Capítulo 24: 3
December 25, 1995
London, England
Blinking, Harry realized it was light out. Moving, his shoulder it hurt and didn't want to move well. Shifting and trying to stretch, he realized someone had put a blanket on him in the night. He gave a yawn and looked for his glasses. They were on the tea table and when he put them on, he stretched his head to the side and tried to work out the kink in his shoulder.
"Why would they do this," Daphne asked and he looked towards the bed.
She was in a thick nightshirt that hugged up to her neck, with some lace around the neck and wrists. In her hands she was holding two packages.
"Why would who do what?" Harry asked.
"Sirius and Mrs. Weasley gave me presents," Daphne said looking up at him.
Blinking a few times, he realized it was Christmas morning. Other packages were on the bed and Daphne looked totally flummoxed.
"Why not," he asked her, still getting used to the idea of presents after so many years of not getting them. Ron always got excited about his presents, usually jumping on Harry's bed to wake him to open them. The years Hermione had been at Hogwarts she always came up to join them. That thought, and seeing the other presents, he suddenly felt guilty. He hadn't gotten anyone anything.
"Harry, Sirius only claimed us as wards night before last. Why would anyone get me presents?"
Harry had a feeling he understood her shock at it. It was a feeling he knew very well. Getting up, he walked over to the bed, sitting near the edge and giving her some distance. She was still looking at him.
"Why?" It sounded like a little girl that just couldn't comprehend why someone would find her worthy.
"Sirius is my godfather. I should have known that even with me ignoring them, he would at the least get me something. You are my wife, he would get you something too," Harry assured her.
The one from Sirius was a good size package and looked to have something soft in it, like clothes. The other looked like Mrs. Weasley's standard package of fudge, mince pies and small cakes.
"I don't have anything to give you or anyone."
"Harry, how could you? It hasn't even been two days since, you know," she said with a little color.
"I wasn't even thinking what time of year it was," he admitted, sounding morose.
Putting down the package from Mrs. Weasley, she shuffled closer and took his hand. "Harry, I don't need anything. Just don't hate me," she pleaded.
He looked up at her. "I couldn't hate you. I would never want anyone to have the fate you were going to have. If I can save you from that, then it was worth it."
Tears threatened to well out of her eyes. "Thank you," she uttered in a very quiet voice.
A knock came at their door. "Can I come in," Hermione asked through the door.
Daphne wiped at her eyes quickly. "Yes, come in," she called out.
The door opened and Hermione came in wearing a thick flannel shirt and night pants. She smiled to see them. "Happy Christmas!"
Harry tried to return her big smile. "Happy Christmas."
She came in. "The Weasley's are all opening there presents in the sitting room and I wanted a quiet place. Mind if I join you for a bit?"
"I would never keep Harry from his friends," Daphne told her before patting the bed.
Hermione came over, keeping the door open. "You look like you slept on the floor," Hermione said to Harry. "Did you even change?"
"I fell asleep after eating dinner," he told her.
"Harry, I meant I want you to sleep in the same bed as me, not the couch," Daphne told him. "You are not going to be treated like you are anything less than my husband."
He knew his neck and face warmed a bit. Her cheeks took on a little colour also, but she wasn't backing down.
The way she looked at him, he had a feeling she really understood what she had done to him. He wondered if she had been taught all this?
He thought about Madam Pomfrey. 'It is a common enough fate for girls or woman to be made a consort through a betrothal, especially if the first wife can't bear children or there is a line continuance…'
A dark thought hit him that that was what Daphne's true fate had been. She was going to be used as a brood mare or worse. Daphne had said she would have been a third wife, the same as a concubine. She could be ordered to do anything Selwyn had wanted...
As a first wife, like she was now, she had the same powers her Lord would have had. It had also allowed her to break the contract. A third wife could not be currently married.
The look she gave him was questioning, as though she was wondering what was going through his head.
Hermione, looking between them, asked, "Have you opened your presents yet?"
It was quite obvious they had not as Hermione threw one at him and nicely handed Daphne another.
Daphne blinked. "I don't have anything for you," she stated.
Hermione just smiled. "It was something Sirius picked up for me yesterday afternoon. I don't need presents. Now open them."
