AN: As mentioned before there are time skips. This is the 1st chapter with some rather deep emotions. I will say a lot of the reactions and characterizations are based off my own experiences and feelings that I have seen in almost 30 years of life. I do not expect everyone to relate, but overall take most of how you read my characters and the way they react to there world. As being real world mirrors ranging from emotions to philosophies. So if you do want to criticize just know that what you see is more then likely grounded in something that I have seen or experienced. All recommendations will be weighed. Personally I would agree that there is a sense that I need to fill in Harry's and Sheda's relationship more, yet the chapters are running from me in length and I do like to come back and edit. Maybe once the story is fully done, I will do so and fully flesh everything out. In this case, I hope what I have built can showcase how two people with complicated/traumatic pasts can be co dependent too quickly. It is NOT healthy in some ways, but a reality of life. Again all recommendations will be weighed. Enjoy.
June 29.
(The Wednesday Morning that Sheda is meeting with Dumbledore.)
Harry sighed as he finished his theory section of his potion final exam and waited for the class dismissal before lunch started. Harry was having a pretty relaxing 3 weeks and besides the possibility of being an obscurial, his magic not working with his wand that well, his friends not talking to him and a robe keeping him from being bedridden/killed; It could be worse, he thought jokingly.
He had decided to focus on studying runes and other subjects with Daphne to keep his mind distracted. He also decided to show up to his end of year class reviews so he had something to do during the day. Furthermore, he had also taken to himself and hid from mostly everyone; appearing only for lunch and dinner and being rarely seen in the halls. A need after Ron and Herminoe had been giving him problems and pestering him constantly. He hoped that with the summer vacation things would cool down.
Snape finally dismissed them. Only one more exam. Ancient runes. Something he hoped to hear news on today after Sheda met with Dumbledore. "Harry Mate. Wait up." Harry stopped and turned around. He was wearing his standard House cloak and his robe was under the cloak. Only the hood being visible. He had heard whispers about it but overall the consensus was that he had tapped into his family fortune to purchase an expensive robe. "Yes Ron." Harry said with a neutral tone.
Ron caught himself but clearly was either embarrassed or already feeling some sort of emotion as his ears turned red. "I wanted to talk to you about what's been happening to us. Mate to mate."
Harry nodded as everyone walked past them including a Herminoe who glanced at the two. A look that conveyed she was wondering what Ron would talk to him about, but continued walking as she had to get to her Arithmancy final exam. As Ron and Harry began to walk away Harry caught the last student out who had a raised eyebrow. Greengrass who mouthed to him. "Remember." Harry smiled.
He remembered the conversation he had with her yesterday and almost every day before. It was just before their final tutoring session was supposed to start. "Potter. You have to establish a moral code of how you want to be treated and stick by it. If someone treats you wrongly you have to weigh it on not what they have done, but also who they are. I base mine over being disrespected and belittled. People change and we are at an age where people change the most."
Sheda had also helped him in the month since the accident. Instilling in him some much needed confidence and emotional awareness of not only himself but others around him. A needed trait as he had to know to keep his emotions in check and stay calm, cool and collected. With the help of both of them he had quickly become more confident, but also just aware and overall held more of a presence. A growing proper Lord as Daphne had teased him when she told him he was Lord Potter.
Harry continued to walk with Ron "Ummmm. Do you have anything to say?"
Harry sighed. "Ron you stopped me to talk and you said you wanted to talk Mate to Mate. I have nothing to say. So you can start if you want to talk."
Ron got red clearly not liking that response. "Harry. You ignored Hermione and I for over three weeks and now you act all high and mighty as if you did nothing wrong. You insulted Hermione and embarrassed both of us in front of everyone in the Great Hall."
Harry stopped. "Insulted Hermione? She questions my abilities, belittles me, uses my secrets as got you points towards others and talks about my appearance-"
Ron cut him off. "So you go out and buy yourself an expensive robe to show people who you really are. A pompous little lord."
Harry sighed. "The robe was a gift by someone who cared and who I trust. Nothing more and nothing less. I do not-"
Ron again cut him off. "Was this checked by Professor McGonagall? It could be like the broom. Who knows what dark magic it could have."
Ron seemingly looked to grab on it but Harry quickly pulled away. "Do not touch me Ron! Do you two not listen? I am okay. Trying to be. I don't need you all to tell me what I can and can't do. Going back to your comment. I did not insult Hermione and you both embarrassed yourselves with how you acted. You are acting like a jealous brat because of a not possible and non-existing relationship and Hermione for once again belittling me."
Ron finally had enough, his ears becoming even redder. "Stop it! Do you think yourself so much better than Hermione to think she is not worth dating? Hermione is smart, caring, and especially a good friend. I think she is worth dating and you're stupid to ignore that. You're stupid to embarrass her by calling her a sister in front of everyone. People make fun of her now for having loving eyes towards you but all you did was reject her. If I had your fame and power I would be dating her in a heartbeat!"
Harry looked at him shocked before he smirked. "Ron. I think you like Hermione and you're both idiots for taking everyone's opinion so seriously. It will be gone when the next rumor starts and so on. You're also stupid to say that and don't understand me if you think I want my fame or supposed power. I want none of it. I think you need to work on your jealousy or whatever because I am tired of it. I am trying to be understanding. I am done though. I don't want to deal with this anymore. Clearly you think so low of me to accuse me of being a pompous asshole like Malfoy. So leave me alone and let me finish the school year in peace. I already have too many problems, problems that are not helped by the two of you." Harry began to walk away,
Ron was shaking with anger and in that, his judgment went away. He called out as Harry walked away. "Is this how you treat me? I took you in. You slept in my House. Am I not enough for Lord Potter? Best to rub shoulders with others, with betters? Well I never want you in my house Harry. You can find someone else to take you from your muggle family in the summer. My family has given enough charity to people like you."
Harry turned around a sad frustration coming through in his voice. "Ron, what your parents and siblings have done is something I can never repay. Don't come bringing them into this. You and I both know your Mom and family have tried to fill in a void in me that no one else could. For that attempt I will never bad mouth them. So drop it."
Ron looked to be shaking. "Attempt? So now my mother is not worth your time. She made you a family sweater. She fed you. Ohhhhh but can't be seen dating a muggleborn or with a family like mine. Well at least I still have a family."
Harry was angry, sad and overall disappointed. He wanted to leave and be done with it. Clearly Ron in an effort to "win" the conversation had let his emotions get the best of him. Pushing through the emotion he quickly realized the robes runes were activating as it began to glow. Harry, trying to control his emotion, turned around and spoke with venom. "Ron I am going to let that last comment slide, but never bring up my family again. Goodbye Ron." He began to walk away.
Yet, Harry heard Ron yell. "You think you're better than me for not talking back? For controlling your emotions. Well you're not. You're a nobody and without Hermione's and I's help you wouldn't be here. Wait until people hear about the great Harry Potter, The boy who lived, not knowing any spells his first year."
