A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: I have recently started a new fic, called Ready Player Harry that will be going up soon. It's a Harry Fleur Time Travel Fic, and if you like that pairing and my writing I hope you read, follow, and favorite. Fear not, Harry Kicks Ass (Literally) will be completed, but I needed to take a break after the emotional exhausting chapters we have coming up. But updates might slow a little while I play in a new sandbox.
Chapter 45: The Greengrass Clan
February, 1995
"I'm sorry, I believe I heard you wrong," Dumbledore said.
"I said the same thing," Harry told him with a laugh. "Can't say I blame them all too much. Snakes are the worst." Daphne punched him on the arm. "Of course present company not included. Thought that went without saying."
"Mr. Potter, your animosity towards Slytherin house is well documented," Dumbledore started. The old wizard paused, looking for the right words.
"It has nothing to do with Harry," Daphne spat. Harry leaned back against the wall in surprise at the vicious hiss of Daphne's voice. He would let her handle this for now. He had seen Daphne angry regularly, when they were dating or hanging out before their ill-fated relationship. But it was not anger in her eyes right now. It was a combination of hatred and fear.
"Miss Greengrass, you and your sister were sorted into Slytherin when you entered the school," Dumbledore stated. "I cannot control the hat or tell it what to do. It is beyond my power to-"
"Oh, stuff your trap," An odd voice rang out in Dumbledore's office. "Of course it is beyond your power." Harry looked around for the voice but didn't see anything. "But it is well within mine."
"I urge you to reconsider," Dumbledore said as he turned, and the edges of Harry's mouth rose in a tiny smile as he saw that Dumbledore was talking to the hat. "If we allow some students to be resorted, what is stopping everyone from asking to be resorted? We would throw the system of Hogwarts into madness."
"Would that be such a horrible thing?" Minerva asked. "Albus, while the house system has some benefits, it does cause divisions within the school, some of which are never repaired. I think that Mr. Potter's motley group is an example of what so many people from different houses, even schools can accomplish."
"What do you mean?" Astoria asked.
"As you are all well aware, Miss Granger rests at the top of the year rankings, as she has done since the first day here." The Greengrass sisters nodded, and Harry snorted. "Behave Harry." Harry just smirked at his grandmother. "And I will exclude my grandson due to his unusual circumstances. But the rest of the group has dramatically improved."
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.
"Have your grades not improved dramatically in many different classes since your association with other houses?" McGonagall asked. Daphne's eyebrows rose as she considered the question. Her potions grade had gone down, but Snape was such a misanthrope when it came to Harry that it was no great surprise. But the Gryffindor head of house was right. Whether it was Neville helping with Herbology, Luna and Susan with charms, Cedric or Krum with defense, Hannah with transfiguration, or Hermione with everything she was surrounded by people who helped her raise her grade.
Her father had even commented over Christmas break that he was exceptionally pleased with her marked improvement for her mid-year exams. Her potions grade had dipped to acceptable, and as a former Slytherin her father gave her a raised eyebrow when he saw that. But every other class, even History of magic, was at least an Exceeds Expectations, with more Outstandings than anything else. Daphne had not considered if her improvement had come from associating with people outside her house, but it made sense.
"I guess you are right," Daphne said. "It has actually been great to get so many different viewpoints, and there are certain classes my year mates in my house are just no good at. People like Hannah and Neville have been great help."
"But to resort the girls would still be calamitous!" Dumbledore exclaimed.
"You are the headmaster," Harry said. "You don't have to explain anything. Put the hat on their head and have them sit at their new table. If you want, I'll take them to their new houses tonight. You can just have a house elf move their stuff."
"I am willing to look into the girl's minds," the hat said. "But be forewarned. If I deem that you still belong in Slytherin, I will not hesitate to tell you that and you will return."
"Why are you doing this?" Dumbledore asked.
"Ah, you do not know all that went down in the chamber?" The hat seemed almost smug. Dumbledore whipped his head up in surprise. "Yes, Mr. Potter slew a basilisk, but that is not all that went on. Mr. Potter, is there a reason you kept some of what happened from the headmaster?"
"At the time, no," Harry said, choosing his words with care. "But now, I think it is a little personal."
"You may not have all the necessary information regarding Tom Riddle," the hat said.
"Like I said," Harry said with gritted teeth. "It's personal. I'm looking forward to it."
"Harr, if you know something about Tom I encourage you to-"
"Leave it alone!" Harry shouted. "You had your chance to deal with him. It's my turn now!" His eyes were blazing and suddenly everyone registered Harry's wand was in his hand. His magic was literally visible, flaring in the office and forcing everyone back. Then a mournful song started, soaring through the room and Harry's magic slowly vanished as Fawkes trilled out his song. "Sorry Fawkes."
"Harry, what happened in the chamber?" Minerva asked, putting her arm on his shoulder. "I know you killed the basilisk but did something else happen down there. If it involved he-who-must-not-be-named, I think the headmaster is correct. You should indeed share it."
