Chapter 1 Big Birds and Kind Words
Daphne Greengrass hated socializing. She never had any charisma of her own, she never needed to. Pansy Parkinson had enough charisma for all the Slytherin girls in her year. All they had to do was go with the flow, finish Hogwarts, and the rest would fall in to place, all by following Pansy.
And Daphne was perfectly content with how things were for a long time. That was until after the fiasco at the school and Ministry, what with the reveal of the Dark Lord and Umbridge's regime, she and the rest of Slytherin house's Inquisitorial Squad became something of a social pariah.
Still worse, she received her O.W.L. results and was disappointed to see that she had only achieved sufficient grades to move up to four N.E.W.T. classes. Daphne wasn't dumb per say, but she definitely didn't apply herself in her studies like the students from the other houses.
Daphne considered further ingratiating herself to Parkinson's band of baddies as a means of hiding away, but instead she decided to run away. She had done herself no favors in hindsight, she had reaped what she'd sewn. So, she withdrew into herself and her studies, only leaving room in her heart for her sister Astoria.
Things only continued to spiral with Professor Dumbledore's death. This ultimately led to Hogwarts under the control of Death Eaters who would show no mercy to those not in their favor. Unfortunately for Daphne, Pansy had let them know how she had unceremoniously left her clique to become an anti-social loser.
Her younger sister was much more adaptable than Daphne and could make friends in wherever she was, so Daphne had begged Astoria to fall in line under Pansy and her gang as a matter of survival. Astoria tearfully relented and abandoned her sister for some semblance of mercy.
Daphne was relieved, but as neither side would welcome her, she had been left stranded and was truly alone.
So when the order came down for the students to evacuate the school, she basically dragged her sister to the Room of Requirement and out the escape tunnel first. Their lives were spared, but it was just another notch against her by the masses as perceived cowardice.
Hours later she had gotten the news that Harry Potter had vanquished the Dark Lord. Death Eaters were being rounded up to await trial and the country was in the process of being stabilized. Daphne couldn't care less about any of that, she was not going to prosper no matter which side had won.
Though if she had to be happy with a victor, she supposed it would be Potter as it was less likely for her or Astoria to be murdered in their homes with Potter's entourage in charge.
December 10, 1999
A year and a half after the end of the war, Daphne had been fortunate enough to find work as a potioneer in a small apothecary in Diagon Alley. It wasn't a terrific job, but it paid the bills and even better, she almost never had to deal with any customers, allowing her to fall into obscurity in wizarding society.
"Greengrass!" called the manager. Daphne made her way towards Mr. Raines' office wondering what she could've done. He almost never calls for her and certainly never before the end of the day. She quietly entered the small office and closed the down even more so.
Her manager, Lawrence Raines, was a brown haired, burly figure who was taller than Daphne while sitting down. That would be quite impressive if she didn't stand at a measly 5'1".
"Please take a seat," he requested. This only further raised Daphne's guard as she was never in here long enough to need to be asked to take a seat. "I just received an owl from your sister asking about whether or not you had gotten around to asking me to take off a little early today on account of you…" he squinted at the parchment "celebrating your birthday," he said.
"Miss Greengrass, I had no idea today was your birthday!" Raines exclaimed in unbridled happiness. "The message says that you were to ask me a week ago to be able to take off early today so you could go celebrate with Astoria," he continued. "Why didn't you mention it sooner? I would've let you take the whole day off!" he finished.
"Oh um, well, you see…" she struggled answering. "I guess it just sort of slipped my mind?" she replied meekly.
This was a lie.
Daphne had received a similar owl from Astoria asking to get out of her flat to celebrate her birthday. As going out meant more than necessary social interaction, she had no intention of asking for the time off. She didn't count on her nosy little sister to actually follow through on her threat by asking her boss if she had requested permission, that little minx.
"Well, no harm done. I don't have need to keep you here for the rest of the day so you're free to get out of here," Mr. Raines said.
"Oh erm, thank you sir. I'll just go ahead and, um, celebrate," Daphne trailed off. Internally Daphne was thinking hard. Maybe she could salvage this by owling Astoria after today saying her work wouldn't let her go.
"Yeah, yeah I'll go with that," she contemplated silently. "Just got to wax seal this…and voila!" Mr. Raines cried. "Here you go Mr. Birdie, please take this to Astoria Greengrass please."
