Harry Potter wore maturity like Ron wore dress robes, poorly and with much complaint. But tonight he donned adulthood dutifully, fulfilling the expectations the wizarding world placed on the boy who lived. The Greengrass's were holding a ball to celebrate the end of the war, celebrating those who lived and honoring those who died. A fitting duty for a family known for their liberal views and service during the war.

Hermione and Ron had chosen not to attend. Ron claimed he wasn't ready to face the world; claimed his mum needed him to much. But if he was honest, it was Hermione he wanted to spare from the ordeal. He knew without a doubt she would set her jaw and push through a night like this one, answering every intrusive question with eloquence in hope people would learn no matter what it did to her. Better Ron give her an out, she was needed more by him and his family, her family.

This was Harry's one for the team, only fair. Thus he found himself idle in the corner of a grand ballroom, sipping dribble plum wine and trying not to look annoyed, bored or any combination thereof. Harry didn't look out of place, he belonged here as much as the ice sculpture or the curtains.

"They'll never understand, you know?" a blonde woman remarked, leaning comfotably on the wall next to Harry.

"Understand what?" Harry asked, confused.

The woman looked familiar, her hair swept up in a neat twist with long bangs framing her neck and face. Her face was pretty, features set like they wanted to be sharp.

"The war, why no one who fought actually wants to be here." she spoke to her drink as much as she was to Harry.

"Not really one for light conversation are you?" Harry chuckled uncomfortably.

"Oh I'm sorry." she said, rolling her cold eyes. "Let me start again. Hi! I'm Daphne Greengrass, did we have potions together last year? Wow! That Charms NEWT sure was hard, Did your scar hurt?" Daphne mocked, her fake cheeriness almost physically painful for both of them.

'At least she knows she's acting' Harry thought.

Harry took a long sip of his drink and looked over at Daphne. Seeing how she looked at the crowd it was like watching a foreign film with a native speaker. Only they were too engrossed in the plot to translate.

"How do you stand this?" Harry asked quietly.

"I don't, usually I sit through them. Be honored I'm standing this to talk to you." Daphne laughed, giving Harry a look that said help me, like it was part of the joke.

Harry just rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. He didn't really mind though, he liked how all her jokes played off people's expectations. You look at a well off Slytherin girl and you know what you'll get right? She knew what people saw when they looked at her and she gave them just enough of that so they didn't look further. Harry sometimes wished he could keep distance like that, not even have to push people away.

"Hey, They'll start speeches soon. I'm heading up to the balcony, come join me if you want an out." Daphne said, apperating before her mother or sister could ask something of her.

Harry stayed for the speeches, he felt he owed a few people that. The only one he cared for was McGonagall's, he was fairly sure years as her student had drilled in some viceral inability to ignore her. She spoke firmly, eloquently about war and lost friends. The strength of groups, she spoke like a woman who had learned the lessons of war long before this one had begun.

He clapped politely when she finished and she shot him a thankful glance. 'I'm proud to see you Harry' is what he figured she would say.

And with no one else on the podium worth listening to Harry went to the balcony to see if Daphne was still there. She was, posed like a rejection of the 'Balcony Scene.' Perched on the railing, facing away from the view and idley kicking some poor unsuspecting pot plant.

"Hey" Harry said, awkwardly reminding her of his existence.

Daphne looked up, face unchanged, like Harry held as much interest as the pot plant she had been kicking. "I thought you'd left"

"Uh, I wanted to say bye to you first so. . .Uh bye." Harry said, awkwardly moving his arms as though he had forgotten where they naturally fell.

"Oh. . . Bye then" Daphne sounded confused, or maybe unsure. It was hard to tell with her.

Harry had barely taken a step away before she spoke again.

"Hey!" Daphne said, a softer edge in her words now.

"I just wanted you to know, if you ever needed someone. You know. . . someone else. To talk to or judge people with. You know where I live now."

Harry nodded, giving her a soft half smile before apparating away. She couldn't say more he knew her pride wouldn't let her. But she was nice to talk to, and she didn't ask stupid questions and she didn't mind talking about the hard stuff.

Harry liked her, and lately Harry didn't like many people.