"once more harry, you've almost got it." Professor Lupin said, leaning against the wall of his classroom, watching with a smile as Harry once more waved his wand at the Boggart/Dementor.

"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted, making a rather large silvery sheet shoot out his wand, erecting a barrier between himself and the bogart.

"much better!" Lupin exclaimed. "that one almost took form!"

Harry grinned and sat down.

'what were you thinking about?" Lupin asked, walking up to his young student.

"Um…" he hesitated, cheeks reddening slightly, "I…um…i thought of Daphne…when me and her lounge under our tree by the black lake…"

Lupin smiled, "sounds like a powerful memory." he said, walking over to his cabinet, "full of love and hope."

Harry's smile dropped slightly, "yeah…love…um…professor Lupin, can i ask a question?"

"of course Harry." he said, walking back with two bottles of butterbeer "but first, a treat-"

"Butterbeer!" Harry exclaimed happily, making the older man raise an eyebrow. "D-Daphne brought some back for me the other week." Harry mumbled.

Lupin nodded, popping the corks out and handing one to Harry, "So, what is your question?"

"how…how do you know you're in love?" he asked timidly, taking a sip of the butterbeer.

"hmm…Love." Lupin mused, taking a swig of butterbeer, "i take it you're talking about Ms. Greengrass?"

Harry blushed and nodded, "I…think i love her." Harry mumbled, "but…how do you know when you love someone?"

Lupin leaned back, "i'm not very versed in these things Harry." he confessed, "I've never had a relationship quite like yours…however i have seen love first hand in many other couples, and the one thing that seemed to stem out of every relationship was the fact that the two could never get enough of each other, even when they were fighting, arguing, petty squabbles, none lasted longer than a couple of hours before they were back to acting like they did before…does this help you Harry?"

Harry nods vigorously, "yes professor thank you."

Lupin smiled wanly, "good, now, i suggest you head off to bed, big day tomorrow right?"

"yeah…um…will you be going to the game Professor?"

"i'll be there, and while i'm not allowed to play favorites, i will be rooting for gryffindor tomorrow."

Harry grinned and started walking out of the classroom, 'good night professor." he said as he left the room.

Lupin smiled and turned back to his desk, noticing Harry's bag, he sighed, "just like James," he said, picking up the bag and raising an eyebrow when a very familiar piece of parchment fell out, "no…it can't be…"

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Daphne absentmindedly brushed her hair as Gryf lazily flew around her head, she hummed a soft tune as she brushed.

""Hey Daphne." Tracey said walking into the room, looking at her, "why are you in such a good mood?"

"Not sure." she said with a smile "Just...today feels like a good day."

"Mhmm…" she said in amusement, "and this doesn't happen to have anything to do with a certain Boy?" she asked.

"Maybe." she hummed, standing up and walking to her clothes, pulling out the sweater Mrs. weasley made for her and pulling it on.

"Are you really wearing that to the game today?" she asked in distaste.

"It's cold, and this is comfortable," she said, "you won't see it anyways, Harry's Jersey will be covering it."

"He gave you his jersey huh?" Tracey asked, "I thought you weren't going to do that because of how people will act?"

"I think we're past that point by now." Daphne muttered as she pulled the Jersey and sighed, "how do i look?"

"Like the most gorgeous traitor in all of slytherin." Tracey said, dodging out of Daphne's way as she swatted at her.

"Come on then, the game is going to start soon." she said, walking out the door with Gryf diving into the jersey.

"And how are things with Mr. Potter?" Tracey asked. "Good i hope."

"They've been good, great." she said with a soft smile. Ignoring the ugly looks some shot her as they walked through the common room and out the entrance.

"I sense a but coming."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "it's not much of a but, but...he's been acting a little...strange."

"What do you mean?"

"Last time we were at the tree, relaxing underneath it, he started to talk."

"That's never bothered you before." Tracey said.

"I know that," she said defensively, "it's just...he started going on and on about how he has to tell me something, and then he started stumbling over his words and before i knew it he was standing up and said he had to go."

"That is weird." Tracey admitted as they stopped outside the great hall, "you don't think he's trying to break up with you?"

