Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K.R!

This story is a collaboration work between Avoranger and Cal the Wandcrafter!

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A/N: Hihihihihihi! (^◡^)/

Finally, we update again!
It's been... a month since we updated? -gasp-. Well, real life is taking over, especially in the last two weeks, but we are back! Hehe -wink-

Also... -drumroll-
'THE TIME BOMB' reaching its FIRST ANNIVERSARY, ya all!

Amazing でしょう!
We never thought that we would do this so far. It's a fun journey; the brainstorming, writing, posting (Trying our best to consistently update every two weeks).

For all the readers who are following, favoriting, reviewing, and subscribing. We with a heartfelt, thank you very much! \(^o^)9

Oh one more thing, The 'The Time Bomb oneshots series' will be exclusive posts until 'The Time Bomb' is finished, then they will be published one at a time. \( ̄O ̄)

Ok, without further ado, let's go!

Hope you like this chapter!
Enjoy! (0w0)/

...


.

In the bank lobby, Daphne and Harry conversed quietly, appearing as a content couple reuniting for the holidays. However...

"Where are we headed?" Daphne inquired, casting a glance at Harry.

"Officially, we're bound for the Black Vault. It's closer to our target than my vault. If questioned, we'll claim we're searching for my godfather's trunk," Harry disclosed discreetly. "But I doubt the goblins will pry, they don't care what you do as long as you are in your proper vault. Unofficially... I suspect the goblins focus mainly on deterring and catching thieves, not preventing stolen items from leaving. They're proud and likely don't anticipate breaches."

"That wouldn't shock me. They've never had a successful robbery, and despite their claims, they're as complacent as wizards."

"Precisely. So, our initial task is to test this theory. Once we get to the Black vault, grab something harmless, cause a distraction, and pocket it. If I'm right, nothing should happen when we resurface. If an alarm sounds, I'll handle it, passing it off as an accident. Then we regroup and try again."

"And if phase one succeeds, we proceed to stage two. You'll need to devise a reason for revisiting the Black Vault. Then, it's a matter of an Imperius Curse, a hop and a skip, and we'll reach the Lestrange vaults. Just grab the cup, avoid touching anything else, and watch the security dragon. If all goes as planned, we'll have the cup by day's end."

Daphne silently nodded in agreement as they approached the nearest teller, a weathered goblin unfamiliar to Harry, his gaze sharp as daggers, motioning for them to step forward with impatience evident in his voice as he asked for their vault number.

"Vault 711. House of Black," Harry replied firmly after clearing his throat.

The goblin nodded without much enthusiasm, a common trait among his kind, and gestured towards a sleek wooden cart at the end of the hallway to their left. With determined expressions, Harry and Daphne shared a silent understanding. They took a deep breath and made their way down to the rail track, settling into the plush seats of the cart, feeling the coolness of the wood against their skin as they grasped the railings, ready for the exhilarating descent into the bank's depths.

The cart surged forward, hurtling through dark, labyrinthine tunnels, the stone walls blurring into streaks, captivating yet eerie. Adrenaline coursed through them as they clung tightly to the railings. With each passing moment, the air grew colder, suffused with an enchanting aura. Harry's mind raced, plotting their course to accomplish their mission.

Minutes stretched on as the cart carried them deeper into the hidden chamber, building anticipation with every passing second. The dimly lit cave seemed endless, but just as they reached their limit, the narrow passage opened into a wide expanse, spiralling downward. Harry glimpsed a majestic waterfall ahead, waiting to engulf them.

As the cart rumbled along, excitement filled the air. Suddenly, without warning, they passed beneath the immense waterfall, cascading from the rocky ceiling above. The water thundered down, drenching them instantly. Harry's robes clung to his body, and Daphne's hair was plastered against her face. Yet, soaked as they were, they burst into laughter, thrilled by the rush.

Despite lacking magical disguises or enchantments to wash away, they embraced the refreshing shower, feeling liberated amidst nature's power. The cart pushed forward, and laughter echoed as they navigated the water-soaked journey.

The cart came to a gradual halt before a colossal iron door adorned with intricate runes and symbols, standing as the guardian of the secrets within the Black vault. Harry and Daphne exchanged a resolute nod as they faced the imposing door. This was the moment they had prepared for, and with any luck, they would leave the bank with a horcrux in hand.

Stepping out of the cart, they felt the weight of their mission press upon them as they gazed at the large door. In hushed tones, Harry spoke purposefully, mindful of the attentive goblin beside them, his keen ears picking up signals. A hint of a smile touched Harry's lips as he contemplated the bank's powerful enchantments.

"Heiress Greengrass, as you are a guest in the Vault of Black," the Goblin spoke with a slight growl in his tone, "absolutely not taking anything. You can look around, but do not remove anything from the vault." With that, their escort touched his hand against the metal, and with a low rumble, the massive vault began to open.

Daphne nodded, attempting to quell the butterflies in her stomach. Stepping inside, her eyes widened at the astonishing sight of treasures, artefacts, and stacks of gold coins. It felt like stepping into a different world altogether. While the Greengrass family was wealthy, this hoard of wealth was on a whole new level.

The goblin kept a watchful eye on them, particularly on Daphne. As she moved cautiously through the vault, her eyes caught a glimpse of a dazzling silver and emerald earring nestled on a large bag of coins among piles of ancient tomes. It was exactly what she needed.

