The group of Slytherins that was following Daphne kept a good distance behind her. Pansy cast a charm to make their foot falls silent so as not to warn her of their presence. Vincent Crabbe led the group that consisted of Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Blaise Zabini. He was glad that Draco wasn't with them. He was tired of walking in his shadow. Malfoy's reign was at an end. It was time to show the Slytherin house just who should lead them.
P

lus, it was high time the Ice Queen learned her proper place. Greenglass would soon learn to respect and fear him. The five of them would educat her to never again go against her house. Once they were alone he planned on breaking her in proper. Just like his father had trained his mum to deny him nothing, he would instruct Daphne in the same manner. She would resist at first and he would enjoy every second of her humiliation. She had refused him too many times. With enough repetitive tutoring she would beg for his touch and he would put it anywhere he damn well wanted.
Crabbe planned on making good use of her gold and status as the Greenglass Heir. He would claim her Wizengamot vote and elevate himself even higher than his father as one of the Dark Lord's inner circle. Everything would soon come together. Daphne would be playing a dual role as his Noble Lady in public, and his whore in private.
They stayed in the shadows as much as possible, but feared that they had been discovered when Daphne suddenly stopped and looked over her shoulder. After a few seconds she shrugged and turned back around and continued on her way. Then at the end of the hall she broke from the rouet that would lead her back to the Slytherin dungeon.
"Where the hell is she going?" Zabini asked.
"Looks like, she's heading to the Owlery." Goyle answered him in a hushed voice.
"Perfect, only the owls will hear her beg for mercy." Crabbe was practically jumping with anticipation.
"We better put up a barrier so we're not interrupted." Pansy suggested.
"Good thinking Pansy. Draco always did underestimate you," Millicent said to her best friend.
"Oh I'm so done with that rubbish. He was too much of a daddy's boy for my taste." Pansy spat out in disgust.
Once Daphne was inside the Owlery and the barrier was in place they rushed up the stairs confident that the noise coming from the Owlery would keep her ignorant of their presence. They were so sure of their own superiority that they failed to notice that the top three steps were covered with ice, very odd for this time of year.
Goyle was leading the group and was by far the biggest one of them. He lost his footing on the second to the top step. Flailing his arms wildly in an attempt to grab on to anything for support, he grabbed hold of the first thing he came across. That turned out to be Millicent. The girl was unable to support her weight and his as well. Together they took the rest of their fellow Slytherins down the stairs with them. They all came to a rest when they collided with the barrier that they had placed there.
Daphne stepped out of the doorway with a broad smile across her face. It quickly turned to disgust as she shook her head at their failed attempt. With a wave of her wand the ice disappeared in a flash.
"That had to be by far the most pathetic attempt I've seen yet," She taunted as she summoned the wands that had been dropped in the fall. When all five were accounted for she signed in relief.
"Do you collection of imbeciles truly believe that you were the first to try this?" She was answered by groans from a pile of intertwined limbs. Now she couldn't let this opportunity pass her by. She casted a binding charm and a long red ribbon wrapped them tightly together. Satisfied that they were no longer a real threat, Daphne whistled over her shoulder.
A large gray owl flew out of the Owlery and landed on her shoulder. It playfully nipped at her finger as she petted its head. "That's a good girl. Be a dear and drop these wands into the center of the Black Lake. The owl gripped the wands in her talons and did as her Mistress commanded.
"There is a reason that I'm called the Ice Queen. In my second year Marcus Flint tried to drag me into an abandoned classroom and have his way with me. I froze one of his testacles off for the insult."
"That was you!"
"Yes Pansy that was me. Do you lot honestly think that I didn't see you glaring at me and Emma? None of you would last a week as a Death Eater. I hear that he's not a forgiving master. In case none of you were paying attention, a third front has presented itself in this war. I strongly suggest you think which one best complements you."
"My bloody arm is broken!"
"Good, let that be a lesson to you Crabbe," Daphne said as she walked past them. Vincent grabbed her ankle with has one good arm. With a flick from her wand, she sent a cutting curse across the back of his hand causing him to howl out in pain. Daphne never broke her stride, or bothered to give them a backwards glance. She would wait until she was safely in her common room before she would cancel the binding charm. They didn't deserve any mercy. She doubted that they planned to show her any.
"Nicely played," said a voice out of the darkness as Daphne stepped into what looked like an empty hall. She spun around quickly her wand pointing in the direction she heard the voice, the nastiest curse she could think of on her lips. For the first time she showed fear in her face. Whoever just spoke to her had managed to get past all the survival skills she had honed for the last six years. All she could see was darkness.
