"Let's head for the back, we're more likely to find an empty compartment there." Hermione said as they entered the crimson steam engine train that would take them back to London for the winter holidays.

Harry was rather excited. This was going to be his first time leaving the old castle for the holidays. He would have left last year, but the ball and tournament had kept him, along with nearly every student that was in fourth year or older, at the castle during the break.

Harry also thought guiltily that this would be the first time Ron went home for the holidays and the first time since first year that Hermione did so. They had the opportunity to go back every year and spend Christmas with their families but had elected to remain at the castle in no small part because of Harry.

Hermione was going on a trip with her parents to Switzerland for some skiing and fun, and Ron would be spending time with both Bill and Charlie who were at the Burrow for the holidays. All in all, there was a palpable sense of excitement and joy in the air as they boarded the Express.

Hermione led the way down the many compartments towards the back end of the train checking each compartment in turn. Ron and Neville were walking closely behind her, and Ginny and Luna were following them, while Harry, Tracey and Daphne made up the rear of their group. As they walked Harry surreptitiously reached for Daphne's hand and when she felt it, she intertwined her fingers with his and flashed him a smile.

Harry had asked his friends a few days prior at breakfast if they would be okay with Daphne and Tracey joining them on the train and they had all been agreeable. He had then asked Daphne the night after when they had been exchanging their gifts for the holidays. She was apprehensive at first but agreed so long as Tracey could sit with them also.

Harry knew that his friends wouldn't have a problem with that because he had mentioned that she might join when he had asked about Daphne, and truth be told he selfishly wanted to see how the interaction between his housemates and the snarky Slytherin would go.

After Daphne had agreed, they spent the evening together before going back to their respective dormitories to place their gifts in their packed trunks. They would be waiting for Christmas to open them, well Harry would. Daphne would be opening hers in a few days on her birthday, but Harry had also packed a wrapped Christmas gift inside her birthday present as well.

The train was not quite as packed as it had been on the trip to the school, but a majority of the students were returning home and so it took them nearly the length of the train to find a compartment that was mercifully empty.

As they all filed in, Harry and Neville began to take everyone's trunks and stow them away. When they were finally seated, Harry noticed it was somewhat cramped seeing as there were four students to each side, but he just took the opportunity to pull Daphne closer to him. She blushed slightly but immediately buried her head into his arm.

Daphne had already met everyone in the compartment besides Luna, but he could tell she was slightly apprehensive to be around them. Tracey meanwhile had never met them but had no concerns as she immediately began the conversation.

"So, what is it you Gryffindor's do on the train? I doubt we'll be doing any of the blood rituals or dark magic we usually do in the Slytherin compartments." She said in a serious tone looking at the other members of the compartment in turn.

Neville looked at her as if she had spoken in another language while Ron and Ginny narrowed their eyes suspiciously. Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry didn't need to look to know Daphne probably had as well.

When no one responded after a few moments she spoke again. "I was kidding. Jeesh tough crowd." She muttered. The compartment stayed quiet for another beat when surprisingly it was Neville who broke the silence with a laugh.

After a few moments he answered her original question. "We mostly play games and talk. Gobstones usually, but some wizard chess too. Ron usually wins at that."

"Oh," she muttered back disappointingly. "Sounds like what we do. I was hoping for something more interesting."

"Have anything specific in mind?" Harry asked her, and she shrugged in response.

"Discussing ways to sabotage Snape or planning pranks on Malfoy?" She responded.

Ron laughed and to Harry's surprise joked back. "Neville did say we talk while we play the games, didn't he?"

Tracey's eyes lit up. "Maybe this will be more fun than I thought." She told him. "I have some great ideas that I would love to discuss regarding Malfoy and Parkinson in particular. I can tell you guys while I beat you at gobstones."

Ron agreed excitedly and began to pull out the gobstone set while harry scooted closer to the compartment door and pulled Daphne with him to avoid the foul-smelling goo that would be shooting out of the marble like stones soon.

Daphne once again cuddled into him and let out a content sigh. Harry smiled down at her and watched as her face shifted from contentment to a frown. He followed her eyes and saw that she was looking at Ginny who was scowling at her.

