A/N Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. I have some time off, so I will try really hard to get a couple more chapters out of the next two weeks. They like this one will not be to my Beta before they are posted, since she is not available right now. I don't want to get to personal, but just a quick update to you all. My husband is going to be getting a liver transplant in the very near future. Things look very good, so please I am not looking for sympathy, just wanting to let you all know, I will try like the dickens to finish this before we get the liver, but if not, the story will not be abandoned, but it may be put on my life's back burner until he is all healed.

As always thank you all so much for reading this and for any wonderful reviews.

Chapter 35: Pictures Say It All

The morning after her engagement party Astoria Greengrass laid in her bed with a smile gracing her pink lips. She sat up like a rocket suddenly. After the night before, all the champagne and dancing, it really hit her. She was going to be Lady Malfoy. This was the first time in months Astoria had slept in her old bed, back at Greengrass Estates. It had only been for the night, today she and Draco would be heading back to their flat. She looked to her left and couldn't believe how much she missed having Draco laying there beside her. Most of the time she felt he laid too close, always needing some part of them touching while he slept. She never complained. Astoria knew that in some way it helped him sleep and ward off the awful nightmares he was haunted by most nights. Draco had confessed to her long ago that he still woke almost every night, but was able to calm himself and fall right back to sleep once he felt her there with him. With out having him there she realized, she missed it.

Astoria climbed out of bed and grabbed a robe wrapping it tightly around herself. The middle of July, but the hallways in the house still always seemed a little drafty to her. She opened her bedroom door and looked out. No one was around. She left her room, intending to sneak to Draco's room in the guest wing, but stopped short when she noticed the lights on in Daphne's room. Astoria stole a glance at the clock in the hallway. Three in the morning. She had assumed Daphne would have cried herself to sleep by now. Quietly she tip toed to Daphne's door, if her sister was asleep and had left the lights on, she didn't want to disturb her.

Astoria listened at the slightly ajar door for a second and herd muffled sobs coming from the room. She pushed the door open a little wider and looked in. Daphne was sitting cross legged on her bed, still wearing her dress from the night before. Make up messed and running down her face from crying. Her eyes were red and hair pulled from the elaborate up do from the night before. She had what must have been hundreds of letters scattered all about her and was in the middle of reading another one. Astoria's heart ached for her sister and she entered the room, closing the door behind her.

Daphne looked up at her sister and put her hand up to her mouth to try and stifle a sob, then chocked out the question that made Astoria start crying also. "Do you have any idea how many times he tried to find me?"

"Oh Daphne." Astoria ran over to her sisters bed, tears running down her face. Astoria pulled her sister into a hug and stroked her hair. "I am sure it was loads of times."

Daphne cried into her sisters chest holding onto her for dear life. "Twelve Astoria, twelve times Theo went to France or sent letters to the French Ministry or to Witch Weekly trying to find me." She hiccupped a little and pulled back to look at Astoria. "I never tried to find him, not even once. What the hell kind of person am I?"

Astoria pushed some of the letters out of the way and crawled on the bed beside her sister. "Oh Daph, don't do this to yourself. Your situations were different. Theo had freedom from his father to search for you. You were still very much controlled by ours."

"I could have Tori. I could have left once I turned seventeen and come back to him. Daddy couldn't have stopped me. But I didn't." Daphne reached down and picked up a letter shoving into Astoria's hands. "He tells me he still loves me, that he needs me, in every single one of these letters Tori. In every single one!" Daphne wiped at her face and pulled another letter out of the box. "He tells me over and over again how much he misses me, and what did I do? Keep a diary for a short time, until Luc came along."

Astoria grabbed Daphne's hands stopping her from opening the next letter. "Daph look at me." Daphne looked up. "You can't blame yourself for the last five years. That was all Daddy, just like it is now."

"Astoria, I..." Daphne started, but Astoria held her finger up to her sisters mouth silencing her.

"No Daph, Daddy pushed you to go out with Luc once Luc asked for permission to take you out. All you did, was try and be happy." Astoria grabbed a tissue off Daphne's night stand and handed to her sister. "Once he decided we were returning to London, didn't he make you reconnect with Marcus, again not giving you a choice?"

Daphne nodded in agreement. "But I did agree Tori, I could have said no both times. I really didn't want to date either Luc or Marcus."

"No, but Luc was a nice distraction, wasn't he?" Astoria said with a sly grin on her face.

