Like Fire and Moonlight - Chapter 17: What We Want for the Future

The Great Hall was particularly lively that morning. The sound of laughter, clinking cups, and loud conversations filled the space as the tables magically adorned themselves with plates full of eggs, toast, and jugs of pumpkin juice floating back and forth. Sunlight streamed through the enchanted windows, casting golden patterns across the stone floor, creating a cozy atmosphere despite the lingering February chill outside.

They stopped at the top of the staircase leading down to the Great Hall, the torches on the walls casting dancing shadows around them. Harry rested his hand on the cold stone railing, looking over at Daphne beside him. She stood with her arms crossed, chin raised, her blue eyes fixed on the large oak doors ahead.

“So... this is it,” Harry said, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Ready for the gossip that’ll start when we walk in together?”

Daphne let out a small laugh, uncrossing her arms and adjusting her cloak over her shoulders. “If I cared what others thought, I’d have chosen very different friends,” she said, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. “But you... are you ready for this?”

Harry watched her for a moment, catching the confidence in her posture, the slight challenge in her gaze. “I’ve faced Slughorn’s potions exams and Quidditch matches in thunderstorms... I think I can handle a few curious stares.”

She raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curving into a teasing smile. “That’s your standard of comparison? Potions and out-of-control brooms?”

Harry chuckled, pushing the hall doors open with both hands, the large wooden panels creaking softly as they swung apart. He felt his black cloak billow slightly behind him as he stepped inside, Daphne’s footsteps echoing firmly beside him. Dozens of eyes turned their way, but Daphne kept her chin high, her eyes as cold as ice, as if daring anyone to say something.

They paused briefly at the entrance, exchanging a glance that lasted only a second, but felt like an eternity to both of them. Harry felt his heart beat a little faster, but he held his ground, forcing himself not to look away as they made their way toward the Gryffindor table.

Silence fell over the hall almost immediately, as if someone had cast a freezing charm over the crowd. Spoons stopped halfway to open mouths, cups were forgotten in midair, and conversations were cut off so abruptly that a few students nearly choked on their toast.

Romilda, who had been chatting animatedly with a friend, froze with her cup of juice halfway to her lips, her dark eyes widening as she watched Harry and Daphne walk in together, their shoulders almost touching. Amelia, sitting at the Ravenclaw table, blinked several times, as if trying to make sure she wasn’t imagining the scene.

At the Slytherin table, Malfoy raised his head slowly, his gray eyes narrowing slightly as his lips curled into a bitter smile. Beside him, Parkinson let out a small, incredulous laugh, her eyebrows arched as she whispered something to Millicent Bulstrode, who leaned in closer, clearly intrigued by the unexpected development.

When Harry and Daphne finally approached the Gryffindor table, Ron, who had just taken a big bite of toast covered in jam, nearly choked, his blue eyes widening as he sprayed crumbs in Hermione’s direction.

Hermione, on the other hand, simply hid a smile behind her teacup, her brown eyes glinting slightly as she watched the two sit down together, completely unfazed by the stares still following them from every direction.

Harry reached for a jug of pumpkin juice and poured himself a glass, trying to appear nonchalant as he felt the weight of dozens of eyes still on them. Daphne picked up a piece of toast and began buttering it with the calm of someone who definitely wasn’t the focus of intense, widespread curiosity.

Ron finally recovered from the shock, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before leaning closer to Harry, his eyes still wide, his breathing slightly rapid. “You... you two... seriously?” he whispered, though his voice came out louder than he probably intended, drawing a few curious glances from nearby tables.

Harry gave a small smile, picking up a piece of bacon as the corners of his mouth curled with obvious amusement at his friend’s expression. “Yes, seriously,” he replied, keeping his tone casual, but his eyes glinting with a hint of challenge. “We decided it’s time to stop with the secrets.”

Ron blinked, his eyes darting from Harry to Daphne and back to Harry, as if trying to piece together a puzzle he never expected to see assembled. “But... but when did this... how...?”

Daphne raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile that was both amused and slightly challenging. “Oh, Ron, you really need to pay more attention,” she said, reaching for a slice of toast. “Or do you think I just happen to end up beside you in Charms by coincidence?”

Ron turned bright red, the tips of his ears burning as he desperately tried to find a response. Hermione, who had been watching in silence until then, lowered her teacup, her eyes moving slowly between Harry and Daphne before letting out a small sigh, as if this revelation was merely the confirmation of something she had already suspected for a long time.