Harry ignored him and continued walking his emotions clouding his mind. He threw his invisibility cloak on. Unbeknownst to him his eyes were changing color. Green to red unsure of where to go. Stopping in an empty classroom to avoid being followed. He took the map out to confirm Ron hadn't seen him. He saw as Ron met with Hermione in the great hall for lunch, he closed the map and put it away.
In reality he dropped it.
His emotions and anger got the best of him as he slid down on the wall and began to cry and shiver.
A shiver he thought but in reality a seizure to anyone else if they had seen what was happening.
He had tried to hold himself together as he slid down on his side. His glasses falling off. Yet, he didn't care, he never felt so alone. The cloak kept him covered and hidden. Even last year he had Hermione and Ron. Now no one. "NO ONE!" He heard a scream from within him. I am nothing. No one cares for me. I have no one. Can have no one. Not even Black could do it and fit those shoes. He failed me. He didn't care enough. He wanted revenge. Leaving me abandoned at the whims of muggle-FILTH. His own mind kept running into more scenarios tearing, attacking, and belittling him.
Then almost resigning himself to lose to the dark thoughts, Harry felt the whispers push back and his mind seemingly began to fight itself. He had opened up to Sheda in the past weeks. Spending lunch with her every day. Talked to her about his self image and confidence issues. How he was named a freak by his family. His childlike dreams of having a family, not his own, but his family. The Potter family. She had helped him, told him that his feelings were valid. She had felt the same and that with age he could make and find his own family. He had held it together when they talked and always showed a strong sense of maturity but deep down he was a kid.
He felt his mind take a turn. Grabbing on to the idea and running with it. A kid who wanted his mom. A kid that wanted to hug his mom and cry. A kid that wanted his dad to grab his shoulder and tell him that he was proud of him. All of that. He wanted all of that. Although he did trust her, she was a professor and could not give him that. He knew that and he wasn't bitter. It just hurt him. He didn't want gold, he didn't even want friends anymore. He just wanted his family. What he saw in the Mirror of Erised. Slowly but surely the robe stopped glowing as Harry stopped moving on the floor. He passed out from magical exhaustion.
Break break break
Sheda had gotten used to sharing her lunch with Harry and after not showing up she thought it was a fluke and that he decided to do something else. Thinking nothing of it she continued on with her day and the exams she had to give.
"15 more minutes. Please make sure to finish your networked ward stones, decoupled ward, and custom made rune sequence as that is the bulk of your grade and not the theory section." She told her 6th years who had their exam from 8pm until 10pm.
A late exam, but she did not mind. As she continued to pace around she thought about her conversation with Dumbledore and plans for the summer. She hoped Harry wouldn't mind. She was excited to spend more time with Harry outside of a school setting. She had hoped to tell him how proud she was that he would be given the opportunity to take the Owl a year early just like she had. As time went on she felt someone was at her classroom door, but decided to wait until the 6th years were done.
10pm came along and all the students had finished much to her liking. She felt she was strict on her Newt candidates, the 6th and 7th years, but the results always showed themselves in her opinion. "Leave your completed items on your desk. I shall review them from there so as to increase your chances of turning in something that works. Thank you for a great school year and until next year."
All the students stood up and began to walk out of the classroom. As she began to turn around she heard some snide comments being thrown outside in the halls and made her way to the door. "Mister Davis, do you really have to be so loud that I can hear you from inside the classroom?" Sheda stated as she walked outside her classroom and into the hallway. She was surprised to see 2 Ravenclaws, and Roger Davis staring at Miss Greengrass.
Greengrass sneered. "I said hitting on me with a line like that insults me. Do you think that I am easy? A pick up line like that wouldn't get you a muggle under a love potion. You have pretty hair, we should talk more. What was that supposed to do? Make me open my legs?" Daphne stated as she pushed through the boys and made her way into the classroom. The boys all looked embarrassed and confused. Davis, especially who turned around and shacked his head as if something didn't make sense.
Sheda was about to say something but the boys turned the corner, not even acknowledging her. "Miss Greengrass, are you okay?"
Daphne nodded clearly frustrated. "I am fine just boys being boys. I need to talk about Potter. He has been missing since his Potions final this morning. I know it's now past the 3rd year curfew, but I am worried." Sheda nodded and pointed to her office where Daphne headed.
"So what happened out there?" Sheda asked as she walked into her office and closed the door. "Are you okay?"
Daphne seemed to get angry. "I said I am fine. It's boys being boys. It happens every so often."
Sheda frowned. "It often happens that you get verbally sexually harassed."
Daphne sighed in frustration, but looked down, giving in to talk about it. "No, well yes. Not exactly. It started this year, and every so often I get comments about my hair from boys."
Sheda nodded, not at all surprised. "You do have pretty hair, Miss Greengrass. I would say it's rare for a blonde to have it as silver as yours. Yet it's never nothing more?" Daphne sighed again, but realizing Professor Babbling was just looking out for her, continued.
"No. Not yet anyway. I know I am growing and it's going to continue." Daphne looked down as she fidgeted with her hands. "I know I am pretty and I know I am going to continue to get more beautiful as I go through puberty. It's just something I need to get used to."
Sheda looked deep in thought. She felt the girl was holding back, but figured it was just nerves. "My door is always open and please report if this happens again. We cannot let it escalate. This is how it always starts. Comments here and there. And then obsession and god forbid they act." Daphne nodded understanding her words. She would have to have 'the talk' with her mom soon.
Sheda felt like the girl heard her and the serious warning. "So what is this about Mister Potter? He didn't come to our daily lunch, but I figured he was studying or decided to sleep after his early Potions exams. I have some news for both of you, but it can wait until tomorrow."
Daphne nodded and continued to fidget in worry and responded semi anxiously. "Harry got into a verbal fight with the youngest male Weasley after the class. I heard most of it and some things Weasley said made me know Harry was going to get mad and emotional, but he controlled himself and walked away. I tried looking for him, but I figured he used his invisibility cloak to hide himself. I couldn't find him and expected him to join me in the library after dinner to do one last study session like we planned. I began to worry when I saw he wasn't at dinner and when he didn't show up at the library. I tried looking for him but I got nothing and made my way over here to see if he was here."
Daphne though, in truth, had been an emotional mess. She had felt awful in her inability to be there for him. She had seen it all and wanted to help. She almost missed the start of her arithmancy final exam. Afterwards she spent every single hour looking for him becoming desperate. A deep sense of care she now knew she held for him.
A care branching out of fearing what would happen to her one day. A feeling of understanding and compassion that she had given him with whatever was happening to him. Realizing that she would want that one day, a part of her that she hated for the feelings, but had given into. Someone at her side that she could confide in outside her mom.
Sheda nodded a part of her now worried and wanting to go running looking for him. Yet, she knew Harry had pretty clever ways to avoid people. Ranging from the cloak, the map, and even now the robe that would save him from magical detection spells and wards. Yet, since she was keyed on the blood rune for the robe and the scabbard she knew she could track him "I will find him, Miss Greengrass, go back to your dorm. Here." Sheda handed her a slip excusing her for being out after curfew.