Daphne giggled lightly and wiped her face before looking around at the scattered letters on the bed. "I can't believe Theo not only wrote all these, but held on to them aswell." She took a deep breath and looked back at her sister. "Tori, what do I do? I am killing him, do you know that? Killing him."

Astoria gave Daphne's hands a squeeze. "You don't marry Marcus, that's what you do. Theo is the one want. You may not have disobeyed Daddy before and gone on hunts for him, or written him a thousand love letters you couldn't send. But you never stopped loving him. I know that Daphne. Theodore Nott had always been and always will be the one you are in love with. So marry him. To hell with what Daddy wants."

"Oh Tori, if only it was that easy." Daphne wiped at her face again and started collecting all the read letters into a pile.

Tori started helping her. "You love Theodore and he loves you. Seems rather easy to me."

Daphne got off the bed and set the first stack of love letters on her vanity. "You would think it's easy. You're getting to marry for love."

Tori stood and handed Daphne more letters. "That is not my fault Daphne."

"I know." Daphne took the letters, set them down, and pulled Astoria into her arms. "I am sorry if I sounded accusatory. I didn't mean to. I couldn't be happier for and Draco."

Astoria pulled back and took Daphne by the hand and lead her over to her dressing room, turned her around and unzipped her dress. "Tell me why, why are you doing this to yourself. You so clearly don't want to marry Marcus."

Daphne stepped out of the dress and grabbed her nightgown. "I am not suppose to tell you Tori."

Astoria helped her sister get into her nightgown and then turned her around so they were looking at each other. "We have never kept secrets from each other before Daph. Don't start now. Please. Let me in."

Daphne looked up at Astoria and took a deep breath. "Ok, I will tell you why, but you have to promise, it doesn't leave this room."

Astoria helped Daphne back over to the vanity and sat her down. While Astoria helped Daphne wash her face and brush her hair Daphne told her sister everything. They held each other and cried, finally getting into bed. Astoria stroked her sisters hair until Daphne finally feel asleep. Astoria laid there wondering if she really should keep everything her sister just told her to herself. If Theo knew the truth, what would he do? Was there anything anyone could do to help? Lord Malfoy used to be very influential at the ministry. She fell asleep after convincing herself to tell Draco, perhaps his father still had some contacts and could think of a way to help.

xXXx

The Ministry was buzzing with much more activity then Fay thought there would be on a Saturday morning. She was waiting outside Ernie's office. He wasn't in yet, and had sent her a massage saying he was running a bit behind. It seemed the story on the front of the paper, Canons Chaser Falls From More Then His Broom!, had quite the impact on people this morning. While waiting in the lobby before being sent up to Ernie's floor she had already witnessed Auror Andrew Flint dodge reporters to get to his office, and Mr. Christopher Flint being followed by a large group of men who all looked angry as they headed off toward the Wizengamont chambers.

Fay had been rather shocked herself by what the article had accused Marcus Flint of having done the night before. Having done it at his own fiancé's sisters engagement party, to his fiancé's ex-boyfriend's date from America, no less. It really was the scandal of the year. The scandal that had pushed pictures of Daphne and Theo dancing together to the society page, and only stating 'how nice it was to see the two could still be friendly'. Fay was happy for Theo, Flint had taken the focus off him for the night. Well mostly off him. The fact Flint had chosen Nott's date as his target did still have the gossip mill talking.

Marcus's indiscretion would also help Lord Greengrass in Fay's opinion. If he couldn't use the ledger alone to get Daphne out of the contract, he could always couple it with Marcus's action's from the night before. The two things together, had to be enough to make Christopher Flint back off.

As Fay now sat in the hallway of the Magical Legal Department she noticed several young woman being escorted up one by one and asked to wait outside Auror Weasley's office. 'Hmm, I wonder?' Fay said to herself. She didn't have much time though to think about why so many women were waiting to speak to Weasley. Ernie turned the corner, briefcase in hand and trying to adjust his tie with his other hand.

"Sorry Miss Dunbar, my wife and I stayed at the party longer last night then we should have." Ernie shuffle his briefcase between his knees to hold it while he offered Fay his hand.

She laughed lightly at him, and shook his hand. "You know I think we know each other well enough for first names Ernie."

Ernie smiled and nodded. He plucked his briefcase from between his knees and stood up. "You're right of course." He tilted his head toward his office door. "Come on in."

Ernie and Fay entered his office and Ernie sat his briefcase on his desk. "I must tell you Fay, with the evidence in that ledger, we could really shake up the Wizarding World." He motioned for her to sit.

