Chapter 9

Harry lay awake in his bed, staring blankly at the canopy of his four poster. He had returned from his first lesson with Snape completely exhausted, and strangely optimistic. Harry had expected to be tortured at the hands of the greasy-haired Defense teacher, using these advanced lessons as a way to punish Harry for his father's sins. He was not disappointed.

"Close the door, Potter." Snape said with his usual curt manner. Harry complied and awaited the Professor's next request. Harry was remembering the last time he had attended private lessons with Snape. Occlumency had been grueling and torturous. Snape had not instructed well at all. Harry had felt weaker and more open to the Dark Lord than ever.

Before he left for his lesson, Hermione had stopped him, urging Harry to really listen to what Snape told him to do.

"Harry, this isn't about you and Snape. You have to put that behind you and focus. You're going to have to swallow your pride and treat him respectfully so he teaches you well." She had pleaded.

"And what if he turns it into his own private torture session?" Harry had retorted.

"Even he knows you can fight back, and do it well. This isn't Occlumency. I really think Snape knows that while he might be experienced, you'll give him a real fight and he could get seriously hurt. Try to remember why you're doing this, Harry."

During his walk to Snape's classroom, harry thought on what Hermione had said to him. And while it was true that Harry was doing this in order to defeat Voldemort, He was positive Snape was not going to go easy.

Yet, Harry began to think that it might not be a bad thing. Would it be easier to be taught by someone who cared? Someone who'd take it easy, and baby him, or would it be better to be taught by someone who wouldn't pull back. Someone who truly loathed him and would really try to hurt him, as his enemies were sure to do?

Harry stared at the black clad professor as he rose and with a wave of his wand had moved all the benches and desks out of the way so they had a large open area in which to work.

"I am aware that you led a defense club last year, and I am also aware that everyone who you taught received an Exceeds Expectation or higher on their exams. I also know that you received the highest marks this school has seen in quite some time. What I will be teaching you here will not be simple spells, or hexes. They will drain you until you master them. They should only ever be used in life or death situations. While none of them are unforgivable, they are very, very dangerous to use on another person." Snape said coolly as he walked around Harry, who stared straight ahead to prevent himself becoming agitated by the man.

"Now, every spell I teach you, you will be performing non verbally. It will do you no good to use any of this if your enemy can block it."

"Sir," Harry choked on the respectful addressing of his most hated teacher. "May I ask what types of spells I'll be learning?"

"I will be showing you spells that will lay your enemies to waste. Magic that will have them begging for the comforting release of their deaths." Snape spoke almost lovingly.

Harry gulped audibly. He knew that they were in a war, but he couldn't get past the thought of hurting anyone so badly they would be begging for death. Though the more he thought of it, was there really anything he wouldn't do to save his friends, or himself, from imminent death?

"Confringo!" Snape shouted, giving Harry only a split second to conjure his shield charm. It was as Harry expected. Snape was relentless forcing Harry to really move. After the first Volley, when Harry tried to fight back, Snape informed him that Harry was only allowed to use his shields.

The next hour was spent with Harry shielding himself from Snape's onslaught of jinxes. Throughout it all, however, he gave Harry tips on how he might hold his shield longer, or even strengthening it enough to rebound the spell back at it's castor. Harry knew that Snape was truly enjoying this bit, as he had used some very nasty spells.

When it was finally over, harry felt like collapsing right there on the floor.

"I expect you to perform at that level from now on in our regular classes, Potter. If I even here you whisper a spell, it will be detention." Snape glowered.

"I performed non verbally?"

"For the last twenty minutes." Snape confirmed.

It was like a bomb had dropped in Harry's mind. He had been performing his shield without speaking, and he hadn't even been aware of it.

Harry was a little surprised by how exhausted he felt. His body ached from receiving several stinging hexes that he had been unable to block. The sneering teacher had given Harry much to think on, however. He would be learning some very horrible spells. Spells that would cause his enemies to beg for death. Harry had to admit it would be nice to be able to fight back properly against his enemies, but could he be unmerciful in his fight? Could he intentionally hurt someone so bad that their only desire would be death?