Expressing awe, she continued around until she made a show of accidentally stepping into a small cauldron, slipping into the nearby tower of tomes, causing the stack of books to fly across the room along with a burst bag of gold coins. Coins spilled out, clattering against the stone floor. Daphne felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but she quickly regained her composure.

Griphook's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he didn't say anything. Harry's heart raced as he ran over to assess the situation, knowing they had to act quickly before the goblin realised what had happened. He knelt in front of her, blocking the line of sight from their escort, and in the confusion, Daphne discreetly slipped the earring into her pocket the second Harry went to turn his head and speak.

"Apologies for the mess," Harry said, "It was an accident, I'm sure."

The goblin grunted, appearing annoyed and bored. "I do not care about the cleanliness of your vault, Heir Black, only the contents inside it."

After tidying up, Daphne ensured her handbag was neatly positioned next to the tomes. She then approached Harry, who was searching through a pile of old trunks, approximately 20 feet away from the door. "Have you managed to locate Sirius' trunk?" she inquired.

Harry shook his head, a faint crease forming on his forehead. "Not yet," he replied. "He informed me that the trunk has been passed down as a cherished heirloom from one of his ancestors. Therefore, it's highly improbable that his mother would have simply thrown it out or destroyed it."

"Have you considered the possibility that she might have emptied its contents before stashing it here?" Daphne suggested.

Harry dismissed the idea with a knowing expression. "No, he assured me that there's a concealed compartment at the bottom where he kept his… Lad mags," he hesitated before mentioning the rather peculiar content. "Besides I remember finding it… back then… Andromeda said he even hired some Ravenclaw prefects to place powerful enchantments on it, making it as secure as possible. Apparently, it would even take Dumbledore a week to break into it."

"Lad mags? Did Seamus Finnegan introduce you to those?" Daphne asked with a hint of amusement.

Harry sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. Late second year. You should have seen Neville's reaction the first time Seamus left them lying around. Neville was so shy about it that he actually passed out and ended up missing both charms and history classes."

Daphne chuckled. "It's funny how Neville transformed into such a badass later on. By seventh year, he could have given you a run for your money in terms of heroic stunts per month."

"Yeah, he really grew into his own," Harry agreed with a smile. "So, what's this I heard about a love triangle between Neville, Hannah, and Parvarti while I was on the run?"

Daphne shook her head. "No, it was just Hannah. Although their antics were almost as entertaining as Weasley and Lavender's during our sixth year. You know, the female members of the DA had a nickname for Neville?"

Harry's eyes lit up with amusement. "Oh, do tell."

"So it was around mid November, and he was being chased by Amycus for some graffiti he and Dean had put up on the third floor, and instead of waiting for the stairs to come around, he pulled off this huge dive off the side, just like in those action movies. But, of course, his pants get caught on a sconce on the bannister. So there he is, mid-dive, losing his trousers and boxers in the process. And what does he do? He keeps running, completely naked from the waist down, deftly dodging the cruciatus curses at every turn. It was pure madness! He made the run from the third floor, through the greenhouses, down to the lake, through the forest, and all the way to the Hogshead in ankle deep snow with his bits hanging out. Tracey was in the Room when he came through that portrait afterwards, and swears it was the funniest thing she had ever seen. So the DA used to call him 'Long Dick Longbottom' after that. I'm pretty sure Lovegood was the one who came up with that gem, trying to lighten the mood after months of being stuck in the Room of Requirement."

Harry burst into laughter at the absurdity of it all, the memories of their Hogwarts days flooding back, and the regret at not being able to do more for his friends during his time on the run threatening to claw its way to the surface of his brain. Suddenly, his attention was caught by a name plate on an ornate dark mahogany box, about the size of a loaf of bread. "Here it is! All the way in the back." He reached forward and grabbed the shrunken trunk and rubbed a layer of dust off of the brass plate on the top. "Sirius Black. Thank God it is shrunken down, I didn't want to haul that thing out through the alley."

Daphne snorted in amusement. "You realise you could just get Professor Lupin to shrink it down?"

"Yeah, but it would still be a pain to haul it out of the bank."

She paused to smile, and grabbed his hand. "A fair point Always best to be as lazy as possible." she dodged a half hearted swat from his free arm. "Well, we have what we came for," she squeezed his hand, letting him know her job was complete as well, "So let's head back up, shall we?"

.


.

As they settled into the creaky cart, Daphne's heart pounded against her ribs as she discreetly palmed the stolen earring once more, concealing it within the folds of her coat. The cart jerked into motion, and they began their nerve-wracking ascent towards the pinnacle of Gringotts. Harry felt a thrilling rush of excitement, the prospect of an audacious escape mingling with the dread of imminent discovery.

The cart glided upwards at a steady pace until they reached the awe-inspiring waterfall, its cascading waters a sight to behold. However, as they passed under the roaring cascade, to their astonishment, nothing occurred. The powerful enchantment remained dormant, leaving them to share a sigh of relief tinged with disbelief.

"It worked!" Daphne breathed in a hushed voice, her eyes wide with wonder. But before the elation could fully take hold, Harry nudged her arm, reminding her of the prying goblin's presence. She glanced at the unassuming creature, relieved that he seemed oblivious to her slip-up, and returned Harry's gaze with a sheepish smile.