Daphne visibly deflated at that, "I didn't think about that." Daphne mumbled.

Tracey winced, "I-i mean he won't do that! Why would he do that? He's obviously head over heels in love with you."

Daphne nodded, "of course." she said as the doors opened and they strode in, making their way towards the gryffindor table where Harry was speaking to Seamus in hushed whispers, she caught a bit of their conversation as she walked up.

"I'm tellin' ya Harry, it's not a big deal to say it."

"You sure? I mean...i've never said it-"

"It isn't that big a deal and-Daphne! Tracey!" Seamus shouted loudly, "how are you two this fine morning!"

"We're good." Tracey said suspiciously." sitting next to Seamus, "what were you two talking about?"

"Old harry here's been having some trouble with transfiguration," Seamus said easily, "couldn't get a word right in an incantation.

"You know you could've come to me right?" Tracey asked, "i'm the best in transfiguration, and Daphne's a close second."

"I was going to ask you," Harry said, "but Seamus was here so i asked if he knew."

"Yeah, we got it all sorted out." Seamus said, "so you all ready for the game today?"

"Of course! We're ready to see Ravenclaw kick gryffindor ass."

"Oh of course you'd-"

Daphne put the two's bickering into the back of her mind as she looked at harry, The Boy Who Lived still looked slightly nervous. "Harry, are you alright?" Daphne asked quietly.

"Hmm? Y-yeah, i'm fine." Harry said with a smile, "Just...first game riding the Firebolt and...and a few other things."

Daphne looked about, then took his hand and stood up, "come on then, let's go to the tree." Harry smiled and stood up, walking alongside her out of the castle.

"Harry! Don't go wandering too far!" Wood called as they left, "we don't need you disappearing before a big game."

"Got it Wood." Harry called back as they exited the hall and proceeded out of the castle.

"There's something else on your mind." Daphne said quietly, as they got closer to the tree"and it's not transfiguration homework."

"Saw through that didn't you?" he asked sheepishly.

"Seamus may like to think himself smarter than us all, but he's not as good as he thinks." Daphne stopped and turned to Look at Harry, "so what's really wrong?"

Harry hesitated, then sighed, "I've been wanting to tell you something. Nothing bad!" he added quickly when he saw Daphne's face fell, "It's...it's actually good, brilliant really, but it's something I haven't said before, and i'm scared, because it might freak you out and scare you off, and i'd rather not scare you off-"

"Harry." Daphne started.

"And who know's, you' might not even feel the same way,, and saying it could just completely ruin what we have-"

"Harry."

"-and I Don't want to ruin what we have, it means more to me than anything i've ever felt before and-" he was cut off as Daphne pulled him close and kissed him, making him untense and wrap his arms around her.

Daphne slowly broke the kiss, "I love you." she said with a small laugh, "is that what you were trying to say Harry?"

"Somethin' like that yeah…" Harry said with a smile, "I love you."

She smiled at the words and kissed him again. "That's what you've been trying to say all this time?" she asked in amusement.

"I've...never said it before." He said quietly, "Not to my uncle or my aunt...not to my cousin...you're the first person i've ever told it to."

Her smile slowly disappeared, "you really had a bad life didn't you?" she asked softly.

"It wasn't too bad." he mumbled as she kissed him again.

"You're a terrible liar." she said as they broke the kiss once more, "you know that right?"

Harry didn't say anything, just pulled her a little closer and held her a little tighter.

"Potter!" Wood called, "game time lets go!"

Harry sighed, "I have to go."

"Good luck harry," she said, giving him a small peck on the nose, "please win, i'd rather not fork over ten galleons to Penelope."

Harry chuckled, "i'll make sure we win." he kissed her once more, 'I'll see you after, I love you."

"I love you too Harry." she said as Harry let her go and started walking over to Wood.

"You know,' Wood started as the two started towards the field, "it's been said that women tend to make seekers bad flyers-"

"Don't even start Wood."

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The game had ended very much like it was expected to, a Win for Gryffindor, the surprising edge to this win was the attempt at sabotage from the Slytherin team, dressing as Dementors in an attempt to scare Harry off his broom, only to be charged down by an unknown spell from Harry.

