They were in the middle of their third dance when Harry felt someone tapping on his shoulder. Turning to look he was met with the angry face of his roommate and former friend, Ron Weasley.
"Can I help you, Ron?" Harry asked, wondering why he was being interrupted.
"Yeah! You can tell me what you're doing with her." Ron answered, pointing at Daphne who was quickly getting upset.
"I'm dancing. I think it would be best if you left us alone now." Harry replied, trying to avoid making a scene but knowing Ron was likely to start one.
"She's a Slytherin! You can't trust any of them." the red head yelled, loud enough to get the attention of everyone on the dance floor. Harry's temper finally got the better of him and he was about to yell back a response when Daphne spoke up, cutting him off.
"No Weasley, the one he can't trust is you! You were the one who turned your back on who was supposed to be your best friend when he needed you the most. I was there for him when you weren't. And I will not let some jealous fool like you insult me or say otherwise. Turn around and walk off or I will make you regret it." Daphne commanded. At some point, Harry noticed, she had taken out her wand and was grasping it tightly. From the angry look on her face Harry could tell she was only moments away from cursing Ron. He lightly put his hand on her arm hoping hoping she would wait a moment before casting a spell.
"Go now, or I won't stop her." Harry said, glaring at his former friend. Ron looked at them both angrily, and then stormed off back towards where he had come from. Daphne was still fuming; a little angry that Harry had stopped her from casting some of the nasty spells that had come to mind when Ron had interrupted them. Harry quickly realized that they were not going to be able to just finish their dance because all of the people around them had stopped to watch the argument. Even though Ron had left they were still being stared at.
"Let's go outside and get some air, ok?" Harry suggested. Daphne nodded and held his hand as they walked outside to the garden that had been specially prepared for the Ball. A few people were already in the garden, but not nearly as many as were inside. Those couples that had come outside mostly seemed to be concerned only with each other as well. Finding an empty bench in a spot where he hoped they would not be disturbed, Harry sat down and motioned for Daphne to join him. For a few minutes that sat silently, allowing them both to calm down a little. Harry's anger was already a bit overwhelmed from the happiness he felt knowing that Daphne cared enough to defend him, even if it was just from Ron's moronic insults.
"You know I really do appreciate you standing up for me, but shouldn't it be my responsibility to defend you?" Harry eventually asked. "I am the guy after all, I thought that was supposed to be my role." His remark finally got her to smile a little, which was exactly what he wanted.
"Probably, but I didn't want you having all the fun cursing Weasley."
"My first reaction was actually to punch him in the nose, but your idea was probably better. That reminds me, where were you keeping your wand in that dress?" Harry's question finally got her to laugh.
"That's one of those secrets witches don't tell wizards." she replied, drawing a laugh out of Harry. They both relaxed after that and sat back on the bench enjoying the night and each other's company. Harry's arm was resting on the top of the bench behind Daphne, allowing her to lean in to him. He briefly wondered if they were being missed inside but quickly decided he liked where he was at just fine. Neither of them made any effort to move from where they were sitting.
Minutes later their peace was once again disrupted, this time by two people arguing who seemed to be headed their way. Harry quickly recognized one voice as belonging to Professor Snape and the other, foreign sounding voice belonged to Igor Karkaroff. Neither of the two men seemed to be aware that Harry and Daphne could hear them.
"Severus, you see it just as I do. The mark is growing darker every day." they overheard Karkaroff saying.
"Perhaps so. What will you do then, flee?"
"Maybe. And you?"
"I will stay here, where I am protected. If you run they will find you, Igor. You must know that." Snape warned the other man.
"We'll see." Karkaroff said before walking off. Professor Snape didn't move for a moment, apparently thinking about the conversation. As he turned to walk off he finally noticed Harry and Daphne, cuddled together on the bench and looking at him with interested expressions on their faces. Snape knew they had heard him, but decided it was best not to mention his discussion at all.
"Ah, Ms Greengrass. I find myself disappointed with your apparent lack of taste." the potions professor said while scowling at Harry. Daphne knew better than to challenge her head of house when he was in a bad mood and said nothing. Harry decided to follow her lead and choked back the angry response that had come to mind. Seeing that they were not going to argue with him, Snape scowled one last time and turned to walk back towards the Ball.
"What do you think that was about?" Harry asked when Snape was finally out of sight. Daphne seemed to be concentrating on something.
"Did you hear Karkaroff say 'the mark is growing darker'? I wonder if he meant the dark mark. It would make sense, they were both Death Eaters."
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