"Good reflexes too." Sirius stepped out into the light grinning at her. The fear drained out of her face and was replaced by worry. She was sure she would be expelled by breakfast, but he just kept smiling at her with what looked like admiration. Like earlier that day, his eyes glassed over for a second and then they had that intense focus again.
"My Lady," Sirius said as he offered her an arm. She smiled back and gave a small curtsy, as she took his hint. He would come back later and make sure that they never attempted to bring harm to her again. He could smell that at least two of them had taken the mark.
"You are too kind my Lord." Daphne hooked her arm in his, but kept her wand in her free hand. Sirius chuckled to himself and shook his head. Just like your mum.
"You're not taking me to Dumbledore?" She asked when he directed them towards her common room.
"Why would I do that? I meant what I said. You handled that perfectly. They underestimated you and you took full advantage of it. They were planning to do far worse to you. The big stupid one was planning on raping you. I would say they got off light."
"He's been after me for the last four years. Unlike Pansy, I just don't bend over and take it on command. As you said he's big and stupid. I am curious just how you knew that though?"
"Trade secret my dear, trade secret," Sirius said as he tapped his nose with a finger and gave her a wink. He smelled that the boy's pheromone level was off the chart.
"Just so you know Lord Black, I'm very good at uncovering secrets. In fact, I already know you and my mum were lovers," She said with a grin of her own. Sirius snapped his head at her and came to a complete stop. She stopped and looked back at him.
"I can't believe she told you about that?"
"She only said you were a bedroom kisser, I bluffed…you confirmed." Daphne batted her eyes over her shoulder at Sirius. "I told you I was good."
"Your mum's going to kill me."
"Hopefully, not before I uncover all your secrets Lord Black."
"Well then I guess the game is afoot."
"Were you following them or me?"
"Trick me once, shame on you. Trick me twice, shame on me"
"Clever. Thank you for letting me handle that."
"How does one learn to survive in a war if someone else fights their battles for them?"
"Bold teaching strategy…and if they had gotten the upper hand?"
"Crabbe Junior would have lost both his testacles."
"Sweet...disturbing...but sweet, you're not like any Professor I've had before."
"I'll take that as a complement."
"It was meant as one."
"Well now my hearts all a flutter."
"I see where Harry gets his cheekiness from. Care to tell me just how you and my mum got together?"
"Well, if memory serves. I all started with the Marauder's Infamous Hufflepuff Knickers Raid of 1975. "
Emma hadn't felt this good in years. She expected Harry to be mad at her for being so foolish. He was furious, but it wasn't aimed at her. If anything it made her feel very safe and protected, something that she had never really felt before. She knew she should feel pity for the three Slytherins that were going to be getting their comeuppance in spades. She just couldn't bring herself to.
She was currently getting a piggyback ride to their Common Room by Harry, another thing that she had never gotten before. Not even realizing it, she had changed her hair to match his so much that it spiked in every direction like his did. Her eyes mimicked his emerald ones.
"James I see your sister goes here also. Well, Potters do belong in Gryffindor after all," The Fat Lady said as they approached her. Emma giggled in his ear at the portrait's mistake. Harry just shrugged it off. It was a minor annoyance and at the same time made him feel good that his dad had made such an impression that he was still remembered fondly.
"No prob'…Valor." The Fat Lady gave a nod and opened for them. Once inside Harry dropped down to one knee so she could slide off. Before she did, Emma gave Harry a very loud wet kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the ride Big Bro." She teased him.
"Anytime, Cub," He shot back. "This weekend we're gonna get you a proper wand. On second thought…Hey Tease, come here a second!" Harry yelled at Ginny from across the room. Said girl was in what looked to be a very intense conversation with the Head Girl. Once Ginny saw Harry her face brightened up and she smiled vibrantly at him. Then she scowled mockingly at him as she tapped her index finger to her lips.
"First you have to use your sexy voice Git!" Ginny challenged him, drawing the attention of everyone that was currently in the common room. Someone wants to play.
"Come to me my pretty," Harry said in a strong Carpathian accent as he curled his fingers in a come-hither fashion. Ginny cocked a brow at him, but crossed her arms over her chest and remained seated.
"Seriously, my pretty? Come on Potter, you can do better than that," Ginny taunted.
"Come on Ginny you have to admit that accent was totally sexy," Hermione whispered in her ear.
"Shhh, Let him work for it," Ginny whispered back through the side of her mouth. Hermione laughed as she nodded her head in agreement. Harry then gave her a look that made her toes curl.