Their cart continued its ascent, and the rushing water noises faded into the background as the light at the end of the tunnel grew nearer. Finally, they emerged back into the cart station at the rear of the bank. Sharing a knowing look, Daphne started to rise from her seat, deliberately pretending to search for something.

"Harry, have you seen my purse?" she asked with a feigned concern, and he shook his head, playing along. Together, they began to rummage through the cart as if searching for the missing item. Daphne looked down, acting as if she had lost something precious, and then spoke softly, with an air of desperation, "I think I dropped my bag somewhere in the Black Vault. Could we go back for a moment to check, please?"

The goblin regarded her with suspicion, but he had no reason to deny a seemingly innocent request to retrieve a misplaced belonging. "Very well," he said, his tone cautious, "but be quick. We don't linger in the restricted areas." With a crank of the lever, the cart began to spin in place before shooting forward like a rocket I to the depths.

As Harry and Daphne embarked on their journey back into the bottom vaults of Gringotts, the anticipation hung thick in the air. The gilded cart descended with a steady hum, the rhythmic clatter of its wheels echoing through the narrow passageways like a haunting melody.

The journey seemed longer this time, each turn of the tracks stretching out into infinity. Harry's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, his senses heightened by the looming sense of danger. Beside him, Daphne remained composed, her steely gaze fixed on the path ahead.

As they delved deeper into the depths of the vaults, the air grew colder, sending shivers down their spines. The torches flickered ominously, casting long shadows that danced along the walls like spectres of the past.

Time seemed to warp in the dim light, each passing moment dragging on like an eternity. Harry's grip on the sides of the cart tightened, his knuckles white with tension. He stole a glance at Daphne, whose expression remained unreadable, her focus unwavering.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the cart came to a halt. They stepped out onto the cold stone floor of the vaults, the silence oppressive in its weight. The faint echoes of their footsteps reverberated through the empty corridors, a haunting reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

With the goblin guide leading the way, they pressed on through the labyrinthine tunnels, their breath visible in the frigid air. Each twist and turn brought them closer to their destination, the anticipation building with each step.

At last, they reached the massive door of the vault. "Stand back!" The Goblin commanded with a firmness as he opened the vault once again.

As the door swung wide open, Harry palmed his wand and pointed it towards the back of the goblins head.

"Imperio!"

As the magic took hold, a vacant look crossed the goblin's face, and its movements became nearly floaty. It turned towards Harry, its eyes glazed over with a dull emptiness. Without hesitation, Harry commanded, "Follow me and do as I say."

The goblin nodded obediently, its expression blank as it shuffled after Harry, completely oblivious to its surroundings. With his newfound ally in tow, Harry called out to Daphne. "Just use accio, we don't have the time to wait!"

Seconds later, and purse in hand, their unwilling escort led them out of the vault, sealing it securely behind them. Harry and Daphne exchanged a silent but triumphant glance. "Alright, Goblin, take us to the Lestrange vault as fast as you can. When we arrive, I will charm the rattler to chime, and you will accompany us into the vault, and will stay put out of harm's way."

Harry gestured for the enchanted goblin to lead the way, knowing that its obedience would ensure a swift and uneventful journey to the Lestrange vault. With a slight nod, the goblin shuffled forward, its footsteps echoing softly in the cavernous corridors of the bank.

As they followed the goblin deeper into the heart of Gringotts, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the intricate architecture and ancient magic that surrounded them. The walls seemed to pulse with power, and the air crackled with the energy of countless enchantments woven into the very fabric of the bank.

Daphne walked beside Harry, her eyes darting from side to side as she scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger. Despite the goblin's obedience, she remained vigilant, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

The journey was tense but uneventful, thanks in no small part to the goblin's guidance. It led them through a maze of twisting corridors and hidden passageways, navigating the complex network of tunnels with ease.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Lestrange vault, and the surprising lack of its scaly guard.

"That's odd. Last time there was a dragon." Harry mused as they made their way down the narrow hallway to their target."

"Maybe that was something Voldemort had specifically installed after he took over The Ministry?" Daphne looked speculative as the goblin suddenly stopped in front of a large iron door, opening it the same way he had done to the Black vault.

"We have arrived, sir. What would you have me do now?" the Goblin inquired, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Stand still and out of the way," Harry commanded, his tone firm and authoritative. The Goblin nodded curtly, and Harry turned to Daphne, their minds already spinning with plans.

"So what now, Harry?" Daphne asked eagerly, her eyes alight with determination.

"Gemini curses on all the objects except the cup. We have to grab it without touching anything, or else we are dead. Any ideas, Daph?"

Daphne's eyes sparkled with mischief as a memory flitted across her mind. "Maybe one idea. Remember our vacation to Vegas?"

Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Are you suggesting we do something like that casino robbery movie with George Clooney?"

"No, Harry, we don't have an exact model of the vault built. Besides, that wouldn't help us anyways. I'm thinking more about that rodeo we got tickets to. The lasso thing they did on that cow."

Harry smiled at the memory of their odd night of large alcoholic drinks, fancy casino hotels, live performances, and crazy Americans riding on angry bulls. "...That might just work. Summon a rope for me?"

With a nod of understanding, Daphne conjured a length of sturdy rope, her wand moving deftly through the air.

As Harry took hold of the rope, he felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was it, the moment they had been waiting for.

