The Good Slytherin

Chapter Twenty-Four: Daphne

Daphne waited till the following morning before letting Marion and Tristan in on the events outside the Room of Requirement. It took a few attempts at the story before they even believed what had happened. Meanwhile she relished in recounting every last detail.

"You what?"

"You're joking!"

"Is that why I hear Pansy Parkinson was in the hospital wing?"

They clamored onto every word as she and Mark excitedly told their story on the way to breakfast. Unfortunately their exploits were greatly overshadowed by the news that Dumbledore had fled Hogwarts after Aurors had tried to arrest him the night before. Daphne found herself dumbstruck as she came upon the notice bearing the Ministry seal and the words naming Umbridge as the new headmaster. Tristan merely ripped the notice from the dungeon wall and flung it casually to the ground. She couldn't help wonder if the events outside the Room of Requirement were connected and it wasn't long before she discovered that they were. Though there were multiple iterations, all of the stories ended with Dumbledore fighting his way through two Aurors, the Minister of Magic, and a very irate Umbridge.

Later as she scooped dragon dung in Herbology, Mark whispered, "Look at them, the smug bastards. Blondie and the lot of them."

Daphne only had to look beyond a small group of Ravenclaws to see Malfoy and his mates looked particularly chuffed. It made her sick to think that with Dumbledore gone, things would surely get out of hand. She had to only remind herself that Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode were still in the hospital wing--it was all she could do to prevent herself from flinging fertilizer at Malfoy's laughing face.

* * *

Sometime shortly after Easter, Daphne's professors began to warn them not only about the upcoming O.W.L. exams, but Career Advice too. In a couple years, they would be released from Hogwarts to become productive members of wizarding society. Easy enough. But Daphne was still coming to terms with the fact that she wasn't going to work for her family after all and time was running out to come up with an alternative plan.

Soon, career pamphlets appeared in the Slytherin common room and by the time Daphne and Mark got to them, most were rumpled as if they had been mauled by a succession of students. A stack of folded parchment listing the exciting opportunities at Gringotts inched precariously close to the edge. Despite the mess, two small stacks of brochures remained conspicuously untouched. The first was for Muggle Relations, but it was the second pamphlet that couldn't take her eyes off.

"Magical landscape design?" Mark snorted from next to her as he grabbed at a small sheet of parchment from the other end of the table. "I've always wanted to be a gay cliché."

Daphne said nothing. Her attention quickly went back to the neat stack of brochures bearing te Ministry seal.

"What are you looking at?" Mark asked, angling closer.

Seemingly out of place for Slytherin, the pamphlet looked as though it had been placed as a joke. But the moment Daphne saw it, she knew she wanted it; she knew what it would cost her and she didn't care.

"Magical law enforcement? Who in Slytherin would want to become an Auror? Maybe Death Eater recruitment," Mark said with a snort as he gazed at the parchment in her hands. "I'll be sure to leave this on Blondie's bed as a reminder to watch his Ps and Qs."

Daphne felt her heart begin to beat fiercely.

"Wait. You cannot be serious? You're having a laugh, aren't you?"

"No, Mark. I assure you that I am completely serious."

From the corner of her eye, she knew Draco Malfoy sat only a few yards, still blissful from having helped drive Dumbledore from Hogwarts. And somewhere in this vast castle, Harry Potter was living out his life and silently preparing himself for the battle to come. One day all their paths would cross, and if Potter was destined to fight Voldemort, she wanted to help--even if it meant foiling Malfoy's every move. She even realized that this too would put her at odds with her father, who quite possibly was a Death Eater or well on his way.

Yes, that is what she will do.

Mark whipped her around and was now looking at her straight in the eye. "Normally I would make some flippant remark about how you should throw caution to the wind and try to think outside of what your family wants you to do--"

"And that's not what you are doing now?"

His expression hardened. "No, because your family will toss you out onto the street if they find out you want to become an Auror." As soon as he said this, Mark cautiously scanned the common room to make sure no one was within earshot. "Don't let rescuing Zacharias Smith and those other Hufflepuffs give you some romantic notion about fighting evil."

"Listen to yourself, Mark," she whispered. "Wasn't it you who told me not but a couple months ago that you witnessed Blondie practicing his Imperious Curse? How can you stand there and tell me not to do anything? You think I am going to let Malfoy or that wretched father of his manipulate another family member of mine? And don't forget that you were at my house and you heard what my father is doing for the Dark Lord!"

That seemed to shut Mark up and Daphne felt a little surge of triumph. Theodore Nott came by the table to peruse the pamphlets and Mark used this as an excuse to steer her away. "But like this? As an Auror? Slytherins don't become Aurors."

"Says who, Mark? That's like saying I can't do something because I am a girl. It's daft and you know it. Why are you so opposed to the idea?"

He thought about it for a moment before whispering, "I want to go after Malfoy as much as you do, but I don't want to see you lose everything as a result."

