Chapter 13

"You seem a little young to be applying for this position...Mister-"

"Riddle. Tom Riddle," The young man replied, his charming smile infectious. "I do believe age isn't a qualifier for experience, and in a time like this, I think the ministry could use the experience I offer."

Tom Riddle leaned against his chair, unwavering as two aurors and Scrimgeour stood above him, leaning against a huge brown desk, checking over what seemed to be a clipboard of paperwork. The room was the official office of the minister.

"What might that experience be, Mr. Riddle," Scrimgeour asked.

"As you can see, I've spent most of my time working as the head of a Russian mercenary company, dethroning dictators across the globe, and fighting wars on behalf of whatever government paid the most for ten years. I may look young, but like you, I've seen my fair share of battle and leadership."

Scrimgeour stared at Riddle, his eyes narrowed, "You have no formal auror training. What makes you think you can lead the department of magical law enforcement?"

"I am Hogwarts educated, for a start," Riddle took a look at one the aurors, standing next to Scrimgeour,"While it is true that I never received a true formal auror training, I believe that my aptitude test showed that my techniques and skills are far superior than your usual lot. "

"Arran, is this true," Scrimgeour demanded.

"Yes sir, his aptitude test was better than the other applicants," Arran said objectively, "Headmaster Dawlish was also able to confirm his Hogwarts education. He was a top performer of his year and very NEWT he took was an Outstanding."

"What year did he graduate," Scrimgeour asked skeptically

"1985, sir."

Riddle smiled, "While I may not carry the prestige or history of the late Madam Bones, I believe that I can bring back the effectiveness and expansiveness as laid out in my application."

Scrimgeour stared at Riddle, who held his gaze, "Was there any notable flags, Arran?"

"No sir, everything was verifiable."

Scrimgeour stood for a while, "What will be your first act as the new head?"

"I will first offer my criticisms and amendments to the W.A.A then I will sign-off on the act."

"Criticisms?"

"It's a political game, Minister. The people need to see that you aren't hiring just cronies, but you are hiring qualified and thoughtful peopl," Riddle countered, pointing at the clipboard, "They're on page five. They are simple criticisms and amendments, but they will make me look tough. They will make you look like someone capable of dialogue, and thus will allow for a much easier and quicker passing when presented to Wizagonment."

Scrimgeour began flipping through, eyeing the pages carefully, "It says here that you want to add that the new Head of Magical Law Enforcement is stationed at Hogwarts instead of the ministry?"

"Simple, Minister. It provides me protection from an assassin that would attempt to harm me, would continue the alignment of Hogwarts and the ministry in terms of safety and curriculum would make the auror presence at Hogwarts more sensible and would allow me to keep an eye on interested parties."

"Interested parties?"

"Mr. Potter, and by extension, Albus Dumbledore," Tom replied suggestively, "With me at Hogwarts, I can make sure we can keep an eye on them, and if anything happens we can make sure no one escapes the full reach of the law."

"How do you know they are interested parties?:

"Minister, part of my work is observing and watching governments. Potter makes your government looks weak, whether guilty or not, it looks like he keeps escaping the law. Regarding Albus, I can always tell when someone is pulling too many strings behind the veil of the law."

Scrimgeour put down the clipboard, standing for a moment as silence filled the room. Finally, Scrimgeour held out his hand. Tom stood and shook Scrimgeour's hand with a firm handshake.

"When can I start?"

"I will make an official and formal declaration this evening. Tomorrow, I will swear you in, and we will go from there. "

"I can't wait to turn the tide of this war under your great leadership, Minister." Riddle praised. "We're going to do some wonderful things together!"

"You come to a place you never come to, probably wasn't the brightest idea," Daphne whispered, staring ahead as she pretended to pull a book from the shelf, "Especially with your...escorts."

Harry turned to the opposite shelf, opening up a book that expelled dust as he flipped through the pages, "It's fine."

Harry coughed as he put the book back, lowering himself to another shelf.

"Yeah, but she hasn't pulled out the journal in the past three days you've been coming," Daphne said as she walked over with her book, standing above Harry, "She's not going to pull it out while you're here."

"Maybe you were wrong?" Harry questioned quickly regretting his words, as Daphne dropped the book onto his head.

"Ow!" Harry mouthed as he rubbed his head, moving away from Daphne.

"...or maybe not, either way, I have a much bigger problem to deal with right now," Harry said as he glanced at his watch.

"My sister finally found you, huh?"

"She didn't just find me," Harry groaned as he picked himself up, "She kicked me- in front of my aurors."