A voice echoed in the back of his mind that sounded strangely like Sirius'. "It's war, and your only option, sometimes, is to kill or be killed."

The words gave him no comfort. Harry understood that he had little choice. He had to take Voldemort's life in order to save the rest of the world. He had to kill another person, though even Harry was hard pressed to categorize Voldemort as human.

Harry thoughts turned to something a little less horrific, though just as problematic.

Daphne Greengrass.

Harry had not spoken to her since she had punched him in the mouth. He found her irritating, pushy, and very annoying. She had a very short temper, and she was nearly as scary when she was angry as Uncle Vernon was.

That might be a bit harsh, He thought to himself.

And yet, he found himself thinking a lot about their one and only somewhat pleasant hour together a week ago. Daphne had even made him laugh for a second. Never once had he laughed with Cho. He had always been too nervous. He had grown comfortable around Ginny, but he still felt nervous and stupid around her. Though he didn't feel awkward around Daphne, he also didn't feel comfortable, either.

Daphne was very pretty as well. He had heard a few boys talk about her assets while visiting the bathroom one day, and he found himself a little mesmerized by her posterior whenever she walked away from him. It was unquestionable. Physically, Daphne Greengrass was quite beautiful. But it wasn't enough. Harry felt that there had to be more than looks for a girl to be attractive. And so far, Daphne didn't measure up. Yet, Harry reluctantly admitted, they had not been in each other's company for any extended periods of time.

She was a complete mystery. Harry knew virtually nothing about her, except for her birthday. He didn't know what her home life was like, or what she wanted to do when school was over. He didn't even know what her favorite food was. What would they have to talk about? What could they possibly have in common? It was too ridiculous to think they could ever be compatible. And yet, they were to be married.

Married. A family. His most secret and precious dream. To one day be married to a woman who truly loved him and be a father to a child, or children. To attain true happiness after a lifetime of pain and hate and loss. Could he possibly have that with Greengrass? Or would he be killed by his arranged wife as Remus said could sometimes happen?

Damn you, Remus. Harry thought bitterly. Had to say it, you bastard.

Harry's day seem to go by incredibly slow. It had been over a week since he had spent any time alone with Daphne, not counting her punching him in the face two days ago. He was truly unsure how he felt about the looming rendezvous. His trepidation stemmed mostly from Hermione's suggested location.

Harry felt a little colder when he thought about it, yet he couldn't find fault with his bushy-haired friend's logic. A gesture of this magnitude would undoubtedly show Daphne that he took this situation just as seriously as she did. He was going to have to trust in Hermione's knowledge of the female species.

Harry did not see Daphne until lunch, where she sat with her friend, Tracey. She kept her eyes lowered, and did not look up once. Harry felt a growing anxiety in his chest the more he thought of the coming evening.

During afternoon classes, Harry's concentration waned badly, and he earned a bit of extra homework from Professor McGonagall, who was quite unimpressed with his efforts. His mind kept plaguing him with visions of his coming evening. Daphne's nose wrinkled in disgust when she learned of their destination. Daphne angrily questioning his sanity when he describe what he had planned. Daphne's wicked right cross just before she stomped away from him.

"Mate, are you okay? You're like a zombie or something." Ron asked as they headed for the Great Hall for dinner.

"He's a bit nervous, Ron." Hermione smiled as she took her boyfriend's arm. "He's got a date tonight."

"WHOA!" Harry stopped suddenly. "You never said it was a date. Is she expecting it to be a date?"

"Relax, Harry. It's a figure of speech." Hermione chuckled humorously. "You're making up for missing your last meeting with Daphne."

"Ah." Ron said, understanding now. "Watch out for her fist this time."

"Oh, ha ha." Harry glared. "I'm so glad that I can amuse the two of you."

