He felt so free when he flew, the world around him disappeared. There were no gawkers up in the sky, no evil professors carving scars into his hand, no Voldemort even. Maybe he should just stay up in the sky above the clouds forever, continue his speedy ascent and never stop. Or maybe just let go, and leave the rest to gravity…

He closed his eyes and slid sideways off his broom, thinking to let go completely but kept one desperate hand clutching on. He continued to rise up higher into the sky, propelled by nothing but momentum. He peaked.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, his body frozen at the apex of flight. All thoughts and worries left him, he was invincible up here, there were no problems in the world, only this moment. He was free, finally.

Then he started to fall, quickly gaining speed as he careened downward. He could feel the wind buffeting him aggressively, his robes trying to pull him away from the ground, but gravity was relentless. He realized that this is what his life was; he was just spiralling out of control. Falling from a great height from the moment his parents were killed.

He wondered for a moment if it will feel just as free coming to a stop at the end of his fall as it did at the beginning. He supposed he had two options; he could keep falling, allow himself to collide hard into the ground and simply cease being, or he could fly and fight on. This flight was quickly becoming far too close a metaphor for Harry's life. He'd been falling for so long, he wondered if he'll ever get the chance to fly, or if he'll hit the ground before that happens.

Almost reluctantly Harry swung himself onto his broom and opened his eyes. Oh, the ground, he thought.

Acting on instinct, Harry slammed a foot down onto the back of his broom and accelerated. His momentum carried him down further.

Too late? The voice in his mind was more curious than frightened by the potential of a messy collision.

As his body was about to slam down into the hard ground he had instead crashed into the shockingly cold wetness of the Great Lake. He'd managed to drift forward enough to get away from the hard land. The water helped slow him down much quicker, and Harry was surprised that the end of his fall turned out to be incredibly similar to the beginning after all, a pause in his momentum where everything stood still. The same. Just more wet.

Maybe drowning is a better metaphor than falling? he thought to himself. Or maybe none of it matters.

He and his broom shot up out of the water suddenly, swerving back to the shore. He landed at one of two twin trees off the side of the lake. Harry found the spot significant as he'd almost just painted the grass there a different colour. Sitting back against the tree he let his grip on the broom loosen. Looking at his hand he realized he must've been gripping his only lifeline quite hard. He stared impassively at the blood returning to his unclenched fist.

I must really want to live after all, he mused.

His attention turned to where he was sitting. He'd seen these trees many times before. They sat on the side of the lake on a small hill, the two birch trees were identical, mirroring each other. The bark held the exact same patterns and the branches fell the same way. They even moved in the heavy wind in perfect harmony.

'That was … intense.'

Harry started slightly. Looking around to the other of the twin trees he saw the owner of the breathless voice. The familiar girl was standing next to the trunk, panting hard, looking at him with light blue eyes. He wasn't sure how he didn't notice her there, she was very … noticeable. She was catching her breath in the breeze coming off the lake, her long blonde hair and green tie whipping around her face. She struck quite the impression, standing there without her robes on, her chest heaving.

'You saw all that?' When Harry spoke he realized he was panting too.

'Yeah,' she replied breathily.

Harry saw her hand open at her side, the grass she was clutching blowing away in the wind. She sat down at the spot she was clearly occupying before, against the other tree.

They both looked back out toward the lake, apparently ignoring each other. Harry was searching his mind for something to say. He'd never been good at talking to girls. Well … some girls.

'I'm Daphne Greengrass,' the girl finally said.

Harry couldn't help but chuckle. 'You know we've had class together for five years, right?'

'Yeah, and we've never spoken a word to each other,' she pointed out. 'So I thought I'd introduce myself.'

She was right. It wasn't a conscious decision on his part, she didn't speak much in class and she was in Slytherin. Gryffindors and Slytherins either just kept out of each other's way or took the Malfoy approach.

'Harry Potter,' he said.

'No way! You're the Harry Potter?'

Her mock surprise elicited another laugh from Harry.