Harry took the thin package she had thrown at him. It felt like a book. "It's a new broom," he joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Just open it," Hermione laughed. Daphne cracked a smile. Good, he could make her happy.
Daphne opened hers and was holding a nice stationary set and writing board. "I figure if Harry lets you use Hedwig you would have something nice to write on."
Daphne's smile looked wistful. "I don't think I will have anyone to write anymore," she said sadly.
"Sirius has said he would like more letters to know what is going on at Hogwarts," Hermione encouraged her.
"Is it safe to send letters?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. Open your present," she told him.
He did and it was a thin journal with only twenty or so pages but with a a nice red leather cover. "I know you aren't a fan of journals, but this one is different." She took out a green journal like his from a pocket in her shirt. "They work as a pair. What you write in one, it will show in the other. I only made the pair." She sounded guilty.
Harry looked at the journal. "It won't, you know?"
She shook her head. "It only has a protean, impervious and ink vanishing charm. It is not The Journal."
He relaxed some. Daphne looked between them. "What is the journal?"
"Can I tell you later? It's really not a story for today," Harry told her.
"You will tell me?" she asked. Harry heard the tone; that need to be included.
"I promise," he told her. "We can't let Ginny see these."
"That was why I gave it to you in person. I think I can make more, if you want Daphne, and I think Sirius will want one, but these took me days. Each surface needs each spell for it to work properly over distance," she explained.
"Hermione, how advanced are you to know something like the protean charm?" Daphne looked at Hermione appraisingly.
"I don't know. It took me a few weeks of searching to find the charm, and I made a few test pieces before I got it right," she said a little smugly.
By the way Daphne rose her brow at Hermione, Harry had a feeling Hermione should feel smug. "That is a NEWT level spell that most don't master," Daphne told her.
"I needed it so I learned it," Hermione responded. "Now open your other presents."
Harry got a Weasley sweater and the standard package of sweets. Daphne looked at him. "Mrs. Weasley makes the best fudge," he told her.
When Daphne unwrapped Sirius' present she stood with a very nice winter cloak in a nice deep blue. "This is exquisite," she said in awe.
"Sirius got me one too," Hermione told him. "Though mine is a very nice burgundy."
"Hermione, I know this maker. Harvershires. These are not cheap and usually enchanted to stay this way for decades and have other spells," she stated turning the cloak inside out. Harry saw a series of runes on the right side of the opening.
"What do you mean not cheap?" she asked.
"I have asked my parents... I mean, I have wanted one for years and was told I was too young to have something this expensive," Daphne told her.
Daphne looked at the cloak longingly before turning it right side out and laying it neatly on the bed. Harry had never felt such a connection with anyone before. It was a sad connection. Daphne had no parents anymore.
"These cloaks are very expensive and much sought after. Treasure it and take good care of yours," she told Hermione. "You should open your other presents, Harry."
Hermione looked pensively at them as Harry opened his other presents. He received a cloak from the same maker, this one in a men's cut and a even deeper shade of blue than Daphne's. Inside, he found a few pockets. He could keep his invisibility cloak and other things in here, he thought to himself.
Sirius also gave him a mirror. Harry looked confused at this. "I don't think this will help me with my hair," Harry joked.
Hermione chuckled and Daphne looked at him. "Is your hair ever tame?" Daphne put to him.
"No. I tried," Hermione told her. Hermione had tried to help him last year for his disastrous Yule Ball date with Parvati.
"Is Sirius trying to tell me to comb my hair?" he asked.
"Oh, you're up," a tired sounding Sirius commented a few seconds later.
They all looked around, not hearing Sirius enter the room. "Where is he," Hermione asked.
Sirius chuckled. "In Harry's hand."
They all looked down at the mirror. A half-awake Sirius in a dark room came into view. "It's a... it's a... what, a television?" Harry asked awed.
"More like a two-way video," Hermione responded moving to look into the mirror.
Sirius chuckled again. "It's a magical mirror. A television?" Sirius chuckled again. "Lily tried to enchant one to work in your house one time and it zapped James before it died. I think that is what Lily said it did. James got the idea for the mirrors after seeing a muggle phone."
"What is a phone," Daphne asked completely confused.
"Ask the two next to you. Happy Christmas. I'll be down in an hour or so," Sirius said while yawning. They saw him tap the mirror on his end and it was back to a normal mirror.
