Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think though, I encourage feedback of all kinds, just be nice about it!

Finally got you guys another chapter. I have mixed feelings about it myself, I think I had Daphne and Hermione be far too lenient towards Harry but I struggled with how to change it and you guys have already waited for so long. So, I hope you still enjoy it. I tried changing it a bunch, like I said, but kept coming back to this.

Again, I am still on deployment and writing and updating is not always easy. I can't promise when the next chapter will be but I am working on it. Don't give up on me yet! Also, reviews are always welcome and really help me stay motivated.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Harry swallowed. "Congratulations, Hermione," he said weakly. "You've kind of been almost unanimously selected as the new Chief Warlock."

Silence. Eyes widened and Neville even managed to control his snickering. The group looked shocked and surprised but then contemplative as the silence stretched. Before he could stop himself, his eyes flicked up to the open ceiling to the third floor, but from where he stood he couldn't see her door.

Hesitantly, Harry looked away to focus on Hermione. She looked like stone, frozen in shock but her eyes were bright, an indication of her racing thoughts. She took a breath, releasing her frozen state. Her shoulders tightened as she stood up and her hands slowly withdrew her wand from her sleeve. Harry braced himself for the piercing shout that was sure to come.

"What."

It wasn't a shout. It was worse. Harry flinched and swallowed hard at the deadly soft voice.

"You've been voted as the new Chief Warlock, or I guess Chief Witch now." Harry eyed the wand that had fingers tightening around it. "Now, listen," Harry rushed out, raising his hands palms out and open. "They asked for nominees. I nominated you, yes. But we were supposed to have a week before the votes were cast. But no one else had any other nominations. You were the only one. So, Kingsley, pushed the vote forward." His words tripped over his tongue in his rush to get them out.

Hermione stalked towards him, looking every inch the lioness about to pounce on her prey and Harry wisely moved back.

"Why? Why the bloody hell would you even nominate me for something like that," Hermione hissed. Her voice still wasn't shouting but her cheeks were turning red. Later Harry would probably soak in the moment of Hermione cursing, now was not that moment.

"Sorry! I just thought this would be perfect. You'd be perfect for this." Harry dodged a hex. He was tempted to run but he refused to turn his back on an enraged Hermione. Those in the middle of the room, remained on the furniture avidly watching the scene. "Come on, think about it, Hermione," he pleaded, before dodging another hex that singed his sleeve.

"How dare you! How dare you nominate me for something without asking. How dare you even consider pushing me into such a position without asking. What if I didn't want anything to do with the Wizengamot?"

"I mean you can say no." Another hex dodged.

"No I can't and you know it." Another hex. "If I turn this down, I pretty much turn down any other Ministry job. It's career suicide."

"Look, I know this all looks bad. But I swear this will be great," Harry insisted.

"You... bloody... Harry Potter! You go off about people controlling you. And then you have the nerve to go and—" the bright hex she shot out more than made up for the ending of her sentence.

He ducked behind the blue couch to dodge the hex and caused Tracey, Dudley, and Padma to all cry out in alarm when they were put in the line of fire. Quickly, Harry slipped out his own wand and shot off his favored Expelliarmus. Distracted by the bystanders cries, Hermione couldn't dodge his spell and her wand went sailing into his hand. Feeling only marginally safer, because he knew Hermione could fight just as well without a wand, Harry stood up.

"Now, listen. Please," he pleaded, stepping tentatively. Hermione glared fiercely but she didn't move to punch or slap him, so Harry stepped closer still. "I know I didn't ask and I know I should have and I fully planned on it. But well, you know my luck," he joked lightly and was rewarded by the smallest twitch of the corner of her lips. "I really think you would do great as Chief Witch. And not just because you're my best friend. Like I said you were almost unanimously nominated. Everyone knows how great you would be."

Harry gently grabbed Hermione's hands in his and held them to his chest so she couldn't move away and slipped her wand back up her sleeve. "Just think. You would have the entire Wizengamot to boss around," he teased and she glared more but her lips formed a brief smile before pressing them into a tight line. "You would be at the forefront of law policy changes. You might not vote all the time but you can still make your opinion known. And you know I'll be trying to make changes to those old discrimination laws so you can help see them through and passed. Think of the changes you could make. Hermione Granger. Brightest Witch of Her Age. Youngest Chief Witch Ever. You'll have more ridiculous accolades than me."

He could see her caving and he tried to keep the victorious cheer tamped down in his chest. Her cheeks still red from anger, her lips still pinched but her eyes started to sparkle as her thoughts spun rapidly behind them, envisioning the changes. Her passion slowly returned as the thoughts continued to mount.