Fay smiled politely at Ernie and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "I am not really interested in shaking things up Ernie. I think enough of that has happened over the last few years." She shook her head no. "No, Ernie. I just want to help Lord Greengrass get out from under Flint's blackmail so Daphne and Theo can be together."

"Well Fay, anything I can do to help Theo, I will do." He opened his briefcase and pulled out a roll of parchment. "On that note, I already started drawing up the juncture, to enter the ledger as evidence against Yaxley when his appeal goes before the Wizengamont." He closed the briefcase, placed it on the floor and sat down. "My father plans to confront Christopher Flint during their session this afternoon, if I can present him with the proof. For that, I just need to make a copy of the ledger."

"Certainly." Fay pulled the ledger out of her bag and handed it to Ernie.

Ernie placed the ledger on his desk and pulled out his wand. A few quick waves of his wand and an exact copy of the ledger was right beside the original. Ernie sat his wand down and picked up the copy thumbing through it to make sure everything copied. Pleased with his work he looked up at Fay and smiled. "Of course you know that for the trial I will require the real thing. But that is months away."

Fay nodded her understanding. "Certainly. I am sure I can have it back to you within a couple of days Ernie. I plan to see Lord and Lady Greengrass this morning, after I leave here in fact."

"Great." Then his smile turned to a frown. "Have you filed a report yet describing how you came to find the ledger?"

"No. I will head over to Potter's office right now and do that. I promise you Ernie I didn't do anything my badge as an investigator doesn't allow." Fay stood, then had a thought and took a deep breath. "I did however use Malfoy's house elf, that's not against the rules is it?"

Ernie gave her a curious look. "I don't think so." Then he snickered. "Malfoy's elf, eh?" Ernie shook his head with amusement. "Never thought I would see the day when a Malfoy, either of them, would be helping someone other then themselves."

Fay smiled at Ernie. "Oh how times have changed." She moved to go, then stopped short. "Tell me, what does your father plan to do, to Christopher Flint?"

"Well..." Ernie smirked. "He will be arrested and charged with blackmail for one, if Greengrass presses charges that is. Honestly right now the only proof I have of blackmail is your word Fay. Greengrass is not paying Flint with gold, he is paying him with his daughters hand to Marcus." Ernie picked up a stack of papers from his in-box and started going through them. "Let's see, ah yes here it is. I put in the request last night after I left the party for a copy of the Flint/Greengrass betrothal contract." He looked over it for a moment. "Well, now this is interesting. It seems that not only is Daphne to wed Marcus and provide him with heirs, but the Flint patriarch will receive half of the Greengrass fortune after the wedding. The only thing Greengrass is getting out of the deal is Marcus agreeing to name his and Daphne first born son, the Greengrass heir." Ernie scoffed and set the papers down. "Seems silly to add that if you ask me. Once Greengrass passes, everything would have gone to Daphne anyway, why the need to name a male the heir, or give Flint half the fortune now?"

Fay shook her head in disbelief. "I am sure the Greengrass fortune is the real reason for choosing to blackmail for Daphne's hand. If Flint simply demanded money, Greengrass could pay him little by little, and made up the loses through investments or business ventures. Same as he did with Yaxley. The marriage guarantees Flint half of the fourth largest Pure-Blood fortune in England. Far more then he most likely ever would have gotten by demanding a single payout, or payouts over time. The ledger proves Flint paid Yaxley almost everything he had to keep Marcus and Andrew from Voldemort. Flint is barely holding on to his family home."

Ernie nodded his agreement, picked up a notepad and began writing quickly. Once finished he looked back up at Fay. "I would guess, the clause about Marcus and Daphne's first born son is more to throw people off the blackmail scent. Instead it makes it look like two Pure-Blood families helping each other keep things...'Pure'."

Fay sighed deeply. "Probably. I would imagine Flint is hoping people will think Greengrass wanted a Pure-Blood male heir to pass things on to. Marcus seems like the type to keep Daphne pregnant until she gives him a son, or four. A neat and tidy way for Flint to hide the blackmail as Pure-Blood politics. After all, Andrew already has a son. Two if I am not mistaken, so in the terms of Pure-Blood politics, the Flint line is secure. Lord Greengrass's younger bother has a son, but he is a Half-Blood, so the political angle works perfect."

Ernie tapped his fingers on his desk in thought. "You know Fay, I may be able to put together a case against Flint with out Greengrass having to press charges. It would be all circumstantial, based on the information gathered from the ledger, bank records and the contract, but..." He trailed off for a moment and took a breath, "...and it would be a weak case. However it may just be enough to at least make Flint lose his seat on the Wizengamont."

