Chapter 12: Maybe after detention

The Great Hall buzzed with its usual evening chatter as students filed in for dinner, but the Gryffindor table grew noticeably quieter when Harry and Daphne entered together. Ron, seated across from Hermione, frowned as he spotted them approaching.

"About time," Ron muttered under his breath as Harry slid into the seat beside him, Daphne taking the one next to Hermione.

"Lost track of time," Harry said simply, grabbing a plate.

Ron snorted. "More like you were off learning secret Slytherin hexes."

Daphne raised an eyebrow, her voice smooth as ever. "If I were teaching him secret hexes, Weasley, I'd make sure they were useful enough to stop you from talking nonsense."

Hermione, already cutting into her roasted chicken, nudged Ron sharply. "Enough, Ron. You promised to give her a chance."

"I'm giving her a chance!" Ron protested, his ears reddening. "Doesn't mean I'm not watching her."

Daphne smirked at him before turning to her own plate. "By all means, do. I'm sure it will be riveting."

The tension hung for a moment, but Hermione steered the conversation. "So, what were you two up to? You missed your afternoon shift."

Harry glanced at Daphne briefly, silently agreeing to keep the details vague. "Practicing some spells," he said casually.

"Practicing, huh?" Ron said, stabbing his potatoes with more force than necessary. "You've been doing that a lot lately."

"Something wrong with wanting to get better at magic, Ron?" Harry's tone was sharp, his green eyes flashing.

Hermione, sensing the brewing argument, cut in again. "Well, at least you're taking things seriously. Honestly, it's about time you put some focus into your studies. If only you'd apply that to your homework too."

"Maybe after detention," Harry muttered.

"Right," Hermione said, sighing. "Speaking of detention, what exactly happened to land you there again?"

Harry hesitated, but Daphne spoke up smoothly. "Malfoy caught us outside Hagrid's after curfew. That's all there is to it. I would have expected you to remeber that Granger."

Ron scowled. "Of course, he did. Slimy git. Bet he's thrilled to be dragging you both down with him tonight."

The table fell into an uneasy silence, punctuated by the occasional scrape of forks and knives. Across the Hall, the Slytherin table was anything but quiet. Malfoy's laughter echoed occasionally, but what was more noticeable were the glances and whispers directed at Daphne.

It wasn't long before Snape himself appeared, his robes billowing as he swept through the Hall, heading for the staff table. His black eyes flicked toward the Gryffindor table, narrowing when they landed on Daphne.

He stopped just behind Harry and Daphne, his voice low and dripping with disdain. "Miss Greengrass, I'm surprised to see you dining here again. I would have thought you'd remember where you belong."

Daphne didn't flinch, though her jaw tightened. "I'm perfectly aware of where I belong, Professor," she replied, her tone icy but measured.

Snape's gaze shifted briefly to Harry, his lip curling. "Careful where you tread, Potter. Stray too far into Slytherin affairs, and you may find yourself out of your depth."

Harry met Snape's glare head-on. "Funny, Professor, I was just thinking the same about you."

Snape's expression darkened instantly. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Potter. You'd do well to remember your place. Keep it up and Ill add another detention Mr. Potter."

Harry opened his mouth to retort, but Daphne touched his arm lightly, her subtle shake of the head warning him to let it go.

Snape sneered one last time before sweeping away toward the staff table.

Hermione exhaled a quiet breath of relief, while Ron muttered, "Git."

Daphne's lips quirked into a small, fleeting smile. "You didn't have to do that, Harry."

"Yes, I did," Harry said simply. "If he's going to have a go at you, he'll have to get through me first. Any way the greasy haired git deserves it."

The words lingered in the air, drawing an unreadable look from Daphne before she turned back to her plate.

"Well," Hermione said briskly, breaking the silence, "we should probably head to the common room before we get detention as well. We've still got homework to finish."

Ron groaned. "Seriously? You want to do homework on a Saturday night?"

"You're free to fail your classes, Ron," Hermione said sharply.

"I'm not failing—yet," Ron grumbled, but he didn't argue further.

"Good luck with detention," Hermione added, looking at Harry and Daphne. "And try not to let Malfoy get under your skin."

"Don't worry," Harry said with a small grin. "He'll get what's coming to him. Who knows maybe detention wont be so bad."

Daphne smirked faintly, but the anticipation of the evening ahead kept her quiet as they finished their meal. By the time the clock neared eight, Harry and Daphne made their way toward the main entrance, ready to face whatever detention had in store.