Daphne grimaced as she faced Harry, "Good luck, I'll see you later."

"Are you not coming?"

"It's freezing outside, and I have to be in the hospital wing today."

"Tonight." Harry replied firmly to the confused look of Daphne, "We'll actually see each other tonight….we're on prefect duty."

"I guess I'll see you tonight," Daphne replied dryly.

Harry walked back to the corner table, right across from where Tracey Davis was sitting. Sarah and the other auror were standing by his table as Harry began to gather his stuff. He looked over at Tracey who was still looking at the same charms book she had been looking at for the past hour. Daphne was right, whether controlled or not, Tracey wasn't going to risk it and Harry couldn't risk it with-

"Are you leaving," Sarah asked as Harry picked up his bag.

Harry simply nodded as he exited out into the hall. As he exited out, he was captivated by the snow that had begun falling more heavily outside. December had finally arrived and with it, hopes of ending the senseless deaths that had plagued the school this year, and the fear that the ending those deaths meant sacrificing a potentially innocent person.

"Mr. Potter, you need to tell us where you're going," Sarah said, sternly.

Harry shrugged, "To the dorms. I'll be there for a while, napping and studying."

"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Sarah replied as Harry continued his walk.

Soon he found himself, quickly changing into something more appropriate for training in his chamber room, before using an underground tunnel located in the chamber to escape to a familiar path deep in the forbidden forest. This time it was a little different as the forest floor and trees were covered with white, which only made things more sinister. Harry quickly did a quick jog before finding familiar burn marks on trees and uprooted patches of ground.

"You are late!"

Harry turned toward Astoria who was clutching herself tightly, shivering. Harry smiled at Astoria who looked somewhat uneven at his response.

"You should have hoped I wouldn't have shown up." Harry said sweetly as he pulled out his wand, "Because I'm going to make you pay for every minute I felt that kick yesterday."

Astoria narrowed her eyes, "Harry, you can-

Astoria jumped out the way as a spell caused the ground to throw up snow and dirt in a big explosion where she had just been standing. As she stood up to look at Harry, Harry smiled menacingly.

"Today is going to be wonderful."

Daphne moved her wand slowly, her motions deliberate as the patient's bones began to crack back into place. Daphne smiled as sweat dripped from brow, her focus unwavering as blue dots began to appear on the patient, a sign that her patient had not received bone-rot, and that her spellwork had been perfect. The patient would have no adverse side-effects.

"Daphne, I'm impressed. It takes a very skilled hand, not to cause bone rot. I'll take it from here, you two girls go start on the paperwork," Madam Pomfrey said proudly as she stood over Daphne.

Daphne tucked her wand away before standing back next to Hermione as Madam Pomfrey began more internal work.

"Good job, Daphne. Cauldron explosions are a nasty piece of work," Hermione whispered as she tucked away her notepad, moving toward their two small desks tucked in the corner, "And you're really good at it."

"Yeah, but they're fun," Daphne agreed as she picked up a stack of parchment, "This is not, however."

"It's helpful," Hermione said cheerfully as she grabbed a list of current patients.

As they sat, Daphne split the stack in half, giving Hermione one half. They began quickly writing on the parchment, detailing procedures, spells, and potions used, and the effects they are supposed to have. The busywork didn't bother Daphne, but she much rather be doing more practical work, she had always liked the healing profession.

"So how are you and Longbottom," Daphne asked, trying to make conversation as she dipped her quill in ink.

Hermione stopped writing for a moment, "Things-Things are good...we're okay. I'm just busy most of the time."

"Is that causing a lot of trouble?"

"Not often, but it has more so now than in years past," Hermione said as she continued scribbling, "How about you and Harry?"

Daphne paused, "What do you mean? We're not-"

"Oh no, I don't mean like that! You both seemed really friendly yesterday after that match, and I saw you both briefly in the library," Hermione said, as she took another piece of parchment, "I'm just assuming your hospital experience gave you something to relate over."

Daphne looked up, staring at Hermione continued to scribble furiously.

"What are you getting at Hermione?"

Hermione didn't say anything as she finished up her parchment as Daphne thought deeply about her conversations with Hermione.

"Two days ago, you asked me about Theodore-about if I still missed. Today-Today, you asked me about Harry."

Hermione frowned as realization dawned on Daphne's face, "Daphne-

"You know about the Imperious, don't you?"

Hesitancy flashed across Hermione's face as she put her quill down, looking up to lock eyes with Daphne, "Yes."

