Chap 23: Changed Man

"Rumours say that you were in Ravenclaw common room after Ravenclaw's game last Sunday," Daphne said, walking next to Harry as they wandered through the corridors for their routine patrol.

"You really can't keep anything secret in this castle can you," Harry sighed.

"Indeed, what were you doing in Ravenclaw's common room, anything naughty?" Daphne said, eyes twinkling mischievously.

"You are insufferable," Harry said in exasperation.

"Hey, you do not know what students get up to in this castle."

"There's no way people are fucking around in this school," Harry said looking at Daphne who said nothing, "No fucking way."

"I'm not guilty of anything but I know a few who get busy at night, that's why we are doing these patrols checking empty classrooms at night," Daphne shrugged.

"The last thing I need is to walk in on someone doing something like that," Harry said in disgust.

"I don't know, I reckon it would be quite funny," Daphne replied, "So you are telling me you and Cho haven't done anything, no prefect bathroom shenanigans?"

"We are good kids thank you very much, I'm not even 16 in the first place."

"Oh nobody gives a damn about the age in this boarding school," Daphne replied.

"Oh my fucking god," Harry cursed making Daphne laugh.

"So you are telling me you haven't been tempted to do something more than snogging and cuddling?" Daphne asked.

"Er… not that I haven't," Harry admitted, face reddening much to Daphne's amusement, "just no need to rush into that yet."

"So Cho hasn't suggested anything?"

"She hasn't thankfully," Harry admitted.

"I'm impressed, some couples get busy within half a year of their relationship, she is probably waiting for you to become 16, just wait until next year horny kid," Daphne teased.

"You are really annoying you know," Harry scowled.

"I take pride in it," Daphne said smugly.

"Enough talk about my love life," Harry said, "what about the lovely Ice Princess's love life."

"What's new, breaking more egotistical boy's hearts," Daphne shrugged making Harry burst in laughter.

"I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about you, no special one in your life?" Harry asked, "No one that you are interested in?"

Harry immediately knew that he hit a jackpot as Daphne physically tensed up, her face turning a little red.

"No one," Daphne said.

"You know, for someone who is meant to be heartless and in Slytherin, you suck at lying about your love life."

"What! I literally like no one, the guys in Slytherin all suck," Daphne replied.

"What about Blaise, he seems like a pretty good dude," Harry suggested.

"He is, but he is interested in someone else and he is more like a brother to me, like you and Hermione I guess," Daphne explained.

"By interested in someone do you mean Tracey?"

"I shall neither confirm nor deny that," Daphne said with a smirk.

"Yeah right, so no Blaise means you don't like any of the Slytherins, haven't seen you talk to anyone else in the school and unless it is a crush…" Harry thought out loud.

"No one in this castle is attractive enough to be a crush, at least no one that is already taken," Daphne commented.

"So that leaves our friend group," Harry said, raising an eyebrow, Daphne on the other hand grew even more redder.

"So I'm obviously taken, Fred is with Angelina, George is with Alicia, Blaise likes Tracey," Harry started listing.

"I did not say that Blaise likes Tracey."

"Sure sure, Whatever you say, let me continue, there is no way you like Ron, you barely even tolerate him as a friend, you don't even talk to Jimmy, Ritchie and Ryan so unless you like girls," Harry said.

"I don't," Daphne snorted.

"That leaves Neville," Harry said.

"Who says that I even like anyone in the first place," Daphne protested, though she looked very flustered.

"With how interested you are in my relationship, you definitely are," Harry commented.

"Who says that, I'm just interested and happy to annoy you."

"Well, you do sound pretty wishful when we talk about it at times, and you are becoming redder by the second," Harry commented.

"Fuck," Daphne cursed silently, realising that there was no fooling Harry, "Fine, I do."

"There's no fucking way," Harry said before roaring with laughter and getting smacked by a rather embarrassed Daphne.

"Stop laughing you prick," she said, face now fully red.

"Why? There's nothing wrong with fancying Neville, he is a pretty good lad."

"Says the guy laughing like crazy," Daphne muttered.