With practised precision, Harry fashioned the rope into a slip knot, his fingers moving swiftly and surely.

Meanwhile, Daphne's gaze was fixed on the chalice, her concentration unwavering. With a whispered incantation, "Wingardium Leviosa," the rope began to float across the room, guided by her steady hand.

"Hey, Daph..."

"Quiet, Harry," Daphne chided, a playful glint in her eye. "I have to be very careful with this."

Harry grinned, his excitement bubbling over. "I know… but doesn't this feel very 'Indiana Jones'?"

Daphne couldn't help but laugh. "Damn it, Harry, if we weren't stealing a piece of a Dark Lord's soul, I would slap you for that."

As the rope descended upon the chalice, the tension in the air was palpable. Harry's heart raced in his chest as he watched, his breath caught in his throat.

With a sharp flick of her wand, Daphne drew the rope back towards her in a perfect arc, the horcrux safely ensnared within its grasp.

"That was too easy," Harry breathed, a sense of disbelief washing over him.

But Daphne's confidence remained unshaken. "Sometimes, even the most elaborate enchantments can be outmanoeuvred with the right knowledge. Luckily, you just happen to have the exact knowledge we needed."

A surge of pride swelled within Harry's chest as he realised the truth of her words. Together, they were unstoppable.

"We can store the cup in my purse," Daphne continued, her voice steady and assured. "I charmed it this morning with a dark magic obscuring ward, so it won't be detected. Back in the alley, we can discreetly call Winky to store it away safely for us."

"Good idea, Daphne," Harry agreed, his mind already racing ahead to their next steps. "I bet half my vault that Gringotts has special wards specifically for house elves and apparition."

And with that, they swiftly exited the vault with the Goblin in tow, their hearts pounding with the thrill of their success. "All right, take us back to The Black vault." Harry commanded, his voice filled with quiet cruelness indicative of the curse he was performing. "When we arrive I will lift the curse and then we will deal with your memory."

.


.

Aside from the slight appearance of tiredness in the old goblin's eyes, there were no indications of the events that had unfolded within the depths of the bank as they stepped out of the cart onto the white marble floors of the top level. The day seemed flawless, everything proceeding without a hitch, and Harry's elation evident in his smile.

However, as he turned the corner into the main lobby, Cyrus stared menacingly at Harry, clearly irritated by his daughter freely wrapping her hand around Harry's arm. Harry pretended not to notice Cyrus's gaze and maintained an innocent smile. He was well aware of Cyrus Greengrass's protective nature toward his daughters. While protective, Cyrus would eventually soften, satisfied that whoever approached his daughters met his approval. Yet, it seemed Daphne wasn't content with ignoring the situation.

"Father, please! We've already discussed this!" Daphne complained.

"I know! But you said I could ask him when we met, and now that we have, I will!" Cyrus retorted.

"Father! Are you serious?!" Daphne exclaimed incredulously.

"Obviously, Daughter! You made a promise; now step aside!" Cyrus insisted.

Daphne gave Harry an apologetic look before complying, standing next to her former professor, who looked amused witnessing Harry being 'interrogated' by her father.

Harry's panic was palpable for a moment as Daphne left him alone with her father.

"I'm surprised you didn't insist on staying next to Harry during your dad's interrogation," Remus Lupin remarked after Daphne stood next to him.

"I know Harry can handle him, and I promised my father he could ask Harry himself when they met," Daphne replied, regretting not negotiating further or objecting when her father planned to speak with Harry alone. "Let's set them aside for now. How are you, Professor? I'm delighted we could meet again; you were one of the best Defence Against the Dark Arts professors we've had," she said sincerely.

Remus nodded in understanding, recognizing Cyrus's eagerness to interrogate his best friend's son.

"I'm well, Ms. Greengrass! And please, call me Remus now that I'm no longer your professor. Thank you for your kind words, but I'm sure your current professor is even better than I was."

Daphne's expression soured momentarily. "Given her animosity toward you, I doubt she considers you the 'best' teacher... sorry, Remus," she gasped, realising her mistake in mentioning his illness so casually.

Remus grimaced but didn't take offence, understanding her intent. After all, he assumed everyone in the castle knew his true nature since it was inadvertently revealed. "Is she truly that bad?"

"You have no idea," Daphne chuckled dryly.

"I heard Madam Bones' niece was detained at the castle for the entire winter break," Tonks interjected, joining their conversation. "Ah, sorry for butting in... it sounded intriguing to me as an Auror," she added shyly.

Daphne smiled, reassuring her. "No worries. I'm surprised the news spread so quickly that even Aurors are aware. I had no idea Madam Bones was that type of person. I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"Oh, right! I'm Tonks, just Tonks will do!" she winked. "I'm here with Remus to accompany Harry for some shopping."

"Of course, Tonks. I'm Daphne, Daphne Greengrass. Nice to meet you."

"And to answer your question, no, Madam Bones was not spreading it at all, and Harry didn't tell me either. I can't give you the real reason, but I assure you my intention was pure," Tonks explained.

Daphne suddenly giggled, observing Tonks's panic. "No worries, Tonks, you didn't need to tell me," she reassured.

Tonks sighed in relief and then grinned at her.

"So… you're Harry Potter's girlfriend?" she teased mischievously.

.


.

As they emerged from the bank, Daphne's impatience simmered beneath the surface like a pot about to boil over. She wasted no time in confronting Harry, her strides purposeful as she closed the distance between them.

