A/N: Once again I apologize for the formatting and grammatical errors. General disclaimers and all that jazz...blah...blah...blah.


As Daphne walked closer Harry greedily drank in her soft soft-looking porcelain skin, appreciated the contrast with her stylish lavender gown and he especially appreciated how the gown left her right shoulder bare. Ickle stopped right in front of Harry, bowed and then straightened.

"Young master Harry sir, may I present to you the Greengrass family. Lord Derek Greengrass, his mum Lady Greengrass, eldest daughter Daphne Greengrass and youngest daughter Astoria Greengrass. Esteemed guests, Heir Apparent Potter and Black, the wizard of honour tonight."

"Thank you Ickle. Lord Greengrass, I am pleased that you could attend my party tonight and I had no idea that the Greengrass name had such beautiful women."

Harry and Derek bowed to one another and Derek extended his hand to his mum and sisters. Up close, Harry noticed the soft angles of Daphne's face, her full pink lips and most of all her stunning purple eyes. A quick glance showed that the rest of the Greengrass family had muted, grey eyes but Daphne's held a unique trait.

"Thank you, Heir Apparent Potter. We are grateful that we received such a gracious invitation to tonight's proceedings and are a little surprised."

"The rumours and gossip mean nothing to me Lord Greengrass. I have been under speculation for the past year and my godfather, Lord Black has for most of his life. I am a firm believer in forming my own opinions and not letting others influence mine."

"We…we are grateful."

Harry nodded and William held out a golden ticket. When Derek tried to take it, William shook his head and pointed to Daphne. Narcissa chided her son but William refused to let go and Daphne took the ticket with a soft thanks. Harry stood slightly mystified by Daphne's beauty and he jerked when Narcissa pinched his arm.

"The eldest Greengrass daughter is very beautiful Harry but do not lose your wits tonight. There is more to tonight than flirting with pretty faces."

"I thought tonight was supposed to be about celebrating my birthday and how much joy I bring to the world."

Narcissa turned to Harry and locked gazes with him. She smiled, a real, warm smile and cupped Harry's cheek in one of her gloved hands.

"You are absolutely right Harry. We are gathered here to celebrate you, you as a man, a wizard and Merlin willing someone who will shape things for centuries to come. Now, let's join the others in the gardens and let me watch you make a fool of yourself over a particular witch."

Harry groaned and shook his head. Narcissa laughed as well and walked back into Abbottsford. The trio of magicals moved through the foyer, a few more rooms and exited into the rear gardens on the estate's grounds.

"You really might have outdone yourself Narcissa. All of this for my birthday?"

"Harry, darling, you are the boy-who-lived and the hero that will rid us of the Dark Lord. You are also heir apparent to two most noble and ancient houses on the Ruling Nine with Potter and Black. Then add to the mystique of your image that you are rarely seen out in public and people would line up outside the gates to attend tonight's event just to see you. Image is half the battle remember."

Even though he wanted to disagree Harry understood Narcissa's points and looked out over the transformed gardens. A hundred wizards and witches milled about, moving about from conversation to conversation and Harry smiled at the mixture of his friends and higher to do, powerful people. It was easy to see which of the guests were not used to the high-class, elitist ambience and interesting emotions were displayed on the faces lit up by the numerous glass shielded candles. Daphne Greengrass caught his eye, sipping from a flute and talking with her sister. As he walked over, Sirius appeared out of nowhere and clapped Harry's shoulder.

"Harry, there you are. I believe that everyone is here as most people came in through the floo access. Would you mind gathering everyone in by giving the first speech of the night?"

"First speech? Who else is going to speak and about what?"

"Never mind about that pup, just get up there and do your godfather proud."

Sirius shoved Harry to the main table at the head of the other arranged tables and Sirius began to clap. Remus caught on, began to clap and soon everyone clapped. Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes and smiled out at his guests. He raised his hands and everyone quieted down to look at him.

"Thank you all for coming and I am honoured by the turnout here tonight. I did not expect so many of my friends and acquaintances to want to show up at my seventeenth birthday but now that we are all here, I just want to say two things. First, eat, drink and be merry. Second, for tonight it is my wish that everyone forgets their title and status. You are all guests of mine and if we truly want to break down the walls that society has created around each and every one of us, we need to greet one another as friends. Tonight, I propose the first toast; to family, friends and new beginnings!"

