Chapter 33:

The Burrow was alive with morning chaos. The smell of fresh toast and eggs filled the air, mingling with the frantic voices of the Weasleys as they scrambled to get ready for the new school year.

Harry, Daphne, and Hermione had been up early, already dressed and packed, waiting downstairs as the usual pandemonium unfolded around them. Ginny was running around searching for a missing sock, while Ron, still half-asleep, fumbled with his trunk, mumbling complaints about why they had to wake up so early in the first place.

"Ron, we leave in ten minutes, and you're not even dressed!" Mrs. Weasley scolded, bustling around the kitchen as she handed Fred and George their lunches.

"I'm moving, I'm moving!" Ron groaned, yanking on his jumper.

Daphne smirked from where she sat on the couch. "Moving at the speed of a particularly lazy troll."

Ron shot her a glare but was too busy trying to shove the last of his books into his trunk to argue.

Despite the rush, they managed to make it to King's Cross Station just in time. Mr. Weasley hurried them along, ushering them toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten. One by one, they disappeared through the solid wall, stepping onto Platform 9, where the scarlet Hogwarts Express waited, steam billowing into the air.

The moment they stepped onto the platform, Mrs. Weasley pulled them each into a crushing hug, fussing over Ginny the most.

"Write to me, all of you!" she said. "Especially you, Ginny, and don't forget to—oh, heavens, you're going to miss the train! Go, go!"

With hurried goodbyes, they rushed forward, scrambling onto the train just as the whistle blew.

Breathless but relieved, they found an empty compartment and quickly settled in. Harry dropped onto one of the seats, stretching his legs out, while Daphne sat beside him. Hermione placed her bag neatly on the seat across from them, rummaging through it almost immediately.

Minutes later, the door slid open again, and Astoria Greengrass stepped inside.

She was a first-year, but her presence carried an effortless confidence. Her brown hair, a few shades lighter than Daphne's, framed her pale face, her sharp brown eyes scanning the group. She looked strikingly similar to her sister, though her expressions carried a liveliness that contrasted Daphne's usual composed demeanor.

Astoria placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow at Daphne. "One letter. All summer."

Daphne, to her credit, didn't flinch under her sister's pointed stare. "I was busy."

Astoria scoffed. "Too busy to write to your only sister?"

"I figured you'd be fine," Daphne replied smoothly. "Besides, you had Mum hovering over you all summer. I didn't want to get you in trouble. Besides I doubt you had much free time."

Astoria huffed at her sister and turned to the rest of the compartment, her eyes landing on Ron. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Of course not!" Hermione said warmly, moving aside to make space. Astoria sat down between her and Ron, who immediately turned red.

Ron, already clumsy on a normal day, nearly knocked over a stack of Chocolate Frog boxes as he shifted in his seat. "Er—I mean, yeah, of course! You can sit—uh—right here. Next to me."

Astoria raised an eyebrow at his awkwardness but gave him a polite nod. Harry and Hermione exchanged knowing looks, while Daphne smirked, noticing her sister's presence had thoroughly flustered the youngest Weasley boy.

The Weasley twins had wandered past their compartment and waved to everyone before disappearing down the train, no doubt up to some mischief.

Ron, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly fumbled with the Chocolate Frog he'd been opening, nearly dropping it onto the floor.

Astoria turned to him. "You alright?"

Ron quickly straightened up. "Yeah! Yeah, just—uh, just a bit jumpy this morning."

Daphne smirked knowingly but said nothing.

As the train rolled forward, Hermione finally broke the silence with the question that had been hanging in the air since they arrived.

"So, what exactly happened this summer?" she asked, looking between Harry and Daphne. "You barely explained anything in your letters."

Astoria nodded. "I'd like to know too. All I got from Daphne was 'Harry needed help' and nothing else."

Harry sighed, exchanging a glance with Daphne. He hesitated before finally speaking. "A house-elf showed up in my bedroom."

Ron groaned. "Ugh, Dobby."

