Harry/Daphne One-shot #1: Inquisitor (Patreon)

“How much longer are they going to hide in there?” Malfoy asked impatiently.

The other members of the Inquisitorial Squad decided it was best not to answer. They were all arrayed in a semi-circle, waiting in front of a wooden door, looking identical to all the other doors in this sixth-floor corridor.

“Perhaps they know we’re here, Mr. Malfoy.” Umbridge, standing directly in front of the door, tapped her chin, “Perhaps it’ll be best if we make our presence known.”

Umbridge leveled her wand at the door and spat out an incantation. There was a loud bang as the door shook.

“This is your one and only chance, students! Come out willingly, and your punishment will be less severe!” Umbridged yelled.

The members of the Inquisitorial Squad adjusted their stances. Crabbe and Goyle squared up, wands at their hips as they prepared to tackle the smallest, weakest students they saw. Pansy was hoping to catch Granger with a nasty hex she’d learned the other day. Theo wanted to test out what he’d learned at home this past summer. Flint and Warrington were looking particularly vicious, attack dogs ready to be let off the leash.

They were all so filled with blood lust, none of them paid any attention to Greengrass, who was at the back of the group, keeping a neutral expression.

“That’s enough!” Umbridged yelled, “You children have been disobedient for the last time!”

The woman unlocked the door before blasting it open. The faces of the squad filled with glee as they prepared for the mayhem that was about to ensue, the fog of war, where anything could happen, and no one would be quite able to tell who had done what to whom.

Except, the door to the room which everyone had thought was a broom closet, but Malfoy had insisted was the secret meeting room Potter was using to raise his anti-ministry army, turned out to in fact just be a broom closet.

Umbridge frowned deeply as she looked at the small little nook filled with cleaning supplies.

“No, it was here!” Draco yelled, making his way forward as his face turned beet-red with anger. “I…I heard them say it! Sixth floor, right next to the painting of Franklin the Frisian!”

Umbridge inspected the closet, trying to find any hidden doorways or obvious signs of enchantment, finding none. “I believe you were fed bad information, Mr. Malfoy.” she looked down at the blonde boy with that sickly sweet smile of hers. “Do try to verify your sources, next time. This is how dangerous lies get spread.”

Malfoy blanched, his face now paling as he bowed his head. “Of course, Headmistress. It won’t happen again.”

Umbridged nodded, “Well, let's get on then, there’s still plenty of unruly students to discipline!”

And just like that, the Inquisitorial Squad dispersed. As they all went their separate ways, Daphne could hear many grumbling about Malfoy’s stupidity, while Malfoy himself was shooting glares at Warrington. She was sure that the boy would try to exact some form of revenge on the older Slytherin. She would feel pity for anyone else, but Malfoy had long since lost any sympathy from her. Malfoy would be sloppy and unsubtle, Warrington would retaliate with much more vicious means, and there would be a nice little internal conflict in Slytherin for a few weeks.

The reason Malfoy was angry at Warrington was because he’d overheard Warrington saying how he’d discovered Potter’s secret training room. Draco had rushed off to be the first to tell Umbridge about it, not realizing that the reason Warrington hadn’t been angry with him for going around his back wasn’t because he feared the Malfoy scion, but because it hadn’t been Warrington at all who’d spread the lie. It had been Daphne, under polyjuice.

Daphne made her way downstairs, ignoring the looks of fear and hatred she received, ignoring how everyone jumped away at the sight of her. She was used to it. For the first four years of her school life, she’d been the Slytherin ice queen, an aloof princess that everyone knew to avoid. Now, as a member of the Inquisitorial Squad, everyone still avoided her, they just now hated her guts, too.

Daphne ignored them all, she was laser focused on finding one particular student. Malfoy had just lost favor in Umbridge’s eyes, and she was about to gain just as much if not more in kind.

…

"Harry! What's gotten into you?" Hermione squealed, looking every which way nervously as she shook her friend's shoulder.

"Mate, as much as I like the gesture, you really shouldn't be doing this." Ron, usually one to encourage Harry's worst impulses, was siding with Hermione as he wondered whether the stress of this whole year had finally gotten to him.

Harry ignored his friends as he placed the finishing touches on his masterwork.