"I'm laughing at the fact that Slytherin's Ice Princess likes Neville Longbottom, the person your entire house picks on."

"Just to set the record straight, I've never picked on him," Daphne protested.

"Never said that you have, oh my fucking god, imagine Malfoy's reaction when he finds out," Harry laughed even harder at that realisation, something that even made Daphne smile.

"He would never know, I won't even get with Neville anyways," Daphne said.

"Why? He is a pretty nice guy after all," Harry asked.

"He is lovely, but I don't think that he would fancy me, I reckon that he got his eyes on Hermione," Daphne shrugged.

"Well, I don't think that Hermione likes him (Daphne raised her eyebrows), and you are pretty amazing yourself," Harry complimented.

"Thanks, but I don't think that I'm his type," Daphne said pessimistically.

"Daphne," Harry said, looking at her intently now, "have you ever thought about how similar you are to Hermione?"

"Hermione? Really? I know that we are at the top of the cohorts but other than that, how are we similar?"

"Well for one, you are both super hardworking and brilliant, I also am up there in terms of academic performance but I will never be as brilliant as you 2 when it comes to pure studying, you 2 also love to argue about your beliefs, you both are very stubborn and confident about your identity." Harry listed.

"Well, even if we are similar, I don't want to be just the replacement for Hermione," Daphne sighed.

"You would not be, you 2 might be similar but there are some key differences also, you are a lot more empathetic than Hermione, you are more fun than her and get up to naughty stuff, you are less know-it-all than Hermione and while Hermione is beautiful, you are a different level honestly," Harry said truthfully.

"Trying to hit on me Potter?" Daphne teased.

"Nah, Cho is still hotter, but what I say still stands, you are beautiful."

"Thanks," Daphne replied, her cheeks were still red but there was a sparkle in her eyes.

"Do you really think that I have a chance with him?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah, like I said, almost any boy would kill to be with you, I don't think Neville is any different," Harry replied.

"But I don't know, he hasn't shown even a glimmer of interest in me," Daphne said hopelessly.

"I think that's more because, in his eyes, you are unattainable, Hermione is great yes, but Hermione does not get as many suitors and admirers as you, not many people are interested in Hermione so Neville might feel that he has a chance, but with you, he probably doesn't think that he has anything remotely close to a shot."

"What do I do then, to make him notice me?" Daphne asked.

"Well, Neville is quite insecure as a person, so you should probably be the one making an initiative, hang around him more, talk to him more, compliment him here and there and just show genuine interest," Harry suggested.

"You reckon it would work," Daphne asked nervously.

"I think so, I would not act like I know Neville's feelings, but if you show that you are genuinely interested, I reckon he would start developing feelings for you, I reckon most people would honestly, you are quite likeable," Harry shrugged, feeling Daphne's spirits rise.

"Why do you even like him anyway?" Harry asked curiously.

"I don't know, it just randomly started, he is obviously kind-hearted and very sweet, kinda adorable in fact, most people think that he is an idiot but his passion for Herbology and his ability in it is rather impressive, the fact that he had a glow up also helps of course, he looks really good nowadays, just change his hair a little and he will be a solid 8, I also think something about his insecurity and all attract me a little, like if he actually likes me I would know that it is genuine I guess," Daphne said, turning red.

"Awww, someone melted the Ice Princess' heart," Harry teased, getting a Stinging Hex in return.

"Ow."

"That's what you get prick," Daphne scoffed, "But thank you for the advice."

"No problem Daph, just helping my friends," Harry replied, smiling brightly.

"Wait a second," Daphne said, eyes narrowing on an empty classroom, "Why is there some light coming out of this classroom."

"No idea, let's check," Harry whispered, both pulling out their wands and opening the door.

What Harry saw in the room was something that he was confident would scar him for life, in the room lay Fred and Angelina, both naked on the table.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Harry shrieked, immediately turning around, refusing to look at them. Daphne, on the other hand, was staring at the 2 naked people with interest with no remorse.

"Nice cock Fred," she commented, "And you Angelina, looking fit."