"Oh, are we sharing now?" Harry snapped. "Then I assume that Dumbledore would not mind telling everyone about the prophecy that started all of this." Dumbledore literally flinched. "No?"
"How do you know the prophecy?" Dumbledore's face was white. "Do you know what it means?"
"Don't want to share?" Dumbledore remained stone faced. "Then I think I'll pass too. Let's get to resorting, why don't we?"
"Yes indeed. Deputy Headmistress, if you wouldn't mind?" McGonagall shook herself out of her shock at seeing Harry and the Headmaster face off. Dumbledore and Harry hadn't looked away from each other, their eyes locked, both of them seeming furious. Dumbledore was understandably upset because Harry was hiding something about Voldemort. She couldn't figure out why her grandson was so furious, but she would ask him soon and try and coax some type of answer from him.
"Thank you," Astoria said as the hat settled on her head. Both girls looked a little shaken from seeing Harry and Dumbledore seconds away from trading spells, but the hat then took center stage. Daphne started to wring her hands as she stared at her sister, whose lips were moving silently. Daphne vaguely remembered the hat talking in her head, but she had not talked back. It took a few minutes, but finally the hat laughed.
"Very well, young Miss Greengrass. I hope you enjoy the rest of your school career in Gryffindor." Astoria smiled and shrugged the hat off her head. She sat down next to Harry, who smiled at her.
"Well, now that I'm in Gryffindor can I have my father set up the marriage contract?" Astoria said with what could only be described as an impish smile.
"Ah, I think it's best if I speak to him first." They both turned to Daphne, who hadn't moved. "Daphne?"
"What if it still says Slytherin?" Daphne asked, her face ashen. "I know I'm cunning, more cunning than loyal, brave, or wise. It's who I am but Harry, I can't go back there."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked. Daphne nodded. "Ok. Hold on a moment." Harry grabbed the hat and put it on his head. "I'll talk to him."
Well Mr. Potter, it is quite fascinating being in your head all these years later. You seem to be more Slytherin now then you were all these years ago.
You know this isn't about me, it's about my friend.
Just your friend?
What do you want me to say? That I was in love with her? That it wouldn't be fair to be with Fleur because sometimes I think about Daphne?
Is that how you feel?
Maybe. I don't exactly have the best adult role models to talk to. You should know, you can see inside my head.
Your occlumency barriers are quite impressive, perhaps the best I have ever seen, though I have not sat on many heads that are not 11 year old. I would appreciate if you could lower them.
I hope you don't mind if I look away from the headmaster if I do that. Harry felt the hat give its agreement and Harry looked at Fawkes as he lowered his defenses. The bird seemed to smile and ghosted over to Harry's arm. Harry stroked the plumage, which allowed him to relax and not lash out with his mind as he felt the hat go through his memories.
Indeed, Mr. Potter, your choices for advice from older males in relationship could not be poorer. If someone had told me that Sirius Black would be the best source of relationship advice for someone that the fate of Britain hangs on when he was sorted, I would have despaired for Hogwarts.
You think I should talk to Sirius?
It does seem to be the best choice. Mr. Lupin is convinced he does not deserve love, Mr. Takashi seems destined to be in a marriage with a woman he actively dislikes, and your master has already resigned himself to the life of a monster, as I am sure he has discussed with you. While Mr. Black certainly has his flaws when it comes to the fairer sex, he did find love, and from what I can see from your mind, she does love him even with his flaws, rather than despite them. I sorted them both, and they are certainly an unlikely pair. That means hard work and dedication.
Hey, we have gotten horribly off topic! Harry felt the hat laugh in his head. This is about making sure you don't put Daphne in Slytherin!
You would not have done this if you didn't believe that there was a real threat I would put her back into the snakes den.
Because she is right. She is tailor made to be a Slytherin. But right now her cunning doesn't matter. All the cunning in the world won't help someone who is dead.
Surely you don't believe your school mates are capable of murder?
I don't know. But I know that some of them are capable of some awful things. Regardless of our feelings, if Daphne was willing to use a life debt to get this from me, you know it was bad.
If I am unwilling to let the Headmaster influence me, what makes you think you can change my mind?
I'll make you a deal. If you don't put Daphne back in Slytherin, I won't cut you into tiny pieces and feed you to the giant squid. Harry yanked the hat off his head and tossed it to Daphne. "Ok Greengrass. You are up." She looked at the hat apprehensively. "Daphne. It will be fine.
Ah, Miss Greengrass. It is a pleasure to see you again.
Hello. I didn't expect this.
You will pleased to know that it seems Mr. Potter is still wrapped firmly around your little finger. Of course, you are well aware that your fearless leader is devoted to his friends in a way that very few are, but I sense that you would be more than happy to resume your former status at his side.
Of course I would! But I don't know I could do it again. Breaking up with him the first time was hard enough. Besides, he has someone else.
Well, are you brave enough to put your heart on the line?