Daphne took it and looked to leave. "Can you please tell him that I was worried?"
Sheda smiled as she got up. "I will. I won't tell him that you called him Harry, you can that. '' Daphne smiled and left. Sheda quickly looked to make a rune stone that tracked blood within objects. After about 20 min she was able to key her blood into the rune and it began to blink ever so slowly as she made her way out of the classroom and followed the blinking. Going into the dungeons the rune stone started to blink quicker. Coming up to an empty classroom she opened the door and looked around.
Seeing Harry's prized map thrown on the floor she quickly scanned the room and saw nothing. She started casting detection charms and found nothing. "His cloak must have runes protecting it from detection."
She started trying to summon it and to her surprise it also stopped it. "What is this cloak? It must be more than an invisibility cloak." She decided to physically start looking for him and stepping by the fallen map she hit something. Seeing a small ripple she quickly pulled the cloak off of him. Seeing him pass out she was very briefly relieved until she saw a large amount of dried spit on his face. She panicked fearing the worst and grabbed his head elevating it, putting his clock in his lap. "Harry. Harry, are you okay?" Casting diagnosis spells she realized he had a seizure earlier and was currently just asleep. She sighed as she tried to further sit him up on the wall.
Harry began to wake up as he felt someone pick him up. His mind was still an emotional mess; feeling negative emotions slam into him. Something inside him battling and attempting to win. His robe began to glow again which startled the individual that woke him up. As his eyes attempted to focus, not realizing his glasses had fallen off, the glow from his robe shined the long red hair in front of him. Feeling the magic in him fighting, his mind became more of a mess as he could no longer think straight. Seeing a woman with long red hair, his mind under severe stress made an assumption that it was his mom. He quickly launched himself at his mom as she stayed kneeled down. His cloak gripped in his hand. The only Potter item he had.
And Harry began to cry. Hoping that everything will be okay. That he wouldn't have to worry anymore. That he would be okay. That it all was just a nightmare. Mom was here. Mom would take care of him. Mom would make sure to show everyone what it meant to be a Potter. Feeling arms wrap around him he felt at peace. To feel his moms love. To feel her care. He knew he was cared for. Feeling his mind clear and the dark thoughts go away. A distant yell within him on its loss. He held on. He held on knowing that if he was dead it was okay. And if he was alive he would be happy. "It's okay Harry. It's okay to cry. I won't leave you. I made that choice weeks ago. I won't go. Calm down. You aren't alone. I am here." Harry, hearing the voice and smelling lilies, realized who was talking to him and who he was hugging. Scared he had ruined their relationship and embarrassed he tried to pull away quickly
Sheda held on whispering to him. "Don't you dare be embarrassed. And don't you dare think I am leaving. Harry. I know you're panicking. I know you are fighting something that I can't help with, but just know I will do everything I can. You don't need to carry the world on your shoulders. You are just a boy." Unknowingly she began to soothe him and held him closer as she whispered. "If you want me to stay. I will stay. It's your choice, I will care for you more than a student. I will always be there for you. You choose. I won't take it away from you. I will always be there as long as you want." Harry understood what she meant. He wanted to stay in her arms and he wanted to hug her harder.
Yet, a part of him kept telling him not too. An angry voice telling him that she would leave him when everything eventually got harder. That she was like everyone else not listening to him. That he was violating the love he held for his mother and that he should feel guilt. On that thought from somewhere within. He felt peace and just very briefly he felt her. Her presence, through the whispers he had been hearing. And through the whispers brief clarity. "It's okay Harry." Harry gave in and hugged Sheda.
Sheda, who at the time had been waiting, had begun to panic on how she would handle the rejection of not being able to show she cared for the boy more than a student. Could she go back? Could she? She felt his arms circle around her. And she breathed a sigh of relief. "Go to sleep Harry. I will be here when you wake up." She put him in a dreamless sleep and laid him on his side as she conjured a sofa. Putting him on the sofa and sealing the door. She laid him down with his head on her lap as she sat down. Her own emotional exhaustion was catching up as well as she lit the fireplace in the classroom with her wand "What am I to him now?" She wasn't sure, but she wouldn't think about it. She would allow him to choose. Big sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, Family, or Mo—-. The word caught in her brain, but she wouldn't say it. It was too soon in her mind. "I can't care that much so quickly could I?" She sighed out loud. "I will go where it leads me...where he goes."
Break Break Break (June 30th Thursday)
Harry stirred as he squinted trying to see where he was. He could tell it was early morning with how little light there was in the room, besides the fireplace. Seeing the fireplace turned on he realized and remembered what happened last night and slightly panicked as he realized his head was on Sheda's lap. He then felt an arm move to his shoulder. "Up finally? Care to tell me what happened?"
Harry sighed but couldn't talk. "Do you want me to speak first?" Harry nodded and stared at the fire. "I am assuming something happened after you talked to Mister Weasley. Miss Greengrass was worried and came looking for me at had been missing for about the whole day. I found you using a blood tracking rune stone keyed to my blood to this classroom."
Harry heard her voice crack and felt a shiver going through her body. "You were on the floor under the cloak, your map was thrown on the floor, glasses on the floor, and you had dried spit on your cheek. A quick diagnostic spell showed you had suffered a seizure." Harry felt her collect herself feeling a tear hit his cheek which she wiped away. "Sorry. Huh You woke up and your robe started to glow and I saw the runes pushing themselves to contain the magic in you. It finally subsided after you threw yourself on me and hugged me." Sheda hesitated. "I promised you I would stay and that you aren't alone. I put you to sleep and we stayed here for the rest of the night. I stayed."
Harry spoke up after some silence. "My emotions got the better of me after Ron threw in my face that he had a family and I didn't. I am not sure what happened, but something in me snapped and ran with the idea. I was spiraling by the time I got in here and everything was slowing down. I eventually laid down or collapsed and fell asleep. I woke up to you picking me up and the same thing started again. This time I felt my mind splitting in two as if fighting. I thought….I thought you were my mom. Hugging you brought me back and stopped the fighting in me until I realized it was you who had come. I was scared and embarrassed that I ruined the relationship we had. I panicked again and my mind once again began to fight me. I….I felt my mom whisper to me telling me it was okay to hug you and trust you."
Sheda had been staring to the ceiling trying to control her tears and looked down at his mention of whisper. "How do you know it was her?"
Harry shrugged. "I felt it, deep in me." Sheda wondered what it could be but Harry was special; she knew that and a connection to his mom would be expected considering what she did for him. "So do you have any questions Harry?"
Harry kept looking forward; a knot forming in his stomach. "Did you really mean what you said last night?" Harry expected some hesitation. A sense that she was not sure. Maybe a long winded explanation. A rejection that this would not work. Yet to his surprise Sheda without hesitation. "Every word."
Break Break Break
Harry was seated in the Ancient Rune classroom with his legs up and his house cloak off. He had decided to just come back with Sheda and waited to take the exam. Expecting Daphne to show up early he was trying to come up with an explanation. Sheda was seated at her desk grading and she saw the faint glow coming from his robe. "Harry. Tell her the truth and stop worrying. Your magic is overreacting and your robe is glowing."