Harry continued, explaining how Dobby had warned him not to return to Hogwarts and how the elf had caused chaos in the Dursleys' home—including the floating cake incident that got him locked in his room. He grew quieter when he almost mentioned the beating Vernon had given him, his fingers unconsciously tightening into a fist.

Daphne immediately stepped in, her voice steady but sharp. "And that's when I arrived," she said. "I didn't like what I saw, so I got Harry out of there. We left immediately, but Vernon didn't exactly make it easy. He wasn't easy to get around, with him laying at the bottom of the stairs."

Ron took over from there, explaining how he and his brothers had flown to the rescue in their dad's enchanted Ford Anglia. Then, he described what happened when Lord Greengrass arrived at the Burrow.

"The magic that rolled off Harry was terrifying," Ron said, his voice hushed. "He barely lifted a hand, and Greengrass was thrown across the room. I don't think he even knew what hit him."

Hermione looked horrified, while Astoria's eyes widened slightly, though she remained composed.

"That's…a lot," Astoria admitted.

Hermione, regaining her voice, turned to Daphne. "You used magic on the Dursleys? You stunned them?"

"I wasn't leaving him there," Daphne cut in coldly. "No adults cared enough to check on him, so I did. And if I had to do it again, I wouldn't let them walk away."

A flicker of dark magic seemed to swirl around her for a moment before she took a deep breath and reined it in.

Ron quickly diffused the tension. "Well, the Muggle police took care of them. My dad said they were arrested that night."

Hermione, though clearly unsettled, didn't argue further.

The tension finally lifted when the Trolley Witch arrived. Harry got up and bought everyone something from the trolley.

Not long after, the compartment door slid open again, revealing Draco Malfoy flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Draco drawled, his gray eyes scanning the compartment before settling on Daphne. "Didn't expect to see you on the train, Greengrass. Can I even call you that?" His smirk widened cruelly. "You know, a decent witch would have had the common sense to know her place. How did you even afford this year at school? Didn't your father take all your money?" He gave a mock gasp. "Oh, that's right—Potter's new charity case. Makes sense. He does seem to like collecting dirty and poor things."

Harry felt his magic surge, crackling like static over his skin. He moved to stand, rage burning through his veins—

Then Astoria stood first.

"You really should learn to shut your mouth, Malfoy," she said, her tone calm but razor-sharp. "You're starting to sound like a broken record—one that no one enjoys listening to."

Draco, momentarily thrown off, sneered. "Oh, and what's this? The baby Greengrass playing hero now? You're in for a rude awakening, Astoria. You don't know who you're siding with."

Astoria's lips curled into a smirk. "I know enough to recognize a coward when I see one. Tell me, do you ever speak without Crabbe and Goyle standing behind you, or do you need them to hold your hand?"

Draco's face burned red, but before he could retort, the train gave a sudden lurch.

"I'd leave before you embarrass yourself further," Astoria added smoothly.

Draco scowled, his jaw tightening before he turned and stormed off, Crabbe and Goyle scrambling to follow.

Daphne leaned back in her seat, looking at her sister with mild amusement. "You're going to fit in just fine here."

Astoria shrugged, but Harry could see the flicker of a pleased smile.

The rest of the train ride passed in peace as Hogwarts loomed in the distance. When they finally arrived, the first-years, including Astoria, were gathered by Hagrid.

"Firs'-years! Over here!" Hagrid bellowed.

"Guess this is where I leave you all," Astoria said, glancing at Daphne.

"You'll do fine," Daphne assured her.

With that, the first-years followed Hagrid to the boats while the others climbed into the carriages.

"Another year at Hogwarts," Ron sighed, rubbing his hands together. "Hope it's less eventful than the summer."

Harry exchanged a glance with Daphne. Somehow, he doubted that.


The Great Hall

Daphne sat at the Slytherin table, feeling a strange sense of isolation that she had never experienced before. The gleaming silver and green of her house surrounded her, but it was as if she were a ghost among them. The whispers, the sideways glances—she knew they were there, but they didn't matter. What mattered was what was coming.