No, Daphne thought after a moments silence. Better to always be his friend, to keep the friends I have made through him. There is only one Harry Potter, and I can always be his friend, but never more. Not again. He needs more than me in the future. He deserves better.
Your loyalty to your friends is impressive, and you lack the bravery needed to place you with your sister. I would very much like to keep Mr. Potter from carrying out his threat on me, so it is into Hufflepuff you will go. But a word of caution about the future before I announce my choice, Miss Greengrass. The future is vast and no one can see what it leads, not I, Dumbledore, Mr. Potter, or even death. But if someone who wants you does indeed deserve better, perhaps it is on you to make yourself better. Or perhaps it is you who should see yourself the way they see you.
I'll keep that in mind.
Please, Miss Greengrass. Do not presume to try and trick me. I am just a simple hat after all. Besides, you know something that no one else in this office knows, not even Dumbledore. I imagine it will shock most everyone in the office if you were to let them know. Daphne smiled at that. She had totally forgotten until that moment, but she did indeed have a crucial secret. Harry would find out soon enough. She could wait until then.
Very well then. Now if, you don't mind, I'd like to visit my parents tonight to tell them, so if we could get on with it.
"Give Professor Sprout my regards in Hufflepuff." Daphne smiled and placed the hat back down on Dumbledore's desk.
"Hufflepuff," Astoria said, her voice not betraying any emotion. "Really?"
"I would urge caution, Astoria," Harry said with a lazy smile. "I doubt I would be willing to marry anyone who would disparage any other house." Astoria looked scandalized, and Harry just shook his head. "I think it is a good choice."
"Of course it is a good choice," the hat said. "I made it." Harry just gave a curt nod to the hat. "Now, I believe it would be best if the Greengrass girls could visit and inform their parents. I imagine that part of your reasoning was that this would distract from the talk about the aftermath of the second task. I maintain you would have done well in Slytherin, Mr. Potter."
"I know," Harry said with a shake of his head. "Minnie, could you make sure they have their stuff moved for tomorrow? They can spend tonight at home I think. It's late, and I think that Daphne will need a long conversation with Susan and Hannah, and I'd like to talk to a certain Natalie McDonald before Astoria starts living in our tower. That's all best done with the sun up."
"We are not done here," Dumbledore said. "I have to approve any of this, and the girls will certainly be staying here."
"We are done because I say we are," Harry said, a calm defiance coloring his voice. "Minnie?"
"I will take care of it and notify Professor Sprout. Headmaster, if you could lend them the floo?" Dumbledore stared angrily at his deputy headmistress.
"Not necessary." Harry hugged both the young girls to his body. "See you tomorrow morning grandma." He leaned into Daphne and Astoria. "Think of your home and only that," Harry whispered. They both nodded, and then with a crackle and flash of light the three students were gone.
"Well, I have some organization and reshuffling to do, as I believe it would be in the best interest of the sisters to join their housemates in all the possible classes. If you don't mind, Albus." Minerva left the office, leaving the Headmaster of Hogwarts in shock.
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"Dear, would you mind grabbing some milk?" Noah Greengrass called.
"Of course not," Abigail Greengrass replied, and one minute later she sat across from him in their living room. They both had a cup of coffee in their hands, sitting contentedly after a long day. Noah smiled at his wife as he poured the milk into his coffee to give it a familiar flavor, and they sat in companionable and comfortable silence. Just as Noah sat down his cup he felt the wards flicker.
"That was odd," Noah said. "For a moment, I felt the wards flicker."
"Flicker?"
"Like they were trying to repulse something." Noah then heard a muttered curse. He instantly drew his wand and pointed it towards the front door. "Abigail, get upstairs now!" He saw someone step into the room and fired a bone breaker without hesitation. Noah saw with horror as Astoria stepped from the shadows and the bone breaker raced towards her. But then another body appeared from the shadows, taking the spell on his arm.
"Ahhhh!" The mystery man yelled in pain, collapsing to the floor. "Good lord, that hurt!"
"Oh my god, Harry!" Daphne cried rushing forward. Lord Greengrass still held his wand out, shocked. His daughters were keyed into the wards and the floo, but they couldn't apparate. Apparently, Harry Potter, a lord in his own right who outranked him by an order of magnitude had just had his arm broken by Noah's own spell. What's more, it seemed likely that the appearance of the tri-wizard champion was intrinsically tied to the appearance of his daughters.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Astoria said with her hands on her hips.
"Astoria, Daphne, please explain how you are in this house," Abigail said, drawing her own wand.
"Wait!" Harry yelled. "Lord Greengrass, please ask each of your daughters something only they would know!" Noah nodded. It was a good idea, proving that the girls were who they said they were.
"Daphne, what was the name of the stuffed bear you slept with until you were 12?"
"Mr. Snuggle," Daphne said, her eyes flashing with anger as Harry chuckled.
"Astoria, what did you say when I offered to check your room for monsters when you got older?"
