Chapter 9
Harry leaned on one of the railings of his favorite towers, watching the bundle of lights known as Hogsmeade from a distance.
'So what happens after? What happens when you win?' Blaise's words were pressing, words that wouldn't stop floating into Harry's mind, ones he couldn't wait to try and bury once he went to sleep. There was a war to get through, and 'after' would have to wait. He had to-
The door to the tower creaked open slightly, the aurors must have found him. Harry turned to the look at the door, as a shadowy figure moved cautiously out of the door frame and closer to Harry.
"I'm a prefect, I was just heading back to my dorm," Harry said sternly as he turned away from the rail, "Here is my...Gre-Daphne."
Daphne Greengrass moved closer to him. Harry couldn't help but stare, she looked tired...her eyes were puffy...she had been crying a lot, but there was something in them….something he hadn't noticed before.
"How did you find me?" He asked.
Daphne came closer and leaned on the rails. She stared intently at Hogsmeade for a couple of minutes before reaching into her pocket and pulling out her prefect badge.
"Hermione told me you had come looking for me. Tonight was one of our duty nights, so I pretended to be on duty and looked around, I spent an hour searching. Some aurors said they had last seen you in the area. "
Even now Harry could only think of one question, "Why did you do it?"
Daphne turned back around, examining Harry closely.
"Do what?" Daphne asked.
"Why did you jump in front of that curse...why did you save me?" Harry asked, eagerness in his voice.
"I-I don't know- if anything - you saved me." Daphne said, "Madam Pomfrey told me about how the curse had been made….weaker; enough for her to identify it properly."
"You're alive and that is what matters," Harry said.
Daphne replied with a curt and sardonic laugh, "Alive. "
It was silent for a while as Daphne turned back to the rails. Harry couldn't do anything but watch.
"My mother became ill immediately after the birth of Astoria...a week after I turned four she finally passed, " Daphne began as she looekd out into the distance, "I don't remember much about her, but she wrote both my sister and I letters. It was-
Daphne stopped herself.
- I'm sorry, I'm going off topic. In that curse, she was there preparing me for a wedding. It was surreal to have her back….I could even remember her voice. I was marrying Theodore. Everything felt perfect, and on my way down the aisle, you came and slaughtered everyone I cared about and tortured me. It felt so real, and I still feel so much pain even from something so real. It feels like I got to watch my mother die twice. I got to feel the pain of Theodore dying twice. Funny enough, even without the curse, I'm still living in a perpetual nightmare, " Daphne said as the wind howled around them, Harry didn't have to look at her to know she was crying.
"I-", Harry began.
"I need to know, for my own sake, how you deal with all of this? How do you deal with your parents, the wedding, Ginny Weasley, Sirius black….all of the destruction that surrounds your life? How do you stop it from crushing you? How do you stop it from controlling you?" Daphne asked, there was desperation in her voice.
Harry couldn't say anything as he continued to look over at Hogsmeade.
Daphne tugged his shoulder, making Harry look at her, "How do you deal with it?"
Harry could see it in her blue eyes. The same darkness that enveloped him, the one he had turned into hate, but as he stared, he knew this wasn't about the curse, this was about something else entirely.
"I use it," He said honestly. His guards were gone, he couldn't help but be honest with her, "It's how I get stronger. It's how-
-You ignore it," she finished.
Harry nodded slowly. His thoughts went back to the other Greengrass sister, it all made sense. He hadn't noticed it, but she too was using hate to ignore it. That's why he couldn't help but feel so...similar. They said nothing as they both turned back to the railings, Harry couldn't even tell how much time had passed before the door opened again and auror scolded them for being out pass their own prefect curfew and escorted them back to the dorm.
As they both stepped into the vacant Slytherin's Common area, as Daphne quietly went upstairs, Harry couldn't help but stare. She knew something that Blaise nor Draco could not understand yet, and she wasn't distanced from it like Albus or Aberforth. No, this was recent to her like it was to Harry, and Harry couldn't help but feel intrigued by her.
As Harry turned to look for the secret tunnel back into the chamber, Pansy Parkinson ran into the common room. Her eyes widening in surprise as she came face to face with Harry.
"Potter, what are you doing here? Looking for your next victim?" Pansy sneered as she walked past him, going up the stairs.
Harry ignored her, waiting on her to leave before coming closer to the fireplace and whispering in parseltongue, watching as the fireplace turned into a giant set of stairs as he quickly went down and back to the chamber.
John Dawlish Approved as the New Headmaster; Promises Sweeping Changes
Harry handed the paper back over to Draco.
