Chapter 1 - Reflections

Disclaimer – I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, J. K. ROWLING DOES.

The Burrow

It had been two months. Two months since he had learned that his godfather, Sirius Black, accused mass-murderer and traitor, was innocent. It had also been two months since his godfather once more escaped on the run. Looking over at the headline of the Daily Prophet, he again reread the article:

SIRIUS BLACK LEADING ATTACK ON THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP

Minister Fudge has stated that it was Sirius Black, the mass-murderer that escaped from Azkaban last year, who was responsible for the raid on the Quidditch World Cup. The Minister went on to say that "We believe Sirius Black was trying to finish off the Potters and was targeting Harry Potter who was at the event. I had personally met Mr. Potter before taking my seat for the game and it is beyond any doubt that Black was attempting to kill Mr. Potter as he had attempted at the end of the last academic school year of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rest assured, however, that precautions are being taken. The dementors had nearly captured Black at Hogwarts last year and will once again be posted at the perimeter of the school to ensure the safety of the students and of Mr. Potter." Will Mr. Potter remain safe at Hogwarts? We can only hope that Minister Fudge's actions will be successful in protecting Mr. Potter.

'He got one thing right at least', Harry mused. Fudge is beyond any doubt the most incompetent minister in the history of the world. The article once again reminded him of what had happened at the end of his third year. Sirius had dragged Ron through a secret passage under the Whomping Willow and into the Shrieking Shack. He had got back at the greasy git, Snape, by stunning him. They had found out that Ron's pet rat Scabbers was actually Peter Pettigrew, the real traitor of his parents. Then, just when he thought he would finally be free of Durzkaban and be able to live with his godfather, it all goes to hell with Pettigrew escaping when Professor Lupin turned into a werewolf on the full moon and began attacking.

'Now what were the odds that it had to be a full moon that night and that Professor Lupin had not taken the wolfsbane potion?' Harry thought. Fate must really hate me. Luckily he found Sirius by the Black Lake and was able to cast a corporeal patronus to drive off the dementors before they could administer the kiss. Sirius had informed him that his patronus was the same as that of his father, Prongs. It made him smile that he had the same patronus as his dad. Then he had to say goodbye to Sirius who needed to go on the run. At least he got Sirius to promise him to keep the rat alive when he found him again so that Sirius' name could be cleared.

'I guess that means I have at least three more summers of Durzkaban before I can live on my own', thought Harry. Fourth year would start soon and he could at least stay with the Weasley's until it did. 'Maybe this year would be normal for once. Now that I can cast a full patronus, I won't have to worry about dementors'. And with that thought, Harry Potter gave into sleep and more nightmares of Voldemort.

Greengrass Manor

Daphne Greengrass was angry. No. Angry didn't begin to describe it. She was furious. She knew that she would most likely be betrothed to some wizard of status. It was unavoidable being a pureblood heiress. But how dare they discuss her betrothal to a wizard 50 years her senior? She had long ago accepted her fate of being betrothed to whoever her father chose. It was the reason she developed her Ice Queen mask, so that she would not get attached to anyone. However, she would not accept being betrothed and married off to some old geezer.

At least they couldn't force her to marry him until she reached her majority of 17. That gave her some time to find a way around the contract that did not involve losing her magic if she chose not to marry him upon reaching her majority. 'Although', she thought, 'becoming a squib would certainly be preferable to the option of marrying him'.

'If worse comes to worst, I can probably find a rich muggle to marry' Daphne thought. 'I am beautiful, after all'. Looking into the mirror in her room, she could see herself, standing 5'4" with straight, light blonde hair reaching to the middle of her back. She had a slender build, but was beginning to develop an hourglass figure and, judging by the attention that the boys in Slytherin gave her, was quite attractive to males.

*KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Daphne, I understand this was sudden, but why did you leave without saying anything?" her mother asked.

'SUDDEN?' Daphne raged. Forcing her occlumency shields to calm herself down before replying, "I expected to be betrothed, but why would Father betroth me to a man 50 years my senior?"

"Because he is a good match. He is wealthy and has many connections that he will bring to our family", her mother replied.

"You mean your family, since I will no longer be a Greengrass", Daphne said.

"Watch your tongue, Daphne. You have no choice in this and the betrothal contract with Lord Slughorn has been signed," her mother replied harshly. "On your majority you will marry him."

With that response, Daphne could hear her mother walk away, not even opening the door to see her face to face. A face that for the first time in 6 years had two streaks of tears running down.

A/N: This will be a Harry x Daphne story pairing. Haven't decided on others yet. Thoughts on chapter?