Looking over at her, he wondered if maybe he should have made an attempt at talking to her at some point. She had never joined in on any of Malfoy's Potter bashing. He remembered last year, when many other students were wearing the Potter stinks badges, she had refrained. She just kept to herself and ignored the useless distractions from her studies.

'It's good to finally meet you, Daphne.'

'Likewise, Harry.'

Harry relaxed himself against the tree and looked down at the broom beside him. He found himself glad he hadn't let it go.

'What were you doing anyway?' she asked him.

Harry wasn't sure how to answer that. Contemplating his existence? Trying to find an escape? Barely hanging on to his will to live?

'Practicing Quidditch,' he lied.

'Liar.' Daphne turned her body significantly toward him. 'Looks like you almost didn't get back on your broom.'

Harry deflated at her words, he felt embarrassed. It wasn't as if he went for a morning fly with the intention of never coming back. In the heat of the moment he let all the negativity that surrounded him this year almost overtake him.

'We can talk about it,' she said quietly. 'I would keep it between us.'

He was unsure how he heard her so clearly. The wind was whipping around them quite hard, but her voice rang clear in his ears, even as she muttered under her breath.

'I almost didn't.' Harry was even quieter. He didn't really want her to hear.

'That's really sad.' But somehow she did. 'You would have been missed by a lot of people you know.'

Harry knew. Of course he did. He would often sulk to himself about how difficult his life is, how unlucky he's been, but he's very aware that that's not really the case. Maybe if you put his life side by side with most others it may seem bad, and in comparison it might be, but he had friends he trusted with his life. Companions. It may not be much, they may not be related by blood, but he has a family. Not everyone has those things. Maybe he did need to talk about it, maybe it would help him think things through a little clearer.

'I know,' Harry said throatily. 'A moment of weakness, I guess.'

Then Daphne did something Harry didn't expect. She started to sing.

'Drowning sky … Echoes are falling … Hold tight to hope … Life is still calling … Trees fly free … The echoes will die … Save from the tree … Hear the truth, not the lie.'

It was haunting. Her voice seemed to echo through him, in an almost unnatural way. Touching his face he realized he was crying. He looked to Daphne and he saw her looking back at him, tears in her eyes as well.

'My mother used to sing that song to my sister and me,' she said sadly.

'Used to?' Harry breathed out the words.

'Yes.' Her word answered his unasked question.

'It was,' Harry's breath caught in his throat for a moment as they made eye contact, 'beautiful.'

His last word came out breathy. She was beautiful. Looking at her face he seemed to forget about the rest of his problems, if only for a moment. He felt a sudden urge to move next to her, wrap his arms around her, kiss her. Harry internally shook himself.

'I'm glad we finally met, Harry.'

'Yeah… me too,' he said honestly. 'Really glad.'

Then she smiled, and Harry was hooked. His heart seemed to jump into his throat and he swallowed hard in an attempt to get it back down.

'I'm sorry about your club by the way,' Daphne said.

'It's alright.' Though he was also very sorry about that, the DA was a good outlet. 'It was fun while it lasted.'

'I wouldn't have brought it up but,' Daphne shifted a little uncomfortably now, 'since I didn't get invited, maybe you could give me a few private lessons?'

'I don't know.' He was hesitant. 'I wouldn't want to get you in trouble. Not the most enjoyable detentions.' He held up his hand to show the scars that read, I will not tell lies.

'I'm willing to take the risk if you are,' she said. 'Besides, it might be riskier not to learn, you know?'

'Yeah, I do,' Harry said seriously, it was enough to convince him. 'Want to start right now?'

'Not right away, I should go actually.' She sounded sad. 'But I come here often, you know.'

'You don't mind if I come here again?'

'I hope you will,' she said, smiling.

'Meet you here tomorrow?' His heart skipped a beat at her smile. 'For your first lesson.'

'Yeah, I'd like that,' she said, standing up and starting to walk away. She said something else to him, but it was drowned out by the wind.

Harry was impressed by how well Daphne did when he was teaching her. Starting out she was already quite good at stunning and disarming, at least, in a safe setting where she had the time. Harry worked with her, dueling for a while, giving her pointers here and there. Throughout the next few weeks they met quite a bit, it was easier to coordinate just two people's schedules, especially with Harry being banned from Quidditch. Soon, he was teaching her the Patronus charm.

