Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and I don't intend to earn any profit out of this story.

Author's Note: Hi everyone. This is going to be an AU Harry Potter fanfiction story featuring a powerful, rebellious and darker Harry. The pairing will be Harry/Daphne with no Harem. There will be heavy Snape & Draco bashing and mild Dumbledore, McGonagall, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, twins and Molly Weasley bashing( People who are bashed mildly might still be good people but Harry won't be blindly subservient to them). And, I will try to minimize unreasonable bashing of characters.

Also, the story will be mostly canonical upto 6th year, but with a number of twists and an occasional big twist. So, surprises could be expected at the middle of the story.

In the Headmaster's office (May 12, 1997, at 9 AM in the morning)

"Come in Harry" said Dumbledore tiredly.

Harry entered non-chalantly and seated himself on the chair.

"Harry, I have been observing that you have been displaying a quite reckless and rebellious attitude as of late. 5 days back, you openly refused to do detention with Professor Snape after he rightfully gave you detention for almost killing young and innocent Mr Malfoy with a dark curse. Can you care to enlighten this old man as to why you are behaving this way?" asked Dumbledore sternly.

Harry just sighed and looked intently at Dumbledore before replying.

"Professor, what you refer to as a rebellious and reckless attitude is nothing but me standing up for myself against all odds. I am willing to risk my life and do anything to be victorious against the deatheaters. Meanwhile, this young and innocent Mr Malfoy almost killed Katie Bell and my friend Ron, while pursuing his foolish attempts to kill you. He had taken the dark mark this past year and now is a full fledged deatheater. Even though it was not my intention to make him bleed badly, I have absolutely no regrets in cursing him" said Harry.

"Harry, please let go of this hatred and unbridled rage. It won't do any good for you. I know that Malfoy has been forced to become a deatheater and is being pressured into performing this task of killing me, so that his family doesn't suffer. You don't need to worry about all that. Severus is handling that matter for me" said Dumbledore with finality.

Harry snorted.

"Professor, has this esteemed Professor Snape told you what one should do to gain the dark mark?" asked Harry.

Dumbledore shook his head.

"One is usually tasked with commiting either murder or rape of new born muggle or muggleborn children. Only then one will be worthy of the dark mark. But it seems our resident spy failed to inform you of this fact" said Harry snarkily.

"Harry, I don't know where you got this false information, but it is not true. Professor Snape has my complete trust and he is no more a deatheater than I am. Even if he has done some abominable activities in the past, I am sure that he repents for them now. With some efforts, I am sure that I will also make Draco Malfoy see the error of his ways and bring him to the light." said Dumbledore.

"So, it does not matter if this Draco Malfoy is planning to bring some deatheaters into the castle also?" asked Harry.

Now, Dumbledore looked slightly concerned.

"What do you mean?" asked Dumbledore.

"Malfoy has been trying to repair the broken vanishing cabinet on the 7 the floor. It's twin is at Borgin and Burkes. Once it is repaired, Malfoy plans to bring a dozen deatheaters to the castle in his attempt to kill you. While Malfoy may not be a threat for you, the other students and teachers in the castle will be threatened by the deatheaters, who have no hesitation in casting unforgivables at children" remarked Harry.

Dumbledore pondered over Harry's words before replying.

"I have not heard of this. But even if this is true, I am not that concerned. Severus will handle this issue as well" said Dumbledore non-chalantly.

"Unbelievable" shouted Harry. "Do you even care about anyone of us or are we all chess-pieces for you? You are practically willing to sacrifice the safety of the students just in the vain hope that Malfoy could be reformed. And, you have delegated this job to Snape, of all people. That is even more laughable" said Harry.

Dumbledore's twinkle dimmed on hearing Harry's words and his face was replaced by a mask of fury.

"That's enough Harry. I have placed order members and some aurors as security all around the castle, just in case the deatheaters come in. Do not ever suggest that I don't take the safety of my students sincerely" said Dumbledore sternly with a hint of warning in his tone.

"Oh yeah, even if there is the whole of the auror force stationed at Hogwarts, can you guarantee that no student lives will be lost when deatheaters start coming in ? Because, our aurors and your order members use only piteous stunners whereas those deatheaters won't hesitate to use the unforgivable and other lethal curses. And you have the gall to talk about student's safety after what you have been doing for the past 5 years" said Harry looking back at Dumbledore intently.

