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10th January, Hogwarts, Great Hall
The gossip and not-so-hushed whispers about the last Thursday were passed around the breakfast table on all four tables with Harry trying his best to ignore it all with Fleur, Hermione, and Neville beside him while Susan was sitting Hannah on the Hufflepuff table. The trial was publicized and as a result, everyone knew what went down in detail.
" 'Arry?" the silvery blond veela asked putting her coffee mug down and looking down the table in the direction of the head table meeting the glares from the ginger boy she knew was his ex-best friend, Ronald, and a few others.
Swallowing the bite of the croissant the green-eyed teen looked at his girlfriend/fiancee before following her line of sight and sighed "It's okay Flower, let them stare they can't do nothing more than that"
"It's annoying really! You did what you 'ad to, are zey zat stupid to understand ze simple fact?" with an angry huff as she cut her bagel and started applying the sour cream on it.
Hermione added ranting "I know Fleur, I have seen this since first year, they are a bunch of jealous entitled losers who think that world is being unfair to them by not giving them what they want in a silver plate without them having to move their lazy arses around!" as she aggressively forked her fruit bowl.
Neville gave their bewildered French friend a small smile whispering "So… yeah Hermione was holding it back since first year" but getting a death glare from the bushy-haired witch shut him up.
Harry smirked "Again, don't waste your energy on them they aren't worth it" he continued eating.
Letting the subject go Fleur asked, "When are they coming back?"
"I don't know flower it may take somet…" Harry's reply was cut by Dumbledore standing up clinking his his goblet and the hall went silent.
"As you all have read in the papers and heard on the wizarding radio, the culprits of the shameful and heinous crime committed in these halls have been punished to the full extent of the law. In the light of recent events the number of aurors posted in the castle will be increased, let it be a warning and lesson for the future" his eyes roamed as he let the statement sink in for a minute.
He continued "Now we have resorting ceremony to be performed for Ms. Greengrass and Ms. Davies" turning to Flich who moved putting the three-legged table in the front followed by Minerva leading Tracey first and putting the sorting hat on her head.
The Hat exclaimed "AH! What do we have here? A resorting? Hmm… a rare occurrence last one was Dorea Astra Black, hmm now… where should we put you… I know… RAVENCLAW!" announced with three houses cheering and clapping happy to invite a new member while at Slytherin it was nothing but sullen faces along with Snape who looked he was about to pop a vein in his head.
The girl ran joining her friends on the new house table with her clothes changing from plain black to blue and bronze accents added with the house emblem on her left breast.
On the Gryffindor table Fleur the name Dorea struck a cord, like many times before when she heard this name from her boyfriend she felt an odd familiarity with the name but was brought out of her musing when Sif led Daphne to the stool, as the blond girl took a seat on the stool Minerva put the hat on her head
The Hat was silent as it was having a conversation with her 'Hmm…. So I was correct to put you in Slytherin but why the change?" Daphne heard in her mind just like in her first year.
"I am…not safe in that house. I would like to be somewhere safer" she thought her eyes roaming around the hall before settling on Harry, her electric eyes met his emerald and she felt a faint warm feeling inside as she added with a small shy smile "Somewhere with him"
Hat chuckled and said, "Ah yes, I must say you certainly have enough courage to be in GRYFFINDOR!"
The announcement was met with a resounding silence which could be accredited to simple shock as Minerva took the hat off and Sif moved closer to her cousin to support her as she stood up. Hermione looked around only to find people murmuring and gossiping with Malfoy spotting a smug smile she vowed to wipe away some but a clap drew her attention. She turned spotting her brother clapping loudly, beating her by a second and she joined in.
Fleur and Neville followed their lead with Weasley Twins, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie joining the wagon before just like for Tracey everyone cheered and hollered for Daphne to join the Lions. The girl flinched a little but shared a smile with Sif as they walked towards their new house table.
They settled beside Harry with Daphne to his left and Sif sitting on her left. The blond witch was quick to take hold of his robe sleeve. Nothing was said by others who noticed while Hermione greeted "Welcome to the house of lions, Daphne"
She smiled answering "Thank you, Hermione, I look forward to my time here" before making quick introductions "Hermione this is my cousin, Sif Akselsdottir Halving, my paternal cousin" Turning to her cousin "Sif this is Hermione Granger-Potter, my best friend, besides her is Heir Neville Longbottom of House Longbottom and finally Heiress Fleur Isabelle Delacour of House Delacour of Gaul" her tone neutral throughout.
