CHAPTER 21: ROSE'S STORY
Daphne found herself amidst the morning bustle of her family's breakfast, a scene painted with the hues of familial affection and morning chatter. Across from her sat Astoria Greengrass, her vivacious little sister, a spark of energy dancing in her eyes, a stark contrast to Daphne's composed demeanor.
To Daphne's left, the epitome of grace and elegance sat her mother, Roxanne Greengrass, whose features mirrored those of a timeless supermodel, her blonde locks cascading effortlessly around her shoulders. Astoria and Daphne undoubtedly inherited their exquisite looks from her. On Daphne's right perched her father, Cyrus Greengrass, a man whose black hair and brown eyes bore the distinguished air of pureblood royalty.
A flutter of wings announced the arrival of an owl through the open window. Daphne recognized the snowy owl instantly as Hedwig, Harry's faithful companion. With a graceful descent, the owl dropped a letter beside Daphne's plate, prompting a curious stir among the family members.
"Thank you, dear Hedwig," Daphne murmured, extending a small treat to the owl before unfurling the parchment. The summer holiday was waning, and Harry had traversed distant lands; first France, now Japan, engaged in tournaments and adventures.
"Is it from Harry?" Astoria inquired, her excitement palpable at the prospect of meeting her potential brother-in-law. Astoria's fascination with Harry's feats—his solo confrontation with a troll, and his record-breaking ascension as the youngest Seeker in a century—rendered her eager for any tidbit of news regarding the famed wizard.
Daphne nodded in affirmation, her fingers tracing the neat handwriting upon the parchment. "Indeed, it is."
"Then do share, darling," Roxanne chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "We're all eager to hear from young Mr. Potter."
"And to ensure he hasn't penned anything untoward," Cyrus interjected, a hint of paternal protectiveness coloring his words.
"Untoward? But the lad is merely eleven," Roxanne countered, her tone laced with amusement.
"Actually, he's twelve now," Daphne corrected, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she prepared to regale her family with Harry's latest missive.
Cyrus interjected once more, a reminder tinged with a hint of parental concern. "And let us not forget, he's the son of James Potter. The lad possessed a knack for uttering things at the tender age of eleven that most wouldn't dare utter even in their final school years."
"Fair point," Daphne conceded with a soft sigh, preparing herself to divulge the contents of Harry's letter. With a gentle clearing of her throat, she commenced reading aloud.
"Hello Daph," she recited, her voice adopting the tone of familiarity that often characterized Harry's letters. "Just in case the owl, my name, and my handwriting didn't make it obvious, it's me, Harry."
"'Daph'?" Astoria interjected with an amused grin.
"Quiet, you," Daphne retorted, resuming her reading.
"I just had an argument with an old woman," she continued, relaying Harry's anecdote with a bemused expression. "Well, when I say argument, I mean she yelled at me in Japanese for about five minutes, and it somehow ended with me buying a chicken from her. I don't know how that happened, but it was a really good chicken, so I don't mind."
"A true Potter tale," Cyrus remarked with a knowing chuckle.
"Your friends are quite entertaining," Astoria observed with a hint of admiration.
"Enough, Astoria," Daphne gently admonished before directing her attention back to the letter.
"How's your summer going?" she recited, pausing momentarily to glance at her family. "Say hi to your family for me. Your sister is coming to Hogwarts this year, right? Her name was Astoria, if I remember correctly. I hope to meet her soon."
"What did you disclose to Harry about me?" Astoria inquired with a curious tilt of her head.
"Not much, dear sister, other than the fact that you exist," Daphne replied with a playful twinkle in her eye, eliciting a chorus of laughter from her family.
"Could you do me a favor and take care of Hedwig for a while?" Daphne read from the letter, her brows furrowing slightly as she absorbed Harry's request. "I managed to bring her back to England with a Portkey, and I don't want her to fly all the way back to Japan for me. Could you take her with you when you go to the station? If your parents need a payment for her stay, just say something and I'll pay, as long as the prices are reasonable."
"Hello, Hedwig," Astoria greeted warmly, extending her hand to stroke the snowy owl's feathers. "Such a beautiful name for a beautiful owl." Hedwig responded with a gentle nuzzle against Astoria's palm, a gesture of affection that elicited a delighted smile from the young Greengrass.
