This was a fun chapter. I am really getting into your characterization of Daphne. I'd honestly like to see them stick together throughout the story. Maybe not exclusively at first, but perhaps once Harry feels like he is ready to "move to the next level" it's be nice to see them as the final couple. Then again, you may just blow me away by getting Harry together with someone he can connect to on all levels. :)
I got to thinking about Ron & Hermione vs the Weasleys (does that include the Twins too btw?)... Anyways, you've hinted that Ginny is a jealous, spiteful little... witch, and that she is running interference between Harry and his friends. Question is how? "Running to Molly"?! They're at Hogwarts, all she can do is send a Howler! And I would have to believe someone as smart as Hermione would be able to block those. What I am getting at is that you need to explain the enforced dissolution of the trio and the consequences of violating that dissolution more clearly so we can understand where the characters are coming from.
Author's response
- Thank you. Daphne is surprising me as well with the engaging character she is turning out to be. There will be a few more girls in Harry's social circle, who will end up with whom? Hard to tell.
The Twins are, like Ron, under 'orders' to stay away from Harry, which they ignore. When he attempted to visit in chapter two, Ginny was working at WWW and Fred headed Harry off to avoid the confrontation that would have taken place - Bad for Business and all that.
- The cause of the falling apart of the trio, in my view comes to this. Ron, while not a 'Bad Guy' in this story isn't the most mature guy on the block. Molly has successfully made him into the biggest Mommasboy anyone would ever care to see. He is under orders to stay away from Harry, and the Broomstick makes sure Molly finds out when ever Ron disobeys the prime directive. Ron has just folded to the pressure. Hermione, deeply, stupidly, in love with Ron avoids Harry to keep Ron out of trouble with Molly. Harry understands and stays away himself.