct. Use that to your advantage."
Harry nodded. "You might be right."
She studied him for a moment before speaking again. "There's something else. When you're out there, trust yourself. Remember, you have a knack for getting out of impossible situations."
Harry chuckled softly. "Yeah, but I seem to attract them."
Daphne's smile widened slightly. "Just don't attract too much attention. Survive, Potter."
As she turned to leave, Daphne paused and gave Harry a look he couldn't quite decipher. "By the way, Potter, if you get out of this alive, maybe I'll let you take me to Hogsmeade."
Harry blinked, taken aback. "Uh, sure. I'll hold you to that, Greengrass."
Daphne chuckled and walked away, leaving Harry both surprised and more determined than ever.
The first task was drawing near, and Harry knew was as ready as he can be. The dragon awaited, and he was determined to face it head-on.
A/N: As you might have noticed, I focus on the relationship and interaction between Harry and Daphne. I did want to put one small scene with Draco Malfoy in the story though. This is mostly to again show that my Harry is different from the canon Harry. Next chapter, we will tackle the first task, which will be shown from both Daphne's and Harry's perspectives. I hope to see you there.