Harry opened his eyes and looked at his hood and saw the runes glowing and cursed as he tried breathing in and out. Sheda sighed. "Harry, look at me. Why are you worried? You haven't done anything wrong." Harry sighed, the robes glow dimming. "I am unsure how she will react. I only have experience with Ron and Hermione. They would react in different ways. I am unsure if she will. She cared and I feel bad. I shouldn't have run away under the cloak. I don't know. People caring, it's still hard for me, I guess. I don't know what I am saying."
Sheda decided to let him speak even though the girl he was worried about had walked in. "I just don't know how she will react. And that makes me worried. I also don't want to lose a friend. The only one I don't have issues with currently."
Break break break
Daphne had woken up early to get ready. She wanted to meet with Sheda and know if she found Harry. "Harry" She had decided after she left to use his name. She worried about him enough throughout the day to know he was a friend to her. She had felt conflicted on that realization, but decided to ignore it and accept it. Harry was a friend, she cared. She spent almost every single day with him studying and overall spending time together. The feeling she had last night all felt validated with the idea, on him being a friend. Her first one. One day maybe he could be there like she was trying to be there for him. If she never found a cure maybe at least she got to enjoy her time.
She quickly left the dungeons and made her way to the class. As she walked in she heard him say he was worried how she would react. She smiled as she saw Professor Babbling notice her.
She spoke up to the surprise of Harry. "Well Harry. I think I was just worried and if you want you can tell me what happened. I am just happy to see you are fine. You owe me though."
Harry chuckled at her comment "You heard everything did you? Well the year is over. Kind of hard to pay you back in such a short notice. I guess I will have to write to you during the summer to figure something out."
Daphne smiled, seeing what he had done. "Yes. I heard everything. I am not like them, I do not pry, yet. Maybe in time I will, but it will be because I am your friend. Also don't let your head get too big just because you had a comeback worthy of a Slytherin. But yes you can write to me."
She sat next to him and began to unpack. "Do you have a carving knife? I just realized this morning that we never got you one and have always used mine to do example runes."
Harry smiled. " I do but Sheda—-Professor Babbling told me to only use it in certain cases." Harry started realizing his slip on Babbling's name. It was going to be hard for him to call her that way after last night. He moved his robe to his side and showed her the knife and scabbard.
Daphne nodded. Harry was always full of surprises and this was just another one in her book. They took to reviewing as Sheda continued to grade exams.
They kept to themselves as students began to come in. He specifically kept his head down when Hermione walked in. Looking a tad worse for wear. Probably studying too much and maybe guilt. Yet, a quick look thrown in his direction told him all he needed to know, she was conflicted. He wondered if Ron had told her what had happened. "Probably a stretch of the facts. I probably threw spells at him." He quickly threw his house cloak on and tucked the hood of the robe in as Sheda began to talk about expectations.
Break Break Break
Thanking Daphne's technique of writing and study methods. Harry finished the theory exam rather quickly taking a more focused approach on critiquing the techniques mentioned rather than just explaining them and what they did. He also made sure to include counter arguments where appropriate something he had done for every other exam he had taken.
As he moved to the practical portion he grabbed the blank stones and looked to see which runes the exam asked him to make. He would have to make 10. All simple runes in his mind ranging from the unbreakable rune to the conduit rune. He will then have to make a simple rune sequence learned in class on a stone. He had decided to do the snitch rune sequence on an actual snitch to verify it worked. Sheda had provided the snitch for him.
Yet as he reached under his robe to pull his knife from his scabbard he looked at the extra credit and got excited. As he put the knife on the table he decided he would go ahead with his idea, as he began to work on the runes. Carving each stone with ease he did catch Daphne taking glances at his knife. She mouthed "It's beautiful." He smiled and nodded as he finished the last rune on the snitch as it came to life. He raised his hand as Sheda walked over. He whispered his question and she beamed at him and nodded.
Going to her desk she grabbed two ward stones and gave one to him and one to Daphne. Much to the surprise of everyone in the class who knew what was just given to them. While studying Runes both had come across ward making. A much more complicated form of rune stones as it combined many runes into a centralized form. It was studied in 6th year as ancient runes turned into studying to be a cursebreaker, wardmaker, or enchanter. By connecting each rune in a single array it allowed a complicated field to be created. Much more complicated than a rune sequence that was just runes carved individually on an item.
In a ward each rune connected to each other causing a magical reaction that led to a magical field being created. Daphne was going to do a basic ward stone as her extra credit which was already a feat in itself. Yet, Harry had a theory that he planned to do. As Harry began to carve into the ward stone he focused on his magic. Looking to feed the ward stone with as much magic as possible before it would break. One thing he realized about what he was going to do is that it would be magic intensive and required mental focus and magical focus. His magic did fight him, but thankfully it did not fight him as much today as he used his knife. He was channeling a lot of magic and it did start to make the runes glow on his robe as it detected a large spike in magic usage. He had planned for this knowing it would happen. He had already hid his hood under his cloak to hide the glowing robe.
Daphne looked over as she worked and saw the glow and decided to finally ask him at some point about it. She had seen it glow before but he never gave a reason, maybe his magic? She figured asking him directly would be the only way to actually get him to talk about stuff. She just hoped he wouldn't take it the wrong way.
As Harry finished working, to his relief he was able to read the magic coming off the ward stone, as the runes magic confirmed it was working. Knowing about this ward sequence, he knew he had successfully created a general physical protective field that stopped incoming rain at this strength, failing if someone shot a stinging hex at it. He breathed. Now the hard part. He flipped the stone over and began to work on his addition and the theory he had.
Flashback (Daphne and Harry are in the library hiding in a corner on Sunday before exam week as they study)
"Daphne. humor me. Ward stones are used only for Homes, buildings? The strength of the ward is based on how large it is?"
Daphne liked when they did this. What most would see as stupid questions or simple questions. They saw a way to review, but also bounce around ideas. She had never met anyone else that could do that with her, but enjoyed it with Potter.
She looked up from her book. "Correct. Ward stones are large magical stones mined from extremely rich magical areas and as a result are expensive. The strength of the ward is determined by the size of the ward stone, the amount of stones weaved close together, and, if available, a large amount of ambient magic in the area, like here at Hogwarts or the Ministry. The size of the field is constant though. About the size of a muggle townhouse. You can increase the size of the field by weaving ward stones together using arithmancy. The bigger the field you want, the more stones you need. Hence why it's super expensive to ward a whole manor since you would need either large stones, the size of our trunks, and about 4 of them. You could also just have relatively smaller stones, half the size of our trunks, but a lot of them, about 10. Which is also expensive. A trade off regardless."
Harry nodded. "Is there any way to increase the strength with just general ambient magic?" Daphne shook her head, but stopped. "Well. A ward stone contains magic and slowly absorbs magic via natural means but is not a good conduit of magic i.e They are fragile and soft like unfired dried clay. If too much magic passes through them too quickly they shatter. It's why you can overwhelm wards by feeding too much outside magic into them by attacking them. Although it would take time, it's a weakness, nothing is perfect."