Harry raised his crystal goblet high and everyone else followed suit. He saw the confusion on some of his guests faces, anger on others and a surprising few smiled warmly at him. Harry took a sip and sat down in between Hermione and William. Narcissa sat on the other side of William, whispering to him, Tonks, Remus, Sirius and Draco filling the nearest seats on either side of Harry and the Greengrass family sat across from them. Minister Shacklebolt, Director Bones and Susan and the other families of the Ruling Nine sat in the remaining chairs at Harry's table.

"Potter, care to clarify the meaning behind your opening speech?"

"I'm afraid that I don't know what you mean Greengrass. I thought my points were clear."

Derek Greengrass fired the first question of the night and Harry looked at him for a second before cutting into his steak. Even though Harry hadn't planned on giving a speech tonight, his words had been a deliberate, calculated risk to shake loose the status qou and Harry was eager to see what would come of his decision.

"Why do want us to forget our titles and status tonight? They have been our birthrights for centuries."

"That is true, but I do not want you to forget your titles and status entirely Greengrass. It is my wish tonight that you mingle with those you haven't had the opportunity to before. Voldemort rose through the disunity and fractions between Ministry departments, family houses and even between families themselves. A large portion of his power comes from the words that are left unsaid, the deeds and actions that aren't clarified and from thoughts turned bitter when our own negative emotions put blinders over our eyes. That is what I meant when I said those things."

Silence fell over Harry's table as it appeared that everyone needed a moment to digest the gravity and meaning behind Harry's words. Derek Greengrass nodded, tipped his goblet to Harry and took a drink. Harry nodded back in return and out of the corner of his eye he saw Remus's almost imperceptible proud nod. Even if Derek Greengrass didn't outright declare allegiance with House Potter or House Black, the young lord's thinking had been altered and new ways of thinking were introduced to him.

"Well said Harry."

Harry nodded at Narcissa's quiet compliment, but a heavy stare alerted him to the ponderous gaze of Daphne Greengrass. Her purple purple-coloured eyes held many unasked questions but instead of voicing them she stared at Harry for another moment a then turned to talk with her younger sister. Someone poked his arm and Harry turned to see a grinning Hermione.

"Who knew underneath that boyish charm there was such a charming tongue? I assume that with all of your fancy lordship training that you received dancing lessons as well?"

Harry cut his eyes over to the large, paneled wood section in the middle of the gathered tables and he shook his head with a grin. He stood up, extended his hand to Hermione and walked backwards to the dance floor as she rose. He twirled her once as they stepped onto the dance floor, classical music suddenly starting to play and he grinned as he caught her at the end of her spin. Hermione giggled, grasped one of his hands in hers and placed the other on his shoulder.

"Oh, how delightful milord! What else did your instructor teach you?"

"Very funny Hermione."

The two best friends danced long, graceful and smooth lines across the expanse of the makeshift dancefloor and Harry spun Hermione out into a dizzying spin at the end of the song. Hermione pivoted and curtsied low. Harry laughed and clapped along with everyone else. From the corner of his eye Harry saw a smiling Narcissa and on impulse Harry walked over to where Daphne sat. He bowed low and held out his hand.

"Would the lady honour me with the next dance?"

Daphne looked up at Harry, the same mix of curiosity alight in her eyes but this time fear as well. Harry didn't move, didn't blink and green stared into purple for a long moment. Slowly, hesitantly, Daphne placed her hand in Harry's and Harry just as gently helped Daphne to her feet. He held her hand and walked as close to her as decorum allowed as they walked back out onto the dance floor.

"If you think that you are going to upstage me Harry then you are horribly mistaken."

Sirius walked alongside Harry and led a stunning witch by the name of Annabel Celeste, who walked half a step behind Sirius. Those that knew Sirius Black and were around him for the past year knew that the once incorrigible Lord Black had backed off his womanizing ways as of late and even though the old dog never confirmed or denied it, rumour had it that Annabel Celeste had caught Sirius's eye. Harry tossed his head back and laughed. He winked at Daphne, took a step back and bowed. Daphne curtsied in return and the beginning notes of the waltz began to play. Harry took Daphne in his arms, a respectable four inches between them and lost himself in Daphne's eyes as the two young magicals danced.

"Why do you keep staring at my eyes?"