The Gryffindor table was full of her new friends—Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The trio seemed so comfortable in their places, chatting with ease, even teasing each other occasionally. Harry sat across from her, his eyes bright with excitement. He grinned at her from across the hall, his face practically radiating his emotions, and she could feel it all through their bond—his excitement, his anticipation for what was about to happen.

Daphne's heart fluttered in her chest. She wanted to be excited, but there was a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her family had disowned her, and Slytherin had always been her home, but her heart knew it wasn't where she belonged anymore. Not after everything.

The first years filed into the hall, the Sorting Hat perched on the stool in front of the staff table. The Hat began its usual song, though Daphne barely heard it, her mind still racing with the thoughts of the past few weeks. All that had happened to get her to this point. Her bond with Harry had grown stronger with each passing day, and even though they had only been together for a short time, she already knew she couldn't go back. She had made her choice.

She looked up just as the Sorting began. One by one, the first years were called forward to sit under the Hat, their names echoing through the hall. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve as she watched the process with little interest. That was, until her sister's name rang out.

"Greengrass, Astoria."

Daphne's breath hitched. She barely noticed the tense silence that settled over the hall, her eyes focused entirely on Astoria as she nervously walked to the stool. Daphne's heart thudded painfully in her chest, and she felt her grip tighten around the edge of the table. She couldn't bear the thought of her sister being sorted into Slytherin. She couldn't. She didn't want her to face the same hatred she had endured.

The Sorting Hat sat on Astoria's head for an agonizing moment, its wide brim tipping back and forth as it seemed to deliberate. Time seemed to stretch for ages. Daphne closed her eyes, silently praying. She didn't know why she cared so much. After all, Astoria had her own path to follow. But she couldn't help herself. She loved her sister too much to wish that on her.

Then, the Hat finally called out, "Gryffindor!"

A wave of relief crashed over Daphne. She let out a long, shaky breath. She felt Harry's excitement flood through the bond, his joy practically overflowing, and she couldn't help but smile in return, though she quickly wiped it away as the hall erupted in applause. Astoria had been sorted into Gryffindor—her new home, her new family. Daphne's heart swelled with happiness for her sister.

Daphne leaned back in her seat, allowing herself a moment to relax, but she couldn't help but feel the tinge of anxiety still creeping at the edges of her mind. She hadn't had time to think about what would happen next—what she would do next.

The sorting continued. Daphne glanced around, taking in the other first years, but her attention was pulled back to the front as Dumbledore stood and gave his speech, as he always did. She barely registered the words—something about choices, love, and how it could change a person. All she could think about was what was about to happen.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Dumbledore's voice rang out once more. "Greengrass, Daphne."

A ripple of surprise seemed to pass through the hall. Daphne's stomach twisted, and her palms grew clammy. The moment had arrived.

She stood from her seat, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest, she could barely hear anything else. The floor felt like it was shifting beneath her as she walked toward the stool, her feet dragging with each step.

As she sat down and the Hat was placed on her head, a strange thought echoed in her mind: What now?

But instead of the familiar sense of discomfort she had felt all those years ago when she was first sorted, a voice whispered in her ear, one that startled her with its clarity.

"Ah," the Sorting Hat said, "I see the mistake I made. Ah…yes I see now, your heart is changed you have changed. The decision I made all those years ago… it was wrong. Your heart doesn't lie in Slytherin. You've changed no longer hiding your true self. You belong with the others. Your home is there in..."

The Sorting Hat shifted, seemingly adjusting itself on her head, before it called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The room fell into stunned silence.

Daphne didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The whispers that swept through the hall only made the silence more oppressive, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She had been given a chance to be free. She stood up, her heart in her throat, and made her way to the Gryffindor table.