"I said I was sure that my room was safe, but if you wanted to check to be sure, you could." Astoria said.
"Ok," Abigail said with a sigh. "So you are indeed my daughters. I take it from your presence that we should heal this young man."
"I'd offer you my hand to shake, but I'm afraid it's broken," the young man said, rising. "It's nice to meet you both. I'm Harry Potter."
"That arm looks nasty," Daphne said as she stared at Harry. "Do you want to head back to Hogwarts and have Madam Pomfrey look at it?"
"I doubt I could at the moment," Harry admitted. "Flashing like I just did takes a lot out of me, especially if I have to break through wards. Hogwarts wards aren't too bad since I have been around them for the last 4 years, but the wards on your house are some of the toughest I have ever seen." Harry looked around curiously. "If you do not mind me asking sir, did a British wizard do your wards? They are very impressive, and I didn't even recognize some of them when we came through. I had to use brute force, which is rare for me."
"I'm sorry, how did you manage to get through the wards?" Noah asked still holding his wand, ready to strike if needed.
"My arm is killing me," Harry admitted. "Do you mind if I fix it before we have a longer discussion?"
"You can fix it yourself?"
"Yeah, it will be exhausting, and I'll need to stay in your guestroom tonight if that's ok."
"Of course it's ok," Daphne said before her parents said anything. "Dad, you can put your wand away too."
"Great," Harry said. He extended his wand and pointed it at his arm. All four Greengrass stared in surprise as Harry's arm started vibrating. A look of intense concentration came over Harry's face and then Daphne heard the bones in his arm start to crack. Lumps formed under Harry's arms, and then with a flash of gold his arm was totally healed. "Wow, that was harder than I thought. My compliments on your bone-breaker sir. It was very powerful." Harry slumped to the couch and closed his eyes. "If we did not need to have a discussion right now, I'd go to sleep."
"Are you ok?" Daphne said, concern in her eyes. Abigail saw the concern and smiled to herself. When Daphne had returned for the holidays, she had talked about her breakup, and how she didn't have feelings for Harry anymore. A mother always knows, and Abigail had suspected she was lying. It was good to have confirmation.
"Yeah," Harry said, his eyes still closed. "I really don't like doing that."
"Why didn't you just block my dad's spell?" Daphne asked. Harry opened his eyes and glared at Daphne. "Ok, withdrawn." Harry just hmphed and closed his eyes again.
"So, why exactly did you come home?" Noah asked as he got up to get tea for his daughters.
"Well, I haven't mentioned it my last few letters, but since Tracey started dating Nott, Slytherin has been getting…" Daphne trailed off.
"Nasty and extremely dangerous," Astoria finished. Daphne put a hand on Astoria's arm. "What, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I don't think anyone realized how much Harry kept Draco in line, and he is being particularly nasty."
"Nasty how?" Their mom asked.
"Well, he has actually started to throw his weight around, spells and fights with some of the older students who don't fall in line. With me it's just innuendo, but don't be too surprised if some of the older death eaters approach you and dad soon enough," Daphne said. "They are getting ready for something."
"Your mother and I are well documented neutrals," her father said. "Do not worry about us. Do you truly see the stirrings of blood purity in your house?
"Oh, assuredly so," Harry said. "They are getting ready for something alright."
"Plan on sharing?" Daphne snapped.
"No." Harry shrugged. "I can't be sure. I've been away from England for almost two months. I need to do some investigating before I start throwing around dangerous accusations and theories."
"Theories like what?"
"Some of the death eaters have found a way for Voldemort to come back to life and regain his body." The rest of the house was silent. "Like I said, I can't be sure. Besides, right now I have bigger fish to fry."
"Bigger than Voldemort?" Noah asked, still a little shaken. While he had not been alive during the Dark Lord's reign of terror, this young boy was treating the potential threat of Voldemort with a blasé calm that disturbed him. Harry Potter was certainly an interesting enigma, but one that made him apprehensive. "You do realize you are talking about a very dangerous man, if he can return. I am under the impression he is dead."
"Oh, he isn't. Not yet," Harry explained. He narrowed his eyes as he sat up, looking at Noah. "How's your occlumency?"
"What?"
"Your occlumency," Harry repeated. "Is it any good?"
"It is better than my daughter," Noah said stiffly.
"Hmmm." Harry had been mulling an idea over in his head for the last few days, but he couldn't chance it with Noah Greengrass. "Nevermind." Daphne just punched him in the leg. "What? Daphne, if I wanted to don't you think I could penetrate your shields with active legilimency? Dumbledore is around 100 times better than me."
"You would ask me to keep a secret from Dumbledore?" Noah asked.
"No, I'm not asking you to do anything," Harry countered. "But I do need to figure out a way to keep an eye on Slytherin."
"Could my daughters not do that for you?" Abigail asked. "Assuming you keep those who might threaten or harm them in line."