"What do you mean Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"During my first year, you placed the sorcerer's stone, a true magnet for thieves and dark wizards craving for immortality in a school full of children. You even announced during the opening feast that anyone who wishes to avoid a painful death should avoid the 3rd floor corridor. Even a simpleton knows that such bland statements would make children, especially people like Fred and George, even more curious. And, you didn't place any wards or protections near that door in the third floor which housed a cerebrus. And those traps which you placed around the sorcerer's stone were so damn easy that even first years like me, Ron and Hermione could pass through them. Why didn't you just place the sorcerer's stone under a fidelius charm or else, in your own office or pocket? After all, Voldemort wouldn't dare to duel you using Quirell's body" said Harry.

Dumbledore had no answer to any of Harry's queries.

"During my second year", Harry continued "why didn't you close the school and send the students home when you knew very well that there was a hidden monster inside the school that was capable of petrifying and killing children. Didn't you care about the safety of the children then?" asked Harry.

Dumbledore looked down at his feet in shame.

"What is ironical here is that the 12 year old Hermione was able to figure out the secret of the chamber of secrets quite easily whereas you, who was present for the first time when the chamber was opened didn't even manage to get a clue. That means that you are either highly incompetent or else you had an ulterior motive, which means you knew about the whole thing. So, for my 1st two years at Hogwarts, I was forced to face Voldemort at the end of the year and after doing that, you would arrive at the end twinkling your eyes at me as if you were expecting all of this to happen, say some lofty words about love or forgiveness which I couldn't understand, give some points for breaking rules and send me back to the abusive dursleys as a perfect reward. Now, I definitely sense something fishy going on here" stated Harry.

Dumbledore definitely didn't meet Harry's eyes this time. He tried to give a reply but couldn't find the required words. He was too shocked.

"During my third year, I admit that you had no choice but to let the dementors in because that idiotic Fudge was so stubborn. And, I am indeed grateful to you for saving my life during that Gryffindor-Hufflepuff Quidditch match. But, you did a great disservice to Sirius by refusing to address the matter of his innocence in front of the Wizengamot, even though you were the chief warlock and had sufficient influence to at least secure a trial for him. Why wasn't Sirius given a trial when even scum like Bellatrix Lestrange got one? And, you irresponsibly gave the time turner to both me and Hermione and told us to rescue Sirius against all odds. You could also have come with us. Then, with your immense experience and power, we could have captured Pettigrew also without any hassles" said Harry.

Dumbledore was now fiddling with his thumbs. His mind was trying to come up with suitable answers that would satisfy this Harry, who was no longer naïve or gullible. He was hesitant to give diplomatic half-truths, because now Harry was smart enough to see through him .

"During my fourth year, you were a part of the committee that decided to host the triwizard tournament that year at Hogwarts. What were you thinking when you made that stupid decision? That tournament was discontinued for the right reasons. That tournament was despicable not just because of the immense death toll, but also because of the immense cruelty meted out to the mother dragons who were inhumanely chained and whose precious eggs were deliberately placed in danger. Moreover, the tournament which was supposed to promote harmony and cooperation amongst the 3 competing schools did not achieve it's objective at all. Instead, it just sowed the seeds of unhealthy competition, envy and in worst cases, enmity amongst the students. In fact, it created friction between even Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, the 2 houses which were always on friendly terms with each other"

Dumbledore pondered over Harry's words and found them to be reasonable. However, his ego didn't allow him to acknowledge Harry's opinion.

"Sir, I can forgive you for not recognizing your old friend Mad-eye throughout the year, even though he had been your friend for 40 years. After all, you saved me once again when he was about to kill me at the end of the year, for which I am indeed very grateful to you sir. That Barty Crouch Junior was an amazing Oscar-winning actor who had managed to fool even his own father before he was caught for torturing longbottoms. But, what I don't understand is that, why didn't you announce to the school body that I didn't put my name into the Goblet? And, why didn't you take action against those students who were slandering me by wearing those badges or quoting that false article from Rita? Just a word from you would have cleared up so many of my problems that year, since many people consider your word as the word of the Almighty"

Dumbledore kept quiet wisely. Harry's sharp questions were hitting him quite accurately and he didn't have any satisfactory answers to give back.