"Oh, come on, Harry." Ron chuckled. "It is a bit funny that she hit you. If it had been me, you wouldn't be able to stop laughing."

Harry couldn't stop himself chuckling at the mental image of his best friend being laid out by the much shorter and smaller bushy haired witch he was currently dating. Harry knew that he would indded find the situation quite hilarious if it were someone else.

"See?" Ron pointed out, knowing his friend was imagining it by the smile on his face. "Seriously, though. I know Hermione says she's all right, but remember that she's a Slytherin, and you can't trust them."

"What exactly are you basing that on?" Hermione asked as the trio sat down to eat. "Malfoy? He's the only Slytherin you've ever had any real interaction with. They're not all like that. Daphne, for instance, is quite pleasant once you get past her defenses."

"And you have?" Harry asked pointedly.

Hermione blushed a little. "Not personally, no. But I'm told she is very nice underneath her 'Ice Queen' persona. Everyone has their defenses."

"Who's your source on that?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Is it really important?" Hermione argued, deflecting the question. "The point is that we cannot hate them all based on a few. Just because Draco and his gorilla squad are right foul, and Pansy Parkinson is a cow, we can't just think that everyone in that house is awful."

"They all hate Gryffindor." Ron remarked.

"And what has anyone in Gryffindor ever done to change that? Face it, our two houses have been feuding long before we ever got here. Don't you think it's time that changed? Especially given the current climate, with Voldemort out there?" Hermione argued.

Harry looked at Ron, who stared back, both unable to argue her point. Perhaps it was time for a change. But how could it be accomplished? It would take a great deal to heal the breach that had started centuries ago with the founding fathers of Hogwarts. Were the two houses always going to be bitter rivals, or was there some way they could be united once and for all? And was this rivalry to last long after they had left Hogwart's hallowed halls?

Harry had been contemplating the conversation deeply the rest of the evening until he found himself standing in front of the portrait of Barnubus the Barmy. He stood, lost in thought until he heard the distinct sound of footsteps approaching. He looked up to see Daphne approaching, eyeing him intently.

"Alright, Potter. I was told that you had something important to show me."

Daphne still looked irritated with him. She stood a short distance away, as if she were expecting him to attack her. Harry felt a twinge of trepidation at the sight of her, but pressed forward.

"Yeah." He said, putting his hands in his pockets and looking nervous. "I know that you've probably heard all kinds of things about me over the years. I know there's lots of rumors and stories. Well, I thought maybe you'd like a chance to separate fact from fiction, and to see something very few have ever witnessed, including Dumbledore."

Daphne arched an eyebrow. She watched as Harry fidgeted a bit, waiting for her to say anything, but she was not going to make things easy for him. She had considered the possibility that this was some kind of trick. Revenge for her punching him, yet he seemed genuine.

"This had better not be some kind of prank, Potter."

"No prank, no games." Harry shook his head.

"Ok" ." She said, motioning for him to start walking. "Lead the way"

"Actually, since we don't really want people talking if they see us walking together, I thought you'd appreciate a bit of secrecy."

Harry pulled his invisibility cloak from under his shirt. "You're going to have to stand rather close to me." he said hesitantly.

Daphne looked as if she were going to argue, but after a moment her shoulders slumped in exasperation and she moved closer to him. Harry threw the cloak over the two of them and began slowly moving, with Daphne close to his side.

As they walked, Daphne couldn't help but notice how Harry smelled. Clean, like he'd just shower. She always grimaced when she thought of Potter's appearance, figuring he was some sort of slob with not a care for hygiene, but walking so close to him, she began wondering why he smelled so good, when he looked so horrible all the time. She remembered Hermione mentioning that there were things he never spoke of, things that he might be too embarrassed to speak of. Was his appearance the result of something embarrassing?