“I knew it,” she murmured finally, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. “You’re not as subtle as you think, Harry.”

Harry let out a light laugh, shaking his head. “I never have been, have I?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, a mixture of affection and exasperation crossing her face. “No, definitely not.”

Ron finally seemed to find his voice again, his eyes still slightly wide, but now with a hint of acceptance. “So... this is serious? Like... for real?”

Harry met Daphne’s gaze, his green eyes locking onto her blue ones for a moment that seemed to stretch beyond the noise of the hall, beyond the curious stares. He smiled, feeling the strange lightness of finally not having to hide it. “Yes, for real.”

Daphne just smiled, a glint of amusement in her eyes before she turned her attention back to the toast in her hand, as if nothing were more natural than that scene.

Harry and Daphne exchanged a brief glance, his green eyes meeting her blue ones for a second that felt like it stretched beyond time, and even without exchanging a single word, he knew they had made the right choice.

When they finally stood up to leave the hall, the eyes continued to follow them. Harry felt a slight tension in his shoulders, but he didn’t let go of Daphne’s hand when she laced her fingers through his as they passed through the double doors into the corridor.

The rest of the day unfolded in a strange rhythm, as if the castle itself had sensed the change between them. At lunch, the stares hadn’t lessened — if anything, they had intensified. When Harry and Daphne entered the Great Hall together, the conversations around them noticeably quieted, as if everyone was holding their breath.

Harry sat down beside her, a carefree smile on his lips as he reached for a jug of pumpkin juice. Daphne simply raised an eyebrow, her face impassive as she served herself some potatoes, but he noticed the small brush of her fingers against his arm as they both reached for the bread at the same time. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but not to them.

Around them, the whispers were impossible to ignore. Two Ravenclaw students sitting a few tables away seemed almost hypnotized by the scene, their necks craning to peek over the shoulders of their classmates. Even a few Hufflepuffs, usually the most discreet and focused on their own conversations, were watching them with unmistakable curiosity, trading quick whispers as they passed plates of salad and mashed pumpkin.

Harry exchanged a playful glance with Daphne, and she gave a slight smile before turning back to her plate. He noticed that, even with all the curious eyes around them, she seemed completely at ease, as if she genuinely didn’t care what anyone else thought.

When Ron finally sat down beside them, his plate piled high with an unsteady stack of pies and potatoes, he shot Harry a quick look, clearly trying to hide his nervousness. Hermione soon joined them, her eyes narrowing briefly at the scene before focusing on her own plate, as if trying to give the couple a bit of privacy.

Daphne leaned a little closer to Harry, her blonde hair falling forward as she whispered, her voice low enough that only he could hear, “I think we’re becoming the main attraction.”

Harry cast a quick glance around, his green eyes catching the curious stares of their classmates before returning to her, a mischievous sparkle in his gaze. “Could be worse,” he replied, picking up a piece of chicken. “They could be taking pictures.”

She chuckled softly, her shoulders relaxing a bit more as she returned to her plate, clearly enjoying the fact that, despite the stares, they didn’t have to hide anymore.

When they finally reached the prefects’ lounge at the end of the day, Harry closed the door behind them, feeling his shoulders finally relax as the silence filled the space around them.

Daphne turned to him, her eyes still glinting slightly, her lips curving into a small smile that he knew was reserved just for him.

“So,” she murmured, stepping a bit closer, her fingers slowly sliding along the back of his neck, feeling the warm skin beneath his slightly tousled hair. Their faces were so close that Harry could catch the faint scent of jasmine that always seemed to follow her. “First day as the talk of the entire castle. How does it feel?”

Harry gave a small smile, his hands naturally finding the curve of her waist, his thumbs tracing slow, almost unconscious circles over the soft fabric of her uniform. He tilted his head, his green eyes locking onto hers, noticing how the nearby torchlight cast golden reflections in her blue irises. “Surprisingly... good,” he replied, his voice low, almost a whisper that seemed to echo softly through the stone corridor. “And you? Already tired of being the center of attention?”

Daphne let out a soft laugh, the sound vibrating between them like the chime of a distant bell, her lips curving into a smile he was beginning to recognize as a blend of amusement and challenge. Her fingers slid slowly to the tops of his shoulders, giving a slight squeeze before moving up to his neck, her fingers threading through his dark hair. “I grew up surrounded by people who live to watch others. Corridor whispers don’t scare me.”

He moved in closer, until her nose brushed lightly against his, her warm breath ghosting over his lips. “So, no regrets?” he asked, his voice so low it was almost a tease.

