7 Trouble in paradise!

Harry's POV

{27th June 1993}

{Potter Manor, Unknown location}

{7:10 PM}

"Potter Manor" Harry intoned clearly and followed behind Daphne.

The summer was not going according to plan, Harry knew that it would be a mess when they finally talked to Blaise, he was ready for curses and Jinxes to fly around but he didn't expect one of his closest friends to just vanish after the train ride.

'He's so different now and it's only just been a few weeks, aside from the dark eyes there are no physical changes but the warmth in his eyes is missing...'

Harry groaned as he nearly stumbled after coming out but a firm hand on his arm helped him regain his footing. He gave Daphne a small smile noticing the day had taken its toll on her too.

After that small fight some months ago they had established that it wasn't right for them to use Occlumency around each other and hide behind face masks.

"You okay?" I asked, I was concerned about her. Blaise's silence has taken a large toll on her too and sometimes it still makes him doubt their decision.

'Those uncomfortable feelings are still there...'

*Sigh*

I let out a relieved sigh as I pulled her in for a hug, my hands resting on her small back as she nuzzled into my neck.

'It feels soo good, so right...'

And that's when the guilt comes rushing back ruining the moment, maybe it would have been better if they broke up in a few years so that this black mark didn't ruin all these moments we have.

"Stop thinking about it..." she murmured before pulling back and looking me in the eye.

Her grey eyes were flickering with so many emotions it was difficult to tell what she meant.

"...I lost him" she whispered softly and I could feel my breath stop for a moment as she said, "...we have been friends for almost 7 years now, I was there when he got those scars and he always confided in me, but today..." she bit her lip and buried her head in my chest, "...Do you regret it?" I asked softly.

She looked back at me seeing the pain in my eyes and shook her head, "...in some way I do, I know what I feel for you and what he meant to me. I remember seeing the look in his eyes when we used to hug him, the affection in his eyes scared me. I never could love him like I..." she quietened down again, and I let out a breath I had been holding.

"It's okay! we'll get him back... we both will" I reassured her rubbing her back a few times allowing her to sob softly.

"N-no..." her voice cracked, "I saw it in his eyes when he looked at me just before... there was nothing there, no emotion, no anger... when he looks at you I can see his eyes tighten if he isn't using occlumency actively..." Daphne had always been good at reading people, a skill she learned early in her life due to her father being a businessman.

"It's okay..." I repeated, not really believing it myself as another sigh escaped my mouth.

"You guys okay?" Dad's voice startled me as Daphne slowly extracted herself from my arms and took a step back and turned away to gather herself.

"Yeah, we're okay... it's just-" I don't know how to express myself but Dad had an understanding expression.

"Yeah I know, I was 17 once too" he smiled and pointed towards the living room as we followed him.

I took a seat in one of the sofas and Daphne sat beside me, her warm hand giving me some comfort as I leaned back and closed my eyes.

"It will be okay Harry, time heals all wounds, even those as severe as this..." Dad said and I gave him a small smile when a small redhead came bustling in and sat beside me, the twinkle in her eyes missing and I noticed she wasn't smiling.

"Is Blaise gonna be okay?" she asked in a small voice and I noticed the problem we unknowingly created has affected everyone around us. When I first managed to drag Blaise home for Christmas he somehow became a part of this family too. I didn't even notice that Rose hasn't smiled since their awkward encounter today at Hogsmede.

"Of course ginger" I gave her a grin as she pouted at the nickname.

"He didn't even say hello today-" she said as she went lowered her head so I patter her hair and tried to reassure her.

"Where are Evan and Neville?" I asked her trying to change the subject.

"There are in their super-duper-secret magic hideout-" she replied.

"You mean the last table in the family library?" I asked giving her a deadpan look.

"Yeah, they don't let me near it so it is their super-duper-secret magic hideout..." she giggled but then her expression turned to amazement as a bluish-silvery doe jumped out of the wall and stood in front of Dad.

"James I'm bringing Blaise home for the night to keep an eye on him for today, is Daphne still there if not can you please ask Harry to escort her home. Now isn't the best time for a confrontation." Lily's voice came out of the doe before it dissipated leaving Rose's hand patting thin air.

I tightened my grip on Daphne's hand upon noticing her defeated look but before I could say anything she said, "It's okay Harry, I should go..."

We quickly walked towards the fireplace, I grabbed the floo powder and gave it to her and after a quick kiss watched her disappear into the fire.

*Sigh*

'Alright I need to figure this mess out quick, he won't give up on these many years of friendship right?'

AN: This was just a small Harry POV, Harry Daphne and Blaise are the main characters and every 5-6 chapters I would switch to someone else's POV.

Anyway, Harry and Daphne won't feature much in the story for at least another 20 chapters after this...