Four hours and half a bottle later they had made it through the full explanation of the prophecy as well a a brief synopsis of Harry's exploits at school, going into more specific detail on anything related to his scar and his connection to Voldemort.

"Everything you have shared so far is fascinating and, frankly, terrifying. What can we do to help?"

Daphne spoke up. "You have access to information we don't have. I was hoping you could research and hopefully come up with something about this connection Harry has with Voldemort and the snake."

Harry joined in."There was one other thing...something I've been working on with the headmaster this year. He's been showing me memories of Voldemort when he was younger and a term has come up. We were hoping you knew it or could research it. We haven't found anything and Dumbledore isn't sharing. Have you ever heard of the term Horcrux?"

Her father stilled, losing all color. "You're serious."

"Cyrus?" her mother questioned, concerned at her father's grave expression.

He finally gathered himself and spoke. "You've said you had meetings with Dumbledore about this?"

"Yes sir. We've been reviewing various memories of Tom Riddle when he was younger and his family. The last one was a memory of Professor Slughorn's. When Riddle was a student he asked Slughorn about horcruxes. The memory was modified by Slughorn so I'm not sure what the professor told him and he isn't talking."

"Cyrus what do you know?" her mother asked.

"Give me a moment," her father replied as he stood up and walked to the far end of the room. She watched as her father muttered something and a door she never knew existed appeared.

As her father disappeared through the door Daphne felt a surge of adrenaline. It appeared they were finally going to get some answers. She noticed Harry was staring at the door, a similar expression on his face.

Her father returned a few minutes later with a rather large, rather old book. She couldn't pinpoint why but the book made her feel uneasy. He sat back down and began reading aloud, describing the foulest magic Daphne had ever heard of. It was repulsive...beyond her comprehension.

Daphne's mind was whirring as she watched Harry grab the book and begin rereading the passage once more. She gasped as she realized the implication. If the connection was based on horcruxes it not only meant Voldemort had made more than one...it meant Harry was a horcrux.

"The diary," Harry muttered. "Riddle's diary was a horcrux."

"I believe you are right Harry," her father said. "And if Daphne's hypothesis about your connection with Voldemort is correct than it may mean-"

"The snake is a horcrux...and I'm a horcrux," he stated unemotionally.

Her father poured a drink and wordlessly slid it across the table to Harry.

The silence seemed to drag on. Her mother whispered to her father then began speaking as they stood to leave. "Your father and I will eat dinner with Astoria. I think it would be best for Harry if you two stayed in here. Just let Winky know when you'd like to eat." With one more worried glance at Harry they left.

"I'm a horcrux," he repeated.

"We don't know that for sure Harry," she replied. "It could be-"

"Daphne don't," he interrupted. "You were right. It's okay...it's good. It means our plan may work."

Daphne was furious. She wanted to scream at Harry...tell him he shouldn't want to die...didn't need to die. She wanted to scream at her parents for not helping end Voldemort the first time around. Scream at Dumbledore for helping to create a person so willing to die. But none of those things would help. She needed to think. Harry needed her to think.

"It's not good Harry. You can say that I was right and you can say our plan may work but do NOT say it's good."

She needed a distraction.

"Winky," she called. The elf appeared looking very worried.

"Mister and Misses Greengrass said Master Potter be given bad news. Winky wants to help."

She kneeled down and began speaking quietly to the elf. "Can you bring us something to eat? And maybe make Harry some treacle tart if you can...it's his favorite."

The elf nodded quickly and cast a sad glance toward Harry who had begun staring at the book again. It did not look like he was reading.

"Winky be proud to be Harry Potter's elf," she said to no-one and popped away.

The food arrived and Harry began eating. Daphne's food sat untouched. She had lost her appetite. She watched as Harry continued to sit and eat calmly, unemotionally. She watched and she thought.

"We need that memory, Harry. You need to get that memory," she stated.

For the first time since they learned of horcruxes Harry looked at her. "We already know what a horcrux is now. You were right. I don't understand-"

"You said Dumbledore is drip feeding you information. You've already learned the term horcrux and I'm sure Dumbledore already knows what it means. He thinks there is more in that memory."

"Okay, I'll try." He was too calm. He didn't mean it.

"No!" she shouted. "There isn't any trying! You get the memory and then I will keep helping. I can tell you've given up ...that we've proven what the connection is and you think I can kill him by killing you. I haven't given up and won't help with the spell unless you try to save yourself. Get that memory or I quit...and if I find out you've asked someone else to help I will break the oath and tell the headmaster everything."