The walk was not overly long, which was a good thing as Daphne was still hesitant about accompanying Harry anywhere at this point. They remained silent as the walked. Harry was quite good at keeping them from running into anyone on their journey, almost like he did this type of thing a lot. At one point, Harry had even put his arm around the suspicious blonde and steered her out of the way of some running first years. She shivered at his contact, but shrugged it off just as quickly.

"A bathroom?" She said when they had arrived at their destination. "A girl's bathroom? I don't know who you're trying to impress, but I've seen this before. There's actually quite a few of these around the castle."

"We're not here to see the loo. This is kind of like the gateway."

"To where? The sewers? The Black Lake?"

"The Chamber of Secrets." Harry gave a weak smile as he approached the sinks.

Daphne found herself speechless. She had of course heard the tale. It had been widely speculated over in Slytherin, but no one knew for sure, and no one seemed up to just asking the boy about it all. She stared at the young man before her who had turned to look at her. She could see a certain amount of anxiety in his eyes and knew that he was speaking the truth. Harry Potter had been to the Chamber of Secrets and saved the youngest Weasley.

"This is a joke, right?" She asked, awestruck at the idea that he was about to take her to the sacred chamber of Salazaar Slytherin himself. "You're taking the mickey out of me because I punched you. Granger and Weasley are here waiting to jump out and laugh, right?" She asked, beginning to peer into stalls.

"I told you before. No games. You wanted to learn about me, well, this is a good place to start. Let me warn you, though, it is quite disgusting down there." Harry said, waving at the sinks.

"You're really going to take me to Sytherin's chamber?"

"I thought we established that already. If you want to go, I'll show it to you."

Daphne nodded quickly. She was intensely excited. She wasn't sure what she would see, but the fact that she was going to see it was enough to cause her gooseflesh. Harry turned, and she listened as he hissed. The sinks began to separate, and Daphne rushed to Harry's side to watch as the opening was revealed.

For the first time since he'd known her, Harry saw something amazing. Daphne Greengrass was smiling. It wasn't a false smile, or an evil grin, or even a smirk. It was a real smile. Her dark brown eyes were alight with awe and her cheeks had a warm glow about them. At one point, Harry swore she was bouncing with anticipation.

"Are you ready?" He asked, offering his hand to her. Daphne looked up into his emerald eyes and, without hesitation, took his hand. Together they leapt into the pipe and slid to the cavern below.

"Yuck." Daphne said when they reached the bottom. "You weren't kidding about the filth."

"No, I wasn't. Lumos!" Harry said, lighting his wand. Daphne gave a startled yelp when she saw the great snakeskin.

"Don't worry." Harry said quickly. "It's just the skin."

"So you really fought a Basilisk?"

Harry nodded and began walking. Daphne followed close on his heels, not wanting to get lost. They walked a short way until they came to where the cavern had caved in. The hole that Ron had cleared away was till there and the two teens were able to climb through easily. Soon after, they stood in front of the sealed door to the Chamber. Again Harry hissed and Daphne's eyes grew wide as the door opened and she peered into the darkness beyond.

The first thing she noticed was the intense smell of decay. Both she and Harry began retching uncontrollably at the stink of death.

"Oh, Merlin!" Daphne winced and gagged. "What is that?"

"My first guess would be, dead basilisk." Harry said, retching.

"That is really, really foul. It's worse than Crabbe with digestion problems." Daphne coughed. "Here."

Daphne waved her wand and the air began to freshen. The smell of decay began to ebb and soon they could breathe without retching.

"Did you not think to bring Snape, or Dumbledore down here to harvest this thing?" Daphne asked, still looking rather ill. "Basilisks are quite rare and their venom is worth a lot of galleons. They could have used it for the school."

"No, but no one ever said anything. Dumbledore didn't seem to care." Harry shrugged as he crossed the threshold of the Chamber. Daphne followed him into the vast chamber. Harry used his wand to ignite the torches and when the Chamber was lit, Daphne got her first ever glimpse at the fabled Chamber of Secrets.

"It's really real." She whispered. "Slytherin's chamber is real."