'Think of something happy,' he said. 'It doesn't have to be anything complicated, just a simple happy moment.'

Daphne seemed to struggle quite a bit with this, and Harry couldn't help but notice how unhappy she looked while attempting it.

'Do you mind telling me your happy thought?' he asked delicately.

'When my sister was sorted into Slytherin with me,' she said, finally smiling. 'It was nice knowing she'd be with me at school.'

Harry considered it for a moment. 'Maybe,' he said thoughtfully. 'What about your mother – when she used to sing you that song?'

Daphne's smile turned sad. 'It's happy in a way,' she said, shaking her head slightly, 'but no. It's also very sad.'

Harry wanted to put a hand on her shoulder or give her a hug, something to comfort her, but for all his apparent courage he held back. Instead he cast his own Patronus. A silver Stag burst free from his wand and stood in front of her.

'What was your happy thought?' she asked.

He blushed, unsure if he wanted to confess that. His Patronus disappeared.

'You don't have to te –'

'Your smile.' His voice was a little hoarse, he cleared his throat. 'The day we officially met ... at the trees.'

It was her turn to blush now. She looked at him a little stunned; her mouth shut tight, breath caught in her throat. Even still, she was beautiful, Harry was continuously caught off guard by it. Her eyes were such a clear light blue; they looked like the water of the great lake when it reflected the sun just right. When she finally remembered to exhale her breath pushed her lips out, they were a pretty pale pink. Perfect.

Harry didn't think, just followed his instincts. Her lips met his part way and they were silent for a long time while they kissed. When they pulled away, Daphne just stared at him, like she was deciding on something. Then she suddenly turned away and for a horrifying moment Harry was worried he'd made a huge mistake. Then:

'Expecto Patronum!'

A blast of silvery light shot forth, blinding Harry momentarily. As his eyes settled; he saw a glowing silver doe walking towards him.

'Ready for OWLs?' she asked him one afternoon.

'I guess so, I never really feel all that ready for tests.'

'I know what you mean; I'm not always the most studious of students.'

'We could study together if you like.'

Daphne looked at Harry from her tree, smiling at him knowingly. Even though they were apart, it felt as if she were sitting with him, there was a connection of some sort when they sat like this at the trees.

'I doubt it's studying you'd be after,' Daphne teased.

Harry grinned but said nothing; they both knew what he'd be after. He had a feeling Daphne would be after the same thing.

'Besides,' she said wistfully, 'we'd have to find a new place to study.'

'Not here?' He thought he knew why.

'No,' Daphne reached her hand out towards Harry. 'This is a special place, not a place to be marred by textbooks and studying.'

Harry silently agreed. When he reached his hand out to hers they could barely touch fingertips. They held the touch for a moment then let their hands drop.

They had an unusual relationship. When they were here, they were themselves with each other. They felt a closeness here that they both loved and were tempted by, but other than that first kiss, it had only been the occasional hand hold and a bit of teasing. Harry got the impression that she wanted to be with him, but either couldn't or was holding back. He never asked why, not wanting to pry past her comfort zone. That was one of the things he liked so much about Daphne, and being here with her. She never asked questions about any of the insane happenings in his life. She just wanted to know him, not about the Boy Who Lived, just Harry.

It was different in school; Harry had tried to approach her once but she just smiled sadly at him and shook her head. Was it because they were in different houses? Was she ashamed of their relationship? Was it something more than that? He didn't know and he wanted to desperately, but he also never asked the question. It didn't feel like he should. Even if it was strange, he loved what they had.

It'd been some time since he came to sit against his tree. For some reason he was afraid of facing her how he was, sad and broken. He's watched her sitting though, as she always did, also looking sad, alone. When he finally found the courage the last day before they'd leave for the summer she smiled without looking at him. It was the first smile he's seen from her since the last time he sat at his tree. He found himself smiling too. Neither of them spoke a word but he knew as soon as he sat he was being stupid for not coming sooner. The sadness was still there, but she was there too. There was no judgement for his lack of appearance, just an understanding silence and an outstretched hand that didn't quite reach his.

