HARRY POTTER :Rebirth in Time.

The morning sun crept through the high windows of the Great Hall, illuminating the lingering tension hanging in the air. Students bustled around, laughing and chatting, oblivious to the unseen war brewing beneath the surface of Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Daphne sat at the Gryffindor table, their eyes constantly flickering toward the Slytherin table where Malfoy sat, cool and composed, as if the events of the previous night hadn't happened.

Ron stabbed at his eggs with his fork, scowling. "Look at him, sitting there like he didn't just try to curse us into oblivion."

Hermione sipped her tea, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses. "He's too calm. Last night didn't rattle him nearly as much as it should have."

Harry drummed his fingers against the table. "That's because he thinks he still has the upper hand. He's planning something, and we need to figure out what."

Daphne, leaning against the table with an air of practiced indifference, smirked. "I might be able to help with that."

Harry glanced at her. "What do you have in mind?"

Daphne's lips curled. "Blaise. He's been watching me lately, waiting for me to slip up. If I push him just right, he might let something useful slip."

Hermione looked skeptical. "And you think he won't suspect you?"

Daphne shrugged. "He's suspicious by nature, but he's also cocky. If I play into his ego, he won't be able to resist showing off."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Great. Another Slytherin head game."

Harry nodded slowly. "It's risky, but it's worth a shot. Just be careful, Daphne."

She smirked. "Aren't I always?"

Later That Day – The Courtyard

Daphne found Blaise Zabini lounging on one of the stone benches, his usual air of quiet confidence wrapped around him like a cloak. The cool autumn breeze ruffled his robes, but his sharp eyes were fixed on her the moment she approached.

"Well, if it isn't our dear traitor," Blaise drawled, his lips curving in a lazy smirk. "Come to rejoin the winning side?"

Daphne leaned against the stone wall beside him, her expression unreadable. "I prefer to keep my options open."

Blaise chuckled. "Smart. But not smart enough to stay out of Potter's little crusade." His gaze flickered to her carefully. "I hope you haven't forgotten where your real loyalties lie."

Daphne sighed dramatically. "Malfoy's plans are getting sloppy. I can't attach myself to a losing side."

Blaise's smile didn't falter, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Funny. Draco seems to think otherwise."

Daphne arched a brow. "Then maybe he's more delusional than I thought."

Blaise studied her for a moment before leaning in slightly. "Malfoy doesn't like losing, Greengrass. He's… expanding his reach."

Daphne feigned nonchalance. "Oh? And what does that mean?"

Blaise's grin widened, but his voice dropped to a whisper. "Let's just say… Hogwarts might not be the only place he's working from."

Daphne felt her pulse quicken but kept her face neutral. "Outsiders?"

Blaise leaned back, stretching leisurely. "Draco's always had… connections. And some of them don't particularly care for school rules."

Daphne forced a smirk. "Interesting. Maybe I should reconsider my stance after all."

Blaise's eyes gleamed. "You always were one of the smarter ones."

As she walked away, Daphne's mind raced. Malfoy had outside help—someone beyond Hogwarts, someone dangerous. She needed to get this information to Harry before it was too late.

The Gryffindor Common Room – Later That Night

Daphne slipped through the portrait hole, finding Harry, Hermione, and Ron waiting by the fire. She didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"Malfoy's reaching beyond Hogwarts," she said, voice low and urgent. "Blaise didn't give details, but he let enough slip. He's got outside help."

Harry's expression darkened. "Death Eaters?"

Daphne shook her head. "I don't think it's full-on Death Eaters. Not yet. But he's tapping into something else—family contacts, black-market spellcasters. Whoever they are, they're willing to break rules to get what they want."

Hermione paled. "That means he has resources we don't."

Ron groaned. "Brilliant. So what do we do?"

Harry stood, his jaw set in determination. "We go to the one person who might know about Malfoy's outside connections."

Hermione's eyes widened. "You mean Snape?"

Harry nodded. "He's got ties to both sides. If anyone knows what Malfoy's up to, it's him."

Daphne crossed her arms. "Snape's not exactly a fountain of useful information, Potter. And he's not going to tell you anything if you just ask."

Harry smirked. "Then we won't ask."

The Dungeons – Snape's Office

Sneaking into Snape's office was easier said than done, but with the help of the Marauder's Map and Hermione's careful planning, they slipped inside undetected. The dimly lit room was filled with the faint scent of potions and parchment, shelves lined with vials of mysterious substances.

Hermione immediately went to work, searching through Snape's desk. "Look for anything mentioning Malfoy or outside contacts."

Daphne hovered by the door, listening for any signs of movement. "Make it quick. We don't have much time."

Harry sifted through stacks of papers, his heart pounding in his chest. After several tense minutes, Hermione gasped, holding up a small, folded letter.

"Harry, look at this." She unfolded it carefully and read aloud. "From 'E.M.' — 'The preparations are nearly complete. Ensure young Malfoy has what he needs, and our benefactor will be most pleased.'"

Ron frowned. "E.M.? Who's that?"

Daphne's eyes widened. "Erasmus Mulciber."

Harry's stomach dropped. Mulciber was a known associate of Voldemort's during the first war—one who specialized in mind control and dark artifacts.

Hermione's face paled. "If Malfoy's working with Mulciber, this is worse than we thought."

Daphne swore under her breath. "We need to move. Now."

Just as Harry pocketed the letter, the door creaked open.

Snape stood in the doorway, his dark eyes flickering with cold amusement. "I do hope you have a good reason for breaking into my office, Potter."

Harry swallowed hard, but forced himself to stand tall. "We needed answers."

Snape's gaze flickered to the letter in Harry's hand. "And now you have them. But you've also made a very dangerous mistake." His voice was a deadly whisper. "Mulciber does not take kindly to interference."

Harry stared him down. "Then you should be helping us stop him."

Snape's eyes bore into his for a long moment before he stepped aside. "Get out. And for your sake, Potter, stay out of matters you cannot control."

As they hurried out of the office, Harry's heart pounded in his chest.

They weren't just fighting Malfoy anymore.

The war was closing in.

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