Daphne looked back at her notes confirming some thoughts she had. "In turn, you could add an absorption rune or a battery rune but it can only do so much before the ward stone breaks. Many wizards and witches don't do it. The stones are too expensive to even try it. Costing some people's whole yearly salary. Most people have rudimentary wards with 1 or 2 ward stones the size of quaffles at most."
Harry nodded having read that far, but decided to stop. "So the ward stones we would get in class will be jokingly small and weak, but still create the same field?" Daphne nodded. "Correct. They will be small, about the size of a chocolate frog cards, and be extremely low quality and weak, but it's more to test our abilities than actually be functional."
End of Flashback
Harry had wondered if the ward stone could be supercharged like his robe. The main idea came from adding a lot of runes and the resulting instability could cause stability. A runaway reaction held together by a large amount of runes. He had asked Sheda about the idea of using many runes on an item.
Flashback(Last study session with Sheda Tuesday during lunch)
"Sheda what happens if you duplicate runes? Does the effect get greater? Like if you put two or three melding runes on something does it mend faster?"
Sheda finished eating some of her fish and chips and smiled. "Interesting idea. Yes. They do. It depends though."
Sheda pulled out a simple rune stone. "This is the same as a ward stone but just lower quality. Imagine a ward stone being mined with rich magic in it. This would be by it or just general rocks in a magical area. Think in the forbidden forest, some rocks on the ground etc."
Sheda then grabbed her knife and put a small rune on it. Harry read the rune. "A spell capture rune." Sheda then casted the Lumos spell close to the rune and it grabbed the charm. Sheda held the rune stone and he could see she was pushing magic through her fingers. She then flipped the stone and carved a small magic absorption rune. The stone was now self-sustaining.
The rock began to glow Sheda then flipped it and made another tiny Lumos and the rock glowed brighter. Harry had another question as she finished. "I know your notes on rune stones mentioned they can't hold many spells. And putting the spell capture rune on anything is seemingly useless. No one needs a stunning spell stuck on their wall. But is there anything more that can be done with them? Like imagine channeling spells through them." Sheda held the stone up, stopping what she was gonna do. The stone glowing.
"This is the limit of a rune stone. It can't really do more and you can't add more. Rune stones are considered a failed branch of Rune magic. The dream of holding spells in your hand and pushing your magic through them to cast spells with them is just that, a dream. The problem is the fact that rune stones, much like ward stones, are fragile. Of course, why not use spell capture rune on other items? It unfortunately fails on other items. You can put it on a large object, a manor or a trunk, but the smaller it is, the more likely it fails. The rune breaks the item when it catches the spells. The type and power of the spell is also a factor. Putting it on a magical artifact, which could support the spell, is a waste considering that most magical items already have fundamental properties that could be ruined by the rune. Hagrid's umbrella already allows magic to be cast. A ring can do the same thing. A necklace is an idea, but again you probably could hold the necklace in your hand and cast a spell with it. You can cast with your knife a patronus mist, why would you care about a stone that could do it? Simplicity or a want to cheat magic? Besides unique cases such as languages and dark magic. Every spell is possible by every witch and wizard. The question is practice, magical understanding, and will to learn. Yes, magical ability is also a factor; a patronus mist is not the same as a shield and a shield is not the same as a corporal."
Sheda twirled the stones in her hand. "Magical ability is an excuse in my opinion. The starting point is just different for everybody. Like you. You started with a mist from the beginning."
Harry picked up on what she was saying. "Like a head start on where you are, but it doesn't mean you can't learn to do more. A corporal is still possible for someone who struggles to do a mist; it just means they have to practice and work harder."
Sheda smiled that he understood her. "Exactly. The magical world always fundamentally ignores two concepts of our world. Learning and practicing because of laziness and complacency. Overall, just train more and actually learn how to use the spell. See the issue? There is no cheating magic and there are no easy paths. Even now you have to study with a magical affinity." Sheda finished as she went back to adding another conduit rune. The stone broke and failed.
Harry understood what she meant. It's why he was hesitant to take the exam. Even with affinity the theoretical part of rune making was an important part. Ranging from how everything worked, to including the discussion they were having. Although practical came easy, it was of no use if you didn't know the limits and what the spells or concepts could do. He had done well catching up on rune theoretical and carving, but he felt he may need more time. Sheda was insistent that he was pushing himself and she believed in him and he could take the exam after all the studying he had done. His practice exams showed that. Although not perfect he did well in his own way and that was the most important part. There were no easy paths, only paths that you could find that worked with your skill set. He had found one finally with her help and he would try to be positive about it regarding what his current potential was.
Refocusing on his question he looked at the now broke rune stone and saw the runes break in a certain way; the rune stayed together. Cracking around the rune rather than through it. Sheda then looked around and grabbed one of her dragon hide gloves. She pointed at a mending rune on it and Harry nodded. She then grabbed a regular knife and cut at the hide. The hide healed itself. She quickly carved another mending rune and cut at the gloves again. Harry saw it heal a little faster.
"So that's the two things that can happen. It fails and breaks, in the case of the rune stone we know it's fragile, but that is what most items will suffer from eventually. Dragon hide is of course magical and can hold much more magic. The mending rune works faster but it will have diminishing returns also eventually failing and breaking. Here it's a balance, but why keep going if the mending rune already does its job well with just one? Also the interaction. You will need more magic absorption runes at some point and that causes instability. The issue doubles. So and so forth." Harry nodded. "It makes sense. I get it thanks." Sheda nodded and continued eating. Harry sat thinking "a balancing act."
Flashback ended
He purposely had avoided researching what he planned to do. Thinking he would be rationally pointed away from this. So he decided to go in blind and just go by his own theory. A combination of mending runes, battery, absorption runes and attraction runes. Attraction runes, as he learned, were how the Weasley house had been built. It worked like a magnet pulling towards each other and repelling if you wanted. It was a powerful rune only needing 1 to connect whole pieces of homes together.
His theory was rooted in that idea of magnets, by forcing the ward under immense attraction stress he could make it pull magic in by force rather than focusing on ambient magic. The absorption rune would pull magic in. The attraction runes would counteract the destructive force of too much magic being pushed in. The mending runes would try to heal the stone. The process would then repeat. It would be a constant loop of the stone being overloaded, destroyed, attracted and self healed. In his mind it would become a small card with cracks all over the stone trying to reconnect but kept apart by a constant want to explode as magic fed into them.
He continued working and as the 30min left mark passed by he sighed. It was done or close to being done. It just needed some of his magic to tip it over and allow the reaction to begin. If anyone looked at the ward stone they would see a mess of runes on the back of it. Over 49 runes spread across the back of the rune. 48 small equally repeated patterns of mending runes, attraction runes and absorption runes and one centralized battery rune with deeper grooves into the stone.