'Thanks,' he said quietly enough that there should have been no way she heard it. But she did. Just like he knew she would.

The summer went by and they picked up right where they left off. Much of their free time was spent together at the twin trees. Occasionally other students would pass by, often couples looking for a private place. There was one time when Dean Thomas and Ginny Weasley stumbled up to their spot, snogging. When they saw Daphne Greengrass they sniggered.

'You don't mind if we steal your spot for a bit do you?' Ginny asked through a laugh. 'Since you're here alone and all.'

'Yes, we do mind actually,'

Ginny and Dean whipped around to see a very annoyed Harry Potter. Ginny's face went ashen as she looked from Harry to Daphne and back again. Dean just apologized, embarrassed and dragged Ginny away.

'She likes you, you know,' Daphne told him later.

'Not interested,' Harry said. 'Not my type.'

'Oh?' Daphne's voice took on a teasing tone. 'What's your type?'

Harry was thoughtful for a moment. 'Pure-blood blondes,' he said, deadpan.

Daphne burst out laughing.

Rumors about a secret love affair between Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass sprouted up around the school. No one seemed to take it very seriously though, most people just chopped it up to a false rumor. Lavender Brown had cornered him in the common room once to get to the heart of the matter.

'I love her with my entire being, she is the reason I draw breath each morn and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. One day, I will marry her and we will live in a castle in the clouds and grow pomegranates in our garden,' he was sure to throw in a healthy amount of eyerolls and a yawn part way through.

Needless to say, the rumors died out. When he told Daphne what had happened she chuckled and told him something similar had occurred with her and Pansy Parkinson.

'What did you tell her?'

'Same as you,' she said, 'only instead of a pomegranate garden we raised Hungarian Horntails.'

Even though they joked, for Harry at least what he said was true. Well, most of it was. She was a driving force in his life, he thought of her constantly, and if he was being honest with himself … he loved her. Very much did he love her.

He worried about her too, there were many times when he would be walking to the trees and see her sad face, close to tears. She would always light up once she saw him though, and it wasn't a mask. Every muscle in her body would lift, her smile was for him. Harry knew not to ask her for any details, but he did try probing a little.

'Are you happy, Daphne?'

'Right now? At this moment?'

'Sure,' he said, smiling, allowing her to deflect.

'Yes.' Her smile in that moment was radiant.

'I am too,' Harry admitted easily. 'So happy that I want to make it last beyond this moment.'

Neither one of them said anything for a long time. Suddenly Daphne stood and crossed the threshold between the two trees, lowering herself into Harry's lap. Harry's arms wrapped around her automatically, smelling her hair, it smelled of her flowery shampoo and birch bark.

'I want to keep you forever.' Her voice was low and trembling, Harry didn't notice when she started crying, but she had.

'Then keep me!' Harry said, his voice thick with emotion. 'I want to keep you too.'

'But I'm not yours.' She was sobbing fully now. 'I'm supposed to marry a man far too old for me, who has plenty of money.' Her voice was bitter, full of resentment. 'And on top of that he's probably a bloody Death Eater.'

Harry's eyes were deadly as he listened to her speak. He would not lose this girl to someone like that. An image flashed in his mind of a man in a silver mask, holding Daphne. At some point Harry's wand entered his hand.

'The Greengrass' are a noble pure-blood house,' she continued, rage taking over her sadness. 'We must show our support for the Dark Lord or we will be destroyed. My father's words.'

Harry took a steadying breath, in an attempt to keep his own rage from his voice. 'When?' It hadn't worked, the word came out dripping with anger.

'Once I graduate,' she said, resting her head sadly onto his shoulder and squeezing the hand that took hers.

'And if Voldemort is destroyed before then?'

She didn't tremble at the name. Harry felt himself swell with pride at her resilience.

Daphne spun around in his lap and looked him in the eye. 'But … how?' She looked at him full of hope, but more than that, she was afraid. Afraid for him.

Harry didn't answer; he didn't have an answer at the moment, but he had a new driving force behind his fate of being the only one who could destroy Voldemort. He would not fail, for her, he could not.