Huh?
Just as Daphne turned back around, she felt a gust of wind almost knock her off her feet as an albatross the size of a golden retriever took off through the window.
That monster wasn't there before. Where did that thing even come from? Where the hell do you even put a bird of such absurd size?
"Wait a second. What was that? What did you just do?" Daphne asked in sequence.
"Oh, I just sent a quick word to your sister letting her know you're free for the rest of the day," replied her manager.
"You WHAT!?" Daphne quietly screamed.
"No need to thank me my dear, I'm just looking out for my employees," answered Mr. Raines.
Daphne opened her mouth not knowing what she was going to say, but as soon as she saw Mr. Raines' sparkling eyes and earnest smile, she deflated and hung her head. "I appreciate it sir," she breathed out. "I'll be going now."
"Have a good rest of your day Daphne!" he called and waved after her.
"Well, so much for spending a quiet day alone. Looks like I don't have much choice but to go home and wait for Astoria to inevitably show up to take me God knows where," Daphne told herself. "It's just one day, I can make it through that."
One hour later
Daphne heard a knock at her door and sighed, it was time to face the music. She opened the door and was immediately smothered by dark brown hair as Astoria pulled her in for a hug.
Astoria was the taller of the two but not by much, only towering her sister at 5'4". She had a slim frame with the face and brown eyes similar to that of a mischievous fox. Whereas Daphne was more petite with long hair the color of light butter and dark blue eyes.
Daphne didn't really care for her hair color all that much, it reminded her too much of the Malfoys.
"Daphne! I'm so happy you were able to take time off for tonight," Astoria said cheerfully. "Yeah, yeah…" she muttered. "What are you even doing here with me when you should be at school revising for N.E.W.T.s?" Daphne asked.
"Oh, come on Daphne, it's Friday and we're both of age! Plus, I'm doing perfectly fine in my classes to where I can spend one day with my sister," Astoria answered. "Besides, what good are special privileges if I don't use them?" she asked with a grin.
Daphne frowned. Ever since the end of the war, Hogwarts and the rest of Magical Britian have been coming up with strategies to help the people heal and recover from the horrors of before.
One of those strategies was to allow the students to request more frequent visits home to their families outside of the holiday periods. The Headmistress didn't want the students to feel trapped in a prison like the year prior. So they weren't really special at all, but good luck trying to convince Astoria that.
Daphne raised her hands in surrender. "Alright Tori, you win. Where is it you want to take out today?" she asked.
"First, we're gonna go out shopping to help out your wardrobe. I can't have my sister going out to celebrate in that!" said Astoria.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing!?" Daphne asked scandalized.
"Daphne, you look like what the muggles imagine finding a witch shouting 'trouble, trouble, cauldron bubble!' in the middle of the woods," replied Astoria. "You're not going to make some potions, you're going to have a little birthday dinner, maybe get a few drinks, and spend the evening with your baby sister who loves you oh so much!" said Astoria.
Daphne looked down at her robes, she had stopped worrying about how she looked ever since she left Pansy's group. She grimaced at the small potion stain at the corner of her sleeve, maybe her sister had a point.
"And besides, is it really so bad for me to want the world to see you as kind and beautiful as I do?" Astoria asked quietly.
Daphne looked up as if she had been slapped. Tori had her arms crossed and was shyly not meeting Daphne's eyes.
Daphne's eyes softened. "This isn't just about my birthday," she reflected to herself. Astoria carried a burden of guilt for abandoning her sister while the Death Eaters were in charge. Daphne never blamed Astoria for it and never would, but it was still hard to shoulder a whole year of being isolated from the one person she cared for in this world.
Both of their parents had passed shortly before Daphne left for Hogwarts. They took refuge at one of their older, more distant relative's homes. They were cared for well enough, but there was never really any love for the girls.
After they both graduate from Hogwarts their caregiver made it clear that they were retiring and leaving the country. It went unspoken but was as clear as if it was shouted from the rooftops that the girls were not going with them. They would be on their own from then on.
Daphne steeled her resolve and gave her sister a warm smile.
"You've made your point, Tori. Where should we go then? Just keep in mind I don't make a whole lot at my job so it can't be anything too fancy," said Daphne.
