I7
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Welcome back to Infusions! It's awesome to have you here. Last time Harry had his first quidditch match, dodged a bullet when the boys asked him who he liked and found out that Rita Skeeter had gone digging. He also discovered that he was betrothed. This time, Draco has a talk with his father and we see Harry experience his first wizarding Christmas since he returned. Plus, I can't not reveal Harry's reaction, so we'll start with that. Reading suggestion: ¾ width.
From Last Time:
By the end of it, Harry had absolutely no colour in his face. Severus swooped down. "Come with me. Now. Greengrass, you too." Between them, the Professor and student managed to take one arm each and escort him from the chaos.
When they'd left, Draco Malfoy made a decision to be different. Harry's words had echoed through his mind all night, and now he had a chance to stand out for a good reason. Looking around, he hoisted himself onto the table top and spoke. "I, Draco Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, do hereby pledge my allegiance and support to the House of Potter. Anyone who insults him, insults my family. So if you have a problem with my housemate, you'll have to come through me first." He locked eyes with Hermione Granger. "Harry has changed Hogwarts for the better. Now you can write home all you like, but I'll repeat what he said to me last night. Well, part of it anyway." The boys that had witnessed the conversation snickered. "You have a choice, you know. You can sit here and be clones of your fathers or you can grow up and be your own people. Love who you want to love, follow who you want to follow. But don't let anyone force you to make a decision that you know you'll regret. Harry has taught me how to live, not just survive. Thank you all. And yes, my father will hear about this."
Chapter 7: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
"I can't believe that woman!" Daphne yelled as she, Severus, and Harry reached the safety of the dungeons. "She ruins people's lives without a thought of how people might feel!"
Severus tried not to grin. Daphne expressed everyone's feelings on the matter. "Sit down, and I'll get us all some hot chocolate."
"Professor, are you sure you're not secretly a woman? You and your chocolate obsession… I just can't wrap my head around it."
"Definitely not a woman. No, I dated Harry's mother, who believed that it really did fix everything." Severus remarked.
Harry still hadn't said a word.
"Harry, what are you thinking about?" Daphne asked softly.
"She found out." Harry muttered. "And she goes and claims that I'm apparently one of the parties involved in this bloody rumour that Parkinson started!"
Severus and Daphne sighed. "It's not a rumour. I wrote to my mother and she said that it's unfortunately one hundred percent true. Sir, she also said that they went to Gringotts to rewrite their will and that should they die, I'd be well cared for. Do you think they're alright?"
"I'm sure they're fine. People update their wills all the time. Now, here's your hot chocolate," he said, handing her a steaming cup. Severus perched on the edge of the couch where Harry sat. "Harry, you'll be alright. I'm here, and I'm sure that whoever you're betrothed to is a very nice girl."
"I'm eleven. What sort of a barbaric practice is this?" Harry scoffed. Daphne giggled in agreement. "At least Draco has a choice in loving Granger."
"I knew it!" Daphne squealed. "Oh, she's a wonderful girl! Harry, if it weren't for you I probably wouldn't have talked to her." She kissed his cheek, making him turn pink.
"Oops, don't tell Draco you know. Daph, can your parents help? You know, with the article. She disrespected you too."
"By calling me your girlfriend? I'm used to people doing that. I've grown up with all sorts of names. I think we all dreamed of being Lady Potter when we were young."
Severus smirked. "Having been privy to a great number of Pureblood Elite luncheons, I can hardly say I'm surprised. However, I think Harry might be referring to the fact that she spilled your personal story about Lloyd. Am I correct?"
Harry nodded. There was a little more colour in his face now that he was calming down. "Sev, did you know about the contract?"
"I knew of the rumours, and that one existed. But I was not aware that you were involved." This wasn't entirely true; however Severus knew it was more important to keep his ward calm.
Daphne spoke up again. "Sir, aside from inviting you and Harry to luncheon on Christmas Day, my mother told me that both parties were not from dark families. That means it can't be Parkinson or Bulstrode and since Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle don't have any girls, I've narrowed it down to myself, Tracey or one of the non-Slytherin families." She squeezed Harry's hand. "Would it really be so bad? From what I know, you have until you're at least fifteen before you need to be married."
A sniffle indicated that Harry was finally letting go of being strong. She stood and moved closer, kneeling in front of him.
"Harry, you won't be alone through any of this. We all love you so much," Severus whispered quietly.
Daphne reached up and wiped a tear away from his cheek. "Professor, if you want to floo my mother and discuss the article, go ahead. I'll look after Harry."
"Alright. I'll be in the next room if you need me."
HP SS HP SS HP SS
Severus basically ran to the fireplace. "Greengrass Manor!" Tense seconds flew by as he waited for an answer. To his utter relief, it was Daphne's mother that answered.
"Severus! What a pleasant surprise!" she remarked.
"Lady Greengrass, have you seen the article?"
"Call me Anne, please. Rita's article was quite a rollercoaster. Is any of it true?"
