So long as I'm getting no reviews and not making any money I may as well make no money and get no reviews working on something like Basilisk or Motion Sickness.

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"Crucio!" Neville called and jabbed his wand in the tight motion at Harry. Harry convulsed and collapsed. He called out as he fell. "Harry?" Neville asked.

Harry sagged on the ground. "You have to mean it, Neville. That was a dud."

"Crucio!" Neville tried again. Harry's leg shook from the loss of control of the nerves but Harry didn't cry out. It wasn't really pain.

Harry staggered to his feet across from Neville in the dueling pit within his room.

"Crucio!"

"Neville," Harry tried. "That's enough."

Neville collapsed like a puppet with the strings cut.

Harry walked up to his friend. He placed his hand on Neville's cheek where the tears were flowing. Neville looked up at Harry.

"You're not disappointed in me?" Neville wondered.

"That you weren't able to torture me?" Harry sounded bewildered.

"Right, right," Neville breathed.

"On the contrary I'm rather flattered. I know how much you want this," Harry appraised.

Neville regained his bearings. He did so slowly. "Your turn."

"I don't know if I will succeed. Be patient with me, alright?" Harry asked his friend. Neville nodded.

"I'm ready," the Longbottom scion breathed. Harry focused. He used occlumency to clear his thoughts of all affection.

"Crucio," Harry incanted coldly. Neville screamed. He collapsed inwards like a crushed spider. It was awful to watch. Harry looked down the elder wand at his friend. "Finite," he murmured.

"Fuck. Fuck!" Neville moaned.

"Was that enough for you?" Harry wondered.

Neville nodded. "I get it. I get it now. What they went through. I can only imagine that going on for days. It would seem like an eternity on the inside."

"Good because I really don't want to do it again. Not to you," Harry said. "I read somewhere that torture can be just as traumatic for the torturer and the victim. I see why now."

"Think Bellatrix Lestrange thinks that way?" Neville wondered.

"Well maybe not her. I don't think so. But I'm not Lestrange," Harry answered coldly.

"Right, right…"

Daphne walked timing, as always, was impeccable. It was for the best she hadn't seen that. It would do nothing but worry her. Not that she would mind per say. However the damage Harry was doing to himself would make her stop and think and Harry didn't really want that. Harry would worry about the damage he was doing to his soul and mind. It didn't concern her. Well, that wasn't strictly speaking true. Nothing was more intimate than their relationship. She was twisted and intertwined with his life. Harming himself was a good as hurting her. It was important to remember that.

"Daphne?" Neville asked from his kneeling position.

"It's her," Harry nodded. "Daphne, do you have news for me?"

"Is that all you want to see me for?" She pouted mischievously. "Can't I just stop by to see you?"

"Of course you can. Is that all the reason you came? I'm afraid you'll get quite bored just watching Neville and me."

"I think you can be endlessly entertaining," she laughed a little. Harry caught her by the waist and kissed her once on the lips. Then on the forehead. Then he let her go.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah… get it over and done with…" Neville sighed.

"That's not really how it works…" Harry trailed off. "Its sort of an ongoing thing. When I get bored, I'll kiss her. And that's pretty much that. Also when I miss her. Also when I'm happy. Also-"

"Do fuck off." Neville rolled his eyes.

"Fine," Harry agreed.

"What were you boys doing?" Daphne wondered. Harry met Neville's eye.

"Some unfocused spell work. Just practicing spells on each other. Nothing major," Harry lied. It was, in fact, pretty major. But nothing about it would make Daphne happy. She might get upset and there was little point in intentionally upsetting her.

"That's right," Neville agreed at once.

"Oh?" Daphne glanced between them for a terrifying moment then it passed. "At any rate I have more news about my father's estate. He made a deal with the goblins before his accounts were closed. I think I might have leverage into the Wizengamot but can't be sure. Maybe with your help I can unlock those accounts."

"What do you need from me?"

"Money for one. It costs something to open a case with Gringotts. I think with your seat you could do alot for me but its political."