Harry shook his head, an embarrassed grin stretching out across his face and he tilted his head to the side. He executed a perfect spin and Daphne followed his movement with ease.

"People always tell me that I have my mum's eyes and that my eyes are one of my best features. I keep staring into your eyes because I see so much in them and I'm enchanted by what I see."

Daphne blushed and looked down. Harry broke respectful decorum and tilted her head back up with a finger underneath her chin.

"You are too kind milord."

Harry grinned and dipped Daphne. He eyed the bared expanse of her upper chest and neck for a second and at the next note pulled Daphne back upright. She hooked her leg around his and led the way through the next couple of turns. Harry grinned and pulled Daphne closer as the song ended on the final waltz. Applause broke out and Harry bowed towards Daphne. She curtsied low and Harry led the way back over to the tables. William ran over and Harry picked him up with a grin.

"Why hello little man. What are you up to?"

"Dance! Dance! I dance too!"

"Okay buddy. Who do you want to dance with?"

Harry set William down and his godson ran off a few steps but came barreling back into Harry's legs. Harry was confused and he bent down so he was closer to eye level with William.

"What's wrong William?"

"Pwetty lady."

Harry looked out to where William was looking and grinned. Susan sat laughing with Hermione and a few other guests. Harry stood up and took William's hands in his. He looked over to Narcissa and the older witch nodded. Harry grinned and led the way over to where Susan sat. The conversation stopped and Susan beamed when she saw William.

"Hey Harry. And hello there William."

William blushed and half hid behind Harry's legs. Harry poked his godson in the shoulder and William fiercely shook his head. Harry rolled his eyes and grinned at Susan.

"William wants to dance but he's suddenly embarrassed to ask whom he wants to dance with."

Understanding lit up Susan's eyes and she grinned happily. She stood up, smoothed out her gown and knelt in front of William. She poked him in the chest and smiled even wider.

"Do you want to dance with me cutie?"

William nodded shyly and took Susan's fingers when she held them out. Harry offered his hand to Hermione again and his best friend nodded her head as she followed him out to the dance floor. A more upbeat and catchier tune played from the wireless and William giggled happily as Susan slowly spun in circles and William played with Susan's hair.

"It would seem that your godson has developed your charm as well Harry."

"Nonsense, William is simply using his toddler status to great effect."

Hermione laughed and Harry maneuvered them over to Susan and William. William squirmed and Harry took him from Susan. Harry had William stand on his shoes and Harry moved about with a the giggling toddler William on his shoes. The song ended and Harry and William bowed to everyone's applause. Harry led William back to their table and sat down.

"Hoo boy, I don't know about you William but suddenly I'm hungry again."

"Eat! Eat!"

Harry laughed and snapped his fingers. A bowl appeared in front of William with bite bite-sized pieces of food for the little boy to eat. Harry created a plate for himself as well and talked with his godson as they ate.


A Few Hours Later

Harry laughed at the Weasley twins' last funny story and twirled his empty goblet around on the table. Many of the guests that had attended his party had left an hour ago, and only his close friends and family remained. The older magicals were inside the manor, leaving the younger teenagers alone in the courtyard and Harry looked over the gathered magicals. Hermione sat next to him, Susan on his other side, Draco sat in a corner of the courtyard, Ginny, Ron and the Weasley twins sat all on one side of the room and Neville and Hannah sat together on a bench. Daphne, Derek and Astoria sait alone on the other side of the room and Harry wished he could find a way to include them in the carefree discussions taking place. Judging from the position of the moon Harry estimated the time to be close to around ten at night and he grinned as William barreled towards him as fast as his little legs could take him. William jumped into Harry's lap, his arms latched around Harry's neck like a koala and he buried his face in Harry's chest.

"Running away from your mum because she told you that it was bed time, are we?"

"I no sleepy! William wants to play. Play with pwetty lady."

Harry and everyone around him laughed at William's antics but everyone quieted when an annoyed Narcissa swept into the courtyard. Harry guessed that everyone still didn't know what to make of the changed former Lady Malfoy and William squirmed as if he was trying to disappear further into Harry. Narcissa stopped and snapped her fingers. William grumbled but slid down out of Harry's lap, walked over to his mum and took her outstretched fingers.

"Night Hawry. Bye pwetty lady."