Sif smiled greeting all of them "A pleasure to meet all of you" before she started preparing a breakfast plate for herself making a small mountain of food and getting appreciative looks from everyone around her Daphne followed fixing herself a smaller mountain in comparison before digging in.
Neville snorted "Oh yeah you guys will fit right in" gaining smiles and chuckles from everyone. After that breakfast was as normal as it could be with all the awkwardness with two new members of the house.
Following the breakfast Gryffindors and Slytherins had Charms, as they were moving towards the classroom Daphne was shielded by her friends. She walked beside Harry with a firm hold on his sleeve robe with Hermione on her other side while Neville made up the rearguard.
Though none of the Slytherins said a word or created a scene the looks on their faces were enough to get Harry's blood boil in anger but a strong pull on his sleeve made him turn to look at the blonde who softly shook her head, he relented for now but internally made a vow similar to one which his sister made minutes earlier.
The classes for the rest of the day went smoothly with the Slytherin house put under the microscope because of the recent events. All the members stayed cautious not to draw any attention to themselves.
At the end of the day, they led her up the moving staircase showing her the shortest path. Upon reaching the final landing she whistled "That's a lot of steps and things to remember"
"Don't worry, you will get used to it" Hermione said rubbing her back.
Harry snorted "Are you sure, Nev still trips on that vanishing staircase every single time" making the bushy-haired witch chuckle while the boy in question simply blushed and decked him on the shoulder lightly.
He turned to the portrait of Fat Lady saying "Fairy Lights!" with lady smiled accepting the password and allowing them entry to the common room. As they entered all the eyes were on them but none of them uttered a single word as they were warned by the Quidditch team unknown to Harry.
All four of them settled on the couch to remove their book satchels and relax before Neville asked "So any progress with the egg?"
Champion groaned "Thanks for reminding me about that Nev, I forgot about that" throwing his head back against the couch in frustration.
Daphne wasn't all that comfortable to take part in the conversation as such opted to listen and observe as Hermione nodded "Yeah, it still screeches every time it is opened" looking equally frustrated as her brother.
"Hey, can't blame a bloke for being curious about his friend" Neville teased with a smirk earning him a cushion on his face. After that the night wound down rather quickly as they got to do their assignments for the day.
It became apparent why Hermione got along with Daphne, both were geniuses as they completed their work before, boys helping them with the tail end of theirs. Soon after they decided to retire for the day.
Harry watched as Daphne stood up softly saying "Umm… goodnight Harry"
"Good night Daphne," he said with a small smile on his face. Things were still very awkward between them but he hoped that with time they would be better. His primary concern was that she could get enough rest without needing a dreamless sleep potion.
Hermione who could read his worried expression asked "Don't worry if anything happens, I will get you. Professor McGonagall told me how to deactivate the wards on the stairs so you can come should she need you"
He nodded "Thanks Mione, you take care too okay no more late-night reading" his shoulders sagging in relief.
She nodded "I will and the same goes for you, good night Har" giving him a goodnight hug before leaving with Daphne while he left with Neville making their way up to the boy's dorm to get some rest themselves.
After changing in his night clothes, he sighed letting all his tension flow out of him his head hitting the pillow and soon was lost in the realm of Morpheus. But it didn't last long as in the middle of the night he found himself shaken awoke by Hermione "… arry, Wake Up!"
"Ugh! 'Mione? What is it?" he asked groggily half asleep putting his glasses on to see his sister standing there panicked with her hair looking like a bird nest, his sleep-addled mind caught up as "Daphne?" getting a nod he ran out and down the stairs to the common room reaching the girls dorms and waiting only a second as Hermione was on his heels and deactivated the security ward on the stairs.
They dash up to the fourth floor of the girls' Dorms where the Parvati, Lavender, and Sally Anne Perks were up along with Angelina, the prefect all of them trying to calm Daphne who wailing hysterically. He ran past everyone towards her bed which was beside Hermione and Parvati.
She was curled up in the bed with tears streaming down her cheeks her body trembling like a leaf. He carefully sat on the bed calling "Daphne?" there was no reply from the trembling girl so he tried once again "Daphne?"
"Harry?" she looked up her eyes red and puffy, through her bleary vision she spotted him and quickly lunged at him hugging him and wailing in a broken voice "He is coming for me! He was there, he tried to force himself on me! I couldn't do anything, he tied me up and… and… you weren't there! You didn't come! He was mocking me, he was insulting me, he was threatening Hermione! I… I ..." She
He scooped her up in his arms getting comfortable with his back against the headboard as he rubbed her back "It's okay Daphne, he isn't here, I am. Nothing will happen to you, I am here, shhhh"
"You don't get it! He failed once but he will come after me again! I can feel his gaze on me, his hands on me…" she wailed curling more and more into his chest sitting in his lap.