"Please, just think about it. I mean you have a week to give your answer. So really think about it," Harry pleaded softly, staring into her warm brown eyes. He held his breath and then Hermione sighed and all the tension left her shoulders.

"Fine. I'll think about it," she admitted grudgingly. She yanked her hands away and gave him another glare before turning on her heel heading in the direction of the library. But not before she shot another hex at him that he had to jump to dodge.

Theo quickly followed Hermione to the library and Harry let out a relieved sigh that that particular confrontation was done for the day. His eyes involuntarily flicked up to the third floor bannister. He could see Daphne's door now from where he stood and it was still firmly shut.

"You guys enjoy the show?" Harry asked bitterly, turning to look at the others.

"Oh very much, yes," Pansy drawled. "Your bumbling mistakes and subsequent begging are the greatest form of entertainment."

"Speaking of begging," Tracey interrupted before Harry could retaliate. Harry couldn't stop his eyes from going to the third floor again. "Be ready to be on your knees for months at this rate."

"I'm aware of my own failings, thank you very much. Now go on. Go do whatever it is you lot do during the day. The show is over," Harry snapped, scowling and stomping up the stairs.

Still not sure what he was even going to say he stopped at Daphne's door. Instead of knocking, he stared at the door. He couldn't go into this without a plan. He also couldn't approach this in his current frustrated state. Sighing he leaned against the wall. Glancing at his watch he saw it was about lunch time and a plan started forming. Striding to his room he quickly shed his formal robes. Dragging on one of the nicer shirts that Daphne had picked out last month and pulling on some jeans, he took the stairs to the kitchen two at a time.

"Kilky," he called out when he entered the kitchen.

"Yes Master Harry?" Kilky asked eagerly.

"Has Daphne eaten today?"

"No, Master Harry," Kilky said mournfully.

"Ok, Kilky can you help me make her some food. Her favorites that carrot soup, the Thai one with the heat and that spicy falafel sandwich."

"Yes, Master Harry, Kilky be making it."

"No, wait- I was going to help you."

Kilky paused in gathering ingredients and turned to look at Harry the most respectful look of disbelief he had ever witnessed. "Master Harry Sir, Kilky is needing to be making this. Master Harry is not knowing."

"Well, yeah so you can teach me."

Harry looked at Kilky's face and the nervous flapping of the ears and sighed. No, he was not in the right mindset to argue with his house elf over this. The late night and then the Wizengamot and then dealing with Hermione had left him drained and he still had to speak with Daphne. No, this was not a battle to fight today.

"Alright, fine. You can make it," he sighed and Kilky looked far happier and turned to continue preparing the meal Harry requested. Harry gnawed his lower lip and ran a hand through his hair feeling useless before another idea came to him. "Kilky, I'll be right back."

He wandered to the gardens and saw Neville, Hannah, Tracey and Dudley in the greenhouse but he avoided them. "Holby!" The elf scurried out from behind a few nearby bushes, gardening shears in hand.

"Yes, Master Harry?"

"Lead me to the daffodils, Holby please." Holby nodded and wandered down another path and Harry was quick to follow.

The garden patch was filled with the yellow daffodils and Harry felt comforted at the bright yellow sight. Relying on the years trimming his aunts garden, Harry selected a handful of the best he saw and then requested Holby lead him to the lillies. Selecting a handful of the pink flowers and mixing them with the yellow, Harry quickly strode back to the kitchens.

"Kilky, do you have a nice vase I can use?"

"Yes, Master Harry," Kilky bobbed her head and went to a cabinet and brought out a beautiful crystal vase.

"It's beautiful, Kilky, thank you," Harry said and placed the flowers in the vase.

"It was being Mistress Rosalynn's, Master Harry. It was Master Clarren's courting present."

Flushing red at the thought of using a courting present for Daphne and refusing to think on those implications or the flip in his stomach at the thought, he busied himself with organizing the pinks and yellows.

"Is the food ready, Kilky?"

"Yes, Master Harry."

"Great, I'll take it up." Transfiguring a plate into a sturdy tray, Harry put the soup and sandwich on it and debated if he wanted to be presumptuous enough to bring a second bowl and plate. Deciding not to press his luck, he put a glass of cranberry juice which he had learned Daphne far preferred to pumpkin juice and put the vase on the tray. It was a very nice display if he did say so himself. Not trusting himself to carry it and not drop it, he levitated it ahead of him and asked Kilky to open the door.

"Good luck, Master Harry." Sighing at the fact that even his elves knew he had messed up, he concentrated on walking up the stairs and not dropping the tray. He was once again thankful that no one was in the halls. And he ignored the sound of doors creaking when he passed the second floor.