The gathered witches cooed at William's cuteness and Harry saluted William goodnight as mum and son went back inside. Harry grinned over at a dazed Susan and threw a wadded up napkin at his friend. Susan jumped, startled and flushed at Harry's teasing grin.

"I didn't know that my godson had charmed you so thoroughly Susan. Isn't he a little young for you?"

Susan, although bright red with embarrassment held her head high and took on a snooty air. She picked the crumpled napkin out of her hair and flicked it back at Harry.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. Your godson was more smitten with me then than I was with him."

"Aye, William has taken a liking to you and I appreciate you humouring him. The chances that William has to play with others his age or go out in public are far too few for my liking but there are good reasons for that."

Harry stood up and stretched. When the silence in the room continued he lowered his arms and looked around him. Susan wasn't the only one who looked at Harry curiously and he shook his head.

"William's birth is public knowledge but because of who his father is, there are those that felt it best to shelter him for the time being. Don't be so cynical people."

A silence settled over the room because no one knew what to say because the way Harry spoke about William inferred that there was something else to the young Malfoy wizard other than his unexpected birth. Harry noticed Draco's tight grip on his goblet and he knew that he needed to get Draco under control. Harry moved in front of the everyone and clapped his hands dramatically.

"Since the guardians and adults are inside, I think I want to collect my first present. Draco, if you would join me, I believe we have a score to settle."

The courtyard fell silent, the night insects the only sound and Draco stood up. He shrugged out of his dress robes, undid his tie and loosened his formal white button down. Harry shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket, banished it over to hang on the back of an empty chair and loosened his formal white button down as well. He grinned as Draco approached and rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbows. Harry waved off Ron and the Weasley twins who stood up.

"I know that tonight has held many surprises for all of youyou, but Draco and I are being groomed to take on important mantles in the future. We have been pitted against each other in every aspect of our training, academic or practical and in most areasareas, we are evenly matched."

"Almost everything Potter. I hold the edge on a few things."

"Only because I'm waiting for the most opportune moment to upstage you Draco."

Harry and Draco walked in a large circle, matching each other's footsteps and Harry's wand slid down into his hand from his wrist holster. Draco held up an empty hand and with a snap of his fingers he grasped his own wand.

"Whoa! Whoa! Starting the finale, a little early aren't you boys?"

"What is the meaning of this?"

Sirius led the adults down from the manor and Sirius stepped in between Harry and Draco. Remus, Tonks and Narcissa stood around both young wizards and the other older magicals stood around. Molly Weasley sputtered unintelligibly under her breath near Arthur Weasley who stood behind his children, an inquisitive look on his face. The Lady Greengrass stood behind her children as well but all of the Greengrass's faces were expressionless and Harry couldn't get a read on their thoughts. Percy Weasley had been the one to speak out and question Harry and Draco's intentions.

"Nothing sinister I assure you Undersecretary. Harry and Draco have simply jumped the gun so to speak and started the next chapter of tonight's entertainment early. This is a rather private affair and didn't need to be performed in front of all the guests."

"Never too early for aggressive negotiations Remus."

Harry grinned as Remus attempted to alleviate everyone's worries and Sirius's rebuttal to Remus's statements. Remus stood between Harry and Draco now as Sirius had taken a step back and the others still looked on with mixed expressions.

"Not now Sirius. As I was saying, we have one more event tonight that needs to take place and that is a non-lethal duel between the Heir Apparents for House Black, Malfoy and Potter. Gentlemen, step back please."

Harry grinned at Draco, who looked back at him with mock disdain and both young wizards stepped back to the edge of the makeshift arena that had been created. Sirius had magicked four stone pillars to serve as anchor points and had created wards/shields to protect everyone watching.

"Non-lethal?"

"Oh, don't fret Minister. I happen to know a rather beautiful medi-witch who can heal any potential injury upon the lads in a jiffy."

Harry saw Annabel Celeste roll her eyes and cross her arms underneath her breasts. He smirked as Sirius's eyes dipped down to the cleavage Annabel's movements caused and then back up.

"So kind of you to ask Lord Black."

"As if you wouldn't help little Harry and Draco."

"Oi!"

Harry shot a hex jinx at Sirius, but his hex was absorbed into the ward's shields. Sirius smirked and tilted his head to the side. Harry shook his head and returned his attention back inside the wards. Remus stood between Harry and Draco and looked at both of them.