Before he could ask what was going on she stood suddenly, "This compartment is a bit packed." She said in an icy tone. "I'm gonna go see if I can find Michael."

Ron began to protest, but she huffed and left the compartment. The atmosphere was awkward for only a moment before Luna spoke up directing the conversation towards Daphne. "You're good for Harry." She said matter of factly, and Daphne looked at her curiously. She spoke up again before Daphne had a chance to respond. "Harry usually has a few wrackspurts following him around, but they clear off when you're nearby. I would recommend close contact in the future to help prevent any issues."

Daphne looked at Harry confusedly, but he just shrugged and smiled. "I rather like that suggestion, thank you Luna." He told her kindly and the girl nodded seriously, her wide eyes locked onto his.

The conversation in the compartment picked back up as the gobstones game started and several conversations were happening all at once.

Harry remembered after a moment that Daphne had never met the peculiar Ravenclaw and decided to introduce them. "Daphne this is Luna Lovegood, she's a 4th year Ravenclaw. Her father is the editor of the Quibbler. Luna, this is Daphne, my girlfriend."

He saw recognition flash on Daphne's face, "You had that lion head at the quidditch match." She stated causing Harry to chuckle.

"Yes, I've named him Leonard, it was great fun to take him to the match."

Daphne laughed. "He was very impressive, where did you get him?" She asked and Harry shot her a questioning look which she correctly interpreted and answered, "No, I won't be wearing one for our bet." Harry sighed in exaggerated sadness, and she just smacked him in response.

"I actually made it myself." The blonde girl replied, and Harry could see amazement on Daphne's face. Harry knew Luna was very artistically inclined as she had used those talents to help him with part of Daphne's gift, but Daphne had been unaware. She immediately struck a conversation up with the younger girl discussing the charms used and the layering she had to implement to put them all on effectively.

The remainder of the train ride passed by pleasantly. When the Trolley came by Harry purchased snacks for the entire compartment and then he left to patrol with Hermione. Daphne wouldn't be needed to patrol today so she remained with his friends. When he and Hermione returned following an uneventful patrol, he saw that Daphne was playing wizarding chess with Ron (and losing by the looks of it), while Neville and Tracey were quietly discussing something that sounded related to herbology.

Harry was slightly surprised by how quickly his friends had accepted the two Slytherins and just looked at them for a moment. Hermione seemed to pick up on what he was thinking and whispered, "If you trust them, then we trust them too, Harry. And they really are very nice… well most of the time." She said glancing in Tracey's direction.

Harry chuckled and sent her a smile. "Thank you." He responded genuinely to which Hermione just smiled back.

After their patrols they only had a short while left before their arrival at King's Cross. Because they didn't need to wear their robes on the train there was no need to change. As they drew nearer and nearer to their destination, Harry suddenly considered something and felt his nerves flare.

He nudged Daphne who had given up on the wizard chess and was instead watching Tracey as she seemed to fare better against Ron. She looked at him quizzically, and Harry lowered his voice as he whispered to her. "Will, uh- your parents be coming to pick you up?" He said hating how nervous his voice sounded in his own ears.

Daphne looked at him with a confused expression before it clicked, and she chuckled at his expense. Harry frowned at her petulantly. "There's no need to stress harry. Daddy's at work and mother's tending to my grandmother at home. She stays with us for the holidays now that grandfather passed away."

Harry took her hand and squeezed it. She looked at him gratefully before continuing. "Astoria and I are going to go to Tracey's for a bit and then floo home from there. My parents will be dropping us off at the train when we come back though, so you have two weeks to prepare, that is if they don't invite you by our house sooner." She told him with a smirk and Harry sighed in relief that he would have at least a few more days to prepare.

The train finally began to slow down as they arrived in London before finally coming to a stop at Platform nine and three quarters. The group of students made their way off, excited to start their holidays and split off with happy farewells. Harry remained with Ron Hermione and Daphne, and they were almost immediately greeted by the Weasley's. Harry said hello to Bill and Charlie who had joined Mrs. Weasley to pick up their siblings and who he hadn't seen since last year at the tournament.

Mrs. Weasley gave Daphne a questioning glance as she pulled Harry into one of her patented bone crushing hugs. She held him tightly while inviting him to the Burrow and didn't let him go until he promised he would try his best to spend a few days with them.