Suddenly she was kissing him, and he returned it with all the desire and love that's been building up inside him. After a long lasting kiss, Daphne curled up onto his lap, burying her face into his chest. The dots connected for him quickly; why they had to keep everything so private, why she seemed so unhappy when they weren't together.

They couldn't become public with their relationship. There were children of Death Eaters and a Death Eater himself at the school. It would be found out, and if her betrothed found out that his future wife was in the arms of Harry Potter of all people, the Greengrass family would pay. She had to protect them, herself, her sister, her father; none of them would come out of that unscathed. He would save her, he had to, and if he was successful, they were free to make whatever choices they wanted for the rest of their lives.

'Do you want to know my happy thought?' she asked him suddenly.

'What?' he asked in confusion.

'The one I use for my Patronus,' she explained, pulling out her wand.

'I thought it was the kiss.'

'Sort of.' She raised her wand in the air. 'Expecto Patronum.'

Her silver doe flew out and began moving across the lake. It made quite the pretty effect. The sun was setting, and the combined amber and silver light glowed beautifully off the water.

'After you kissed me,' she said. 'It was the thought that you might save me. That I could be with you instead.'

'I will save you Daphne,' he said vehemently. 'I promise.'

'I don't want you off risking your life fighting some overpowered madman just because of me, Harry.'

'It's not just because of you.' Though Harry knew he would do it even if it was. 'To be honest it doesn't change what my plans were anyway, it's just one more reason I need to do it.'

They stayed together until well past curfew. For the first time, they walked back to the castle together, though they were under the Invisibility Cloak and checking the Marauders Map. Harry was used to sneaking through the castle at night, but Daphne seemed more nervous, she clung closer to him than was perhaps necessary. Not that Harry didn't enjoy it immensely.

'It's a real shame that we have to stand so close while under this cloak,' Daphne pointed out, leaning further into Harry.

'Yes, I apologize for that,' he commented seriously, maybe she wasn't as nervous as he thought. 'I know it must be very difficult for you to contain your desires when we're squeezed together like this.'

Harry had to cover Daphne's giggling mouth as they were passing near Filch.

When he finally released her mouth he replaced his hand with his lips. It took them far longer to get down to the dungeons than it should have.

Things were going too well for Harry it seemed. The next day everything spiralled completely out of control, culminating in the death of Albus Dumbledore.

After the funeral, Harry sat at his tree and looked down at the white marble tomb, it was within sight of the twin trees and he could see people still coming up to pay their respects. Glancing along the lake he saw traces of the merfolk from where they just sang their song. Across the lake, the forbidden forest was quiet, showing no sign of the centaurs' presence, but Harry was sure there would be more still watching. The castle was similarly silent, he had already realized what Dumbledore's death meant for his own immediate future; it was with a heavy heart that he watched the school.

Speaking of his heart, its owner plopped down into his lap and hugged him fiercely. Harry returned the hug, just holding her for a moment. It was another one of those moments that Harry wished wouldn't have to end. Of course it did though, it had to. Harry stood up with her.

'I won't be coming back for seventh year, Daphne,' he said sadly.

'I know.' Her cheek rested against Harry's chest, savoring him while she could. 'I figured you couldn't, it'd be too dangerous without Dumbledore here.'

'It's not just that.' Harry tilted her head to look at him. 'I have some things to do, Daphne. And I intend to keep my promise.'

Daphne gave him a firm nod, tears beginning to fall. 'I believe in you, Harry,' she said, her voice was certain. 'I don't know if you'll let me but … but I want to help you. I want to help you fight.'

Harry watched her face, weighing what he wanted to say to her. Should he ask her to come with him? It would be putting her in danger, he wouldn't want to do that, but looking at her face he knew that she wouldn't hesitate for him. There was more though, what about her family? Would Astoria and her father be in trouble if she left? Yes. Almost certainly. The rumours around the two of them this year would be enough to draw the correct conclusion. If they both disappeared at the same time, her family could become targets.

'I don't think I can bring you with me,' he began. 'It would be too dangerous –'

'You're putting yourself in danger! What if you need me to save your life?'