He took another deep breath looking at Daphne's door. He really hated seeing it shut. Knocking he stayed quiet, hoping that by not revealing it was him she might open it. No luck. Knocking again he called out. "Daphne? Daphne, please. Open the door. Please. I want to apologize."

The door didn't open but he heard movement on the other side and had the impression of Daphne standing on the other side of the door.

"Daphne," he called out a little softer now. "Please. I messed up. What I said wasn't true. And I didn't mean any of it. Please. Open the door so I can beg your forgiveness. I have food for you. Kilky said you haven't eaten today."

Still silence but Harry could see the block of light from under the door. He knew she was standing on the other side. "I'm not leaving until you open the door. I'll camp out if I have to," he threatened. He let the silence stretch for another two minutes before he sighed heavily and leaned his head against the door with a small thud, his hand flat against the door. "Please, Daphne. I'm sorry. You're my friend and I messed up and I'm sorry. Please open the door."

The click of the door only just warned him to stop leaning against it so he didn't go sprawling and to grab the tray that had been hovering next to him. The door swung open and his breath caught at the sight, she was just as beautiful as always but the fire in her eyes and her chin tilted high in defiance just made her a vision.

"Thought we weren't friends, Potter." He winced but he knew he deserved it.

"I know what I said. And I swear, I didn't mean it. I was angry and frustrated and...I took it all out on you and you didn't deserve it but I did it. And I'm sorry. I know the apology seems hollow but I'm going to do whatever I can to make it up to you. Because I do see you as my friend, Daphne, I consider you one of my best friends. I don't want to lose you over me being a stupid git."

She stared at him, her blue grey eyes unrelenting as they held his gaze and seemed to pierce his very soul with an icy shard. Finally she broke her gaze and glanced at the tray in his hands.

"Kilky said you hadn't eaten yet and so I got your favorites," Harry rushed to explain, hoping to prove himself worthy of forgiveness. "And I know these are your favorite flowers and how much you like flowers, so I picked some for you…" his cheeks were probably burning now but he would take the embarrassment if Daphne forgave him.

"Bring the tray inside." She stepped aside and her tone was cold, her expression still tight. Still he was allowed inside, it was a sign of something at least. He went to put the tray on the coffee table but then he hesitated. Should he stand? Sit? Get on his knees and start begging?

Harry glanced at Daphne who had her arms crossed and was still watching him. For some reason the crossed arms looked less like a hard barrier and more like she was clutching herself tightly. Instead of formidable she looked vulnerable and Harry cursed himself for ever making her feel that way.

"Do you believe me so cheaply bought with food and flowers?"

"No! No, never," Harry breathed out, agony twisting his gut at the interpretation. "No, never. You're not cheap! I mean I'd never believe you to be bought by anything." Harry let loose a frustrated sigh. "I mean, I just thought you might appreciate it and I got your favorites to make you happy and to prove that I do care about you and that I do consider you my friend." Harry ran a hand through his hair and pulled it lightly. "If you don't want these, then just tell me. What will it take for me to earn your forgiveness?"

"I recall you said something about begging," she trailed off with a haughty look, appearing every inch the pureblood heiress she had been raised.

Harry swallowed. "If that's what you want and if that's what it will take." She stared at him, her eyes searching for what he didn't know and he couldn't read anything from her closed off face. Building his resolve he took a breath and nodded to himself and began to bend his knees.

"Stop." Harry glanced up, one knee on the carpet, a hand on the coffee table. The guarded face was gone now. Her eyes were glassy but her lips twitched as if she wanted to smile at his efforts. "Don't beg," she continued, looking away from him briefly as he stood. She took a breath. "Harry, do you realize how much your words hurt me?" Her voice was so full of emotions that Harry couldn't hope to name and his chest hurt painfully. He opened his mouth but she spoke over him. "Over these past few months I thought we had developed a friendship. I thought we could talk to each other. Trust each other. I thought you respected me as a person, respected my mind and my skill. Last night," her voice broke and she took a steadying breath, her arms tightening around her waist. "Last night you spoke in anger yes, and I understand why you were angry, but it showed what little you thought of the trust, respect and friendship I thought we had."

"Daphne." Her name was a whispered prayer on his lips as he stumbled forward. "I do respect you. I do trust you. Your friendship means so much to me. I'm lost without you. I was barely able to focus on the meeting today because I was so worried about you. I can't manage without you. Ask anyone, they'll say that I'm hopeless. I'm a prat and a git and completely hopeless. And I know last night I ruined things. I know it and I will work every day to rebuild what we had."

