Chapter 5.

Disclaimer. See chapter 1

As Daphne stepped out onto the station the cold clear scent of pine trees was fresh in the air, she noted that it was Professor Grubby-Plank who was gathering the first years not the usual tones of Hagrid as he mangled the language. Daphne kept with the girls from the train compartment as she scanned the station for events of note.

Draco was using his status as a prefect to intimidate some second years, Harry was having some sort of issue with the horseless carriages. Nothing unusual.

As they settled down and the coach moved off Megan broke the silence. "Ernie Macmillan is the missing perfect."

Daphne had noticed that herself but was pleased to see that Megan was keeping her eyes open.

She was tempted to ask if anyone else had noticed Harry's issues, that would be the good Slytherin thing to do, to point it out and make a joke of it. As it was she stayed quiet

They pulled up outside the oaken doors which looked much more welcoming than last time she had been here and headed to the great hall. The girls split up and headed for their appropriate tables.

Daphne smiled and nodded across to Sophie on the Hufflepuff table, and Su Li and the other girls on the Ravenclaw table, before taking her own seat. The benches that faced out across the hall were the most favoured and the ones that filled up first. She noted that while some seats were available on that side she would end up with a group of second years. That would mean a loss of status so she settled down on the edge of the fifth year group. As far away from Draco as possible without looking that she was trying to sit away from him. It was good fortune that placed her next to Morag and Lisa on the Ravenclaw table. She would be able to lean back and exchange words with them. Although that would have to wait as the hall quieted down, heralding the arrival of Professor McGonagall and the first years. She didn't even have time to point out Umbridge to them.

The hats song which was usually a comic affair was replaced with dark warning this year. She had turned in her seat her back to the rest of Slytherin so she could watch the hat and the sorting but she continually scanned the hall watching the reactions to the hats song.

Daphne noted who was sorted to which houses. The intake this year was larger than hers. This year was part of the post war boom although there was still only 56 first-years. The distribution wasn't as even as her year. Slytherin gained only twenty. Ravenclaw gained twenty eight while the badgers and lions gained twenty four each.

She took note of where the various pure blood families ended up and played guessing games as to whether the rest were half blood or muggle born.

Once the final first year was sorted. Dumbledore rose to welcome them and bid them eat. The hall broke down into noisy conversation and the sounds of cutlery on ceramic.

Morag leaned back and quietly asked. "What did you make of the hats song?"

"Good advice, although I think it's fallen on deaf ears." She glanced back to Draco who seemed even more full of himself than usual.

"Did you notice Umbridge at the top table?"

Lisa turned to her. "I did and your description didn't do her justice."

They turned back to their respective tables and meals. Daphne picked at the meats and vegetables available, she always found Hogwarts meals heavy on the stodge. Once the sounds of eating faded and was replaced by the groans of over consumption Dumbledore rose to his feet to make his customary welcome speech. Halfway through Umbridge, now Professor Umbridge interrupted him. Tracey nudged her, trying her best to keep from looking concerned. Daphne watched the hall. Very few of her fellow students seemed to be paying attention. She noticed Hermione on the Gryffindor table looking as if she wanted to take notes. There was someone who saw what this speech meant.

Daphne needed to speak to her. That might be a way in. Now all she needed was an opportunity but that wouldn't be tonight. Tonight she needed to speak to her friends. As the hall broke up she pulled Tracey and Lilith into an alcove. "I've taken a private room in the dorms." She began without preamble. Slytherin had a unique system that promoted inequality. Those who did well, Perfects, Head boys or girls, captain of the quidditch team or those who could pay or just gained special awards from the head of house. Could get better rooms, moving out of the standard dorms. After first year she had paid for a triple room and the three girls had shared away from Pansy and Millicent.

Tracey's disappoint was plain on her face.

"I've also booked a triple room for you two. I'll come in sometimes but it's Owl year and I just want a bit of private space."

That mollified Tracey and although her things were in her private space. She did spend the night in with Tracey and Lilith talking until late. The private room was a precaution just in case she was forced to come out on Potter's side early than she currently planned for.

The next morning didn't bring an opportunity to speak to Hermione. Potions was no place to try and make friends with a Gryffindor. She followed Hermione, Harry and Ron to the great hall for lunch unlike the formal sorting feast people were freer to drift in and out and sit where they wanted. She avoided Lilith and Tracey, she wanted to walk to runes alone. She headed down the table and sat next to Astoria but her mind was on the Gryffindor's. Harry left early under a storm cloud. Hermione left not long after.