"If you think that is fair. I don't like that he is blackmailing Greengrass, but he did pay Yaxley to protect his sons, that has to mean something." Fay fidgeted with the strap of her purse a little.

"It does, and their fighting for Potter in the end, is what will keep him out of Azkaban. But like I said last night, blackmail is wrong, no matter the reason." Ernie set his notes down and walked out from behind his desk. "The only challenge will be making sure the backlash doesn't hit Andrew. He is a good guy." Ernie offered Fay his hand again.

She took it warmly. "Well, I better go. Thank you Ernie, I know you will do what ever you think is best."

"I will do, what ever the law demands I do Fay." Ernie gave her hand a firm shake, them opened his office door.

"What ever the law demands?" Fay gave the statement some thought for a second. "Sometimes, it's difficult to do what the law demands Ernie, especially when you know it's to much, or not enough, or just wrong."

"That's why I am the prosecutor and you are the journalist Fay. I never find it hard to do what the law demands, because I believe it's just." Ernie leaned up against the door frame.

"Oh, is that why you testified for Theo, because you believed his charges were just?" Fay cracked a smile at Ernie.

Ernie laughed. "Ok, no those charges were not just, that's why I testified, to make it that way."

Fay pressed a quick kiss to Ernie's cheek. "Thank you Ernie. Give my best to Sally." Ernie waited by his door, to see Fay off safely down the hall before going back in his office to contact Sally and tell her he would be longer then he intended.

While walking down the hall Fay could have sworn she saw Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy come out of Ron Weasley's office, just as a clearly pissed off Andrew Flint stormed in. Fay shook her head wondering what was going on that would have Malfoy at the Ministry and talking to Weasley of all people this morning. One would think he would be busy with his fiancé, not conducting business with an Auror. But Fay needed to see Potter and had an appointment to keep, she didn't have time right now to worry about what Zabini and Malfoy were up to.

xXXx

By the time Astoria and Daphne woke up, Draco had already left to go with Blaise to see Weasley. Astoria occupied her time waiting for him to return helping her sister finish neatly putting away the letters from Theo. Daphne wasn't really crying, but was on the verge of it all morning. She kept looking at the time and her bedroom door as if she was expecting something.

"Why do you keep looking at the door Daph, are you hoping Theo will break it down, scoop you up in his arms and runaway with you?" Astoria wrapped her arms around herself showing how warm the idea made her.

Daphne let out a half sigh-half giggle. "No Tori, although that is a much better thought." Daphne shook her head no. "I told Theo last night to stop fighting, he wont be back." Daphne looked back at the door in disappointment. "No, I keep expecting Marcus to come by fishing for sex before he leaves."

"Oh." Astoria did her best not to allow her tone of voice to give away the fact she knew Marcus wasn't there. She looked at her sister as a tear slipped down Daphne's cheek. "Theo will never give up Daph. No matter what you told him."

Daphne stopped what she was doing and let her hands fall to the bed, the last few letters still needing to be picked up. "Yes he will. He respects me to much to go against my wishes." Daphne started crying again, the last few words almost inaudible, "I asked him to stop, I begged him to stop."

Astoria crossed the room and held her sister close to her, both of them sinking to the floor. They remained like that until their mother came in the room looking for Astoria. She rushed to her daughters and held them both close to her for a moment before motioning to Astoria to help get Daphne off the floor and on the bed where it was easier for her to comfort her. Veronica Greengrass sat on the bed and held her oldest daughter close to her, gently rocking back and forth while she looked up at her youngest.

"Tori darling, Draco is back and was looking for you." Lady Greengrass continued to rock Daphne letting her cry.

Astoria didn't move, she rubbed her sisters back. "She told me everything Mum."

Veronica's eyes widened from the surprising news. "Everything?"

Daphne nodded yes while she continued to cry, but Astoria answered. "Yes, everything. How? How did Daddy let it get this far?"

"You really don't understand, or are you pretending to be naïve because you don't want to accept what has happened?" Veronica sounded almost hurt by Astoria's questions.

Astoria stopped rubbing Daphne's back and looked at the floor. "I guess both. I want to think there is a way to get Daddy from under Flint's boot that will still allow Daphne and Theodore to marry. Something we have yet to explore or find."