As she walked, her eyes found Harry's. He was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes alight with the same excitement and joy that she felt radiating through their bond. As Daphne made her way to the Gryffindor table, she could feel every pair of eyes on her. The hall was silent for a moment, a collective breath held as she sat down, but the tension was soon broken by Astoria, who threw her arms around her in an exuberant hug. The group was welcoming, but it was Astoria's enthusiasm that made Daphne feel like she could finally breathe again.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe this!" Astoria exclaimed, her voice high with excitement. "Gryffindor! You're in Gryffindor!"

Daphne's heart fluttered as she returned the hug. It felt like a weight had lifted off her chest. For so long, she had feared that this moment—this decision—might drive a wedge between her and her sister. But here they were, both in Gryffindor, both free to forge their own paths.

"You're in Gryffindor too," Daphne said, smiling as she pulled away from her sister. "You're going to love it here."

She could feel Harry's warmth through the bond, his joy radiating over her like sunshine. He was grinning ear to ear, his eyes full of happiness as he nudged her gently.

"Welcome to Gryffindor," he said, his voice filled with a sense of pride.

Ron gave her a wave and a grin. "Yeah, welcome. You've made the best choice."

Hermione, ever the voice of reason, nodded in agreement, though there was a slight, almost hesitant smile on her face. "I'm glad you're here, Daphne."

Daphne felt a warm rush of gratitude. Despite everything, despite the whispers and stares from the other houses, she finally felt like she was home. The Gryffindors, her new family, accepted her without question, and that meant more than she could say.

As the meal began, the Weasley twins made their dramatic entrance, as expected. Their usual antics filled the hall with laughter, and they didn't miss a beat when it came to welcoming Daphne and Astoria to Gryffindor.

"Oi, new blood!" Fred called across the table, giving them a broad grin. "Welcome to the best house at Hogwarts. It's about time you two made the right decision."

George winked. "You'll fit right in. You've got the right attitude already."

Daphne couldn't help but chuckle at their over-the-top enthusiasm. It was exactly what she needed to shake off the lingering nerves. She felt more at ease with each passing minute, and before long, the chatter around her became a comfortable hum in the background.

But then, her gaze drifted across the hall, to the Slytherin table. She had hoped to avoid it, but the pull was undeniable. There, in the midst of the Slytherins, she could feel the weight of their gazes upon her. Some looked at her with disdain, others with confusion, but one pair of eyes stood out among the others.

Draco Malfoy.

He didn't look angry, as she'd expected. No, Draco looked almost pleased—too pleased. As if this, somehow, was part of his plan. A flicker of unease settled in the pit of Daphne's stomach. Why was he looking so… satisfied?

Shaking the thought away, Daphne turned back to her friends. She didn't have time to dwell on Draco's strange expression. Not tonight.

The meal continued, and Daphne, though still acutely aware of the cold stares from across the hall, focused on the people around her. She was surrounded by her new family, and that was all that mattered. For now, anyway.


Later that evening, after the feast had come to a close, the group made their way to the Gryffindor common room. The atmosphere was lighter here, more relaxed, but there was a lingering uncertainty in the air. Some of the Gryffindors had begun to warm up to Daphne, but others weren't so sure.

The common room buzzed with chatter, and Daphne could tell that not everyone was convinced she truly belonged here. She caught a few curious stares, some of them suspicious, others just plain confused. But, thankfully, the tension was broken when Fred and George appeared out of nowhere, making a dramatic announcement as they pushed their way through the crowd.

"Alright, listen up, everyone!" Fred called, his voice loud enough to grab everyone's attention. "We've got a new batch of Gryffindors joining us this year—two very special ones, to be exact."

"Astoria and Daphne Greengrass!" George added with a flourish. "They're definitely Gryffindors now, and anyone who has a problem with that can have a word with us."

The twins' antics never failed to bring some levity, and the room erupted into laughter, even the more reserved Gryffindors cracking smiles at the sight of the twins' over-the-top endorsement.

"Don't worry, you'll both fit right in," Fred continued. "Gryffindor's not just about bravery—it's about making things interesting. And believe us, you two will definitely keep things interesting."

