Having to study Ancient Runes before midday had always been torture for Daphne. As interesting as the subject was at its core it was just. so. dry. It was crucial to anyone who wanted to gain a deeper understanding of magic but a subject so focused on memorization and translation would always be a slog.

Not getting to bed until four in the morning and then having to suffer through Tracey's smug interrogation over breakfast about where she had been only added to the torture. She could have sworn Astoria kept smiling at her from the Hufflepuff table as well but she may have just been paranoid.

She typically did not arrive early to Runes but today she had made an exception in part to end Tracey's questions but most importantly to have time to write to her parents. As it was now Wednesday and she needed to make arrangements to meet with them on Saturday it was imperative that this be sent as quickly as possible without raising suspicion. She thought briefly about requesting to floo call them but realized any room with a workable floo also most likely contained a portrait. This was too important...she couldn't take the risk. Harry knew better about these sorts of things and she knew she should take his advice. She had the feeling he had to learn the hard way and she was determined not to make the same mistake.

After taking her customary seat in front she began to write:

Dearest Father and Mother,

A remarkable business opportunity has come up for our family and I would like to speak with you both as soon as possible on how to proceed. I am hoping you will be able to come to Hogwarts on Saturday so we can discuss in person.

Please reply at your earliest convenience whether we can meet on Saturday. What I need to talk to you about requires a quick decision and I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Your devoted daughter,

Daphne

P.S. Please have Father ensure he has a very large space available at one of our storage locations. If the opportunity comes to fruition delivery may be possible by Saturday night.

She mentally wretched at the formal and cold tone she had purposely used in addressing her parents but she knew it would ensure they would change whatever plans they had so they could meet on Saturday.

She remembered how she thought it was a joke when her mother had sat her down the day before she left for Hogwarts for the first time and gave her explicit instructions.

"Your father and I know that we have instructed you how to act publicly but never forget we know that is NOT you. If you ever send me a letter and address me as 'Dearest mother' or other such nonsense I will know you will have either lost the plot or something is seriously important that needs to be addressed."

"Mum, you know I would never-" Her mother stopped her immediately.

"Let me explain Daphne. If you ever call me that privately your father and I will be at Hogwarts in a flash...but not because we think you are becoming one of them. It's always a possibility but we know we've raised you better than that...we know that you are better than that. We will be there because it will mean you need us and we will always...always...be there for you and Astoria."

"So it's a code then? That I need something?" Daphne had asked.

"Exactly," her mother had replied. "Either you've started to become an insufferable idiot and we need to knock some sense into you as soon as possible or you urgently need to talk to us and want to be discreet."

"Mum you are being paranoid," Daphne had replied condescendingly at the time.

"Just humor your mother and remember please Daphne."

Daphne had quickly nodded so she could get back to far more important matters. She had received her wand the day prior and desperately needed to get back to admiring it and imagining all the brilliant spells she would be casting in a few days. She loved her mum but sometimes she just didn't understand what was important.

Sixteen-year-old Daphne smiled as she remembered how brilliant her mother was and what an idiot eleven-year-old Daphne was.

Her reminiscing was interrupted as someone sat down next to her. Her head reflexively turned to see...Granger. Again. Brilliant.

"Good morning," she greeted Daphne without preamble and immediately began pulling out her textbook and parchment.

Unlike yesterday she did not give Granger another thought as she listened to Professor Babbling drone on about...something to do with Runes. She was too tired and too preoccupied with Harry's project to decipher what Babbling was talking about or what Granger was up to. Besides, in her few days being around Harry, she realized if Hermione was up to something she would simply ask. Daphne had forcefully learned that Harry had lost all patience for people who played games and Granger had always struck her as someone who delivered her thoughts and opinions unfiltered. Also, she was tired. So tired.

Daphne was pondering whether she should head back to the dungeons for a quick cat nap or go to lunch after sending off her letter when a tap on the shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. Granger. Brilliant.

"I was wondering if you'd like to start meeting up in a sort of informal study group? Maybe Monday nights in the library?"

Daphne stared. She was so tired. And so confused.

It was clear Daphne's silence had started to make Granger uncomfortable...and when Granger was uncomfortable she rambled.

"I just thought it would be nice to have someone else to work with and discuss Arithmancy and Runes. My friends don't really care...at all...about that sort of thing and I thought it would be helpful..."

As Daphne listened (sort of) to Granger she remembered what Harry had said. Daphne and her family had passed Granger's test. Granger trusted her. Could she really just want someone smart and trustworthy to study Arithmancy and Runes with?

'Checkers not chess,' she thought before butting in. "I'd like that Gr- Hermione. So 7:00 on Monday?"

"Great!" Hermione responded. "I was thinking we could do a quick review of everything we've covered this term and then lay out a study schedule to get a bit ahead of this year's curriculum. I know NEWTs aren't until next year but we both know that isn't very far away and it's important to-"

Hermione suddenly stopped and looked nervously at Daphne. "I'm sorry. I tend to ramble when I'm excited. It's just nice to talk to someone who is interested in these sorts of things and I just-"

"It's fine Hermione," Daphne jumped in. "I understand. If I tried to talk to my friend Tracey about Arithmancy she would probably jump off the Astronomy Tower." She did her best to downplay it but Daphne was actually looking forward to it as well. Damn Gryffindors.

"Okay," Hermione replied with a smile. "I'll see you on Monday!"

Despite her learned instincts Daphne smiled and waved goodbye. Damn. Gryffindors.

It really would be nice to have someone to review the material with. Despite occasionally sitting at their table with Astoria over the years the Hufflepuffs as a group still seemed to be afraid of her and as a rule, the Ravenclaws were annoying. Besides Granger that left the only other Slytherin in class as a potential study partner and that was out of the question. There was no way she would voluntarily spend any more time than absolutely required with her.

"What are you playing at Daphne?"

Parkinson.

"I'm not sure what you are talking about, Pansy." Daphne did not have time for this. She had letters to send. Naps to take.

"I'm talking about your new study partner."

She should have known. "Well, sometimes when two people take the same class they find it helpful to review together as it provides a different perspective as well as valuable feedback on-"

"Shut up Daphne. You know what I'm talking about. If you wanted a study partner you should have asked me...not that stuck up m- Gryffindor."

This was so tiring...after six years in school, these invisible lines were so very tiring. She and Hermione were only going to be studying in the library. She wanted to scream "If you think that's bad I'm also trying to destroy your master" but refrained as that wouldn't be prudent. Best to go with the standard strategy. Insult.

"I'm actually hoping to learn more with a peer as opposed to teaching a remedial student."

"What? I don't understand."

"Exactly."

Pansy looked confused as Daphne heard muffled chuckles behind her. She looked over to see Bones, Finch Fletchley, and Abbot were still packing up and enjoying the show. They stopped smiling immediately when she looked at them and quickly left the room. Was she really that scary? She'd have to ask Harry.

She turned back to Pansy to see that her confusion was now morphing into anger. She quickly packed up and began making her way out of the classroom.

"I have a letter to send. I'll see you at lunch Pansy."

'Definitely a nap instead of lunch' she thought as she quickly made her way to the Owlery, ignoring Pansy's call for her to come back.