"This is a non-lethal duel so don't go above beyond the point of no return. Combatants, bow to one another."

Harry bowed with a dramatic flourish and Draco returned the gesture. Remus stepped back into the referee's square and dropped his hand. Harry leaped forward as did Draco and both young wizards had matching grins on their faces.


Harry crouched low to the ground, shoulders hunched forward and blazing green eyes narrowed. The left sleeve of his button down hung by a few threads from a rather nifty spell combination from Draco and he suffered from freeze burns all over his lower body. Draco had always favoured the ice element and the Malfoy Heir Apparent incorporated it into his spell work every chance he got. Harry reached behind him and moved his fingers in circular motions. Draco's eyes narrowed and a plethora of low-level spells shot out of his outstretched wand arm.

"Oh no you don't Potter!"

Harry rolled to the right to avoid Draco's spells and grinned as he jumped high up into the air. He brought his hand forward from behind his back punched the air in front of him.

"Too late Draco. Kasai, as the world burns!"

White fire shot towards Draco who hastily created an ice shield, but Harry knew he had momentum on his side this time around. He dropped back to the ground, kept his fire spell going and waved his wand at the ground underneath Draco.

"Demerguro."

Draco sank through the ground at Harry's sinking spell and Harry flashed forward to seize the moment. As soon as he was close enough, Harry kicked Draco's wand out of his hand and bound Draco with the full-body binding hex.

"Match! Harry is the winner!"

Harry grinned as Remus raised his non-wand arm and bowed to the smattering of applause. Remus unbound Draco and Harry helped Draco to his feet. Annabel Celeste swooped in as soon as Sirius waved his hand to cancel the wards and waved her wand all around Harry and Draco.

"Harry close your eyes. Your eyes are glowing again and we don't want to let that little surprise out of the bag just yet."

"Oh, right."

Harry closed his eyes and felt someone slip a pair of glasses over his eyes.

"Is everything all right with Harry?"

"Everything's fine Hermione. Just get a little excited at times and my magic does wonky things. Enjoy the show?"

"If your intent was to give me a heart attack then you succeeded."

Harry grinned and tried to sense where Daphne stood. He couldn't sense her with his magic going haywire and internally shrugged as he fielded questions from everyone around him.


The Burrow. The Next Morning

The morning after Harry Potter's birthday found one Hermione Granger snuggling under the covers in the cot in Ginny Weasley's room and sleepily opening her eyes to the morning sun. She wriggled her nose and gave a huge yawn. Last night had been amazing, seeing her best friend for the first time in a year and the strange but friendly interactions with classmates she had never truly talked to before. The interactions and friendship between Harry and Draco had been shocking and revealing. There seemed to be a sense of urgency and importance about them last night and Hermione's insatiable curiosity had been piqued.

"Oh good, you're finally awake."

Hermione sat up, wiped the sleep from her eyes and pushed her hair out of her face. She reached underneath her pillow for her wand, pulled it out and cast the tempus charm.

"What do you mean finally awake? It's still early."

"Yes, but since you fell asleep like right away when we got back from Harry's birthday party last night I listened to the 'adult' conversation from the top of the stairs last night. Did you know that Sirius deliberately didn't invite Dumbledore last night?"

Ginny's comment and question caused Hermione to stop her morning stretches. Ginny gave a Cheshire grin, hopped down from sitting on her bedroom's windowsill and walked into the centre of her room.

"Yes, that's right. The great and wonderful Albus Dumbledore wasn't invited to the boy-who-lived coming of age birthday party."

"Sssh! You're talking about Headmaster Dumbledore, not Ron. You wouldn't talk this way in public."

Ginny rolled her eyes, pulled her nightgown over her head and placed her hands on her hips. Hermione rolled her eyes and rummaged through her own trunk for clothes.

"Your respect for authority is going to be your downfall when you graduate Hermione. You're seventeen, at the beginning of the prime years of your life and you need to let loose. Take that stick out of your arse."

"Well why don't you tell me how you really feel Ginny? And it's hard to take you seriously when you're standing topless and in pink knickers with flowers on them in the middle of your room. If someone was to open your bedroom door they would get a very good view of what you have to offer."

Ginny flushed bright red and yanked on her clothes for the day. Hermione undresses undressed quickly and pulls pulled her own day clothes on.