"Harry, spill it! What were you and my father discussing?" Her voice held a mixture of curiosity and concern, her gaze fixed on him with unwavering intensity.

Harry met her gaze with a sheepish smile, feeling the weight of her anticipation. He took her hand gently, intertwining their fingers, and together they moved away from the bustling bank lobby, finding a quiet spot nearby.

"Daphne, you know how your father is," Harry began, his tone calm and reassuring. "But rest assured, it wasn't as intense as you might imagine. In fact, it went rather well," he confessed, a hint of relief evident in his voice.

Daphne's brow furrowed slightly, her scepticism lingering. "Are you sure?" she pressed, her eyes searching for any signs of uncertainty.

Harry nodded, his expression earnest. "I'm positive. Your father was surprisingly understanding, given the circumstances," he assured her, a sense of gratitude colouring his words.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Daphne's lips, a glimmer of relief washing over her features. "Well, that's a relief," she admitted, her tension visibly easing.

Harry squeezed her hand gently, a sense of reassurance passing between them. "It seems he's come to accept our relationship, Daphne," he said softly, his voice laced with warmth and affection.

Daphne's eyes widened in surprise, a sense of wonderment dawning upon her. "Really?" she exclaimed, her disbelief giving way to hope.

Harry nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, really. He even gave me his approval," he revealed, a sense of pride colouring his words.

Daphne's breath caught in her throat, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Harry, that's... that's incredible," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Harry pulled her into a warm embrace, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. "I told you everything would be okay, didn't I?" he murmured, his words a gentle reminder of the faith he had in their love.

Daphne nestled against him, her head resting against his chest as she savoured the moment. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled at the relieved look on her face and grabbed her hand in his. "Now I can't wait to meet your mother again. She's going to love me even more that she did last time, now that I know exactly the best compliments to give her," he said teasingly, grimacing after getting a swat on his shoulder.

"Watch your mouth, Mister!" she warned playfully.

"Dang it, Daphne! Ouch… please stop abusing me in public!"

"No flirting with my mother!" she pouted.

"Fine, fine!" He rubbed his shoulder once more making an exaggerated show of stretching out the arm. "Well now, how am I going to give you your Christmas present if my arm doesn't work?" he said with a charming smile.

She looked intrigued with that. "Oh?" she hummed thoughtfully. "In any other circumstance I'd offer to kiss it better, but I don't think my father would appreciate that!" she said with a giggle as Harry reached into the pocket of his coat, and withdrew a flat rectangular box wrapped in red with a green ribbon.

"What is this?" She inspected the box he gave her and shook it to get a glimpse of what it was. "Can I open it now?"

"No Daphne, it's a Christmas present not a Christmas Eve present. Open it tomorrow, silly."

"I hope it's good!" she said menacingly but couldn't help but smile as she shoved it into her pocket.

.


.

"So I'm guessing she couldn't wait until tomorrow?" teased Sirius, catching Harry on a mirror-call with Daphne just minutes before they made their way down for dinner that evening.

They sat at the dining table, Harry's face still flushed from the call. The other occupants of the room were curious about what had transpired between them.

"Oh, shut up!" Harry whined, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.

Sirius barked with laughter, feeling triumphant. "I told you she would be happy!"

"If you keep teasing me like that, I won't introduce you to her!" Harry retorted playfully.

"Hey, that's not fair! I want to meet her!" Sirius pouted, feigning hurt.

"You two talking about Daphne?" Fred interjected, sensing the topic of conversation.

Sirius's attention shifted to Fred, who was munching on his chicken. "Yes! Do you know her?" Sirius asked, genuinely curious, though Harry winced at the question.

Fred turned to his brother before turning back to Sirius with a smirk. "Oh, we know her! One of the most beautiful girls in Hogwarts!" he said dramatically. "I don't know if it was a blessing or a curse for her to end up with a guy like him," he added, teasingly.

"Oi!" protested Harry. "She's happy with me!"

George sighed dramatically. "We really don't know what she sees in him. There are plenty of boys better than him. Me, for example!" he declared confidently.

"I'll tell Angelina, George!" Harry threatened playfully.

"You're playing dirty, aren't you?" George looked irritated, not liking that the girl he had been pining for was brought into the conversation.

"You started it!" Harry replied hotly.

"Hey, hey, stop!" Remus interjected as he entered the room, sensing the tension. Harry felt relieved as Remus came to his aid.

"You're no fun, Moony! How lucky you are to have met her already!" Sirius exclaimed with a hint of jealousy.

Remus smirked. "She was one of my students, but the important thing is that I met her father, and Harry had a conversation with him, just the two of them," Remus revealed, unknowingly adding fuel to the fire.

"Harry!" Sirius exclaimed in disbelief. "I didn't know you moved so fast! Do I need to help you find the perfect ring?"

Harry chuckled nervously, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the attention. "Not yet, Padfoot. Let's take it one step at a time," he replied, trying to ease the teasing. "Was talking to her father a big deal?" Harry asked, massaging his throbbing temple.

"In a way, yes, Harry," Mr. Weasley replied. "Speaking with a parent symbolises your seriousness towards their child. It's nothing as serious as formalising a marriage contract or anything like that so there's no need to worry. That sort of tradition fell out of fashion years ago. It's more just telling him the fact you are serious about dating his daughter, and it's more than a simple schoolyard crush. How did he react?"