Just as Mrs. Weasley let him go and began to herd her family to the floo's, Hermione pulled him into a tight hug, promising to write before making her way over to her parents and exiting through the magical barrier.

Harry looked around the platform, unsure which members of the order would be escorting him back to Grimmauld Place. After a moment he spotted Mad-Eye in a long trench coat with a hat pulled low over his face and Tonks whose hair was a subdued brown. He gestured to them that he would be just a moment and turned to Daphne who wore an annoyed expression and was the only one left by his side now that everyone else had cleared out.

He really wanted to kiss her goodbye, but the platform was still busy so instead Harry followed Daphne's eyes and noticed she was looking towards Tracey's direction where he saw Tracey, Astoria, and Tracey's family were all watching them openly.

Instead, he pulled her into a hug. "I'll write every day, and I know padfoot would love to meet you if you could spare a day and convince your parents." He whispered to her.

She hugged him back tightly. "I'll let you know, and I would love to meet him after everything you've told me." She replied.

She broke the hug then and Harry didn't miss the way her eyes lingered on his lips for a second before she glanced back towards Tracey biting her own lip.

"I won't keep you, seeing as they're waiting for you." He told her quietly and Daphne sighed in annoyance.

"I wish they weren't, is it too much to ask to kiss my boyfriend goodbye without an audience." She said exasperatedly.

Harry laughed, but inside he was feeling just as annoyed. "I'll make it up to you when we're back at Hogwarts." He told her.

"So many promises, Potter. How do I know you're good for them?"

"I have a girlfriend that keeps me in line." He responded cheekily. "Now go. I don't want them to hate me already." He said, only half joking and with a sigh and another brief hug she was on her way.

Only when she had safely gone through the floo did Harry make his way towards his escorts.

Daphne awoke earlier than she normally did on break and was debating going back to sleep when she remembered what today was. Her eyes shot open, and she glanced to the foot of her bed where sure enough there was a pile of gifts waiting for her. She made a mental note to thank Missy for having them ready for her when she woke up.

She began to tear into the gifts excitedly, placing the one Harry had given her to the side to open last. She received a bottle of her favorite perfume from Tracey, a beautiful leather-bound planner from Astoria for next year, and a few stunning dresses and dress robes from her parents.

She had also received some chocolates and smaller gifts from her housemates and a framed wizarding photo of herself with her grandparents from Christmas in second year from her grandmother. In the photo they were sitting near the Christmas tree and laughing together as her grandfather opened a gift from Daphne that she had handmade him. He smiled and pulled her into a hug before the loop started again.

She wiped at the moisture in her eyes as she made another mental note to give her grandmother a large hug when she saw her this morning. She took a moment to compose herself before reaching for the last gift. It was wrapped in a red wrapping paper with gold lines and Daphne rolled her eyes like she had when he first gave it to her, despite her own gift to him being wrapped in green and silver.

The gift felt soft in her hands, like the dresses had, and its wrapping was a mess with about 10 pieces of tape keeping it from coming apart, but she couldn't help but smile when she saw it. She began to tear open the wrapping carefully.

The gift inside was fabric and it took Daphne a moment to realize what it was before she laughed to herself. In her hands was a deep crimson jersey with the word Potter and a large number 7 on the back. As she pulled it completely out of the packaging, a few more gifts and an envelope that had been wrapped inside of the jersey fell out. She reached for the envelope which simply had her name on the outside and tore it open.

Inside she found a letter in his small messy script scrawled out. As she read through it, she was smiling, but she couldn't help the pang of longing despite the fact that it had only been two days. She reread the message again.

Happy birthday Daphne!

I hope you're enjoying your holiday so far. I know you mentioned that you wanted one of the jerseys the twins had made, but how about an authentic game jersey instead? It's an actual match jersey, I reckon it'll go for loads when I go pro! Only kidding. Don't worry it's not the one from the match earlier this year (We couldn't get the bloodstains out of that one unfortunately). It was made last year, but because of the tournament I never actually wore it in game, but I have worn it once or twice just around the dormitories because it's comfortable. I haven't had a chance to get it put through the laundry, so apologies that it's not fresh, but I'm sure you could wash it before you wear it. The chocolate in the package is your favorite with all of its nutty goodness, I hope you enjoy it. Lastly, wrapped inside the jersey is your Christmas gift as well. No opening it early or peaking until then! Now I know that when I'm writing this note we haven't even left Hogwarts yet, but I'm sure I miss you dearly and that I can't wait to see you again when we return from the hols. I'll leave this letter here for now. I hope you enjoy your day.

