"Fine, you didn't know but I bet you're pleased now!" She said angrily "This must be great for you! Forcing me into a contract! You've been flirting with me nonstop and now you get your bloody wish! I'm going to marry you now! I'm going to be a stupid housewife that you can use to show off to your friends! I can't believe this! I..."
"Daphne!" Harry shouted, stopping the girl in her tracks "Take a breath, yeah." Daphne glared at him but did so, a few seconds later she realised that the tears were on her face and wiped her eyes.
"Do you have anything to say?" She asked, still wiping her eyes
"Yes" Harry took a breath "first of all, I really didn't know. And yes I've been flirting with you but I was really just having some fun, and you seemed to like it so I kept it up. Now I'd like to remind you of something, I can cancel the contract once I'm fourteen"
"Why would you?!" Daphne interrupted
"Because I don't want to force you into this!" Harry snapped "Is that really so hard to believe?! I'm not Malfoy! I didn't do this on purpose! Yes I like you but I wouldn't force you into a relationship with me!"
Daphne had unconsciously taken a step back, she thought that she saw something flicker in his eyes for a moment. A silence fell over the two, neither willing to break it, but eventually they one had to give.
"I'm sorry" Daphne said after a few minutes of silence "I shouldn't have exploded on you"
"It's alright" Harry sighed "you were emotional, I understand."
"Thank you"
"Really it's alright, but like I said Daphne, I won't force you into this. It makes you uncomfortable so I will cancel the contract as soon as I'm capable of doing so, but for the record, I would've never forced you into being a housewife."
"Really?" She asked with a little bit of disbelief in her voice
"Yeah, if we were married and you wanted to work then I'd let you, well, when I say 'I would let you' what I really meant is 'I wouldn't complain if you did'. I would never force you into being someone who you don't want to be"
"Thank you" She said appreciatively
"It's really no problem, now, we have a free period now but by my estimation our next lesson is in ten minutes. So, should we walk back up?"
"Yes" Daphne said softly
"Okay, then let's go Daph" Harry replied, he was then startled when Daphne charged at him and hugged him "Daph?"
Daphne hugged him tightly, Harry couldn't help but tense a little, he placed his arms around Daphne, hoping she didn't notice. Daphne rested her head on his shoulder, Harry placed his on top of hers, he wasn't very experienced in hugging but he felt that this wasn't so bad. Of course that might just be because it was Daphne but he wasn't sure, although he'd definitely break Dumbledore's nose if that old man had tried to hug him.
Harry had waited patiently for Daphne, he couldn't help but admit that he liked the hug. Soon Daphne let go, she gave him a small smile and he gave her one as well. Another surprise for Harry came when she placed her hand in his, she looked a bit embarrassed so Harry decided not to say anything.
....
The two walked back up to the castle, and to their lessons with Daphne's right hand in Harry's left. As they made their way down to the dungeons they were stopped at one staircase by Draco Malfoy who was walking up the staircase towards them, attracting the attention of the students that were at the bottom. Including Adrian Potter and his friends.
"Greengrass!" He shouted "Why are you holding Potter's hand?! You're supposed to be betrothed to me, why is that so hard to understand you stupid..."
Draco was cut off by Harry's right hook to his face, Draco fell backwards and rolled down the stairs. He landed at the bottom, with a bloody nose, and all the students were looking at Harry in shock.
"Harry, you didn't need to do that" Daphne whispered
"He insulted you" Harry whispered back "I 'wanted' to do that. But if it makes you feel better, I'll let you deal with him next time"
"Thank you Harry" Daphne smiled
"Not a problem" Harry smiled right back and the two walked down the stairs, Crabbe and Goyle were helping Malfoy up.
"What is going on here?!" Snape chose that moment to the enter the halls
"Draco fell sir" Harry answered as he wiped the blood off of his hands on the back of his trousers where they wouldn't be seen.
"No he didn't!" Hermione Granger spoke up "He's lying, Harry punched him and he fell down the stairs"
"Well technically we both said he fell so I'm not really a liar" Harry replied "but before you make accusations, let's ask Draco. Draco, did I punch you?"
Harry smirked at Draco who realised what had happened, Harry was allowed one free punch and he had chosen moment to use it. Under the terms of the duel Draco couldn't tell on him, and Draco hated that fact. He was tempted to do it anyway, the duel be damned, but then that would ruin his reputation even further.
Daphne was also impressed by Harry, not just for his punch but also for his timing and chosen area to use it. Firstly it caused Malfoy more pain as he fell down the stairs, but it was also in front of a lot of students which gave Harry a reputation in front of them. Malfoy couldn't complain unless he wanted to ruin his own reputation amongst Slytherin house, and when Malfoy doesn't complain the Gryffindor's will lose points for being 'liars' while also increasing Harry's reputation even more.
"No" Malfoy coughed "he didn't punch me"
"See" Harry gestured to Malfoy
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for lying" Snape said to Granger before turning back on Malfoy "Mr Goyle and Crabbe, take Mr Malfoy to the hospital wing"
The two gorilla children nodded and took Malfoy away, Malfoy was glaring at Harry the whole time until he was out of sight. Snape saw Harry and Daphne holding hand but decided not to say anything about it.
"Enter" Snape ordered as he made his way into the classroom.
The entire class entered, and everyone took their seats, Tracy Davis paired with Neville again and Harry paired with Daphne once more, not that any of them were complaining. Professor Snape gave them their instructions and they set off to work, but before they did Harry discreetly got his wand out and vanished away the blood from his trousers and hand before he put his wand back in his holster.
As they were working Adrian Potter glanced at his brother, when he saw Snape look away, greasy old bat. He couldn't believe his brother punched Malfoy in the face, not that he had a problem with it, he was actually quite jealous of the fact to be honest and it would've been perfect if Gryffindor hadn't lost points for it.
Hermione Granger was furious, not only did Harry Potter punch a fellow student and cause him to fall down some stairs, he also lied about it to a teacher! And got her in trouble to boot! She really couldn't stand him, he would always do better than her in class and she didn't know how. She was the smartest person in her year, there was no way he would be able to do better than her. He was probably cheating, yes, that would be the only logical explanation.
Daphne worked well with Harry, they were both competent and had a good rhythm when they worked together. Daphne felt a bit bad for shouting at Harry earlier but like he said, she was emotional. In fact she was bit disappointed in herself for not using her logical side and charging straight at him like a Gryffindor.
Daphne noticed him tense when she hugged him and she didn't know what to make of that, he did hug her back and he seemed to really like it so she wasn't sure why he felt uncomfortable at first. Perhaps he didn't have much experience with hugging, now that Daphne thought about it, Harry was always the one to initiate contact and it was always quick and light.
She decided that she wouldn't think about it too much now, she was a Slytherin and would definitely find out eventually, but she'd wait for him to tell her when he was ready.
....
Can't wait to read ahead. Then Join my P@treon and get 60+ chapters.
Even Free members can enjoy 2+ advanced chapters FOR FREE.
Link: [email protected]/Divine_Quill
Join Right Now