"Come to me my temptress of the night so I may worship at your temple, for the Moon rises to your beauty and sets at your grace." This time he used an Italian accent as he got down on one knee and produced a single red rose out of thin air.
"You got her on the ropes." Emma snickered, to which Harry shushed her. Ron took two steps towards Harry, but was stopped in his tracks by a warning glare from Hermione and a wand pointed to his nether regions. Dean and Seamus flanked him and started to give commentary on the battle of wills. None of which Ron found very funny, unlike the rest of the common room.
"You don't expect me to walk across that pile of shite in these new pumps do you?" Ginny mocked Harry. Secretly it was all she could do to not run into his arms and snog him senseless. It wasn't his words that moved her, but the sincerity in his voice.
"Then jump. I'll catch you." Harry urged her with his trademark grin. She decided to humor him and hopped. Harry quickly waved his wand and sent a silent charm at her. An unseen magic pulled her to him. The magic she felt around her was not abrasive, but comforting, gentle, and left her panting. As good as his word she landed in his arms. "Told ya."
"Git."
"Tease."
"Oh just snog him already, you know you want to," Emma added. Ginny saw that she made a good point, She shrugged and took her advice, but not before she tapped her wand to Harry's nose, thus stopping him from accessing his Animagus sense of smell. He gave her a questioning look and she shot him a silent later expression. She captured his lips with her own and melted into the kiss. Catcalls erupted in the common rooms, but neither of them paid much attention to it as they got lost in the moment.
"Oi, I don't want to be seeing any of that!" Ron yelled from across the room.
"Then don't look ya prat!" Emma yelled at him. Harry held out his hand and Emma high-fived him, all the while not breaking the kiss. When Ron glared at her, she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Was there a reason you called me over other than the snog git?" Ginny asked when they finally broke.
"Oh yeah, I need my trench coat for a second," Harry told her and she took it off and handed it to him. He opened it so the black underlinement was showing to Emma. He reached his hand inside it. It rippled like water and his hand to his forearm disappeared. Emma's eyes about popped out of her head. A second later Harry pulled his arm out with a golden Snitch in his hand. He set it loose and it flew off, then he addressed Emma.
"It's a little cold at first but there is nothing to fear, see my arms still attached. Now I want you to reach inside and think that you need a wand that will work for you best," Harry encouraged her. Even with Harry assurances she was a bit hesitant. Ginny saw that and reached inside without hesitation. Half of her arm disappeared, only to reappear a second later with a quill. She tickled Emma under her chin with it. She giggled and quickly swatted it away.
"I would never let anything bad happen to you," Harry added. Emma nodded and summed up her Gryffindor courage. She closed her eyes and plunged her arm into his trench coat. Her eyes shot open when she felt something in her hand. She felt power from it flow into every part of her body. She quickly pulled it out to see a 10 inch willow wand in her hand.
"I take it you can fell the magic?" Harry asked Emma. She just nodded her head with her mouth hanging open. Her whole body was tingling, as her hair turned dark red.
"Well, give it a wave," Ginny urged her. Emma complied and red sparks flew across the room, as her hair flew back as if it was hit with a mighty gust of wind. The air around her body crackled as her Magical Core expanded and bonded with her new wand.
"Cool." was all the young Metamorphmagus managed to get out. Ginny saw Harry's eyes widen when he got a good look at the wand in Emma's hand. He quickly looked away from her, but she could see the wheels turning as he was working something out in his head. His left hand was clenched into a fist for a few seconds and then he relaxed it. When he looked back at Emma he was his usual cheerful self.
"That was my starter wand. It's really good with charms," Harry told her. Later he would tell her that it had the restrictions on it removed, but it would be where no one could overhear. The Head Girl was paying too close attention for his liking. He had a feeling she was a stickler for the rules. Harry planned to break her of that habit. She and the others would have to be deprogrammed from Dumbledore's controlling influences. They still believed him to be what he portrayed to the public. Perhaps he was a good man once upon a time, but he had put those days to his back long ago.
"Thank you Harry," Emma said as she gave him a huge hug. He kissed the top of her head and she tightened the hug. When she looked up she saw Ginny was smiling at her, and then she gave her a little wink. She had never felt so accepted in all her life. She wondered when it was all going to fall through, like it always did with her. Harry felt her tense up and pulled her up so she was looking in his eyes.
"I'll never to too busy for you Cub," He told her as if he had read her mind. She shook her head in understanding, as her voice seemed to have failed her. "Now, why don't you go show off your new wand to your friends over there? Mark hasn't stopped looking at you since we came in. Besides, I have to get a few things straight with Ginny's overprotective brother."