Yours,

Harry Potter

She lifted the jersey to her face and immediately smelt his scent, spearmint and treacle tart. She sighed contentedly and her longing both abated and flared simultaneously. She got up and took off her pyjamas wanting to try it on, even though she would never wear it around her house for fear of her parents and Astoria's teasing.

It was softer than she imagined and stretchy. It fell down to her midthigh and Daphne immediately knew she had a new favorite shirt. She went back and saw that Harry had gotten her the bar of chocolate that she had told him was her favorite on that first Hogsmeade weekend. She didn't know when he had gotten it, but it must have been sometime after their dinner in the Three Broomsticks.

She thought not for the first time about how considerate and thoughtful he was and how happy she was that they were pursuing this relationship. She reluctantly changed out of the jersey a half hour later and was about to head down for breakfast when she heard an insistent tapping on her window.

She opened it and immediately Harry's beautiful owl flew in looking at Daphne with wide affectionate eyes. Hedwig had seemed to take a liking to her from the first time Harry had introduced them and she nuzzled into Daphne's hand for a moment before holding out her leg.

On it she found another letter and she sat back down on her bed as she read.

Daphne,

Happiest birthday! How does it feel to be so old?! Past me was right, I do miss you terribly and am counting down the days until I can see you again. The holidays have been good so far, I'm spending time with my godfather, and we've been decorating the house with Christmas decorations. How has your break been? I hope you enjoyed your gift and wanted to remind you that I will be EXTREMELY disappointed if I find out you opened your Christmas gift early. Hedwig has agreed to wait for you if you choose to send a reply. I hope to see you soon and Padfoot really wants to meet you too. Be safe.

Yours,

Harry Potter

She smiled and called for Missy asking the elf is she could provide Hedwig with some treats and a bowl of water as well as a quill and parchment for Daphne so she could pen a return letter. The diminutive creature agreed happily and returned a few moments later with all that she had asked for in tow.

Hedwig hooted in appreciation before settling down to eat and drink, and Daphne began to write. She thanked him for the gifts and told him what else she had gotten. She told him how her break had been going so far and that she missed him. At the end of the letter, she informed him that her parents had told her they would be happy to have him come by for a day and asked what day would work for him. She also informed him that they had agreed to allow Daphne a day with him and his godfather as well (although they were slightly suspicious when Daphne didn't give specifics like his godfather's name).

With the letter ready, she attached it to Hedwig's leg and told her she was free to rest as long as she pleased. She left the window open so the beautiful owl could fly out when she was ready.

She made her way down to the kitchen and found her grandmother and parents already seated, enjoying a light breakfast. When they spotted her, they stood and embraced her.

"Happy birthday sweetie." Her grandmother told her as she held her in a tight hug.

"Thank you and thank you for the picture it was lovely." Her grandmother squeezed her tighter.

"You're very welcome, dear."

After everyone had hugged her, she took her seat and began to eat. Missy prepared her pancakes with whipped cream and fruit just as she did every year for her birthday and Daphne thanked her. After a few more minutes Astoria arrived already dressed, and Daphne's mother and grandmother stood. She knew that they would be doing some last-minute shopping for Christmas gifts. Daphne who had already finished her shopping had refused the evening prior when they asked her if she would like to tag along.

She bid them goodbye and a few moments later the floo flared to life and they had left. Just as Daphne was about to get up her father's voice rang out.

"So did you ever hear from Mr. Potter about coming here for a day or two?" He asked her carefully.

Daphne shook her head. "He wrote me this morning, and I wrote back and told him that you guys were okay with it and asked what day would work best for him. I'm sure his response will tell us more."

"Okay sweetie, be sure to let us know. I must admit when your mother informed me of the first letter you had written her, I was surprised to say the least." His blue eyes looked at her and Daphne remembered the letter that she had written after Harry had been injured in the quidditch match.

