Chap 15: The Ice Princess
After one last hug with Mrs Weasley, Harry grabbed Cho's hand and entered the Hogwarts Express to leave for what would be his 5th year at Hogwarts. Together with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, they made their way to the back of the train where they found Neville and entered a compartment where a girl with straggly waist-length dirty blonde hair, pale eyebrows and protuberant eyes sat. She was quickly introduced as Luna Lovegood by Ginny. After helping Cho to put her trunk in the compartment, Harry gave her a peck before leaving for the Prefect compartment with Hermione.
When they reached the compartment, they identified the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff prefects before being greeted by the Head Boy and Girl.
"Who do you think the Slytherin Prefect would be?" Ernie Macmillan asked the group.
"No idea, none of them are really good choices are they?" Anthony Goldstein said.
"Let's just pray that Malfoy isn't one." Hannah Abbott said darkly, something that everyone in the compartment agreed to.
At this moment, the 2 Prefects made their appearance. Thankfully, Malfoy wasn't one of them, instead, 2 students, both of which Harry wasn't familiar with, entered the room.
"Alright since everyone is here, I shall introduce myself. I am Philip Henson, your Head Boy for this year." Henson said, before turning to the Head Girl who introduced herself.
"I'm Georgina Dame," Dame said, someone who Harry recognised to be mates with Angelina and Alicia.
"We will be guiding and supervising you all throughout the year, as Prefects, your main role would be to patrol the corridors of Hogwarts after curfews. This is the timetable for now." Henson said, passing everyone around the room timetables. "As Prefects, you can take up to 15 points from students and give detentions, I would have to remind you that you are not to abuse your power otherwise you would be stripped of your titles." He said, giving a strict look at everyone in the room.
"Also, if you look at your timetables, you will not always be patrolling with your housemate only, you would have to perform patrols with different Prefects from time to time as well. Teamwork is as important as Prefects, with that, how about you all introduce yourself."
Everyone took turns to introduce themselves, with Hermione enthusiastically going first. Other than the Slytherins, who introduced themselves as Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass, Harry had previous contact with everyone else.
"Good, that will be it for now, you will have to escort the first years to your common rooms later after the Feast. For now, please follow the timetable for the Hogwarts Express patrol, go 2 at a time and should you need any assistance, get help from other Prefects or us. Thank you." Dame said, before turning her attention to the 6th years who were entering the room. To Harry's surprise, Katie Bell was one of the Prefects, apparently replacing someone who decided to step down due to stress. After giving her a wave, Harry left the compartment together with Hermione.
"Wait! Potter! Hold on." Greengrass called. Stopping to turn to look at Greengrass, she walked up to him with Zabini walking past them, giving Harry and Hermione a friendly nod.
"Would you walk with me for a while?" She said, resulting in Harry raising his eyebrows in response, apprehensive at the request.
"What for, Greengrass?" Hermione shot back coldly, equally suspicious of Greengrass' request.
"Relax Hermione, and also, just call me Daphne, only people I don't like call me Greengrass," Daphne responded calmly, unfazed by Hermione's cold attitude, Hermione however, continued to glare at her.
"Merlin's beard Hermione, I'm not going to harm him or anything, I definitely would not drag him to Malfoy and I know that he has a girlfriend so I'm not trying to steal him, in fact, I have a healthy respect for Cho, I just want to talk to him." Daphne said, her expression changing a tiny bit, with a irritated frown appearing.
"Hermione, it's alright. Just tell Cho that I'm on the way back." Harry said, nodding to Hermione confidently. Hermione sighed and left them.
"She isn't really friendly is she?" Daphne commented as they began to walk.
"Well, neither are Slytherins in general," Harry replied, inviting a frown from Daphne.
"You know, you 3 houses are the reason for that, the unfriendliness and all." She said, "What do you expect us to do if you all act like we are the same as Malfoy, not all of us are blood supremacists."
Harry said nothing, instead, his mind was racing thinking about Daphne's statement, Harry did not want to admit it, but she had a point.
"In Slytherin, we are all taught to stick up for ourselves. When all the houses treat us like vermin, what do you expect us to do other than seek comfort in each other? This lets people like Malfoy become the 'Ring Leader' of Slytherin, not everyone follows him because they agree, it's more of what choice do you really have," she said, stunning Harry.