"Oh Daphne, I'm not asking you to get an outfit for the Ministry Ball. I just want you to wear something a little bit nicer. Madam Malkin's should be just fine," laughed Astoria.
About ten minutes later they arrived at Madam Malkin's ready to pick out an outfit for Daphne. She wasn't quite sure what to look for, but trusted Astoria to find her something charming.
After a few more minutes of browsing Astoria pulled Daphne aside with a bundle in her arms.
"Tada!" cried Astoria. When I found these, I just knew they would look wonderful on you.
Daphne looked at her arms and asked skeptically, "Are you sure about these Tori? It looks distinctly…muggle." Daphne didn't really have any problems with muggles, in fact her very flat was on the outskirts of muggle London to get away from other witches and wizards. She was just so used to robes and had never worn any muggle clothing outside the bare necessities of blending in.
"Oh have faith in me dear sister, I have an eye for these sorts of things," scoffed Astoria. Now get in the dressing room and show me how it looks!"
Daphne emerged from the dressing room not long later to Astoria's glowing smile.
"Take a look in the mirror Daphne. Didn't I tell you I knew what I was doing?"
She turned to assess herself in the mirror and had to admit, Astoria knew what she was doing. The outfit was a very simple white button-down shirt tucked in to a black skirt with Slytherin green trimming along the edge, Since the skirt was a little bit shorter, it didn't make it look like she was wearing a dress due to her being on the shorter side.
Finishing the look off with simple black flats. (There was no way Daphne had the balance for any type of heels).
"I am of the mind that less is more," Astoria proudly stated. It doesn't take much. You were already beautiful to begin with, I just figured it wouldn't hurt to enunciate it a little bit.
Daphne turned to her sister, mouth quivering and eyes brimmed with tears, and gave her a warm smile and even warmer hug. "Thanks Tori," she whispered.
"Of course, sis," she replied. "Now come on, I want to go to muggle London and check out the area where you live," said Astoria. If I'm gonna be graduating in a few months, I may as well scope out the area to know what I'm working with.
"Tori, you know you're welcome to move in with me once you graduate. In fact, it might be more practical," said Daphne.
"If left with no other options, then sure Daphne," answered Astoria. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're not very social," she said impishly.
"What does that have to do with us living together?" Daphne asked puzzled.
"It means that I'm the type of person who likes to spend time with people. Not just going out, but having people over," she said. "Can you imagine having to deal with me and my friends coming over and you having to deal with that? Or worse, I bring a guy over to my room to –"
"Okay stop right there, I get it. Now please, never mention bringing a guy over ever again," Daphne pleaded. Daphne still saw her sister as someone small and innocent to protect, she didn't want to imagine her and someone else…doing that.
"Haha, Daphne you sound so cute and innocent when you're flustered," laughed Astoria. "Now, let's go and take a look at the neighborhood. Forward march!"
After a couple of hours of wandering the area looking at houses, flats, and parks, it was getting close to sundown and eventually time for Astoria to return to Hogwarts.
"I wonder why those muggles were laying on the ground constantly finding ways to contort themselves?" asked Astoria.
"I haven't the slightest idea Tori," Daphne replied just as lost as her sister. Neither witch ever hearing the concept of yoga.
"On to the last thing of the agenda, grab some food and drinks in Hogsmeade before I walk back up to school!" Astoria said excitedly.
"Oh, erm, are you sure that's a good idea Tori? I don't know…" Daphne said unsure. "What if there's people I know there?" Daphne asked. Even though it had been over a year since the end of the war, Daphne was certain there were plenty of people who would still look at her and Astoria with distain if recognized.
"Ah, come on it'll be alright. I can't very well apparate from London after having a couple pints now can I?" asked Astoria.
"Well, no you very well couldn't I guess," Daphne admitted.
"That's the spirit big sis! Now, take my hand so we can get us some good food and butterbeer," Astoria commanded imperiously.
"Ugh, yes my dear sister, queen of all that is holy," she replied sarcastically while grabbing her sister's hand to apparate to Hogsmeade.
Once apparated, Astoria immediately made a b line towards the Three Broomsticks. Daphne immediately felt uneasy when she entered the establishment. It was crowded, almost suffocatingly so. She worried she could sense peoples' eyes on her. Just as Daphne thought she would have a panic attack from enochlophobia, her sister gently pulled her towards an empty table in the back.