"As much as I'd like to, I can't keep an eye on your daughters every day," Harry said. Daphne blushed furiously, which did not surprise Abigail, But to see Astoria blushing as well made her curious. "Not to mention Daphne saved my life earlier today and called in her life debt." Both parents were surprised by this. "So I got them resorted."
"Resorted?" Abigail asked, confused.
"You are looking at the newest fourth year Hufflepuff and second year Gryffindor," Harry said. "It actually works out well, as Daphne already has a few female friends our age in Hufflepuff, and I know a second year Gryffindor that I think Astoria will get along famously with. Unless you have a problem with muggleborn witches."
"Not at all," Abigail said, and his daughter nodded emphatically. "We don't stand for that kind of blood purity nonsense. Our daughter wouldn't be good friends with you, seeing as your mother was muggleborn."
"Wow," Harry said, turning to Daphne. "I have to give you credit. You are remarkably good at keeping secrets. Like, insanely good. To not tell your sister is one thing, but to not tell your parents is impressive."
"It's none of their business," Daphne replied with a huff.
"No, I guess not," Harry said. "Most of the wizarding world believes it, so it must be true." Noah laughed a little at that. "But that is why your daughters are home. I figured it would be best they give the news to you firsthand. Now, if you wouldn't mind pointing out a bedroom to me, I don't know that I have ever been so tired." Noah left to show Harry to a spare bedroom, leaving Abigail alone with her daughters.
"So, Harry Potter has come to our house," Abigail said quietly. She just wanted to gauge the reaction of her daughters. Unsurprisingly, Daphne's face gave nothing away. Her daughter might be in Hufflepuff, but Daphne was the quintessential Slytherin. Astoria's face was much more demonstrative, looking at the door Harry and her father had left through with what could only be described as longing. "As far as first impressions go, he is impressive."
"Isn't he dreamy?" Astoria said with a wide smile. "You know I asked him if I could get him to sign a marriage contract with me?"
"You did?" Abigail gave her daughter a tolerant smile.
"He said he would think about it," Astoria told her mother, and Abigail's face immediately flashed with anger. Daphne saw her mother's face and laughed.
"No, Astoria, he said he would talk to dad about it first." Instantly her mother relaxed. Daphne knew her mother had been worried that Harry might have actually done something stupid, and Daphne knew from experience that Astoria could be more convincing and charming than her age, but Harry was not an idiot.
"Ah," Abigail said. "That is good to hear. Now it is late, and you will have to go back to school tomorrow, especially since you will be in new classes with new classmates. Astoria, why don't you go to sleep?" Astoria looked peeved, but eventually agreed and left the room.
"I don't need sleep either?" Daphne asked with a grin.
"Oh, you do, but we will wait for your father to get back, and then we will have a serious discussion." Abigail stared her daughter down until Daphne was twisting uncomfortably, but soon Noah arrived.
"I was barely out of the room when he crashed," Noah said, sitting down next to his wife. "He honestly looks like death, and that doesn't take into account the fact that I broke the poor boy's arm."
"Harry isn't poor in any sense of the word," Daphne snapped, "not to mention he is not a boy either."
"He is indeed a boy," Abigail said, "even if his experiences have made him mature." She shared a glance with her husband. "But regardless of Lord Potter's wealth, we have other things to discuss."
"Three important things, I believe," Noah said. "First, Hufflepuff?"
"Yes, I think that Slytherin was legitimately dangerous for Astoria and myself."
"And you are happy with this placement?"
"Would I have preferred Gryffindor? Probably. But it took serious convincing to allow the hat to resort us. It's better than Ravenclaw. I have friends now, friends who will watch out for me in the house."
"That's good," Abigail said with a tolerant smile. "I also heard something about a life debt?"
"Yes, in the aftermath of the second task some would be assassins attacked the champions. Harry and our DADA teacher took care of them, but Harry was exhausted from the task and collapsed before he could finish off the last attacker. I reacted quickest and stopped him from killing Harry. Two of Harry's friends were right behind me, and then Dumbledore stunned him."
"This is not the first time that students have been forced to take matters into their own hands," Noah said. He looked critically at his daughter. "You and Astoria speak French. I suspect I know the answer to this, but would you be adverse to moving to Beauxbaton next year?"
"You already know the answer to that, like you said," Daphne told her father.
"Now dear, there is no need for that, not yet," Abigail said, laying a comforting hand on her husband.
"Besides, while Harry is technically a kid, he is anything but in reality," Daphne explained. "While we were dating, he opened his heart to me. Some of the things he has done would baffle your mind."
"Such as?" Noah asked. "Who is the boy behind the scar?" Daphne twisted her mouth into a scowl.
"Daphne," Abigail said. It was her mother, not Lady Greengrass, that persona that stunned other purebloods entirely shelved "If there are real threats, you need to tell us. How about second year? Your father and I have already made some suppositions. But we need you to be honest with us. Just give us an example, to understand this boy you believe in."
