Harry Potter: The Rise Chapter 26: New Beginnings, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter 26 : New Beginnings

I do not own Harry Potter

Author's Notes :

1) Yes, I changed Neville's wand core. After all, what is fanfiction, if not a little liberty?

2) Wow, judging by the reviews, not many Ron fans amongst the readers, are there?

3) A little bit of fluff and feel-good moments after some angsty story-telling

4) For all those reading on the promise of reading some Haphne, thank you for your patience. We're now at a point where that angle can distinctly start developing. Only took me 120k words xD. I hope I can make all the setup and story so far lead to a worthwhile payoff.

4a) But I will say one thing for sure, we're going to see a fresh (at least to my knowledge) take on Harry/Daphne, and I'll be sure to give them plenty of screentime together.

5) Is wronger a word? If not, I definitely think it should be

"This very rare wand wood creates a wand of strange power, most highly prized by the wizarding students of the school of Mahoutokoro in Japan, where those who own cherry wands have special prestige. The Western wand-purchaser should dispel from their minds any notion that the pink blossom of the living tree makes for a frivolous or merely ornamental wand, for cherry wood often makes a wand that possesses truly lethal power, whatever the core" enunciated Lynn Harper, wandmaker from Gandalf's wands

"And what about his core, dragon heartstring?"

"That's probably the best part, for if cherry is teamed with dragon heartstring, the wand ought never to be teamed with a wizard without exceptional self-control and strength of mind"

"Well no problem there, Neville's one of the strongest people I know" proclaimed Harry

"S-shut up, H-Harry, you know-"

"-It's true. Everything that's happened to you, yet you aren't bitter" Harry stated matter-of-factly "Far from it, you're one of the most gentle and benign people I know"

Neville blushed at the praise and gave the emerald-eyed boy a grateful smile

"He doesn't give himself nearly enough credit, Lynn"

"Now that's just pot calling the kettle black!"

Dora watched the entire proceedings from nearby, with a small smile and bucketloads of pride, an emotion mimicked by the Transfiguration mistress whose office they were in.

Small acts of kindness really went a long way in helping someone; already the perpetual despondence in the Gryffindor's voice seemed to be withering away.

With all the formalities observed, Lynn flooed away, and the three left McGonagall's office, who insisted on handing Harry a large bar of Honeydukes chocolate.

RIIIIIIIIIINNNG!

"Wanna head to Arithmancy together?" Neville asked tentatively

Harry realized what Neville was trying. In fact, he'd tried in the past, but he'd never taken much note of his efforts.

This was something the raven-haired boy had come to realize too, so when Neville made an obvious attempt to try and deepen their acquaintance, he knew instantly what his response would be, for he too was keen on becoming better friends with one of the nicest people in the school.

"Sure, Neville... to new beginnings?" he proposed extending his arm

"To new beginnings" the blue-eyed boy replied, accepting the handshake with a broad grin.

A couple of days later

"Alright Nev, you've been practicing hard, now try it on me, come on!"

"Y-You?!" spluttered Neville

It was his first practice with Harry and the rest of their little tryouts group. The announcement of his induction had been met with mixed responses.

Tracey had welcomed him chirpily

Ron, already unhappy over the additions of two 'snakes', had scowled pretty visibly, which hurt him a little, if he was being honest.

Hermione had simply looked worried, probably because of the gap between their capability. This reaction was much more reasonable, after all she was yet to see him do anything substantial with his new wand. The pressure of needing to prove himself in front of her made him squirm inwardly, but he was put a little at ease when he glanced back towards Harry.

The kind and encouraging look he gave him was reassuring.

Ever since the first year, he felt more bold, more self-assured with the emerald-eyed boy. He still recalled him retorting at Malfoy during that Quidditch match. Sure, he'd come off the worse of the two in that fight, but he'd stood up for himself.

For the first time since he could remember, he'd stood up for himself.

With Harry, he was brave.

With Harry, he was more than Heir Longbottom or Augusta's grandson.

He was himself.

"Alright, I-I'll give it a go. Ok, h-here goes, Expelliarmus!"

A red beam shot out of his new cherry wand, galloping towards where Harry has stood, extending his arm.

The result was exactly what BOTH knew would happen.

Instead of merely getting disarmed, Harry was launched several feet back and collided shoulder-first into the invisible arena wall, landing painfully on the same arm.