"I act my age Hermione. And aren't you the least bit curious as to why Dumbledore wasn't invited?"

"Fine Ginny. Tell me all about it."

Hermione sits down on Ginny's unmade bed and crossed her legs. Ginny straightened her shirt and stuck her nose up in the air.

"Well, as I was saying, last night mum and dad were talking in the kitchen. Mum kept saying that it was disrespectful of Sirius not to invite Dumbledore and dad kept saying that it was Sirius's right not to invite Dumbledore. Apparently, Sirius is leading some motions in the Wizengamot that Dumbledore isn't too comfortable with."

"That would make sense I suppose. As soon as Sirius started taking his title as Lord Black seriously, stop snickering Ginny, the headmaster has been making his displeasure known in the newspaper. The Daily Prophet dramatizes it to the point of almost making it a soap opera."

"Girls? Are you awake yet? There are some things to do today that I need your help with. Breakfast is on table!"

Both witches hurried out of Ginny's room and down the stairs. Nothing was worth the wrath of Molly Weasley this early in the morning.


Greengrass Estate

Daphne Greengrass sat out on her family manor's grounds, underneath a large oak tree, knees drawn up to her chest and muggle romance novel absentmindedly held in her hands. Reading the romance novels had become a guilty, private passion of hers (she could just hear her mum scolding her about the un-lady like behavior of it all) and Daphne liked to imagine that she was the heroine, leading lady or damsel in distress. The dashing rogue, or mysterious hero had been vague and unclear early on in her adolescence, but the green-eyed Harry Potter had filled those roles as of late. Seeing him last night at his seventeenth birthday party had been a dream come true for Daphne and she grinned a silly little grin as she remembered how close he had held her at various moments during the evening and the dances they had shared had made Daphne's evening.

"You have the look of a young woman in love Daphne. I take it that you enjoyed your evening last night?"

"Good afternoon mum."

Daphne closed her novel and held the cover close to her chest so her mum couldn't see the title. Her eyes narrowed as her mum stood in front of her and Daphne scolded herself mentally for being so caught up in her reminiscing that she didn't notice her mum approach.

"Please do not be so closed off Daphne. I wish to speak with you as a mum and daughter should and I am trying to make up for my neglect and period of absence in your early childhood."

Back before the Dark Lord had almost taken over magical England the first time, Lord Thomas Greengrass and his wife, Lady Samantha Greengrass had made the political and social moves for the powerful position of Minister of Magic. Thomas Greengrass had lost the final vote by two and Barty Crouch Senior had become Minister of Magic instead. When his political aspirations had failed, Thomas Greengrass still retained his powerful, social image but in private he had fallen into depression. Daphne's mum had performed her wifely duties in taking care of her husband but by the time Thomas Greengrass had bounced back, too much time had passed for Daphne to trust and converse with her mum. Daphne's grandmother had become Daphne's confidant instead.

"Maybe another time. Any news on grandmother?"

"Just her usual correspondence and a status update from her doctor. Nothing has changed."

Samantha Greengrass held out a letter to Daphne and Daphne took it. She opened it, read over the contents quickly and pocketed the personal letter from her grandmother for reading at a later time.

"Your brother would also like to see you in the master's study and Astoria has been clamoring to talk to you all morning."

"Thank you."

Daphne stood up, nodded to her mum and walked through the grounds to the backdoor leading into the Greengrass Manor. She walked through the large main hall, through the east sitting room and knocked on the door to the master's study. Her older brother Derek had taken on the mantle of Lord Greengrass after their father's incarceration, a few years earlier than expected, and Daphne's heart went out to her now-always-serious older brother. Derek hadn't been able to enjoy the final years of his adolescence as he needed to keep up the reputation and powerbase that the Greengrass name held.

"Mum did say that you were lost in thought all morning. Are you going to stand outside in the hallway or come in and talk with me?"

"I see that keeping up with the correspondence still brings out your sarcasm and wit."

Daphne walked into the master's study and sat across from her brother in a high-backed leather chair. Her brother's grey- coloured eyes attempted to pierce through her but Daphne had grown up with Derek and merely tilted her head to the side as she looked right back at him.

"Mum says that you want to speak to me. What's going on?"