"Later Kiddo," Ginny added as she walked away.
"Bye Ginny, try to keep him out of trouble," Emma said over her shoulder. Mark met her half way, followed closely by Pursa and Gabby. Squealing and giggling could be heard as they made their way to an empty couch.
"Poor Mark, that's a whole lot of estrogen in one spot," Harry joked and got a slap on the arm from Ginny, and then she pulled him close and whispered so no one could hear. "What the hell was that look about?"
"Caught that did you? Might be coincidence…might be something more. I need to talk to Nympy first and I'll require proof, but if I'm right he's a dead man." Harry growled through clenched teeth. Ginny ran a hand across her back in an attempt to calm him down a bit. At first it didn't seem to have any effect on his brooding, but slowly his body started to relax. "Thanks Darlin', I needed that."
"Anytime Luv," Ginny said as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. They enjoyed the quiet moment before the storm.
"Come on let's deal with your brother. I'm starting to think that I'm going to meet every member of your family before the day's done." Harry and Ginny started to walk over to Hermione and a very sour faced Ron.
"Merlin, I hope not. I'll probably be getting a Howler from mum tomorrow."
"Is she really that far up their butts?"
"She's got it into her mind that Longbottom is my destiny, and she holds onto an idea like a Goblin holds onto a galleon."
"What about your dad?"
"He's not so blind, but he keeps his opinion to himself. He just lets the twins do his dirty work for him." She sounded disappointed as she told him. Harry guessed her mum was one piece of work.
"Good to know." Harry and Ginny stopped just as they heard Hermione whisper to Ron to behave. Dean and Seamus were sitting at a table not too far off, but close enough to jump in and break things up if it got out of hand. On a couch close by, Lavender and Parvati held their held their wands in their hands, though they were well hidden. Harry got the feeling that they formed a tight knit group that looked out for each other. From what he had heard about the happenings over the last few years, he could see why. He was the outsider here and would have to prove himself to them. He would have to deal with this differently than he did with her other brothers. Harry went to cast a charm to ensure their privacy, but Hermione beat him to it. He took note of it and gave her an affirming nod.
"Hi my name is Harry. We must have missed each other last night," Harry offered his hand to Ron with a smile. Ron made no attempt to shake Harry's hand; instead he crossed his arms over his chest and huffed out.
"Ronald! That was rude. He's a Noble Lord, show some respect." Hermione scolded her boyfriend. Ron's face reddened considerably, but he held his stance.
"Please, I only expect annoying Headmasters and uptight Purebloods to call me that. So, please call me Harry. Occasionally Git if I have it coming."
"No. only I get to call you that. They can call you Prat and you always have that coming," Ginny teased, as she bumped his hip with her own.
"I noticed that you call my little sister Tease. Did she earn that that name as well?" Ron challenged as he took a step towards Harry. Hermione gasped at his comment.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ginny yelled as she shot daggers at Ron.
"It means that Mum would never buy or let you wear an outfit like that, so he obviously got it for you. The two of you can't seem to go for a few seconds without touching each other. Use your head Ginny! Because of that Law he can have himself a nice little harem. You may be a Pureblood, but you come from a poor family and you don't even have a title to offer. He just wants you to be one of his whores, and by the way you're dressed your half way the-"
CRACK!
Ron's jaw broke in two places as Harry's fist smashed into his face. Before Ron was on the flat of his back, Dean and Seamus were on their feet. Lavender and Parvati had their wands drawn, but were conflicted as to which one to curse. Was it Harry out of loyalty to Ron or Ron because he certainly had that one coming? Seamus waved to hold them off. Harry grabbed Ron by the shirt and pulled him up until his face was inches away from Harry's.
"Let's get a few things straight Weasley. The only reason you're still conscience is because I want you to apologize to your sister. I may use my title to achieve my goals, but I wasn't raised a pampered Princess like Longbottom. My mother happens to be Muggle-born and my father married her because he loved her. When I marry, it will for the same reason. A wise witch once told me to love only one woman and with all my heart. I intend to do just that. I'm not going to lie to you. The thought of having a harem did cross my mind for more than a few moments. Two years ago I would have jumped at the chance.