Hermione had given him a stern warning but a slight smile when he'd written "Fat Toad!" across Umbridge's classroom door. Ron had laughed and Patted him on the back.

But when Harry had kept going, painting an elaborate image of ToadBridge, complete with a detailed naturalistic background, they had started to panic. The corridor had been deserted, but Harry had been at it for fifteen minutes now, it was like he was begging to get caught.

"Alright, Harry, I think that's enough." Ron  tugged at his mate a bit more firmly now, trying to shake him out of whatever trance he was in.

"Potter! Granger! Weasley!"

Ron and Hermione turned around in a panic, only to be faced with Daphne Greengrass, a Slytherin in their year and member of the hated Inquisitorial Squad, approaching from the end of the hall.

"Fucking snake! Let's go!" Ron pulled Hermione away as he began sprinting. Harry caught on a little bit too slowly, and when he tried to follow after them, Greengrass caught him with a leg-locking jynx that left him tumbling onto the ground.

"Harry!" Hermione called after him, but Ron pulled her away. Harry had been reckless, and the rest of the Inquisitorial Squad was surely on Greegrass' heels.

…

"My, my. You have made quite the catch, Ms. Greengrass." Umbridge cooed as Daphne stood behind her, back straight and arms behind her back

"I suspected Potter spread the misinformation on purpose, Headmistress, in an attempt to vandalize your office."

Umbridge smiled. "You are quite brilliant, Miss Greengrass." She turned to look at the boy who was staring at her defiantly from his seat, "You, on the other hand, Mr Potter, are quite a foolish young boy."

Daphne snorted. Harry glared at Umbridge, refusing to speak.

"It goes without saying that you'll serve detention with me, for the remainder of term." Umbridge's lips curved downward. "And you will remove that grotesque painting immediately!"

Harry chuckled. "Already tried to remove it, huh? It's not going to come off."

Umbridge slammed her fist on Harry's desk, glaring down at the boy who did not look intimidated in the least. Over Umbridge's shoulder, he caught Daphne's eye, who sneered and looked away.

"It is clear that you need a firmer hand than I have shown you so far, Mr. Potter." Umbridge growled. "For your sake, I hope my teachings can penetrate that thick skull of yours. Dumbledore has coddled you for far too long."

"Professor."

Unbridge spun around, having forgotten there was someone else in the room. She looked at the blonde girl who had proven to be much more competent than Mr. Malfoy over the past few weeks.

"Yes, Ms. Greengrass."

Daphne walked up, looking hesitant. "I know this is an unusual request…and I understand if you do not approve-"

"Speak your mind, my dear." Unbridge ordered impatiently, wanting to return to her intimidation of the Potter heir.

"Would it be possible for me to discipline Potter? After you are finished with him, of course. There are some spells that my father taught me over the summer that I have been eager to test out."

Daphne's father had been a famous interrogator at the Ministry before his retirement. No matter how tough the wizard or witch was, Andronicus Greengrass needed only a half-hour with them to get a confession.

Umbridge smiled, the girl deserved a reward for all her good work. "Of course, Miss Greengrass. After my detentions, you may experiment with the boy. Just be prudent."

Daphne nodded in understanding. "Nothing publicly visible. I understand, Professor."

"Wonderful." Umbridge clapped her hands together before turning towards the boy, who to her great pleasure had paled considerably. "You are dismissed, Mr. Potter. Be ready for our first session tomorrow night."

…

Umbridge had provided Daphne with a large classroom, which the girl had quickly furnished with implements of torture. Chains, racks, tables filled with metal tools, the whole nine.

The High Inquisitor's eyes lit up when she brought Harry into the room. Harry was holding a bandaged hand up against his chest.

Umbridge looked like she might ask if she could stay and watch, but she managed to collect herself. "I'll leave him in your care, Miss Greengrass. Be mindful of the noise."

Daphne nodded respectfully as she whipped her wand out. "I've placed silencing charms, professor, no one will hear a peep."

Umbridge responded with a vicious smile. "Excellent." She shot Harry one final look. "I'd warn you to be respectful, Mr Potter, but we both know you are too far gone. That is why you are being punished so severely."

