Our two enemy worlds - A Harry Potter Romance

Chapter eighteen : Daphne's present (Harry's pov)

~~12 Grimmauld Place~~

Harry couldn't believe it. With Daphne's note in his hand, which he had just reread at least three more times, he stared at the portrait she had drawn of him, unable to take his eyes off it. It was beautiful. Daphne certainly had a gift for drawing. So, she had sent him a present. He didn't know what to think. At first, they had grown so close and had spent so much time together. But then when he had realised his feelings and thought they were mutual for Daphne... she had run away. As they were about to kiss, she had left him there, alone in the room of Requirement . She had simply said "I can't" without giving him much of an explanation. The fact that she had used 'can' and not 'will' had left Harry with some hope, but after hearing Malfoy invite her to his stupid ball in front of everyone during Transfiguration class, he wasn't sure of anything. Was his refusal due to his lack of popularity ? Except for the D.A. members, he knew he must have seemed delusional or attention-seeking to some. Daphne had pretended to believe him...but perhaps her image in the eyes of the other students and especially her friends was more important. Or could it be that she was interested in Draco and didn't want to ruin her chances with him for someone like him ?

That note seemed to indicate that she cared about him, or at least about their friendship. Yes 'friendship' was the word she had chosen. Was this a way of letting him know that she only saw him as such ? Harry was confused. But one thing was becoming increasingly clear to him, he was in love with Daphne Greengrass. After that last day in the Room of Requirement, the way he'd felt when they'd been inches apart, and the tugging he'd felt in his chest as she'd pulled away from him, he was sure of it now.

Only he had no idea what he wanted now. Was it better to remain friends ? Or keep his distance from her ? He didn't have time to think about the question any longer as Ron grabbed the drawing from his hands.

-What have we here ? Not a bad portrait ! More accurate than Dobby's," Ron chuckled, referring to the painting the elf had given him as a Christmas present. "Who's it from ?"

-That's none of your business, Ron," said Harry annoyed. Give it back to me, please," he said, holding out his hand to his friend, keeping Daphne's note tightly in his other hand.

-So, mister is secretive ? Fine, if that's how you treat your best friend," Ron replied dramatically.

-What's going on ?" asked Hermione intrigued by the turn their conversation had taken

-Nothing," Harry said in a way that didn't fool Hermione.

-Harry prefers to keep it to himself who sent him that drawing," Ron pointed to the portrait before showing it to Hermione.

-It's really well done though, this person is very talented.

-That's not the point Hermione ! I'm more interested in their identity.

-Maybe the answer is on this piece of paper that Harry is holding tightly in his hand," suggested Hermione.

A glance between him and Ron was enough for Harry to realise that he had better get out of the way. He leapt to his feet as Ron rushed at him to snatch it away. Luckily for him, Ron was a few inches shorter and by reaching up he managed to keep it out of his reach. Unfortunately, this was without considering the twins who had just entered the room and who were a good head taller than him. In no time, Fred grabbed Harry's arm as George grabbed the note.

-So who is this mystery person ?" said Fred cryptically.

-A secret fan perhaps," George joked, unfolding the piece of paper as Fred looked over his brother's shoulder.

-"I value our friendship very much and I hope it is not lost. Merry Christmas" read George in a honeyed tone.

-Who's D ?" asked Fred, leaning over his brother's shoulder.