"Shut up Daphne," Angelina said embarrassedly.

"Harry, it's safe to turn around now, they have clothes on now," Daphne snickered while Harry cautiously turned around.

"Dear me, I reckon you scarred Harry for life," Daphne said, with Angelina and Fred both pure red in colour.

"I don't think that I will be able to forget this for the rest of my life," Harry muttered, making Daphne burst into laughter while Fred and Angelina turned even more red.

"Urm, sorry?" Fred said awkwardly.

"I would leave Harry to make the decision about the punishment," Daphne chuckled before taking a seat on a nearby chair.

"Er… I don't want to recount this to McGonagall and write a report," Harry gulped, "But you can't go unpunished as well, so next training session, both of you will fly 50 laps around the pitch and you will keep all the equipment after the session (Fred and Angelina groaned but nodded) and you will have to clean all of this up, oh fuck sake," Harry cursed as he saw something slimy on the table.

"You two really were going at it," Daphne commented, looking as unfazed as ever.

"Shut up Daphne," Harry said, "just clean everything up and don't do this again."

"Or just don't get caught," Daphne added, "I expected better from you Fred."

Fred's face looked redder than his own hair before pulling out his wand and cleaning up everything.

"My bad Harry," Fred apologised, "but can you not tell anyone?"

"I won't, I wish someone would obliviate me now," Harry muttered, before turning to Daphne and leaving the room with her.

"That was interesting wasn't it," Daphne teased as they continued their patrol.

"No it wasn't, it was traumatic," Harry muttered.

"Oh come on, they definitely do this in the showers after Quidditch practice."

"I would prefer to stay in the dark," Harry responded.

"Stop being so pure Potter, you would be banging Cho the same in no time."

"Prick."

As they continued to walk around the castle corridors, they soon reached the Astronomy tower which would have been their last destination for the night. However, Harry soon heard the faint sounds of a person crying, turning to Daphne, her expression soon hardened telling Harry that she heard it too. Slowly moving towards the source of the sound, they found a lone Slytherin girl on the tower, face on her hands sobbing.

"Hey," Harry called out softly, startling the girl who quickly got up and pointed a wand at them.

"Hey hey, calm down, we are not here to harm you," Harry quickly comforted, raising his hands into the air showing that he meant no harm.

"Who are you," the girl demanded, hiccuping due to the crying.

"I'm Harry Potter, 5th-year Gryffindor prefect, beside me is Daphne Greengrass, 5th-year Slytherin prefect," Harry announced, the girl however, moved back when she heard Slytherin, wand now pointing at Daphne.

"Slytherin prefect…" she muttered, pointing the wand threateningly at her.

"We are not here to harm you," Daphne said, moving towards the girl.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" the girl screamed, bursting into more tears.

"Daphne, move back for now," Harry said calmly which Daphne complied with.

"We are not here to harm you, we really just want to help," Harry pleaded.

"That's what they always say before they bully me," she cried.

"I know what that feels like, trust me I do."

"You don't, you are the boy-who-lived, who would bully you," she cried.

"I grew up with muggles who despised me, I did not know who I was for the first 11 years of my life, all they called me was a freak, they hit me, beat me, threatened anyone who tried to be my friend, I know what that feels like, I have scars to prove that," Harry admitted, stunning the girl.

"Can I come closer to you, I'm a Gryffindor, most Slytherins hate me with passion," Harry asked.

"Not her," she responded, pointing her wand at Daphne.

"She isn't most Slytherins either, matter-of-fact, they kinda hate her too," Harry revealed, making the girl more confused.

"So may I? Daphne would stay there, she won't follow me I promise you." Harry asked again, to which the girl thankfully nodded.

Slowly walking up to her, Harry opened his arms which to ran into, collapsing into Harry and sobbing profusely.

"It's ok, you are safe now," Harry comforted, patting the girl's head as she continued to sob.

"T - They keep bullying me," she sobbed, "They hit me, fire hexes at me a - and violate me."

"You are safe now," Harry comforted, feeling his anger building.