"Oh, by the way," Daphne continued reading, "the tournament is going great. If you've received this letter, I guess I've already competed in the finals. I hope I win; the last round is a battle royal between me and two other finalists. Anyway, I have to go, and I'll see you next week at the station. Harry Potter. P.S. I hope you've been practicing."
"Practicing what?" Roxanne inquired, her curiosity piqued by Harry's enigmatic postscript.
"Occlumency," Daphne replied, her voice carrying a hint of solemnity. "Harry has a few secrets, and he believes that mastering Occlumency is essential for keeping them safe. He mentioned that if I wanted to know more, I would have to be capable of warding off intrusions into my mind."
"Why does Harry hope you've been practicing Occlumency?" Roxanne pressed further, her concern mirrored in her furrowed brow.
"Well, it seems Harry's had some rather... unauthorized attempts to probe his thoughts," Daphne explained, her gaze drifting momentarily to the floor before meeting her father's incredulous stare. "The headmaster and Professor Snape have made such attempts on Harry. It's a violation of privacy, I know, but Harry's chosen not to pursue formal action against them."
"Why not?" Cyrus interjected, his voice edged with a mixture of disbelief and indignation.
"He has no proof, and Dumbledore could wriggle out of it," Daphne explained with a resigned tone. "If Harry accused the famous headmaster of mind-reading, no one would believe him."
"Right," Cyrus concurred, a hint of frustration evident in his voice. "Daphne, what tournament is Harry talking about?" Roxanne interjected, steering the conversation onto a less contentious path.
"I'm not entirely certain, but in his previous letter, he mentioned something called the Japanese War Duels for Minors," Daphne responded, her brow furrowing with uncertainty.
"What?!" Cyrus exclaimed, his shock palpable. "He's participating in one of the Japanese War Duels?!"
"Is that a cause for concern? It's just a duel," Roxanne interjected, attempting to assuage the mounting tension in the room.
"It's not just any duel," Cyrus retorted gravely. "The War Duels are a renowned Japanese event where competitors engage in combat without restraint. There are no regulations, no holds barred. The only rule is no interference from bystanders. They can employ any spell or weapon at their disposal. These duels are banned in numerous countries for their sheer brutality. The last individual who attempted to compete returned to England missing a leg."
"But it's only minors participating," Roxanne pointed out, attempting to find a silver lining in the grim revelation.
"The Japanese have a reputation for instilling their children with offensive spellcraft from a young age," Cyrus countered, his expression darkening. "They likely possess knowledge of spells that could inflict serious harm."
"Yeah, but Harry's made it to the final round," Astoria interjected optimistically. "He must be skilled, right, Daph?"
Daphne's expression faltered, a wave of concern washing over her features. "Well... I mean, he did defeat Malfoy in a duel, and there was that incident with the troll, but I've never witnessed him face off against a truly proficient opponent. What if he gets injured? The reckless fool, what was he thinking?!"
"Looks like someone's smitten," Astoria remarked, undeterred by the glare Daphne directed her way.
Daphne's cheeks flushed slightly at Astoria's teasing remark, a mixture of irritation and concern evident in her expression. "This isn't the time for jokes, Astoria. Harry's safety is at stake."
Astoria's playful demeanor softened as she regarded her older sister with genuine concern. "I know, Daph. But Harry's proven himself to be quite capable in the past. And besides, if he's made it to the final round, he must have some skill, right?"
Daphne's features softened at her sister's attempt to offer reassurance. "You're right, Astoria. Harry has faced adversity before and emerged victorious. I just worry about him, that's all."
Cyrus cleared his throat, his tone somber as he addressed his daughters. "Regardless of Harry's prowess, we must remain vigilant. The Japanese War Duels are not to be underestimated. If Harry's involved, we need to be prepared for any eventuality."
Roxanne nodded in agreement, her maternal instincts kicking in. "We'll keep a close eye on the situation and be ready to offer any assistance Harry may need."
Daphne exhaled slowly, a sense of determination settling over her. "Agreed. We'll support Harry however we can. But let's hope he returns from this tournament unscathed."
With a shared nod of understanding, the Greengrass family resolved to stand by Harry's side, ready to lend their support in whatever form necessary. For now, all they could do was wait anxiously for news of Harry's fate in the final round of the Japanese War Duels for Minors.