"Personally, I'm lucky that I can top the cohort and have Tracey by my side, otherwise I will probably be with Malfoy and his cronies. It's a tough choice really, join him or be lonely, that's why so many Slytherins follow him, just a product of our environment."
"I - I've never thought about it like that," Harry stammered, confused now that the truth had come out.
"Well neither does anyone, but trust me Harry, not everyone in Slytherin is a bitch and many who are one are unwilling ones," Daphne said.
Harry turned to look at Daphne, he had not taken a good look at her since meeting her, automatically classifying her as a rival rather than a friend. Looking at her clearly, he realised just how beautiful she actually was unlike many other Slytherins. She was a head shorter than him, with a slim figure, lightning-blue eyes and flowy platinum blonde hair. While she was still nowhere close to his Cho, there was no denying that she was a stunner.
"What?" Daphne asked, noticing him looking at her.
"Nothing, so what do you want to talk to me about?" Harry asked.
"I've kinda already said the reason, I wanted you to realise that not everyone is on Malfoy's side, me, Tracey, Blaise and my sister Astoria are not, so as many others," she admitted, "I just kinda hoped that maybe if you change your perception of Slytherins, others will follow and maybe, just maybe, things will improve for us."
"Very noble indeed, why aren't you in Gryffindor?" Harry teased.
"I'm not done with why I wanted to talk to you prick," she snorted, "I also wanted to befriend you because I know that it will rattle Draco."
"Now that's why you are in Slytherin."
"Indeed," She nodded.
As they continued to walk down the train, Harry noticed more and more curious looks at them.
"Ignore them, they either can't comprehend Gryffindor's pride talking to a Slytherin or the fact that the Ice Princess is talking to someone other than Tracey, Blaise and her sister," she said.
"Gryffindor's pride?"
"Are you not?"
"Well, yes and no, I am when I do something amazing and when I fuck up, I'm suddenly the attention-seeking prick," Harry said, making Daphne chuckle a little.
"Also, Ice Princess?" Harry asked.
"You don't know that nickname?" Daphne replied, actually looking curious.
"Urm no."
"You are apparently the first," she smirked, "Over my 5 years, I've gained a reputation for being anti-social and cold-hearted."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I can name you every boy I've broken the heart and ego of thinking that they are perfect for me."
"Well, unfortunately, there seem to be many idiots at Hogwarts," Harry joked.
"Great, more victims for the Ice Princess," Daphne said with a menacing grin.
"So, Ice Princess, if you are so anti-social, why did you decide that I'm the one to whom you talk to?"
"Oh please, don't get any funny ideas," Daphne frowned.
"What, fuck no. I'm happy with my partner and my apologies but Cho is in a different league."
"Simp," Daphne smirked, "but to answer your question, I felt that it was time to melt a little and be more friendly."
"Good for you," Harry replied.
They finally made it to the back of the train where Cho and the rest were sitting.
"Well, this is it then, pleasure to meet you Daphne," Harry said.
"The pleasure is mine, I hope that we can perform duties together in the future, it would be fun to patrol with you."
"Agreed," Harry replied, before entering his compartment.
"Harry," Daphne called out one last time, catching Harry's attention.
"It's good to see that you are not the Harry Potter everyone else makes you out to be," she said before leaving.
"So that was Daphne Greengrass?" Cho asked as Harry sat down next to her, giving her a peck at the same time.
"Yeah, she's oddly nice," Harry said.
"A Slytherin being nice?" Ron asked, clearly getting a little defensive.
"Surprisingly so, and she also raised a good point," Harry said, "that maybe the reason why so many Slytherins are pricks is more the fault of the other 3 houses than the fault of the house itself."
"Huh?" Ron asked curiously.
"She raised the point that us 3 houses treat them badly, thus they can only find comfort within their house itself, so when someone like Malfoy becomes influential, others have no choice but to follow him," Harry said, leading to a few murmurs of agreement.
"He is right," Luna suddenly said, "Being lonely isn't enjoyable, I like being alone but sometimes not having anyone is dreadful."
There was silence within the compartment, everyone stunned at what Luna just said so casually, Harry glanced at Cho who looked guilty.
"Hey Luna, urm, I'm sorry that I've never tried to befriend you," Cho said guiltily.