"This is some serious magic," Hermione enthused as she took it from his hand and started to look at it.
"I didn't know you could do something like that," Daphne stated as she touched the face of the mirror while Hermione looked it over. "Is this something Sirius did?"
A few seconds later, Sirius came back on. "I said I would be down," he gruffed to them. This time the mirror moved as though he was holding it as he sat up and they were looking at blankets.
"We didn't mean to call you," Daphne snapped back. "I don't even know how I did it."
"Well, anytime you touch the mirror and say my name, it will call. Now the two of you go snog Harry or something. I'll be down in a while." The mirror reflected three shocked teens when Sirius vanished.
Daphne looked at the mirror wide eyed. Harry felt his neck heat up and looked to Daphne. Hermione looked red in the face. After a moment, Hermione said, "Harry, I love you like a brother, but I mean like a brother."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah," was all he said, feeling the same towards her.
"Right. I'm going to go see if Mrs. Weasley needs a hand," Hermione said to the room and moved to leave. Neither of them stopped her and she closed the door behind her very quietly.
Daphne looked up from the mirror. There was a question in her eyes. "You and Granger?"
"No," Harry said quickly. "She is cute and all, but she is just my friend."
Daphne didn't look like she believed him. "Never? You two seem really close."
"Maybe for a few months last year before the Yule Ball, but not really."
Daphne frowned. "Is there anyone you like?"
Harry sighed. "I think you're cute," he said before he realized what he was saying.
She snapped her eyes to his. They were slightly magnified through her glasses. The flecks of green and gold in her dark eyes were quite attractive. "Harry, I am being serious."
"So am I," he responded. In for a penny, in for a pound. That was going to have to be his philosophy with Daphne. Obviously she was very unsure of herself at times. He was too. She hid it well, except when it seemed to be just them in the last few days. He saw it though. There was that desperate need for acceptance, for affection.
It was a kindred soul.
"You are sure there is no one else? I will allow you to see anyone you want," she told him. The tone felt heartbreaking to him.
He took her hand. "Daphne, I would never be disloyal that way. Whatever this is between us, I want it to work." He couldn't tell her he needed it to work. Now that his godfather and Hermione were back in his life, he was starting to feel he didn't want to let it go. Daphne also deserved a good life from him.
"But there must be someone you liked?" she questioned.
He snorted. "When would I ever had time? Hermione is my best friend. She is the only girl I have ever spent any real time around. She is brilliant and cute, but I really am not as driven as her to do so well. I think if she doesn't find someone as driven and intelligent as her, she would never be truly happy."
"You don't find anyone else you fancy at all?" She sounded like she wanted him to have someone, or that she had someone.
"Do you?" he put to her.
Her face looked long. His heart sank. "I see," he said when she didn't answer. He pulled his hand back to have her grip it tight.
"Daphne, if you have someone else you like, you know you are free to do anything you want," he told her. Harry had hoped someday they may like each other enough. Like Madam Pomfrey told him, he would be used to give her children. If she found a first husband, Daphne never had to go near him again.
He tried to pull his hand away again and she put her other hand over it. "You," she said in a very small voice.
Harry blinked a few times, unsure he had heard what she said.
After a moment, she looked up at him. Her eyes were the most uncertain he had seen them. "You really don't fancy anyone else?" Daphne questioned.
He didn't want his heart to think there was a chance. He had experienced too much loss and hardship to allow himself to hope. His mouth betrayed him though, "You."
Deep down, he was wondering if all those hours he spent it the greenhouses with Neville or just to hide had been some secret desire to see Daphne. Was that why she was the only other person he really notices, even though dozens of students had special projects, especially those in their NEWT years. Harry was pretty sure he couldn't remember who else had been in those greenhouses outside of class.
Besides Hermione, there was his brief crush on Cho last year for like a week before he was shot down, he couldn't think of anyone else he had really watched like he had Daphne.
Her eyes searched his, as though not believing him.
He was caught off guard when she suddenly leaned over to him. Her lips met his in his first ever kiss. He was shocked. Her lips were moist and she smelled of lavender and another soothing flower he didn't know. He felt his heart start to pound against his chest and there was a slight tingling feeling where their lips met.