Daphne felt awkward, but she had known she would be having this conversation sooner or later. So, she sat back down and started from the beginning. She explained how Theodore Nott had gotten handsy and the way she had handled it. Her father looked murderous but said nothing.

She then shared how she had started patrols with Harry. How she had helped him with ancient runes, and he had helped with defense. How all of the stories and rumors surrounding him were false. She shared briefly some of the things he had endured at the school and her suspicions regarding his home life.

All the while her father listened, never speaking. After the initial look of rage when he had heard that another student had attempted to grope her, his face stayed impressively stoic. After Daphne finished, she looked at her father expectantly and he gave her a nod.

"He sounds like a decent young man, and Astoria can't stop talking about him. There is still the issue of what Malfoy's son had told you, however. The whispers are true, the Dark Lord is returned." He told her and Daphne nodded her head already knowing from Harry. "I have been approached by a few loyal to his cause, nothing explicit has been stated, but they are placing out feelers, looking for those who may be… sympathetic.

"While I have no doubt that Harry is a bright and kind young man, your relationship may pose a threat to you and your sister in school, as well as to your mother, grandmother, and I." Daphne felt a scowl rise to her face unbidden.

"What are you trying to say?" She asked and was surprised at the steadiness she managed to maintain in her own voice.

Her father held out his hands placatingly. "You are far too much like your mother for me to tell you what you can or cannot do. I just want to know if you've thought this out. If you've considered the repercussions for yourself and Astoria." He told her soothingly. "The Greengrass's are a proud and old family, and for what little it matters our blood is pure. We hold power and position, they will not attack us directly, but I cannot protect you at Hogwarts."

Daphne sighed. "I can take care of myself, and I have Tracey. Astoria has the two of us looking over her, and I know Harry keeps an eye on us too. He's trained us in the DA, so we're more than able to stick up for ourselves and Harry has been training with Dumbledore personally. I'm not joking when I say he could probably wipe the floor with every student at Hogwarts and even some of the professors."

Her father looked slightly surprised at that information and figured it must be the training that had caught him off guard. The whole of Britain knew how powerful Harry was after he won the Triwizard cup as a fourth-year student.

"All I ask is that you remain especially careful. While the Dark Lord is content to sit back in the shadows, there will be those who will seek to win his favor, and some may be stupid or bold enough to try something to you despite your name." He told her. "Tensions will continue to rise, and the atmosphere at the Ministry and in the Wizengamot is already extremely charged. Things will get worse before they get better, I'm afraid."

Daphne nodded but said nothing. Her father spoke up again after a moment. "That is enough talk of these things. We will enjoy your birthday and the holidays, and I look forward to meeting the young man that you are defending so strongly. Now, come I have a gift for your mother that I need help wrapping, you know how rubbish I am at getting the straight lines and creases."

Daphne smiled at her father and stood, following him to wherever he had hidden her mum's gift.

Harry walked down the stairs of Grimmauld Place tightening the leather strap on the new aviator wristwatch Daphne had bought him. Her letter that she had sent this morning had read that she hoped he could finally make it to their patrols on time for once causing Harry to be the one who rolled his eyes for once, but he loved the gift.

She had also thanked him for her own Christmas gift. A painting that had been shrunken down to fit inside of the package. He was rubbish at art, but he had commissioned Luna to draw a painting of the lake from the view near the rock they liked to sit beside.

Luna had done an incredible job with the painting. It depicted the black lake framed by the forbidden forest with the castle off to the side. It even showed a little version of Harry with his messy black hair holding onto a blonde girl that was supposed to be Daphne as they watched the sunset.

He smiled at the thought of her and all of the other gifts he had received yesterday. It had easily been the best Christmas of Harry's life, and he could tell that Sirius was enjoying the time they got to spend together as well.

His godfather had been unable to buy Harry a gift due to him having to remain under the fidelius which meant he couldn't even owl order a gift due to the owls being unable to find the home for delivery. So instead, he had spent the last few weeks busy at work charming another pair of mirrors like the ones he and Harry shared for himself and Daphne.

Harry had been blown away by the thoughtfulness of the gift and hugged Sirius who just smiled and ruffled his hair. "You did say you wanted a way to talk to her after curfew." Had been his response, and Harry only nodded.