"There's Harry," Astoria pointed out eagerly as they arrived at the bustling platform. All eyes turned to where Harry stood, engaged in conversation with Neville Longbottom. However, what caught Daphne's attention was the sight of a young girl clinging tightly to Harry's arm. She was slender, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes, her expression betraying a palpable sense of fear.
"Well, let's go and greet him," Cyrus suggested, leading the family towards Harry, who had just bid farewell to Neville. Harry's eyes lit up as he caught sight of the approaching Greengrass family.
"Hi, Daph," Harry greeted warmly, a smile spreading across his face. He would have embraced Daphne if not for the presence of the girl clinging to his arm. "How are you?"
"I was doing fine until I heard about your exploits in a no-rules tournament," Daphne replied, her tone laced with a mixture of concern and exasperation.
"Oh, that," Harry's grin widened. "I managed to clinch the victory."
"You won?" Cyrus interjected, his surprise evident.
"Yes, sir," Harry affirmed with a nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be Lord Greengrass, correct?"
"That I am," Cyrus replied, extending his hand, which Harry shook firmly. "And you must be young Mr. Potter, or Heir Potter if you prefer."
"Please, just Harry," he insisted, releasing Cyrus's hand before turning to Roxanne. "And you must be Lady Greengrass." With a gallant flourish, Harry pressed a gentle kiss to Roxanne's knuckles.
"Likewise," Roxanne returned his smile warmly.
Harry then shifted his attention to Astoria, but before he could finish his sentence, Astoria seized him in a tight hug, catching him off guard. "Astoria?" Harry's bemused expression was mirrored by the girl clinging to him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Astoria released him and beamed. "I hope we can be friends."
"Why not?" Harry shrugged, returning her smile.
"Excellent! We can share stories about Daphne," Astoria enthused, prompting a groan from her older sister at the thought of Harry and Astoria exchanging tales in private.
Daphne rolled her eyes at Astoria's suggestion, mentally preparing herself for the inevitable embarrassment that awaited her.
"Ah, yes, I'm sure there are plenty of stories to tell," Harry replied diplomatically, though a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.
As the family exchanged pleasantries with Harry, the young girl at his side remained quiet, her gaze shifting nervously between the Greengrasses and Harry. Sensing her discomfort, Daphne stepped forward with a warm smile.
"And who might you be?" Daphne inquired gently, directing her attention to the girl.
The girl hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice soft and hesitant. "I'm Luna Lovegood," she introduced herself, her blue eyes meeting Daphne's with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna," Daphne replied warmly, extending her hand. Luna hesitated briefly before tentatively accepting the gesture.
"You're Harry's friend, then?" Astoria interjected, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, I suppose you could say that," Luna replied with a small nod, a hint of uncertainty coloring her tone.
"Well, you're welcome to join us," Astoria declared cheerfully, her enthusiasm undiminished. "We can all go together on the train and share compartments."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected invitation, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, that sounds lovely."
With the introductions complete and the tension eased, the Greengrass family and their new companions made their way towards the Hogwarts Express, anticipation and excitement buzzing in the air. As they boarded the train together, Daphne couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected camaraderie that had formed between them, and she silently hoped that their journey to Hogwarts would be filled with friendship and adventure.
As the Hogwarts Express chugged along the tracks, Harry found himself seated in the compartment with Daphne and Astoria. Tracey had wandered off to chat with someone else, leaving the trio in a comfortable silence. Meanwhile, the other girl—Rose—remained nestled against Harry's side, her grip on his arm unwavering, as if afraid to let go.
"So, are you planning to be in Slytherin?" Harry inquired, breaking the silence.
"What happens if I say no?" Astoria countered, her curiosity piqued.
"Then I'll congratulate you for avoiding the company of the less desirable individuals in the house," Harry replied with a wry smile. "Though, truth be told, every house has its fair share of... interesting characters."
"I think I'll probably be in either Slytherin or Ravenclaw," Astoria mused aloud.
"Isn't your brother in Gryffindor?" Harry asked.
"Yes, he is," Astoria confirmed. "Daphne said he's a real idiot."
"Well, that's certainly kinder than some of the things we've said about him in the past," Harry remarked with a chuckle.
"I wonder who's more annoying? Draco or your brother?" Daphne pondered aloud.