She didn’t respond immediately, just looked at him for a long moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as her thumb traced a slow path along his hairline. “None,” she finally murmured, the word so close that her lips almost brushed his.

And then, without further hesitation, she pulled him closer, their lips meeting in a kiss that started slow, exploratory, but quickly grew more intense, her fingers tightening in his hair, pulling him closer, as if she wanted to erase any distance between them.

Harry felt the warmth spread through his body, the world around them disappearing into the sensation of her lips, the firm yet delicate touch of the hands that held his face. He pulled her even closer, taking in her scent, the soft taste that felt as familiar as the touch of her hands.

~HP~

The air was crisp, and the smell of freshly cut grass hung in the field around Hogwarts as the sun slowly dipped behind the castle’s towers, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. Harry and Daphne had left the last prefects’ meeting earlier than expected, slipping away to the gardens while the air still carried the gentle warmth of an approaching spring day.

They sat down beneath an ancient tree, its branches swaying gently in the wind, the leaves whispering as if sharing secrets with the sky. Harry leaned back against the rough trunk, his eyes fixed on the horizon as Daphne settled beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

For a few minutes, they sat in comfortable silence, just watching the sun sink slowly behind the distant mountains, the shadows of the trees stretching across the grass like outstretched arms. Harry felt the warmth of Daphne’s body against his, and for a moment, he allowed himself to forget all his worries, all the pressures that seemed to surround him with every step he took.

“You look tired,” Daphne murmured suddenly, her eyes still fixed on the horizon as her fingers traced small circles on his forearm.

Harry let out a small sigh, feeling the muscles in his shoulders relax slightly at her touch. “I am,” he admitted, his voice coming out lower than he intended. “These N.E.W.T.s are driving me mad. It feels like the more I study, the more there is to remember.”

Daphne gave a small smile, her lips curving as her eyes remained locked on the distant line where the sky was beginning to turn shades of purple and dark blue. “You always stress before exams,” she murmured, her fingers tightening slightly against his skin. “But you always do well.”

Harry chuckled, shaking his head as he watched the first stars appear in the sky. “Maybe... but this time it feels different. Like I’m trying to fit too many pieces together at once.”

She shifted slightly against his shoulder, letting the silence stretch between them for a moment before replying. “You’ll survive this,” she whispered, her eyes turning to him for a moment, the corners of her lips curving into a small, confident smile. “You always do.”

Daphne lifted her head, her blue eyes locking onto his as she leaned a little closer, their faces now just a few inches apart. “And what would you do if you could choose?”

Harry fell silent for a moment, his eyes moving between hers as he considered the question. It was something he rarely allowed himself to think about — what he really wanted for the future, beyond the expectations everyone seemed to have for him.

“I don’t know,” he admitted finally, his lips curving into a small smile as he looked back at the horizon. “I always thought about becoming an Auror, but... lately, I’m not sure if that’s what I really want. Maybe I want to do something more... meaningful. Something that really makes a difference.”

Daphne watched him in silence for a second, her eyes shining with a curiosity he was starting to recognize. “You don’t have to decide now, Harry,” she murmured, her fingers squeezing his lightly. “You have time.”

Harry let out a small sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he allowed himself to lean slightly against her. “And what about you?” he asked, his voice sounding a bit more certain now. “What do you want to do after we leave here?”

Daphne was silent for a second, her eyes slowly moving to the shadows that were now beginning to stretch across the grass around them. “I... I want to travel,” she said finally, her voice low but firm. “See the magical world beyond England. Visit places most wizards only read about in history books.”

Harry felt a warm sensation spread through his chest, his eyes still fixed on her as she spoke. He could see the lightness in her face, the sparkle in her eyes that indicated this was more than just a passing dream.

“I want to see the enchanted forests of Scotland, the magical beaches of Greece, the floating mountains of Norway,” she continued, her lips curving into a small smile. “My sister, Astoria, is already planning to study at Beauxbatons, and I... I want the freedom to explore, to live without the chains my family always seemed to try to place on me.”

Harry gently squeezed her fingers, his eyes still locked on hers as the sun finally disappeared behind the mountains, the shadows now stretching like a dark veil around them.

“I can see you doing that,” he murmured, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. “Exploring the world, defying expectations, proving to everyone that you’re more than just the heiress of the Greengrass family.”