"Fine," Daphne said. She stood and drew her wand. "You want proof? Expecto Patronum." A giant cat burst from her wand, glancing around briefly, looking for the threat that her summoner was seeking to combat. Seeing nothing the cat disappeared into thin air. "Harry taught me that." Daphne saw no reason to tell her parents that Harry was also the memory she used to summon the Patronus.
"Really?" Noah was impressed. "Daphne, even your mother can only summon a shield. And Harry taught you?"
"He taught a lot of us. Dad, he alone can keep our entire house in check. Now that he has returned, Hogwarts is much safer, and he doesn't even know. Harry will need people to support him, that know how to use his influence. I think I can be one of those people, to help him navigate the issues he is bound to face."
"That moves us nicely to the biggest issue your mother and I have," Noah said. "You said Slytherin might not be safe for Astoria. And Harry tossed around the name of a certain dark lord. These two things wouldn't happen to be related, would they?"
"Of course they are," Daphne snapped. "The people in our house that worry me have parents that probably went crazy at the quidditch world cup. Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, Goyle. You know the older generation of those names. They went to school with you. Would you trust them? I want to help Harry, and I could do that in Slytherin. I could possibly handle the danger by myself. But I needed an excuse to get Astoria out of there, and now she is in Gryffindor."
"Sure, Harry will look out for her. But more importantly, she is in a different dorm room, where I don't have to worry about what might happen. Astoria will make friends, and while Slytherin presented a unified front to the rest of the school, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff actually look out for each other, and they mean it. It is worth it, to me."
"Sweetie, you know we are almost never doubt your judgement," Abigail said. "But from what I understand, one of the most powerful and influential wizards in Britain owed you a life debt. You used it for Astoria. Daphne, that is an impulsive move, something you have never done before. I know you probably worried about taking advantage of your friend, but it seems like you forgot something important."
"This discussion is over," Daphne claimed, storming out of the room, causing her parents to stare at each other with worried thoughts. It took a while for the Greengrass parents to get to bed that night. Even when they did, it was a fitful sleep, colored by their worry for their daughter. There were times where parents had to let their children make mistakes, but for Noah and Abigail, there was real worry that a mistake from Daphne would have long lasting consequences.
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The next morning as all five people congregated in the living room, Noah activated the floo and Abigail talked quietly with her two daughters. Harry's hair was sticking all over the place and he frantically tried to get it to settle. Eventually as Abigail hugged her daughters goodbye, Harry had managed to arrange his hair back into its default messy setting rather than the untamed wild it had been a few minutes early.
"Well, I hope your assimilation into your new houses goes well," Noah told his daughters as they stood by the floo.
"I'm sure it will be fine," Astoria told him. "Daphne and I have always been able to make new friends. It will be great." Daphne grabbed some powder and stepped into the fire. "Where are we going?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts Office, Hogwarts!" Daphne threw the powder down and vanished into a torrent of green fire.
"Oh, one of your professor's unlocked his floo points," Noah remarked.
"Yes, Akira let me know he would keep his open," Harry remarked as Astoria stepped forward.
"It's so early, maybe we will see him without his shirt," Astoria said as she grabbed the powder. "He's dreamy!" She called out the destination and vanished right after her sister.
"She's a little boy crazy," Harry remarked as he readied himself.
"And you would never take advantage of that?" Noah asked.
"No."
"Lord Potter?" Abigail said as Harry grabbed the powder. "Please, keep my daughters safe."
"As long as I draw breathe," Harry said, before vanishing into the floo network. It was a long journey, at least 15 seconds, and as he always did, Harry collapsed out of the firework in a heap. "I hate floo travel," Harry complained as he got to his feet.
"Better than flashing a few hundred miles?" Akira asked, hauling Harry to his feet. "Sounds like you had an eventful night."
"I think we can just take the entirety of yesterday, file it away under madness, and move on," Harry told his brother. "Did all three of the attackers make it?"
"Your two did," Akira told him. "Dumbledore has them all trussed up. I had to put mine down." Harry nodded solemnly. "You dealt with them easily enough."
"I got the drop on them," Harry explained. "Besides, you took the fastest one. Thanks."
"My reaction time and recognition has gotten sloppy," Akira said. "My father would be embarrassed."
"Yes he would," Harry stated. There was no condescension or insult. Akira had stated a fact, and he simply confirmed it. "I think our spars will be more even now, so that should be good for both of us." "It's still early." He glanced down at his watch, and saw it was 7:00. "Where's Minnie?"
"She took the girls to get them settled in," Akira told him. "Daphne will be fine with Susan and Hannah, but will it be tough to get Astoria into the lion's den?"
"Yeah, I'll need to talk to a few people," Harry said. "I know a second year who can help. Also, if the twins do me a solid and give her a vote of confidence, it will go a long way towards getting people to trust her."
"And you don't think you should hurry to do that? It's not like you didn't get some serious action yesterday."
"Come on," Harry replied with a laugh. "If you don't risk your life, you've wasted a day.
"You are more like Nambung every day," Akira observed.