He caressed her head by gently rocking her back and forth saying "I am here Daphne, I won't let him get anywhere near you! I will protect you, Always" his magic thrumming as he knew who it was she was referring to and the clock was ticking for that scum to pay his penance. It is clear to him that Malfoy was part of the group but somehow escaped him in the fight, something he will rectify when the time comes.
After almost twenty minutes of him cuddling her minutes, Daphne who had an iron grip around him slurred her words asking "Always?"
He nodded sighing "Always" kissing the crown of her head as she fell asleep.
When he tried to free himself from her hold and get up Angelina stopped him "It's okay, Harry, Professor, and Matron warned me about this shortly after she was sorted, you have my permission to sleep here whenever she needs you, any objections?" looking at other three girls who shook their heads.
He smiled whispering "Thanks Angie, you are the best" with a smile before he settled down holding the girl close to his chest. His mind started wandering about the events of the last few days and found that he finally had a moment to himself.
Things have been snowballing since before Christmas, with him starting a relationship with Fleur, going home for the first time learning about the contracts, talking to Andromeda and Dora about all of it, meeting Susan and Amelia, getting to know them, getting closer to all of them.
Telling Apolline and Fleur about all of that, the amount of relief he felt in the moment when she made him understand that she was okay with all of it, was indescribable. He still remembered feeling lighter than air.
Back at school not even for a whole day he found two new additions to his large family. One was a Viking princess, her aunt while another one was from the house he hated with a passion. Then there was his other fiancee who was locked up in Azkaban for the crimes she didn't consciously commit.
On top of that, he still had tournament hanging for his head along with whatever comes up when his full inheritance is reviewed and audited by the end of this summer. Turns out his lineage was very extensive.
'My life is a bloody roller coaster!' with that last thought he closed his eyes letting himself lost in the realm of Morpheus.
Next Morning, Great Hall
It was early when his emerald eyes opened, bloodshot after a measly four hours of sleep, he looked down only to find that Daphne was still tucked in his shoulder and his hand around her resting on her waist. He sighed relishing in the warmth of her body and the comforter.
The cup of Coffee in his hand felt like a miracle of magic sent to cure his headache, Harry felt the caffeine working its magic as he closed his eyes and savored the moment.
His mind replayed the last night over and over again, every single time his anger and hate for a certain blond-haired scum increased a level. It was taking everything in him to not march down to the Slytherin common house and make him experience every kind of pain that exists, along with inventing some new one to make an example out of him.
Looking around he found that it was early in the morning as there were only seventh-year students mostly Ravenclaw, a few Hufflepuffs, and Slytherins with him being the only Gryffindors. He spotted Tracey sitting with her new friend, a third-year student with short dirty blond hair and a dreamy expression.
He made his way over there to check up on her "Morning Tracey"
The brunette gave him a small smile asking "Morning Harry, please have a seat" As he took the seat across them she continued "This is my friend Luna Lovegood" gesturing towards the younger girl beside her.
"Hello Ms. Lovegood a pleasure to meet you" he greeted the younger girl politely but when she simply stared at him he turned to Tracey who simply smiled at him going back to her breakfast.
That is when Luna spoke up "You have a nest of Wrackspruts around your head"
He blinked twice asking in confusion "Wrackspruts?"
"Oh! They are magical creatures that enter your brain through your ears and make you confused. They are very common, almost everyone has them but none have them more than you, Harry Potter" in an airy voice before going back to eating her pudding.
He looked at the girl for a minute before turning back to Tracey asking "Are you doing okay?" in a soft tender voice.
She sighed nodding "I am… fine… ish, don't get over things like that" taking a bite of her toast before asking "How is Daphne?" her worry for her best friend reflected clearly in her eyes.
He shook his head asking "Not that well, she had a nightmare last night, it was ugly I spent the night with her to keep her calm, helping her sleep" he sighed before finally asking the question that had been bugging him since he woke up "Tracey, is there more to what happened…" he shook his head rephrasing is "… how long has Draco been harassing Daphne?"
"Her whole life! Every social event, occasion, or ball he would isolate her try to talk to her, and brag that he was going to be her husband! He made sure that she didn't have any friends" Tracey replied with hatred and venom in her voice.