She pulled back before his brain really caught up with what just happened. She looked so uncertain and then a smile cracked his face and her eyes looked more confused now.
He wasn't sure what possessed him, though years later he was convinced it was his father's spirit, he cheekily said, "That's it? I didn't even get a chance to show you I liked it."
Harry had seen hints of colour in her face before. This time, she blushed from her neck to her hairline. "It was only my first kiss, you arse," she retorted. Harry liked this more unconstrained version of Daphne.
Before she could get all flustered, he leaned forward this time and she closed her eyes before their lips met. She pushed into him as much as his lips pushed against hers. After a few, their lips moved against each others. It was far more chaste than Harry had seen others around the castle doing, but Harry felt it perfect. He didn't want to 'suck her face off', as he had heard a seventh year say one time.
When they pulled away, she was giving him a dreamy smile this time. "Now we're even. That was the first kiss I gave to someone. And my second."
This time there was shock. "You never kissed anyone, Harry? You're the-boy-who-lived. Half the girls in the castle look like they want you."
He scrunched his nose. "Can you never call me that again? Well, if half the girls want me, they have a funny way of showing it, and it's not like I have the time to date anyone."
She licked her lips. Even with his mood souring a little, he followed the motion and found he wanted to kiss her again. "You really don't like the attention, do you?"
In for a penny, in for a pound, he repeated to himself. He also really liked the kiss. "No, I really just want to be left alone," he told her.
After a moment, she nodded. "I will never bring it up again when we are in private unless you want. I won't promise elsewhere. There may be times it is advantageous to use your past like that."
He snorted. He could tell she didn't mean it to use him. Maybe that was something else with the bond. He could tell her true meanings. "Is this what they mean by Slytherin cunning and ambition?"
She looked a little pleased with herself. "That is rich coming from a Gryffindor that seems to do everything he can to draw attention to himself. I bet not even half the stories about you are true."
"I have a lot of them," he replied.
"Like the journal," she prodded.
"Yes. Just not today. If you want to talk tomorrow, fine. Today we should just try to enjoy ourselves," he told her.
After a moment of searching his face again, she nodded.
Unable to resist it anymore, he leaned in and she kissed him.
When they sat back, he asked, "You really like me?"
She took a little color back to her cheeks. "I, maybe, was looking at you in the greenhouses," she admitted. Harry smirked and she went on. "I heard you talking with Longbottom. I always thought you cute and an amazing seeker. Being in Slytherin I could never approach you though. Hearing you talk with Longbottom, I realized you weren't the attention seeking golden boy of Dumbledore, like many think you as. You just sounded like a hurt boy trying to find someone to listen to you."
Harry leaned in and kissed her forehead. Why would he feel so affectionate for her? He hated people touching him, but her touch felt soothing. He wanted to touch her.
"Your parents will never hurt you again," he told her. The sudden fear and other emotions on her face and in her eyes told him he had hit the nail on the head. She was looking for someone to listen to her and care for her as well.
He went to pull back and her free hand cupped his cheek. "I'm sorry," she told him again.
A sad smile came to his face. "What is done is done. We should just try to make the best of it," he reassured her. He could see this would eat her up though. "Daphne?"
She nodded.
"I do find you cute. And those kisses are nice," he complimented. "We don't have to act like husband and wife just yet. Maybe you could go into Hogsmeade with me? On a date?"
A smile came onto her face. "You mean it?"
"I've never had a girlfriend before. Maybe we can just try that first?"
Her smile looked more joyful now. "Girlfriend? You want me as your girlfriend?"
He returned her smile. "If you want me as your boyfriend?"
She leaned over to him and they kissed. It was a little more heated than last time, but still very tame. It was those initial explorations of two that had never done this before.
The doors suddenly banged open. Daphne screamed and Harry moved to put himself between her and the door. Sirius stood in the door. "You disturb me. I disturb you," his godfather announced.
Harry wanted to throw something at the man.
Satisfied with their reactions, Sirius turned and walked away.
"Remind me to lock the doors later," Daphne groused.
Harry's stomach grumbled. "Remind me to talk with Fred and George. That man is going to find something in his bed tonight."