"Yeah, I know that," Harry nodded, smiling proudly. "Well, he gave me his blessing."

"He gave you his blessing that easily?" Sirius questioned, still not quite believing it. "That's a miracle!"

"He did! He's not as bad as you think," Harry said, looking at his godfather incredulously.

"If you don't mind me asking, which family does your girlfriend belong to, Harry?" Mr. Weasley inquired.

"She's from the Greengrass family. Her name is Daphne. Daphne Greengrass," Harry answered.

"Oh, the Greengrasses!" Mr. Weasley nodded in understanding. "If Lord Greengrass already gave you his blessing, then it's a good sign."

"Maybe he blessed him because he's the-boy-who-lived!" Ginny spat with a tone of venom and coldness.

"As far as I know, Lord Greengrass was friends with Harry's father, so I doubt it," Mr. Weasley objected, knowing well his daughter's feelings for Harry since she had a crush on him since childhood. But now he had a girlfriend, so there was no chance for Ginny anymore. He made a mental note to talk to her about it later.

Harry shot him a grateful look before casting a cynical glance at Ginny.

The occupants of the room noticed how Harry looked at the youngest in the room. It was not the usual friendly or playful gaze they shared during banter. There was something different, something off about it—a cynical edge that hinted at a deeper issue between them.

"Are you two fighting?" Mr. Weasley suddenly interjected.

"Who?" Harry asked, confused.

"I've noticed you and Ginny haven't been talking since we arrived here," Mr. Weasley explained.

"I don't understand what you're talking about, sir," Harry replied, his tone unintentionally cold.

Mr. Weasley was taken aback by Harry's reaction. "Are you sure, Harry?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I think I'll go back to my room. Thanks for the food!" Without another word, Harry left the room, leaving the others surprised.

Instead of watching Harry leave, Ron shot a glare at his sister, who returned it with equal intensity.

"Whoa, what's going on with you two?" George noticed the tension between his siblings, prompting everyone to turn their attention to them.

Ron blinked a few times before resuming his meal. "Nothing," he said curtly.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Fred chimed in, trying to coax Ron into revealing more.

"I don't understand what you're talking about," Ron replied, evading the question.

Fred glanced at his father, silently urging him to press Ron further.

"Do you know something, Ron?" Mr. Weasley asked. Ron stopped eating and winced.

"Maybe you should ask her. After all, it was her doing," Ron said without hesitation, pointing accusingly at his sister.

"What? I didn't do anything wrong. Why are you blaming me?" Ginny retorted hotly, reacting to her brother's accusation.

"Oh, so you have done something then, but you don't think it's wrong? Don't pretend to be innocent, Gin!" taunted Ron. "I know you're the one who has been pushing Hermione to not trust Daphne! And you had no right to do that—it's none of your business!"

"What do you know about that! Harry is clearly being confunded by her!" Ron frowned at her answer, and then something clicked in his mind.

So he scoffed, "Heh! You're just jealous because he's not available anymore, aren't you? So you're using this moment to—" his cheek suddenly stung.

The room fell silent as everyone witnessed the unexpected slap.

"GINNY!" snapped her father in disbelief.

Ginny, panicked after realising what she'd done to her brother, froze in place, never having heard her father's tone like that before. She turned her head towards him in fear.

"Back to your seat. You will not leave this room until you explain what happened!" her father commanded.

She obeyed, sitting with bowed head, unable to meet her father's gaze.

"Ron, maybe you should explain what actually happened to us," Mr. Weasley said to his youngest son, demanding an explanation. He had never witnessed such an action in the family before.

"But dad…" Ron tried to argue, but immediately shrank under his father's gaze. With a heavy heart, he finally recounted everything he knew.

"Hermione started off being fine with Harry and Daphne, but over the last few weeks she's been dead set trying to prove that she's evil or something. And it just happened to line up with her spending more time with Ginny, since Harry's not around as much.

And I've heard Ginny talking to some of her friends in the common room about Daphne's family being full of dark wizards and stuff, and how she wouldn't be surprised if she knew mind magics, or how to brew love potions. That's all I know! I couldn't prove anything, but it wasn't that hard to guess what was going on, and… I kind of just let it slip without thinking just now. But I'd be willing to bet my signed Chudley Canon's poster that she's been telling Hermione that Harry is going to not want us around anymore!"

Ginny shrank in her seat as she heard her brother's explanation, which was spot on. She didn't want to admit it, but she had hoped her plan would work to make Harry break up with Daphne and choose friendship with Hermione instead, so she could pursue a relationship with him once he was single. Clearly, it had backfired on her. She could see how disappointed her parents were.

"Ah… so that's why she's not here to spend Christmas holidays at Grimmauld Place with us," Remus whispered to Sirius, as if a puzzle piece had finally clicked into place.

Sirius, who had been watching the chaos unfold while sipping his butterbeer, responded to his friend's confusion.

"I already heard about most of it from Harry. He likely just needs some time alone right now. Tomorrow is Christmas after all, I imagine he'll feel better in the morning."

.


.

Regrettably, Harry's good mood vanished instantly upon seeing everyone's uneasy expressions upon entering the dining room. The atmosphere was dismal, and Sirius, in a fit of frustration, even hurled the newspaper into the fireplace.