"Well, I did spend close to two months with him as the only person I saw," Harry explained. "It's not surprising his mannerisms rubbed off on me."
"You are stronger than me, aren't you?" Akira asked quietly.
"Without his lightning? Probably not," Harry said. "I'm still working out the kinks of my specialty magic."
"You figured it out in two months?"
"Kind of," Harry said. "Like I said, I'm still working on it. But once I fix it up, then yeah, I'll be stronger than you."
"Hopefully you will still need some support," Akira said, though his voice was unnaturally quiet.
"Hey." Harry reached down and grabbed Akira, forcing him to look into his eyes. "You are my brother by blood. You gave me a home when I had none. You are my family, my own flesh and blood. I will ALWAYS need you." They hugged and Akira felt wetness on his shirt from a few tears. "Never say that again."
"Yeah," Akira said, a tear leaking from his eye too. "Sorry, I don't know what got into me."
"Don't be such a girl," Harry said, punching Akira lightly in the shoulder. That statement sent them both into gales of laughter. Both of them knew quite a few girls with significantly more emotional, physical, magical, and mental strength that far outstripped them. It was such a cliché and so remarkably wrong that both of them laughed for a few minutes. Any time the laughter threatened to stop, one of the brothers would look at the other and it would send the other into hysterics yet again.
"Go take care of your house," Akira said. "Besides, it's Monday. I expect you in class later. You should go to all your classes this week, even potions and history. It will help restore some normalcy."
"Yeah," Harry replied forlornly. "That's what I need at the moment, to waste some time. But you are right." He sat across from Akira. "Before I go, two things, ok?" Akira nodded. "First, you, Minnie and I need to talk soon. A few things on the agenda, but you both need to be looped in on certain things." Akira nodded again. "Second, you have seen all my friends last few weeks. Who do I need to deal with today?"
"Who do you think?" Akira answered with a smile.
"Fleur and Hermione?" Harry groaned when Akira's smile got wider. "I hate you. It's not like it was my fault I was gone for so long."
"Might I suggest a different approach?" Akira said. "Start with a humble apology."
"I know," Harry said as he exited the apartment, Akira chuckling behind him. "It wasn't my fault anyways," he muttered to himself. "Hopefully I get some peace and quiet at breakfast." Harry ended up at the great hall and smiled a bit at the one boy at the Gryffindor table. "Keeping up your morning exercises?" Harry asked as he sat next to Neville.
"I've tried," Neville said. "Akira said if I keep it up, I might be able to be a formal student soon."
"That's good to hear." They ate in silence for a few minutes. "So how are classes?" Neville fixed him with a hard glare. "What?"
"Is that really what you want to talk about?"
No, but it seems like a safe subject for the moment," Harry explained.
"I'm not mad, not compared to the others," Neville told him. "But would it have killed you to send an owl?"
"No," Harry stated. "But I was really busy, and…" he trailed off under Neville's disbelieving glance. "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted," Neville said. "But you know quite a few other people won't be as forgiving."
"Who do you think is the maddest?"
"Probably Hermione, and she isn't coming to breakfast."
"Why not?" Harry asked, immediately concerned.
"Cedric broke up with her last night," Neville said, his voice unnaturally calm. "Lavender spent the whole night comforting her. They might even skive off potions and DADA today." Harry swore viciously. "Language."
"Was it my fault?" Harry wondered aloud.
"Not directly," Neville told him. "She was going out of her mind with worry, and it strained the relationship. If you want my two sickles, I'd say that realizing how hard her life was without your steadying presence made her realize you are more than a friend, that she needs you to be more than a best friend."
"I don't want your two sickles if that is what they are!" Harry looked absolutely panicked.
"If you only want my advice when I agree with you, then you should look for a new best mate," Neville said calmly. That stunned Harry. He never would have heard that coming out of Neville's mouth before Christmas.
"You are right," Harry admitted. "Sorry again." Neville shrugged. "Seriously."
"You apologized for not dropping us an owl," Neville said. "I'll take it as a blanket apology for the next few days."
"Things have really changed while I was gone," Harry remarked.
"It's a school, filled with hormonal and crazy teenagers," Neville commented. "Things change overnight. It's bound to happen in two months."
"You seem even keeled about all this."
"Eh, after talking to Hannah about how my grandmother is determined to break us up, dealing with your drama is easy."
"I'm sorry what?" Harry asked, stunned for the second time in as many minutes.
"Don't worry about, it's some pureblood nonsense." Neville glanced at Harry. "How would you feel about taking your Wizengamot seat at the moment?"
"What?"
"It would help," Neville observed. "You would miss school a lot, but you already don't have to take classes. You could assign a proxy, and only show up for big debates. You might even be able to get Sirius freed."
"Oh god, Sirius!" Harry realized. "He and Remus don't know I'm alright!"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it," Neville told him. "I saw Susan sending an owl last night, and I believe that the current Head of the DMLE is currently observing her sabbatical with Sirius."