Harry nodded at her conviction. 'If you were alone I would bring you with me without a second thought. But your family … it's too suspicious.'

Daphne hit his chest gently in frustration, she knew he was right.

'There will be a time for you to fight, Daphne.'

Harry and Daphne looked around in surprise to see Hermione standing there.

'There will have to be, you'll get your chance,' Hermione was looking at her watch. 'I'm sorry you two, but the train will be leaving soon.'

With that, she walked away back toward Ron, who was standing a few paces away from Tracey Davis and Astoria Greengrass.

Daphne nodded in Hermione's direction and made to leave, but Harry took her arm and pulled her to him, kissing her. After a long moment he pulled away and looked her in the eye.

'I love you, Daphne.'

She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes tearing up again. Quickly recovering, she pulled him back into another kiss.

'I love you too, Harry,' she half sobbed, half laughed.

Wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly he looked over to Hermione who was tapping her watch.

'I love you so, so much, Harry.' Daphne didn't want to let go, and neither did Harry. 'I can't wait till this doesn't have to be a secret.'

'Me too, Daphne.' He gave her one last kiss goodbye. 'You go on ahead, I'll be right behind you.'

Daphne nodded and ran down to Tracey and her sister and they hurried off toward the train.

Harry took the letter out of his pocket that he'd written earlier; he placed it on Daphne's tree and put a concealment charm on it. He looked out at the view he'd been watching with her since last year. He desperately hoped he would be back here one day again, with the woman he loved.

Harry walked through the passage from the Hogshead going apparently to Hogwarts. The last time he was here would have been the last time he saw Daphne, it had been almost a year now. She was probably sleeping in her dorm about this time, maybe still up and getting some studying done. He made a mental note to check on the Marauders Map when he got the chance.

Neville opened up the door at the end of the passage, they stepped through and were greeted by a surprise. Harry was suddenly surrounded by people grabbing and hugging him; most he knew but there were many whose faces he recognized but couldn't put a name to. Finally Neville cleared the crowd, telling them to let him breathe. Harry looked around at the happy surprise of all the people there, then his eyes landed on blonde hair and light blue eyes.

He pushed a few people aside to get to her but stopped short. 'Astoria?' His disappointment was obvious in his voice.

'Turn around, Harry,' Astoria said, laughing.

As he spun, he was suddenly engulfed in a tight hug, he could only see the top of a blonde head from the face that was buried in his chest. The smell of a familiar flowery shampoo and birch bark greeted his nose and he wrapped his arms around her in response. When she pulled away, she was beaming at him, her smile sending his head spinning once more.

'Daphne – you're … how?' he struggled his way through each word, he was stunned.

Recovering, Harry took her face in his hands and pulled her into a long overdue kiss. The crowd around them whooped and cheered but Harry barely heard them. His mind was swimming, people were watching, people weren't allowed to be watching though, also he didn't care, and he imagined she didn't either.

'She's been brilliant, Harry,' Neville spoke up as they finally released each other. 'She's been our inside eyes and ears, Carrow's had no idea how we were avoiding 'em so easily. She was pretending to be on their side, told us everything they planned. Well, she did for a while, until they got wise to it. She had to come into the Room of Requirement to hide for a while.'

Harry was listening to Neville but his eyes never left Daphne's face. 'So I guess we're going public are we?' Harry asked, smiling.

'I'm tired of hiding!' Her smile was as radiant as ever. 'I love you, Harry.'

'I love you too.'

The ooohs that followed their next kiss were cut off by Hermione. 'As much as this is lovely and all,' her tone was softened by her smile, 'we have a job to do, Harry!'

'Right,' Harry said though he didn't quite let go of Daphne, but his voice changed, he was taking charge. 'Are there any Ravenclaws here?'

Later, in the Great Hall, Harry was scanning for Ron and Hermione who had disappeared, they were nowhere on the Marauders Map. Then Voldemort's voice echoed throughout the hall. Harry immediately ran to the back of the hall to look out a window, he could see stirring out in the darkness. His forces were gathering.