Severus sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. I made the mistake of not checking Albus' office for eavesdroppers. The room must have been bugged. She got every single word I said."
"Oh, you poor dear. How is our Daphne taking it?" Anne asked gently.
"All things considered, rather well. I think she's staying strong for Harry. Either that, or she's very good at hiding her emotions."
"The girls used to joke that she was the ice queen. Harry seems to have changed that. Even her letters are warmer." Her voice trembled. "I must ask, do you think she suspects anything?"
"Are you referring to the contract?" Severus willed his own voice not to shake. His stomach turned when she wiped her nose with a handkerchief and nodded.
"Yes."
He breathed in deeply. "When Harry asked if I knew about the contract, she said that you'd informed her that the rumour was indeed true and neither parties were dark. She ruled out certain people and left herself, Tracey or a non-Slytherin family."
Anne sighed. "Merlin! I wasn't expecting the information to leak this early. I was hoping no one would find out until they were thirteen at least. I wasn't going to teach her about being a lady until she was twelve. This is all horribly messed up."
"If it's any consolation, I think they love each other already. She'll be an excellent choice for Lady Potter."
"They're only eleven. The poor babies won't get a chance to be children." Anne cried.
"We'll help them. We are their parents. We're there to guide them." Severus said in a level tone. Harry might have been James Potter's son but he was his too. Because Lily had chosen him. "Anne, I loved Lily since the day I met her – and we were only ten. It is possible."
"I know. And I admire your strength. Now, will Daniel and I be seeing you on Christmas Day?"
"Of course. It will be our absolute pleasure. I'm sure Harry will enjoy seeing your home as well."
The pair ended the call and Severus turned his back on the fireplace. To his shock, he was greeted by the sight of a pale Daphne. "I just came to let you know that he's fallen asleep and I'll be going back to the common room now."
"Thank you, Daphne, for responding how you did. I wouldn't have blamed you for a second if you'd run off in front of everyone."
She smiled shyly and left with a small wave. Meanwhile, Severus went in search of firewhiskey. It had been a long morning, and if his suspicions were correct, it would be a long afternoon.
HP SS HP SS HP SS HP SS
Draco Malfoy had grown up under the firm influence of his father. No matter what happened to him, Lucius found out. Therefore, it came as no surprise to him that he turned up at the school the very next day.
"Draco, my son. You look well. May I?" Lucius greeted, gesturing to the bench. It was breakfast time.
"Why did you come?"
"To see you. I heard tell of what you did yesterday."
Draco stiffened. "I'm sorry, father."
"Don't apologise. You have done a great thing."
"But Father, the house of Malfoy is known to be dark. I thought you'd be angry."
Lucius sighed. "Ten years of living outside the Dark Lord's influence has shown me what truly matters. I have begun to side with the Greengrass family in being 'neutral'. Your friend Potter changed the face of Slytherin house forever and its impact has spread beyond the walls of Hogwarts."
"What if he returns? Harry said he's not dead."
"Son, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. However, I assure you my allegiance no longer lies with that man."
Father and son sat quietly for a few minutes, tentatively enjoying each other's company. Draco's eyes lingered on the Gryffindor table.
"Father? Harry said we always have a choice. Is he right?"
"It makes me glad to hear you've learned this so young. Where is he, anyway?"
An outbreak of whispers signalled that Harry and Daphne had arrived. Blaise and Tracey surrounded them, ready to act at any moment. Lucius rose and extended his hand. "Ah, Mr Potter. It's lovely to meet you at last. I hear my screens provided quite the touch of drama at the match."
Harry bowed slightly. "Lord Malfoy, I'm pleased to meet you too."
"Will we be seeing you for Christmas luncheon sir?" Daphne asked pleasantly.
"Indeed you will be. Your parents have been very gracious in inviting us."
He stayed a few minutes more before moving towards the head table, presumably to speak with Dumbledore.
HP SS HP SS HP SS HP SS
With classes, homework and quidditch filling their lives, Christmas came quickly. December 21st meant that the students left the castle in all its glory to spend time with their nearest and dearest. The quiet halls gave Severus and Harry plenty of time to get to know each other better.
By the time Christmas Day had arrived, the bond between 'father' and 'son' was very solid. Harry awoke at eight am to find that Severus was in the sitting area of his quarters, clad in soft pajamas and woollen socks.
"Morning Sev."
"Ah, Harry, good morning. I'm pleased to see that you're finally awake." Severus said with a teasing glint in his eye.
"Finally? How long have you been up?"
"Since six. I blame your mother – when we were dating, she'd get me up at the crack of dawn to open presents."
"Wow. Why did you stop dating?"
Severus sighed. He was surprised this hadn't come up before now. "I was expecting this question long ago. Harry, the first war put us all in grave danger. I was a very different man back then – I was a Slytherin and it was expected of me to follow the Dark Lord, while she sided with Dumbledore. One day, Lily and I had an argument and I called her a mudblood."
