Our two enemy worlds - A Harry Potter Romance

Chapter twelve : Hagrid's return

On Sunday evening, Daphne had curled up in one of the armchairs in the Slytherin common room. She couldn't bring herself to leave that room for fear of running into Harry. With her homework done and Harry's defence lesson cancelled, perhaps forever, she was now staring into the flames, thinking about everything that had happened that weekend. The look of disappointment on Harry's face, the emptiness she'd felt inside her then... When Pansy had come to her after the game to congratulate her on making the right choice, Daphne had felt even worse. How could she ever make it up to him ?

All this had made her realise how much these moments with Harry meant to her. They were like a release after holding her breath all week. In this room she felt she could laugh and talk about anything with him. And now by her cowardice she had ruined it.

The next morning, Daphne had some unexpected and happy news at breakfast. At the teachers' table, and three heads taller than them, was Hagrid.

However, Hagrid's face was covered in bruises and contusions. What had Hagrid gotten himself into that had left him in such a state, she thought.

She had to get a moment to talk to him. Both to find out how he was, and to discuss his creatures. Unfortunately, Monday was a particularly busy day, and she had promised her friends that she would help them tonight with the Herbology assignment Professor Sprout had given them. She would therefore not be able to visit him until tomorrow.

With apprehension, Daphne went to their first class of the week with the pro-Teacher Snape. Avoiding Harry would no longer be an option since they were Potion partners. But to her surprise, it was an empty table that she found when she entered their classroom.

-Today you will attempt to make a sleeping potion. This is not the most difficult preparation in your programme, but it is one that comes up a lot in the terms of the O.W.L. So I advise you to pay close attention. It would be prudent, in fact, if...

Snape didn't have time to finish his sentence as Harry opened the door and entered the classroom.

-Sorry Professor, I..." he began.

-Yes, I see you're incapable of not showing off, Mr. Potter," Snape said contemptuously. But this isn't a first, you'll tell me. In the papers, this Saturday at the game, and now thinking you have a free pass to be late for my classes. I would deny you the privilege of attending if it is of so little interest to you, but I would not wish to penalise Miss Greengrass for your behaviour. Though preserving her from your incompetence for the duration of a class might be a pity for her... Go and sit down before I change my mind Potter.

Malfoy, Pansy and some of the other Slytherin students laughed.

Harry put his things down next to Daphne's and sat down without a word. He didn't even glance at her.

This continued throughout the lesson. Although she turned her attention to him several times during the hour and a half of Potion they had, Harry kept his eyes glued to the table and his textbook. Refusing to even speak to her, Daphne had to do most of the potion herself.

No sooner had Snape announced the end of the session than Harry jumped to his feet and rushed out.

Daphne tried hard not to let the way he ignored her affect her, but to no avail. She had hurt him and now he did the same.

As she walked up the steps to the Great Hall, she decided it was best to stay away from him for the rest of the day. She would sit with her back to the tables of the other houses so as not to accidentally meet his eyes.

When Daphne woke up on Tuesday, she noticed that the green light that usually flooded their common room had shifted to a bluish tinge. And that could only mean one thing, the lake was frozen. This news cheered her up because it also meant that the skating season was open. It was one of her favourite activities at the Manor. She and Astoria could spend hours on the ice of their pond. The prospect of being able to share that time with her sister again put her in a good mood, which she needed right now.