Daphne sat up and looked up at her sister, tears continuing to fall. "There isn't Tori. Father has tried everything. He has even had Lord Malfoy help him in his efforts. They haven't found anything which can be used to get Flint to stop blackmailing Father" Daphne tried wiping the tears off her face.

"You see my darlings, as women are paths are not always easy." Veronica ran her fingers through Daphne's hair, then reached out and lifted Astoria's chin so she was no longer looking at the floor. "You must promise me to live your life as fully as you can. To love Draco with every thing you have, every minute of every day knowing your loving for both of my girls." She lowered her hand from Astoria's chin and took her hand in hers. "While Daphne must sacrifice her love, to keep the family safe."

"It's not fair Mum, all Daddy was trying to do was keep the family safe, and Flint is punishing him for it. No...Flint is punishing Daphne, Theo and Marcus for it." Astoria stomped her foot in frustration.

Daphne scoffed, "I hardly think Marcus feels as though he is being punished Tori. Theo doesn't know the truth, so he thinks Father dislikes him for some reason."

"Blackmail is a awful thing girls." Veronica let go of Astoria hand and wrapped her other arm around Daphne's shoulders holding her close. "It is true, your father's actions where only those of a man trying to protect his family. He paid Yaxley to keep us safe and somehow Flint found out. Now if Daphne does not marry Marcus, Flint will expose him to the ministry as a Death Eater conspirator, nothing about the situation is fair. However, I assure you both your father and I have a plan in motion that will hopefully help."

The three women heard a gasp by the door and turned in unison to see Draco standing there. He slowly came in the room and quietly closed the door behind him. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the three Greengrass women in front of him. "Does Theo know any of this?"

"No Draco, and he mustn't." Veronica stood and crossed the room so she was standing in front of her soon to be son-in-law.

Draco looked pained, "He is my best mate, I can't keep this from him."

"You can, and you will Draco." Veronica sounded as stern as she could. "Please son, you and I both know how, shall we say, tempered Theodore can be. I am afraid no matter how hard he try's that is the one trait from his father he can't shake. If my plan is to have a chance, Theodore must not confront Flint, either of them."

Draco squared his shoulders. "If I must, then I will keep it from him, for now." Draco looked past Lady Greengrass to Daphne. "So blackmail, that's the reason? I knew there had to be something driving you to do this. It never made sense that you would just up and leave Theo like that." Draco looked at Tori, his expression changing to anger. "How long have you known?"

Astoria cave Draco a look of shock and put her hands on her hips. "I only found out last night. This is the first I have seen you since then."

Suddenly realizing his mistake Draco crossed the room and wrapped Astoria in a tight embrace. "Of course. Sorry my love." He kissed Astoria on the forehead then looked back at Lady Greengrass. "May I ask what this plan is you have?"

"Yes Mum, what do you mean? What plan?" Daphne's expression became hopeful.

Veronica looked at the three of them, all looking at her waiting for her to tell them. "Oh kids, what if it doesn't work? I never meant to get your hopes up Daphne dear." She moved to Daphne's side and stoked her daughters cheek lovingly.

Daphne smiled and took her mothers hand in hers. "Please tell me. After last night, I could really use a little hope."

"All right. Your father and I..." She began, then took a deep breath and looked up at Draco, "Along with your father Draco, hired an investigator to try and find what ever evidence Flint claims he has on Dalton. If she finds it, we may be able to use it to get Flint to call this whole thing off. With the help of Draco's old house elf Poppy, our investigator snuck into Flint mansion last night in search of said evidence." Veronica looked at the clock. "In fact, she should be here any moment to let us know if she was successful."

Daphne jumped off the bed. "Oh mother, without the evidence, Flint only has his word against father's." Daphne smiled at Astoria and grabbed her hands. "Do you know what that means?"

"Daphne, don't jump to conclusions. It is a good start, if she found the evidence. But there are still our bank records to back up Flint's claims." Veronica stood and brushed Daphne's hair behind her shoulder. "What we really need if for the evidence to be damning for Flint as well. Something he to, doesn't want to come to light. For example, proof that he also paid off the Death Eaters."

"Well, I am not sure now Astoria whether we helped or hindered what your mother and father were trying to do." Draco said as he pulled an envelope out of his coat pocket.

Veronica looked at the envelope. "What do you mean Draco?"

Draco hesitantly gave the envelope to Lady Greengrass. "Myself along with Blaise, and Adrian Pucey set Marcus up last night."

"What? Set him up how?" Daphne asked then bit her lip.

