"Hermione, have something to eat" Neville said as he pushed a plate of Shepherd's pie towards the distracted bookworm. She was chewing on the end of her quill, running a hand through her bushy and knotted hair as she flipped through a text book.
"I can't, my first exam is next week and i need to be prepared" Hermione said said not looking up from her book
"Nevilles right" Harry said as he took the tomb away, ignoring Hermione's protest "You can have this back when you've finished your plate"
"FINE!" Hermione flushed at the volume of her voice "But i get it back, right after" she replied stuffing a fork of pie into her mouth and taking a sip of juice
"Beside you got nothing to worry about, you will do amazing as always" Neville said with a red hue on his face as she gave him a bright smile.
"Thank you, Neville," She muttered quietly. Daphne gave Harry a weird sort of smile, her eyes flickering between the two as she returned to her meal. Harry 's eyes weaved down to his dinner, pushing the sausage and potatoes around with his fork. Goosebumps rained all over his skin, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end as the feeling of being watched assaulted his senses. Harry's eyes manoeuvred around the great hall, the sinking feeling increasing tenfold as green eyes met grey. Harry stared down at the sneering face of Draco Malfoy, refusing to break eye contact. Pansy seemed to have grasped Malfoy's attention as she muttered something in his ear, causing him to look away
"Hey Daph" Harry said making her turn away from her conversation with Tracey
"Yeah?"
"Is there a reason why Malfoy is staring at us like he wants nothing more than to throw us off the astronomy tower" Harry asked still staring at the boy
"He tried to convince me to leave you and join his cause" Daphne replied nonchalantly
"WHAT!" Harry replied shocked "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because there's nothing to tell" Daphne shrugged "He told me to leave you and in return the Dark Lord would forgive me… I told him where to shove it"
"I don't like this, he's planning something" Harry said as Draco continued to look at Daphne and him. The bell rang signalling the end of lunch and the students began to stand up, leaving to head back to their common rooms. "Just stay safe, promise me you will"
"I promise" Daphne said, kissing him goodbye as she left with Tracey and Astoria. Hermione had returned to her text book, muttering to herself as she recited the ingredients to Veritaserum. Harry walked closer than necessary to Ron.
"Cover for me will you?" Harry said. Ron sent a questioning look but didn't push any further as he manoeuvred Hermione around the corner stopping her from walking straight into a wall. Harry quickly turned around pushing past the crowd of Gryffindors, who sent him confused glances. He dashed down the marble staircase, passing by a portrait of a sleeping dragon as he entered the chilly dungeons. The suit of armours that littered the walls, turned their gazes towards his footfalls. Harry marched towards the dark oak door, the handle daring him to open it. Harry knocked.
"Enter" He turned the handle and entered into the office, a damp smell filled his senses as his eyes turned towards the jars that littered the shelves, each containing a different plant or animal.
"Potter" Snape said shocked "you are aware your training was cancelled for tonight
"I am aware, sir" Harry said quickly "But i have another matter to discuss with you" Snape nodded for him to continue
"I have a few friends in Slytherin. They have been treated by your house less than pleasantly for just associating with me… i know we don't have the greatest relationship but i was hoping you would do something about it"
"And do tell, what you wish for me to do" Snape drawled
"I'm not sure, perhaps you could just look out for Daphne and the others to make sure they're safe or you could have a word with your house and announce stricter punishments for those who intend to cause harm to one another."
"So you wish" Snape said, sounding bored "for me to give special treatment to your girlfriend and her friends?"
"Not special treatment, just making sure they're safe and aren't in any danger among the other Slytherins" Harry replied
"You're wasting your time Potter. The rules are very strict when it comes to favouritism, I do not watch over the rest of the Slytherin house therefore it would prove unethical to watch over you little fan club" Snape sneered "Is that all?"
"I don't know why I bothered. Maybe if you had a friend in Gryffindor when you were my age things between us would be different…but If I want you to accept me for me, I need to accept you for you. Goodnight Professor" Harry said, closing the door behind him.
—-
"As you can see" Professor Mcgonagoll said to the class as they copied the times and exams dates on the blackboard "Your O.W.L.S will be spread over two consecutive weeks. You will sit the theory papers in the morning and practical in the afternoon. Now I must warn you that anti-cheating charms have been applied to your papers and if in some miracle you do manage to cheat and are caught… your paper will be ripped up and you will be scored a zero. Every year, I've managed to catch at least one student who thinks they can get around the Wizarding Examinations Authority's rules. I can only hope it is not someone in Gryffindor… however there is no reason you shouldn't strive to do your best, after all this is your future.