Daphne insisted on getting dressed and used the bathroom in their suite. Harry, who hadn't finished opening all his presents from Sirius, was surprised to find several nice trousers, button up shirts, boxer shorts, socks and a set of wizards robes.
All the new clothes were on the bed when Daphne came out in a nice pair of green witches robes and her hair pulled back. It looked between casual and formal.
"Was this in your other presents," she asked, placing her night dress and socks at the end of the bed.
"Yeah. All from Sirius," he said a little awed.
"You would look nice in the black slacks and green shirt," she informed him.
Not really knowing if he would or not, he went into the bathroom and changed into them. When he came out, Daphne picked up the robes and held them out for him. "I don't want to wear those today," he told her, not really caring to wear robes outside of class.
"You are Ward to Lord Black. You should look like you are," she told him.
Not wanting to argue, he allowed her to hold them open for him and slip them on.
She looked him up and down and he felt slightly self-conscious. "You look nice," she told him.
"Thanks," he replied. "So do you."
There was a moment of uncertainty before she stepped closer and kissed him again. "I am your girlfriend, but I will have to claim you my consort at times and in certain company."
He kissed her back. "I'm just happy you're my girlfriend."
The smile she gave made his insides tingle.
Some of the Weasley's were still in the first floor sitting room, where a tree had been set up. On the ground floor, they got their first peek of Kreacher since yesterday afternoon. Daphne paused before walking over to Kreacher. The elf looked up at her. It was a mixture of loathing and respect on the elf's face.
She looked at the parlor behind the elf. Probably remembering the warnings about the painting behind them, she spoke in a soft voice. "I don't see any cobwebs or dust. Was this your doing?"
"Kreacher do as Ward Daphne command," the elf said, looking as though he was waiting for an admonishment.
"You did a very nice job. Was it for penance?"
"Mostly," Kreacher admitted. Harry noticed the elf didn't try to insult anyone.
Daphne just nodded. "Keep up the good work. I would like this house to be returned to the grandeur it deserves."
Kreacher just eyed her for a moment. Harry didn't miss that she didn't mention the items the elf had been taking. "As the miss wants," Kreacher responded.
"Oh, and Kreacher?" she asked in a kinder voice.
"Yes, Ward Daphne."
"I want you to sleep. You are to take a minimum of eight hours off every night, and get the sleep you need, unless called. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Ward Daphne." Kreacher made a half bow and retreated into the parlor after looking behind them.
They turned to see Sirius and Ginny. Ginny was on the stairs coming down and Sirius at the door leading to the kitchen. They both just stared at Daphne, who put her head up and back straight. "Happy Christmas," Daphne greeted them.
"The blighter listens to you?" Sirius asked with an unpleasant expression.
"Kreacher listens to myself and Harry. We are Wards of your House," Daphne told him.
Sirius eyes narrowed. "What did you tell him to do? I haven't seen him since yesterday."
"He is cleaning and is doing an excellent job," Daphne responded and left it at that.
Harry had to hold in his laugh at the look on Ginny's and Sirius' faces. If he didn't already like her, he might now. "I thought a house elf only listened to family?" Ginny questioned.
"Lord Black must see us as such then. We are his wards. Now, if you excuse me, my husband and I are famished." She took off for the stairs and Harry just stood there, watching her go, a huge smile on his face.
Sirius' eyes narrowed. "I am going to need to keep an eye on you," he told Daphne.
"There is a certain decorum that should be adhered to as a Lord of the Wizengamot and the House of Black. I will not disappoint you as your Ward. I will also ensure those around you do not disappoint you," she stated stopping at Sirius side, not looking into his eyes until the end. "I have heard you and others don't like these trappings, but if you are to name us heir, I will see things protected."
"I am no blood purist," Sirius said darkly.
"I am not the man that I once called father. I was raised by my mother to see people for their talent, not their heritage. I am no blood purist but have been lumped with them because of my heritage and where I was placed at Hogwarts. Kreacher is what he sees as his true master," she informed him.
They held each other's gaze for a bit. Sirius shook his head. "Merlin, you're going to be a stubborn one."
She quirked a smile. "I prefer to look at it as opinionated."
Sirius started to laugh, which was the wrong thing as Harry and Daphne were suddenly made aware of why the painting was behind a curtain.
