During a moment where Snape has his back to their table, Daphne slides a note Harry's way. It reads. "Don't feel bad you didn't know the answers to those questions, we're not expected to learn about the first one until sixth year, bezoars until second, and we'll be covering monkshood and wolfsbane in this year, but not until later. I don't know why he decided to pick on you in particular." Harry responds back with another note on the opposite side, once more waiting for Snape's back to be turned. It reads "Thanks, I don't know either. Hopefully it won't happen again."
It indeed doesn't happen again, at least for the rest of that class. Harry waves goodbye to Tracey and Daphne, before meeting up with Padma and Hermione again and making their way to their final class of the day, Astronomy.
Unlike Potions, Astronomy went smoothly with no unanswerable questions, and no sneers by students or teachers who for no adequately explained reason hate him. The Ravenclaw trio make their way to the Great Hall for dinner, and sit at their table. Harry notices Professor Flitwick sitting down, and excuses himself for a moment to go and speak with him.
"Oh, Harry dear boy. What can I help you with?" Flitwick asks as Harry approaches, a smile upon his face.
"Hello Professor Flitwick, some of my friends and I were wondering where students from different houses were allowed to congregate? A few of us were wanting to do some studying and other activities together, but didn't want to bother people in the library." Harry says, laying out his thoughts.
"Oh goodie! This question doesn't get asked enough! 5 points to Ravenclaw for you Harry for your attempts at interhouse friendship. In the past Hogwarts had several clubs that students were encouraged to join, unfortunately students have seemed less interested in them as years went by, so they were disbanded a few years ago. Their old meeting rooms are still around though! Meet me with some of your friends after dinner and I will lead you to the old Sphinx club meeting room. Be aware Mr. Potter though, that this is a privilege, and can be revoked if you abuse it." Flitwick says, his excited tone coming through even during his attempt to be stern.
"Thank you professor. I'll leave you to your dinner." Harry says, before walking away.
"So… what did Flitwick say?" Padma asks excitedly.
"Professor Flitwick." Hermione corrects, rolling her eyes.
"He mentioned some clubs that disbanded a few years ago, but that they still have meeting rooms. After dinner he'll take us to one of them, so we should grab Neville, Parvati, Susan and Hannah before we meet him." Harry says.
"Parvati will want to bring Lavender as well, so there'll be eight of us." Padma says. "We're just missing some people from Slytherin. I saw you passing notes to Daphne in class. Are you two friends?" Padma asks.
"No, I just met her today. Tracey Davis sat with us on the train though, and Daphne's her best friend supposedly. Tracey was nice, so I figured Daphne couldn't be all bad. I'll go over and invite them as well before we see Fl- Professor Flitwick." Harry catches his tongue before Hermione can correct him, and flashes a big grin at her. "How about you grab your sister, Lavender and Neville Padma? Then Hermione can get Hannah and Susan."
"Sounds like a plan, now let's eat!" Padma says.
Dinner was a quick affair for the group, as they were excited to see the room they were to be led to. The trio split up to head to the other three tables. Harry walked to where Tracey and Daphne were sitting, which was at the far end of the table where it seemed all the first-years were.
"Hey Scarhead! Brilliant performance in potions today." Draco Malfoy says, and Pansy Parkinson holds a chuckle behind her hand. The two boys sitting near them, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle both laugh. Harry ignores them and moves down to speak to Daphne and Tracey.
"Hey you two, we're getting Flitwick to show us a place where students from different houses can hang out without getting in trouble. If you want to come with us feel free." Harry says, smiling at the pair. They nod before gathering their things and standing up.
"Knew you had a soft spot for half-breeds because of Davis, Greengrass, but now you're adding scar headed freaks to the mix?" Malfoy taunts. It seems his attempts earlier to rile Harry up weren't enough for him.
"Perhaps I am Malfoy, or I'm just being cunning. Not that you'd know anything about that though. You've been boasting like a Gryffindor since you made your way to the table after sorting." Daphne replies, her tone neutral and uninterested.
It proved to be super-effective, as Malfoy's face turned red. "You'll get yours someday, Greengrass."
"Oh no. I'm simply quaking. Come Harry, let's go." Daphne says, her tone never straying from neutral disinterest. The two Slytherins and a Gryffindor walk off.
As they move farther from the Slytherin table, Harry speaks up, "Pretty impressive how you handled Malfoy. I'd just try to ignore him. How'd you learn to do that anyway?"
"Malfoy has been trying to be friends with me for years," Daphne says. "I think he has it in his mind that my sister or I will marry him one day, and then he'll get all of the family money. His father probably told him that he'll set up a marriage contract or something for me. Like my father would ever give in to a snake like Lucius Malfoy."
"Lucius is Draco's dad's name?" Harry asks, trying to put the pieces together.
"Yes, he's a very cunning man. Fortunately for you, and for me I suppose, Draco appears to have inherited none of his father's cunning or guile. He will however inherit both the name and his money unless something happens, so that's a problem for later." Daphne says, before waving it off.