"I don't know if there's really anything of note here." Harry offered. "I didn't really get the chance to explore it. But the Basilisk came out of the mouth of that statue."

Daphne turned to see the great head of a bearded man. And not far away was the unmistakable corpse of the great serpent.

"How'd you do it?" Daphne asked without preamble. Harry told her the whole story trying to be as accurate as possible. He started telling her how he and Ron had lead Professor Lockhart down here after they had discovered the Defense teacher was a fraud. How the phony professor had tried to Obliviate them and ended up doing it to himself with Ron's busted wand, and caving in the tunnel a bit. Then, he explained how he had come here alone to find Ginny lying on the floor, nearing death.

Harry went on to describe the diary and the ghost of Tom Riddle. How the spirit had summoned the basilisk and Dumbledore's phoenix had come carrying the Sorting Hat and the Sword of Gryffindor.

"After Fawkes pecked out the serpent's eyes, it made it a bit easier. I could now look at it without dying. It still could hear me, and it chased me, but I eventually got hold of the sword and stabbed it through the roof of it's mouth. I got bit at the same time, but once again Fawkes helped me." Harry finished his tale.

"Not much of a storyteller, are you?" Daphne smiled. "Most boys would make themselves out to be some great hero, or that they accomplished it without any help whatsoever."

"It's the truth." Harry said softly.

"And I believe you." Daphne said quickly. "The proof is all around me. But I think I would believe you even without seeing it. It's the way you talk about it. It's not some great adventure tale when you tell it. Though it could be, it's got all the makings of some great fairy tale. But when you talk about it, you have this sort of hollow look in your eyes, like you're haunted by it."

"I still sometimes dream about it." Harry admitted. He looked up into Daphne's deep brown eyes, expecting to see pity, or disgust. He saw none of that reflected in her eyes. There was no more disdain, or irritation. There wasn't even mild annoyance.

He only saw sympathy.

"Are the other stories true?" She asked softly, stepping closer to him. She watched him very carefully now. She was learning that Harry spoke volumes with out uttering a word. There were mannerisms she had not noticed before, that told her almost everything she ever wanted to know. He was not proud of what he'd done. He wasn't bragging that he had slain a Basilisk by himself. Instead, he seemed almost disconcerted by it. Troubled, even.

Harry squared his shoulders and took a few steps away from Daphne, turning to examine the chamber a little more critically. He couldn't say why, but when she had looked at him just then, he had felt strange, like his insides had shifted.. "Which stories?"

"The Dementors? Did you really fight a hundred of them?" She asked.

"I wasn't counting them. I don't know if it was a hundred. But there were a lot of them." Harry shrugged.

"Did one really come after you before last term?"

"Two of them. They nearly kissed my cousin."

Daphne heard just the hint of bitterness when Harry mentioned his cousin.

"and that business with Professor Quirrell?"

"He had Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head, and yes I fought him, three times now." Harry said, anger edging his voice.

"And the prophecy?"

Harry turned to stared at Daphne incredulously.

"The Daily Prophet has been hinting at it all summer long. I thought it was another one of those things they do to get readership up. But after all this…" She said motioning around the dank Chamber. "It doesn't seem impossible anymore."

"Please tell me you're not buying into the legend of Harry Potter.' Harry said scathingly.

"No. I find the truth far more stimulating and intriguing than the mythic hero that everyone seems to believe you to be. But it's all based in reality, isn't it? I mean, there has to be something to this Chosen One business, if You-Know-Who is so hell bent on ending your life, Harry."

"You called me, Harry." He smiled coyly. "Is it possible we've actually broken through some of your barriers?"

"Don't count on it." Daphne said, crossing her arms. "Back on subject. You don't have to tell me what it says, just tell me if there is really a prophecy."

Harry didn't have to speak. His body language said everything she needed to hear. Daphne's face fell to one of horrified sadness. She had no words that could express her outrage, or her sympathy for him.