"I won't tell my parents until after Hogwarts."

"And what then? You'll be on your own after that."

Daphne shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and she wished he would trust her that it would all work out. "Yeah, I suppose I will. But it doesn't matter. If I keep quiet for the rest of my life, then I am no different than my mother and I can tell you right now that I will not be like her."

He looked as though he was torn between congratulating her and lecturing more on the cons of becoming an Auror. Thankfully he decided to on the former. He smiled and then hugged her very tightly. "I'm your best friend and you know I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I know," she said, voice muffled from burying her head into his chest.

"You can spend exile with me in France."

She grinned. "So what are you going to do after Hogwarts?"

Mark let go of her and held up a sheaf of parchment that read in big bold letters, "Love Herbology? Have that natural artistic touch? Why not consider Magical Landscape Design!"

"Mark, you hate Herbology."

"I'm trying to broaden my horizons."

"Be serious."

He grinned devilishly. "Well, I very well can't work for your family now that we know they are Dark Lord supporters. And I especially don't want to be around when they find out that you've decided to make this whole blood traitor thing a career. That and there are not a lot of options for artistic types like me."

She knew he wasn't being serious, but she decided to humor him for just once.

"Hey, Daphne. Wait up!"

She was amazed that she even heard Nathan Price with all the commotion, especially since her mind was swimming with plans to become an Auror. Ahead, the flow of students formed a gridlock as they gawked at the explosion of fireworks. It was hard to hear much of anything with the crackle of sparks and the excited murmurs. Nonetheless, she swung around to see Nathan quickening to meet her. It was impossible not to feel giddy.

BANG.

The fireworks had morphed into some sort of Catherine Wheel and Nathan clearly was as awestruck as the rest of the students. "Blimey, what's all this?"

"Fred and George Weasley's latest prank," Daphne responded, trying to sound cool and in the know. He smiled. Maybe it was working. She tried not to blush.

"Things have gone mental with Dumbledore gone," he added.

"You don't say." A first year ran by screaming like a loon.

"Where are you heading?"

"I've got--"

WOOSH.

The sea of students parted as a shot of silver barreled towards her. Dropping her books, Daphne dove out of the way just as a rocket whizzed by with a trail of sparks. She cursed her clumsiness and pushed her hair behind her ears, bending down to pick up her things. Nathan was already helpfully gathering the books for her, but as he did, there was an eruption of savage sounding giggles from nearby. Half expecting Pansy Parkinson, she turned to see a couple of Ravenclaw girls instead. One was conspicuously pointing at Daphne while the other stared on in loathing.

Her stomach sank.

It was Nathan's former girlfriend and she whispered something nasty to her friend. Quite unsure what to do, Daphne stood there waiting for Nathan to say something. The Ravenclaws, however, giggled again and made for the opposite direction.

"Well, that was awkward."

Nathan looked apologetic. "Look, Daphne--"

"No, Nathan. You don't have to say anything." She suddenly felt bad, remembering what Tristan said back in the Three Broomsticks--that Nathan and his girlfriend had broken up because he had been spending too much time with Slytherins. She knew what it felt like to be ostracized and she cared enough for Nathan to not want him to go through the same on her account. She reached for the remainder of her things still in his arms. "I have to get to class."

"Hang on."

She was trying to push her way through the crowd, but it was proving near impossible with all the fireworks. Nathan easily caught up with her, looking confused from her brusque departure.

"Don't you get it?" she asked, perhaps a little more shrilly than she would have liked. "You hang around me, Nathan, and you can expect more nasty comments and not just from your former girlfriend. I can tell you it is bad enough being in Slytherin in the first place."

The corridor lit up with flashes of pink light and all around them the crowd oooed and ahhed. There was something about him that looked calm and collected in spite of the chaos, as if he had already thought of this dilemma long ago. "Daphne, if I cared what daft housemates of mine thought, I wouldn't be standing here."

She stood there kind of dumbfounded and for a brief moment the clamor of the hallway melted away, the voices fading, and all she was aware of was Nathan standing before her. Huh? Was he admitting that he liked her in a very opaque way? Her stomach did a couple of back flips and she tried to think of a response. Unfortunately she had none.

When Nathan smiled again despite her silence, she knew for sure she had to be blushing. She fiddled with the books in her arms to try and divert attention. Now that the crowd around them was starting to thin, she realized that she definitely needed to get to class.

"Look . . . er . . . I've got to get to Charms." She began to make a move, but Nathan was following her.

"Can I walk you to class?" he asked.

Daphne grinned. "Of course."

Later that week, Professor Snape picked up a folder from his desk and took out a sheaf of parchment. Daphne watched him curiously as his eyes scanned over its contents, which looked suspiciously like part of her academic file. After a tense silence, she distracted herself by studying the contents of his dank office, from the glass jars that lined shelves to the stacks of spell books. It had been a while since she was last there--not since Filch hauled her down to see Snape after Mark's birthday party in the Astronomy Tower went awry. Mark's own career advice was earlier that day and she had yet to get the chance to ask him how it went. Just as her mind was dreamily drifting towards Nathan Price, Snape finally spoke.