With that, Umbridge swept out of the room, her ugly pink cardigan disappearing as the door slammed shut behind her and Harry heard the telltale clicks of multiple wards activating.

Harry turned around to face Greengrass. Tension filled the air as the two teenagers stared each other down. One, a tall dark-haired boy with bright green eyes and round glasses, the other, a gorgeous blonde girl with sapphire blue eyes and cold, aristocratic features.

"Can I see your hand?" Daphne asked, her voice filled with tenderness as her blue eyes sparkled with concern.

Harry looked hesitant, but he still held his hand out for her as she walked over. "It's nothing too bad, Daph."

Daphne shot him a glare as he hissed when she touched his hand. Daphne removed the bandages, her frown only deepening when she saw the back of his hand.

'I must not tell lies'

It was red and raw. This was no different from before, but the way Harry's hand trembled and twitched uncontrollably was new.

"She did it. The bitch actually used it." Daphne hissed, taking great care not to squeeze Harry's injured hand out of anger.

"We knew she'd do it, Daph."

Daphne's lip quivered, and it pained Harry even more to see her like this. Harry opened his arms wide, and Daphne easily fell into his embrace. Harry tried his best to ignore the burning on the back of his hand and buried his nose in Daphne's hair. Her sweet, floral scent served to soothe him.

Daphne pulled back. "Come on, I have some essence of murtlap."

Daphne led Harry to the table with all the torture implements. After a wave of her wand, they were all swept away to reveal a deep bowl full of a clear liquid.

Harry dipped his hand in the bowl, wincing in pain before feeling the instant relief as the potion worked its magic.

Daphne still looked shaken up. Harry put a hand on her face, and the blonde placed her own hand over his own as she leaned into his touch.

"We got her, Daph. Once the aurors find that recorder rune you left in her office and discover all the dark shit she’s done…you sait it yourself! Using a blood quill means Azkaban, using a Cruciatus quill on top of that…she'll be lucky if she gets the kiss."

It had all gone according to plan. Daphne had planted the highly illegal quill amongst Umbridge's things. The woman had seen it and knew immediately what it was, a blood quill that also put the user under a mild  but very localized version of the Cruciatus Curse.

The woman had not hesitated to use it. She'd actually been gleeful, as if Christmas had come early.

"But now what? We still have the rest of term to go, and you're going to continue being tortured by that woman!"

Harry tried to assuage her worries. "Daph, relax. The quill is defective, right? It'll lose its potency after a few uses. Besides, maybe Susan can persuade her aunt to investigate a little earlier."

Daphne shook her head. "I don't like this. Maybe…maybe I can convince her to hand your sessions over to me fully."

"And risk blowing your cover?" Harry asked. "No, Daph. I need you there, undermining them, but more importantly, gathering information on Voldemort."

Daphne sagged at his words. Harry pulled his hand out of the bowl, still feeling a stinging pain but not as intense as it had been.

"Where can we sit down?"

Daphne ushered Harry over to a corner covered in chains. She yanked on one of them, causing the wall to spin around and wheel in a small bed.

Harry raised an eyebrow and Daphne gave him an innocent smile. "I figured you'd need rest."

They sat down, with Daphne wrapping her arms around Harry and resting her head on his shoulder.

"You owe me after all this is over, Potter." She sent him a mock glare.

Harry leaned in, zeroing in on Daphne's pouty red lips. Harry brushed his lips against her own. Daphne mewled into the kiss, and soon the two teenagers became lost in each other's embrace as the kiss turned into a deep snog.

When they finally pulled back for air, Daphne's hair was the slightest bit disheveled and her blue eyes were now filled with that warmth that made Harry's heart soar.

Daphne carefully grabbed onto Harry's hand, lifting it gingerly up to her lips and pressing a soft kiss on the spot where those hateful words had become engraved.

Harry's heart swelled. "Daphne, when all this is over, I'm going to your father and asking for your hand."

"Harry!" She gasped, equal parts shocked and hopeful. "But, what about-"

Harry silenced her with a finger to her lips. "I don't care anymore, Daphne. I love you. Your parents are going to have to hop off the fence, because I refuse to let any of those bastards think they can sink their claws into you."