"Yes, you will," she said softly. "You will work everyday to rebuild it. I know this because I treasured our friendship. So I am going to give you one chance to earn it back. One chance to prove that you do respect me and that you do trust me and that our friendship really does mean more to you than a moment of anger. But I swear to you Harry James Potter, owner or not, if you pull something like you did last night again, I will never forgive you."

Unable to stop himself, Harry took the few remaining steps closer and wrapped his arms around her. Hugging her close, wishing to convey his gratefulness towards her ability to give him another chance. She melted into him and he held her tighter, his cheek resting on the top of her head.

The hug didn't last as long as he wished before she pushed away from him with a sigh and refusing to look up at him moved to sit on the couch. He moved to join her on the couch but she held up her hand.

"Ah ah, not so quick, Harry. You're not completely forgiven yet." She pointed to the armchair and he gave a sigh but nodded. He'd take what he could get. She looked over at the tray of food and he caught a soft smile before she tilted her head for her hair to fall and block his view. "Did you make this?"

"No," he said, blowing out a loud breath. "I tried, I asked Kilky to teach me how but she didn't seem to like that. So I just let her make it. But I cut the flowers myself."

"Thank you, Harry," she said, peeking up at him through her hair as she leaned down to blow a bit on the soup on her spoon. "Did you eat already?"

"No," he chuckled ruefully. "Didn't get a chance. I had a few biscuits last night at the Burrow."

"Oh. Are you hungry?"

Harry was about to say no but his stomach protested the lie and he sighed and nodded. "Starving."

She huffed but tilted her head for him to join her. "This doesn't mean you are forgiven. Just that I pity you and your inability to feed yourself." Giddy beyond belief, Harry swiftly moved to sit next to her and accepted half of the falafel sandwich she handed him. "Now. Tell me how the first Wizengamot session went. I need details."

"I claimed my seats. Oh and I've already made monumental changes."

"Oh? How so, it's the first meeting, no real policy gets done. And I thought you weren't finished with your new legislation."

"Oh no, I'm not. We had to vote for a new Chief Warlock."

She twisted to look at him, her eyes tracing over him, calculating and sharp. "Who did you nominate?"

"Hermione."

Daphne's eyes widened and then she nodded. "Smart," she praised. "Yes, Hermione will be a good Chief Witch."

"Maybe you can help convince Hermione of that? She wasn't thrilled when I told her. She tried hexing me a bunch."

"As I'm sure you deserved. I doubt you thought to take her aside to tell her in private."

Harry flushed. "No, I told her as soon as Neville and I got back. Everyone else was there too."

Daphne tsked but focused on eating her soup for a moment. His half of the sandwich was gone far too soon and he worried that she would send him back to the armchair now.

"She was almost unanimously voted for though. And I'm thinking of starting an alliance."

Daphne quirked an eyebrow but said nothing. She had moved on to eating the other half of the sandwich and pushed the rest of the soup towards Harry. He gratefully took the spoon.

"An alliance between me, Neville, Ernie, Morag, and Susan. Susan apologized by the way for how she acted at my party and seems to be accepting of things." He watched Daphne carefully, remembering his birthday vividly. Susan had been cruel to Daphne but not as cruel as Romilda had been.

"Good, you will need all of the assistance you can get. Bones is a respectable member of society, an alliance with her will do you well."

"Are you okay with it though? I'm planning on asking Hannah to join when she takes over the Abbott seat. I don't need to have Susan in the alliance. I won't if you aren't comfortable with her being at the house."

Daphne stared at Harry and he wished not for the first time that he could read her mind. "Personal feelings shouldn't have an influence on political matters. However, if it means so much to you, if Bones promises to behave then I will not protest."

"I'll make her swear it before she even enters the house," Harry promised. If given the choice he'd choose Daphne's friendship over Susan's alliance any day, no question.

Daphne's cheeks pinkened lightly. "Forming an alliance is smart as well. If things go well then this alliance could very well be the foundation for shaping the wizarding world for generations to come." She took a sip of her cranberry juice and smirked at him. "Glad to see some of that summer instruction sunk in."

Harry snorted and shot a playful glare at her. "Would telling you it was a spur of the moment decision disappoint you then?"

"It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest," she replied. "You are known for your spur of the moment decisions. They seem to always work out for you though," she finished softly.

"It's that Potter luck, I guess." His heart beat fiercely in his chest. He wanted to brush her hair off her shoulder, he wanted to lean closer.

"I suppose I shouldn't hold my breath in hopes of that changing."

"You definitely have better things to dwell upon. People have been hoping for that for years."

A slam against Daphne's door had them both leaping to their feet, wands at the ready. A bark instantly relaxed them and Harry went to the door to let an irate looking Patronus into the room. The dog bumped its head against Harry's leg but then swept past Harry to Daphne's open arms.