He had picked 49 because it's how many he could fit on the little stone before he couldn't consistently carve them. Daphne in an effort to get him to like arithmancy showed him some of her work. He didn't like it, but he did learn that 7 was a powerful magical number. 49 could be divided by 7 so he hoped that theory held here. The larger battery rune made sense to put in the middle since he only needed one. It was also the most stable rune in the Nordic language, being able to take a large amount of magic before failing.
He breathed and then he remembered what Daphne told him while in the library.
Flashback
"Whatever you do, make sure to have Professor Babbling shield you if it's experimental. Wards are dangerous if they lose control. If the wards are not properly created, keyed, or secure then someone competent in ward breaking can collapse them in a magical explosion. It's why you have to study so much to be a ward maker and ward breaker. Furthermore, skill in reverse spell engineering: the study of understanding spells, enchantments used on an item, and two Newts are a must."
End of flashback
Raising his hand, Sheda came over.
"Yes Harry." She whispered as she bent down and looked at his completed ward with pride knowing he would get an outstanding+ just with the 5th year level skill. "Are you done?"
Harry nodded, whispering back. "I am but I need you to shield me and maybe the classroom?"
Sheda frowned. "Why?" Her answer was given as he turned the stone around. Seeing the mess of runes she looked to understand what he had created. Looking more like the ramblings of a mad man made on a wall she began to see the vision. "Harry, are you sure this can work?"
Harry shrugged. "Honestly. My theory should hold. I didn't really try researching if it didn't though."
Sheda frowned. "The attraction runes should be strong enough. It does hold buildings together. You didn't use magic as you made the back runes, you carved them naturally so the runes haven't activated?"
Harry nodded "I only need to feed the center battery rune with some magic to start the sequence." Sheda was thinking.
She knew what he was making. Yet, her thoughts were more how he had come up with it. She had seen things be done with runes. She had hoped to teach them to him, but this was taking the fundamentals of rune and thinking outside the box. "How did you come up with the idea?"
Harry looked at the stone and shrugged. "I know ward stones are an expensive item and couldn't believe no one had tried to see if runes could be pushed to this degree. My hope is to supercharge the ward like my robe and as result allow it to be more potent and effective. I guess taking what you told me about the Mayan rune on my robe and pushing it into our language? A rough translation of a magical concept rather than a direct translation. " Harry figured if runes existed in other languages the effect could be replicated everywhere. It would probably require changing the structure of how you built the idea or so he thought.
"I used the idea of magnets to come up with it. Their attraction and polar opposite cause a magnetic field that can grow in proper conditions. Or so I remember. Here I want to force the attraction to counteract the repulsion. In some ways I guess control it? The only thing that gave me pause is how magic would react and if I balanced it. I have 49 runes, a number divisible by 7. I have an equal amount of the other runes. 12 each. I don't know if that will change anything."
Sheda smiled at his foolishness and realized he was piecing information together with what he had learned. He truly would use anything at his disposal, she realized. "So you're winging it. You do know you can submit the ward stone and get an outstanding+ just with that."
Harry shrugged and smiled. "Where is the fun in that?"
Sheda smiled and shook her head. Again it was such a simple idea what he had done, the only question was his finesse. No rune could be out of place. No rune could be wrong. For the system to work like he intended it would need to be perfect. It was a balancing act. It's possible someone else had tried it and failed. Her only possible explanation why this could be different was the sheer quantity of runes he had decided to use. 49 in total on the size of the playing card. She shook her head. "Go ahead then. I will shield."
She got up and spoke up. "Everyone sorry for the disturbance. I will give an extra 10min at the end of class. I need to shield Mister Potter and everyone in the class from what he is going to make; in case something goes wrong." She nodded to him.
Harry took a deep breath as he stood up. Just a little bit of magic. He lowered his knife as it hovered over the battery rune and breathed in. "Please work." He pushed his magic. Very quickly the runes began to glow and very subtly the little ward stone began to shake. And in a flash of light it exploded. Sheda quickly shielded the class with protago as Harry quickly casted one with his knife.
The light went away as it was sucked back into the ward. Harry looked down at his creation and marveled at it. It worked. It actually worked or at least he thought it did. In front of him was a small ball about the size of a snitch floating in the air. It was made up of many small pebbles circling a shell with a large chuck in the middle that he could see through the cracks of the shell. The shell pulsated, almost beating, like a heart. The attraction runes he quickly realized had stayed intact on small pieces orbiting the shell. The shell was made up of the stone that had the mending rune and the magic absorption runes. In the shell he could see the part of the stone where he carved the Ward and the battery rune behind it.
Everyone stared. Daphne squealed uncharacteristically for herself and launched at him to hug him from the side, but pulled back just as quickly. Proud that it had worked.
She looked at what he made. Using her wand to feel at its field. "You risky brat. Why risk it? I thought we agreed we would test it next year for our owls in 5th year." Harry was still in shock that it worked. It was complicated but he felt it was simple in execution. He shook his head. Wizards and witches really didn't push the capabilities they had or maybe they didn't care to do so? Feeling Sheda get closer to him. He looked up to her and for the 1st time ever he saw the eyes of an adult that cared for him be proud of him. Someone who had no hand in everything that had happened to him. Someone that clearly cared for him based only on what he had told her. He wanted to hug her.
Harry internally sighed. He didn't know what she was to him. He wasn't going to dwell on it and just let his soul take him wherever it wanted in time. He was done fighting, fighting his emotions, he would make peace with them as best as he could.
Sheda bent down and started poking at the floating ward stone with her wand casting spells that Harry didn't know. At one point he briefly saw a rune circle appear on Sheda's hand before it vanished. "It's both a ward and an enchanted item now. You changed its magical properties on how it works, it is now a reactive and a changing ward stone. Interesting. I will reach out to academics around the world and see if anyone has seen something like this before. It almost seems like you made a ward that is able to increase its strength on a scale rather than just being overall more powerful."
Sheda got up and spoke loudly. "Everyone please return to your exams. 15min are left. Let me know if you have any questions." She bent back down as every student went back to their exam. Sheda whispered. "Harry. I am proud of you. Stay after everyone leaves. Tell Miss Greengrass the same." Harry beamed and nodded.
Break break break.
Harry stayed seated for the remainder of the class. Staring at the Pulsar ward as he called it because it reminded him of the space object he learned about at a science fair during muggle school. He had looked to test the field and realized that Sheda was right; it was reactive now. It didn't fail like before but now it seemed it could change with the magic that was thrown at it. It absorbed the spells and the field got stronger.
He couldn't test its limits nor did he want to, but he had been able to cast a stinging hex at it and the pulsar absorbed it. Yet instead of failing; the field held. Casting it again the spell hit the field rather than being absorbed. Proving that the field's power was now increased. To his further surprise the pulsar leaked magic. Going back to its natural state after some time. Not exactly what he had wanted, but an interesting development. Maybe it could be improved, he thought. Maybe for owl year?
As everyone got up and finished the last exam there was a buzz in the air for many of the students as it meant this was their final exam. He saw Hermione come up to him. "Hi Harry. Ummm. I wanted to. I."
