As Daphne waited for Harry outside Myrtle's toilet she did her best to process the last few hours. Her parents were not at all furious with her decision to help Harry and they had even pledged their equal support. She had anticipated having to spend at least an hour or two convincing them that she hadn't lost her mind but it in fact had taken mere minutes. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about what she knew and strategizing how best to work with Harry within the walls of Hogwarts. Her father and mother were originally dubious but ultimately both agreed with her strategy. The look her mother gave her when she was explaining it was a bit disconcerting but she quickly dismissed it. Now the hard bit would be convincing Harry.

Her mind kept returning to what her father said as he gave her a slightly less formal and more emotional embrace than normal when they said goodbye. "Your mother and I always thought Tori was the bravest of us and chalked it up to her having less to lose given her condition. We're pleased to see you've proved us wrong ."

They had spent so long together strategizing she barely had enough time to get back to Hogwarts and change into her worst clothes for the return trip to the Chamber. Unlike last time she really did wear the worst things she had. Last time her ego hadn't allowed her to look this rundown...now she felt stupid for ever worrying about such a thing.

As she spotted Harry walking towards her she could tell he was nervous...probably worried about how the meeting with her parents had gone. He was truly awful at hiding his emotions. She thought she could help him with that then wondered if she wanted to. It was quite endearing. Maybe she could help him a bit for when he spoke to everyone else.

Without a word they entered the toilet as she saw him stow away his remarkable map. After a brief conversation with Myrtle (where the ghost had been slightly more pleasant), Daphne found herself quickly at the bottom of the pipe and walking side by side with Harry. She could tell he was hesitant to ask how her parents reacted so she began speaking straight away.

"The meeting with my parents was brilliant. They were a bit shocked but weren't upset at all. They were actually proud of me and gave me a lot of good input."

She quieted, anticipating a response from Harry. When he remained silent she went on. "They offered to help you in any way they can. They even volunteered to take a blood oath as well to keep your secrets."

She again waited for a response but again was met with silence. After a few moments, she realized Harry was no longer walking beside her. She stopped and turned to see him ten feet behind her standing dead still.

"Just like that?" he finally blurted out.

"Just like what?"

He shrugged and continued. "When you told me you wanted to tell your parents I understood but thought they'd be furious. I just...they really want to help?"

"Is it that hard to believe people would follow you? You led that Defence group last year, right? The OWL results they received compared to mine made me furious if I'm being honest. And Hermione and Weasley seem to do everything they can to help as well."

Harry recovered a bit of his senses and smiled. "You're calling her Hermione now?"

"That's beside the point," she shot back. "We're getting off-topic. Answer the question."

Harry began walking again and responded, his gaze looking straight ahead. "It's just...there are people that believe in me to do the right thing and I guess they think I'm magically powerful...they just don't always listen to my ideas. I'm not used to it. They really want to help?"

"You are far too humble Harry. You are dealing with three Slytherins now...at least pretend that you know what you are doing."

Harry laughed at her joke but remained silent. Daphne continued on.

"I told you the other night I believe in you and want to help and my parents believe in me." She paused to let Harry open the Chamber before continuing.

"Finding out you killed that thing at the age of twelve helped them believe as well. Also defeating You Know Who when you were eleven, driving off a hundred Dementors, outflying a dragon, out-duelling You Know Who and escaping after being under the Cruciatus-"

"All right all right, I'm brilliant, let's move on." He kept his head down but Daphne could see he was smiling. "Ready to call our house elf friends?" He waited for her to nod and continued.

Harry had barely finished saying Dobby's name before the two house-elves popped in. Daphne imagined they had been sitting together for the entire day waiting to be called.

"Dobby and Winky are ready to help Harry Potter and Miss Greeny!" Dobby exclaimed as Winky nervously nodded her head behind him...seemingly more afraid of Harry than the basilisk.

Harry noticed the female house elf's nerves and addressed her. "Are you alright Winky? You look a bit peaky." Daphne wasn't sure what qualified as peaky amongst house-elves.

Winky tentatively replied. "Winky is being good. Winky hasn't had any butterbeer for four days. Winky is wanting to be Harry Potter's elf and is just being scared she will fail!"

Harry leaned in and whispered to Daphne while smiling at the elves. "I have no clue with girls let alone female house-elves. Help me out here."

She whispered back. "She doesn't care what I have to say...she wants to be bonded with you. Just be encouraging or something."

Harry processed her advice and kneeled down until he was at eye level with the elf. "Would it help if we bonded before you take the basilisk? I want you to be my elf even if this doesn't work."

Winky stared at Harry while Dobby immediately cried out "Harry Potter is a great wizard!" and burst into tears.

"Please calm down Dobby and tell me what I need to do," Harry begged.

"Winky already be doing it, Master Potter!" Winky interjected. "When Master Potter says he is wanting to be bonded Winky bonded!" Daphne noted the fear and nervousness in Winky had disappeared.

"Winky and Dobby be taking basilisk right away!" she practically shouted. "Where should Winky be going after the snake is being delivered?"

Harry looked as if he wanted to fly out of the Chamber immediately. Thankfully her father had anticipated this and had given her advice on how to handle it. She cleared her throat to get Harry's attention and spoke.

"Now that she's bonded to someone she can't stay at Hogwarts. If you'd like she can stay and work with my family until summer when you aren't at the school." She waited for Harry to respond.

"Yeah...yeah...that's good. I'm really glad I asked you and your family for help."

"Don't forget it, Potter," she replied before turning to address the elves. "If I think of where the basilisk needs to go will you be able to get it from my mind?"

"If Miss Greeny gives permission to Dobby and Winky," Dobby replied while Winky smiled and continued to stare at Harry.

She quickly gave her permission and the elves were ready to go. Daphne pulled at Harry's elbow and kneeled down to Winky, bringing Harry with her.

"My father Cyrus Greengrass will be there when you deliver the basilisk, Winky. You can go home with my family and help them while Harry is at school. If they ask you to do anything you believe Harry wouldn't want you to do just tell them all right?"

Winky smiled and began staring at Harry again.

"Umm...yes...what she said. And umm...welcome to the family?"

"Yes Master Potter," Winky beamed as she sprinted over to the basilisk. The house-elves quickly disappeared with the beast.

Daphne burst out laughing. "Welcome to the family?"

He tried to look mad but a smile was stubbornly breaking through. "It seemed appropriate at the time. I told you I'm clueless with girls...the house-elf bit just made it worse."

She playfully nudged him on the shoulder. "Just teasing, Harry. You made her feel wanted and valuable...it was well done. A bit corny but well done."

"I'm going to ignore the 'corny' bit and focus on you saying it was 'well done'...twice," Harry replied, smiling slightly and looking her in the eye. Daphne was pleased to see him not staring at his feet when accepting her compliment and felt a vague bit of accomplishment.

"Just remember to call her every so often and ask her to help you with something. Picking up something from Diagon Alley, organizing your trunk...just something so she knows you need her."

"Brilliant, Daphne. I would have never thought of that. Thanks."

Daphne smiled and stubbornly resisted the urge to look at her feet. They made a good team. She briefly lost herself in those thoughts before Harry's voice broke through.