"I can't believe Malfoy would stoop so low as to even try that!" Daphne raged as she and harry walked back to the great hall. "Trying to use one of your fears against you, just wait until i get my hands on him-"

"Calm down Daph." harry said soothingly, putting an arm around his girlfriend, "Professor McGonagall took care of him."

"Still." She muttered, "a good jelly-legs jinx would do him good."

Harry laughed at that.

"Mr. potter!" Lupin called, making the couple stop.

"Yes professor?" Harry asked, walking up to the defense teacher.

"You left your bag in my office." he said, holding the satchel out to Harry.

"Oh! Thank you Professor, i didn't even know."

"Yes well do try to keep better track of your things." Lupin said, waving a certain piece of parchment at Harry before putting it in his pocket, "wouldn't want anything valuable to wander off, right?"

"R-right." Harry said with an uneasy laugh. "I'll see you monday Professor."

"See you monday Mr. Potter." Lupin said, waving to Daphne, "both you and Ms. Greengrass have a delightful weekend."

"You too Professor Lupin." Daphne said as she and Harry started to walk again, "was that what I think it was?" She whispered quietly to Harry.

He nodded, "it's exactly what you think it was." he said as they went up the stairs, "How did he even know what it was?"

"Did you leave it open?"

"No! I always wipe it clean when i'm done using it."

Daphne took a deep breath, "well he isn't getting you in trouble, so i think we should count ourselves lucky."

Harry nodded, "Will you be going to the after party?" Harry asked.

Daphne shook her head, "that may be pushing the boundaries a bit." she said. "Besides i told Tracey i'd spend some time with her after the game."

"Alright, i'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow" Daphne said, giving him a kiss on the cheek, "I love you."

"I Love you too." harry said with a smile as she walked away.

Daphne hummed as she made her way down towards the dungeons, her hands behind her back as she went, she faltered slightly when she turned corner and found herself staring at Malfoy, loitering around with Crabbe, Goyle, and Terrance Higgs.

"Oh there she is." Malfoy said as Daphne attempted to simply walk past them, Gryf poking his head blearily out of her cloak pocket, "the whore of Gryffindor."

"Sod off Malfoy, "Daphne said, frowning as Crabbe and Goyle stepped in her way.

"No Weasley's to save you today." Malfoy drawled, sauntering towards her with his wand.

Daphne narrowed her eyes, "do you think I need saving?" she asked as Gryf climbed onto her shoulder, growling at the boys with his wings spread."

"We ain't scared of that stupid dragon!" Crabbe said, then flinched when Daphne pointed her wand at him, Gryf running to the end of her hand and roaring at him.

Instantly the other boys had their wands out and pointed at her.

"Attacking another student in your own house?" Malfoy sneered, "well, i'm sure Professor Snape would love to hear about that."

"Considering you were threatening me first." she said, not breaking eye contact with

Malfoy, neither backing down until a soft chuckle sounded to their right, they both looked and froze, for both of them were staring at the gaunt, amused form of Sirius black, who had a knife to Higg's throat and was clutching the boys wand in his right hand.

"Evening children," he said, giving them a yellow-toothed smile, "am i interrupting?"

Instantly all wands were pointed at Sirius, Crabbe and Goyle edged slowly to Malfoy's side,

Higgs whimpered, making Sirius shush him, "Calm down, calm down," he said quietly, "i'm not going to hurt you." he caught Daphne's eye and smirked, "Much." with a hard hit to the back of the head, Higgs crumpled to the ground, Sirius grinning at them as he spreads his arms, the picture of an easy target.

"What should we do?" Flint muttered, edging back slowly.

"I...I don't...I don't...I…" Malfoy stutttered.

Daphne rolled her eyes, "He can't take us all!" she said, raising her wand. Malfoy set his mouth in a grim line and did the same.

"Flipendo!"

"Diffindo!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Incendio!"

Spells flew as the Slytherins engaged Sirius Black, who deflected and dodged their attacks, sending his own silent curses back to the children, and he was much better at dueling then the children, within the first thirty seconds he had blown Flint back into the banister of the stairs, hit Goyle with a spell that made him slump over in unconsciousness, wrapped Crabbe in a coil of rope that slowly tightened around the boy, and petrified Gryf in mid flight, making the dragon clatter to the ground between Daphne and himself.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Daphne shouted, wincing when Sirius deflected it into the disoriented Flint.