One night changed that for me. A year and a half ago, I saw a half naked witch that had endured the worst kind of torture you could possibly imagine. She barely had any blood left from all the runes they carved into her. She could have curled up and accepted her fate, but she chose to fight back with what little strength she had left. She's the bravest person I've ever met and every time I look at her she takes my breath away. You should have heard Lestrange squeal like a pig when she hit her with the nastiest Bat-Boogey I've ever seen. That woman is standing right behind me and she is more precious to me than my own life. Believe me when I say that if you ever disrespect her again, they will never find your body." Harry spoke slowly and purposely to Ron. Everyone that was inside the silencing bubble was shocked by what Harry had just said. He had only wanted Ron to hear that, but what started off as a sneer ended up as a declaration.
Ginny walked over to Harry and cupped his face in her hands. Looking deeply into his emerald eyes she asked. "Do you really mean that?" She tried her best to keep all the raw emotion she was feeling at that moment out of her voice.
"Did you think I fought my way through thirty Orcs just for a quick shag?" The tenderness in Harry's voice sent her over the edge. Ginny pulled him to her and kissed him with everything she had. She ran her hands wildly in his forever tousled hair. One of his hands found the small of her back and pulled her close. It took all of Harry's will power to not head south. He had become very fond of the delicious curves of her body, but knew they were far from alone. His other hand slid up her spine slowly and sent shivers throughout Ginny's entire body. She moaned into the kiss as he ran his fingers through her hair as well.
While Lavender and Parvati were sighing at the Ginny's good fortune, Hermione walked over to Ron. Seamus and Dean had just helped him up. She didn't say a word as she healed his broken jaw, but her disapproval was written all over her face. Once she was sure his jaw was completely fixed, she slapped him hard across the face.
"How dare you speak to Ginny like that? After everything she's been through. How could you?" Hermione was on the verge of tears as she finished. Ron showed no emotion at what she just did to him. He expected it. Instead he looked at his sister and a huge smile ran across his face. Hermione saw nothing but pride and love in his eyes.
"Did he tell you everything you needed to know mate?" Dean asked Ron. He worked his jaw around to make sure it still worked properly before he answered.
"Yea, I'm good with it. Love the outfit by the way Ginny. In fact, tell me where you got it. Mione would look damn sexy in it." All the girls' mouth's dropped open at his statement. Ginny turned to look at Ron with utter shock. She had lived in a house full of boys her whole life, and this still shocked her. The boys, Harry included started to laugh, which confused the girls even more.
"He wasn't insulting you Ginny, he was testing Harry," Seamus explained in a strong Irish accent.
"Yeah, if Harry just stood there and let me rag on you, he was either scared of me or didn't give a shite about you. Whichever way, he wasn't good enough for you. You deserve the best Sis. It's my duty as a big brother to make sure you get it." Ron clarified his thinking for the confused girls.
"It's a guy thing," Harry added over Ginny's shoulder.
"Boys?" Hermione, Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati groaned out and rolled their eyes in unison.
"If all that is settled, There is something I would like to ask Harry." Hermione was the first of the girls to recover.
"Well, fire away." Harry told her with a grin. He plopped down on an empty seat and Ginny hopped on his lap without thinking twice about it. Hermione took note of how comfortable they were with each other. She would never have done that with Neville even back when she still liked him.
"Well you see we sort of have this little group. It called the DA. We train to fight You-Know-Who and his followers. Occasionally, we get Professors to help us, but mostly we have Neville teach us what Dumbledore has taught him. You're not taking DADA with your Godfather, so I'm guessing you know loads more than is taught in class."
"Your right Tease, she is sharp as a tack. Well first off, you have gotta stop calling that snake-faced ass wipe You-Know-Who. It gives him power over you. Don't call him Voldemort either, he doesn't deserve that respect. My favorite is Butthead, but Tommyboy is starting to grow on me. If you truly want to fight him, you have to change the way you think. He's just a man; he bleeds just like everyone else. Just out of curiosity, what does the DA stand for?"
"Dumbledore's Army," Hermione told him. Harry's face soured immediately.
"Then my answer will be no. I was raised to be a General, not a solder. The name suggests servitude to him, and that is something that I will never do."
"What did he do to make you hate him so much?" Ron asked him.
"Do you trust them Ginny?" Harry asked her in a concerned voice.
"With my life," She told him without hesitation.
"Then, they need to know everything."
"NO!"
"Darlin, I know this is highly personal to you, but they need to know what were up against. They need to make an informed decision." Harry urged her.
"What if he gets into their heads?"
"Then I'll put a Guardian in their heads until they've mastered Occlumency, like I did with you. If they don't want to help, I'll just Obliviate them. Either way we'll know where they stand," Harry whispered to her.
"Okay, but not here. Someplace more secure."
"My trunk's the most secure place…and I'm sure the girls would love to pick some outfits of their own."
"You're gonna spoil them aren't you?"
"Yep"