MTLNOVEL Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Chapter 19:
To Harry's delight, the newly-formed trio of Neville, Ron and Hermione seemed inseparable from that day on. Despite all three belonging to separate Houses in this timeline, Harry often saw them huddled together near the end of the Hufflepuff table during meals, or in the library in between classes. His gamble with the troll had paid off, and he was happy to watch the fledgling friendship blossom between the three students. Neville deserved a core friendship that was loyal to him over anyone else.
Besides, Harry was determined to branch outside his comfort zone in this timeline and make friends beyond Ron and Hermione. Terry Boot was surprisingly good company; while he was still rather immature, he had a sharp wit and never failed to make Harry laugh. Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein were a bit high-class for Harry's tastes, but he got on with them well enough.
He also made sure to befriend some of the girls in his class, like Padma Patil and Sue Li, who often giggled whenever he walked by. Harry briefly remembered Sirius' comments about Ravenclaw girls, but pushed such thoughts aside. There will be time for that in a few years, Harry told himself. Mentally he still felt fifteen and couldn't look at his classmates like that yet.
Harry finally made his first move outside of Ravenclaw during the next History of Magic lesson, which they shared with the Slytherins. Hermione joined Neville at his desk, while Harry paused when he saw Daphne Greengrass sitting by herself near the back of the classroom. Normally she sat with her best friend, Tracey Davis, but Tracey was out sick that week. So rather than join Terry Boot as he usually did, he took the empty seat beside Daphne.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked her.
Daphne gave him a questioning look, but eventually shrugged. "If you wish."
Professor Binns floated through the blackboard soon after and began droning on about some goblin rebellion that happened centuries ago. Immediately half the class was put to sleep, while the other half (minus Hermione, who actually took notes) conversed quietly with their neighbors. Harry glanced at Daphne and saw that she too had little interest in Binns' lecture, absent-mindedly twiddling her quill in her hands.
"I saw our dads talking at King's Cross," Harry whispered to her. "I guess they know each other."
"Of course they do," said Daphne, sounding surprised by his ignorance. "They have been trading favors for years."
"What kind of favors?" Harry asked, intrigued.
"Well," Daphne said, "like last year, your father supported a measure to allow werewolves to apply for jobs if they provide proof of taking Wolfsbane Potion. But he needed votes, so my father used his connections to help the measure pass."
"Huh," said Harry thoughtfully. "And what did your father get in return?"
"Oh, little things here and there," Daphne shrugged. "Like getting the Aurors off his back for some Dark artifacts we have in our basement."
Harry's eyes went wide. "Like...illegal artifacts?" he whispered.
"Oh, spare me," Daphne scoffed with an eye roll. "They're family heirlooms, centuries old. It's not like we intend to use them on anyone, even if the Ministry is convinced otherwise."
"I see," Harry nodded. He remembered helping Sirius clear out 12 Grimmauld Place in his prior timeline, and wondered just how many of the old Black heirlooms would be considered contraband by an over-zealous Ministry.
"You interested in playing politics, Potter?" Daphne asked curiously. "We're a bit young for that kind of talk."
"You seem quite knowledgeable about what happens in the Ministry for eleven," Harry retorted.
"I have to be," Daphne sniffed. "I'm heir to the Greengrass estate. Once I take over for my father one day, I'll have to know all about his allegiances and political deals to continue our legacy."
"Sounds like a heavy burden," Harry remarked.
"For some," Daphne shrugged nonchalantly. "And you? Fancy a spin in the Wizengamot one day?"
"Not really," Harry muttered. "I just thought, if our dads are friends, maybe we ought to be too."
Daphne narrowed her eyes at him. "You want to be my friend?" she asked. "Why?"
"Do I need a reason?" Harry shrugged.
"It would help."
Harry sighed; he'd known Daphne to be rather standoffish in his original timeline, and clearly that was no different here. He would have to appeal to her more pragmatic sensibilities.
"I could see myself needing favors in the future," he remarked casually.
Daphne arched an eyebrow at him. "Such as?"
"Such as keeping an eye on Neville Longbottom," said Harry.
"What do you care about the Boy Who Lived?" Daphne asked. "Your parents put you up to this?"
"Nope," Harry shrugged. "Purely personal reasons. He's a friend, and I worry about him in Slytherin."
"That's just prejudiced," Daphne snapped angrily. "We aren't all children of Death Eaters, you know."
"His dorm mates are," Harry pointed out. Daphne's eyes wandered across the room, to where Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Theo Nott were snickering in the corner.
"There's something to that," she muttered. "Trust me, Longbottom has many eyes on him at all times. Some good, some bad, most just curious. If anyone tried to harm him in the common room or elsewhere, there would be repercussions. But if you're really worried about him, I can let you know if anything changes."
"Thanks," said Harry. "Friends, then?"
"Alright, Potter," Daphne said, extending a hand to shake his. "But understand that this is not a political alliance between our families. The Greengrasses are neutral and wish to stay that way."
"I don't care about alliances," said Harry. "We can just be normal friends."
"These things matter, Harry," said Daphne. "You're heir to your family too. Half-blood or not, you'll have a lot of influence one day, especially with who your father is."
"If you say so," Harry muttered. He walked away from the lesson feeling unsure if he'd actually made a new friend, or just signed himself up for owing somebody favors for no reason.
*****
If you enjoyed this chapter and wanted to read more you can go and support my PAT_REON you can read around 15 or 30 and even 50 advance chapters there depending on the tier.
Here's the link: https://patreon.com/August_Writing?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
Or just type August_Writing, it will just pop out there