He had mentioned it during one of their mirror calls a number of weeks prior, but the fact that Sirius cared enough to listen and do something about it had led to him getting slightly emotional. Just like with the firebolt in third year, Harry was reminded that he now had an adult in his life who wanted him to be present. The thought both saddened him and made him happier than he could remember being in a long time.

Harry finally made his way into the foyer and saw that Dumbledore had arrived early and was discussing with Sirius. When they saw him, their conversation came to a close.

"Hey kiddo, you all set to go?" Sirius asked him and Harry nodded.

Dumbledore greeted him then. "Hello Harry, I trust your break has proven restful?"

Harry nodded. "Yes sir. It's been nice to just relax a bit and spend some time with Sirius, but I have been keeping up on my studies as well."

Dumbledore nodded proudly. "Before you came down, Sirius and I were discussing the possibility of having Daphne come over for a day to meet him and spend some time with you. While it would be best that as few people as possible knew of Grimmaulds existence, the fidelius will keep her from sharing the secret accidentally regardless.

"I will therefore write a note sharing the secret and have Nymphadora collect her and bring her here via apparition on a day of your choosing." He finished and Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you so much." He responded enthusiastically.

"Uh, sir?" He questioned after another moment. At Dumbledore's gesture to continue he did. "Daphne's parents have also invited me over their home for a couple days from now. I haven't responded yet, but do you think it would be alright?"

Before Dumbledore could answer Sirius interjected. "He'll have his mirror, and an emergency portkey should he need it."

Dumbledore looked between the two of them and sighed. "I do recall myself saying that you should take the time to live life instead of just attempting to stay alive. If there are precautions in place then I see no issue Harry, but I would kindly ask that you do not leave their home for the entirety of your stay, and I would ask you Sirius to check up on him throughout the day on your mirror."

Harry and Sirius both agreed in unison and Dumbledore chuckled. "Alright then, with that settled, are you ready Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be sir. Do you know where he is, and does he know we're coming by?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "He does not know we are coming, no. If he did, we would likely miss him." He replied, "And to answer your first question, with Voldemort still clinging to the shadows, he has not bothered to go into hiding yet. We will find him in his home, likely still sleeping off the aftereffects of a Christmas party he threw for his Slug Club."

"Alright sir, let's go get this memory."

Dumbledore nodded and bid goodbye to Sirius, informing him they should be back within a few hours. He then held out his arm and Harry took a firm hold of it, preparing himself for the uncomfortable sensation of apparition.

With a pop they disappeared and reappeared in a very clearly affluent neighborhood. The homes were large and had pristine front gardens. Harry noted the cars in the driveways were all beautiful luxury cars that his aunt and uncle would occasionally speak of buying in the future when he got a few more promotions.

Dumbledore began to lead the way down the street with Harry following close behind him. As they walked Harry looked around surveying the area as Dumbledore had informed him in their training. He glanced around looking for potential threats, weapons, and routes.

As he looked, he felt his occlumency tingle and his eyes slide past something. He recalibrated and forced his shields up, pushing away the effects of the notice-me-not and repelling charms.

"Very good, Harry." Dumbledore complimented. "You found it much faster than I was anticipating you would."

Harry tried to dismiss the praise but could feel his cheeks flush slightly. "Thank you, sir." He responded after a moment. "This is a muggle neighborhood, and he has the charms, so they don't realize he does magic?"

"Precisely, Harry. Even magical people will have a difficult time spotting it, but the muggles will act as though it doesn't exist. That being said they can still stumble upon it unlike with the fidelius in which case they would need to know the secret." He explained.

"It is for that reason he also has a proximity ward surrounding the property which will alert him when we step foot in his garden. I don't believe he will have enough time to make a hasty retreat, but if he does not answer the door after a few minutes, we will allow ourselves entry, to ensure he's alright of course."

Harry thought that wasn't the reason why but said nothing. He could feel the magic tingle as he walked past the ward, almost the same way the sky felt when there was a thunderstorm. They walked to the door calmly and Dumbledore lifted the knocker and gave three sharp raps.