"Scrimgeour fucked this school over," Harry whispered coldly, "This isn't going to solve anything, "
"Well, to be fair, Dawlish is promising new brooms for a cleaning and the halls have been shite. Surprised, I haven't gotten sick yet, Pansy complains about it every single time I see her."
Draco sneered as he threw the newspaper on the ground.
"Apparently, He's supposed to be speaking in Alric's class today," Draco said as they made their way to class, "How was training with Aberforth?"
Harry rotated his arm, "It sucked, I miss training with Dumbledore, he's a lot more forgiving,"
"Did he say anything about the mission?"
"It went well," Harry finished as they got closer to the classroom, "McLaggen family has even decided to join the order, "
"Damn, hate to see another go," Draco teased as he opened the door.
Like always, they were right on time, Harry glanced at Daphne who was making conversation with Sue Li. Harry couldn't help but think about their encounter last night. Harry turned away, focusing his attention on Professor Alric and Dawlish as they stood in the front, chatting like old siblings. After another minute, Professor Alric turned to the class.
"Hello class, I hope you all completed your homework over the weekend," Professor Alric said as several people in the class let out a low groan. "We will turn it in and discuss it in our next class, today, we have a special guest and he will be helping complete our last activity for this unit. He's a busy man, so please give him your absolute attention."
"Hello students, I'm John Dawlish. If you haven't heard, I will be taking over as Headmaster of Hogwarts," Dawlish smiled as he marched to the front, he was confident, "These are scary times we live in, no doubt. What you're learning now seems a lot more...real than in previous years. Trust me, I understand, and I want you to know that the Ministry understands, but it is worth it."
Dawlish looked back at Professor Alric who gave a reassuring nod.
"Now I have a lot to do, in these coming weeks, but I wanted to stop through your class and take part in a class evaluation." He said with a wide smile as motioned toward Professor Alric "I want you to understand how important these skills are in a real-world situation."
"I have had the Great Hall equipped with an unorthodox dueling ring. Each group will present their best dueler to challenge our headmaster, using at least one concept we've learned will guarantee an acceptable. Like always, we're not using formal dueling rules, but more realistic rules, so try your best," Professor Alric said, "Go ahead and get in groups, and head over,"
Harry glanced over at Draco, whose look confirmed what Harry was thinking. This activity was being used to draw out Harry's abilities. Harry got up and headed over to Hermione and Ron as they began walking toward the great hall.
"So...looks like you're up," Weasley said motioning toward Harry, "Do what you do best...just minus the slaying? My grade is depending on it!"
Hermione turned to glare at Weasley, "What he is trying to say, but is a bumbling idiot, is that you are... by far our best bet. I'm okay, but nowhere near your abilities!"
Harry nodded. He was only going to do the bare minimum, nothing that would reveal his abilities beyond what was normal.
"Yeah, I can do it," Harry replied as he began walking forward to catch up with Draco.
"I'm assuming you're going for your group?" Draco asked as Harry caught up with him. "What am I saying, of course, you are."
"Yeah, and I'm assuming you are?" He asked.
Draco smiled charmingly, "Of course, I have to impress Daphne, she just got back!"
Daphne looked at Draco coldly before catching eyes with Harry and looking away. Harry looked away just as quickly.
"Are you not going to talk to your partner, Potter?" Draco said looking over at Daphne, "She just got back, and you haven't said a word to her."
"You should take notes," Daphne replied as they entered the Great Hall.
Harry had said more than enough to her last night, something he would never be able to share with Blaise or Malfoy.
Dawlish stepped onto the circular platform, pulling out his wand; he was confident, but who wouldn't be.
"This match is a little different, first person to either be disarmed or put on the ground signals the end of the match. Nothing too dangerous. Once it's done, feel free to leave or stay and watch others." Professor Alric yelled, "We'll go down our original list, Abbott, your group first."
Harry didn't have to watch to know how these duels would end. Each match was quick, less than a minute. Dawlish was a skilled auror, quickly exposing the weakness of his opponent.
"Malfoy, your group is up," Professor Alric said.
Draco smiled at Daphne as he stepped into the ring, "Watch this."
"Ahh, Mr. Malfoy, staying out of trouble, I hope," Dawlish laughed as he got into his stance.
"Never," Draco smirked.
"You may begin!" Professor Alric yelled.
Dawlish launched explosively from his spot, sending the familiar jet red disarming charm toward Draco. Before Draco could move out of the way, Dawlish sent a quick succession of spells towards Draco's leg, in Harry's opinion, Draco's weakest spot.
"Not this time," Draco yelled, dropping to the floor, sending several nonverbal spells toward Dawlish.