"Last year, Dolores Umbridge tortured me and so many others using the blood quills" said Harry before showing that part of his hand where the words 'I must not tell lies' were engraved. Dumbledore paled on seeing this.

"That vile woman admitted to sending dementors after me. She made so many stupid educational decrees to harass the students and teachers here. Where were you then?" asked Harry.

"Harry, you know very well that she was sent by the ministry and I couldn't do anything about her" said Dumbledore.

"Is that so Professor? Last year, when Umbridge caught me after Edgecombe cheated on our group, you took the blame yourself and easily overcame Fudge, Umbridge and two aurors to easily escape. Sir, you have mentioned before that you cannot overrule the ministry but in my opinion, you are quite capable of that, but you don't have the will-power to do so. If you had placed Fudge under the imperius, we would have had a minister who was trying his level best to contain the threat of the resurgent Voldemort. Instead, you just simply allowed him to malign yours and my name throughout the year" said Harry.

"See Harry, I admit that I have made many mistakes in the past, many of which have badly affected you. But I am a human being, not an omniscient flawless God. Whatever I have done is for the greater good" said Dumbledore.

"I never said that you are an omniscient flawless God sir. And, whose Greater good are you talking about? I admit that as human beings, all of us make mistakes but are you trying to justify your mistakes in the name of this greater good. Because, that is what Gellert Grindelwald did, if I remember correctly" said Harry.

On hearing the name of Grindelwald, Dumbledore's eyes dimmed and he was suddenly overcome by immense sadness.

"Sir, you might have done many good things for the wizarding world in the past. But, now you are doing a big disservice to the students by allowing Draco Malfoy to carry out his plans. If you really wanted to reform Draco Malfoy, you should have done it earlier. You had 5 years to do so. But now, since he has begun his life as a deatheater, he has to be put down by any means for the safety of others. So, I request you to do your duty as the headmaster of Hogwarts and expel him from Hogwarts, and have him arrested for the crime of being associated with deatheaters and carrying the dark mark" said Harry.

"I am afraid, I can't do that Harry" said Dumbledore sadly.

"If you don't do that, I would be glad to contact Minister Scrimgeour who would be glad to have Malfoy arrested. After all, that man is eager to show to the public that he is doing something. So, he wouldn't mind arresting a real deatheater for a change after I mention to him what things a person must do to take the dark mark. I already know of someone who would testify to my claims about the dark mark" said Harry, thinking of his secret female friend

"Harry, are you trying to blackmail me? I could have you arrested for this. Don't think that with you being the chosen one in the prophecy, I would allow you to do anything that you please" thundered Dumbledore.

"Yes, I am blackmailing you professor. Feel free to have me arrested. Once I am taken to the wizengamot, I wouldn't mind revealing the contents of the prophecy to everyone. I will also tell everyone about the horcruxes and everything about your manipulations in my life. I will tell them about how I was forced to endure an abusive childhood at the Dursleys all thanks to you placing me in their doorstep when I was one and half years old. I will tell everyone about what has been going on at Hogwarts for the past 5 years at Hogwarts and about how I regularly do the work of you and the teachers, without pay, in trying to save the school " said Harry.

"And, please don't even think of obliviating me Professor" said Harry smirking, when Dumbledore raised his wand. "I have already relayed all this information to two trustworthy persons, who are definitely neither Ron & Hermione, nor anyone in your order" mentioned Harry, thinking of the two closest people he had now in his life

Then, Harry suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his mind as though he was being X-Rayed by Dumbledore's penetrating blue eyes.

"Oh ho, now are you resorting to active leglimency on Minors like me Dumbledore? You know that doing such a thing carries an automatic 10 year sentence at Azkaban. Right? And, the wizengamot will definitely believe me when I willingly take veritaserum and tell everyone that you were trying to mind-rape me, just as Snape was doing throughout last year in the guise of Occlumency lessons. Since then, I have learnt Occlumency from better teachers who have taught me in a much more professional manner. So, are you willing to risk that?" asked Harry, feeling immensely thankful that he had finally learnt Occlumency this year.