"Professor, when will we find out about our results?" Hermione asked
"Sometime in july" said Professor Mcgonagoll
"Brilliant" said Dean Thomas in an audible whisper "So we don't have to worry about it till the holidays"
Their first first examination, Theory of Charms, was scheduled for Monday morning. Harry had agreed to test Hermione after lunch on Sunday, but regretted it almost at once; she was very agitated and kept snatching the book out of his grasp to check if she had got the answer right, finally hitting him hard on the nose with 'Achievements in Charming'
"I think you can do it for yourself now" Harry said, handing the book to her, his eyes watering. Ron was going over two years worth of revision material, his lips moving soundlessy as his hands covered his ears blocking out any distractions. Dean and Seamus were on the floor of the common room quizzing each other, while Lavender and Parvarti were practising simple locomotor charms. Harry's stomach began to rumble loudly causing both Ron and Hermione to look up at him. Harry nodded towards the portrait hole, signalling the beginning of dinner. The feast that night was a subdued affair, Harry and Ron didn't eat with much gusto while Hermione kept diving under the table, grabbing her bag and checking on an answer that resided in one of her books. Daphne and Astoria, noticing their presence from the Slytherin table, moved towards them and took their own seats.
"How's your revision going?" Harry asked as he pulled a plate of lamb chops towards him and began to load it on his plate
"Pretty good, though Tracey seems to be ripping her hair out everytime she gets a question wrong" Daphne said
"I'm surprised you aren't more stressed" Harry replied
"I've spread my revision out throughout the whole year, that way i don't have to fret" Daphne said
"Geek" Harry coughed, earning a smack upside the head from the scowling blonde
"Want to hear something weird?" Daphne asked
"Shoot"
"Professor Snape came into the common room this morning, ranting about house unity and how the rules and consequences are going to become a lot more severe from here on out" Harry's mouth opened in shock as he turned his head to the staff table. He made eye contact with Snape who gave him a short nod before returning to his meal "You're right… weird" Harry said more to himself than anything. Daphne gave him a strange look
"Did you say something?"
"No, no i'm just shocked is all"
"Me and you both"
—-
None of the fifth-years talked very much during breakfast, each preferring to spend their time revising. Parvati was muttering something under her breath as the salt shaker infront of her began to shake, Hermione was rereading Achievements in charming; Neville was trying to spread marmalade over his toast, which was made difficult by his shaking hands. The bell rang as the students began to mill off towards their first class of the day, the rest of the fifth-years waited in the Entrance hall as class by class was called in. Harry entered the great hall. It was littered with desks and a paper that sat atop of it. His stomach twisted into knots as the realisation finally struck home, he took the seat with his name on it and looked to Professor Mcgonagoll who stood at the front of the hall
"You may begin" She said loudly, instantly the sound of turning pages and scratching quills echoed throughout the hall. Harry opened the paper and scanned the first question. A.) Give the incantation and b.) describe the wand movements required to make an object fly. Harry smirked as his mind went back to the club that soared high in the air before it came crashing down with a large crack on the troll's skull
—-
"I ran out of time on question twenty-three" Hermione said anxiously "I didn't go as in depth as i should have for the counter to the cheering charm. What did you put?"
"Hermione, I told you we are not going through the exam again. Once was already bad enough" Ron replied
The fifth-years ate lunch with the rest of the school, the desks that had once cluttered the hall were now replaced with the long tables that were filled with different dishes. Multiple students were surrounding Harry asking him for any last minute tips before their practical exam. Harry sat next to Daphne as they discussed their theory exam, an ancient looking woman spoke over them calling in the next student
"Hermione Granger, Anthony Goldstein, Gregory Goyle and Daphne Greengrass" the elder looking witch croaked. Daphne quickly gave Harry a deep kiss, before leaving with a trembling Hermione at her side.
"They'll be fine, they're the smartest in the year" Ron said looking at their disappearing forms.
"Parkinson, Pansy- Patil, Padma- Patil, Parvati- Potter, Harry" he quickly stood up as Ron patted his back in encouragement "Professor Tofty is free, Potter" Professor Flitwick squeaked out. Harry moved over to the examiner, gripping his wand so tightly, he was surprised it hadn't snapped.