"I'd rather be stabbed," Harry sighed. "Money is no object. I've been rebuilding my family's manor but its nothing. I want to rebuild it. I want a place of my own. It belonged to my family once. I want it again. I shouldn't let Voldemort take and take and take from me. There's so much I could lose if I'm not careful. Both of you among those things which he can rob me of. I'm not sure if that's enough of a difference to set me free. I'm not even sure that it's enough of a difference to matter. But it means something to me. Both of you do. I would hate to be parted from you both."

"Thanks Harry," Neville thanked sheepishly. "You're my best friend too. These years with you living at my place have been some of the best. It's been grand."

"I love you, Harry." Daphne breathed with an intensity in her blue eyes which made Harry blush. Her confessions and little sighs meant worlds to him. "I can't imagine my life without you. I'll soldier on for you."

"I love you too. Enchantress of my heart."

"Is that your pet name for me?" She wondered.

"Could be. I thought it was sweet when I said it for the first time. I think 'baby' or 'doll' is a touch immature. How do you feel about 'darling?'" He asked her.

She hummed in a musical fashion, got up on her tiptoes, and kissed him once. JUst the once. It was quick but held passion. In that moment, for just a moment, Harry believed everything would work out. Everything would be okay. He really truly believed that for a heartbeat until the weigh tof his worries fell back on him all at once and he grimaced.

"What? What is it?" Daphne asked him.

"Nothing, nothing," Harry stammered.

She glowered at him. "Don't tell me 'nothing' and make a face like that after I kiss you. Tell me what's wrong."

"I just got to thinking. My enemies are serious business. I think, here at school, its easy to forget how dangerous they are. Voldemort burned Paris like it was nothing. He fell on it like a nuclear bomb. It was ashes. Neither of you saw it but he could do it again. I hate how powerless I was. I hate how much death and destruction he caused. Voldemort is no joke. He could kill me. He could kill you. I have almost nothing save Dumbledore to actually stop him. I don't even know if he can really be stopped. I don't know what stopped him last time. I don't know what it will take to beat him this time. I don't know if I can do it. I don't think its possible. That's all. I just realized all that at once. It hit me all at once. I forgot when you kissed me but it all came rushing back. So that's all what is wrong with me."

"Oh is that all?" Neville rolled his eyes again.

"Probably not but let's say it is. In many ways I'm just as weak as I was as a first year. I can't really stand up to him without help. I need Dumbledore's help. That rakes at me. I might need more help than even that. Dumbeldore doesn't really understand how he was stopped last time. It was basically a miracle. I don't know how to weaponize it. I can't help it. I worry a lot. I think a lot. You both are targets and not just because you are precious to me. Though that's probably reason enough for Voldemort to be interested in your lives."

"We can do this," Daphne affirmed. Harry blinked and frowned at her.

"You don't know that," Harry disagreed.

"But I believe it. You won't cower and run from destiny. I know you. You don't shrink from challenges. You rise to them. You did with the dementors. You did with the tournament. You rose. You fight so awake and aware."

"Working hard and being lucky won't be enough. Voldemort works hard too. He's clever and powerful. Trying as hard as I can doesn't mean I'll succeed. I'll most likely fail. I should be doing more. More to combat those forces. I don't really know what. I'm playing this waiting game where they have to make their moves and we'll make ours. But still. Maybe there's more I could be doing. Admit that to me. I'm not acting like I'm on the clock. I'm derelict to my duties to you. I'm irresponsible."

\"You're doing everything you can. You want too much from yourself. I love how you push yourself. But sometimes that means you see a problem when nothing is wrong. Things aren't as bad as they seem at first. The ministry still stands. Hogwarts still stands. Dumbledore is still around and he has his head on a swivel. When you know who makes his move we'll be patient and ready," Daphne informed him. "I know you will be. You've grown so much since the scrawny boy across from me in the train compartment. You work hard. It'll be enough. You'll see."

Harry bobbed his head in something like agreement but he didn't immediately say anything. He still had doubts and reservations. "What about the scions? What should I do about them? They are basically fill-ins for death eaters. And you sleep next to them. I think that would drive anyone crazy. Especially someone like me."

"SOmeone like yoU?" Daphne curled an eyebrow.

"A worrier," Harry elaborated.