"That's a tough question," Harry admitted, leaning back in his seat as he considered it. "I'd have to say Draco, simply because we have to deal with him more often. At least I have some semblance of tolerance for my brother because, well, he's family."
Astoria turned her attention to the quiet girl nestled against Harry's side. "Oh yeah, sorry, I haven't asked yet, but who are you?"
"It's okay," Harry reassured Rose in a soft voice. "These are Daphne and Astoria, the ones I mentioned to you. It's okay."
"I... I'm Rose," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
"Her full name is Rose Flight," Harry added, introducing her to the others. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Astoria extended her hand in greeting, but Rose hesitated, leaning away slightly.
"It's alright, Rose," Harry comforted her gently. "Astoria just wants to say hello."
"I... I don't..." Rose stuttered, her discomfort evident.
"She doesn't like physical contact," Harry explained in a hushed tone.
"Is she Lord Flight's daughter?" Daphne inquired.
"Adopted daughter," Harry clarified. "He took care of her, but he passed away, so I'm looking after her now. I brought her along with me on my trip to France and Japan; she really enjoyed it, didn't you, Rose?"
"Yeah," Rose murmured softly, a small smile gracing her lips at the memory.
"Rose," Harry whispered, turning his attention back to her. "Why don't you try shaking Astoria's hand? Just for me?"
Rose hesitated, but with Harry's gentle encouragement, she tentatively extended her hand towards Astoria. Astoria, sensing Rose's unease, said nothing as she briefly shook her hand before letting go.
"Good girl," Harry praised her, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
"Thank you," Rose whispered gratefully, snuggling back into Harry's side.
As the train rumbled on towards Hogwarts, Daphne couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about Rose's backstory. However, she decided it would be best to wait for a more opportune moment to broach the subject with Harry, respecting the bond he shared with the timid girl at his side.
"Hello, Potter," drawled Malfoy as he pushed open the compartment door with an air of entitlement.
"Listen, you idiot," sighed Harry, his patience wearing thin at the sight of his longtime rival.
"Idiot?" Malfoy echoed, his tone laced with indignation. "Did you just call me an idiot?"
"Yes, I did," Harry affirmed, his voice tinged with exasperation. "And frankly, I'm not in the mood for your nonsense. If you're seeking company, I suggest you go find my brother. I hear he's quite adept at entertaining individuals of your caliber."
"My brother isn't here; he probably thought he was too good to ride the train with normal people," Malfoy retorted, a hint of venom seeping into his words.
"Aw, is little Malfoy feeling lonely?" Harry cooed mockingly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Besides, let's be honest, you're not exactly the epitome of normalcy."
"Listen, Potter—" Malfoy began, only to be cut off by Harry's firm interjection.
"No, I'm not in the mood for you," Harry declared, his frustration reaching its peak. With a deft flick of his wand, he summoned the door closed, effectively shutting Malfoy out of the compartment.
"So, that's Malfoy?" Astoria frowned, casting a disdainful glance towards the closed door.
"He's an idiot," Daphne confirmed with a roll of her eyes. "But yes, that's Malfoy."
"I don't like him," Rose whispered softly, her voice barely audible above the hum of the train.
"That's because you're smart," Harry replied, offering her a reassuring smile as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
With a gentle squeeze of Rose's shoulder, Harry offered her a reassuring smile, silently commending her for her astute judgment of Malfoy.
Meanwhile, Daphne cast a sympathetic glance at Rose, understanding the unease she felt in the presence of someone like Malfoy. "Don't worry, Rose. You're not alone in your dislike of him."
"Yeah, Malfoy's the worst," Astoria chimed in, her expression mirroring her sister's sentiments.
Rose offered a small nod of gratitude, appreciating the support from her newfound friends.
Harry turned his attention back to Rose, his gaze softening with affection. "You're a lot smarter than he'll ever be, Rose. Trust me on that."
A faint blush colored Rose's cheeks at Harry's praise, and she offered him a shy smile in return.
As the train rattled on towards Hogwarts, the camaraderie among the group grew stronger, fortified by their shared disdain for Malfoy and their determination to stick together throughout their time at school. And as they left the encounter with Malfoy behind them, the prospect of the adventures and challenges awaiting them at Hogwarts seemed all the more exciting with each passing mile.
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