Harry looked up at her his face showing neutrality. "Yes?" Harry noticed she looked very conflicted.
Hermione collected herself enough to talk. "I am sorry. I am sorry for saying what I said about you. I didn't mean to get all caught up in everything. My magic and smarts are something I am very proud of and this year especially after being called the M-word."
Hermione stopped trying to catch her feelings, but realized she couldn't and let some tears go through. " I realized after doing my assignment from Professor Babbling, some education by Greengrass." Daphne who had stayed because Harry signaled her too. Raised an eyebrow "and my own research. That my place in this world is not gonna be determined by my skills or magical abilities but by notions I can't control. I had been frustrated going into the second half of the school year on why I couldn't keep up with some people, and why certain classes just came easily to others. The time turner was supposed to put me ahead, yet people like you can skip class and still do better. You learned a spell some adults can't do, and all you did was get tutored sporadically through the year. You could even show up at random in other classes and just knock it out of the park. I felt you had a privilege that somehow I didn't have. It's funny because I had the privilege; I owned a restricted magical device. I let that anger out on you and really everyone."
Hermione said with a sad smile and tears flowing from her eyes. "I even made Neville cry the other day for belittling him and telling him how he was worse than a muggleborn. I felt so bad." Hermione smiled at her stupidity. "Do you know how stupid you have to be to say you're better than pure blood? You're feeding into their hands on their doctrine, you're giving them the fuel they need. Once I said what I said I apologized, and I realized I had taken things too far not just with him but with you also." Hermione was clearly fighting a sob. "And now I hear that Ron yelled at you, in some display of protecting my "virtue" as he told Dean. That he "showed you. "Hermione sighed with frustration and quickly wiped away her tears and used a quick charm on herself to cleans herself up.
She decided to finish, before it turned into a rant. "I don't expect your forgiveness Harry and I know I messed up to a certain degree. I know something is going on with you and I made it about me. I showed no care. And I just hope I can make it up to you next year."
Harry looked up. His face showed some emotion, but stayed blank. "Next year it is Hermione. Enjoy your summer."
Hermione nodded realizing he wasn't going to be leaving soon. She went to pick up her books but stopped behind Daphne and leaned in to whisper. "Please take care of him. I don't think I will ever have the same relationship I had with him before I messed up. I saw how he acted with you in the library. He listened to you and you supported him. It was how he treated me at times, but never often. I now know I was always too hard on him. I am not jealous that you saw how to treat him right so quickly." Hermione caught her breath. Seemingly trying to believe the words she said. Pushing that feeling down she continued. " I just know he needs someone in his corner." She got up and left the classroom.
Daphne had frozen when she felt Granger's voice by her ear. Yet, she felt conflicted. Her vindictive self wanted to rub it in the girl's face, but the last part caught her off guard. "Someone in his corner." Could she be that? She was a friend, but it sounded like Granger did have feelings for Harry. She didn't see Harry that way. Did she? She had been close to him, yes. Spending many of the nights in the library with him, studying and chit chatting.
On the weekends she spent whole days with him from early morning to late at night. It was probably the most fun she had ever had in her time at Hogwarts. They had laughed, joked, and made stupid comments about people that passed them. She looked up to him. He was younger than her but for whatever reason she felt that she should strive to be like him. She felt as if he could do no wrong and anything he put his mind to he could do it. His recklessness fueled a part of her to not care what others had done and just doing it regardless of the outcome.
As he had told her. "Adults have always failed me. So you're telling me they know everything or that their theories are gospel? All this could be correct today and wrong tomorrow." He had shown her his patronus, a shield but a patronus. Something many argued was impossible to do yet a 13 year old did it in front of her. He could cast some spells without the movement nor the incantation. "Could I be more than a friend like Granger said?" She whispered to herself. She just wanted someone to be there for her. Did that mean a relationship was the only way? She would have to talk to her mom; she didn't like the implication of being forced to be a girlfriend to be close to him. Her musing was cut off by Harry calling her. "Daphne you okay? What did she tell you?"
Daphne smiled as she looked at him. "Girl talk. Nothing you need to worry about. So why did you want me to stay?" She asked as she began to pack up her books and rune items.
Harry leaned back. "Professor Babbling asked me to tell you." Daphne nodded.
During this time Sheda had taken to putting away the paper tests in her office and had just made it back out as Hermione left the classroom. She called out as Miss Greengrass and Harry finished talking. "You can both come to my office. Leave your wards on your desk." They both quickly made there way into the office.
"So both of you. I have some news. It was expected that Mister Potter would pass the exam this morning. After looking at what, he created it all but confirms the decision that the headmaster and I have made. He will be joining you, Miss Greengrass, in next year's class."
Harry and Daphne beamed. Yet, Daphne caught the comment. "What do you mean by joining me? I am already in Ancient Runes and planned to take the 4th year class."
Sheda nodded as she smiled. Pulling out two letters that she received from Dumbledore and handing them the letters. "Headmaster Dumbledore and I quickly realized that with Mister Potter's magical affinity to read the magic on runes and your hard work Miss Greengrass. Although I will also say that I wouldn't be surprised if you, Miss Greengrass, had an affinity for something adjacent to rune making. That we would be holding you both back from doing your full potential. As a result, expecting such performance from both of you in this exam, we have decided to bestow you an honor not given since I was given it. You will be allowed to skip 4th year runes and go straight to taking your Owl come March next year." Sheda stated as both students read their letter. Her happiness of being able to give two of these honors excited the professor. Especially seeing two shocked students.
Daphne spoke up first, grabbing onto the comment about her ability to runes. "You think I have a magical affinity like Harry in runes?"
Harry realized she had been using his name and noted it. He wondered if something had changed. Maybe she had been worried the night before. He never could gauge her. She was cagey; only at times showing some emotions. Mostly after he goaded and joked with her after a while.
Sheda looked at Daphne. "I have my theories but I am unsure. Your letter of recommendation is based on your own hard work. I did not bring it up in my meeting with the Headmaster. Magical affinities usually don't present themselves so early in individuals. So it's hard to understand if someone is academically inclined, gifted, prodigy or has a magical affinity until they are much older. At minimum when owls are taken. I believe you have an affinity to something rune adjacent; arithmancy is one guess, I know you are doing extremely well in that class also. As for other possibilities: ward breaking, and curse breaking. The magical blessing extends to other sub fields of runes of course. So it makes it easier for you but still needs some hard work. Like I did."
Harry looked confused. Sheda caught it and explained. "There are magical affinities that do not directly impact classes but could if you work hard." Sheda looked to struggle, but caught herself. She wouldn't lie here. "In my case my magical affinity is to research. My family has a long history of being researchers and going through magical grimoires."
Sheda couldn't seem to tie it to anything. She hesitated as she came up with something tied to her adoptive family. "Ummm. It's especially true when we were still called "Babble" in Magical Russia. Our family name actually traces back further, the muggle religious story Tower of Babel, so my family's history could go back even further. Either way in Russia my family handled a lot of trade of books, grimoires, tomes, and scrolls from Asia coming into Europe. We were known as translators." She finished, her eyes settling on Harry but in reality she was staring into the space. The hatred that she couldn't live with her past bubbling up. 4 years back and it still haunted her.