Dumbledore paled on hearing Harry's threats. Harry truly had him cornered and he really needed Harry for the purpose of defeating Voldemort.

"Very well, what do you want me to do?" asked Dumbledore in a tired voice.

Harry rejoiced internally.

"That's the spirit Professor. Now, you will immediately floo the DMLE office as well as the office of the minister of magic. Tell them to come here immediately so that they could apprehend a deatheater. By tonight, I want Draco Malfoy to be expelled from Hogwarts and be behind the bars of the ministry holding cells. Now, I have so much of work to do. So, please excuse me" said Harry before storming out of the room, leaving a stricken and flustered Dumbledore behind.

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The same afternoon, The students at the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardary were having lunch in peace. But suddenly, the doors of the great hall flew open to reveal 4 aurors, Kingsley Shacklebolt amongst them. Kingsley gave Harry a small smile which Harry returned.

Harry watched in anticipation as they marched upto Draco Malfoy. Then for the next few minutes, everyone in the great hall watched the conversation that seemed to be taking place between the head-auror and Malfoy.

That quiet was interrupted by Malfoy who screamed "WHAT? I am not a deatheater".

At that moment, Snape and Dumbledore rushed to the Slytherin table.

Dumbledore looked tired and resigned, but Snape was beside himself.

"What is the meaning of this Mr Robards?" asked Snape addressing the head auror. "How dare you come here and arrest one of my slytherins just like that?" asked Snape rudely.

"Professor Snape, we have received information that Mr Draco Malfoy took the dark mark this summer and that he was awarded this mark only when he murdered an innocent muggle child named Bobby, who was just 2 years old. We were informed that Mr Malfoy has been plotting the death of the headmaster since the last July, and that he was responsible for the near deaths of Ron Weasley and Katie Bell. So, Minister Scrimgeour has given us the authority to arrest him pending investigation" said head auror Gawain Robards curtly, in a professional voice.

"All the information that you received is a big bunch of lies. Young Draco here will never do such things. This is obviously a ploy to frame and malign him" snarled Snape.

Then, suddenly Snape's attention fell on Potter. Pointing his shaking finger at Potter, he roared "POTTER! THIS IS ENTIRELY HIS FAULT. I KNOW VERY WELL THAT HE GAVE THIS FALSE INFORMATION TO YOU AURORS TO HAVE DRACO ARRESTED, JUST TO SATISFY HIS GRUDGES. HE IS AN ATTENTION SEEKING DETERMINED RULE BREAKER AND AS ARROGANT AS HIS FATHER. JUST DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF WHAT HE SAYS" roared Snape spittle flying out of this mouth. He looked completely deranged.

The aurors, professors and the students assembled there gasped at Sanpe's words. The aurors were too shocked that Harry Potter was simply being accused without any proof, but the students and professors weren't that much surprised. The animosity between Harry Potter and Severus Snape was quite well known. But that didn't stop most people in the Gryffindor table, a few people in the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and even Slytherin tables from glowering at Snape.

Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna were glaring daggers at Snape and Daphne looked as if she wanted to castrate Snape at that instant. The expression on her face was absolutely murderous.

"Control yourself Professor Snape. You simply can't accuse Mr Potter without proof" said Auror Shacklebolt, who was also looking quite displeased with Snape as were professors Sprout and Flitwick. Dumbledore simply looked at Snape with pity and disappointment.

Then, chuckles could be heard from the Gryffindor table. Everyone turned around and were surprised to see that they were coming from Harry Potter himself. The chuckles soon turned into a full blown laughter which made the whole hall gape at him in stunned silence. Ron and Hermione were looking at him as if he had lost his mind. Everyone were expecting him to get angry and blow steam but he was simply laughing.

Finally, Malfoy couldn't take it any longer.

"What is so funny Potter?" asked Malfoy angrily.

Harry slowly sobered himself before replying.

"Hey Malfoy, I am not insulting you at all. I was just admiring how fierce and loyal your head of the house is in regards to defending you, just like a rabid dog. He doesn't need any proof to accuse me of wrongdoing. Even if he has some difficulty in shitting his greasy stool, even if he slips on a banana peel and falls on his greasy buttocks, and even if he lets out enormous greasy farts accidentally, he is likely to blame me for that, because I have committed the crime of simply existing" said Harry.