"You're neurotic. I wish I could record you sometimes," Daphne laughed heartily. It actually bent her. "Oh that's so you. I'll be safe. The dormitories in Slytherin are broken into private rooms. My room is warded and concealed. I have protections. I'm not defenseless. I came in knowing a ward or two and I've only grown more powerful. With my skill I'm probably the best defended person in Hogwarts. Nothing to be done about that. I sleep soundly and Tracy sleeps in my room. There are advantages to having multiple wands."

"It should be me…" Harry chimed in.

"It should be you sleeping beside me?" Daphne laughed again. Harry grinned at her. "Would you like that? I think that could be arranged." She gave him a gentle shove which moved him nowhere and her backwards slightly.

"Kill me…" Neville breathed.

"Oh don't be a spoil sport. We aren't so bad," Daphne dismissed him. "Besides, if he really wants to sleep with me he should just do it. Maybe invite me up to his dormitory. Or I could drag him down to mine. Isn't that a pleasant thought?"

Harry smiled down at her at that. "Would you like that? I'm not sure I could keep my hands to myself."

"Oh? We were interrupted at the dance. Would you put your hands on me?" She wondered demurely.

"In a heartbeat," Harry growled. "We might not get much sleeping done."

"Isn't that the point?" Daphne demanded. Her face was red and her eyes were bright.

"I'm right here? You sick fucks." Neville interrupted.

"How are we sick?" Harry asked him.

"You're flirting right in front of me," Neville bristled. "Keep it to yourself or wait for yourselves to be alone."

"I'm not the patient sort," Daphne slid into Harry's arms. Harry laughed when Neville flushed and stammered.

"That's my cue to leave. Have fun you two," he valedicted.

He got up and left.

"Now that we're alone we can do all the flirting we want." Harry grinned at her.

"Oh like that's ever stopped us before," she gigged lightly. She traced a pattern into the flesh of his hand. He shuddered under her touch. He got gooseflesh.

"You have goose bumps…" she breathed. She said it in a whisper and mostly to herself.

"W-well, yes. You do that to me," he agreed.

"Oh?" She had to wonder.

"Your skin against mine is delicious…" he confessed soberingly. "I like it. It feels good."

"That's how I feel about when you're in my mind," she hummed musically. He entered her and she sighed softly. She leaned against his chest as he caressed her thoughts. He just held her and looked down on her. Holding and beholding her all at once. He sent soft caresses through her thoughts. She let out a little whimper as he cradled her. It was delicious going down. It did remarkably much at the range they found themselves at. He shifted slightly. His thoughts shifted. She felt it. She glanced at him. She rolled her eyes.

"Will that go away?" She giggled. "I'm not in a position to do much about it. With it. To it. Whatever."

"I can walk it off. It happens to guys anyway. Its not the end of the world. It comes and goes." He shifted again.

"Oh?" She had to wonder. "Is that true?"

He nodded. "It's not a big deal. I don't think so at least. Just ignore it."

"Doesn't it divert blood from your brain?"

"Maybe?" He shrugged. "I'm no expert on anatomy. It's fine. I think similar things happen to girls. Doesn't blood flow to your… you know…" he shrugged once more. It was sheepish and dismissive.

"I think so… if only we had real privacy. I'd love to explore your body." She breathed.

"I've actually been thinking the same," he agreed.

"Hm," she traced the back of his palm lightly with her fingers. He shuddered again. It felt too good. It was intoxicating. He flushed and looked away from her bright blue eyes and light blonde hair. Her smell was good. Honey and cream filled his nostrils. He breathed deeply and sighed. He wasn't sure what Amortentia would smell like to him but he was sure it would smell at least in part like her. It always came back to her. He returned like a planet in its orbit to her. How was such a thing possible? How did he feel at once like a servant and a master? He felt powerful around her. He felt enslaved by her. How could that be? He wanted that explained. But no answers were forthcoming. It was like being blinded and shown the light all at once. He plunged into darkness and it opened terrifying new vistas to him. How was she like a nightmare he tried to forget and like his most distant wistful dreams. She made him see forever. With her he could see the end of time. He could see the beginning and the end all at once. He saw what Grindelwald saw with Dumbledore. Except he was supposed to be her superior. He wasn't. She mastered him.

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-WG