Harry thought she was gesturing at his robe and now understood. She could research and maybe pick up on languages quickly. With enough knowledge and research you could do runes in other languages with ease. Fascinating.
Sheda pulled herself back, suppressing her emotions. "So there are some stipulations. First, You are not skipping year 4, but will be doing independent study with me. You will be tested in December on year 4 rune material and the grades will be reviewed by Professor Vector and I. If we believe you are ready we will give the green light to take your Owl in March. Second, at any moment you must tell Professor Vector, Headmaster Dumbledore, or I if you feel you can't take the exam. Again this is an honor and not an obligation. Mental health comes first and festivities, mainly the Triwizard Tournament." She said with a smile at the curious looks she got. "Can't say more than that. Lastly, you will be watched by the other professors very closely. Try to impress but don't do too much. As such there is a possibility. A small possibility that you can take other Owls come May of next year. Your Owl result in Runes and your overall performance in other classes are key drivers of this. Do not worry about that until after December. Any questions?" Both Daphne and Harry were excited. Harry though had a realization in his excitement. The year was over. He will be leaving tomorrow and all the wind was taken out of his sails.
Sheda catching his mood change and glowing robe. "Miss Greengrass. You can go. I have to talk to Mister Potter. He will be out shortly." Daphne nodded seeing that he had gotten upset at something. His robe once again glowed, so it was emotional based? Maybe his magic was worse than she predicted. Maybe the robe did more. Hold back his magic? She left, deciding to wait in the classroom for him.
Sheda looked at him. "Any particular reason for your emotions getting the best of you?"
Harry sighed looking at the robes glow under his House cloak. "You know I kind of don't like it glows so apparently."
She smirked. "Well it's your magic. Too much and too strong. So what's wrong?"
She looked through her desk and pulled out some things and got up and moved over to where Daphne had been seated next to him.
Harry looked at her and was going to respond. Sheda stopped him. "Let me go first. You have had a hard few weeks and although I am proud of what you have done and accomplished. You threw yourself into studying and based on what I can tell Miss Greengrass has been a good influence studying every single day with you. I also know there is only so much studying you can do to ignore the feelings you have been having dealing with. Both the ones we talk about and the ones that clearly are being influenced by the thing inside you."
Sheda stopped and breathed. "I do know it has been extremely stressful and I have helped you where I can. I have started getting back ideas on what may be wrong with you and I hope to review it this summer finally. I also know you have baggage from everything else that has happened. You fought a shadow of Voldemort in your first year, a Basilisk who was unleashed by another echo, and you came face to face with the man who betrayed your parents, Peter. I would say that kind of deserves a vacation. And some other adults agree. Here."
She handed him the 4 tickets and Harry was confused and looked at the dates and what they were for and got excited. "Dumbledore and a certain Mutt want you to relax this summer. There are a couple of weeks where we will have to figure out where you go, but overall you will have about 4 weeks of relaxing. 2 and half weeks in Austria for the World Wizarding Dueling Championship starting this Saturday and 10 days for the Quidditch World Cup."
Harry was super excited and looked like the 13 year old boy he should be. "Wait. 2 tickets each? Dumbledore is coming along?"
Sheda faked getting hurt as she stood up and sat on her desk. "Ouch. And here I thought you would be okay with me going. I guess I can tell him you want him to go. I won't take offense. I guess the old fool is pretty cool, having defeated a dark lord. Not little old me, the rune professor that made you a cool robe." Harry was surprised and ignored the teasing.
He got up and hugged her to her surprise. She patted his back. "I asked to go as Bathsheda Babbling, not as a professor. So I will be on break also. I am not going as a professor, okay?"
Harry, understanding the significance of what she meant, nodded as he pulled away. "Thank you"
Sheda nodded. "I am proud of you by the way. Your mom would be. She always wanted people to do their best. She was like a sister to me." She hesitated and sighed. "She was like a big sister that wanted everyone to do their best."
Harry nodded, surprised to have some information on their interactions. Maybe because she didn't feel it was appropriate? No. It was something more. She slipped up. Maybe Mom and Sheda had been closer. She did say Dad called them the firecrackers. A nickname like the marauders. "Anyway Harry, go." Sheda said. "Have a good last day and enjoy the train ride. We will head out on Saturday." Harry left.
Thinking about Sheda; he decided to leave it be. As he walked out the office he saw Daphne had waited by the door to courtyard. Having everything on him they headed to the Great Hall for early lunch.
Break break break
"So what did Professor Babbling want to tell you?" Daphne asked.
Harry smiled. He knew she was curious, but she always respected his wishes when he told he couldn't tell her, at least not yet as she had told him. "You know I have only muggle relatives? Well I recently got some new family members and they want me to enjoy the summer. Professor Dumbledore gave Babbling the tickets because it was so short notice and he knew we would be getting the letters for the OWL recommendation." Daphne nodded at the comment.
She knew he was cagey about his family and never mentioned it. "New Potter family? Or found, family?"
Harry looked torn. "Found family I suppose. I think I am the last of the Potter line. Professor Dumbledore always said my muggle relatives were the only ones left."
Daphne shrugged. "There are always adoptive ways to add to the family. You can literally take any individual. Give them a blood magical transfusion and have them swear loyalty to the current lord and family. It's how it worked in the old days when families looked to be dying out or if someone had done a great service to a family. It was a great honor and it's rumored that the Green Knight who served under King Arthur, was added to the family in such a way."
Daphne decided to change the subject, feeling it was boring for the end of the year. "So quidditch World Cup I assume?"
Harry nodded as he looked at Daphne. "And the World Wizarding Dueling Championship."
Daphne beamed at that. "I shall see you there hopefully. What day are you going?"
Harry was happy he would get to see her. "Day? I am going the whole 2 and half weeks"
Daphne whistled "Sorry Lord Potter. I didn't know I was in such a presence. May I clean your robes before we have our lunch."
Catching her joke he blushed at the way he sounded. "I didn't think it was such a big deal."
Daphne looked amused. "You have VIP tickets. No issue. Just Impressive. Your family must care about you. I am going for three days to see the Semi final and the final. Hoping England wins, but honestly anyone but Germany. They always send someone who wins."
Harry was surprised the girl had any interests in sport. "You like dueling Daphne?" Daphne stopped at the staircase just before the Great Hall.
Having caught herself she sincerely smiled at him. "My dad did. He loved it. He always loved seeing the new spells. This is the first one without him since he passed away 4 years ago. I am hoping to feel his presence."
Daphne stopped as she seemingly looked lost. Collective herself, she continued. "Goodbye Harry. See you in 2 weeks. Try to not get into any trouble? Write to me. Please?" Harry smiled and nodded as she walked away. All the while ignoring the whispers that had become intense at the mention of her dad.