—-
The next couple of days and exams flew by. His Charms exam went decently well though he wished he hadn't mixed the colour changing charm with the growth charm, as the tiny rat became the size of an intimidating badger. Wednesday went similarly as he took his Herbology exam and managed to do satisfactory (if you didn't count a bite he got from a fanged geranium.) Harry woke up on Thursday, a bright smile on his face as he practically skipped towards the hall. He entered the hall and found his desk, pretty much ripping open the Defence Against the Dark Arts paper and instantly writing down his answers. Harry finished the test and left feeling very satisfied. As he left the students from the DA gathered around him as he led them to the room of requirement, they did some last minute practice before their practical exam started.
"Oh, bravo!" Professor Tofty cried as Harry casted a perfect boggart banishing spell "Very good Potter… unless…"
"Unless?"
"A friend told me you can produce a patronus charm… for a bonus point" Harry looked over and saw Daphne smiling at him from the corner of his eye as she demonstrated the impediment jinx. Harry's thoughts went back to their time in the lonely parts of school grounds.
"Expecto Patronum" His silver stag emerged from his wand and cantered across the hall. Everyone in the hall watched its progress before it disappeared into a silvery mist. Professor Tofty began clapping loudly
"Excellent; Bravo; Amazing" He cried before Harry was dismissed, a gigantic smile never leaving his face
—-
"Step away from your cauldrons, please the examination is over" Harry stepped away and corked his flask, before handing over his sample. He had found it alot easier without Snape gliding around the classroom making constant remarks, it was almost as if he was back at the Dursleys cooking them breakfast. Neville seemed to agree with his sentiment. Hermione's mood seemed to deteriorate the more exams she took, the tension among the group was thick and constantly mocked by the stress the exams were causing. Harry made sure to try his hardest in his care of magical creatures exam, wanting to make Hagrid look as good as possible. He finished his exam and gave the anxious Professor a thumbs up.
Astronomy was the next exam, much to Harry's dismay. The exam didn't go as well as Harry hoped, he left feeling he had either just failed or had just narrowly scraped a pass. Daphne found a way to take his mind off it quite easily.
"Just think of it this way, two more exams left and you get to enjoy the rest of the school year" Daphne said as they strolled outside the school grounds in the scorching sun
"Yeah i guess, but the last two exams are Divination and History of Magic" Harry sighed
"Yeah, but then its over" Daphne said consolingly "Besides you better suck as much of my presence up as you can before the summer"
"I'm gonna find a way to see you" Harry said resolutely
"Maybe you can come visit me" Daphne said not looking at him "I know my parents would love to meet you"
"They know about me?" Harry asked
"Astoria wrote a five page letter to them about me and you… front and back" Daphne sighed, Harry's palms began to sweat as he imagined her father wringing his neck at the train station
"They don't believe the rubbish in the prophet then?" Harry asked casting a side-along glance
"At the start of the year, they leaned more towards the ministry's side though they didn't have anything against you" Daphne reassured him "Then i wrote to them about what happened with Astoria and now they suddenly can't wait to meet the amazing boy that saved their daughter"
"But im the reason she was hurt in the first place" Harry intervened
"Don't be stupid" Daphne cut him off. "Me and Astoria knew what we were getting into, and if I could go back. I wouldn't change a single thing"
"Really?"
"Of course" Daphne said as she drew him into his arms. They stood there for a couple of minutes just holding each other. The sun warmed the back of Harry's neck as he stood there his chin resting on top of Daphnes honey-blonde hair, the flowery scent easing the knots in his stomach from earlier
"I still can't believe you liked me for so long and didn't tell me" Harry sighed "We could have had months, years even"
"Well all that matters is that we're together now… besides i heard about your performance at the yule ball, sounds like i dodged a bullet" Daphne laughed
"I think Parvarti would disagree, i think she especially had a wonderful time with me" Harry winked at her and have her a grin, which immediately fell of his face as Daphne walloped his arm
"OW, kidding, kidding" Harry said as he massaged his arm "Nothing happened unless you count stepping on her feet a whole lot"
"Good, because i'm the only one you get hot and heavy with" Daphne smirked at him causing Harry to glare at her
"Your the only woman, i've bloody even kissed" Harry said still holding his arm
"As i should be" Daphne said burrowing her head into his neck
"Was it yours?" Harry asked quietly. Daphne pulled back, sending him a questioning look "Was it your first kiss?"