Daphne let out a soft laugh, her eyes closing slightly as she leaned in closer, her lips now just a few inches from his. “And I can see you by my side,” she whispered, her eyes still glowing slightly as she pulled him closer, their lips finally meeting in a soft kiss that seemed to last longer than the sunset around them.

The wind blew gently, the leaves above them whispering as if they were applauding the moment, while the shadows of Hogwarts’ towers wrapped around them, creating a refuge that felt like it was just theirs.

~HP~

The torches that lit the Slytherin common room cast long, dancing shadows on the stone walls, the green and silver of the tapestries fluttering gently to the rhythm of the wind blowing in from the Black Lake. The air had a slightly damp chill to it, which didn’t surprise Harry — he had always imagined that the Slytherin common room, buried deep within the castle, would have this dark, almost mysterious atmosphere.

Daphne was pulling him by the hand, her steps firm as she led him down the corridor that led to the entrance, completely ignoring the curious and suspicious glances of the students moving around them. Harry could feel the stares weighing on his shoulders, but he didn’t let go of her hand, even when a group of fifth-year Slytherins stopped talking to watch them with expressions of surprise and distrust.

When they finally entered the common room, Harry felt nearly every eye in the room turn toward them. The place was more crowded than he had expected, the dark leather sofas and armchairs occupied by groups of Slytherins speaking in low voices, their faces quickly turning toward the couple that had just walked in.

For a second, Harry felt the tension build in his shoulders, his heart beating a little faster as he remembered all the times he had faced those same students on the Quidditch pitch or in heated arguments in the corridors.

But Daphne didn’t seem to care. She pulled him toward the center of the room, her fingers still intertwined with his as the stares around them grew increasingly curious and, in some cases, slightly irritated.

“Daphne,” a familiar voice called from one of the sofas near the fireplace, where the green flames danced gently, casting wavering shadows across the stone floor. Blaise Zabini was lounging on one of the sofas, his legs crossed and a slight, curious smile on his lips as he watched the couple approach. “You’ve brought a... guest?”

Tracey Davis, who was sitting beside him, raised her eyebrows as she noticed Harry, her light eyes narrowing slightly as she tilted her head, as if trying to figure out what was going on.

“You’re letting Gryffindors in now?” Tracey teased, her lips curving into a small, mocking smile as she looked at Daphne.

Daphne rolled her eyes but kept her chin high, clearly unbothered by her friends’ comments. She pulled Harry a bit closer, her fingers still firmly intertwined with his as she sat down beside Blaise, tugging Harry down to sit beside her.

“Relax, Tracey,” Daphne replied, her blue eyes glinting slightly as she leaned back, crossing her legs elegantly. “He doesn’t bite. Unless you provoke him.”

Harry felt his face heat up slightly, but he forced a smile, trying not to look too uncomfortable as the eyes around him continued to assess him like some exotic creature that had just wandered into their territory.

Blaise let out a light chuckle, his dark eyes moving between Harry and Daphne as he leaned forward, swirling the wine glass in his hand, the dark liquid reflecting the warm yellow lights of the room. “So, Potter,” he began, a hint of lazy provocation in his voice, “decided to venture beyond your Quidditch games and rule-filled hallways?”

Harry gave a small smile, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he leaned back in the armchair beside Daphne. “I figured it was time to explore new territory,” he replied, picking an olive from the plate within reach and casting a quick glance at Daphne, who simply raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile.

Tracey, who had been distractedly adjusting the silver rings on her slender fingers, let out a soft laugh, her eyes fixed on Harry as she picked up her wine glass. “Potter trying to fit in,” she murmured, her voice carrying that familiar mix of teasing and approval that seemed to be her trademark. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Blaise chuckled again, leaning back into the sofa and stretching his arms lazily over the backrest. “Well, at least you’re not completely insufferable outside the Quidditch pitch,” he said, his eyes still shining with that touch of mischief that Harry was starting to recognize.

Harry shook his head, his eyes sparkling with unexpected amusement as he picked up a piece of bread and tossed it to Blaise, who caught it mid-air with quick reflexes, not losing his provocative smile. “I’m surprised too,” Harry replied, his eyes flicking to Daphne for a brief moment, noting the amused glint in her gaze.

Tracey raised an eyebrow, bringing the glass to her lips before replying, the wine tinting her lips with a faint red hue. “Now that’s a surprise... a funny Potter,” she commented, her light eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed Harry with an almost curious expression.

Daphne let out a small sigh, her delicate fingers resting on Harry’s arm as her eyes moved between her friends while she took a sip from her own glass. “You two sound like children,” she remarked, shaking her head slightly, but there was a lightness in her voice that made it clear she appreciated the interaction.