She added "Susan and Neville were the only ones to stand up to him when they saw it happening but by then damage was done. Let me tell you she could have killed him any time she wanted but didn't out of fear for what would have happened to her family and endured in silence. When it came time for her to come to Hogwarts she crafted her ice queen persona to battle Draco's presence"
"That's when I met her, it took time to break her wall but I got through and we have been inseparable since then. The pounce turned his attention onto you, leaving her alone in peace. Until she helped your friends on the train and well…" she trailed off.
He nodded understanding that what happened was the culmination of Draco's threats, his hands curled into fists in anger before saying with a small smile "Thank you… I will see you later, I will go and check on her" as he stood up.
"But what about your breakfast?" Luna voiced eating the last of her pudding and putting it down as turned to walk away.
Without looking back he answered "I am not hungry anymore" as he walked out leaving the Hall. He made his way back up to the common room. It was sparsely populated than than last half an hour with Hermione coming down the stairs, he asked "How is she? Awake yet?"
"Honestly! 'No good morning or How are you 'Mione? Did you sleep well?' straight to asking about your girlfriend! Where are your manners mister?" she chided in the mix of annoyance and cheeriness.
With an apologetic smile he answered "Sorry, let me restart" As he took a deep breath and gave her a sunshine smile "Morning 'Mione, did you sleep well?"
She chuckled "Morning brother of mine and yes I did sleep well, she was it too hard" but seeing his anxious expressions she relented "Now, Daphne is sleeping but if her reaction last night was any indication you will be needed there by her side when she wakes up" as she quickly disabled the protection ward on the entrance to the girls' dorm "Don't worry girls are out already, I was the last one"
"Thanks, Mione" as he climbed the stairs and made his way to the fourth-year dorm. He stopped at the door taking a deep breath before entering. He looked around the empty room with only Daphne sleeping in her bed, quietly he stepped back out calling "Dobby!"
With pop "Great Harry Potter sir called Dobby!? Dobby be's very happy! How can Dobby help Great Harry Potter sir?" the excited elf asked jumping from feet to feet.
He smiled saying "It's good to see you too Dobby, can you get him some breakfast for my friend Daphne"
The elf bobbed his head vigorously "Yes! I's be bringing breakfast for Great Harry Potter's friend!" and vanished with a pop.
Harry went back, taking a seat on Daphne's bed, and as if she could sense his presence she turned snuggling closer to his side. He smiled putting his arm around her, letting out a relaxed sigh. Just as he was getting drowsy he felt the girl in his arm stir.
He looked down just as her electric blue eyes opened, he smiled saying "Good Morning Daphne"
The girl in his arms blinked the sleepy haze away but confusion remained but only for a minute as the the events of last night came back to her and slowly but surely her face went from pale to a deep shade of red as she whispered "Go..o… o… d Morning" avert her eyes and not making eye contact. She felt his arm around her waist, loving the warmth and the feeling of safety it provided her not that she would be confessing it to him anytime soon.
Just then a large tray with cloche appeared on the side table surprising her, she turned back to him "Did you…"
He gave her a bashful smile asking "Yeah, I thought that you might be hungry and might not be feeling up to going down to the great hall, so I asked my house elf friend to bring your breakfast here" as he released her and stood up, making his way around lifting the cloche and whistled "And as usual he overdid it"
She looked at the elaborate spread that was placed in front of her asking with a small smile "You have a House Elf friend?" as she picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.
"Yeah, met him in the summer after the first year," he said skillfully avoiding bringing up the topic of Malfoy as he took a seat across from her.
She snorted "Only you Potter" before placing her cup down "I am sorry for bothering you last night, for all the commotion I caused in the middle of the night"
He shook his head "It's okay, Min… Professor Mcgonagall thought about this happening and arranged so that if you ever need me, I will be here for you. No one is going to hold it against you"
She looked at him for a minute before nodding and after a minute of silence, she said "It's different around her, more cozier and warmer compared to the dungeon which was always cold, damp, dark, and gloomy. The cold didn't bother me but never felt this comfortable.
People are nicer too, in Slytherin no one did anything for anyone without there being a hidden price. Favors and debts are where the way of life down there, no friendships only alliances" taking a bite of her toast with some cranberry jam on it.
He gave her a sad smile saying "It must get very lonely down there" empathizing with her before adding "But you had Tracey and still do but you also have Hermione, Susan, Hannah, Twins, Neville, Sif, Fleur, Amelia, Andi, Dora, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Ingrid, our other friends and of course myself. In short, you will never find yourself short of friends"
"I hope that's true cause I noticed some not-too-happy faces when I walked through the common room last night," she said taking another bite of her jam toast and getting some of it on the corner of her mouth.
