Harry considered Hermione’s suggestion for a moment before nodding.
“John recommended that I establish the bond with Daphne first,” he said quietly.
“And honestly, I think he’s right. If that happens first, it won’t seem nearly as strange when you and I share our own first kiss later.”
Hermione chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip.
The gesture nearly distracted him completely.
After a few seconds, she nodded.
“You’re right,” she admitted.
“As your best friend, people might accept me kissing you after you’ve already formed a bond with someone else. The other way around would raise far more questions.”
Harry smiled.
“Then should we find her?”
Hermione tilted her head.
“You want to do it immediately?”
“I was thinking after we arrive at Hogwarts,” he replied.
“Maybe in the Entrance Hall after most people have already gone inside. Public enough to be believable, but not in front of the entire school.”
A mischievous smile appeared on Hermione’s face.
“And have you come up with an explanation for why you’re suddenly kissing Daphne Greengrass in public?”
Harry returned the grin.
“I thought I’d tell everyone that I confessed to you near the end of last year that I liked Daphne.”
Hermione folded her arms.
“Oh?”
“And you told me to stop being a coward and just kiss her.”
She laughed.
“Absolutely not.”
“What?”
“Harry Potter, if you walked up to Daphne Greengrass and kissed her without warning, she’d probably slap you first and hex you second.”
Harry winced.
“Fair point.”
“Leave this part to us girls.”
With a resigned sigh, he nodded.
“In that case, we’d better go find her.”
Leaving Hedwig and Crookshanks behind in the compartment—and silently hoping Ron wouldn’t decide to do anything particularly foolish—they stepped back into the corridor.
Hermione took the lead.
Unlike Harry, she at least had some level of acquaintance with Daphne through their shared Ancient Runes and Arithmancy classes.
Fortunately, they didn’t have to search very long.
A few compartments farther down, Daphne sat with Tracey Davis and several other Slytherin girls.
Remaining out of sight, Harry waited while Hermione approached the door.
She slid it open politely.
“Excuse me, Miss Greengrass? Could I have a word with you in private?”
Daphne looked surprised but nodded.
As Hermione led her into the corridor, Harry quietly retreated toward the nearby lavatories.
After checking both were empty, he waited beside the doors.
A moment later, Daphne rounded the corner.
The instant she saw him, her eyes widened.
Yet her composure barely slipped.
Without a word, she hurried toward him.
Harry quickly opened the ladies’ lavatory—the larger of the two—and stepped inside.
Hermione and Daphne followed immediately.
The door had barely clicked shut before Daphne launched herself forward.
She wrapped both arms around Harry’s neck and held on tightly.
Then she began to cry.
Not a few tears.
Not quiet sniffles.
She broke down completely.
Harry froze.
Hermione looked equally stunned.
Neither of them had expected anything close to this reaction.
“Daphne?” Harry asked softly.
“Are you alright?”
She didn’t answer immediately.
After several moments, she slowly pulled back and wiped at her eyes with her sleeve.
“I’m sorry.”
Her voice trembled.
“I just…”
She swallowed hard.
“Do you know how I died?”
Harry’s expression darkened.
“No.”
Hermione shook her head. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“We were only told that you died during the battle.”
Daphne looked away.
For several seconds, silence filled the room.
Then she spoke.
“I was attacked.”
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper.
“That way.”
Hermione immediately understood.
Her face filled with horror.
“Oh, Daphne…”
Harry needed another moment before realization struck him.
When it did, he felt sick.
Daphne hugged herself.
“I think it was Nott.”
“You think?”
“He never removed his mask.”
Her voice cracked.
“I never saw his face.”
Hermione stepped closer.
Daphne stared at the floor.
“When he was finished…”
She paused, fighting tears.
“He killed me.”
The room fell silent.
Harry felt anger rising inside him.
Cold.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
“Daphne,” he said quietly, “I’m so sorry.”
She nodded but said nothing.
“When did you return?” Hermione asked gently.
“I woke up this morning screaming.”
A weak smile touched Daphne’s lips.
“My parents practically broke down my bedroom door.”
“And Astoria?” Hermione asked.
That earned the faintest hint of genuine warmth.
“She was right behind them.”
Daphne took a shaky breath.
“It took nearly an hour to convince everyone I’d only had a nightmare.”
Harry looked directly at her.
“Listen to me.”
She raised her eyes.
“Whatever happened before…”
His voice hardened with certainty.
“It won’t happen again.”
Daphne stared at him.
Then she slowly nodded.
She pulled a delicate handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped away the remaining tears.
After a few moments, Harry spoke again.
“I’m honestly surprised you agreed to the soul bond.”
Daphne raised an eyebrow.
“My Grim Reaper explained everything.”
“And you still agreed?”
“Yes.”
Her answer came without hesitation.
“It gives me protection.”
She lowered her gaze briefly.
“I’m not sure I would’ve agreed to come back without it.”
When she looked at him again, her expression had softened considerably.
“You’re a good man, Harry Potter.”
The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard.
“I’ve always known that.”
A faint smile appeared.
“Perhaps that’s the soulmate connection.”
Harry scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
Daphne continued.
“She also told me something else.”
“Oh?”
“If you’d been sorted into Slytherin like you were originally supposed to be…”
A teasing smile appeared.
Harry blinked.
“Really?”
Daphne shrugged.
“It certainly explains a few things.”
He couldn’t help laughing.
“I always wondered how one of my soulmates ended up in another House.”
“Apparently, the Hat had other plans.”
For the first time since entering the lavatory, genuine amusement sparkled in her eyes.
Then she sighed.
“Anyway, I’d better get back soon. Tracey’s looking after Midnight.”
“Your cat?”
“My cat.”
Harry nodded.
“Fair enough.”
Daphne crossed her arms.
“So what exactly was so urgent?”
Harry exchanged a look with Hermione.
“The soul bond.”
Realization dawned immediately.
“Oh.”
“I thought we could establish it when we arrive at Hogwarts.”
Daphne tilted her head.
“And how were you planning to do that?”
Harry explained.
By the time he finished, Daphne was struggling not to laugh.
“Hermione was absolutely right.”
Harry groaned.
“Traitor.”
“No, realistic.”
She smirked.
“Your plan would’ve been a disaster.”
“Then what’s your idea?”
A decidedly Slytherin smile appeared on her face.
“Simple.”
She gestured toward Hermione.
“Hermione used some flimsy excuse to bring me here.”
Hermione snorted.
Daphne continued.
“And against her better judgment, she allowed you to confess your undying love for me.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, is that what happened?”
“Of course.”
Daphne straightened her posture dramatically.
“Then, overcome by reckless Gryffindor courage and absolutely no common sense whatsoever…”
Before Harry realized what she intended, both her hands came up and gently grasped either side of his face.
His eyes widened.
Daphne leaned forward.
And kissed him.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to stop.
Harry’s surprise lasted only a heartbeat.
Then he relaxed into the kiss.
His eyes closed.
So did hers.
The connection deepened naturally.
Neither noticed Hermione staring in astonishment.
“Oh… my.”
What neither of them saw was the brilliant silver light that suddenly blossomed around their bodies.
A shimmering aura surrounded them both.
Soft.
Warm.
Ancient.
The glow brightened for several seconds before gradually fading away.
When they finally separated, both looked at each other with unmistakable wonder.
Harry exhaled slowly.
“Wow.”
Daphne laughed softly.
“Yeah.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
“Wow.”