"It's alright, you were one of the kinder ones, I still remember when you helped me find my missing shoes," Luna said cheerfully.
"Still, I should have done more, I'm sorry Luna, I really am," Cho said, looking at her remorsefully.
"Well perhaps we can change that from now on," Harry said, looking at Cho whose face lit up with a small thankful smile. "Perhaps you can be our friends if you want to."
"Oh thank you so much Harry, but I'm afraid that I won't be much fun."
"What do you mean by that?" Cho replied.
"Well, many people think that I'm odd, they call me Loony."
"Luna," Harry said determinedly, "even if you are odd, you will never be as odd as me, I mean I have a lightning-shaped scar after all."
"Well that's true," Luna said, a brighter smile now appearing on her face, "I'm quite used to being alone but I would come to you all when I want some company."
"You would always welcomed Luna," Cho said, smiling brightly at her.
"Wait a second, Neville, you look amazing," Harry exclaimed in delight. Taking a good look at Neville, he noticed that Neville had lost most of his body fat, now sporting a more slim and athletic build. While his face still looked a little plumb, he was definitely not as chubby as he was last term.
"Thanks Harry," Neville said shyly, "been working out during the holidays to get more fit."
"Keep it up mate, if you continue like this you will be snogging girls in a broom closet in no time," Ron said, resulting in Neville's face turning bright red and Hermione smacking Ron on his head.
At that moment, there was knocking on their door, outside stood the twins together with the rest of the Quidditch team.
"Mind if we squeeze in?" Fred asked.
After some squeezing, leading to Cho sitting on Harry's lap, something that invited stares from Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Neville, while the older ones smirked at them. Luna, on the other hand, was seemingly still in her own world.
"Merlin's beard Neville, you've been working out lately haven't you," George asked, staring at Neville blankly.
"A little," Neville muttered.
"A little my ass, keep it up and soon you will be a stunner," Alicia said which the 2 other girls nodded their heads in agreement.
"In other news, Harry, you are the new Quidditch captain aren't you?" Katie asked excitedly.
"Yeah, it was a surprise honestly, I expected you to get it Angelina."
"Meh, I assume it's because I'm in my final year, so as the twins and Alicia, McGonagall probably wants you to have experience when you rebuild it next year," Angelina shrugged, though there was a tinge of sadness in her voice.
"Well, in other news, Katie is a Prefect now," Alicia said.
"Why do you sound so uninterested when you say that?" Katie said, rolling her eyes, "Harry is one too."
"I can't believe we lost 3 to the Prefect Curse this year," Fred said, shaking his head in disappointment, leading to Angelina smacking him as well.
"Anyways, who's the Captain of your team Cho?" Katie asked, turning her attention to Cho.
"Oh me." She said,
"Damn, the dream couple are both captains, what a storyline this is," Angelina teased, resulting in glares from Harry and Cho, though both cheeks were slightly pink.
"Anyways Harry, what's your plan for the tryouts?" Alicia asked.
"I want to have a reserve roster, with the number of games, there is a quite high possibility that someone will not be able to make one of the games," He said, to which the team nodded in agreement, "so I would probably find like 5 or 6 players, 2 keepers, 1 beater, 2 chasers and probably a utility player, someone who can play multiple positions, something like that."
"Good plan," George commented.
"Also Angelina, will you be my vice-captain? I probably would need someone to help me manage such a large roster," Harry said, to which Angelina's eyes sparkled with excitement and nodded.
"Then that's probably it," Harry said.
The rest of the train ride went by smoothly, Harry and Hermione eventually had to leave for some patrolling but overall there wasn't any trouble, even Malfoy didn't attempt to try anything funny, realising that he did not have the protection he used to now that Harry and Hermione are Prefects.
After finishing their meal in the Great Hall, Harry quickly realised who their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was.
"Merlin's beard," Harry gasped, seeing the ugly pink toad on the teacher's table, "that's the Senior Undersecretary."
"Are you sure?" Hermione replied, "What would she be doing here though?"
"I don't know," Harry whispered, eyes glued to the teacher's table where she was standing, giving a speech which was long and boring. Something that could compete against Professor Binns. When she finally stopped, Hermione looked at Ron and him darkly and said.
"That answers my question."