Blaise just laughed, raising his glass in a lazy toast. “Children or not, I think we just witnessed a historic moment. Who would’ve thought Harry Potter would have the guts to sit with the ‘royalty of the dungeons’ without a protective spell ready?”

Harry laughed, picking up his own glass and raising it in response. “I’ve always been a bit reckless.”

Tracey tilted her head, her lips curving into a smile that always seemed on the edge of a tease. “So, Potter,” she murmured, her eyes still fixed on his, “what’s the next step in your little social revolution?”

Harry gave a broader smile, his eyes flicking to Daphne for a brief moment before answering. “I think I’ll just enjoy the company... and see where it takes me.”

Daphne shot him a sidelong glance, her eyes glinting slightly before she returned her attention to the glass in her hand, her fingers tracing the thin edge of the crystal.

Before Harry could respond, he heard light footsteps approaching, and he turned just in time to see a slender figure with blonde hair enter the room. Astoria Greengrass, her light eyes bright and curious, paused for a second upon seeing the gathered group, her lips curving into a mischievous smile as she approached with light steps, her hair swaying gently behind her.

She stopped beside Daphne, her eyes quickly moving between her sister and Harry before letting out a soft laugh, her arms crossing over her chest as she regarded him with a playful expression.

“So, you’re the famous Harry Potter,” Astoria murmured, tilting her head slightly as she dropped into one of the nearby armchairs, her blonde hair cascading around her like a golden waterfall. Her eyes sparkled with a feline curiosity, the same provocative glint he had seen so often in Daphne. “You’re better-looking than my sister described.”

Daphne rolled her eyes, letting out a small sigh as she squeezed Harry’s fingers for a brief moment. “Astoria...” she began, her tone slightly weary, as if she had been expecting this kind of comment.

Astoria just shrugged, picking up a glass of wine from a nearby side table and crossing her legs with casual elegance. “Relax, Daph,” she replied, her lips still curled into a mischievous smile as she swirled the wine in her glass. “I’m just being honest.”

Harry chuckled, feeling his shoulders relax a bit as he watched the sisters exchange a look that only siblings seemed to understand. He had seen this dynamic countless times with Ron and his brothers, but there was something a bit sharper in the way the Greengrass sisters teased each other, as if every word carried an untold story.

“So, this is him?” Tracey Davis asked, leaning forward with a curious glint in her eyes. She plucked a grape from the plate in front of her, popping it between her teeth with a satisfied smile. “The famous secret boyfriend of Daphne? I thought you were just a myth.”

Daphne sighed, letting go of Harry’s hand just long enough to cross her arms and fix her friends with a pointed stare. “Do you two have no filter?”

Blaise laughed, stretching his arms lazily over the back of the sofa, his dark eyes assessing Harry with a curiosity that seemed genuine. “Oh, come on, Daphne,” he said, a hint of playful challenge in his tone. “You said you wanted them to meet him. You’re not going to pretend you don’t want us to be interested now, are you?”

Daphne opened her mouth to respond, but Harry cut her off, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I can handle this,” he said, casting a grin at the three of them. “If I survived Fred and George’s pranks, I’m pretty sure I can survive you lot as well.”

Astoria let out a loud laugh, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pointed her glass at him. “You might actually be brave, Potter. I like that.”

Tracey leaned back, picking up another grape and casting a meaningful look at Blaise. “I think he’ll fit in just fine.”

Blaise raised his glass in a lazy toast, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “To unlikely couples,” he said, his lips curving into a smile that made it clear he was thoroughly enjoying the situation.

Harry chuckled, picking up his own glass and raising it in response, his eyes meeting Daphne’s for a moment that seemed to stretch beyond the crackling of the fire. “And to friends who aren’t afraid to tease,” he replied, his lips curving into a small smile that made Daphne look away for a second, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush.

They ended the night laughing, their bodies leaning closer as the flames in the fireplace burned lower, casting long, calm shadows across the stone floor. Harry allowed himself to lean back more comfortably into the sofa, his fingers still intertwined with Daphne’s, as he listened to Blaise recount a ridiculously exaggerated story about a summer party that apparently involved enchanted wine and a very angry professor.

And, as the laughter echoed softly through the room, mingling with the crackle of the fire and the distant whisper of the wind outside, Harry realized that maybe, just maybe, he was finally finding his place in a world that had always seemed so distant from his own.