"Why?" Tracy Davis, Daphne's friend? Hanger-on? demanded, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at the quartet as they walked over. The other person was a younger girl who looked almost identical to Daphne. Her sister, Harry guessed.
"We wanted to ask some questions," Harry explained. "Nothing bad. We're not here to start any fight."
"If it makes you leave us in peace quicker, fine," Daphne sighed, standing up. She led Harry into the shelves, away from her friend and sister, although the latter had stood up and followed along.
"Astoria, can you give us some privacy?" Daphne requested when she noticed they had a tagalong. Her sister didn't respond and just continued to stare at Harry.
"You shouldn't be here," Astoria said softly, looking at Harry with unfocused eyes. He frowned at that, but before he could ask her what she meant, she turned and ran off.
"I'm sorry about that," Daphne muttered, a pink tinge on her cheeks. "Astoria is rather shy, and rather protective of me. Even though I often think it should be the other way around."
"Right," Harry said, nodding like he understood what she was talking about.
"What did you want to ask me?" Daphne inquired, switching topics.
"Do have any idea about who might be the one behind the petrifications of last year?" Harry asked, and she frowned.
"Why are you looking into this?" she said, answering my question with another question.
"Because I'm curious," Harry replied. "And I'm worried."
"Well, it's not Malfoy," she informed him with a scoff. "No matter how he might crow about hoping for the attacks to continue."
"I figured as much," Harry admitted. "Draco isn't exactly… subtle."
"No he is not," Daphne agreed with a laugh. She then turned serious. "I can't think of any others who might know anything. Most of the upper years aren't very powerful or influential. If they were the heir, they'd be trying to make alliances or bargains with the other students to solidify their positions. And so far, I've noticed nothing out of the ordinary regarding that sort of thing. Just the usual politicking."
"Sounds very cutthroat," the Boy-Who-Lived muttered.
"Is that not how it works in Gryffindor?" Daphne asked.
"No, I don't think anyone in my house has the patience for that kind of stuff," Harry snorted, before shrugging. "Alright, thank you for your help. Let me know if you do hear anything. Oh, and keep an ear out for people who are hissing."
"Hissing?" Daphne uttered. "What like you? You think the heir is a Parseltongue as well?"
"They'd have to be, in order to control the Basilisk," Harry replied, causing Daphne to splutter in disbelief.
"WHAT?!" she shrieked, before clamping a hand over her mouth. Madam Pince didn't materialize from the shadows to shush them, so Daphne eventually just glared at Harry.
"What?" she asked, quieter this time.
"I figured out that Slytherin's Monster is likely a Basilisk," Harry explained. "Normally their gaze is instantly lethal, but reflections, like from the puddle of water in the corridor or the lens of Collin's camera, prevented them from dying, petrifying them instead. Plus, the recent death of all the roosters, and I think you can see where I'm coming from."
"That's… no, but…" Daphne uttered in disbelief, before shaking her head. "Your theory is wild."
"Maybe. But I'm pretty sure I'm right. And, I mean, what else would Salazar Slytherin use as a monster to protect the school?"
Daphne hissed something in annoyance, but nodded. "Fine, you may have a point," she admitted. "I will keep an eye and ear out for anything… odd."
"Great! And just so you know, I don't want to be enemies with everyone in Slytherin," Harry said, assuring her. "Just the morons like Draco. I prefer to have a live and let live policy."
"I see," Daphne said slowly. "You know, my father wanted me to get close to you this year."
"He did?" Harry blinked.
"Yes. He was even more insistent of it when we came home for Christmas." She then stuck out a hand. "Fine. We can be acquaintances for now."
"It's a start," Harry chuckled, shaking her hand. The two then made their way back to their friends.
The rest of the day was normal, and the rest of the week also proceeded without incident. But there was a nagging feeling Harry just couldn't shake at all. So, when he was woken up unceremonious on the first of March, his gut was telling him something was very wrong.
"Wake up! Harry! Wake up!"
"Huh? Whuh?" Harry exclaimed, sitting up in bed in a daze. He fished for his glasses, and when he found and put them on, he saw Hermione, along with the other Gryffindor girls, shaking Dean, Seamus, Neville, and Ron awake.
"What's going on?" Ron demanded with a groan.
"Somebody else was petrified!" Hermione said nervously.
"What? Who?" Neville asked, now much more awake.
Hermione bit her lip. "Ron… it was Percy."
"WHAT?!" Ron exclaimed, shooting up in bed in disbelief.
"Him and Penelope Clearwater," Lavender added. "They were on patrol with the other prefects last night, and were both together when it happened."
"Are they alright?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Yes, they are fine. They were found this morning by Filch, and Madam Pomfry is going to be administering the Mandrake Draught very soon," Sally-Anne assured them. Harry and Ron both sagged in relief.
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