Draco rocked back and fourth on his feet unsure how to respond before deciding to just tell them. "I was with Theo, when Harry told him Marcus assaulted you Daphne. We thought if we could prove to your father, that Flint is unfit, and cruel to women, he might call off the betrothal. Of course, we didn't know about the blackmail. Only that for some reason Lord Greengrass wanted you to marry Flint, instead of Theo."

Astoria took Draco's hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "The boys caught Marcus being cruel and assaulting someone. They got pictures of it. I am so sorry Daphne, Marcus isn't and never has been faithful to you. I doubt he ever will be."

Veronica turned the envelope over in her hands. "Is that what this is Draco, the pictures?"

"Yes. I have already given a copy of them to Weasley, he arrested Flint last night." Draco raised his eyebrows at Daphne. "Unfortunately Daphne, they couldn't hold him and he was released late last night. I am certain he will be out for blood, and you have my word I wont let him harm you. This was me, Pucey and Blaise, it has nothing to with you, Astoria or Theo."

Astoria gasped. "What about Anna? If he was released he might go after her."

"He can try." Draco let out a light laugh. "He would have to get past the wards on Nott Manor and then past Pucey. No I really am more worried about him taking it out on Daphne."

Daphne took the envelope from her mother and opened the flap. She looked up at Draco before removing the pictures though. "Is that who is in the pictures, Theo's friend Anna?"

Draco nodded yes. Daphne pulled the pictures slowly out of the envelope and looked at the top one. The picture was clear and showed Anna sitting on the couch, her breasts exposed. Marcus was standing over her menacingly, his fist connecting with Anna's jaw. She already had a bright red welt on her right cheek. Daphne couldn't look at the rest of the pictures and shoved them into her mothers hands, then she turned away, clearly upset by what she had seen in the picture.

Lady Greengrass's hands shook as she looked through the photographs. "Oh Draco, how could they let him go?"

"Weasley said, Flint claimed he was set up and the evidence although damning, did support his claim." He took a step near Daphne and put a hand on her shoulder to try and offer comfort. "Weasley said he will still face charges, but they couldn't hold him."

Daphne's bedroom door flew open at that point to reveal a tired looking Dalton Greengrass, he had the morning Prophet in his hands. Noticing Draco was in the room he held the paper out to him. "Have you seen this yet Son?"

Draco shook his head no. "No Sir." He walked over and took the paper from Lord Greengrass. His eyes got big when he saw the front page headline, with a picture of Marcus in his bright orange Quidditch robes. He looked up at Lord Greengrass who motioned for Draco to give the paper to Lady Greengrass. Draco handed the paper to his future mother-in-law and then went to stand beside Astoria again.

Veronica skimmed over the article quickly then sighed heavily. "This is certainly going to make things difficult for us Dalton." She looked up at her husband and handed him the photographs. "It would seem Draco and his friends have been busy trying to prove to you and I how unfit Marcus is."

Dalton looked outraged by the pictures in his hands. When he finally looked at Draco, he looked mad enough to spit nails. "So it's true, what Flint is claiming, that he was set up, by you, Pucey and Zabini?"

"Yes Sir." Draco sheepishly looked at his feet, trying to find his courage. He hated looking weak in front of Astoria, but his upbringing was sometimes hard to overcome.

"What were you boys thinking? You could have gotten this young lady into real trouble, not to mention the position you have put me in." Dalton shoved the pictures back in the enveloped with such force her tore the paper.

Draco looked at Lord Greengrass and squared his shoulders. "I am sorry sir. For the record, the young lady in those pictures volunteered and knew what she was getting herself into."

"That doesn't change the fact that you, Pucey and your friend Zabini concocted an extremely dangerous plan and for what?" Dalton took several steps toward Draco and Astoria, but stopped just in front of them.

Draco flinched slightly at the tone of Lord Greengrass's voice, but collected himself quickly. "To prove to you what we already knew. That Flint is a brut, who mistreats Daphne and cheats on her every chance he gets."

"Draco, I appreciate your caring for the well being of both of my daughters, but it is not your place to interfere with Daphne's future." Dalton took a deep breath. "There are things going on, you couldn't possibly understand. I realize Nott is your friend..."

"He is my BEST friend." Draco cut Greengrass off. "I know everything now Sir, the blackmail, you paying off the Death Eaters." Draco paused a moment. "I never understood why you accepted me as a match for Astoria, but not Theo for Daphne. That is why I got involved. We hoped if we could prove to you what we all knew about Flint, you would call it off. I understand now, it has nothing to do with Theo. I am not sure where what Flint did last night leaves you, and I am sorry for any further grief we have caused you. I only wanted to help." Draco took Astoria's hand in his.