Daphne shouldered her bag and followed. She fastened her notice-me-not bracelet as she walked not wanting to be seen stalking the bushy haired girl.

Hermione took her usual seat at the front bench. Daphne waited at the door so she wasn't the second person in. Traditionally the seat next to Hermione was one of the last to be taken. Daphne stood to one side as the Ravenclaws arrived on mass. Once they had settled Daphne unfastened the bracelet and walked in to the room she placed her bag down and turned to Hermione.

"Is this seat taken?"

Daphne watched as Hermione tried to hide her surprise. "No it's free."

Daphne took out her parchment and quill and got herself prepared for the lesson. She avoided looking at Hermione who she knew was watching her quizzically. It wasn't unheard of for someone to sit next to her in runes. Sometimes it was one of the Hufflepuffs usually Justin, once or twice it had been Lilith but it was unusual for there to be so many empty seats when the seat next to her was taken.

Daphne watched her carefully wondering when the curiosity would get the better of her.

"What are you playing at Greengrass?" The question came low but demanding.

Daphne judged just how many people were listening for her answer.

"All will be clear soon but I mean you no harm. Besides didn't you listen to the hat, we need to work together?"

Hermione humphed something but said nothing else. She got out her textbook and ignored everyone until Professor Bathshot took her place and began her introduction to this year's material.

"As part of your final grade there is an opportunity for you to put your knowledge of runes to use. Working in pairs you will need to construct something, the choice is yours but obviously it must be powered by runes. The person you are sitting next to today will be your partner for the year. If this is unacceptable to you the two of you need to come and see me and make a strong case for why you need to be reassigned. Now I'll give you sometime to come up with first ideas for a project."

Hermione turned to her. "Did you know about this? Is this why you are sitting here?"

The noise level in the room increased as everyone began to discuss their ideas for projects. "Partially, but don't worry I'm no Weasley I won't expect you to do all the work. When is your first lesson with Umbridge?"

"Straight after this why?"

Daphne bit back a curse. "I assume Harry has told you about her."

"He just said she works for Fudge and was at his hearing."

Daphne closed her eyes and resisted the urge to bang her head against the desk.

"I recognise that look, I see it in the mirror after I've spoken to Harry, what's he done now?"

"That's about as useful as saying oceans are wet and full of fish. Accurate but lacking in detail. She is the under-secretary to Fudge and could be referred to as the second most powerful politician in the Ministry. She has come here to try and remove Dumbledore, but it was her idea to hold Harry's hearing before the full Wizengamot and switched the times. She would like nothing better than to expel him."

Daphne looked to see Hermione biting her knuckles to stop herself interrupting.

"You need to warn Harry, do you still have the timeturner?"

"No I. I don't know what you mean." Hermione answered then remembered it was meant to be a secret.

"As soon as this lesson ends get to defence before Harry and make sure no matter what she says Harry doesn't answer back. She will use any excuse to punish him"

Hermione nodded then a suspicious look crossed her face. "Why are you doing this?"

Daphne had wandered when the girl's suspicion would make it self known. "I don't have time to answer your questions now but if you want we can meet this evening."

Hermione initially suggested the Library but after Daphne had vetoed her next few ideas until Hermione came up with a unique suggestion. "You pick the place and I'll find you."

Professor Bathshot called them back to order. Daphne reported back that although they hadn't come up with an idea yet they were happy to work together.

As the class ended and Hermione ran out with indecent speed Daphne fell in with Tracey and Lilith. The three headed down to Herbology with the Ravenclaws.

"Look at you, getting the Mini Merlin as your study partner. Guaranteed O for you." Tracey snarked at her. Daphne smiled to herself it was the obvious conclusion but entirely wrong.

Later that evening she gathered her books and parchment together and headed off in the direction of the library. Halfway there she detoured down a corridor which had only used classrooms on it. She paused to fasten her notice-me-not bracelet and headed back into a more used area. She took a moving staircase up at random and stepped off at the first possible floor. She wondered how Hermione would find her but there were many rumours that Harry, Ron and her could wander the castle at will at any time of night or day. She finally settled on a disused class room in a seldom used wing. Once again she wondered just how many people this castle could hold, although with space expansion charms the and moving classrooms whole idea was pointless to wonder.

She had been reading for ten minutes when Hermione entered the room. She was looking at an old piece of parchment, then looking around. She did this twice blinking hard as she looked up.

