HP - Chapter 90: Argument with the secret friend (Patreon)

Disclaimer: 

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

“Dialogue”

‘Thoughts’

-Author notes-

Chapter 90: Argument with the secret friend

“Hi,” Harry said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Daphne let out a loud shriek while making a short jump backward.

“You need to stop making so much noise every time we meet, we are supposed to be sneaky.” He decided to remind her.

“Potter!, stop using that damn cloak of yours to startle me,” she growled.

Harry raised his hands defensively.

“As you can see, I have no clue this time…”

“Then how come I didn't see you approaching?” She asked with suspicion.

‘Because I recalled how to use the disillusionment charm.’ he thought.

“You must have been distracted. “

He turned around and ignored her complaints. They could not remain in the middle of the corridor for much longer. It was Saturday morning and a lot of students were walking around the castle.

He opened the door of the meeting room and waited for Daphne to enter before closing it and applying a silencing charm.

“What happened to your cloak anyway? You never came here without it.”

“It broke,” he answered 

“Broke?” she asked with a doubtful look.

“Is more likely that the enchantment ran out of magic. Even the high-quality ones only last for a year or two.

A smug grin appeared on her face.

“You know…if you ask me nicely, I can ask my father to obtain one for you. “

“No need.” Harry sat down on a sofa. He had no interest in normal cloaks, he just wanted to know what happened to his.

“Fine!” She was hoping to have him owe her a favor.

“My sister, Astoria talked a lot about you after she came back from her visit.” Daphne sat down in front of him.

“A lot you say?” He found that hard to believe.

“And what did she have to say about me?”

“Her exact words were…’ he is interesting’....”

“That's a lot?” Harry asked after a brief pause. If that's all she told her, that means Astoria probably kept to herself what she saw ad the basement.

“That's a lot for her. Then only other person she had ever talked about was your sister.” Daphne pointed out.

“I understand.” He waited for a moment to see if she would say something else, but seeing her silent, he decided to ask.

“What did you really talk about?, I assume it wasn't just tell me that. “

Daphne frowned.

“Is my company that unpleasant?”

‘What's with this girl now? She wasn't like that last year.’

“No, I do not find your company unpleasant... I was just curious about your reason for requesting this meeting. You usually have something important to discuss.”

Her expression of displeasure appeared to diminish slightly. 

“Of course, I have something important. I hope you have not forgotten about your promise. “

“Righ…I have not forgotten about it. Have you been working on your mental defenses?”

“Why don't you give them a try? I have been working all su-”

“Legilimency.” His spare wand appeared on his left hand and was pointed at her head before she could finish her sentence.

Daphne screamed as he pushed against her defenses. He was not trying to read her thoughts or any of her memories. Just trying to tear down her mental barriers. 

But after the assault, they still held in place.

He could probably break them down with a second attack but that was not necessary. It was already impressive that she got this far in just one summer.

“Not bad.” He told her, only to realize that she was unconscious.

“Mmm…maybe I went a bit too far.” 

At least there were no classes today.

He pulled a book from a small shelve and sat down to read.

<><><><><><>

It took an hour for her to wake up.

“Urgg…my head… “ Daphne groaned.

“Why am I on the floor?” she looked a bit disoriented.

“You passed out during our test.” Harry took a sip of his tea.

“And you left me on the floor?” She could not believe it.

“I didn't want to appear rude and touch your body without permission,” he told her.

“That's ridiculous!. Of course, you can touch my body.”

Harry raised an eyebrow.

“I mean in an emergency!” she got a bit red.

“I'll remember it.”

“And where did you get food from?” She saw him eat something with a spoon and take another sip of tea.

“I called an elf.” 

“What?!, we are not supposed to be seen here.” 

“By students or professors…the elves don't care.” He took another bite.

“This is delicious…”

“Would you stop eating cake already?!” 

“Is not cake, it's chocolate tart. Vanilla base, chocolate ganache, and a drizzle of mint sauce. I only have enough for me but…I'll let you take one bite.” he conceded.

“I don't want any! But more importantly…what happened with the test?...did I fail?” She looked somewhat worried, after all, she had put in a lot of effort.

“Not at all. You passed. Your defenses are decent.” Harry finished his dessert and took one last sip of tea.

“Then…you have to tell me what happened last year.” 

“I don't have to tell you anything.  I can tell you things…there is a difference.” 

“Right…” she appeared to at least realize this.

“You don't have to answer but…there are a few things I have been wanting to know.”

“Like?”

“Like what happened last year with that teacher who attacked us…and don't tell me he just ran away.” Daphne looked serious. 

“We had a short duel. I won,” Harry answered.

“You won…against a veteran hit wizard.” 

“You don't have to believe me. But you asked.” 

“Is Professor Nayar alive?”

“No.” 

Daphne paused for a moment.  She was going to ask if he was the one who killed him, but he wasn't going to answer something that direct.

“Have you lied about your identity? Because there is no way a first year could…you know.”

“We have not lied to you or your family. I am Harry Potter, heir of the house of Potter, that is the truth. “

She seems a bit relieved after hearing this.

“But you won't tell me more about you…” 

“Is not relevant.” 

“Of course is relevant!. Our families have a contract, we could become engaged one day.” Said Daphne with exasperation.

“That's why you are so obsessed with this? That's extremely unlikely to happen.” 

There was one clause in their contract saying that if neither of them had found a suitable partner by the end of Hogwarts, they would revise the matter of the marriage between their families. 

He knew that his parents only agreed to this in order to satisfy Lord Greengrass, and they would never agree on anything against his will. But it seems like Daphne has different ideas.

“Why won't you trust me?, what do I have to d-”

The ground started to shake with tremendous violence all of a sudden like it did a week ago during the opening feast.