"MUDBLOODS! FILTH! BLOOD TRAITORS! That filth of my loins denigrates this house. They should all..."
As she went on to describe what should happen to them, Sirius started to scream back at her and a few seconds later there was a bang and she was behind the curtain and quiet again.
"Dirty old blood sucking bat," Sirius swore lowly.
"Master should not talk of Mistress Black that way," Kreacher said from the door.
"Shut it you flea bag..."
"Lord Black," Daphne snapped.
Sirius turned on her with an evil eye. Harry was moving to her. "You stay out of this," Sirius ordered Daphne.
She returned his eye. "I will not. This elf is part of our family. Would you treat Harry or I that way?"
Harry stopped a few feet from her. Even Hermione couldn't stare down Sirius like that at sixteen. Come to think of it, how old was Daphne?
Sirius seemed to war with himself for a moment before his shoulders slumped. "You don't understand, Daphne. Kreacher is my mother's elf and believes everything she told him. He's been trapped in this house with that painting for almost fifteen years before I moved back in last summer."
"Kreacher serves the House of Black, as do we. He is a symbol of what this House stands for. In his current state, what do you think that says about you, and by extension Harry and I?" Daphne wasn't backing down.
"Merlin-be-damned high-born witches. You are all brainwashed to see it that way."
Daphne bristled. "Perhaps it is better for Ward Harry and I to find different accommodations, Lord Black. You have a fine house here, but it is ill cared for. As is Kreacher. Would you treat us the same? Is it any different what has happened with my Husband over the last year?"
Harry frowned.
Sirius kept her glare before slumping his shoulders. He looked to Harry. After a moment, Sirius grumbled. "I need a drink. I'll be in my study."
Ginny was just looking at them as Sirius passed her to go up the stairs. "Sirius," Daphne called after him. He stopped on the stairs to look at them.
"I am sure your godson would like some of your time today," she stated, looking away from him.
"I'll be down for dinner later," Sirius told them.
Harry watched him leave, unsure if he should stay with Daphne or go after Sirius.
"May we help you, Ms. Weasley?" Daphne looked at a still dumbstruck Ginny. Harry could tell Daphne was upset. What he was trying to understand was why she hadn't tried to dress him down like this yet. She had done it to Hermione and now his godfather.
Ginny shook her head, as though trying to understand something. "Why are you protecting Kreacher?" she asked, a frown on her face as though it wasn't what she was really trying to get at. "Hermione and Ron told us about yesterday."
"Why shouldn't I? Kreacher is a member of House Black. He should be treated with the same dignity as any other member of this household. If that is all you have, we are going down to the kitchen," Daphne stated.
Harry was thinking the day on the whole had been nice, until it wasn't.
Sirius didn't stay long in his study, joining them at breakfast and making it his job to see how much he could make Daphne and him flustered or blush. Hermione mentioned about mid-day it was unusual for him not to already be half-sloshed.
George, Fred, Mr. Weasley and Hermione just accepted Daphne and were very nice to her. Ron was pleasant, but kept casting glances at her. Ginny looked rather glum most of the day and Mrs. Weasley wouldn't stop fussing over him or trying to get him alone. When Mrs. Weasley had gotten him alone just after dinner, she had asked him if he was alright and offered to check him for compulsions or potions or whatever was being used on him. Harry had blown up at her and stormed up to his room.
A little while later the door opened and Daphne slipped in.
"Are you alright," Daphne asked.
He was on the couch again, this time already in his pajamas and a blanket ready to use. "Mrs. Weasley didn't yell at your or anything?" Harry asked.
"No. Sirius and Mrs. Weasley got into a good row with him putting down his foot that he was our guardian and that nothing impropriate was done," she told him, walking over to the couch.
He lifted his legs up so she could sit with him.
"I wanted to curse her for thinking you did something you shouldn't," he told her. It was probably a good thing his wand was in their room. It wouldn't be for now on.
"You really would have defended me like that?"
"You are my girlfriend, my wife, of course I would."
A small smile came to her face. "Are you ready for bed? Ronald wanted to use his new chessmen if not."
Harry swung his arms over his eyes as he leaned back. "I'm not in the mood to get beat tonight. My chessmen won't listen to me half the time because of him."
"Do you have an extra set? I can teach you what I know," Daphne offered.