"I'm sorry I didn't come find you once I got home, Patronus," Harry sighed, closing the door. The dog gave a soft woof but refused to turn to face Harry, Daphne's hands gently stroking the dogs ears.

"Oh, Patronus, don't be too mad at him. He's hopeless," Daphne loudly whispered to the dog who barked in agreement but did go to Harry again. Sighing, Harry knelt down and his dog walked into his arms and pushed his wet nose into Harry's cheek.

"Hey, buddy," Harry whispered, comforted by the canines presence. After a few minutes, Harry stood again and moved to the couch but Daphne quickly shook her head, her cheeks turning pink again, as she pointed to the chair.

"I told you, you aren't fully forgiven yet," she said. She was right, it was for the best, being near her messed with his head. He had only just gotten a second chance, he couldn't ruin it.

Settling into the chair, Patronus at his feet and head resting on his thigh, he watched Daphne take another sip of juice.

"Now, this week is the press conference. Are you ready?" She asked, twisting to lean on the couch arm to face him better.

"No," he snorted. "I'm never ready to face the media. But luckily, I won't be the focus. I can make sure they stay on topic I suppose. Are you nervous about going in front of them?"

"I suppose I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried," she admitted. "Despite my instruction growing up, I've never really interacted with the press. I would watch my parents but never spoke to them myself. Even when Skeeter would ask questions it was always Draco and Pansy who spoke to her."

"You've helped me a lot, so I'm sure you'll handle it fine. Just let your conviction and passion about your school shine through and they'll love you."

"You will need to put a lot of pressure on Cuffe to make sure the articles are in a favorable light too. The tone of the article greatly affects opinions."

Thinking back on all of the negative articles he'd had about him made him chuckle bitterly. "It won't just be focused on you though. Have you thought of more teachers?"

"None yet. I had to reschedule my meeting with Mrs. Weasley a few times. I'm planning to speak with her tomorrow. Headmistress McGonagall is still getting together a list of other potential names."

"Maybe after this conference people will volunteer?"

"Hopefully." She looked doubtful though, her lower lip pulled between her teeth, and so Harry decided to switch topics.

"Are you in the mood for party planning again?" She tilted her head and quirked her eyebrow at the change. "Hermione's birthday is coming up and I want to do something for her but I have no idea how to do any of that stuff."

"I'm sure she would appreciate any attempt, but yes I'll help you plan. Do you have any ideas?"

"Something small, Hermione isn't big on huge gatherings and most of our friends are at school. So maybe just us at the house and the Weasley's could come over and just have a small gathering here."

"I'll look into organizing something and speak with Kilky about food options. When is her birthday?"

"Twentieth of September so end of the week."

Daphne hummed as she thought things over. "The press conference is scheduled for the nineteenth, so her party will be a good distraction."

"Maybe I could write to Professor McGonagall and see if Astoria and Luna and Ginny can be excused for the night. I think Hermione would like that." He didn't add that he knew Daphne would love to see her sister again.

"If anyone can convince Headmistress McGonagall of anything it would be you, Harry."

Harry just gave a shrug at that, he had no influence over that woman. Just because he had been one of her students didn't mean anything. "If anything, I think it would be Hermione. She was the favorite student. I caused too much trouble."

The next hour was spent with the two of them reminiscing over their more lighthearted excursions throughout their school years. Harry told her about how he had accidentally set a snake on Dudley at the zoo the summer before he entered Hogwarts and about Norbert and Hagrid and how he and Hermione had to smuggle the dragon up to the Astronomy tower. And she told him how her, Tracey and Pansy had tricked Tracey's older brother into being their escort to go shopping for dress robes before the Yule Ball and managed to thoroughly embarrass him in front of the girl he fancied.

Feeling far more lighthearted then he thought he would at the start of the day, Harry and Daphne walked down for dinner. She was still distant and at times cold, reminding him that he still had a lot of ground to cover to get back in her good graces, but that afternoon had been amazing. As he took his seat at the head of the table and watched Daphne settle herself and fix her dinner tea, his mind was thinking up ways to prove himself tomorrow too.

Pulling his gaze away from the blonde beside him on his right, he turned to Hermione on his left. She was also refusing to look at him, purposefully turning her body away so that she was even sitting strangely to eat her food. Instead she spoke in whispered tones with Theo, her brow furrowed and her eyes bright. A debate, if Harry were to guess. Sighing, he looked down at his food and began to eat. There was still a lot of ground to cover to get Daphne and Hermione to forgive him but it was a step in the right direction.