"Daphne?"

Daphne unfastened the bracelet ending the charm. "I'm impressed that you found me so quickly and could tell I was here." Daphne wanted to ask more but this was time for Hermione's questions. She knew she would have to give a lot more than she took if she wanted to gain Hermione's trust.

Hermione muttered something that sounded like mischief managed and put the parchment in her bag.

"How did you do that? You weren't invisible but if I didn't know you were here then I wouldn't have seen you."

Daphne completely unfastened the bracelet and handed it over for Hermione to inspect. "It has a notice-me-not charm built in. I was thinking we could make something similar for our runes project but with better materials those stones aren't cheap."

Hermione turned the bracelet over in her hands looking at it closely her brow creased in thought. As she examined each stone individually.

Daphne came to the realisation that Hermione would keep studying the bracelet until she understood it. She didn't think they had that long tonight.

"How was defence?"

Hermione put down the bracelet carefully. "That woman is not a teacher. If you hadn't warned me I'd have started to argue with her, as it is Harry has bruised shins from the number of times I kicked him. She was goading him to say something. I can't see any of us passing our defence exam with her teaching us."

"She isn't here to teach. The Ministry has removed Dumbledore from two positions and would love to get him out from here. Then he would just be an eccentric old man with no influence. Once he is gone she will be able to expel Harry for just about any old reason. You three usually do something worth expulsion two or three times a year so it wouldn't be hard."

Hermione looked at her suspiciously. "Why do you care?"

Daphne smiled inwardly she knew this question would be coming. "Because the Dark Lord is back and Dumbledore and Harry are the best options for stopping him."

"You believe Harry?"

"Harry came back suffering from Cruatious spell damage and clutching Cedric's body. I don't believe Harry killed Cedric. I don't believe Cedric would have gone dark and used any of the unforgivables. So yes I believe that account. Also Death Eaters are active again they wouldn't be so bold if they weren't ordered to be so by their lord."

Hermione's brow was creased as she listened. Daphne knew she would have to add more.

"Do you know for the majority of people it doesn't really matter one way or another. For my friend Tracey if he comes back, even if he wins it won't really affect her life. She will go on in her career. The laws may be harsher but it won't be a big deal. For the muggle born it will matter. If they are lucky they will become slaves, unlucky they will be dead. Now for you, if he wins it will be certain death."

Hermione shivered at that idea. "What will it mean for you? Pure blood, Slytherin it won't be too bad."

"If I obeyed him, maybe. My father is on the Wizengamot. During the last war he was told which way to vote. When he refused he was imperiused and nearly murder my mother. She was pregnant with me at that time. My father did as they told him from then on. They have been quiet since that Halloween night everyone thought the dark lord died but now they have returned. My father is now voting as they tell him. I won't serve a man who has threatened my life. He won't let me live once I show my defiance, pureblood or not. In fact my fate will probably be used as a warning to others to show the cost of defiance. The only difference between us is everyone knows your position, for now I'm keeping a low profile there are some in my house who wouldn't take my change of position so philosophically. So go on Hermione I'm sure you are teeming with questions how can I convince you?"

Hermione looked at her carefully. "Why did you ask if I had a time turner?"

"Did you think you were the only student to have one? Every year some overly keen person signs up for every subject. The only way to do that is with a time turner. By my reckoning there is one in Slytherin, one in Hufflepuff and five in Ravenclaw. Gryffindor always gets the least. At the moment they have none. Before you Percy had the use of one. Everyone gets the same talk on how dangerous they are and keeping them secret."

"How do you know all this?"

"Hermione you are the most academically gifted in our year but don't think I'm not intelligent. I don't go all out for grades because my future was secure, well it would be if someone hadn't returned, but I know what's going on. Knowledge is power in Slytherin everyone needs some power. So my energies go into rooting out secrets. Usually little things such as who fancies who. I try to get all the information I can. This will be time for me to grow up, it's a time of consequences. I don't expect you to trust me after just one conversation but I've already helped Harry and others from Dumbledore's group. Without him knowing and I will continue to do so."

Hermione nodded maybe not in agreement but in acceptance. "What are you going to do about Umbridge?"

"I shall wait for my lesson with her. She may treat Slytherin's different to Gryffindor's. If not I'll do what the fifth year did when Lockhart was here and do independent study with a small group. There are some surprisingly good text books in the library" she paused "or considering the standard of teaching maybe it's not a surprise. I would suggest you do the same. You might even want to go further and practice real fighting, passing an exam is good, living through a war is better."