Daphne narrowed her eyes at Hermione, "And you think I'm out to harm him, that any appearance of friendliness is an attempt to betray him because of Theodore."

"No! I know you forgave him for that."

"You don't know that," Daphne replied angrily, quickly looking over at Madam Pomfrey to see if she had drawn attention.

"As a matter of fact, I do. During the first night of recovery, you mentioned how you didn't think he was the one responsible for Theodore's death, and how you felt...safe with him... unlike with Theodore."

Daphne anger quickly vanished as her mind flashed back to a swirl of vague and distant memories...to what she had been drinking...a sleeping-draught, a potion that had the ability to make its drinker oddly truthful.

"And yes...I am worried about Harry, he lives in a place where maybe more than half of the residents want to harm him...and you go from hating him to suddenly being friends with him, I was worried that maybe…" Hermione trailed off

Daphne leaned back against her chair, looking away from Hermione to think, calming down as she thought for a moment.

"You were trying to see if I was under the Imperius Curse."

Hermione crossed her arms, "Yes. Daphne. Assuming the castor is from Slytherin, it wouldn't be hard to get to you as you have the greatest possibility of getting close to him."

Daphne shook her head, "Hermione, Slytherin's aren't known for being naive. Trust me, I would never harm Harry, intentionally or unintentionally. He's...he's my friend."

Friend. It gave Daphne a mental whiplash as the word came out of her mouth, but it was true. The Greengrass Family wasn't known for kept promises, but this was real. Harry trusted her and she... trusted him.

"You're special then," Hermione replied thoughtfully. "He's not known for making relationships. Even when he helps me, it's brief and curt, I have to pry with everything I have."

"Then you're special too, Hermione. Do you think he would help anyone he didn't want too?"

Before Hermione could reply, Madam Pomfrey called Daphne over to do some spellwork. As Daphne got up, she looked at Hermione, who still seemed surprised at her previous sentence.

"If you know about the Imperious...then I think I know how you help," Daphne assured, before turning to fulfill her task

"You can do better," Harry said as he casually side-stepped Astoria's spell. "If you're going to be noisy...use it to your advantage."

Harry listened to the quietness of the forest, as he prepared for Astoria's next attempt. He could hear the muffled wand motions behind him as he wandlessly casted a spell. Harry turned and snapped causing the trees around the area behind him to bend unnaturally, causing hectic movement from behind. Harry simply turned and flicked his wand causing Astoria to get hit by a big tree, flinging her into the snowy ground roughly.

Harry slowly made his way over where Astoria was laying, blood seeping from cuts on her head.

"We're done for today," Harry said as he put away his wand. "You're getting faster, but now you're too noisy."

Astoria sighed. "It's not fair! You use that spell that makes your sounds echo, I need that."

"Spells won't help if you don't know the fundamentals," Harry replied as he held out his hand.

Astoria grimaced as she stood up, avoiding Harry's hand. "I'm fine- freezing- but fine."

"Here." Harry pulled his hand away and grabbed his wand, casting a spell over Astoria.

Astoria looked surprised and then anger quickly flashed on her face, "You mean to tell me you knew a warming spell, but you didn't use it on me in this whole time we were training! I was freezing!"

"It's a third-year spell. I'm sorry you're a bad student."

Astoria stared angrily at Harry, "I may not be able to beat you now, but oh you wait...I'm going to turn you inside out one day!"

Harry smiled back weakly, "I look forward to it."

"But in the meantime, thank you." Astoria's faux anger washed from her face. "For training me and...for protecting my sister...she's all I have and you saved her."

"I'll continue to protect her," Harry said stoically. "And you too."

"You can't guarantee that."

Harry came closer, grabbing Astoria's shoulder, "I promise I'll protect you both...in whatever way I can...from whatever I can."

Astoria with her face covered in dirt, blood, and debris hugged Harry. Harry was taken off guard, his arms shooting up, not entirely sure what to do as Astoria pressed into him tightly. Harry relaxed, resting his arm on Astoria's back. It was strange, he had never gotten a hug from someone his age.

"Thank you, Harry," Astoria said as she let go.

"You're still a pest," Harry remarked.

Astoria simply smiled before turning towards the exit, leaving Harry in the snow-covered ground. He cleaned up the forest and made it back to the chamber for a shower. He couldn't help but think as the water hit him, what the Dumbledore's would think of what was happening? He could hear Aberforth calling him reckless and dumb for even befriending a pureblood family in this war, and he could hear the quiet but directed voice Dumbledore telling him to trust in his intuition and in the good of people. Befriending Blaise and Draco made much more practical sense, but the Greengrass' were a different story.