"Yeah, stupid house rivalry" he sighed with a frown on his face adding "But don't worry some of them will get over it, the other half," he said taking her hand into his and looking into her eyes ending "that is stubborn and insist of sticking to this stupid notion, well they can just bugger off"
She chuckled "Had me there for a moment Harry" but suddenly felt his thumb on the corner of her mouth and stiffened like a wood, but relaxed seeing that he was wiping a bit of jam but when he sucked on it to clean his thumb, it was like they were kissing and that line of thought made her face turn resemble a very ripe red tomato.
Noticing this he asked "You okay? You are looking a little red"
She coughed a little saying "I am fine… don't worry" quickly hiding her face behind the the teacup. Just then she heard a grumbling sound watching as her future husband's cheeks got a dusting of pink, she deduced what was happening and asked "You haven't had your breakfast have you?"
"No I just, I went down to get some coffee but I was worried about you waking up and I wasn't here so I…" he flustered an answer scratching the back of his head.
She shook her head swearing "Odin help me! You Heimskulegt man! Why aren't you eating with me? There is clearly more than enough for both of us" Before he could answer she stopped him "No! No more talking until we are finished with our breakfast, understand?"
Getting a nod she started making him a plate on autopilot still fuming and thinking 'Stupid man not taking care of himself! Honestly, I am getting why Hermione was always complaining about him!' passing him a plate along with a glass of orange juice.
Looking down at his plate he found that it had everything he usually eats he opened his mouth to ask questions but a fierce glare from his fiancee shut him down and they ate their breakfasts silently. Once they were finished and their plates disappeared he asked "How did you know what I liked to eat for breakfast and liked to have orange juice with it?"
She huffed folding her hands and answering "Don't flatter yourself, it's not like was stocking you!" she said looking away from him and trying to hide the blush on it.
"I never implied that you were stocking me and you haven't answered me yet," he said with a lopsided grin on his face enjoying teasing her, it was as close to normal as they could get.
She huffed once again her cheeks turning redder as she took a second to come up with an excuse and huffed "Hermione told me! In one of our study sessions, yes that's it!" her eyes shone as she came up with a perfect retort.
He gave her an understanding nod accepting the explanation at face value standing up and saying "I will wait for you down in the common room we have Transfiguration after which we have a free period after I figured we use it to visit Sif to check up on her and talk about our situation at length as there has been a change in it" receiving a nod from her he took his leave.
Down in the common room, he made his way to the couch where Hermione was asking "How is she?"
"She is better, we had some breakfast in bed and she is getting ready now, let's just hope we make it in time for class to start, later we are going to meet with others and Sif as we have some matters to talk about" he answered settling down beside her as his mind went to Minerva and how it's been some time since he had some time with her, he missed her so much over holidays. Now that he is free, relatively speaking, will rectify that.
Hermione nodded sighing "So any chance you freed up a slot in your schedule for… hmm… I don't know… maybe figuring out the clue about the next task?" with a sharp look on her face.
"Oh Bloody hell!" he groaned throwing his head back with his hand over the face coming down as he commented "I have been so busy since I came back, I forgot about the tournament!" he sighed turning back to his sister "Thanks 'Mione, for reminding me"
"You welcome, oh dear brother of mine!" she answered dryly before adding "Now how about we work on that tomorrow, I have an idea what the shrieking could be and if I am right, I really hope I do not well let just say Fleur is going to need all the luck in the world and for you, maybe a miracle will do"
He smirked "That's great! Cause I am a Miracle Worker, if the last three years are any indications" getting him a cushion on the face from a very annoyed Hermione. He chuckled scooting closer taking the worried girl in a sideways hug saying "Don't worry about it 'Mione, I wasn't making light of the things only trying to cheer you up. We will get through it don't worry"
She sighed resting her head on his shoulder "You better, you git! If you die on me I will resurrect you just so I can kill you once again"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare 'cause you might just be first in a long line of women and I don't look forward to being brought back again again. So I promise both me and Fleur will survive whatever this next task is, I will make sure of it" He reassured her both sharing a smile.
Hearing the sounds of steps they turned looking in the direction of the girls' dorm where Daphne was descending. He smiled "Ready?"
She nodded before turning to her friend and greeting "Good Morning Hermione, I am sorry for the commotion last night"
"It's okay I am sure Harry told you but none of us mind it, now we must hurry or we will be late for the Transfiguration" the bushy-haired witch commented and three of them left with a small hopeful smile adorning Daphne's face.
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