Dawlish deflected the spells, sending them back toward Draco. Draco, jumped up from the floor to transfigure a wall in front of him and the spells, to which he quickly cowered behind as it began crumbling.
"Keep moving," Harry whispered to himself.
Before Harry could finish, Dawlish ran to the side of the wall, continuing it as he ran around Draco, using the wall as his personal shield as Draco got up and continued his assault on Dawlish, who was covered by the wall. After making it almost completely around Draco, Dawlish shot a spell opposite of Draco.
"Always the legs," Harry whispered again as the spell ricocheted against the wall, and quickly hit Draco at his legs, causing him to fall face first against the ring.
"Outstanding, Malfoy," Professor Alric said, truly impressed.
"Good job Malfoy. That was some seventh year and potentially auror like maneuvering, but like they tell us in auror training, you can create your environment, but it can always be used against you," Dawlish said as he unleashed Malfoy and began repairing the ring.
"Bloody hell, we're almost done!" Weasley said, looking over at the clock in disbelief, "This is scary; he's really good."
"I know, mate. My mum told me he would be a far better choice than Dumbledore. She said Dumbledore was smart but nowhere near as powerful as some of the aurors in the ministry." Seamus said.
"That's not true" Weasley replied. "Dumbledore is still and will always be the most powerful wizard in our lifetime,"
"Hermione's Group, you're next,"
"Well, then tell me why he quit?" Seamus asked, getting visibly angry as he noticeably stared at Harry, "Look at what's happened in our six years here, either he is powerful and just doesn't care, or he is powerless. Either one, my mum-"
"Your mum is an idiot," Draco growled as he stepped off the dueling platform, "And I don't even like that sniffling old tart."
"Sod off Malfoy," Seamus yelled, "I can't wait for these aurors to catch-
"Enough, Mr. Finnigan," Dawlish said as he looked over at Seamus, "This is a pointless argument. The ministry is in control now, and that is what matters; things are changing."
As he finished, he looked over at Harry.
"Nothing will get by us anymore. Not a thing."
Harry stepped on the platform as Dawlish strolled back to his starting position, his wand out and ready.
"The talk of the town," Dawlish smirked.
Harry pulled out his wand. Bare minimum, he remembered; he wouldn't be pulled into this match.
"Always quiet... I've heard-",He said as he leaned closer so that only Harry could hear, "the killers are always silent."
"You may begin!" Professor Alric yelled.
Dawlish launched forward, Harry ran toward him. Before Dawlish could even send spells, Harry sent several nonverbal spells to Dawlish.
Dawlish deflected them back toward Harry and positioned himself as far from Harry as he could get. As Harry used his shield to block the deflected spells. Dawlish quickly went all out, sending spell after spell to Harry before he could even finish blocking the last of the deflected spells.
As Harry handled the mass of spells, maneuvering, and blocking with his own shield, he watched as Dawlish ran with a burst of speed toward Harry.
"I forfeit," Harry yelled as he jumped out of the way of another spell, "I forfeit,"
"You don't get to quit," Dawlish yelled as he began his next wand movement, "The rules are clear."
A controlled stream of water whipped out of Dawlish's wand, snapping at Harry like a viperous snake. Harry felt himself getting cornered as he looked behind him. Harry rolled out from another spell, before sending a fire like beast toward the stream, creating a huge cloud of steam.
"No," Harry whispered to himself, "I can't get carried away. Not today."
Harry rolled over from another spell, but wandlessly tied himself up with vines.
"Damn it, you're fast!" Harry yelled as the steam cleared.
Dawlish eyed Harry intensely before walking over to untie Harry.
"Amazing work, you just have to be a little more...vigilant," Dawlish said loudly as came closer to untie and shake Harry's hand.
As Harry got up, he leaned inconspicuously toward Dawlish, "Tell Scrimgeour to go fuck himself."
"Outstanding, Harry! Good job Everyone," Professor Alric said as he began cleaning up the ring.
Harry left the platform and grabbed his bag, not bothering to look back at Dawlish. Harry stepped into the halls, he had a little break to do homework since class had gotten out early.
"Good job, Potter," Weasley said begrudgingly as he marched pasted Harry.
"Harry," he turned his head to see Daphne who was walking toward him.
"I'm sorry….I'm sorry about last night"- She said, grabbing her hair and twisting it nervously, "I was tired and still under the effects of potions and my... it was weird."
Harry shook his head, as they kept walking down an empty hallway, "It was true and honest."
"Daphne! Harry!" Harry heard an audible groan from Daphne; he could feel the same as Astoria wandered over toward them.
"Here to murder my sister again," Astoria said loudly and cheerfully, "Or are you going to punch her too? "
"Sod off, Astoria," Daphne said angrily pointing at the door, "You can't talk to someone like that."