"Daphne, you can't be serious. Breaking the oath would mean-"

"I know exactly what it would mean Harry. But you're so keen on dying why shouldn't I be?"

For the first time since they had learned about horcruxes she saw emotion in Harry's eyes. He was now as angry as she was. Good.

At that precise moment Winky popped into the room...a nervous smile on her face and treacle tart in her hands. "Winky be making Master Potter his favorite." She quickly handed the dessert over and popped out.

Daphne's appetite had returned and she dug into the treacle tart. It wasn't her favorite but it was good. Winky had done well. She wondered what Harry's version of treacle tart would taste like. She desperately wanted him to have the chance to make it for her.

"I have an idea," said Harry as he finally began eating. "I won a vial of Felix Felicis in Potions this year thanks to the Prince. Do you know what that is?"

Daphne shook her head 'no' and he continued.

"They call it liquid luck...you drink it and it's supposed to make you extremely lucky. I've been saving it to use for something important but-"

He stopped eating and looked at Daphne. "You're right...this is important. I'll see to it tomorrow and hopefully I'll have something for Dumbledore by Monday."

Relief washed over Daphne. He was going to try. It might be only for her sake but it was a start.

"Good. If everything works out then we can meet Tuesday and get to work."

"It will have to be Wednesday," he replied. "I told Astoria we could start working on the Patronus then."

"Harry, this is more important," she pleaded. "We can make up an excuse."

"If you get to insist on helping me than I get to insist on helping your sister," he replied defiantly.

"Fine," she replied, pretending to be annoyed. The Harry that she admired was showing himself again. "But we still meet on Tuesday...we can break curfew."

"Good," he replied with a smile. It had only been a few hours but it seemed like ages since she'd seen it. "Maybe if you bring that hippogriff book I'll sign it for you. Always good to meet my fans."

"Idiot," she muttered as she flicked a bit of treacle tart at him.

"Don't waste the tart!" he replied indignantly. "This is too good to waste. I wonder how Winky knew it was my favorite."

"I told her," Daphne said with no hesitance. He needed to know people cared about the things he liked.

"Thanks," he replied simply. "And uhh...thank you for yelling at me. You're really good at it."

"Yelling is nothing," she said with a glint in her eye. "If I'm quiet and overly polite when I'm talking you need to run away. Quickly."

He laughed and Daphne felt like they were truly back on track. "Yeah I saw a bit of that this morning. I need to figure out how I can get you invited to all of my meetings with the headmaster."

"Looking forward to it," she replied honestly. She would gladly advocate for Harry. No-one else, including Harry, seemed to be willing.

The door opened and her mother entered the room. She began to speak.

"Astoria was curious why you didn't join us for dinner. We told her we had shared some stories about your parents and that you had become emotional. She's returning to Hogwarts with Cyrus right now."

Her gaze settled on Harry. "She was quite concerned for you. You seem to have made quite an impression on her," she stated warmly.

"I want to apologize for earlier," she continued. "I should have never questioned your intentions regarding the oath."

"It's fine...I understand," Harry mumbled. He appeared to be embarrassed again and looked down at the table.

"Mr. Potter," she stated firmly, drawing Harry's attention. "You are working with Greengrasses now. We are proud of who we are...what we have done. We expect nothing less of those we welcome into our family. Do you understand?"

Harry's eyes flickered toward Daphne before returning to her mother determinedly. "Yes ma'am. Daphne is doing her best to educate me and I'm trying my best."

"It's Amanda, Harry. And if I ever address you as Mr. Potter again it is because you need to try harder." She was brilliant. Her mother was brilliant.

"I understand, Amanda," Harry replied. "And thank you for your help."

"You're welcome Harry," her voice softening to the version that Daphne was used to. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good...better," he replied honestly. "Daphne did a very good job at pointing out that I needed to try harder. I see now where she gets it from."

"She's a Greengrass. I would expect nothing less," she stated imperiously before starting to laugh. "Very few people get to see me actually enjoying myself Harry. I hope you realize what that means. What you mean to us already."

Harry's gaze turned to Daphne once more. "I do...and it means a lot to me. I'm not used to it so it's hard to show how grateful I am. But I am...you have no idea." He was talking to her mother but she knew the message was meant for her. It was overwhelming.

The moment was broken as her father strolled into the room, a bemused expression on his face. "When I returned with Astoria the headmaster politely reminded me that per the Hogwarts guidelines you two needed to be back," he paused to look at his watch, "in forty five minutes."

Harry stood up. Her father immediately raised his arms. "We have forty five minutes and I have no interest in you returning a minute sooner. Unless you have any objections Harry?"