Many people tittered on hearing about greasy farts. Snape clenched his jaw furiously.

"Just the fact that I look like my dear father is enough for him to brand me as a pampered attention seeking prince. Never mind the fact that I was raised up in an abusive household for the first 10 years of my life where I was made to live in a cupboard under the stairs" stated Harry.

Harry's bland statement at the end got horrified gasps from the majority of the people in the hall including some professors. Tears were flowing from Daphne's, Hermione's and Luna's eyes. Many people who were thinking that the boy who lived had led a luxurious life were shattered internally on hearing this statement. Some were still in denial and believed that Potter was making this up to stir up sympathy for him.

"I was just thinking about what my mom would think if she knew that our dear potions master is so blindly accusing me without proof. Ah I forgot, she was your best friend Professor. Nah nah, wasn't she the only friend that you had in your childhood? I wonder how she would have reacted had she known that you have been ill-treating her son for the past 5 years, simply because that son looks exactly like her beloved husband" said Harry, now directly addressing Snape now who paled dramatically when Harry mentioned Lily's name.

The majority of the students, especially in Slytherin were shocked that Harry's mom was Snape's childhood friend. Some blood purists in Slytherin and other houses were disgusted that Snape befriended a mudblood.

Snape suddenly recovered from his shock and glared ferociously at Harry.

"HOW DARE YOU BRING LILY INTO THIS? LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS POTTER" roared Snape.

"Address her properly Snape. She is Mrs Potter to you. She was my mother, who made the right decision to ditch you and marry my father who was a much better man than you will ever be. You hate my dad and you were my mother's best friend, as Sirius mentioned to me some time back. So, it is not so hard to connect the dots and infer that you had a crush on her.

Anyway Snape, hating me and accusing me without proof won't endear yourself to my mother, who I know is always watching over me from somewhere in the afterlife" said Harry.

Snape looked penetratingly at Harry and send a leglimency probe, to find out what Harry knew.

Harry detected the probe immediately and sent a mental reply.

"Don't try to intrude on my privacy, you greasy bastard. I know very well that you tried to mind-rape me last year, you sick twisted double-agent. Dumbledore won't do anything to me because I am far too useful for him now. So stay away from my way in future, because if you won't do so, I will immediately contact minister Scrimgeour and using my influence as the boy-who-lived, do my best to get you prosecuted for your crimes. The wizengamot will definitely favour the chosen one more than an ex-deatheater who escaped justice due to Dumbledore's mercy. The wizengamot will not care that you are a double agent and that you are working for Dumbledore, once I fill the pockets of those members and the minister with galleons from the black family vault. Moreover, I don't need a reason to get your infamous history as a deatheater and your humiliation in the hands of my dad to get published in the Quibbler magazine, which has a large readership now" said Harry mentally.

Then, Harry broke the probe and smirked at Snape who gulped as if he had just swallowed a lemon. He glared hatefully at Harry but didn't dare open his mouth. Then, Harry turned to the aurors who were watching the showdown with interest.

"Yes, it is indeed I who gave this information to Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore was unwilling to have Draco Malfoy arrested, but I eventually convinced him of its necessity. Moreover, I have further proof of Malfoy's wrongdoings. If you go to the 7th floor near the broken vanishing cabinet, you will find Malfoy's fingerprints all over it. That cabinet is connected to the one in Borgin and Burkes. Malfoy had been planning to repair it since the beginning of the year. Once it was repaired, he was planning to bring deatheaters into the castle who wouldn't have had any qualms in shooting unforgivable at innocent children. If you have any doubts regarding my claims, you can go to the 7th floor and check it out. You may visit Borgin and Burkes and verify my claims if you wish. You will find them to be true" said Harry.

Malfoy was gaping at him wordlessly.

Then, the aurors dragged Malfoy away to the 7th floor and around 15 minutes later, they verified that Malfoy had indeed been using the broken cabinet using fingerprint spells. They then dragged Malfoy away, who was screaming dire threats all the way.

Once the drama got over, Harry went back to his lunch.