"Miss Gordon," he began as he set down the parchment, sounding curt and business like. "The purpose of Career Advice is to assess what classes you need to prepare you for life outside of Hogwarts. The next two years of your schooling are quite vital."

Daphne shifted nervously in her chair and pushed a stray lock of hair behind an ear. Though she was more determined than ever to continue with her plan to become an Auror, she had repeatedly wondered if it was prudent to reveal this at present--even to her professor. She could just as easily say that she was going to work for her family, but she wanted to make sure she was on the right path school wise and this meant being upfront with Snape.

He gave her a penetrating look and continued. "You are one of my top students and I hope you consider continuing with Potions even though you will only need one N.E.W.T in Wizarding Art to work for Gordon & Hollings."

"I don't want to work for my family," she blurted out.

His eyebrow arched and for a brief moment it looked as though he wasn't surprised by her confession. "I see. Then what are you considering?"

"I want to be an Auror."

Snape's black eyes narrowed on her and it felt like every fiber in her was under scrutiny. There was another tense pause before he reached for a small leaflet that was buried under a stack on his desk. "Quite an ambitious plan, Miss Gordon. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement only takes the best. Those only with the top marks and talents make it as Aurors. Then there is an additional three years of training."

She nodded her head.

"I will stress that there cannot be another slip in your grades like there was earlier this year."

"Yes."

"You will need a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s, all of which must be no less than 'Exceeds Expectations'. According to Professor Sprout, your Herbology marks could be improved, but generally your grades are well in all your classes. You will have to work quite hard for this, Miss Gordon. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

Snape leaned back and scrutinized her again. "I would have never guessed two of my Slytherin students were interested in becoming Aurors."

What? Had she heard him right? "Two, sir?"

His lips grew thin and it was hard to tell if he was pleased or not. "Yes. Two." He gave her one last penetrating stare before saying, "This concludes our meeting, Miss Gordon."

She was just about to get up when there was a knock at the door. Dolores Umbridge didn't even wait for a reply before entering and Daphne couldn't help but shudder and think back to the night outside the Room of Requirement.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Professor Snape," she said in her simpering high-pitched voice. In her hands she carried a clipboard and a quill.

"I'm afraid that we are just finishing up here," Snape replied, voice cold. "You can go now, Miss Gordon."

Umbridge looked as though she was about to protest, but Daphne did not stick around. She gathered her things, nodded to Snape, and quickly headed out of his office before anyone could tell her otherwise.

She couldn't believe it! Someone else in Slytherin wanted to become an Auror? What was the likelihood of that? Though she could say with certainty that Malfoy was not the mystery student.

Feeling like her future had cemented a little in the past hour, she felt equally flustered and excited as she bounded out of the dungeons and towards the Transfigurations classroom to find Mark. Students were already leaving and heading towards the Great Hall for dinner when she spotted him in the crowd.

"Well timed, Daphne. You've just missed class," he grinned as stuffed the last of his notes into his schoolbag. "How was Career Advice?"

"Fine," she breathed excitedly. "I told Snape my plans."

"Did he faint straight away from the shock?"

"No, but you'll never believe what I found out. Apparently there is another Slytherin fifth year who wants to become an Auror!" Daphne felt like she was talking a mile a minute.

"I see," he replied with casually.

"Aren't you surprised? I mean, who else would want to do it?"

"Hmmm."

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm--" Daphne stopped, suddenly feeling quite thick. Mark was watching her expression keenly and seemed to be enjoying himself. "It was you, wasn't it?" she gasped.

"What are you implying, Daphne Gordon?"

She thumped him in the arm. "What happened to Magical Landscape Design?"

"And smell like fertilizer all the time? No thank you." He faked a yawn.

"But why an Auror?"

Mark gave her one of his big devilish grins. "I can't let you have all the fun."

"Seriously, Mark. Why?"

He paused, the imp in him fading a little. "Because I'd like to be there when you throw Blondie into Azkaban."

She smiled and for the first time she felt content at Hogwarts, even content to be one of Slytherin's resident blood traitors. Mark slung his school bag over his shoulder and they followed the flow of students down towards the ground floor. There was a vantage point from the landing of the marble staircase where the whole entrance hall opened up before them and it was as though Daphne's entire future surrounded her--Mark at one side, Harry Potter talking to some Gryffindors a few feet away, Malfoy terrorizing a first year, Tristan and Marion holding hands, and Nathan smiling as he met her on the landing.

"You ready?" Nathan asked.

"Yes," Daphne replied with a smile and she knew that even without her family, she would never be alone.

They then all walked down to the Great Hall together.