"Madam Bones is on Sabbatical?"
"Well, the way I understand it is that Fudge threatened to fire her if she did not demand Sirius from the Japanese embassy. He's not there, is he?" Harry shook his head. "Good. Even I know enough to see that would be stupid. Where is he?"
"France.' Harry admitted. Neville nodded in understanding. "So, Madam Bones?"
"Right," Neville said, picking up the tale. "So Bones said no way, and Fudge would have fired her, but the aurors backed her up, and if he tried to fire her he would have needed more support in the Wizengamot. My Gran actually created a coalition of families to support her if Fudge went through with the firing, got quite a few neutral families on board. Fudge thought she might run against him for Minister, so he backed down, but she was so disgusted with him she took a sabbatical."
"So who is in charge?"
"Ex-Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeour," Neville said. "You faced him down with Sirius. He doesn't like you."
"Any idiot can go through life without making enemies," Harry told Neville.
"You just have an unnatural knack for it," Neville commented.
"Fine," Harry said, realizing it was true. "Listen, I have to go talk to Hermione. Can you do me a solid?"
"Depends," Neville said as Hannah sat down next to him. "Hey love." He leaned over and gave his girlfriend a gentle kiss. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Hannah sand back. "Hello Harry. Good morning."
"Yeah, sure," Harry said distractedly. Neville just clicked his teeth. "I'm sorry Hannah, I'm just a little distracted. It's nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too," Hannah said, seemingly unbothered by his lack of focus. "I guess you heard about Hermione? Understandable that you'd be distracted."
"Nev, you know Daphne?"
"Your ill-fated love interest?" Harry just rolled his eyes. "Yes, of course I know Daphne. We met with her every week."
"What about her sister?"
"Astoria?" Neville closed his eyes in thoughts. "Not well. Second year in Slytherin, right?"
"Not anymore." That got the couple's attention. "Daphne's in Hufflepuff now, and Astoria is a second year in Gryffindor."
"Really?" Hannah said, eyes lighting up.
"Really," Harry said, with a tone indicating he wanted no more questions. "When Astoria comes down to breakfast, she'll probably be sitting alone. Go over and keep her company."
"And you'll explain later?" Neville asked.
"No," Harry replied. "But you will go sit with her anyways."
"Why is that?" Neville shot back.
"Because you are a good person," Hannah told him before Harry could speak. The bespectacled wizard just smiled at her. "Go to Hermione. We will look after Astoria." Harry nodded and bolted out of the hall. "
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O-
You know we can get more out of her than Harry." Hannah said as Harry vanished. Neville looked up in surprise. "What? I'm curious too. I smell something interesting going on, and if Harry is here then Astoria will clam up. You're telling me two Slytherin's switch out of their house and you aren't curious. Especially one who had a life debt from your best mate?"
"You think Daphne used that life debt so quickly, to get her and her sister out of Slytherin?" Hannah nodded at Astoria who had timidly entered the hall. "Hannah, this is surprisingly devious of you. Let's go check it out."
"I know," Hannah said as they watched Astoria sit alone at the end of the table. "No one ever suspects us Hufflepuffs." Neville got up with Hannah at his side and they walked to the end of the table, sitting across from Astoria.
"Hello," Neville said, pouring himself a glass of water. "I'm Neville Longbottom, and this is my girlfriend, Hannah Abbott. She's a Hufflepuff, but we tend to let anyone sit at our table. I'm sure you've seen your sister over here a few times. I am curious though, as to why a 2nd year Slytherin is sitting alone at our table."
"I'm not a Slytherin anymore," Astoria said in a tiny voice. "I'm in Gryffindor now."
"Are you?" Neville asked with a raised eyebrow. "But there is still a snake on your robes."
"I'll get them changed," Astoria said, her voice still quiet.
"Well, why not get them changed now, for the time being," Neville told her. "Would you like that?" Astoria nodded. "Love, if you don't mind?" Hannah whipped her wand out of her holster with a simple touch.
"Of course not. Multicorfors!" With a wave of her wand, the trim of Astoria's robe changed from green to red. Hannah cast the spell a second time and with a second flourish, the green snake badge changed to a red lion. "There, all better. But it will only last until the end of the day. You may want to have some of the girls in your house help you make the changed permanent. Unfortunately, that will mean sewing."
"It's ok, I know how to sew!" Astoria's face lit up with glee as she looked down at her new robe. She raced around the table and hugged Hannah. "Thank you so much. I have to go show my sister!" Astoria raced off towards the Hufflepuff table.
"Interesting," Neville remarked, taking a sip of water.
"You on to the scent of something, Detective Longbottom?"
"Just conjecture at the moment," Neville said. "But Daphne earning a life debt the moment Harry comes back to school? Harry, probably the student best positioned to get Daphne and her sister out of Slytherin? Astoria, a second year, genuinely thrilled to be out of Slytherin and into Gryffindor? It's all a little suspicious."
"You don't think Daphne had anything to do with the attackers, do you?" