The Comeback Kid

A handful of minutes after she'd originally lost consciousness, Daphne awakened. Finding herself on top of Ron's bed, the scenes from just before came rolling back. Recalling how effortlessly Ron broke down her mental barriers, summoned several complicated feelings. As she struggled with her inner state of mind, a familiar voice called out to her.

" Daphne, you're awake. Are you feeling better?"

Turning towards that voice, Daphne came face to face with a visibly concerned Ron. Pleasantly surprised by his reaction, Daphne's body relaxed and her expression beamed with excitement.

" Yeah, I'm feeling much better now."

Although she'd managed to suppress her troubled mind at the sight of Ron. Just a second later her good mood was undone by the sight of Hermione closely standing next to Ron.

" Oh, you're both here... That's nice."

Daphne made her discomfort known with her words, which usually resulted in Hermione inconspicuously stepping back. However unlike all those prior incidents, this time Hermione stood her ground unwilling to retreat.

' What's gotten into her?'

The former thought to herself as she glared at the surprisingly stubborn Hermione. Who went on to completely ignore Daphne's hostile words and sharp glare.

Deciding not to escalate things any further, Daphne swept the entire room in search of what they were doing. Unsurprisingly her search was short lived as she quickly found two open tomes laying on the ground.

" You two studied without me?"

Daphne asked with mixture of annoyance and incredibility.

Sensing the hostility within her tone, Hermione took the opportunity to bid them farewell.

" It's getting pretty late and I haven't completed the homework given by Prof. Binns."

As she finished speaking she turned around and walked out of the room. With neither Daphne or Ron doing or saying anything to stop her. Strangely enough immediately following Hermione's departure, Ron was the one who initiated the conversation.

" I'm glad that you're feeling better. You really had me worried for a minute there."

To no one's surprise specially her own, Daphne found Ron's concerned expression extremely charming.

" I-I'm sorry I worried you. Although truthfully speaking it makes me happy to think that you were worried about me. Even if just for a moment."

An overeager Daphne shyly replied while averting Ron's gaze.

Unfortunately for her, Ron was fully aware of the effect his words and mere presence had on her. This allowed him to transition from between caring to borderline demanding without raising suspicion.

" Nothing happened alright? I was just helping her understand Legilimency better. I mean what could possibly happen between us? We're friends and that's it. Trust me."

No matter how bothered or uncomfortable Daphne was just a few seconds ago all those feelings seemed to vanish. Then the ever watchful Ron, moved the conversation to a more pressing matter, to him at least.

" Daphne, about the ingredients for the Aurum Maledicta Delens... Are you positive that you'll be able to acquire them without your father finding out?"

Ron asked, while attentively staring at Daphne and awaiting her response. Who turned serious at the mention of the miracle cure Ron had mysteriously come across.

" Yes. While father normally has any sort of valuable object or item sent to the Family Vault at Gringotts. There is an exception, that being magical ingredients which he has stored in the botanical gardens back home."

Learning of the Greengrass botanical gardens, Ron almost immediately decided to pay them a visit someday.

Having Daphne basically guarantee the delivery of the Phoenix Tears. Ron released a sigh of relief mentally, as his workload had diminished greatly. He no longer had to preoccupy himself searching for rare ingredients. This made way for Ron to proceed with his plans at a much greater pace.

" That's wonderful."

Ron said wearing a large toothy smile as he moved in to tightly hug Daphne. Who tried to speak up again but found herself being cut off by a hurried Ron.

" Well I have a prior engagement with a friend. So do you want me to escort you to your room or are you fine by yourself?"

Momentarily stunned by his suggestion Daphne wasted no time connecting several dots.

" Are you going to go meet up with Theo? Ron, I can't believe I have to remind you, but your not necessarily liked by Prof. Snape or any Slytherin for that matter. If they catch you down there in the dungeons you'll be in serious trouble."

After the first sentence, Ron wanted to interrupt her, but ultimately decided to let her continue talking. However once she finally finished, he let out a small cough before correcting her.

" You've actually got it wrong, I'm not going down to the dungeons to meet with Theo. I'm headed to Gryffindor Tower to have a chat with our old pal, Harry Potter."

Startled by the reveal and hearing that name, Daphne looked at Ron in bewilderment.

" Harry? Why are you going to see him? He's completely ignored us ever since being sorted to Gryffindor. Why would you want to talk to him?"

Fully expecting such a reaction from her, Ron had prepared a reply for such an occasion.

" Do you remember all those legends regarding the *Boy who lived*?"

Although initially intrigued by the topic, Daphne's face soon fell as she answered.

" Yes.. what about them? After actually meeting the so called Hero I'd say they were all made up. Most likely in attempt to belittle the rumors surrounding *You Know Who*."

Following Daphne's accurate deduction, Ron's grin widened just as he added to her response.

" You're spot on. All the propaganda following *His* unceremoniously fall was to destroy the invincible image his followers and victims alike constructed of him. It was quite genius actually, who in their right mind would fear someone bested by a child? Of course even after *His* demise the propaganda kept continuously rolling out. This was most likely done to galvanize those who remained after the war. So while it's true that the majority of stories and rumors regarding Harry are either out right false or extremely exaggerated. There are a few truths hidden in all those lies, albeit very deeply."

Confused by his words, Daphne wanted to continue their conversation to figure out what he meant. Unfortunately she was unable to, as Ron embraced her one last time before rushing to the door.

" Wait, what did you-"

Before Daphne could finish speaking, Ron cut her off offering a hastily formed reply as he stepped outside.

" I'm off, I'll see you tomorrow. I can't keep the famed hero of the wizarding world waiting now can I?"

With the door closing behind Ron, a frustrated Daphne was left to wonder what he meant.

" What did he mean by there being truths among all those lies? No matter how I see it, there isn't any exceptional about Harry."