"It's alright, there's a table in the back right here," Astoria said not unkindly.
Daphne looked at her sister confused, then back to the crowded restaurant, and then at the empty table. A candle flickering in her head.
"You messaged ahead of time and got a reservation?" Daphne asked numbly. Astoria nodded her head as they both sat down. "I know you don't much care for crowds, or people in general. So I figured this would be a good way to ease in to things," said Astoria.
Daphne furrowed her brow. "Ease in to what things?" she asked slowly.
Before Astoria could answer, Madam Rosmerta arrived at their table. "What can I get you fine ladies this evening?" she asked.
Astoria turned and perked up, "we'll each take the Friday specials and a couple of butterbeers each, Rosmerta."
"You got it Tori, holler if you would like anything else!" "Sure thing, thanks!" Astoria called back. She turned back to her sister with an uncharacteristically serious expression.
"Daphne, I'm worried about you," she said sadly. "You know how I mentioned earlier that if I moved in then you would have a tough time with all the additional people milling about?" asked Astoria. Daphne thought back on the conversation and scowled remembering the unpleasantness of imaging her sister with another man.
Astoria saw Daphne's expression and her mouth twitched as if trying hard not to laugh. "That doesn't mean I want you to be cut off from people. We are social creatures by our very nature, and we do best when we interact with others. We build connections with each other, and in those connections, we find meaning.
Daphne looked back at her sister with anger and annoyance. "What about with Parkinson? I was a part of her posse and look where that got me," she said disdainfully.
"I'm not saying that all connections are positive ones, but they are all important," Astoria countered. "You may sometimes act stupid, but you're not so stupid to think that every group is like that cow Pansy," she emphasized the last word. "We've been dealt a bad hand. You've been dealt a bad hand, but what you're doing isn't living. Don't shut yourself off from what may very well be a beautiful world full of wonderful people," she said passionately.
Daphne just stared at Astoria. She had never heard her sister speak with such fire so seriously. Daphne took a deep breath and exhaled.
"When did you get so smart?" Daphne asked. Astoria smiled shrewdly, "one of us has to be."
Daphne snorted and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, instantly lightening the mood. Just in time for Rosmerta to bring their food and drink. "Enjoy dears, and you look wonderful tonight Daphne" said Rosmerta.
Conversation turned to more casual topics like Astoria's classes and career choices. Slowly throughout the evening, Daphne found that she was actually enjoying herself.
"I'm glad you were able to make it out tonight Daph," Astoria said happily. "I wasn't sure if my message had gotten to Mr. Raines, but when I saw Mr. Birdie's looming shadow, I knew we were in the green," said Astoria.
Daphne chocked on her butterbeer and coughed, "wait, how do you know that monstrosity's name? How did…hold on just a minute, you KNEW I was gonna come up with an excuse afterwards to avoid going out? How?" Daphne exclaimed.
"After you took the job at Vials of Vile, I did a little digging just to make sure nothing was fishy. Eventually I was bold enough to contact Lawrence directly. He was really nice and had good things to say about you. So, we owl each other once or twice a month, mainly talking about you." she said proudly.
"I figured you'd try something to pull one over on me, so I took matters into my own hands and beat you to it. Sorry Daffy, but it'll take a long time before you're to out fox me," she said slyly.
Daphne was so flabbergasted that she couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity sitting in front of her that was her sister. Still in school and doing that? She's going to succeed wherever she winds up.
Eventually Daphne was able to calm down and look back at her sister. "I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard," Daphne said contently. "Thanks Tori."
The door to the Three Broomsticks opened to an even greater noise than the whole pub.
"Aye Rosmerta, mind hookin' us up with a round each?" hollered a man.
All of Daphne's prior cheer evaporated and her veins turned to ice. She knew who this was at once. He was one of the most outspoken people to call her a coward and a snake. Seamus Finnigan, with his cronies McLaggen and Macmillan, oh goodie.
They didn't notice her immediately, but one look at her hair and he recognized her.