"Of course, I was infatuated with you for ages. I didn't just want anyone random person"
"Good… speaking of kissing do you want to…."
"Find a deserted hallway and make out" Daphne said as she began dragging him inside the castle and running towards the sixth floor, giggling all the way. She pulled back the tapestry and dragged Harry in. They both froze in shock, their mouths agape as they took in the forms of Ron and Tracey kissing fiercely as if they were glued together. A sharp gasp from Daphne made them break apart and look in their direction. Tracey looked horrified at being caught, her skin turning pale and a loud squeak came out of her mouth. Ron looked dazed as if he were hit by a confundus charm, a dreamy smile rested upon his face as he took in the form of his best friend and girlfriend.
"Oh, hey guys" Ron said in an odd angelic sort of voice
"You alright there mate?" Harry asked his shocked look turning into a smirk
"Never better" Ron sighed
"So when did you get togeth-"
"We didn't… i mean we haven't" Tracey was scrambling and stuttering was she tried to form a sentence
"Its okay Tracey, just breathe" Harry comforted the shy girl who began to take some deep breaths "besides you've caught me and Daphne hundreds of times in less than flattery positions"
"Your right, your right of course. At Least we had all our clothes on" Tracey said, causing both Harry and Daphne to blush bright red as they looked at their shoes. Harry went to open his mouth to refute the claims before a sweaty second-year girl burst in making the group practically jump in their skins. Andrea wilkins, a muggleborn in ravenclaw if Harry remembered correctly was hunched over taking deep breaths.
"The headmaster requests your presence… the password is fizzing frisbees" she squeaked out before she turned and ran down the hallway
"The Headmaster? What does he want" Ron asked snapping out of his daze
"I imagine that's what he wants to talk about" Harry said sarcastically, he waved them off before he dashed towards the Headmasters office. His stomach twisted and his mind ran a million miles an hour at the thought of the upcoming conversation that was to take place.
"Fizzing Frisbees," Harry called out to the large stone gargoyle. The large stoned figure turned revealing a set of stairs that led to a dark oak door, muttering voices came from inside as Harry knocked on the door. The voices stopped instantly as the door swung open revealing Snape leaning over Dumbledore's desk while the Headmaster rubbed his tired eyes.
"Come in, Harry" Dumbledore said softly as Harry entered the room. He half expected the Potions Professor to leave but he remained in his previous position, scanning Harry sceptically "I suppose you're wondering why you're here"
"Naturally" Harry replied curtly
"Well you see, Professor Snape has been keeping me informed about your Occlumency progress"
"I see" Harry said bluntly
"Last week, Professor Snape informed me about some concerning memories he had witnessed… naturally I was intrigued and pushed him to offer up some more information-" Harry began to sweat and his palms felt especially clammy as his eyes moved over to the potion master. Flashes of the hallway and the mysterious door flickered between his eyes as Harry's eyes returned to Dumbledore
"When he told me, I immediately sent some people from the order to find out if it was true. I was saddened to find it was indeed correct"
"Stop beating around the bush, Headmaster" Snape said through gritted teeth
"Ah yes, forgive an old mans rambling… Professor Snape informed me of your treatment at the hands of the Dursleys" The air instantly left his lungs and he immediately felt himself shrink, becoming once more the frail and scared child that had haunted his past for so many years
"I wish for you to tell me about your childhood" He continued, causing Harry to shake his head wildly
"I cant" he croaked "I just… i can't"
"Perhaps Potter would feel more comfortable showing you the memories rather than talking about it" Snape cut in, causing Dumbledore's eyebrows to raise in question at Harry who began to shake his head wildly.
"Harry, if you don't show us then we can't help you " Dumbledore said "Were only trying to protect you and for us to do that we need you to trust us"
"Protect me" Harry cackled "Is that what you call ignoring me for the past year"
"I…i have no excuse for my behaviour, i was worried that perhaps Lord Voldermort would be able to discover that our relationship was closer than the average student and Headmaster… You see, I care a great deal for you, Harry and this information would prove invaluable to him and for that I sincerely apologise" Harry scanned the tired face of the Headmaster and saw no signs of deceit.
"Grab the pensieve"