Harry gasped. "Why?"
"I was hurting. It was one of those situations where I was caught up in the moment. Anyway, we decided it wasn't safe to be together and she chose to be with your father."
"So in your fear and anger you switched sides?" To Severus' relief, Harry was being very reasonable.
"I was a death eater from the beginning of my seventh year onwards. When I realised he was after your mother, I turned to Albus and became a spy. I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry threw himself and Severus and hugged him tightly. "I forgive you, dad. And I'm sure she did too." Severus' eyes grew misty. It was the best gift he could've received. "Now, presents right?"
Severus chuckled at reached for the pile at the bottom of the tree.
HP SS HP SS HP SS
At Greengrass manor, preparations had been made for the many guests that were arriving. Daphne, as usual held secrets against her heart that would cripple others without her strength. A mere few weeks beforehand, she'd overheard a conversation that caused all her uncertainty to fall away and be replaced with a mixture of pure, unbroken love and a sense of maturity.
"Now dear, you're going to be a Lady one day so you need to act like it. That means you act with politeness and compassion at all times."
Daphne sighed. If only her mother knew that she'd been there, hidden in the shadows. "Yes, mother."
The floo chimed, announcing the arrival of their first guests. "Go and greet whoever that is dear, I have matters to attend to in here."
Daphne rolled her eyes, before doing as she was asked. As it happened, the first guests were Severus and Harry. Her heart quickened. "Merry Christmas! Welcome to our home."
The pair smiled. "It's lovely to be here." Severus replied. Harry was strangely silent, staring in awe at the girl before him. She looked very pretty indeed, in robes of pale green and silver.
Someone cleared their throat. "Ah, hello Severus. And, you must be Harry. I'm Daniel Greengrass – Daphne's father. Daphne, why don't you give Harry a tour? I'm sure he'll be delighted."
She blushed lightly and looked down. "Yes, daddy. Come on then." She took his arm and began to lead him through the various rooms. As she went, she told stories of her childhood and the memories that each one awakened. Harry thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the tale of her first bout of accidental magic – she'd fallen down the stairs one day and had bounced back to safety. Daphne breathed a sigh of relief when they reached her room. She opened the door and flopped down on the bed. Harry grinned, joy filling his eyes.
"You look happy today, Harry." Daphne remarked.
"Yeah, I feel happy. I've never really had presents… there were ever so many."
Her breath caught. She often forgot what he'd been through. Her eyes grew suspiciously bright. Harry, who was standing, put a hand on her shoulder. "Daph? Are you alright?"
"I – it's just – you're always so thoughtful and I'm so happy for you. You deserve more than what you've got."
He sat down beside her and reached into his robes. "I bought you something. Sev said it's respectful." He pulled out a small, flat box. "Here, open it. Merry Christmas, my flower queen."
Her hand shook as she took it from him. She tugged lightly on the ribbon that held it closed and gasped. Inside was a silver bracelet that held a rose charm in the center. "Oh, Harry, it's gorgeous. Thank you!" She hugged him tightly. "Can you put it on me?"
"Sure," he replied softly. He lifted it from its resting place and gently unfastened the clasp. It looked perfect against her skin. A tinkling sound from the level below indicated that luncheon was ready. They stood, ready to face the world.
"Come, milady. It's time to face the music."
HP SS HP SS HP SS
As Harry and Daphne would reflect in the many years to come, what followed after that moment could never be forgotten.
The table was set so that Daniel sat at the head, his wife on his right hand side and his daughter on the left. Next to Daphne was Harry, basking in the glory of being with so many friends. Tracey was a few places down with her parents, Blaise was at the other end of the table, and the Malfoys were beside Severus. Other families such as the Parkinsons, Crabbes and Goyles were scattered in a way that meant no arguments could take place over fairness.
"Daphne, your bracelet!" Tracey squealed.
Daphne grinned at Harry and then looked away. Her best friend's pronouncement had shifted everyone's attention from the debate on the usefulness of muggles to her. "It's a gift from someone special."
Harry's face turned scarlet. He wasn't that special. Anne smiled to herself and shared a silent laugh with Severus – her girl was clearly besotted, and if the gift were anything to go by, the feelings were returned. She took pity on him. "It's lovely. A very considerate choice – and obviously this person knows our Daphne's affection for flowers. Now, would anyone like tea? We've procured a wonderful range, including Lady Grey and English Breakfast."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief and felt peace wash over him as Daphne took his hand under the table. "You're the best," she whispered while smiling innocently at her guests. "We're in this together."
It was the most enjoyable Christmas any of them had ever had.
A/N: I'm going to slowly start phasing out of doing author's notes at the top. Anyway, before anyone flames me about their closeness, Harry's gift, or Daphne's actions… remember that an ancient and powerful magic is at work in their lives. Please return next time for the return of classes, the Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff match, and other exciting moments such as Ron doing something stupid.