Harry heard some rustling on the other side of the door and a muttered "Damn it all to Hades." The door opened and Slughorn emerged behind it. The mans hair color had faded from rust to white and the top was now bald. His large walrus mustache had gotten bushier since Harry had seen it in the memory, and he appeared even larger than he had been. Harry couldn't help but think he looked somewhat like his uncle.

"Albus! To what do I owe this very unexpected pleasure to?" The man asked him with a clear hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Ah, Horace!" Dumbledore responded kindly, as though he either didn't hear the annoyance, or didn't care about it. "I apologize for stopping by so suddenly, you see I was telling Harry stories about his parents, and you came up."

"I really do apologize sir, but I was hoping you might spare a few minutes so I could ask you a few questions? Headmaster Dumbledore insisted I write you, but I have so few links to my parents." He said with a sincerity that sounded real because truth be told it was.

This ruse they were utilizing had come courtesy of Daphne. She had thought that the idea to ask him for something that he could easily give Harry would be good bait. If the man was like how he had been at Hogwarts he would want to get into Harry's good graces, and the fact that Harry would get to hear a few stories would be an added bonus.

Slughorn looked to Harry and immediately his eyes shot to the famous lightning bolt scar on his forehead. His posture immediately changed as he straightened and opened the door wider. Harry knew that he had taken the bait hook line and sinker.

"Oh goodness me, Harry Potter! It is a pleasure to meet you lad." He began, his tone shifting into a much kinder voice. "I knew your parents well, and when they needed to know something, they would also come find me immediately, your mother especially. I can see that you are her son, you have her eyes, and just like I would always make time for her I would be more than happy to make time for you. Why don't you please come inside."

Harry smiled at the man in what he hoped looked like a grateful manner and entered the home. He was greeted by a large entrance room with fine couches and rugs. What Harry thought must be expensive art was hung on the walls interspersed with the occasional wizarding photograph of Slughorn with one prominent figure or another.

Harry recognized quidditch players, a member of the weird sisters, and even Amelia Bones, among the countless others he did not know. Slughorn gestured for him to take a seat and Harry sat on a couch. Dumbledore and Slughorn sat in a pair of Armchairs across from where Harry was seated.

"I've heard much about you, young man." Slughorn started after he summoned an elf and asked for refreshments and snacks, "The youngest seeker in 100 years, a Triwizard champion, and very magically powerful." He said to Harry, with an almost hungry look in his eyes.

Harry wanted to shrug off the praise but knew he couldn't if this was going to work. "Thank you, sir. I find that never having known my parents motivates me. My father was a very talented quidditch player and so I wanted to play in his memory." Harry lied easily. "And my mother was considered to be one of the brightest witches of her age, so even though I didn't place my name in the Goblet, I wanted to win. I wanted to make her proud."

"So, you didn't put your name in then lad?" Slughorn questioned.

"No, sir. I understand that the papers tried to discredit me, but I don't care much for the attention."

"Ah, just like your mother. I knew it the moment I met you. Your father was much more overt in his actions. He wanted everyone to know that he was the best, whereas your mother held herself with an air of modesty and allowed her works to speak for themselves.

"She was an extremely talented potioneer, one of the true prodigies I had ever seen, and if Filius is to be believed she was just as adept when it came to charms."

Slughorn began to speak then, discussing stories of his parents and other famous people he knew. He would casually ask Harry about rumors he had heard, and Harry would answer honestly. Harry knew this man often had ulterior motives for being kind to people, but he saw why so many remained in contact with him after they graduated and became famous.

He was a gifted speaker and made you feel good about yourself. He had spent time encouraging Harry, and telling him stories, being quick to compare the best traits of his parents to him. Harry thought that if he didn't know about Slughorn's tendencies he would have likely fell for them and liked the man.

After an hour of discussion just like they planned, Harry steered the conversation to the tournament, and Dumbledore had excused himself to use the restroom.

With Dumbledore gone, Slughorn didn't attempt to contain his curiosity and asked about Cedric. Harry recounted the story of the graveyard, leaving out some of the more gruesome details, but enough that the old former professor was still grimacing as Harry spoke.

As Harry finished the story, he began a little monologue just like he and Daphne had practiced. "I know the papers are calling me crazy sir." He said looking away from him as if embarrassed. "But I know what I saw. What I felt." He said pulling up his sleeve to reveal the jagged white scar where the cursed blade had cut him open.