After taking a few more minutes to calm down, Harry conjured out a tissue for her to wipe her tears, at that point, his robes were drenched with tears.

"What is your name?" Harry asked tenderly.

"Matilda, Matilda Bulb," Matilda responded shakily.

"Could you tell me who did this to you, Matilda?" Harry asked.

"I can't," she said, turning pale, "they say that they will kill me if I did."

"They won't Matilda, Professor Snape would protect you," Harry said, not entirely convinced himself.

"He won't!" she wailed, "he treats all of them the best, I tried telling him before but he ignored me."

"He won't this time, I would make sure of it," Harry snarled.

"But if he doesn't?" she asked worriedly.

"Daphne is in your house, I believe her sister Astoria is in your year also, they will protect you."

"Are you sure?" She looked at Harry worriedly.

"Matilda, I trust Daphne with my life, she fought against Malfoy and his cronies when they attacked me," Harry reassured, he however, noticed her shudder when he mentioned Malfoy.

"Is the person doing this to you Malfoy?" Harry asked softly despite his growing rage. Matilda nodded slowly confirming his suspicions.

"Does anyone else do this to you? Any of his friends like Crabbe and Goyle?" Harry asked.

"They all do," Matilda said fearfully, her voice now so soft that Harry could barely hear it, "they force other students to do the same."

"Understood Matilda, I would handle this situation," Harry said, "I would assume that you don't want to go back to the common room today?"

"N - No."

"Ok, I will bring you to Hospital Wing then, are you ready to move now?" Harry asked to which she nodded.

Together with Daphne who kept a small distance between her and Matilda, they eventually made it to the Hospital Wing and were greeted by Madam Pomfrey, who after taking a look at the 3 of them and Harry's expression, understood that she had to tend to Matilda. After settling her down and letting Madam Pomfrey take a look at her body which was filled with bruises and small cuts, Madam Pomfrey gave her a Dreamless Sleep Potion and she was soon asleep.

"What happened Mr Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her face filled with worry.

"I don't know exactly, but she is getting bullied by the Slytherins under Malfoy's instructions," Harry said with pity and contempt.

"Merlin's beard, do Severus know about this?"

"I believe so," Harry said softly, "If you would excuse me, I have to have a chat with him about his responsibilities as the Head of the House."

"Would you want me to do it for you instead?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"No, I believe I would have to do this myself," Harry answered before leaving the Hospital Wing with Daphne.

"Mr Potter!" Madam Pomfrey called out before he exited, "I'm very proud of the man you have become, if Severus has a problem with you, let me know and I will personally handle him."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey," Harry said with an appreciative smile before leaving.

"You think that confronting Snape is a good choice?" Daphne asked worriedly.

"Nope, but I believe that it is my responsibility to talk some sense into him," Harry answered confidently.

"You do not have to come with me if you don't want to, Snape will get very nasty and I would understand if you don't want to face his wrath," Harry said to Daphne.

"Oh shut up Potter, I'm not a delicate girl who can't handle a Professor, I'm coming with you, you would need someone to drag you to Hospital Wing when you take it too far," Daphne retorted, making Harry chuckle as they reached Snape's office.

"Well, here goes nothing," Harry commented before knocking and the door and entering.

"Potter, Greengrass, what are you doing at my office at this hour," Snape asked as they entered the room, his usual cold and calculating expression on his face.

"We are here to talk to you about your responsibilities as Slytherin's Head of House," Harry said coldly, taking a seat without being invited, something that surprised Snape.

"I would not entertain the waste of my time with your baseless accusations," Snape replied coldly.

"In the Hospital Wing right now, a Slytherin girl named Matilda Bulb is lying on a bed after a very long night," Harry said, glaring at Snape, "Do you know why she's there, finally sleeping after consuming a Dreamless Sleep Potion?"

"I believe I do not," Snape said, "Perhaps you can educate me, Potter."

"She's there because she spent the night crying on the Astronomy Tower, would you like to know the reason?" Harry asked, still glaring at Snape who said nothing.