"I can't even imagine how you can deal with it all. To have the whole world laying all their hopes on you. To have people staring at you everywhere you go, expecting so much of you. And then this.." She said pointing her finger between them. "To have this mess added to all that is just too much. How have you been able to handle it all?"

"Not well, actually." Harry said honestly.

"But you've got Dumbledore helping you. I mean who better to train you than the greatest wizard of our time, right?"

"He's not training me. Right now, I'm not really getting any training. I mean, well, I'm getting some, but I don't know if it's enough."

"You're not serious, are you? That seems really stupid. Doesn't Dumbledore want you to defeat You-Know-Who?" Daphne asked a bit awed at Harry's confession.

"Yeah. I mean I guess so. I can't really talk about any of this. I don't mean to be rude, or…"

"I understand, harry." Daphne said holding up her hands. "You've got to protect yourself, and you're still unsure about me. I get it, and I'm not offended."

"You know all I really ever wanted was to be normal. To be just as undistinguishable from everyone else. My life has been one long joke to fate, and I'm truly sick of it all."

"Most people would give anything to trade with you." Daphne said softly. "Some people would do anything for the kind of recognition and attention that simply gravitates your way. I don't know how I would handle what you've done and gone though. I guess we do have a little bit in common after all. I never wanted to be arranged. I wanted the freedom to choose who I spend my life with. Not that it really compares to your situation." Daphne smiled gently.

"You have a really nice smile. You should try and do it more." Harry remarked.

"Are you really trying to flirt with me?" Daphne asked, looking a bit offended.

"No!" Harry said quickly, holding up his hands protectively. "I was only commenting on your smile. It's different. But in a good way. I usually just see you scowl. You look relaxed when you smile."

"Harry! Calm down. I'm only teasing." Daphne grinned. "So, what else are you going to reveal to me tonight?"

"Haven't I revealed enough?" Harry asked, nervously running his fingers through his hair.

"That won't get it to lie flat. It's only making it worse." Daphne said motioning towards Harry's head.

"I've come to terms with it. I'm told my father's hair was the same. Mind of it's own." He shrugged, looking nonplussed.

"Well, I guess it is part of your charm. I hear girls talk about your hair and your eyes, not to mention your bum.'

Harry's face reddened instantly, and it felt like that very body part were suddenly on fire. He couldn't help but look anywhere but at the gentle smile on Daphne's face. Then he had to sop when he heard a sound that shook him slightly. The smallest, faintest little laugh.

"You're messing with me again." He glared.

"Not this time. Can you honestly tell me you've never talked about a girl's bits?" She looked incredulous.

"Not really. The other guys in my dorm do, I just listen mostly. No one ever asks my opinion on the subject, anyway."

Daphne looked unswayed. "You, an allegedly normal teenage boy, have never talked about a girl's bits? Never said a girl has a nice bum, or her chest is quite large, or however boys talk?"

"Not that I can remember." Harry shrugged.

"But you have noticed?"

"Most definitely. As you said, I am a teenage boy."

"And have you noticed my bits?" Daphne asked, looking at Harry pointedly.

"How did we get here?" Harry tried to deflect, looking a little panicked.

"That's not an answer, Potter." Daphne's smile faded into her trademark scowl.

"So, we're back to Potter?"

"Just answer the question!"

"Do I have to?" Harry looked sheepish.

Daphne folded her arms and began to tap her foot impatiently. Harry sighed and slowly nodded his head.

"Yes, I have noticed your bits. I am a raging hormonal teenage boy, and you are a pretty teenage girl. Yes, I have looked at your bum."

"There was that so hard?" Daphne smiled mischievously. Harry sighed heavily, not sure what had happened here. His heart was pounding, and his palms felt a bit clammy.

"What did you think?"

"Oh my god, it is so time to get out of here!" Harry said loudly, throwing up his hands and making for the entrance.

"Hey!" Daphne called after him, beginning to chase him down. "Aren't you going to answer the question? You've been so honest with me, why stop now?"