"Oh Merlin, Harry!" Neville shouted after giving an involuntary flinch at Harry's audible grunt of pain.

"I-I'm good, I'm good!" he shouted back "By Morgana that was bloody brilliant mate!" he commended, clutching his shoulder

"Well, power is certainly not an issue, you just need to get used to your new wand!" the only noir-head of the group reckoned.

Neville smiled gratefully, but not just at the plaudit. Harry, having already practiced with Neville before their group session began, was more than aware of the haphazard power he'd been giving to spells.

The only reason he'd asked him to use the spell to be used on himself was to give the blonde boy some legitimacy in front of the rest.

They knew only the underperforming, unassuming and out of his depth Gryffindor. This little show would go a long way in changing that.

It was a step towards Neville gaining their respect, and be treated as an equal during their practice.

'I'll remember this Harry, always... thank you so much'

"Goodness Neville, be careful! What if he'd landed on his head or something?!" chided Hermione, looking at her friend concernedly

"Its alright, 'Mione! He's got a new wand, and really, I'm fine!" Harry hurriedly reassured, getting back up

'Come on, Hermione! I get you're worried about me, but the last thing he needs right now is someone putting him down!'

"Potter, let me take a look at that" extended Daphne, walking over to him

"You know healing spells?" he asked as the Slytherin cast a numbing charm

"Some. I healed a cut on Astoria after my first year. Mother said I seemed to have an affinity for healing magic, so I've read up on it"

"Healing, huh? That's great, I think mine's more in the, uh..."

"Destruction category?" the blonde offered with a laugh, as she waved her wand over his shoulder and began working on the minor bruising "Well with your CONCERNING prowess at fire spells..."

"Sounds about right, Babbling does say I'm great at dismantling runes"

"Umm, Potter?" she asked in an abrupt change of tone from playful to serious

"What?"

"I...I was wondering if we could talk?"

"Ok, go on" he answered with a raised eyebrow

"No...um, alone, if possible?"

Harry shot her an intrigued look.

"...Sure, hang back after practice?" he proposed, receiving a discreet nod in return

"There, that's you fixed up" she verbalized neutrally

Harry mumbled a thanks and went to Neville to help him control his spells better, while the rest began practicing on stunners

"What's up, Greengrass?" asked Harry, folding his arms and leaning against the wall

"I uh, I believe I owe you an apology" she replied somewhat sheepishly, biting her lip.

"Okayyyy?" drawled the boy confusedly "And why?"

"Why?" she repeated "Well I've been one frigid bitch, haven't I?" she exasperated

"Oh" he responded eloquently "well I wouldn't, um, say, THAT but, uh,... yeah" 'Way to go, hero!'

He facepalmed inwardly, before the both of them burst out in laughter.

"Wow Potter, call it like you see it, huh?" Daphne laughed as she wiped her eyes "But really Potter, I really had misjudged you" she added in an apologetic tone

Harry tiled his head slight sideways "Really? And what did you used to think?" he asked interestedly

"Everything our resident ferret accused you to be - Arrogant, unskilled, entitled. Then there was lack of nobility etiquette, sure at the start it was excusable, but then weeks and months passed by, and you remained aloof. I, and a few others for that matter, were a bit offended by this. Then there are your friends. Even now, Granger acts as if she's your secretary, and honestly that's just annoying. Weasel follows you like a bad smell, sometimes literally"

Harry chortled at that.

"Come on, you've seen how he eats and everything. Tell me he doesn't have questionable hygiene?!"

"There's nothing questionable about it" Harry replied with a straight face, and once again both laughed heartily.

"But seriously" Daphne shifted gears "Though I suppose that's also thanks in part to Malfoy, you were just SO unapproachable. Then, the year ends and Dumbledore awards you with the exact amount of points to award you the House Cup. AND YES, I get accusations of favoritism don't really sound fitting considering our Head of House, but hey, I was 12, ok?!"