Hermione huffed. "How am I meant to keep Harry from challenging her?"

"I'm afraid that's your problem if self-interest doesn't work then I don't know what will. He seems to keep his temper with Snape even today when he was being blatantly unfair."

"Snape may be unfair and mocking but Umbridge is doing everything but calling him a liar. If she keeps challenging him like that he will snap. He's arguing with people in his dorms over this. He lost it with Ron and me today at dinner time. As you inferred anyone who doesn't believe him must believe he killed Cedric. What happened when they went missing." Hermione paused. "He has told me some, it was really bad he still hasn't come to terms with it."

Daphne shook her head sadly. "I can't help you. I understand his problem but he will need to keep his head down. Umbridge is intent on her mission. Don't make it easy for her. Is there anything I can do to convince you?"

Hermione paused. "I believe you to an extent, I believe that there is something in it for you to help us but how can I trust that if you don't get a better offer you won't switch back?"

"Honestly at this point I can't think of anything to prove my trust. I have to sleep in Slytherin and if it comes to life and death then I will make a stand but I'm not doing to make a public declaration until there is more to win from it than lose."

"That might be the difference between Slytherin and Gryffindor. Gryffindor's do the right thing without considering the cost."

"Slytherin's wait for the moment when it will do most good for their side and most harm to their opponents. I'll only get to do this once so I'd like to wait for maximum advantage. Neither idea is wrong, Although a Slytherin would call a Gryffindor naïve. What would a Gryffindor call a Slytherin?"

"Coldblooded, devious, maybe."

"I admit to both. Hopefully one day you might call me friend." Daphne let a smile play across her face as she said the last. "However we have both been out of contact for some time. Time to head back to more public places. Tomorrow we should meet in the library and concentrate on this project. At least looking to see if my idea is feasible."

Hermione nodded her agreement. Then paused. "I take it you want me to keep our meeting secret."

"You can tell Harry if you think he'll not talk about it but I don't really trust Weasley to either believe you or to stay quiet about it."

Hermione nodded her acceptance and Daphne left her without another word. The following night's meeting was in the library and kept purely to the subject of their charms project. They had an array of text books around them when Daphne felt Hermione stiffen. She looked up to see Draco walk past. He seemed to be making a beeline towards them then veered off once he saw Daphne. Once Draco had wondered off. Hermione raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Slytherin politics, he won't say anything to you while you're with me.

Their work finished that night. They had enough to put together their proposal for their project for Professor Bathshot. They agreed to draw up rough draft separately then to come together on Friday and amalgamate their best ideas. It wasn't the most efficient way of working but Daphne wanted Hermione to know she could pull her own weight. To not just use her for her academic skills. Daphne could tell that Hermione suspected that from her. It wasn't surprising not when Harry for all his practical skills in certain areas of magic was not the best at the theory. Weasley, she corrected herself Ron, was by all accounts lazy. She was neither. As she tried to be objective about her looks so she did the same with her abilities in lessons. She was definitely in the top half probably the top quarter across the whole range. Magical Creatures was her worst subject, probably the open hostility between Slytherin's and Hagrid didn't help. She was also poor at the practical side of potion making.

But she was studious and had a natural ability for practical magic. So she buckled down and worked on her proposal.

The week was uneventful, Harry moved under a cloud of hostility and defensiveness. Umbridge tutted and coughed her way round the school not yet ready to make a move. When she met with Hermione in the library the bushy haired girl was surprised at the detail in her proposal and their final draft was a true hybrid of both their ideas.

At breakfast on the Saturday Daphne did her usual scan of the room. Harry seemed unusually happy this morning. Without further explanation she would attribute that to it being the weekend. While she was eating the owls arrived, an indistinguishable owl settled next to her with a letter. While the owl may have been unremarkable the letter was not. It was sealed with the Greengrass official seal and Daphne was as always wearing her family ring. It marked her as her father's heir and authorized her to act as her father's agent. It was unobtrusive and resembled a wedding ring apart from the built in enchantments that would allow her to open post like this and similarly seal post the same way.

She tucked the letter away and fed the owl a few scraps of leftover bacon rind from Tracey's plate.

"Not going to open it then."

"You don't get a letter this private and open it where anyone can see. What's in the prophet?" Daphne deflected the issue.