Harry's face broke into a wide grin and Daphne's heart soared. "That's fine. The longer I can spend here the better." Daphne could tell by her mother's expression that she was being sucked into the Harry vortex even further. She could relate.

Her father laughed and spoke. "I was hoping I could speak to you privately on a few matters before you had to leave?"

He then turned his gaze to her. "Don't worry dear. I promise to return him in one piece."

She nodded without a thought. She trusted her father implicitly and knew Harry would share whatever they discussed freely if he could. It was in his nature.

She left the room quickly with her mother and they settled in their sitting room....tea in hand dutifully supplied by their house elves.

"How are you doing, Daphne?" her mother asked.

"I'm fine," she replied. "It was a bit rough with Harry this afternoon but I brought him back around."

"I didn't ask how Harry was doing," her mother supplied gently. "I asked about you."

"I'm good...really good. It's hard to describe, Mum. I feel like I've woken up. Everything has changed in the last month and it's a bit terrifying but it feels like everything matters now. What I've been working on with you and Dad all these years is important but it didn't matter. This matters."

Her mother nodded in agreement. "Astoria is quite pleased with how happy you've been over the last month. It seems you and Harry are quite convincing as a couple."

"Mum it's not like that," she said defiantly. "We're friends...close friends already but I need to help him with this first."

"But if you do help him?"

She purposely avoided directly answering.

"You've met him. You've practically adopted him and you've only been around him for a few hours."

"I understand and you are right," her mother replied in agreement. "All I will say is you compliment each other very well. Also, your father is very pleased that he isn't an idiot."

Daphne was spared from replying as her father and Harry entered the room laughing. She noticed that Harry was holding a large envelope. Her father spoke.

"I would prefer not having the Hogwarts staff waging a full out assault on our home so I'm afraid you two need to go back. Everyone set?"

"Is it okay if Winky takes me back?" Harry questioned. "She likes helping and I think it would be good."

Her parents exchanged a glance and mutually came to a decision. Her father spoke.

"I think it is an excellent idea. The headmaster seemed to be quite tired of seeing me anyway. Thank you for the advice and if we come across any additional information that could help we will make sure to see you immediately."

Harry called Winky much to the elf's delight. He leaned down and whispered something to the elf that caused her to smile even brighter and begin nodding.

Quickly they had apparated back in front of Hogwarts gates. Daphne watched as her mother hugged Harry less formally than normal and whispered something to him that made him nod and smile. Inexplicably she found herself smiling as well.

Soon enough her mother was embracing her heartily...all her normal decorum seemingly forgotten. Her mother was clinging to her and it was now Daphne's turn to receive whispered advice. "Keep helping him Daphne. We are so proud of you."

As they made their way through the gates Daphne realized that in addition to the headmaster he was flanked by their Heads of House waiting for them at the castle's entrance. All wore severe looks of disappointment with Professor Snape adding a sneer for dramatic effect.

Harry grabbed her hand and pulled, purposely slowing her pace. "No need to rush on their account. I'd like to see how annoyed I can make Snape."

"If I must," she sighed dramatically. "What's in the envelope?"

"It's a letter and some pictures for Neville Longbottom."

Daphne nodded her head, enjoying the growing looks of displeasure on their welcoming committee.

"What did my father mean about advice by the way?"

"Apparently he's been trying to set up a meeting with Fred and George Weasley. He wants to talk to them about becoming their supplier."

"If my father asked you to influence their decision you don't need to-"

Harry's laugh interrupted her sentence. "It's not that. Every time he has sent them a meeting invitation they send him gardening tools. Rakes, hoes, seed...that sort of thing. The best I can tell is they are having a go at your last name."

"Idiots," she muttered. "And your advice?"

"Send them something back equally as stupid...something that plays on their last name...or maybe a picture of your lawn with a note about how well the things they've sent helped and how green the grass is. And if he actually does get a meeting not to eat or drink anything they give him. And not to let their act fool him. They are way smarter than they let on. It felt a bit odd giving him advice on working with a business I helped with."

"What do you mean?"

"I umm...gave them my winnings from the Triwizard tournament to help get started."

"That was a shrewd investment," Daphne replied, genuinely impressed. "You should have seen a strong return already."

"Uh...right." Idiot.

"You just gave them the money without expecting anything in return didn't you?" Daphne wasn't sure why she even asked...she already knew the answer.

"Maybe?" he answered nervously.

She was definitely going to be in charge when they sold the rights for The Potter Miracle Part 2.

Notes:

I would totally read Harry Potter and the Hungry Hippogriff.