“Then we have two immediate priorities,” Harry concluded.
Roma nodded.
“And with that, it’s almost time for me to leave.”
She glanced between the three of them before adding, “One last clarification.”
The teens waited.
“When we visit you from now on, we do so as Guardian Angels, not Grim Reapers.”
Harry blinked.
“There’s a difference?”
“A significant one,” Roma replied with amusement.
“We only hold the title of Grim Reaper after you’ve died. While you’re alive, we’re simply assigned guardians.”
“Good to know,” Daphne said dryly.
A small smile touched Roma’s lips.
Then, much like mist dissolving beneath sunlight, she slowly faded from view.
A few moments later, she was gone.
Harry stared at the empty space she had occupied.
“She’s nice.”
Hermione immediately laughed.
Harry folded his arms.
“No, seriously. John wasn’t nearly that pleasant.”
“Really?” asked Daphne.
“He seemed genuinely annoyed with me.”
Hermione and Daphne exchanged knowing looks.
“We know,” Hermione replied, unable to suppress her smile.
Harry pointed accusingly at her.
“He practically told me his job was at risk because I kept getting myself killed.”
That only made Hermione laugh harder.
The following morning, the trio sought out Professor McGonagall in her temporary role as Acting Headmistress.
Once settled into chairs opposite her desk, they carefully explained the situation regarding Hermione’s parents and the bond.
Professor McGonagall listened attentively.
When they finished, she steepled her fingers and sighed.
“It is hoped that the Headmaster will recover sufficiently and return to his duties soon.”
She paused thoughtfully.
“I should be able to arrange a visit after that.”
Hermione immediately shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Professor, but that may be too late.”
McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
“My parents don’t subscribe to the Daily Prophet,” Hermione continued, “but there are plenty of other ways they could discover the bond.”
Her expression tightened.
“And if they hear about it from someone else before hearing it from me…”
She trailed off.
McGonagall grimaced slightly.
“Yes. I can imagine that would complicate matters.”
“Quite a lot,” Hermione admitted.
The professor leaned back in her chair and considered the issue carefully.
For nearly a minute, nobody spoke.
Finally, she appeared to reach a decision.
“I dislike leaving the school without a qualified healer present, even briefly.”
Her gaze moved from Hermione to Harry and Daphne.
“However, I believe it would be beneficial if Madam Pomfrey accompanied you.”
Hermione visibly relaxed.
“She would be able to explain the nature of the bond far better than any of us,” McGonagall continued.
“Both what it means for the three of you and what implications it may have for your families.”
“That would help a lot,” Hermione said gratefully.
“Thank you, Professor.”
McGonagall gave a small nod.
“What classes do you have tomorrow afternoon?”
Harry answered first.
“Transfiguration with you immediately after lunch.”
“Daphne?”
“History of Magic with Ravenclaw.”
Before McGonagall could continue, Hermione raised a hand.
“There’s one problem, Professor.”
“And that is?”
“My parents both work.”
Understanding dawned immediately on McGonagall’s face.
“It would need to be after five o’clock.”
“In that case, immediately after an early dinner tomorrow evening.”
Hermione smiled.
“That would be perfect.”
“I shall arrange for Madam Pomfrey to accompany you.”
“Thank you, Professor.”
Once dismissed, the three left her office and made their way back through the castle corridors.
The moment they were out of earshot, Harry turned toward the girls.
“Right.”
His expression became serious.
“We need to get into the Chamber.”
Hermione nodded.
“At the very least, we need the venom.”
“You’ll need something to store it in first,” Daphne pointed out.
Harry immediately groaned.
“Good point.”
He rubbed his forehead.
“So now I need large glass containers with proper seals.”
“The Room of Lost Things,” Hermione said instantly.
Harry stopped walking.
“The what?”
“The Room of Requirement.”
She smiled knowingly.
“There’s bound to be dozens of suitable containers hidden in there.”
Harry stared at her.
Then sighed dramatically.
“Of course there are.”
Hermione’s smile widened.
Without thinking, Harry leaned over and pressed a quick kiss against her cheek.
The gesture was entirely spontaneous.
Hermione froze.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Harry, meanwhile, continued walking as though nothing unusual had happened.
Hermione touched the spot lightly.
A warm feeling settled inside her chest.
It was a simple gesture.
A small gesture.
Yet somehow, it meant far more than she wanted to admit.
By the time they returned to their apartment, evening had already begun settling over the castle.
Despite the late hour, homework still needed to be completed.
Fortunately, that proved far less difficult than it might have otherwise been.
Hermione, blessed—and occasionally cursed—with an exceptional memory, flew through her assignments.
Harry discovered that his upgraded Occlumency was proving useful in unexpected ways.
Information seemed easier to organize and retrieve, allowing him to complete his work far more efficiently than he remembered.
Daphne progressed at a similar pace.
Though Harry soon noticed something.
She seemed distracted.
Very distracted.
Several times he caught her staring at the same page for long stretches without turning it.
Eventually, the last assignment was completed.
Harry packed away his books and stood.
“I think I’m heading to bed.”
“Harry.”
He paused.
The tone of Daphne’s voice immediately made him sit back down.
Concern flickered across his face.
“Daphne?”
She didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she looked away.
The silence stretched.
Harry glanced toward Hermione.
She looked just as confused.
Both waited patiently.
After several more seconds, Daphne drew a slow breath.
Then, without looking at either of them, she quietly asked,
“When do you want to finalize the bond?”
Harry blinked.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione suddenly blush and lower her gaze.
That only increased his confusion.
“Daphne…” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
He hesitated.
“I’m sorry.”
She finally looked up.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“John never actually explained how that part works.”
Both girls immediately turned even redder.
“He sort of implied one of you would know.”
Daphne closed her eyes.
Harry continued, oblivious to the growing embarrassment.
“And I only skimmed the books.”
His expression became sheepish.
“I was more focused on learning potion detection charms.”
The silence that followed felt almost painful.
Then Hermione finally found the courage to speak.
“Harry…”
She swallowed.
“Finalizing the bond requires…”
Her cheeks burned.
“…a level of intimacy.”
Harry stared.
For a moment, his brain simply stopped functioning.
“Oh.”
That single word carried an impressive amount of panic.
The room suddenly felt several degrees warmer.
At least to him.
Determined not to retreat from the conversation, Harry forced himself to move.
He crossed the room and sat beside Daphne.
She stiffened slightly.
“Daphne.”
Gently, he reached for her hand.
She flinched.
Not from fear.
From nerves.
“Daphne, please look at me.”
For a few moments she remained motionless.
Then she slowly turned.
Harry immediately noticed the shine in her eyes.
Tears.
Across the room, Hermione remained silent.
Crookshanks, sensing the tension, abandoned his favorite chair and leapt gracefully into her lap.
Almost absentmindedly, she began stroking his fur while the kneazle purred.
Harry kept his attention on Daphne.
“I didn’t know.”
His voice was soft.
Completely sincere.
“I honestly didn’t know that was required.”
Daphne gave a tiny nod.
Harry squeezed her hand gently.
“Daphne Anna Greengrass.”
She met his gaze.
“I want you to hear me.”
His expression was unwavering.
“I will never pressure you into anything.”
A tear slipped free.
Harry continued.
“Not now.”
Another tear followed.
“Not later.”
His grip tightened slightly.
“Not ever.”
The room remained completely silent.
“The protections we needed are already in place.”
His voice softened even further.
“If going any further makes you uncomfortable, then we don’t.”
For several seconds, Daphne simply stared at him.
Then whatever fragile control she had been maintaining finally shattered.
The tears came all at once.
And Daphne burst into tears.