Dalton took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I understand what you did Son. I am really not angry, just tired." He put his glasses back on and thought a moment. "I can't very well publicly force my daughter to marry a man who has been abusive, what would that say about me?" Dalton looked at his wife as if waiting for her to offer him something. "But, with the blackmail, my hands are still tied."

"I know how to handle Marcus Sir, it will be fine." Daphne tried to reassure her father.

Dalton looked at Daphne with sympathy in his eyes. "Why did you lie to me about the way Marcus treats you?"

"I didn't lie." Daphne took a deep breath. "He has only been...I suppose cruel would be the right word, once. When I told him I was leaving him for Theo. I didn't tell you or even Theo because I thought things were over. Since our engagement he has treated me respectfully, although I am certain he hasn't been faithful." Daphne scoffed lightly, "I am sure I wont be the first Pure-Blood woman who's husband cheats, nor will I be the last."

"No. You can't make her marry him now Daddy. There has to be a way to get around the blackmail." Astoria stood shaking her head back and forth.

The door bell rang and Veronica jumped. "That would Miss Dunbar. Dalton, perhaps she found something."

Dalton smoothed his suit coat and held his hand out for his wife. "There is only one way to find out."

xXXx

Fay had only just been lead to Lady Greengrass's parlor when Lord and Lady Greengrass entered. Fay smiled politely at the couple and shook hands with both of them. She only noticed both the Greengrass daughters and Draco enter the room as she sat down. Fay tried to quickly stand up and greet them, but Daphne had her arms around Fay hugging her before she could get up off the chair.

"Uh! It's good to see you Greengrass. How are you?" Fay patted Daphne awkwardly on the back. The two of them had never been friendly back at Hogwarts, so Daphne's sudden show of affection had taken Fay by surprise.

Daphne pulled away a little embarrassed. "Sorry Dunbar, I was just happy to see it was someone I knew who was helping my mum."

Fay blushed slightly. "Of course. I like a challenging case, and this was certainly challenging." Fay stood and offered her hand to Astoria. "You must be Astoria Greengrass. I am ashamed to say, I don't really remember you from school."

Astoria smiled warmly. "We moved after my third year, that really isn't surprising." Astoria took Fay's hand and gave it a warm squeeze, then gestured to the platinum blond man standing beside her. "I am sure you remember my fiancé though, Draco Malfoy."

Fay shook Draco's hand a little more enthusiastically then she intended, trying to make sure her fear of the blond didn't show. She wasn't physically scared of Draco, she knew he wouldn't do anything to her. But her memories of him at school, and the knowledge of the things he had done, no matter his reasons made her fear him a little, even now. Stupid as it was, she couldn't help it. "Of course, how could I forget Malfoy?" Fay swallowed hard when his expression changed from pleasant to a scowl.

"Yes, how?" Draco pulled his hand away from Fay quickly. He took Astoria's hand in his and escorted her over to the loveseat in the parlor so they could sit down.

"Well, Fay dear, please tell us, did you find anything useful?" Veronica Greengrass took Fay hands in hers and held them tightly, drawing Fay's attention back from the brooding young man in the room.

Fay smiled at Lady Greengrass pulling herself back together. "I did." She pulled her hands from Lady Greengrass and sat back down to pick up her bag. She pulled the ledger from it and took a deep breath. "Mr. Flint had this hidden under a floor board in his home office. I have already filed a report with Potter to make everything Poppy and I did legal." Fay held the ledger out, but then placed it on her lap. "Before I give this to you however Lord Greengrass, I want you to know, it has information on a lot of people. People like your self, who would be harmed if the information got out."

Lord Greengrass took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes for a moment before replacing them. "What exactly is it that you have found Miss Dunbar?"

"It's Corban Yaxley's bank ledger." Fay paused a minute while Greengrass's eyes lit up and a smile creeped to his lips.

"Bank Ledger? Really?" Dalton held his hand out for it.

Fay held on to it for another moment. "Like I said, you are not the only person listed in here. I think you will be surprised just how many people are. Some were like yourself and trying to keep family members safe, others like Nott Sr. were already Death Eaters, and trying to keep Voldemort out of family business." She picked the ledger up and looked at it again. "I must have your word that you plan to only use the information in it for your intended purpose of getting Daphne out of the contract to marry Marcus Flint, and for no other reason. My job and reputation, depend on that."