"Oh Harry, you haven't told her!" Astoria said, "He's training me. He's so powerful! It's amazing! You should come next time! God knows you need some training, look at you."
Harry looked at Daphne, who was staring at her sister angrily.
"Now is not the time for a pissing match, Daph," Astoria said politely.
"You picked a terrible trainee," Daphne replied as she turned to look at Harry.
"I didn't exactly ask for one," Harry whispered as he glared at Astoria, "and It's not a permanent thing!"
"But you didn't answer the question?" Astoria said staring at several paintings, "I want to see you give her the old three rules."
Daphne looked apologetically at Harry, "Whatever you both are doing, I'm not asking to be a part of it. Don't listen to my sister."
Harry sighed, "I suppose, if you're still going to be a prefect, you're going to need training. Astoria, how about you invite the whole school while you're at it?"
"I just might! Hey, we could call it the Greengrass-Potter army!"
Daphne gave Harry another apologetic look.
Francesa Zabini could happily say life was boring, humdrum...loveless, but that hadn't changed since the death of her first husband. She had loved him once before life had beaten him and then he began beating her. She had never felt so betrayed, powerless, and belittled. Finally, she did what she needed to do for Blaise's sake. She arranged an accident. She wishes she could say it didn't feel good, but no, She loved that feeling more than she could admit...to be in control...to see their face...to see them become powerless. It gave her strength, and she needed that. At one point she said it was for family, to rebuild the Zabini line, but honestly, it was for her. Finding abusive rich suiters making them fall absolutely in love with her, and arranging accidents, it was fantastic.
"It was all for this," She said as she entered the Zabini manor, it had been rebuilt with the money she had earned. The Zabini's were a real pureblood family again.
Francesa turned on the lights.
"Holy shit that's bright!"
Francesa turned quickly at the figure standing a few feet away from her, leaning against their coat closet.
"Francesa Zabini or was it, Williams, I can't recall," Light said nonchalantly, "Long time no see, right?"
"Who are you?" Francesa asked, trying to search for her wand.
"Looking for this," Light said holding up her wand, "No, we have to play nice this time."
"What are your demands?" Francesa asked pointedly, looking around for her house elves.
"How rude, I'm a guest, where's the old charm, I remember,"Light began walking closer, stopping to look at the frame of her son, "You really don't remember me?"
Francesa began backing up, slowly, "Money? Revenge? What is that you want?"
Light laughed as he inched closer, "You know what I realized, of course, you wouldn't recognize me. This hasn't been my container for too long. I was almost offended."
Francesa got a foot out the door, if she could get to her broom, she could get away, "Remind me."
"It's been so long...let's see, I was four, I watched you kill my father. You blamed it on me. The disturbed little boy," Light laughed, "It's still one of the evilest things that I've ever seen anyone do, and I fucking eat people!"
"Z-zain,"
"I haven't heard that name in forever. It's Light, but it's good that you remember me though!"
Francesa remembered Zain, the son of her third husband, she had liked her third husband quite a bit when he wasn't being abusive.
"What do you want, Zain?" Francesa yelled, looking behind her, her broom in sight.
"First, respect my name choice. Two, you try to escape, it won't end well; your house elves were a little satisfying but nowhere near fulfilling. Three, I'm not the revenge type so don't worry." Light marched forward, close enough that Francesa could see his dark blue eyes, "What's in the past is the past; I found my calling because of you!"
Light peeked out of the door before closing it. He turned and grabbed Francesa moving her to their dining table before pulling out an ice blue vial.
"Number one, our Lord is going to need some of that fortune you've been stashing away. War isn't cheap. The last thing you need to do is really simple...you will give your son this potion over break. I'm going to need a new container one of these days, I want to treat the next one right so shit like this won't happen."
Light pulled up his shirt, making Francesa gag, his entire stomach area and almost chest was rotten flesh.
"Yes, my self-esteem hasn't been too high these days either," Light laughed, "But seriously, Can I trust you to do this? You could be dead, but I've always liked you."
Francesa didn't say anything, she felt powerless, something she hadn't felt in a long while. Light patted her shoulder before getting up and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Don't do it, and I'll fucking kill you," Light said as he made his way for the door, "By the way, this goes without saying, but don't mention any of this to Blaise. Which again, should be pretty fucking obvious, but I want to make that explicitly clear. I wish I had more time to stay, but I have important things to do,"
Light began walking out the door but stopped as he reached the giant portrait of Blaise that hung on the wall!
"I can't wait to meet my brother."
A/N Major thanks to my beta, and a major thank you to all who continue to read this fic! :)