Daphne's heart soared as she felt a weight being lifted. No matter how much she loved Harry, a part of her had always been worried. Worried that he was just using her, that he'd dispose of her once she'd served her purpose as his little spy. She'd been worried that he'd expect her to actually join The Dark Lord's ranks, something the quiet girl who craved a simple life was not looking forward to at all.

Harry leaned into her once more, and Daphne welcomed his kiss with fervor. She grabbed a fistful of robes and pulled Harry down onto the bed with him.

The two teens became lost in each other, lost in the passion of their embrace.

When Harry exited Daphne's torture chamber a few hours later, well past curfew, he made sure to affect a limp, and act as beaten down as possible. But inside, he wanted to walk with a skip in his step. He wanted to run around and wake up the entire school shouting his love for Daphne at the top of his lungs.

…

"Are we really doing this?" Hermione breathed out.

"Last chance to back out, for all of you." Harry said, shooting each of his friends a serious look, letting them know it was now or never.

Neither Neville, Ginny nor Luna flinched. They were as determined as Ron and Hermione to see this through, to help him save Sirius.

"Alright then, let's go!" Harry called.

Just as they were about to pull back on the reins and fly off on the thestrals, a figure came running down from the castle.

"Fucking Greengrass!" Ron grumbled. "I thought we left them all tied up!"

They had, but Harry had released Daphne. He'd told her what he planned to do, he'd told her how dangerous it was, how he didn't want her to get hurt.

And yet, she was running towards them, not caring a single bit about the wands that were trained on her.

"Greengrass, I suggest you leave us alone. Go back to the castle!" Ginny warned, the bat-bogey hex already on the tip of her tongue.

But Daphne ignored her, she only had eyes for Harry, who was staring down at her with a firm look.

The others shared questioning looks when the staring contest between Harry and Daphne became apparent. Hermione was about to speak up, to say anything to cut through the tension, when Harry finally spoke.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his emerald green eyes gleaming with worry.

Daphne raised her chin up. "Harry, no matter what happens from now on, I don't ever want to leave your side."

Gasps filled the clearing as everyone looked on incredulously, except for Luna, who just wore her same dreamy smile as Harry held his hand out. Daphne grabbed onto it and hopped on behind him.

There would be a lot of explanations during their long ride to the Ministry, and then there was the entire crazy ordeal of saving Sirius from a bunch of Death Eaters. But, as Harry felt Daphne's hands squeeze tightly around his waist, he knew that as long as they were together, there was nothing they couldn't overcome.

…

It was chaos. Spells were flying everywhere, time turners crashed to the floor and shattered, the Order had entered the fray, and it was all they could do to keep their heads above water.

And yet, Harry couldn't be any happier. Daphne and him were fighting, back to back, shooting spells off at a rapid clip, protecting each other when they had to and even managing to save their friends along the way. At one point, when a spell from Bellatrix LeStrange had been moments from impacting Sirius, who'd been standing dangerously close to the Veil of Death, it had a well placed banishing charm from Daphne that had saved Sirius from danger.

The two fought together like a well-oiled machine, and they managed to turn the tide completely, and subdue the Death Eaters.

Then Voldemort had shown up. He’d possessed Harry, begged Dumbledore to kill him.

In those moments of pure agony, where his mind felt like it would tear apart, it was thoughts of Daphne that helped Harry eject the Dark Lord from his mind.

…

Harry stared off into the lake. The game had changed. The cold war had turned hot.

But another thing had changed. He was out in public, running his hands over a blonde head of hair that was resting on his lap.

Daphne had had to be removed from the Slytherin dorms, her betrayal too deep for her to remain. They’d kept an eye on Astoria, who was a Ravenclaw, but the young girl had been well protected by her friends and the staff.

It was a new world, and yet more than the upcoming clashes with the Dark Lord and his followers, Harry felt nervous about another clash. He would meet with Daphne’s parents at King’s Cross, they would have a talk.

He just hoped they were as reasonable as Daphne said. Otherwise, Harry would have no compunction with running away with Daphne. It was a crazy thought, as the two teenagers had nowhere to go, and a deranged madman on their heels, but Harry didn’t care. All he cared about were the gorgeous blue eyes that were staring contentedly out onto the lake as she purred on his lap.