"Pseudo-normality," Harry whispered to himself as he got out the shower, the cold chamber air hitting him as he stepped out into his room.

Harry ventured over to his desk, where a mirror sat on top of it...the two-way mirror that he used to communicate with Aberforth. Harry grabbed it and placed it on his bed as he got dressed into his school attire, and walked out of his room and into the library where Blaise sat. He was reading the Evening Prophet.

"Hello, Harry," Blaise said quietly as flipped through another page. "Are you coming to the game tonight?"

"I have duty tonight."

"During the game, that's...unusual?"

"Straight from the mouth of Dawlish," Harry said sarcastically as he picked up his Arthrimacy textbook

"Truth be told, I'm surprised you're still a prefect."

"It's only so that he can keep tabs on me."

Harry looked back up at Blaise, the full display of the Prophet covering his face. Although Harry couldn't see the full headline, due to the angle, he could see it was about a new Scrimgeour hire in the Ministry.

Blaise put the paper down and got up, stretching as he turned toward the exit.

"Also Harry," Blaise said quietly, shoving his book under his arm as he began walking, "You haven't mentioned it to me, but don't think I didn't know Daphne was in here. I expect an explanation sooner rather than later. "

"How did you know?"

"You didn't get up as early as you usually do, which was odd, but then I found a strand of long brown hair in my seat plus you just confirmed it yourself."

Harry smirked as Blaise left the room. He wished he knew what Blaise was thinking. For now, that would have to wait, he needed to get Arithmancy homework done if he didn't want to become buried later.

"Are you going to the game," Pansy asked as she checked herself in the mirror, "It's a big game for Draco."

"Good for him," Daphne replied as she combed through her wet hair, "No, Potter and I have duty."

Pansy frowned as she grabbed her makeup kit, "I don't know how you do it. He tried to kill you once and yet you still aren't afraid of being a prefect with him. If it was me, I would have quit the first day especially since he killed… well-"

"Well, good thing I'm not you," Daphne interrupted.

"I'm just saying," Pansy babbled defensively as her brush began to self-apply itself to her pug face. "You have to be around mudbloods and murderers, all day, I just thought you would need a break. If you come, I can hook you up with a cute seventh year."

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine."

"Oh Daphne, when's the last time you-"

"Enough, Pansy, you're being obnoxious again," Daphne said harshly as she turned to exit the bathroom followed by Pansy, who had her hands up.

"Fine...if you want to hang out with blood traitors and mudbloods, be my guest! Just remember that life will be very different soon."

"Yeah, I know Pansy, but if you think sleeping with Draco will help you get to the luxurious new life then you might be a bigger idiot than I thought."

"You know I miss when you use to be a friend to me. When Theodore-"

"-Enough!" Daphne snapped as she whipped around quickly to face Pansy, "Stop bringing up my dead boyfriend...he is dead and he isn't coming back, neither is the past...neither is our friendship."

Pansy's face fell. "Oh, I didn't know that's how you felt."

"You helped my boyfriend cheat on me, what do you think?"

Pansy's face fell, "I'm late, I'll-I'll see you later."

Daphne didn't bother to say anything as Pansy put up her kit and quickly walked out. Daphne plopped down onto her bed, angrily. As she calmed down, she shouldn't have exploded like that. A rivalry with Pansy was not what she desired or wanted.

"Great," Daphne whispered to herself as she finished getting dressed. As she glanced at the clock, she quickly grabbed her bag and headed down the stairs. As she entered the common room, Harry was sitting on the couch, scribbling notes. He looked up and the corners of his mouth moved up slightly.

Daphne sat adjacent from him, grabbing her textbooks from her bag.

"You seem upset?" Harry asked.

"It's been a hectic evening," Daphne replied coolly. "How was my sister?"

"Exactly how you would imagine," Harry said.

"Yeah...I'm sorry she's such a pest."

Harry smiled, "It's fine, truthfully- don't ever tell her this-, but she reminds me of my myself."

"Ahh, so a total pain in the arse?"

Harry gave a cold playful look as Daphne gave a hushed giggle.

"You know you asked for it." Daphne smiled. "But seriously, how so?"

"Her energy, mostly. Growing up, all I ever wanted was to be a strong wizard like my adoptive parents, to be able to do any magical feat they could do."

Daphne closed her textbook as she turned to look at Harry, "What were your adoptive parents like?"