"Well gents lookie who we have 'ere, the wannabe Malfoy and her cheerleader," Finnigan said with glee. "I don't appreciate snakes infestin' the pub for good people. You're not welcome 'round ere," he said darkly. He took a few steps toward them. "Oh, and what's this? You comin' round showing up lookin' like a muggle? That's stupid, even for you, Greengrass."
The noise of the pub quieted down just enough for people to pretend to not be listening and watching.
Astoria stood up abruptly, her face contorted in anger and shouted, "we haven't done anything wrong. We have just as much right to be here as anyone else does."
"Oh! Is that right?" Finnigan mocked, turning to look Astoria directly in the face. You're tellin' me that you, a conformist who took the first opportunity to run with their tail between their legs." He turned his head to Daphne. "Or you, a puny coward and a snitch, have the right to be in the presence of those of us fought You Know Who and won?" he asked. "People like you should be locked up so you can' go 'round botherin' descent folk. They should've just done away with you and your house at the end of the bloody war," he mused.
Daphne could only tremble in anger and shame as she looked into the eyes of pure hatred directed right at her.
"Okay we've had enough," Astoria said pulling Daphne to her feet. "Rosmerta, put what I owe under my tab please." Astoria made to leave the pub but a had clasped her arm stopping her.
"We weren't finished talkin', little cheerleader," Finnigan said maliciously.
Daphne only saw red. Even if it hurt her, she would take all of Finnigan's words to the face. He wasn't completely wrong, all except the parts about Astoria. That is what was made her so mad she started trembling. But it wasn't until he laid a hand on her sister that she brought back her fist as far back as she could, ready to beat that ingrate to a pulp.
"Let her go," a voice carried quietly but clearly throughout the pub. The voice was so shocking to Finnigan that he let go of Astoria's arm on reflex.
Everyone in the pub went deadly quiet, not even bothering to pretend to not be watching anymore. It was as if everyone in the building turned as one to stare at where that familiar voice came from.
"Good," he finished.
Daphne gasped, it was none other than the man who defeated the Dark Lord himself, Harry Potter. And he was sitting at the table right next to theirs. "How did nobody notice he was here?" she asked herself silently. "A Notice-Me-Not spell? Glamour? I highly doubt he would waste something so time consuming to make like Polyjuice Potion for something as superfluous as getting a quiet meal.
"Potter?" Finnigan asked. "No one's hardly seen yeh since the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts mate," said Finnigan.
"Well, I don't really get out much," he answered aloofly.
This response only seemed to upset Finnigan.
"Is that all you have to say? You stop visiting yer old pals from the DA and go on hiatus for seven months just to show up to stop me from teaching these Slytherin rats a lesson?" Finnigan asked angrily. "You of all people should want them to burrow in their snake pit and never come out!" he yelled.
He turned away and chuckled, "Even if none of us have seen you we hear things about yeh. Tell me, how have things been goin' with Ginny recently? If the rumors are to be believed, then not so well I reckon," he said smugly.
Potter tensed ever so slightly in his seat. Most probably wouldn't have noticed, but Daphne couldn't miss the signs of shame in his face.
"Why don't you ask your friend McLaggen behind you? It's been his manor where Ginny has been sneaking off to every week before I left her," Potter quietly replied.
They all turned to look at McLaggen, he was looking everywhere except Potter.
Many of the pub's patrons looked at each other in excitement. This has been the greatest gossip regarding the Boy Who Lived since he dropped off the map in May.
"To answer your previous question Seamus, Miss Greengrass is completely correct. They both have just as much a right to eat here are you or me," Potter said simply.
"And even if they didn't," his neutral expression sharpened exponentially, "that still doesn't excuse anyone getting physical or hurting them," he said dangerously.
Potter slowly stood up and pulled out a few gold and silver coins and placed them on the table. "Madam Rosmerta, I'll be taking off now. Thank you again for the lovely meal," he said kindly.
"Of course. You're welcome any time, Harry," she said in equal kindness.
Potter gave her a smile, and turned to stroll out the door.
"Come on Daphne, we're also getting out of here," said Astoria.
As Astoria pulled Daphne along, she could only nod mutely as she had several emotions flow through her at once: from the shock at his sudden appearance, the relief at Astoria being let go, until finally indignation.
"Who does he think he is?" Daphne thought angrily. "Coming in like some sort of white knight protecting us 'weak and defenseless little girls," she seethed.
