Our two enemy worlds - A Harry Potter Romance

Chapter four : The aviary

The rest of the first week of classes had passed and the students had gradually settled in. It was on the Monday of the following week, however, that an event occurred that shook the entire school. A decree from the Ministry of Magic appointed Dolores Umbridge as Grand Confessor. Everyone at Hogwarts, including the teachers, were surprised. What did such a position mean ? What were its prerogatives ? The Ministry seemed to want to reform education. And things, many understood, were just beginning.

Indeed, in the following days, the new High Inquisitor announced that the fifth year classes and their teachers would be inspected one by one.

Potions classes with Harry didn't turn out so bad after all. It turned out that they were about the same level. Daphne observed that Harry was better able to concentrate and do well in his preparations when Snape focused his attention on other matters and forgot to make snide remarks to him. But she also noticed that since the first week of classes, Harry's right hand was covered with a bandage which he seemed to renew regularly. When after a week her curiosity got the better of her, she asked him why. He replied simply that he had injured himself playing Quidditch and was keeping the bandage on so it wouldn't get infected. Which was rather strange as there was no non-magical injury that Madam Pomfresh couldn't heal completely in no time. Daphne didn't push the mystery any further, however, as it was none of her business after all.

Since the beginning of the school year, Daphne and Adalinda had spent most of their free time in the library. The amount of homework that the teachers were constantly replenishing was overwhelming. Between cheering on the Quidditch team, which Pansy had insisted on cheering for Draco, doing her assignments to prepare for the O.W.L.'s, and dealing with Hagrid's creatures, Daphne didn't have much time for herself. With this hectic pace, getting more than six hours of sleep had become a luxury.

She took advantage of the quiet Saturday morning to go and write to her parents in the common room. The fire was already lit and the crackling sound echoed through the room. She sat down in one of the soft armchairs by the fireplace and began to write her letter while humming the Gladgoolde witch's hymn. Freya, who had followed her, sat on her lap and purred.

Daphne was almost at the end of her account of her first few weeks at Hogwarts, when she heard footsteps coming down the dormitory stairs.

Turning to see who wasn't taking advantage of their weekend to get some more sleep, Draco Malfoy appeared from across the room.

-We're up early, I see," he said, walking in her direction.

Daphne nodded, and went back to her letter.

-And may I ask what has you so absorbed so early in the morning?" he said now, moving to the sofas, choosing the one opposite her to sit on.

Realizing that he would not leave her alone without a little chat, she put her letter case on the table to her right.

-I'm just writing to my parents Draco. I could ask you the same thing, but with your Quidditch outfit, the mystery is solved. Are the rest of the team up yet ?

-Yes, they should be here any minute. Montague and Snape have arranged to book the pitch as often as possible. We've got six weeks to perfect our skills and train Crabbe and Goyle in their new batting positions. The games are finally back on this year and it's time to take our trophy back from those Griffondor bums. Plus, they've appointed that ball and chain Wealsey as the keeper so it shouldn't be too difficult," he sneered.

Glancing at Daphne's letter, he added, "By the way, how are your parents ? I haven't seen them since the garden party at the Nott's."

-They're fine, thanks for asking. And yours ?

-Oh you know, Father spends most of his time between the manor and the Ministry. And Mother is busy organising parties and afternoons at tea with the other mothers. She is very fond of you and Astoria," he said with a softer look than he was used to. His mother was someone he cared about very much. Lucius, his father on the other hand was colder and only seemed to care about his son when his reputation and family standing were at stake. Draco being the only son and heir of the Malfoy's, she knew that a lot of pressure was on his shoulders.

Their mother also put a certain demand on her two daughters. Daphne understood her situation, which must have been more difficult than his own, and had been led to judge Draco and some of his behaviour less harshly.

In fact, at some of the Malfoy parties, Daphne had seen Draco in a different light. He had been more relaxed and the three of them, along with his sister Astoria, had had a great time enjoying themselves in the huge corridors and gardens of the Manor.

Just then the rest of the Slytherin team arrived and Draco got up to join them.

Daphne took the opportunity to finish her letter, sealed it with wax and put her family crest on it and set off for the aviary. She would also take the opportunity to go and see Selene and the Aufera before returning to the library as usual.

The air was quite nice for the first day of autumn. Daphne crossed the park and climbed the steps of the tower two by two. At the top, she spotted the school owl that she used to send her correspondence. She called to it and the bird recognized her and came to land in front of her, holding out its leg for her to hang the letter on.

-Hello there," she said, stroking its fur. She took out some of the treats she had in her pocket for the Aucifers and gave them a small handful. "You're really pretty, you know. Thank you for doing me this little favour. You have to take it to...". Daphne was about to give her the address when she heard a noise behind her. She turned around and found herself face to face with Harry. He too had a letter in his hand and looked embarrassed.

Even though they were potion partners and had spoken many times before, Daphne didn't know what to say to him or even if she should say anything at all. Before she could decide what to do, Harry gave her a shy smile and walked over to an owl with brown and beige fur.

-Aren't you using your owl ? Daphne, like many other students, knew what Harry's white owl looked like. It had made a name for itself by bringing the latest Quidditch broomsticks on the market in their first and third years. This attracted the attention of the tables around them, and in particular that of Pansy, Daphne and Draco, who had not hesitated to show their displeasure.

-No, Hedwig was attacked the last time I sent her to carry a letter," he said with a dejected look.

-What !?" she exclaimed much louder than she should have. "But how ? Who would do that ?

Harry seemed to think for a few seconds before answering her. "I think someone who wanted to know what was in my letter tried to grab it," he finally replied.

Daphne, for whom animal abuse was a monstrous thing, was appalled. Her face filled with an expression of disgust and anger.

-How can anyone do that ! It's really shameful. Besides, why would you want to read student mail, I...", but suddenly Daphne understood. Harry was not a mere student.

She felt sorry for him. Being Harry Potter couldn't be easy every day.

-I hope she gets better as soon as possible. Keep me updated," she said before finally giving her messenger her address and heading back up the stairs.

Daphne then headed to Hagrid's hut to visit and feed Selene and the Aufera. Since the beginning of the year, she had finally developed a relationship of trust with the bird. He had even agreed to let her pet him. However, she did not yet have a strong enough relationship to hear its song.

On the other hand, the little feline had very quickly become attached to the young witch. The times when Daphne came to feed them were regular, so Selene now knew when to come to the hut to be fed. She was giving her a real treat. Rubbing her legs, purring as loudly as Hagrid's motorbike, and even licking her hand when her feast was over. This gesture was not without consequence, as Freya could immediately sense when her mistress had done what she must surely consider an infidelity. She then sulked at her for the remaining part of the day.

The rest of the weekend was fairly peaceful. Daphne, Millicent and Adalinda spent their Sunday in the park studying for their O.W.L., enjoying the last good days of the season.