"What? That she's here to murder us with boredom," Ron said, inviting laughter from them.
"No, Umbridge is here to control Hogwarts for Fudge, or at least try to," Hermione continued.
"Control Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Fudge probably thinks that Dumbledore is a threat and sees Hogwarts as one by extension, that's why she's here, to wrestle control of the school."
Harry stared at Hermione for a moment, taking in what she said. Considering that Madam Bones suspected both Fudge and Umbridge to be behind the dementor attack, Harry suddenly had a lot more reason to be cautious of her.
"But I think she will fail miserably," Hermione said.
"Why so?"
"She is just a professor, after all, Dumbledore still has authority over her."
"What if Fudge tries to change that."
"Then we would have to rely on the vote of surveillance," Hermione concluded.
At that moment, Dumbledore announced that the Feast was over and for the Prefects to guide the 1st-years back to the common room. Taking a quick glance at the Ravenclaw table, he waved Cho goodnight before leaving the Great Hall.
Guiding the first years was relatively easy, they were all timid in nature and all followed Harry and Hermione obediently. The size of the cohort, however, was a little of an issue. It's no surprise that the cohort sizes have been increasing since Harry's year, largely due to the end of the First Wizarding War. But looking at the many timid faces staring at Harry and Hermione for guidance, Harry could not help but feel a huge surge of responsibility. He remembered how important Percy was to his introduction to Hogwarts, remembering how Percy guided him in his first week, helping him get to classes and understand how the system works. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Harry turned to the first-years as they all entered the common room.
"Urm, I just wanted to tell all of you that if you all need any help at Hogwarts, whether it's about getting to classes, homework or just needing someone to talk to, I'm always available so as Hermione and every Prefect in the school, I was lucky that the Prefect in my first year was my best friend's older brother so I had an easy avenue to go to for help, if you do need anything, don't be afraid to come up to us."
To Harry's relief, many of the timid faces changed to look slightly relieved while others seemed to be in deep contemplation. Hermione however, was giving him an odd stare.
"What?" Harry asked after the first-years left for the dorms.
"Nothing, just pleasantly surprised," Hermione said, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
"Oh, well in that case I gotta get going, McGonagall will kill me if I arrive too late for our first meeting of the year."
With that, Harry sprinted straight out of his common room and to McGonagall's office. Knocking on her door, he was invited in.
"Ah yes Mr Potter, it's good to see you," McGonagall said, nodding her head in satisfaction, "take a seat, I have a few matters that I want to discuss with you before you head to bed tonight."
Taking a seat on the comfy chair in front of her, McGonagall started.
"The first thing I wanted to talk about is your request to take Ancient Runes and Arithmancy," McGonagall said, "I must have to say I was surprised when your letter came in requesting this, may I know the reason for the sudden change?"
"Er… It's mainly because I wanted to, Hermione and Cho kept saying that it would be valuable in the future and in comparison to Divination, I reckon that it's the smarter choice," Harry admitted. He had spent the summer studying and catching up with both subjects with Hermione and Cho, preparing himself for the eventual entry exam that he would have to take before joining the class.
"I'm glad to hear that," McGonagall said, "for your information, the entry exam will be next week on Thursday and Friday night, I expect that both Ms Granger and Ms Chang have prepared you for this exam already?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Good, however, you would have to work extremely hard this year as this is your O. year."
"I know professor, Hermione would make sure of it."
"That, I'm sure of also," she said, a small smile appearing on her face.
"I would also like to add that from what I've seen from the homework and lessons that you willingly participated in last year, your results have been steadily improving," She added, "keep it up Mr Potter."
"The next matter I would like to discuss with you is your Quidditch try-outs," she continued, "I've heard that you are planning on getting a reserve roster as well?"
"Yes Professor."
"Excellent, I would set the date for the tryouts to be the following week, is that fine by you?"
"Yeah, it should be alright."
"Then that's settled, I do expect another cup in my office at the end of the year Potter," McGonagall said, eyebrows raising, making Harry laugh.
"I would try my best Professor," Harry said, "but I do have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Why did you make me the Captain, and also a Prefect?" Harry said, "don't get me wrong, I'm honoured, but I was definitely not expecting this."
McGonagall said nothing, observing Harry for a while.