"Miss Greengrass," Potter called from a few feet away.
Both sisters turned to face him as he beckoned them towards him. "You're not hurt, are you?" he indicated to Astoria.
"Well I wouldn't say I'm badly hurt, but I do have a bruise where that cur grabbed me," showing him her mark.
"Would you allow me to see it? I'm no healer, but I do know a few spells that should remove the bruising," he said reaching for his wand.
Daphne stiffened, clasping her hand around her wand hidden in her pocket. The action didn't go unnoticed by Potter.
"I'm not going to hurt you; all I intend to do is help with the bruise. Is that alright?" he asked looking directly at Daphne.
Astoria gave her verbal consent, but Potter didn't move until Daphne had slowly nodded her head in ascent.
Potter pulled out his wand and got to work. "I should've intervened sooner," he said almost to himself. This finally got Daphne's brain moving enough to finally speak.
"Why did you intervene? Did you want to look good in front of adoring fans?" Daphne asked bitterly.
"Daphne!" said a shocked Astoria.
"No, it wasn't anything like that –," he started.
"Then it was out of pity. You couldn't let the big bad bully pick on the little Slytherin girls, is that it?" she continued angrily.
"Daphne, stop it. I'm sure it wasn't anything like that," Astoria said.
"She's right, it was simply the right thing to do," said Potter.
"If it was the right thing to do then why did you wait to step until he was crushing Astoria's hand!?" Daphne shouted.
It took a moment before Potter decided to answer. "Look, I never wanted to reveal myself in the first place," admitted Potter. "It was because I saw the fire in your eyes that you could handle whatever words Finnigan would throw at you, was I wrong?" he asked.
Daphne mulled the question over. Finnigan's words were hurtful to her and her sister, but she knew she would've kept her cool so long it was just words.
She looked back at Potter and he could see the truth in her eyes. "I didn't assume Finnigan would be so bold as to grab one of you in the middle of the pub in front of everyone. But I guess I should've lowered my expectations," he muttered.
This caused Astoria to break out into a fit of the giggles and Daphne had to stifle a chuckle. Even Potter smirked at the sisters' antics.
"All right, you should be good as new," said Potter.
"Thank you, Potter," Astoria said happily. "Next time I get in a bar fight, I'll be sure to call you up to be my healer," she proclaimed.
This time, Potter really did laugh. "Well, hopefully next time you'll just wallop them without getting a scratch on you. Come on, I'll walk you to the carriages that'll take you back to Hogwarts," he pointed towards the end of the path.
Something in Astoria's brain suddenly clicked into place. Her mind was working into overdrive. She only had less than a minute to come up with a strategy.
She looked towards the carriage, then a Daphne, then at Harry, and finally back to the carriage. Everything had fallen into place just as they had arrived at the carriages.
"Thank you for the escort, Potter," Astoria said sweetly. "But before you go, would you be willing to do me one more small favor?" Astoria asked innocently.
Daphne's eyes narrowed. She wasn't sure what her sister was up to, but she knew that look on her face when she was scheming something.
"Sure, what is it, Miss Greengrass?" Potter asked.
"Well…Daphne and I had a fair amount to drink tonight and I don't feel comfortable with her apparating back home," Astoria lamented. "Especially since it's looking like it's supposed to snow in a little bit," she continued.
"Now, she could take the Knight Bus home, but that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen," she pouted.
And then it finally hit Daphne what her little sister was up to.
"Wait a minute Tori, I can get home just fine if I just use the floo at the Three Broomsticks," Daphne cut in.
It was Potter's turn to chime in. "But aren't Finnigan and his gang still in the pub? Plus, even if then did let you through, which I seriously doubt, do you really want to go through a spinning fireplace after drinking?"
Daphne was turning green just thinking about that prospect.
"Naturally, there's only one logical conclusion; Mr. Potter, would you please be able to escort my sister to her flat this evening?" Astoria asked with puppy dog eyes.
Before Daphne had a chance to refuse, Potter quickly replied: "I don't see any reason why not."
"But –" Daphne started.
"Perfect!" Astoria cut off enthusiastically. "It may be a bit difficult to apparate to directly so how about at a landmark fairly close to her home? Do you know of Pymmes Park?" Astoria asked casually.