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In the Room of Requirement (That evening, 7 pm)

"Harry, that was simply brilliant. Thank you sooo much. Now, the marriage contract that my sister had with Malfoy will be nullified because he will be sent to Azkaban, which will activate the escape clause in the contract. Thank God, I will not have to put up with that blond idiot anymore" said Daphne smiling at him.

"Hey Daph, we are friends. Not just friends, but the best of friends. And, best friends don't say thank you to each other formally" said Harry grinning.

"Then, what do they do?" asked Daphne.

In reply, Harry hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek. Daphne was shocked by Harry's actions and couldn't stop the blush from appearing on her face. Hesitantly, she hugged him back.

A Reluctant grin appeared on her face. This hug and the kiss from him just felt so amazing. She couldn't help but smile at him for activating her hormones.

"Isn't it so amazing that both of us are from 2 houses that have a great enmity with each other. You are the cunning Slytherin Ice Princess and I am just just a poor, daring Gryffindor. Yet, we are getting along with each other quite well" said Harry casually.

"That's because the houses are simply labels and don't mean anything. I like you immensely as a person Harry. Your chivalry and daring is something which I admire a lot. I don't think it is stupid. Meanwhile, you occasionally show sneakiness and cunning that would have made even Salazar Slytherin proud" said Daphne smiling warmly at him.

"What if I said to you that the Sorting hat had originally considered sorting me into Slytherin?" said Harry smirking.

Daphne was stupefied.

"Really Harry? Wow, then we would have been in the same house for 6 years and been friends sooner" said Daphne surprised.

"Yeah, but unfortunately I trusted Hagrid's word too much when he mentioned that only dark wizards came from Slytherin. And I didn't want to get anywhere near Malfoy who had been sorted into Slytherin first" said Harry regretfully.

"Harry, it is not correct. While I admit that Slytherin house has become quite evil now, thanks to the Hypocritical Dork Lord, it was not always so. There have been dark wizards from other houses too and the students who get sorted into Slytherin during 1st year are ordinary innocent students who are just afraid of their family members" said Daphne

"You are right Daph. I wonder what the others would think if they come to know that we are meeting each other in secret. I am finding it difficult day by day to conceal our secret friendship to my friends. Hermione is becoming increasingly suspicious of me" said Harry.

"Harry, we will reveal our friendship openly soon, if that is what you prefer. I would love to see the expression on everyone's faces when they see a Gryffindor and a Slytherin together. That would be a sight to behold" said Daphne smiling.

Both of them laughed openly when they imagined the looks of shock in everyone's faces.

"Well, we will meet again tomorrow then. Until then. See you. Bye" said Harry waving at her as he started walking back to the Gryffindor dorms.

"Bye Harry. Take care" said Daphne smiling back.

Harry went back to the Gryffindor tower. However, as soon as he reached the tower, he immediately saw Ron and Hermione who were watching him intently. Ron was looking somewhat angry.

"Where were you Harry?" asked Hermione suspiciously.

"Umm… Just went for a walk" said Harry non-chalantly.

"Oh yeah, walking? Your name just disappeared from the map for about an hour. I was worried about you and went to check where you had been. It so happens that while I was checking the 7th floor, I just happened to saw you in the Room of Requirement hugging Daphne Greengrass of all people. I couldn't believe it at all. Why would you be even near that ice-bitch? She is a cruel woman who hexes people's bits for fun. What were you thinking Harry? And now, when I ask you something, you are lying to me. You even shouted back at Professor McGonagall a few days back when she rightfully reprimanded you and you have been showing a lot of disrespect to all the professors since the past few days. What is wrong with you Harry?" shouted Hermione.

Harry mentally cursed himself for not asking the room of requirement to keep their meeting place a secret. That is why Hermione could easily walk in while he and Daphne were talking. But Hermione's harsh words about Daphne immensely angered him. Added to that, was the fact that she and Ron had been using the map to spy on him, without his permission.

Harry closed his eyes, took a deep breath before replying to Hermione.

"What is wrong with me? Both of you stole my map without asking for my permission and used that to spy on me and then you ask me is wrong with me? What is wrong with you Hermione? Since when did you start stealing my things and spying on me? What I do in my spare time is none of your business. You should learn to respect my privacy. And for your information, Daphne is my very good friend. She is not an ice bitch and doesn't simply hex others bits for fun. She is an amazing, wonderful and loyal woman with excellent sense of humour and I won't tolerate any insult against her" said Harry firmly.