"Well Mr Potter, perhaps I should answer the question about the Quidditch Captain first, there were realistically only 2 candidates this year, you and Ms Johnson, Ms Spinnet, while having the fire and motivation, lacks the calmness and level-headedness that a good captain needs, Ms Bell on the other hand, has the passion, fire, motivation and attitude to be a captain, in fact, she is a model student in all aspects and that's why I chose her to be the new Prefect after the last one stepped down, however, Ms Bell lacks the power and commanding presence that both you and Ms Johnson possess, simply put it, Ms Bell is a follower rather than a leader."
"What about the twins?" Harry joked.
"I would rather disband the team," McGonagall snorted, before continuing.
"You see Mr Potter, both you and Ms Johnson were outstanding choices to become Captain, but I decided on you mainly because of the future, with 4 players leaving next year, rebuilding the team will be difficult, hence I wanted you to have the experience, and finally, while you may not like how this sounds, you having the fame and status that you have will command more respect from your new teammates than Ms Johnson would be able to."
"I understand Professor," Harry nodded, grasping the reason why now.
"As for the second question, I believe in the Gryffindor house, there aren't many choices for 5th-year Prefects, the only 2 possible ones were you or Mr Weasley, and among you 2, I believe that you hold an outstandingly higher maturity level than Mr Weasley and have a stronger sense of responsibility than him," McGonagall said, while Harry didn't exactly enjoy the slight diss to Ron, he had to admit that to a certain extent, her statement was valid.
"I understand your worries about becoming a Prefect, after all, you already have a lot on your plate with external issues and becoming the Captain, this is where Ms Granger comes in as if I'm certain that she will be shouldering most of the responsibilities for not only 2 but all the 5th years, I believe that having you and Ms Granger work together can prove to be a very efficient duo as only you can keep her from doing too much and overwhelming herself, while she can help you out with your responsibilities," McGonagall said, "I hope that this makes sense to you."
"It does," Harry nodded, satisfied with McGonagall's explanation. Truth be told, Harry felt a burden lifted from him, he was no longer as worried about being overwhelmed as he was.
"Good, this leads me to the next matter," McGonagall continued, "the Headmaster wishes for me to teach you Occlumency."
"Occlumency?"
"It is the art of closing and protecting one's mind from a Legilimens, who holds the ability to access a person's mind and read it," McGonagall clarified.
"You can learn such abilities?" Harry asked.
"Indeed, the Headmaster, Professor Snape and I all are masters at both arts."
"Why does Dumbledore want me to learn this?" Harry said curiously.
"This is not in my position to answer," McGonagall said, "however, he has emphasised the importance of learning this."
Harry said in silence, thinking about the new information. What is Dumbledore planning?
"We will be holding lessons every Friday night at 9, I will excuse you from Prefect duties on that day, should anyone you can't trust ask, tell them that it's additional lessons with me instead," McGonagall said, to which Harry nodded.
"Last but not least Harry, I feel compelled to warn you about Professor Umbridge," McGonagall said, facial expression turning strict, "Any idea why?"
"Hermione told me that she was probably installed by Fudge to spy on Hogwarts and prevent Dumbledore from gaining power," Harry replied.
"Unfortunately, that is the truth," McGonagall sighed.
"So that makes me a target of her as well I would assume?"
"Indeed Mr Potter," McGonagall nodded, "I expect her to discredit the truth about You-Know-Who's return and attempt to rile you up as much as possible."
"Fantastic," Harry said sarcastically.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said seriously, "you have to watch your behaviour in Hogwarts this year, Umbridge will be targeting you more than the Headmaster because you are more accessible, don't make it easier for her, do you understand?"
"I do Professor, I will try my best," Harry said.
"Good, this is it for today," McGonagall said, "have a good night's rest and don't be late for my lesson tomorrow."
"Won't be Professor, not intending to be transfigured into a pocket watch on the second day of the term," Harry said with a wide smile before turning and exiting her office, catching McGonagall barely holding in a laugh as he exited.
Author's note
alright I've introduced Daphne into the story, would be following her and the Slytherin plot a little more in the following stories but don't worry, there ain't no jealously plot here, there won't be anymore real rivals to cho anymore so yeah, just felt that it would be fun to explore another character and reading other fanfics just made me want to add her to my story.