'Bring me Harry Potter,' Voldemort's high cold voice intoned, 'and none of you need to die. Bring me Harry Potter.'

'But that's him right there! Someone grab him!'

It was Pansy Parkinson standing and pointing at him. Suddenly a streak of blonde hair was moving toward her, and then Pansy was on the ground. Daphne's punch echoed throughout the silent hall, flesh striking flesh followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor.

Many Slytherins stood and went for wands to aim at Daphne, but the other three houses moved as one. Holding wands outstretched toward the Slytherin table. Harry's own wand was out as well, as he moved to Daphne's side.

'My fellow Slytherins!' Daphne's voice rang throughout the hall, she was shaking slightly, but her voice was strong. 'It's time for us to pick a side! I for one don't want to live in a world where I live in fear of disappointing the whims of an evil Dark Lord! I for one stand with what's right! Any who agree with me, and I know you are here, I've heard your whispers and I know your thoughts mirror my own, stand with us and fight! We can defeat Voldemort today and be done with this madness! I stand with Harry Potter – help us fight!'

The Great Hall shared a shudder at the sound of Voldemort's name. The silence was followed by Tracey Davis coming to stand beside her friend, then Astoria Greengrass. Then there were more, a couple dozen students, though most were too young, but it meant something more than just additional fighters, it was a morale boost for everyone, especially for Harry. The Slytherins who came over went to go stand among the other houses, away from the Slytherin table.

'Well said, Miss Greengrass.' Professor McGonagall walked up to take charge. 'ALL underage students, and any who do not wish to participate, follow your heads of houses, an evacuation plan is already in place.'

The sound of footsteps broke out then Harry saw Nearly Headless Nick and a thought occurred to him.

'Nick! Wait!'

Harry left Daphne's side reluctantly, but with renewed energy, and chased after the Gryffindor ghost.

Harry stood in the Headmaster's office, shaking. He had to die. If he was going to keep his promise, he had to die.

But that wasn't part of the promise!

But you must.

I need to be there to kill him.

You must.

I need to be there for her once this is all over!

None of it matters, you must.

Harry took a piece of parchment and quill on the desk and wrote. It was all he could do to say goodbye.

Voldemort fell to the ground after his curse rebounded and Harry caught the elder wand. He stood staring down at the corpse of Tom Riddle, it was done. Vaguely, he heard cries of excitement and celebration all around him, immediately his thoughts went to an odd place. He needed to send a letter. He made to leave the Great Hall but found he was already surrounded by people, hugging him, pounding him on the back and screaming in celebration.

That's right, he reminded himself, there's no need to hurry. There's time now for everything.

He had been rushing around so much to accomplish his goal, it was finally done. He could rest.

Smiling, he embraced the people around him. Daphne was there, kissing him, and then she had moved aside for others. Ron and Hermione hugged him desperately.

That's right, he forgot, everyone believed he had been dead. He'd have to apologize later.

Finally, he had been able to get through the crowd. He pulled Ron and Hermione aside and told them to follow him, there was still some work to be done.

Harry looked down at the twin trees from the sky; Daphne was sitting in her spot reading his letter. Harry took a moment to admire her; he couldn't have done this without her. She may not have been by his side the whole way, but she was always in his heart. He may have saved her as he promised, but he wouldn't have been able to do anything without her.

Harry knew what he wrote by heart.

Dear Daphne Greengrass,

If you are reading this, I am dead.

Know that it was not a decision I made lightly, in fact it was a decision that was made for me the night my parents were killed. I'm not good with goodbyes, all I can think about is our hello. That day when you told me your name and I told you mine. The day I met you. At the place where you found this letter.

You saved my life that day. You may not have realized it but I've never stopped thinking about it. I may have pulled up at the last second, but I would have kept falling if it weren't for you. I've been falling my entire life until the day I met you. You helped me to stop falling, you let me fly. Then you made me fall in love with you.

I want to say more, I have so much to say, but I can't, I have a few more things to do before the end.

I love you, Daphne. Through life and beyond death, I will always love you.

Yours,

Always,

Harry James Potter

Of course, there was the other piece of parchment as well.

