Chapter 15: Broken Mask

The hospital wing was dimly lit, moonlight filtering through the high windows and casting pale beams across the room. Daphne sat beside Harry's bed, her fingers intertwined with his limp hand, refusing to let go. The events of the forest played over and over in her mind—the spiders, the ancient magic, and the blinding white fire that erupted from Harry as he saved her. She had thought she was strong, always able to rely on herself, but watching Harry collapse after giving everything for her had shattered something inside her.

Her tear-streaked face was a stark contrast to the icy mask she usually wore. She couldn't summon it now, not with Harry lying unconscious, his face pale, and his breathing shallow.

Madam Pomfrey approached her, a soft yet firm look on her face. "Miss Greengrass, you've been here all night. Go get some rest. I'll summon you the moment there's any change."

Daphne shook her head, her voice quiet but unwavering. "Please… let me stay. I can't leave him like this."

Madam Pomfrey sighed, her stern expression softening. "Very well. But you need rest as well. I'll set up a bed for you."

Within minutes, a small cot was conjured next to Harry's bed, and Daphne reluctantly let go of his hand to lay down. As she settled in, she turned her head toward him, her gaze never leaving his pale face.

In the shadows near the door, Dumbledore stood speaking quietly with Madam Pomfrey. "Keep a close eye on them, Poppy," he said, his tone serious yet curious. "There's something unique about their connection… something different. It may be the key to understanding what happened tonight."

Madam Pomfrey nodded, though her expression was grim. "That boy has been through more than most adults Albus. And now this…"

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on Harry for a moment longer before he turned to leave, his mind already working through the implications of the bond he suspected.

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The Great Hall buzzed with the usual morning chatter as students trickled in for breakfast. At the Gryffindor table, Hermione sat anxiously, her plate untouched. She glanced repeatedly at the doors, her worry evident.

"Will you stop shaking your leg you're making the table shake!" Ron muttered around a mouthful of bacon. "Harry's fine, Hermione. Probably just sleeping in after detention."

Hermione shot him a glare. "He hasn't been back since dinner last night, Ron. Don't you think that's strange? And wouldn't you have seen him in bed?"

Ron shrugged, shoving another bite into his mouth. "He's Harry. He's probably out flying or something.."

Before Hermione could retort, the doors to the Great Hall swung open, and Daphne entered, her expression strained. Her usual icy demeanor was absent, replaced by a pale, exhausted look.

Hermione was on her feet in an instant, rushing toward her with Ron following reluctantly. "Where's Harry? What happened? Is he okay?" Hermione's questions tumbled out in rapid succession.

Daphne flinched, clearly caught off guard. Her composure faltered, and Hermione caught the flicker of raw emotion before Daphne managed to pull herself together. "I'm not talking about it here," Daphne said, her voice clipped but lacking its usual venom. "Follow me."

Ron groaned. "Why the secrecy? Just tell us what happened!"

"Ron, shut up," Hermione snapped, grabbing his arm. "Let's go."

Daphne led them to an abandoned classroom, shutting the door firmly behind them. She turned to face them, her expression grim.

"Alright," Ron said, crossing his arms. "Start talking. Where's Harry? What's going on?"

Daphne glared at him, but the anger quickly dissolved into exhaustion. She sighed and leaned against a desk for support. "He's in the hospital wing," she admitted. "He… he saved me."

"Saved you from what?" Hermione asked, her tone urgent but gentle.

Daphne recounted the events of the night, her voice steady despite the obvious pain it caused her to relive. She described the patrol, the attack by the spiders, and Harry's selfless decision to face them to protect both her and Malfoy. She left out the part where she had cried and pleaded for him to come back or how she had stayed up all night holding his hand.

Ron's face turned red with fury. "Malfoy was there? Figures he'd run off and leave you to deal with it!" He stormed toward the door. "I'm going to make him pay—"

"Ron, stop!" Hermione said sharply, pulling him back. "This isn't about Malfoy right now."

But Ron shook her off. "He just left Harry to die, didn't he? I'm not letting that slide!" Without another word, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Daphne sighed, rubbing her temples. "He's an idiot."

Hermione turned back to her, her expression softening. "Something else happened, didn't it?"

Daphne froze, her mask shattering completely. She looked down, her voice barely audible. "I thought he died saving me," she whispered. Her hands clenched into fists, and tears spilled down her cheeks as the memory overwhelmed her. "He gave everything to protect me, and I couldn't do anything to stop it."

Hermione stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Daphne in a comforting hug. At first, Daphne stiffened, unaccustomed to such an act, but then she let herself relax, the weight of the night finally breaking through her defenses.

"I know how you feel," Hermione said softly. "When Harry saved me from the troll last year… I thought I was going to die. But he didn't hesitate. He came anyway. That's who he is."

Daphne nodded, her tears soaking into Hermione's shoulder. "It's terrifying," she admitted.

"It is," Hermione agreed. "But it also shows how much he cares. And I think he knows how much you care about him, too."

Daphne pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. "I'm not used to this… to feeling like this. It's scary."

Hermione smiled. "That's okay. None of us are. But I think Harry's lucky to have you."

Daphne hesitated, then said, "There's something else." She explained her ability to see Harry's aura—a golden-red shimmer and now its intertwined with silvery-black threads. Hermione listened intently, her mind already racing with questions and ideas.

"That's… fascinating," Hermione said thoughtfully. "I'm going to look into that. There has to be something in the library."

As the two girls sat together, an unspoken understanding formed between them. For the first time, Daphne felt a flicker of hope that she wasn't alone in this.

Hermione gave her a reassuring smile. "You're a good person, Daphne. And I think we're going to get along just fine."

Daphne allowed herself a small, tentative smile in return. "Thank you, Hermione."

"Oh and Daphne?" Hermione spoke softly. "Dont hold back your feelings from Harry. Im not saying you have to tell him everything. But dont ever worry about him not feeling the same way, I can see how much he cares about you."

The two sat in silence for a while, a fragile but genuine bond forming between them. For the first time in a long time, Daphne felt like she didn't have to face everything alone. That she had friends.