In muggle London? Sure, I know of it," Potter answered.
"Sweet, I'll leave my sister in your capable hands then. Hope to see you again soon, Potter," Astoria called as she took off in the carriage as fast as they would take her.
Daphne watched the carriage leave down the path, leaving Potter and herself alone on the path. "I am going to kill that cretin one day, mark my words," she silently plotted.
"Alright, let's get on with it," Daphne announced while sticking her hand out towards Potter.
"What? Oh, right," he replied. He was initially surprised by the hand motion he temporarily forgot what he was supposed to do. But he remembered almost just as quickly. He took hold of her hand, and they both disapparated to Pymmes Park.
The arrived as fast as they had left, but Daphne had to take a few gulps of fresh air.
"Are you all right?" Potter asked in concern.
Yeah…I'm good," Daphne replied. "Side-Along Apparition feels twice as bad while full of food and alcohol," she added.
"Come on, my flat is this way. You're all the way out here, so you may as walk me the rest of the way. I'd rather not get mugged in my current condition," she followed up.
"Makes sense to me," he replied.
They walked in a slightly uncomfortable silence for quite a way before Daphne decided to break the ice. "Thanks for helping patching up Astoria," Daphne said quietly.
"It wasn't anything special, it was just the right thing to do," he answered.
"The right thing to do…" she repeated. It almost sounded rehearsed in her opinion. "That's what you said earlier as well, but I don't believe that's the only reason you did what you did," Daphne said.
Potter looked at her. "Does there really have to be another reason?" asked her.
"Well, I guess not," she answered pragmatically. "But I was looking at your face, and it reminded me of the face I would make and I can't see myself ever doing what is considered 'the right thing to do'. So let's hear it, what else was there, Mr. Hero?" she finished amusedly.
He looked away for a moment before looking back at her. "I had overheard you and your sister's conversation at the pub earlier," he admitted.
That stopped Daphne in her tracks.
"What all did you hear?" she tried to asked casually, but sounded more like a strangled elephant.
"Pretty much the whole thing," Potter replied just as casually as Daphne sounded. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but your sister has got some strong vocal cords, I'm telling you," he defended.
That brought a smile to Daphne's face. "Yeah, Tori's always had more charisma and flexibility than I did," she reminisced.
"So, what part of what we were saying made you want to help?" asked Daphne.
"There were probably a couple reasons, but one really stuck out to me" he replied. "Your sister had mentioned that you were living your life in a way to try and avoid people as best as you can, but that it wasn't living. To hear it in that perspective…it made me feel sad," Potter said.
"Then it really was out of pity!" Daphne said shocked and a little hurt.
"No, not at all!" he stammered. "I felt I could empathize with you quite a bit," he said in a small voice.
Daphne cocked her head to the side. "Empathize? How could you possibly have any inkling of understanding about how I feel?" she asked breathlessly.
"Did you ever wonder why I dropped off the map seven months back?" asked Potter.
"No I didn't," Daphne replied confusedly. "I don't make it a point in my life to keep tabs on the happenings of the savior or the Wizarding World. I hadn't heard about you for a while, had no idea that you were completely out of the limelight until this evening," she said.
THAT stopped Potter in his tracks and brought a smile to his face.
"Oh, that's actually very refreshing to hear," he replied and then frowned, "but that's my point, everybody else is obsessed with everything I do. I can't even go into a bookstore without it making the front page," he said morosely.
"Ah, I bet everything I said tonight will make the Prophet by tomorrow morning," he said grimly.
"Anyways, I'm not given any room to breath and be 'Just Harry'. I'm always the Boy Who Lived, the Man Who Conquered, or whatever else they want me to be," he said quietly. "So, I hid myself away from people, similar to how you currently live."
"But that's just the public right? What about the people in your private life, like Weasley or Granger?" she asked.
He turned to look at her with sad eyes. "For a while they were both supportive of me taking time to enjoy my life freely," he said looking off into a distant memory. "But eventually, Ron wanted me to join up with him in the Auror Corps while Hermione wanted me to use my status to go into to politics to make changes to better Magical Britian," he continued. "Both were coming from a good place I'm sure, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, still don't actually," he added sardonically.