"Not a lot. Information on a Sirius Black sighting. Sturgis Podmore was sent to Azkaban the rest is their usual propaganda."

Daphne tried to remember where she had heard the name Podmore before, but it wasn't coming to her.

Various people where coming and going and she slipped away with a group of lower year Slytherin's. She headed back to the dungeons and worked her way through the labyrinth that was Slytherin house to her private room. She had barely slept here but it was a godsend for doing homework so that so was almost entirely on top of what she needed to do this weekend. It was also useful for opening mail that she didn't want anyone to see.

Her father's letter was short and to the point. Fudge via Umbridge was making a power grab at Hogwarts. There would be a new educational decree that would give Umbridge a newly created position of High Inquisitor. From this position she could inspect and fire other staff at the school. As well as ensure that all decrees were carried out.

So Umbridge was making a grab for more power. What should she do next? It was an Educational Decree and would be impossible to stop. Even at the Wizengamot level. So how could she use this?

A warning to Hermione would be appropriate to put Harry even more on guard. It would show the group she had useful connections. She should mention it to Astoria if she was trying to move closer to the other side she might want to suck up sooner rather than later.

The only question was how to find Hermione? She wasn't in the library or out watching Ron and Harry on the quidditch pitch. Where was the girl? The castle had hundreds of unused rooms not to mention the very obvious used and password locked Gryffindor common room.

A tour of the castle would be pointless. She headed back to her room and finished what remained of her homework. She had a parchment to one side on which she noted ideas for emergency contact with Hermione. This wasn't an emergency but it would be best to plan for one.

She had one eye on the clock and was in the great hall as soon as lunch time started. It wasn't a long wait before the trio sat at the Gryffindor table. She watched the dynamic of the three. Weasley was nervous, Harry still on his earlier upbeat mood. Hermione was not happy with the two boys and was nagging them over something. It wasn't the way Daphne would have gone about things and it seemed that it wasn't working for Hermione either as the boys returned to the quidditch pitch leaving the bushy haired girl looking frustrated.

Daphne left the Great Hall and loitered in the entrance hall. She watched Hermione leave and cut across her path gaining her attention. She then activated her bracelet. Hermione blinked at where she had been. Then walked off purposely. Hermione had got the idea and headed off into the unused wings. Daphne followed her to an empty classroom unfastening the clasp on her bracelet as Hermione locked the door. Daphne cast silencing and then muffling charms over the room. As she watched Hermione lock all the windows.

"We work well together." She remarked as she leaned back against a desk.

"A Gryffindor and a Slytherin working together, don't tell Ron."

"Or Draco." They shared a smile at that idea.

"So what is important enough for you to seek me out?"

"Information really, there isn't anything that can be done to stop it or to turn it to our advantage but I thought you should know." She then explained about Umbridge's new position and what she believed it meant.

Hermione bit at her lip and played with her hair. "Some of this I understand and other bits I don't. This power grab makes sense. Undermining the headmaster is logical from their point of view. I can't understand why she is making no attempt to teach us."

Daphne hadn't really thought about it before but an idea came quite quickly to her. "During the last war it was known that Dumbledore formed his own group. They were his private army. He recruited the brightest and best straight out of Hogwarts. Harry's parents joined as did Professor Lupin. I guess and it's only a guess that Umbridge thinks if she doesn't teach us anything then Dumbledore has less people to recruit from if he reforms this group." Lupin had given enough away to Daphne that she knew the order had reformed and was on missions again. From the way Hermione had glanced down at her shoes she knew that the order was active again too and that it was a secret that she was trying to keep. At some point Daphne would have to give the girl lessons in lying. Her whole body screamed that she was trying to keep a secret. Still it was useful at this time when she was trying to get information from the girl. Still it was obvious that she was not a Slytherin.

"But she also undermines auror recruitment for years too." Hermione protested.

"And I doubt Malfoy who has Fudge's ear, and probably came up with this idea, minds that too much."

Hermione agreed she was right. Daphne then moved the pair discussion on to possible ways of emergency contact. While dead drop boxes had their merits it wasn't useful in emergency situations.

They parted leaving Daphne frustrated. While today had been another step on the path to gaining Hermione's trust she was still months away from gaining Harry's.

A.N.

What do you know I'm still writing.

I have another 10k words written just none of them are for chapter six.

Just because Harry is antisocial and has to be introduced to people in his own year doesn't mean Daphne is.

Yes I have read Cursed Child, no I don't believe Cedric would go dark.