"I shouldn't be telling you this, but Dumbledore has been training me. You see sir, I can't tell you too much, but it is destined that I'll be the one to kill him again… for good this time. The fates have declared it." Harry said lowering his voice and reveling in the way Slughorn leaned forward and his eyes widened at the proclamation.

"You mean… a prophecy?" He whispered back.

"I can't say sir." Harry responded simply. And Slughorn sighed slightly in frustration, sitting back in his chair. Before he could speak, Harry continued. "But you won't tell anyone, will you?"

Slughorn immediately leaned back in. "No of course not my boy, you have my word." He said clearly intrigued.

Harry pretended to look around for a moment. "Yes." He said simply. "There's a prophecy, it is written that I will be the one to destroy him." Slughorn looked at him in awe, he was no doubt thinking of the power and prestige Harry would hold after he completed this feat.

Harry allowed him to sit for a while, but then gave a long sigh. "The only issue is… never mind, I shouldn't say."

Slughorn looked intrigued. "You can tell me anything my boy, I promise you whatever we speak of does not leave this room."

Harry pretended to consider. "I can't sir, it's too foul to even mention. The things he has done are unspeakable."

"I assure you Harry, that I have seen and heard much in my life. Whatever it is that you wish to share with me you can."

Harry again pretended to consider. "Thank you, sir." He answered finally. "You see the way Voldemort survived the night he killed my parents was because he had made a horcrux." Harry noticed that Slughorn's eyes widened, and he paled at the word. "I take it you know what they are?" Slughorn nodded meekly.

"The trouble is I don't know what it could be, or even if he could have attempted to make more than one." Slughorn gasped. "I know sir, foul to think about, but unfortunately without that information we are working based on guesswork." He said.

"It's frustrating because if we had that information, we could get to work now, destroy the horcrux or horcruxes before he gathers his strength and defeat him. We could save countless lives." Harry told him and he allowed his genuine frustration to leak through as he spoke.

"Countless lives? You really believe you could… uh… dispose of him." He asked and Harry knew he had him close.

"Sir I managed to duel him to a standstill in the graveyard," Harry said, knowing he was exaggerating and embellishing. "That was before my training, I'm easily much stronger and better now than I was then."

"I- I believe I may be able to help you, Harry." Said Slughorn and Harry allowed a confused expression to slip onto his face.

"How do you mean sir?"

Slughorn answered Harry's question with his own. "Do you have access to a pensieve?"

"Yes, I do."

"All I ask is that you do not think any less of me, Harry. Tom Riddle was a very charming and cunning young man, but now I see I can make up for my past mistakes." As he spoke, he conjured a glass vial and pulled a strand of smooth almost liquid silver from his head placing it in the vial.

Harry accepted the vial. "Thank you, sir. You'll go down in history as a hero." Slughorn gave him a sad smile and then slumped over falling on the floor. Behind him stood Dumbledore with his wand in hand.

"That was excellently done, Harry." He said.

"Thank you, so we're going to obliviate him now?" Harry asked feeling slightly dirty as if they used him.

"I will simply replace the memory of you informing him about the prophecy and his subsequent giving of the real memory, with a bit more conversation regarding your parents, before we had to leave, and he went to bed for a nap." It will keep him safer in the long run and keep others from finding it with legilimency."

Dumbledore took a few minutes to complete the memory alteration and then levitated Slughorn back into his bed and covered him up. He led Harry back to the front door, and they left and locked the door behind them.

Once they made it back to the alleyway that they had apparated into originally, Harry took a hold of Dumbledore's arm and they apparated back to Grimmauld Place where Sirius was waiting for them.

"Did you get it?" He asked nervously.

Harry flashed him a smile and nodded. "Yeah, Daphne's plan worked like a charm."

Sirius looked relieved. Before he could speak however, Dumbledore spoke up. "That was indeed a very cunning idea, but you also did excellent work today, Harry. We will go over this memory together when you have returned from break, and then we can truly begin the process of destroying Voldemort." He told him, pride hinting through his voice.

"Thank you, sir. I look forward to it."

AN: Thank you so much for reading! As always, your thoughts and ideas are always appreciated.