"When I told them I wasn't interested in either of those paths they didn't take it very well. Ron appealed to his family to help me 'come to my senses' after I confronted him about it," Potter added.
Daphne was enthralled and couldn't help but hold on to every word.
"Hermione went to Ginny to try to warm to the idea of politics," he continued. "I think Ginny liked the idea of us being a power couple. If she wasn't so hot blooded with a temper to back it up, I wouldn't have been surprised if she had gone to Slytherin. She's almost as ambitious as her brother Percy," he said.
"She didn't even have to return to Hogwarts for her last year, she got picked up by the Harpies as the second-string chaser. Not long after, she was promoted to a starting position," he said with a ghost of long thought forgotten pride.
"When it became clear to Ginny that I wasn't going to bend the knee, she became disenfranchised with me," said Potter. "She would come home from practices later and later, eventually only living with me a couple days a week."
"That's where McLaggen fell into the picture," answered Daphne.
"Yes," he grimaced. "After finding out about her relationship with him I immediately kicked her to the curb. Naturally, this caused a big fight after she threw a fit to her family," he pressed on.
"I realized what I had thought was true companionship with family and friends was also just another vein of suffocation with people," Potter said icily.
"So, I decided to cut myself off from people entirely," he said matter-of-factly. "And you know the rest," he finished.
Daphne didn't say anything for a while. She got a real good look at Potter's face and reflected on what she had just been shared.
She at least had Astoria to lean on if she really got lonely, but Potter couldn't even do that. This made Daphne feel sad.
"Now who's pitying the other?" she asked herself sarcastically.
"But that wasn't right," she thought. No, she could empathize with him think back to her final year of Hogwarts without her sister's smile to keep her from the darkness.
"I see what you mean by empathy, Potter," she whispered. "I'm sorry for being so…callous before," she said with a small voice.
"Don't mention it Miss Greengrass, I'm totally used to it," he said with a grin.
"Daphne," she corrected.
"What?" he asked.
"Please feel free to call me Daphne," she answered with a smile.
"Oh, then please call me Harry," he answered back.
"Okay, Harry," she was struggling to get used to that since she had only ever referred to him as Potter before.
And just as she thought she was ready to talk some more, they had arrived at her flat.
Daphne had frowned in mild disappointment, she was actually starting to warm up to Potter, "Harry," she corrected herself.
"Ah, so we've arrived then? And not one mugger during the whole trip," he added jokingly. His smile fell.
"I guess this is where we go our separate ways," Harry said strangely.
"Yeah, erm, I guess so," Daphne replied just as strangely.
Just as Daphne was about to close the door, she thought back to her sister's words from earlier that evening. "We build connections with each other, and in those connections, we find meaning. Don't shut yourself off from what may very well be a beautiful world full of wonderful people."
"Harry!" she called back.
"Yes, Daphne?" he answered.
"I had a really nice time talking to you tonight. I feel like I learned a lot," she rambled.
Harry gave her a warm smile, "I enjoyed our talk also. It'd be nice to do it again sometime."
"Exactly!" she stopped, realizing she almost woke the other tenants. "Exactly," she repeated more softly.
"Would you maybe want to come by the park and we can chat a little more?" asked Daphne. "The area of the park close to here hardly has any through traffic," she continued.
"I work Monday through Fridays, but should be free on Sunday, if you'd like?"
She realized her mistake as soon as it left her mouth. "This Sunday?" she scolded herself. "I should've asked for farther out, I don't want to look desperate," she agonized to herself. "Stupid, stupid, stu–"
"I'd love to," Harry replied with a content sigh.
Huh?
Daphne stopped her internal berating of herself and stared at Harry. "Really? I mean, uh great, how's 10 o'clock sound to you?" she asked nervously.
"Sounds good to me, I'll meet you where we apparated to," Harry said happily.
"Okay! Great! Cool, um, sweet, okay," she finished mortified rushing to get inside. But before she could close her door Harry called out to her one more time.
"Daphne?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Happy Birthday."
Although he probably couldn't see it, Daphne still had to briefly turn away to hide the flush she could feel creeping up her face. When her face finally calmed down, she turned back to him with a smile.
"Thanks Harry."
Daphne closed the door to her flat, feeling both giddy and irritated knowing that Astoria was probably in bed knowing she was the cause of this, that little minx.