The last will and testament of Harry James Potter.

If I had more time to sort out my affairs this may be split more evenly. To Hermione and Ron and the entire Weasley family, I owe you so much but I must ask for your forgiveness. I have little time left. I leave to you the entirety of the Black vault at Gringotts, as well as all my non-monetary possessions, meager they may be, leave for my Invisibility Cloak.

To Daphne, Astoria and Victor Greengrass, I leave the entire Potter fortune to be split among the family. Daphne Greengrass is the one I place in charge of how to split the fortune. That said she is to receive the lion's share. There is a condition, however, for this money to be bequeathed. All marriage contracts, in respect to Daphne Greengrass, must be annulled. She is to be given the freedom that she should have already had, to choose whom she wishes to marry.

Also to Daphne Greengrass, I give my Invisibility Cloak, for your own protection, and to be passed on to your children.

Signed,

Harry James Potter

He felt somewhat foolish now as he lowered himself on his broom to touch down on the ground. Sitting against his tree he let out a long sigh of relief. Finally he could rest.

'That was intense,' Daphne said, gesturing to the parchments, a smile threatening to split her face. She just watched him for a moment then held out her hand. 'I'm Daphne Greengrass.'

'Harry Potter,' Harry said, smiling and shaking her hand.

'I knew someone named Harry Potter once. But according to this letter, he is dead.'

'Well it's a very common name; there must be loads of them.'

The happy smile she gave him alone would have made everything worth it.

'No. There was definitely only one.' Her voice softened, and Harry heard it as if it was going directly into his mind. 'He was the kindest, most honest, bravest and best man I'd ever known.'

'He sounds alright,' Harry said flippantly. 'Will you marry him?'

The sound of Harry's voice seemed to echo back and forth between the two trees, Daphne dropped the letters from her hand and watched him in disbelief.

'Will I … what?'

'Daphne Greengrass,' his voice echoed louder between the trees, Daphne closed her eyes as the sound washed over her, 'I love you. Will you marry me?'

'Yes!' Harry was on the ground in seconds, being kissed quite improperly, 'I'm yours! I'll run away from my home if I have to! I love you so much!'

'There'll be no running away,' Harry said, laughing and struggling to speak through her ministrations. 'I've already sent an owl to your father, I'll double whatever dowry your previous contract has and I've told him that regardless of his answer, I will marry you. Provided that you say yes, of course.'

'Yes! I say yes!'

They sat at their twin trees side by side, Harry thought it curious that they could hold each other's hands easily now when before they could barely touch. He voiced his curiosity to Daphne.

'These trees are special,' she said. 'There's a connection, I think they must be closer depending on who's sitting here.'

Harry had already suspected that something was magical about the trees. He certainly felt connected with Daphne when they sat here.

'The echo …' he began.

'You can't lie here,' Daphne said quietly, once again Harry heard her voice clearly. 'Truth echoes true, a lie echoes the truth… I don't love you.'

Harry heard her words from her mouth but in his mind he heard a much louder, "I do love you".

'Have I ever lied to you here?' Harry asked, thinking back.

'Once,' she said. 'You told me you were practicing Quidditch.'

'Right.' He could recall their first meeting clearly. 'And what was the truth?'

His voice was almost silent when he spoke, but he knew she heard him.

'It doesn't matter … because that's not the truth anymore.'

Harry wrapped his arm around her; it seemed the trees had gotten closer again.

'Have you ever lied to me here?' Harry asked thoughtfully.

Harry watched Daphne try to fight back the grin on her lips, her eyes were twinkling mischievously.

'Not while sitting at both trees, no,' she finally said, the grin winning the battle on her face.

'What do you mean?' Harry asked curiously.

'Well,' Daphne said with false innocents, 'I expect my father might be slightly confused when he receives your letter is all.'

Harry looked at her blankly, playing back certain events in his mind. Then it dawned on him, and he roared with laughter. She was a Slytherin after all.

The End

AN: This was literally the first fanfic I ever wrote. I never really intended to upload it, but after re-reading it and making note of its many flaws, I found I still enjoyed it. Hopefully you could find some enjoyment in it too.