"Flipendo!" Draco practically snarled, grinning when the spell hit Sirius in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall.

Daphne got to her feet, advancing towards the man with her wand out, Draco doing the same.

"Sirius Black, it's Sirius Black." Draco muttered.

"We need to find a teacher." Daphne said, slowly lowering her wand.

"Go ahead, I'll make sure he-"

"Stupefy." Sirius whispered hoarsely, catching Draco in the chest, sending him crumpling to the floor, Daphne started raising her wand, only for it to fly out of her hand, and into Sirius'.

Malfoy started to get back up, only for Sirius to hit him with another spell, sending him sprawling, unmoving.

"Good shot kid." SIrius muttered, slowly standing up, "didn't see it coming." he looked at Daphne, "well aren't you a pretty one."

"Stay back!" she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I-I'm warning you!"

"What will you do Ms. Greengrass?" he asked, "your dragon is petrified and your friends are...momentarily busy." he put the wand to her chest, "luckily for you, i'm busy." with a Flash of red Daphne was thrown against the wall and slipped into unconsciousness.

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Daphne woke to the sound of soft snoring, "wha…" she mumbled as she opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling of the hospital wing, she slowly sat up and winced at the pain coming from her chest, she looked about the dark wing and found several beds occupied by Malfoy and his friends,in her lap was Gryf, curled up and sleeping soundly, and sitting right by her bedside was Harry, knocked out in a chair, his hand a few centimeters from hers.

"Harry…" Daphne whispered, gently shaking Harry's shoulder, "Harry."

"I already said i'm not going back to the dorm." Harry mumbled, slowly sitting up, stopping when he realized who had woken him, "Daphne! Oh my god Daphne!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around his girlfriend.

"Harry…" Daphne mumbled, melting into his arms, until she remembered what had happened to put her in the infirmary, "harry!" she exclaimed, pushing him back slightly, "Sirius black is in the castle."

"I know," harry said.

"You know?" Daphne asked

He nodded, "you've been out for the past couple of days Daphne...and a lots happened."

So Harry filled her in on the going ons of the castle for the past two days, Daphne and the other slytherins had been found the night before by Severus Snape, putting the castle on high alert, but that still didn't stop Sirius Black from sneaking into the gryffindor Dormitories and almost slitting Rons throat; Mistaking his bed for Harry's, Black had miraculously escaped once more.

"Madam Pomfrey didn't know what spell he used on any of you." he said, 'except the boy who had gotten wrapped up in rope, she said the best we could do was hope all of you would wake up sooner or later."

Daphne nodded mutely, "is Ron alright?" she asked.

"He was shaken up at first." Harry said, "but he's really soaking up the attention now."

Daphne snorted, "of course.' she said in amusement, the two sat in companionable silence for a short while.

"So...your father came by…" Harry said quietly.

"He did?" she asked, "oh no, he blamed you for this didn't he, i'll talk to-"

"He didn't blame me." Harry said, "he came by yesterday to talk with Hagrid, next week their going to court, he wants us to go. But he said he'd push the hearing down to a later date if you weren't awake."

"He didn't even visit me...did he?"

"He looked in." harry said, "but he had to go-"

"-because of work." Daphne finished for him, "am i right?"

Harry nodded, "he said he'd come by tomorrow."

"I'm sure he will." she sighed, "but he still won't stay for long."

"Maybe." Harry said as Daphne yawned, "you should get some sleep." Harry said, "it's still pretty late so…"

"Wait," Daphne started, grabbing Harry's arm before he left, 'do you...do you think you could stay?" she asked quietly, "I...I don't want to be alone…"

Harry looked at her for a second, then nodded, "I'll stay." he said, sitting back down.

"Thank you Harry." Daphne said, laying back down.

'Of course." Harry said, sitting down and taking her hand in his, she smiled and slowly closed her eyes, "I love you…" harry said hesitantly, tentatively.

"I love you too Harry.'