Daphne could not stop grinning. She looked like the cat who got the canary when she finally returned to the Common Room, where Tracey was waiting to pounce. They were alone, as it had gotten very late. Harry and Daphne had been shocked to find that it was past curfew. Harry escorted Daphne to the dungeons under the Invisibility Cloak so she wouldn't be caught before returning to his own house.

Daphne had felt it that night. Something had changed between them. Something had changed in her. She had to admit that she had flirted a bit with Harry, though she had not known why, or how it had started. In fact, it wasn't until she had returned to her Common Room and reflected on the evening that she realized that she had been flirting at all.

Daphne tried to rationalize it all as a fluke. She had been impressed by his willingness to share, and the fact that he had shown her the Chamber of Secrets. Admittedly, it wasn't the most romantic of places, but it was unexpected. It had shown her that Harry had trusted her. He had been willing to open up and show her that Harry potter was indeed a hero, but not in the way that he'd been portrayed for so long.

And it had been fun. Making the Gryffindor Golden Boy blush like a first year had been really fun, and he was easy to make blush. It had also been rather revealing. He had shown a side she had never even thought any boy had. Harry Potter was a gentleman. Daphne knew without question that he was not the type to kiss and tell. She had learned it in his revelation about her bits. The way he had tried to deflect and squirm out of it had told her all she needed to know. Daphne could trust him.

"So, spill. What happened?" Tracey asked, salivating like a ravenous dog.

"Not much. We talked." Daphne said as she sat across from her friend.

"You know, I kind of figured that out on my own. What did you talk about, where did he take you?"

"How did you know he was taking me somewhere? You just told me he had something to show me." Daphne asked accusingly.

"Well, I figured he took you somewhere to show you whatever he wanted to show you. Was it just the Room of Requirement again?"

Daphne eyed her friend for a moment. Tracey had been rather pushy with getting her to go meet with Potter over the last day and a half. Daphne suspected Tracey had spoken with Potter somehow and helped set up tonight's little outing.

"If you must know," she said, still watching her friend carefully. "He took me to the Chamber of Secrets.'

"WHAT?!" Tracey shrieked. "You're lying!"

"Can you shut up?" Daphne asked, looking frantically about for any signs of eavesdroppers. "I really don't need any of this broadcast throughout the castle."

Tracey nodded, keeping both her hands pressed against her mouth.

"It was really big, but there wasn't much in there. Mostly water and the rotting corpse of a giant basilisk."

Tracey's eyes nearly popped from their sockets as she listened to Daphne's tale. She couldn't help but admire Hermione Granger's genius. She and Hermione had plotted together to get Daphne and Harry to try again to get together. Tracey had mentioned Daphne's interest in all Harry's exploits, and it was Hermione who thought that if Daphne could see something tangible it might make her a believer. Hermione had not mentioned to Tracey what she had in mind, but had made it clear that she needed to get Daphne to agree to meet Harry. Tracey now knew what the little bookworm had done, and mentally bowed to her genius.

"It was real? All of it?" Tracey asked.

"Yeah, smell and all."

"Do you think you could show me?" Tracey asked hopefully.

"I don't think so. At least not the actual chamber. Harry spoke Parseltongue to gain entrance. Unless you know another Parselmouth, you'd better forget it."

"Damn it." Tracey huffed. "But you were gone four hours. What else happened?"

"Nothing. We just talked." Daphne said honestly, omitting the fact that she had begun flirting with her betrothed.

"Talked? For four hours? You were gone a really long time."

"Oh, stop it." Daphne snapped. "Nothing happened. It took a bit to get down there, and a bit longer to get back. That's all."

"Wow." Tracey said sarcastically. "I can't believe you. He's yours- signed, sealed and delivered- and you didn't even try to kiss him? Nothing at all? Are you sure it's Astoria who plays for the other team?"

"Oh, you're impossible. I really do loathe you sometimes."