"How could this happen? What did the Aurors do? I thought my escape would force them to fix the flaws in that prison!" Sirius exclaimed.

"What's going on? Did something happen?" Harry asked, feeling bewildered as he sat down next to Remus.

"See for yourself!" Sirius replied shortly before slumping into the chair beside Harry.

"I doubt I have the skill to transfigure ash back into a newspaper I haven't even seen," Harry remarked sarcastically.

Remus answered Harry's inquiry, "You-know-who broke out of Azkaban to free his most dangerous followers."

Harry was stunned by the news. "Winky!" he blurted out instinctively.

"The newspaper, Master," she said, handing it to him before disappearing.

Harry quickly read the page reporting Voldemort's followers escaping from Azkaban. "God damn it all!" He cursed under his breath.

"Harry, watch your language!" scolded Mrs. Weasley, clearly disapproving of Harry reading about Voldemort's followers escaping.

Harry's mind raced with memories. Voldemort had freed Bellatrix and the others a few days after his return to the castle; how could he... break into Azkaban now? And the number that were free was almost doubled what it was in his original timeline. Was it because they killed Nagini, he wondered as a sense of dread and guilt churned in his stomach

Since Nagini was dead, he must have wanted to rally his greatest followers sooner than planned. Was this a good thing? Was it a bad thing? Harry could only hope that Voldemort would still be planning to break into the Department of Mysteries several months later.

Chewing the inside of his cheek, Harry thought hard, forming a plan.

Moments later, Harry went straight back to his room, slammed the door shut, cast a security charm, and summoned his mirror.

"Daphne Greengrass!" he called urgently.

"I know what you want to talk about," Daphne said after picking up the mirror call. "I'm reading about it. We shouldn't be surprised, but still!"

"How did your father react?"

"Father immediately went to the Ministry to approach Amelia. But Harry... with or without killing Nagini, he would still be breaking them out of prison."

"I know... but I don't know what the other effects will be with them being released early, Daph! And there's way more than last time! Some of these people were not freed until Voldemort took the Ministry, last time. This means there's going to be more attacks more frequently and in larger numbers."

"I understand… I'm worried about it too, but there's nothing we can do at the moment. Do you have a plan? We certainly didn't have one since this caught us off guard. Do you remember what happened after they were released?"

Harry looked thoughtful. "To be honest? Nothing happened except blaming Sirius since he's still a fugitive and everyone believes he aided his family or something like that. And… Neville… he's not going to take this well. We both know what happened to his parents..." his voice trailed off solemnly as he noticed one of his friends.

Daphne grimaced. "So what do you want to do?"

"I don't know... maybe tighten our lessons when we're back?"

"That's a good idea."

.


.

"Hermione! Dinner's ready!" Her mother's voice pierced through the door of her room.

Startled, Hermione glanced up from the book she held, though she hadn't absorbed a single word. Her mind wandered to her friends, the fracture in their friendship caused by the addition of someone new. Ginny's words echoed in her mind. There's no way Harry would do that, her logical side argued, yet the evidence seemed undeniable. His grades had improved since Greengrass entered the picture. Was she trying to replace me? Ginny might be onto something. Her mind kept pulling in examples from her muggle schooling, and the many times her supposed friends had left her for friends that were cooler and less… her.

Descending toward the dining room, Hermione wore a distant expression. Her father had noticed her odd behaviour since the start of winter break, even during their vacation. Was something troubling his daughter? Was it a boy?

"Hermione?" her father's gentle voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked up briefly, "Yeah, dad?" Her attention quickly returned to her plate, where she listlessly pushed her food around with her fork.

"Are you alright?"

She hesitated. "I'm fine,"

"But you don't seem fine," her father observed, scepticism evident in his tone.

Hermione mulled over her father's words.

"Let's talk. We haven't done that in a while. Finish your dinner first."

With a weak nod, Hermione resumed eating her meal in silence.

As Hermione nestled into the cosy embrace of her favourite couch, she savoured the stolen moment of peace amidst the whirlwind of adventures with the Weasleys and Harry. Yet, even in the solace of solitude, her thoughts drifted to Harry, stirring a bittersweet ache within her. He had been her confidant, her first friend, but lately, their connection felt strained, leaving her adrift in a sea of emotions.

Her father's gentle voice broke through the silence, pulling her back to reality. "What's on your mind?" he asked, his concern wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

"I wasn't daydreaming, Dad. Just lost in this book," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips as she nodded towards the worn tome in her lap.

"Ah, enthralled by a character, are we? Not diving into your mother's romance novels again, I hope?" he teased, a twinkle of mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Dad, really?" Hermione chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through her cheeks.

He chuckled in response before growing serious. "So, what's really bothering you?" he inquired, his gaze soft but probing.

"It's Harry," Hermione confessed, the weight of her emotions spilling out as she spoke.

Her father's concern deepened. "A fight?"

"Yeah, it's been brewing since October," she admitted, feeling the tension of their rift weigh heavily on her.

"Why haven't you two patched things up yet? He's your best friend," her father gently reminded her.

"I've tried, but he's been prioritising his girlfriend over me," Hermione explained, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Did you say something about her that upset him?" her father asked, his tone gentle but inquisitive.