"Anyways, I was just incredibly prejudiced towards what kind of person you were... and when we started interacting towards the end of last year, those preconceived notions spilled over, and they blinded me towards who you really were"

"Hence... well, you"

"Right" affirmed the Slytherin "I've been uncooperative and mistrustful for no good reason, and for that I would like to say I'm sorry" she concluded sincerely

"Don't worry about it" Harry waved his hand "You've had to deal with self-serving jerks like Lucius Malfoy and whatnot, of course you were going to be slow to trust someone... we're all products of our experiences, yours made you apprehensive" he shrugged simply

A few months ago she would have called him naïve, but now, now she called him exactly what he was - understanding.

"I have to ask though, what changed your mind?"

"So many things. First, there was you helping my sister, a complete stranger, while asking for nothing in return. You could have hung that over my father's neck and gotten him to sign off on practically anything. But no, where the rest of the world was seeing the incentives they could ask for in return of their help, you saw what was truly at stake - a little girl's life. And you acted purely on principle, without any ulterior motives or hidden , you acted just out of your conscience."

"It was no big dea-"

"Yes it was, at least to us. To my mother who saw her daughter collapse in front of her eyes. To my father who spent years chasing lead after lead in hopes for a cure. To me, who doesn't even remember a time when Astoria wasn't there with her. And lastly, to the person who was staring at a painful death... to us it wasn't just a 'big deal', it meant the world."

Daphne smiled genially at him, a gesture he returned. A silence ensured, eventually broken by the Gryffindor.

"But that's not why you're here today, is it?" Harry stated simply

"No" acknowledged the sapphire-eyed girl "Or at least not only. In a completely non-related event, you joined hands with my father. I read this completely wrong, deluding myself into believing you would lord it over him in the future, even if deep down I knew you had no intentions to ever reveal you were the one who sent us that cure... But recently, it has become painfully obvious that I couldn't have been any wronger. That day when we dueled, you beat me without as much as breaking a sweat. Yet, you were modest in your victory, not even remotely arrogant. But after today, I were to still stubbornly hold on to my beliefs about you, then I would be nothing but blind"

"Today?"

"Yes, today. You think you're the only one who knew Longbottom would launch you?" Daphne gave him a knowing look "The entire school was aware of his... struggles" she wavered "Yet, you were the only one who made an effort to help him. Once again, you showed your exemplary character... Arrogant? Conceited? What rubbish! You're a good person Potter... and I'm glad I got to know you" she finished warmly

"Thanks, Greengra-"

"Daphne" the namesake interrupted "My friends call me Daphne... you're certainly one of them, and I hope I'm one of yours"

"Well my friends call me Harry... Daphne" the name rolled off of his tongue seamlessly.

"That works, Harry."

"So" exhaled Harry "... what's next?" he asked in genuine puzzlement

"Well... what do friends normally do?"

Harry hummed in thought, idling with the Peverell ring he'd started wearing of late, the Resurrection stone safely tucked inside the now good-as-new ring. Who new Sirius Black of all people was good at fixing things?

"I know!" he exclaimed "It's a Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow, how about you join us!"

Immediately he cringed inwardly. Was that a leap too far? He felt his face heating up as he eyed Daphne, her expression not entirely encouraging

"That sounds great" she began half-heartedly "But-"

"Yeah, you're in Slytherin with the Death Eaters' kids" Harry guessed, relaxing inwardly at not having to face the embarrassment of not being told 'no' directly

"What? Merlin, no!" objected Daphne

"Huh?"

"Of course I can deal with that, I already do; Neutral, remember?!"

"Then why not?" he blurted out involuntarily, immediately groaning to himself 'Great, couldn't just let her let me off easy, could I?'

"Granger and Weasley!" Daphne answered, who, in a bit of symmetry, would also much rather have NOT said what she just had 'Lovely, now he'll think I'm trying to distance him from his friends, and then question my apology entirely' she facepalmed inwardly

"Oh" Harry sighed in relief, dodging the proverbial bullet once more. "I guess that makes sense" he snickered

"Yes, can't imagine THAT being a nice day out"

"Yeah, it's probably not going to be a 'nice day out' for me anyways"

"Anyways? Why?" Daphne inquired out of sheer curiosity

"I can see it already" Harry began, though this one seemed as much to himself as to her "One will say let's go to the bookstore, one will say let's go to the Quidditch Store, and I'll be stuck in the middle! Again!" he expressed, looking genuinely irritated at having to walk to what was looking like an inevitable fork in the road

Daphne smiled sympathetically at him. She... well Tracey had heard (who'd subsequently told her) about the tension between the two since the start of the year.