"I wanted to talk to you about your interactions with Potter last night. Don't do that Daphne. I'm not asking as your older brother but as head of the family."

At Derek's words Daphne's expression turned colder and indifferent. She didn't want to talk to anyone about her interactions with Harry and she crossed her legs as she sat further back in the chair. Derek sighed in turn and sat back in his chair with his hands behind his head.

"You are graduating Hogwarts this coming term and you have denied any suitors that have asked to court you. I have protected you because you have been focusing on your studies but that can only work for so long. If there is something happening between you and Potter, I can protect your status and name from a different angle, but I need you to be honest with me."

"There is nothing happening between Potter and for goodness sakes Derek, he only introduced himself to our circles of influence last night."

Derek stared at Daphne for a long moment, but she returned his gaze and he nodded with a heavy sigh. He picked his quill back up his quill and tapped it on his parchments.

"That is all then. I believe Astoria wants to speak with you as well."

Daphne recognised the dismissal, nodded and stood up. She walked out of the master's study, took a few deep breaths to steady her slight trembling and plastered a smile on her face as she walked up the stairs towards her little sister's bedroom.


Abbottsford

One week after his seventeenth birthday party found Harry and gathered company lounging about on the back terrace after a light lunch. Sirius and Annabel Celeste sat together on one of the cushioned swinging chairs, Narcissa played with William on a lounger, Draco sat next to them and Remus sat across from them next to Harry.

"Boys, your Hogwarts letters came in this morning and we must decide on how your schooling is going to continue for your final term."

Silence settled over the group at Sirius's words and Harry looked over at his former guardian. The fact that Harry was recognised as his own man by magical law was a sobering thought, but Harry steered his thoughts back to the fact that Sirius was giving him the option to return to Hogwarts after a mandated two-year absence.

"Why do you look so surprised Harry? I told you one year ago that when this time came around I would give you the choice. Now it's time for you to decide."

"I want to return to Hogwarts."

Draco's statement shifted the attention off Harry and onto the blonde blonde-haired wizard. Draco stood up, pushed his hair out of his face and shrugged his shoulders at everyone's curious expressions.

"I want to go out and visit with my friends and people my age. I think returning to Hogwarts for my final term will allow me to extend my influence and gather support for when I publicly reclaim my family's honour and show that the Malfoy's have changed."

"Harry? Your thoughts?"

Harry looked over to Remus at the older wizard's question and stared back at him without seeing. Hundreds of thoughts flooded his mind and possible scenarios popped up just as quick as Harry dismissed them. He had been thinking on this exact question for the better part of six months now, weighing the pros and cons of both, but had no clear decision on whether to return to Hogwarts or not.

"I will return to Hogwarts for my final term as well."

Expectant silence hung in the air at Harry's words, everyone leaning forward and waiting for Harry to elaborate. When he didn't, everyone looked around at each other and Sirius pierced Harry with a look.

"We need a little bit more to go on then than that Harry."

"People are wondering what to make of me, as I am the boy-who-lived and heir apparent possibly to two most ancient and noble Houses. I want to see who my friends are, who my allies are and most importantly those that oppose me."

Sirius looked at Harry with a hard gaze for a moment longer but nodded and smirked. Narcissa looked up over at Harry and cleared her throat.

"Harry, remember that you are a young man too, not just a political figure. If you want to find out who is who, fine, but do remember that people are more than just their networking worth."

"Perhaps you should see more of a certain Greengrass heiress?"

At Harry's jaw tightening and slightly flushed cheeks everyone laughed. Harry muttered under his breath and Sirius stood up. He clapped his hands and three house elves appeared with robes for Sirius, Draco and Harry. Sirius pulled his robes on and at Harry and Draco's confused expressions, motioned for them to pull on their robes as well. Harry and Draco dido so and Sirius held out a small white stone.

"In anticipation of your answers, Dumbledore, the Hogwarts staff and I have worked out a few particular details about your return to Hogwarts. You can read the particulars in your letters, but we have to meet with them in an hour to go over everything."

"What? Go over what?"

The mischievous grin that stole across Sirius's face made Harry frown, but Sirius waggled the rock and Harry touched it with his pointer finger. The familiar tug behind his navel jerked Harry and the grounds of Abbottsford vanished.


A/N 2: Thank you daithi4377 for pointing out the time-continuity error and that has been fixed.