"But she is a Slytherin Harry and everybody knows that Slytherins are evil people and most of them are deatheaters in training. You can't even trust any of them , and you are even thinking of befriending a snake. Have you gone mad?" asked Ron angrily.

"Ron, you are a very good friend of mine and as a friend, I should ask you to stop labeling people just like Malfoy does. Just because Daphne is in Slytherin doesn't make her an evil person. Not all Slytherins are evil, just like not all Gryffindors are good. Does the name Peter Pettigrew ring any bells in your head? Because, as far as I know, that traitorous rat was in Gryffindor" asked Harry

"Oh yeah Harry, it is obvious that she has put some imperius curse on you, because the Harry that I knew would never defend Slytherins like that" said Ron snarkily.

"Ron is right Harry. There is something quite wrong with you. I have been observing you for the past so many days. There is a lot of change in your attitude and behavior. That ice bitch is surely poisoning your mind with love potions" said Hermione firmly

"Hermione, don't you dare call her that. Just because she performs as good as you in academics doesn't make her an ice-bitch. She is an ice queen only to those who try to molest her. But from inside, she is a very warm and kind woman. Anyway, both of you know very well that I have resisted even Voldemort's imperius curse and this ring on my left hand which Sirius gave me, helps me detect any attempts to poison my mind or drug me. So, that is a flimsy excuse for violating my privacy. Just because I am your friend, doesn't give you the right to simply dictate my life. You are not my mother Hermione, so please stop acting like one" said Harry to Hermione, who wisely kept her mouth shut after seeing Harry in such a dangerous mood.

Then, Harry rounded on Ron.

"Ron, did you know that the auror Kingsley Shacklebolt is a Slytherin? And that, professor Sinistra is also a Slytherin? As far as I know, both of them are really nice people. I may not like Professor Slughorn's slug club parties, but he treats all of us like human beings and doesn't deride or demean us. He was also sorted into Slytherin. And for your information, the great merlin was also sorted into Slytherin when he attended Hogwarts. Moreover, my grand-mother Dorea was also sorted into Slytherin and so was, Andromeda, Tonk's mother. All of them are great people" said Harry.

"Your Grandmother was in Slytherin?" asked Ron in shock.

"Yes Ron, and so was your Grandmother Cedrella Black, who went on to marry Septimus Weasley, your grandfather. If fact, the sorting hat had seriously considered putting me in Slytherin. Had it not been for Malfoy, I would definitely have been sorted into Slytherin" said Harry.

This was news to both his friends who were gaping at him soundlessly.

"Please stop being bigoted. Please stop thinking in labels, just like Malfoy or Pansy Parkinson does" said Harry.

"I am not like Pansy Parkinson Harry" said Hermione shrilly.

"You and Ron are just as bigoted to Slytherins, as she is to muggleborns and non-blood purists. Last year, you were mentioning something about trying for interhouse unity or something, just because Dumbledore had mentioned it. Now, when the interhouse cooperation is actually happening between me and Daphne, why are you trying to destroy our friendship? Because, you don't know her personally, you have no right to judge Daphne. Because, I know what it feels like to be accused of something that I didn't do" said Harry, thinking about his 2nd and 4th years.

"But Harry, we are your friends. Why didn't you tell us that you and Daphne were friends?" asked Ron.

"Because, she made me promise to keep our budding friendship a secret and I respected her wishes. Now, I know that both of you are simply concerned about my well being, but I request you to please not trouble and question Daphne about her motives regarding me. She is already facing a lot of flak in her house, for refusing to join Voldemort and I don't want you to add to her troubles . If I find out that both of you have been troubling her in any way, I will stop being your friend. Is that clear?" asked Harry firmly.

Hermione and Ron nodded dumbly at him, not wishing to provoke Harry any further. Harry could be seriously scary when angered and they didn't want to get into his bad side.

"Good. Well then, I am going to read the half blood prince book before we go to the Great Hall for Dinner" said Harry before marching off to his dorms.

Author's Note: The plot holes in the first chapter, that is, how Harry suddenly gets a backbone and how Harry and Daphne first met will be explained in the later chapters. That's all for now folks. So, until next time.