"She's there because she was repeatedly bullied, assaulted and even violated by her housemates, do you have any idea about that?" Harry asked, Snape said nothing.

"I believe you should Professor, she came to you for help but you ignored her pleas for help, is that what a Head of House does?" Harry said coldly to Snape who was still silent.

"Do you know what her reaction was when she saw Daphne, a fellow Slytherin Prefect who is supposed to help her, she screamed at her to move away, do you know what it takes to be that terrified of someone?" Harry snarled, "DO YOU?"

"Watch your attitude with me Potter!" Snape finally snarled.

"THIS IS WHEN YOU REPLY TO ME, WHEN I SHOUT AT YOU? NOT WHEN I TOLD YOU THAT YOUR STUDENT WAS BEING BULLIED?" Harry yelled, "THIS IS WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT?"

Snape did not reply, eyes staring intently at him, no expression on his face as he was seemingly deep in thought.

"I do not think that you deserve my respect when you ignore the pleas for help from your own student Professor, I give my respect not based on position but on actions," Harry snarled, "You disgust me, Professor, I always thought that you at least treat your own house well when you berate and embarrass others, turns out you don't even care about your house, just about a few of your favourite students, oh and just for your information, Mr Malfoy, your favourite student, is the one who is leading all of this, I do not know what exactly he has done, but from my countless experience with him and especially after his proclamations that he can get anything he wants, I dread to think about how he treated Matilda."

After a few minutes of intense staring between Harry and Snape, both of whom entirely forgot that Daphne was there, Snape finally spoke.

"I would look into this matter and deal the appropriate punishment," Snape said, which Harry laughed out loud to, "I do not think that this is a funny matter Mr Potter."

"Oh it isn't, I'm laughing at your response because I know that it's all words, I'm sorry Professor but I do not believe a single word that you say because you haven't given me any reason to, I made a promise to Matilda that I would make sure that she is protected when she confessed about what happened to her, I swear, if she ever gets hurt by them again, I would make sure that you would suffer for that."

"Are you threatening me Potter?" Snape asked coldly.

"Matter of fact, I think that I am, I do not fear you Professor, the first 11 years of my life taught me to never fear bullies and tyrants," Harry said silently, "You do not know what it feels like to be bullied and feel worthless."

"I do Mr Potter," Snape replied softly, catching Harry off guard, his eyes were filled with coldness, but also pain and hatred, "I would handle this situation appropriately and Ms Bulb will never be hurt by them again, you have my word."

After another glaring match between Harry and Snape, Harry nodded and stood up, turning away from Snape to leave his dreadful office with Daphne following, not far behind him.

"You are not your father Mr Potter," Snape suddenly said, stunning Harry, "You are nothing like him."

"Thank you Professor," Harry replied without turning back, exiting the office without once looking back.

"What was that about?" Daphne asked as they made their way back to the Prefect's Room to call it a day.

"It's a long story," Harry sighed, "Not sure I want to share it either, it isn't that important to me."

"I see… you know I'm surprised that you walked out of the room without a single scratch?" Daphne commented, making Harry chuckle.

"So am I Daphne, Snape somehow did not curse me into oblivion.

"Harry, did your relatives abuse you when you were younger?" Daphne asked worriedly after a few moments of silence.

"They did, Vernon and Dudley beat me when I was younger, still have small scars from the different things they used to beat me with," Harry laughed miserably, "They called me a freak and all, Dudley also made sure that I had no friends, he bullied anyone that came close to me."

"That's cruel," Daphne said softly.

"It is, but that's behind me now, I have found people who loved me for who I am and people who would fight for me, truthfully, they are also better now, Vernon and Petunia probably because they are terrified of me but Dudley's growth seems more natural, for his sake, I hope that he is maturing," Harry shrugged.

"He bullied you and you still hope for the best for him?" Daphne asked confusedly.

"We all make mistakes when we are younger, if he grows up and apologises for what he did I would forgive him," Harry admitted.

"You are way too noble for your own good," Daphne scowled.

"As you said before I guess, I'm Gryffindor's Pride," Harry smiled.