"Will if you're sure they'll separate, you could just join us while the other two go off on their own and just meet up later at Rosmerta's or something"

'And now I AM telling him to separate from his friends. How Slytherin!'

But to her surprise, Harry actually responded positively

"That...sounds great, actually. I mean if you're ok with it" he added the last part hastily

"I made the offer, didn't I?"

"Hogsmeade it is, then" he replied with a grin

"It's a plan" the Slytherin affirmed, doing what she'd done a lot today - smiling.

"...To new beginnings, Daphne?"

"To new beginnings, Harry" she said in a soft voice

'Well I'd certainly want that, goodness why was such a simple thing so unnecessarily awkward!' Daphne said to herself.

"Why the bloody hell do you wanna go with the snakes?!"

Harry winced. Mount Ron was close to eruption, evacuate immediately

"Don't shout, Ronald!"

"You stay out of this!"

"You stop yelling!"

"You start minding your own business!"

"Guys!" yelled an infuriated Harry, so loudly that both, Ron and Hermione stopped and turned to him "You know this is exactly why I want to go. The first thing that'll happen when we get there is you both naming two different places and then bickering!"

The two had the decency to look guilty. They'd indeed been forcing their mutual friend to choose more and more as their fallout gradually deepened.

"Look, it's just a couple hours of me hanging out with someone who said they wanted to be friends. Ron, you can check out the Quidditch shop or Honeydukes with Neville, and Hermione, come on, you wouldn't notice if Merlin himself came back from the dead and slapped you in the back of the head while you're in the book store. We can meet up at Rosmerta's later, go to Scrivenshaft's... whatever you want"

"Fine, see you tomorrow" Ron replied shortly, stomping off upstairs

"Harry" Hermione called out in a small voice "Look, I'm sorry, but...ugh! Ronald is being such a jerk about this!" she fumed "All I said was he was wrong about Crookshanks eating Scabbers and maybe he should apologize and now he's somehow started a cold war! He's SO petty!"

Harry shot her an condoling look. Ron really was being very difficult with her.

"For what it's worth, I think you should go" she stated matter-of-factly, making he friend do a double-take

"Yes, Harry, I meant that" the bookworm clarified with a laugh "You and Greengrass look like you gel well, and you deserve a break as much as anyone"

"Thanks Hermione" he added sincerely "Sunday we'll do anything you want, ok?"

"I will hold you to that... wait what about Ron?"

"He didn't react like you did he?" Harry pointed out "He just went off to sulk... Well he can do that for a bit longer"

"You don't have to choose me over him, you know that right?"

"Oh, but I want to" the green-eyed boy retorted, making Hermione do a double take this time. She did not expect him to side with her so openly.

"If he can be pissed off, then so can I. I'm not going to sit still waiting for him to stop acting like a jerk for no reason" he added with distorted brows

"Language, Harry" Hermione reproved lightly, more on instinct than effort, for in her mind she was now getting genuinely worried about things between her two friends. Harry had been slowly getting more and more at loggerheads himself with Ron, and another fallout, this time between the two of them, seemed unavoidable if something didn't change.

However, definitely unavoidable, was a change in the dynamics of all three members of the golden trio.

Even if his interaction was mostly limited to Harry, Neville had started hanging out more with then, and it didn't look like he had plans to split off after the dueling auditions were done.

And now, as much she was apprehensive of them, Greengrass, and by extension, Davis, had also entered the equation.

She wasn't on the best of terms with the pair of Slytherins, but knew she would have to be civil with them, at least in front of Harry.

And while she thoroughly disliked the snobbish, typical pureblood Greengrass, whom she also thought was rather full of herself, Tracey Davis didn't seem half bad.

'Well, that's a start'

She was going to see the two, and probably Neville as well, given how things had been looking for the past couple of days.

She would have loved if things had stayed the same, just the three of them. But then again, change was the only constant of life, or so she'd read.

What was her relationship with the three new people going to be like? What about her fragmenting friendship with Ron? And perhaps most importantly, at least to her, what was going to become of her friendship with Harry?

She needed to be ready, for it had become clear to her that new beginnings were on the horizon.

And that's a wrap!

The scene with the golden trio kind of wrote itself once I finished that excerpt with Harry and Daphne

Thanks for reading, see you next time!