Harry smirked, looking away as if he was a million miles away, "I guess you can say my adoptive mom was powerful, smart, and truly wore the trousers in the relationship, but she's quiet. She's not very good at explanations, and is often too worried for the future which leaves her unable to tend to the present very well."

"Do you have a good relationship with her," Daphne inquired.

"I believe so. I trust her, sometimes I'm a bit too trusting. My dad tells me all the time I should stand up to her more, but I can't help but believe that she wouldn't die for me if she needed to...just like my real mom."

"And your dad?"

"He's loud, he's obscene, pessimistic, and sometimes verbally abusive. He's not as powerful as my mom, but he still has his own strengths. I think one of the best things about him as that he's fun. He's not concerned about the future, but rather lives in the present and dwells in the past more than he should. I trust him though, and I think his heart is in the right place even if he never says it."

There wasn't anything known about what happened to Harry after the death of his real parents. In fact, there had been whole conspiracy novels written that had tried to figure out what happened to Harry before his reappearance into the Wizarding World.

"They sound very different from each other," Daphne commented.

"They are. I wish I could say they are the happiest couple, but they fight more often than not, but I think no matter what, or how bad it gets, they still somehow find their way back to each other...what about your par-your family?"

"My mother is dead. I have one sister, my dad, and... an uncle that disappeared after the death of my mother."

Harry looked quizzically at Daphne, "What happened to him?"

"He...he just disappeared."

"I'm sorry."

Daphne shrugged, "It's fine."

"What about your dad?"

"He's caring but very firm. I think the stress and death of my mother really was tough on him. My mother was like Astoria, energetic and it balanced him really well."

Harry looked over at Daphne, "The rest of your family?"

"Dead or removed. Unfortunately, even by being a neutral family, we lost a ton in the first war,"

Harry didn't say anything but rather picked up his quill and continued scribbling. She wondered what Harry thought of her and her family. Nevertheless, she had better tell him the news.

"Hermione knows about the Imperius and wants to help."

Harry didn't move but rather continued writing an equation on his parchment before casually putting down his quill.

"I know. She told a few months ago, which means she left out that fact for a reason. What did you tell her?"

Daphne frowned. Of course, Hermione left that out, "I may have told her that she could be involved."

"And there it is," Harry replied, "She must have noticed how close we've gotten and figured this had something to do with the Imperius problem. From there, she figured out how to worm her way in to help."

Daphne felt gobsmacked, "Wait. Are you saying that she knew I was going to ask for her help?"

"Yes, she's pretty capable of finding information by being both persistent and manipulative at times. She's the smartest girl I've met," Harry said pensively.

Daphne leaned back against her seat, "Even so, I still think she can help."

"Truthfully, we do need her help, but the more involved Hermione is, the more involved she wants to become. It's dangerous for her and no matter how annoying she may be, I don't want her to get hurt. I think I have a plan, but I need you to stay uninvolved."

Daphne was about to make an objection before Harry raised his hand.

"I can't figure this out if the only time we can meet is twice a week, and short conversations across library shelves. If no one can know that you're involved in this, then you'll you have to stay uninvolved. It's for you and your sister's ultimate safety."

Daphne bit her tongue, he was right. She couldn't do anything that would tie her to Harry especially if these kinds of tasks were commissioned by the Dark Lord.

"Hermione and Blaise will be a good enough help. Once we can confirm it's her, we can figure out the next part."

"What are you going to do to Hermione once you confirm it?"

Harry sighed, "I'm going to have to obliviate her and hope she hasn't predicted that I will do that."

"What about Draco?"

"If Draco is involved, I'm positive Hermione wouldn't involve herself. He has to stay just as unaware as anyone else, for now."

Daphne nodded, "Okay, I trust you. I guess I'll just keep an eye out."

Harry went into his bag and pulled out a mirror, "Here."

Daphne grabbed the mirror.

"It's a two-way mirror...if you ever need my help, just say my name and I'll be able to contact you."

Daphne looked up at Harry, who had a real look of concern on his face.

"Thank you, Harry," Daphne said softly.

Harry simply nodded, "You're a friend now...that means something. I promised I would protect you both."

Daphne rubbed her hands over the mirror. Harry went back to his work as Daphne sat with the mirror. She knew Harry's promise was true, but she knew that no one could face him...no one. Harry had no idea what he was promising, and for his sake, she prayed that he would never know.

A/N Special thanks to my beta, Haphne24, these chapters would not be as good without them! Lastly, Thanks for continuing to read, I'm excited for the next couple of chapters.