HP: The Magical Gamer [Chapter 110: You... Demon! ] (Patreon)

That morning, Harry waited in the Gryffindor common for his friends and his sister. His mind was so preoccupied by the dream that he didn't notice his sister even when she sat beside him.

She had to shake his shoulder to bring him out of his troubled thoughts.

"Good morning, Harry. You okay?" She asked, wrapping her arms around him and whispering in his ear.

"I am fine, Iris. I was just thinking. Good morning." Harry smiled reassuringly as they pulled back.

She didn't believe him for a second. But before she could interrogate him further, their friends arrived and her chance to talk to him vanished.

Astoria wasn't her usual chirpy self as she slumped down in Harry's lap.

"I don't want to go outside. My demon sister is probably waiting to pounce on me." said Astoria with a scared voice.

"Good morning to you too, Astoria. And don't be melodramatic. Daphne will not 'pounce' on you. I don't even think she will waste her time by waiting outside the common room. How would she even know where the Gryffindor common room is?" Hermione said to the younger girl.

Astoria didn't even pay attention to her words and kept on staring at him imploringly, managing to annoy her.

"Fine. I will protect you. Now smile for me. You don't look too cute when you are all sad and gloomy." Harry ruffled her blonde hair, his heart growing light from her childish antics. He always liked how Astoria brought a cheerful atmosphere wherever she went. It was almost magical.

Astoria shot him a blinding smile and kissed his cheek loudly. "I knew there must be a reason why I chose you as my future husband."

"I am flattered. Now let's go and see if Daphne really is waiting for us outside." Harry answered, already getting used to being called her 'future husband'.

Iris caught his eye as they approached the door. The single glance was enough for both of them to communicate.

'We will talk about it tonight when we will be alone.' Iris seemed to say. He nodded imperceptibly.

Lo and behold, Daphne really was standing outside with crossed arms. She cocked her eyebrow when Astoria threw her hands in exasperation. "I knew it."

"Come with me, Tori. We need to talk." ordered Daphne.

Astoria shook her head.

"Astoria, come with me." Daphne reiterated coldly.

"Nope, I am not coming with you, demon. Go away." Astoria scampered away and hid behind Harry.

Daphne heaved a long suffering sigh. "I will not scold you. Just come with me."

"Okay. But Harry is coming too. He will make sure that you keep your word." Astoria proposed instead, sticking out her head from behind him.

"Fine. He can come too. But no one else." Daphne gave her reluctant assent.

"You all continue to the Great Hall. We will meet you there." Harry announced, waving them away and following behind Daphne to an empty classroom.

Just as they entered inside, Daphne closed the door and stared at Astoria. The said girl gulped and fidgeted on her feet.

"Last night was a disaster. Mother will hear about it. But that's it. I am not going to scold you as I promised earlier. I just want to ask you, are you good? Do you feel lonely?" Daphne questioned softly, spreading her hands in invitation.

Astoria swiftly slammed into her, hugging her tightly. The elder sister smiled gently, reciprocating the fierce hug.

Harry too chuckled at the scene and leaned against the wall.

"I am good, Daph. Although I feel kind of lonely, I think I will make friends with my roommates soon. I even talked to Ginny before going to sleep. I miss my room and mum but I will be fine." mumbled Astoria.

"Hmm. That's good. In a way, I am relieved that you were sorted into Gryffindor." Daphne confessed, frowning as they pulled back.

"Why?" asked Astoria.

Daphne simply shrugged. "Because Gryffindor is safe."

"What do you mean, Daphne? Are you having problems in your house?" Harry enquired, interrupting them.

"Well, the upper years did try to punish me and Tracey for associating with you and taking your side against Draco the previous year. They wanted us to become his slave for a week. I mean they obviously didn't use the word 'slave', but that's what it was in reality. Of course, I protested. But they still didn't see it our way. So I punched the seventh year and kicked her on her head, who was rallying the house against us. After that, no one bothered us anymore." Daphne revealed nonchalantly.

Astoria and Harry stared at her in shock. The younger sister's eyes shone with admiration and she whispered "My sister is so cool!'

Daphne blushed a little at the intense stare she was getting from Astoria and puffed her chest in pride. Harry on the other hand had a different reaction.

"Are you sure you are safe there, Daphne? Do you need me to talk with the headmaster? I don't think it is normal for a whole house to group against two students." He muttered in concern.

"It's nothing, Harry. I am fine. I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry." Daphne assured him, waving away his concern.

"But still, it is dangerous. You shouldn't be careless. You don't know what will happen next. They might be plotting against you right now." Harry suggested, scowling at the thought of his friends having a hard time because they were with him.

"Harry, you are starting to annoy me. I said I can take care of myself, didn't I? I don't need anyone's help. I am capable enough." Daphne responded harshly. She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth. Her gaze softened and she grabbed his hand, squeezing it in apology. "I am sorry, Harry. But please let me handle this. I will feel weak if I have to ask for others' help for such minor trouble."