"I only own the one set. I think Ron has three or four. Maybe tomorrow I can ask to borrow one," he responded.
"It would work better with a set that either knows me or you. Do you think Sirius would mind if I borrowed a set if he has one?"
"Probably not."
They sat in silence for a few. Harry didn't feel like he needed to say anything, like he did at times with Hermione. Ron was usually content not to say much, but most of their conversations were either about chess, Quidditch or school.
When Daphne got up without a word, he found he missed her right away. He heard her move around and was surprised a moment later when she leaned over him and kissed him.
He pulled his arm up to look at her when she pulled back. "What was that for," he asked with an easy smirk.
"You looked like you needed it. And I think I am allowed to kiss my boyfriend."
"Do I get to kiss my girlfriend?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I need to take a bath. If you join me in the bed, I wouldn't say no to a good night kiss."
Harry watched her as she moved to the bed, picked up her night shirt and sauntered to the bathroom. It was a small fight in his head, but after a moment, he took the pillow he had stolen and moved to the bed.
While waiting, and bored, he took his bag and his transfiguration book out. He hadn't touched the homework yet and figured now was as good a time as any.
By the time she came out, he had read the chapter. Something he didn't usually do, and had eight inches of the ten due on vanishing spells. He glanced at her, noticing that the gas lamp by the bathroom shown through her nightdress that went down to her knees. Harry had a good look as it showed a thin frame and decent curves. She wasn't voluptuous, but he found he liked the more athletic build to her.
He looked away quickly when he realized he was staring.
She took her bag and soon joined him. "Transfiguration?"
"Yeah. Almost done. I can ask Hermione to check it over tomorrow."
"I can help you," Daphne offered.
"Did you finish yours already?"
"Last Saturday and Sunday. I don't like to leave work if I could finish it early," she told him.
He snorted. "You sound like Hermione. Can I just finish first?"
"Sure," she told him.
When he was done, he blew on the page and put it to the side. She was working on something and he didn't want to disturb her. It was now close to ten.
When she pushed her glasses up her nose, he smiled. "I wish we were at school," he told her.
She looked up. "Why?"
"I could teach you a spell to keep your glasses from falling like that," he told her.
She looked perplexed. "Why can't you teach me now?"
"We aren't supposed to do magic outside of school or Hogsmeade," he reminded her. Harry had intimate knowledge of what happens if you do... or if an insane elf did it around you.
"You do know there is an exception when you are in a wizarding home? As long as you have muggle repellant and distraction charms?"
His eyes grew wide. "I can't try though. I can't give Fudge another reason to try to send me to Azkaban."
"What are you talking about? Why would you go to Azkaban?"
He gave a strange look. "You have read the Prophet this year? I am a crazed lunatic that lies about everything."
She laughed. "I thought you brighter than to trust all that?" At his look she sobered. "Sirius has been cleared. I have a feeling Fudge and a few others have taken a serious hit for that, especially now they can't blame the Azkaban breakout on him. We are now wards of a Lord. Even if the Death Eaters want you and him dead, they wouldn't go against certain laws. I am sure some like Amelia Bones would love to nail half the Houses on the Wizengamot for violating the laws, or go after their children."
He was still reluctant. As much as he wanted to stick it to Fudge and others, he now had a reason not to throw everything away.
"Can you wait until we get back," he asked.
She put a hand over his. "I can wait. I don't think you a crazed lunatic."
"Thanks."
"How about we finish our work tomorrow? I can help you if you want. Or you can ask Hermione." By the tone of her voice, he had a feeling asking Hermione before Daphne was a bad thing to do.
"If you would please. What if we ask to study with her after you help me?"
Daphne nodded with a small smile. "Thank you," she told him.
"For what," he asked, feeling he should thank her.
"Trusting me," she responded.
"If I don't, we won't get far," he told her.
She smiled and leaned over to give him a kiss. "I'm tired. Please sleep next to me tonight?"
Harry nodded and a short time later they were both crawling under the covers. The bed was large. Large enough for them to be a few feet apart. Neither of them seemed ready to bridge that gap.
After ten minutes or so, Harry had to admit he liked having someone close. Daphne's hand creeped under the covers over to his and he put his fingers between hers. She let out a sigh.
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