"You have my word young lady. I only wish to set right my wrongs." Dalton said as he took the ledger from Fay and began looking through it.

As he did Daphne inched closer and closer to her father. "Well? Father? Am I free?"

"Sixty thousand galleons." Dalton whispered to himself and started rubbing his temple. "I had forgotten how much I paid that bastard."

Veronica rubbed her husbands back. "Our daughters are worth any price, my love."

Dalton looked at her and quickly kissed her forehead. "I would have given that man my last sickle, if meant keeping the three of you out of his clutches." He opened the ledger wide and held it up for everyone in the room to see. "That is exactly what Flint did." Dalton took an almost shaky breath. "Now we have what we need to push back on Flint and know the reason he chose us to blackmail." He closed the ledger and looked at Daphne. "My darling, I always knew money was at the root. I never knew though how dire Flints finances really were. You, Daphne, are heir to the fourth largest Wizard Fortune in England. Fourth only to, Malfoy, Rosier and Nott. No females in any of those lines. I have two. Two Pure-Blood, Sacred Twenty-Eight, beautiful daughters, and a fortune large enough to rekindle Flint's, without destroying mine."

"You don't think Druella Rosier had anything to do with this plan do you Dalton?" Veronica asked and then put her arm around Daphne.

Dalton's brow furrowed in thought. "No, she has no love for the Flint family. The Flint's were Blood-Traitors remember?" Dalton chuckled. "It will put her in quite the state though wont it, when she finds out the Greengrass fortune will be combined with not only Malfoy, but Nott as well."

"Oh Daddy, are saying...am I free to..." Daphne couldn't get the question out as she shook and tears starting running down her face.

Dalton reached out stroked his daughters cheek. His heart swelled when she didn't pull away from him. "Yes, my love. I need to confront Flint first of course." He held up the pictures. "Both of them, but the contract will be dissolved by the end of the day. You may tell Theodore, he has my blessing."

Daphne flung herself into her fathers arms. "Thank you Daddy, thank you." After a moment she pulled back and looked up at her father. "I think Theodore would want to hear from you Daddy, that he has your blessing. I am so sorry for my behavior toward you lately. I never really hated you, just what you were making me do."

"It's all forgotten my darling. I hated myself enough for everyone in this room. Go, go tell Theodore your happy news." Dalton let a tear slip down his own cheek as he looked at Daphne who was beaming up at him.

Daphne turned to Draco. "Would you come with me?"

Draco gave her his signature smirk. "Of course I will. I can't wait to tell Theo, 'I told you so'."

Daphne ran from the room, then came back in and took the ring Marcus had put on her finger off and held it out to her father. "Daddy, would you please return this for me?"

Dalton took the delicate ring from his daughter. "I would be happy. I am sure the one that will replace it, will suit you better anyway."

Daphne hugged her mother, then turned to Fay, who was still sitting politely in the chair. "Fay, may I call you Fay?"

Fay nodded and stood up.

Daphne wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you so much for everything." Daphne pulled back and looked at her. "I mean that, for everything. For this, for testifying for Theo, and for being his friend that horrible year."

Fay turned red and opened her mouth to start apologizing for the intimate moments, she had shared with Theo, all those years ago, but Daphne stopped her. "I know everything Fay, he told me. I am not and never will be mad about it. You were there for him, in a way I couldn't be at the time." Daphne gave her a soft smile.

"He was there for me, when I needed someone, so thank you, Daphne." Fay returned her smile. "Tell him, I said hello."

Daphne grabbed her sisters hand and ran from the room. Draco followed shaking his head at the two sisters with a smile on his face. He looked at Fay. "It would seem I once again have a Gryffindor to thank for making the people most important to me happy. I owe you Dunbar. If you ever need anything, and find that I am in a position to help, don't hesitate to ask."

Fay blushed a little. "I wont. Your welcome Malfoy."

Draco gave Fay one of his rare genuine smiles, then took off in the direction of Astoria's voice as she hollered for him.

Fay turned to Lord Greengrass. "I will need that back Lord Greengrass, I have already given a copy of it to Procescutor Macmillan, an arrest of Christopher Flint is most likely happening this afternoon."

Dalton took a deep breath. "Is there a way Macmillan can postpone that until after I confront him? I want to burn that contract right in front of him. He is suppose to be here for dinner tonight."

"I will send Ernie a quick note. I don't see why not." Fay pulled a piece of parchment out and wrote a quick note to Ernie.