"Just that she's manipulative, and she's driving a wedge between Harry, Ron, and I," she confessed, a pang of guilt tugging at her heartstrings. "Ginny pointed it out to me, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since. He is just not the same when she's around, and it worries me."

"Are you sure there aren't deeper feelings involved?" her father prodded, his concern evident in his voice.

"I'm sure. I just miss my friend," Hermione insisted, determination flickering in her eyes. "Since Harry and Daphne got together, he's been colder, almost paranoid, he's been way more secretive, hardly spends any time with me anymore, and I know for a fact he's been lying about a detention he got from Professor Umbridge."

"Is this the same Umbridge that you said was in charge of the trial for false accusations against him? That he used some sort of spell to save his cousin? What is she doing teaching at your school?

"Teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts, funnily enough. She's absolutely horrid and doesn't do any teaching, it's all propaganda about how we should lie down and do nothing except wait for the ministry to step in and save us."

"And he had a detention with this woman. Who was in charge of the prosecution against him?"

"Not exactly prosecution against him, she's more like the right hand to the Minister, who was acting as the lead prosecutor. His undersecretary. But still, she's a teacher, and she's here on the direct orders of the Minister. Fudge, the Minister of Magic, maybe about as stupid as they come, and he may be hopelessly corrupt, but there's no way he would appoint someone who would actually hurt children into a teaching position." Hermione explained, with her brows furrowing in annoyance at the current state of the ministry.

"She may be your teacher, but she's also a politician. And it sounds like she's a politician first and foremost." he shook his head in disbelief before reaching over and grabbing her daughter's hand. "Your bribe taking head of state is involved in malicious prosecution against a minor for saving the life of himself and his cousin, and has sent his top enforcer into the school, and the same minor they tried to maliciously prosecute had to spend a detention with her. Does that sound right so far?"

Hermione nodded in agreement, waiting patiently for her dad to continue.

"And you said the order for these dark creatures that attacked Harry came from the office of your new professor?"

This time she paused for a minute to remember back before nodding a second time.

"Do you think it's possible that your Minister of Magic doesn't realise his undersecretary is more than willing to hurt children? That she's probably a psychopath?"

Hermione nodded slowly in thought. "I suppose so. But wouldn't he know something like that? Surely they would notice if someone like that was in such a position of power?"

"What about that Malfoy kid you've talked about. Isn't his father some sort of advocate for genocide, and holds a high level position in your Parliament? Here, let me tell you a story. You know I enlisted before I completed my medical degree? Well, around the time I hit sergeant, I decided to put in for a transfer to the RAMC, and get my medical licence. Once I completed medical school I was originally signed on to do dentistry work on a base in Hereford. I was fresh out of medical school, and was promised a good salary and beautiful housing. So I show up on base and I'm told to report to the entire other side of the country because I was being shipped up to Ireland as a field medic.

So I pack up on a train, pop up to Scotland and catch a ride over to Ulster. I was stationed there in '72, where I was made Captain and was embedded in a combat unit. I was proud to save the lives of my men, as well as nurse the occasional hangover.

Then one day, my Commanding Officer, Major Thompson, barges into my office in the middle of a corporal's checkup and tells me I'm being assigned to a new job, and to report to the motor pool at 1700. When I show up, he has three Catholic priests blindfolded, and tied to the back of a Jeep with blindfolds on and tells me to get to work pulling teeth. He had convinced himself they had knowledge of a bombing that had occurred and wanted the information no matter what the cost was. And he especially did not like it when I refused his orders and rushed to administer first aid on the prisoners." He paused to take in his daughter's expression, noting the horror creeping into her eyes. "I told him it was a violation of my oath as a doctor… And he went on to break three of my ribs and beat me senseless for the next hour."

He did not relish in the fact that his daughter was now crying, but knew it was necessary for the lesson he had in store. Nonetheless it still broke his heart to see. She spoke between sniffles in a small and scared voice that broke his heart each time he heard it, "But you fought back, right?"

"Oh Lord no, if I would have fought back all that would have happened is a court-martialed for assaulting a commanding officer, and probably would have been accused of treason. No, there was nothing I could do except wait it out and try to escape. Luckily I didn't have to, because the lieutenant colonel of the entire battalion came walking through the door, looking for an abandoned motor pool that he could take a smoke in."

"Then what happened!"

"I saw him first so I yelled 'You will have to kill me, because I will not torture these prisoners on your orders!', and then watched as my commanding officer got torn into, thrown into a cell… a full investigation was launched that proved every bit of intel he gathered was received under duress and torture… and because his grand uncle was some big shot in the Labor Party, Major Thompson received a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and was transferred to a cushy desk job for early retirement, and I was offered an honorable discharge with an increase in pension to cover it up.

Officially, we couldn't have the public knowing her Majesty's armed forces were torturing priests and school teachers. That would compromise national security, or some other such nonsense. In reality it was all politics. Either way my career as a surgeon in the Royal Army Medical Corps had come to an end, and there was nothing else I could do about it. So I came back home, met your mother, started our practice, and 2 years later we had you."

"... That's horrible! How could that have happened! Even after it was discovered what he did! His boss… did nothing."

"Exactly. Horrible people sometimes have a special way of succeeding in life - Especially politicians. It's not right, but it happens. There was nothing I could have done to fight back. It would have just made things worse. Darling, you know I will always support you, but I think your friend is not acting strange because of a new girlfriend. It probably has to do with your new teacher."

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