The laughter continued as the twins high-fived one another and made their way to the fire to sit down, leaving a trail of amused students in their wake. The tension in the room seemed to ease, and Daphne could feel her shoulders relax. The Weasley twins' endorsement had done wonders to make her feel accepted. They had made it clear—she was one of them now.

As the night wore on and the common room began to empty out, Daphne found herself lingering by the fire with Harry. Hermione and Ron were finishing a game of wizards chess over by the window, but she and Harry had a moment alone. He seemed just as reluctant to part ways, his presence comforting and warm.

Finally, Harry pulled her aside, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression. He reached into his bag and pulled out a carefully wrapped package. His eyes were bright, and the way he handed it to her made her heart flutter with anticipation.

"This is for you," he said softly.

Daphne frowned, her brow furrowing as she took the package from him. She could feel the weight of it in her hands. "Harry, you didn't have to—"

"Just open it," he interrupted, his tone light but there was something sincere in it. "I wanted to."

With trembling hands, Daphne unwrapped the paper. Inside, she found a set of pristine Gryffindor robes, but these weren't like any robes she had seen before. The fabric shimmered in the firelight, midnight black with deep red accents that seemed to glow with a subtle, almost magical luster. She ran her fingers over the material, and it felt so soft—so unlike anything she'd ever touched. It wasn't just silk. It was Acromantula silk.

"These are—Harry, these are so expensive," she breathed, looking up at him in shock. "You really didn't have to do this."

Harry smiled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I know, but I wanted you to have something that was just for you. Besides, you're part of the family now. We take care of each other."

And then, atop the robes, she found a small note. She opened it, and it simply read, Welcome home.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away. She wanted to be angry at him for spending so much money on her, but she couldn't find it in herself. She was just… so grateful.

Before she could say anything more, she found herself pulled into a warm hug, and Harry whispered, "You belong here, Daphne. Welcome home."

She pulled away, but only just enough to look at him. And before she even knew what she was doing, her lips were on his cheek, her arms around him in a tight embrace.


As the night came to an end, Hermione showed Daphne to their dorm room. The sounds of the Gryffindor common room below faded as they climbed the spiral staircase, and the quiet of the hallway enveloped them. The dormitory was warm and inviting, with four-poster beds draped in red and gold, the soft light of candles flickering in the corners.

"Here we are," Hermione said with a smile, gesturing to the beds. "I've got the one by the door, but I saved the one by the window for you. Thought you might like it."

Daphne's eyes softened as she looked at the bed near the window. The view from the large, arched window framed the darkening sky outside. She smiled, touched by the gesture. "Thanks, Hermione. It's perfect."

"I thought you might appreciate the view," Hermione said, setting her bag down on the nearby bed and beginning to unpack. "It's always nice to wake up and look out over the grounds."

Daphne nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the cozy atmosphere of the room. She sat on the edge of the bed Hermione had pointed out, taking a deep breath. The reality of her new life at Hogwarts was still sinking in, but for the first time, it didn't feel so overwhelming. There was comfort in the change, in the support of her friends, and in the soft, reassuring presence of her bond with Harry.

Hermione finished unpacking and glanced over at her. "You doing okay?"

"Yeah," Daphne said, looking up with a small but genuine smile. "I think I am. It's just… a lot. But in a good way."

Hermione smiled back, settling into her own bed. "Yeah, I get that. Things are different, but they're changing for the better."

They shared a quiet moment, the weight of the day slowly melting away as they both prepared for bed. Hermione's bed was just next to Daphne's, so they could easily chat if either of them needed to, but for now, the silence felt comfortable.

"Well," Hermione said, pulling her blanket over her, "I'll let you get some rest. Big day tomorrow."

"Thanks, Hermione," Daphne murmured, slipping under the covers. She closed her eyes, feeling the soft pull of sleep, but before she fully drifted off, she felt the warm, calming presence of Harry through their bond.

The room felt peaceful, with only the soft sound of the wind outside and the quiet murmurs of the castle settling in for the night. Daphne snuggled deeper into her blankets, allowing herself to relax for the first time in a long while.

She was finally where she belonged.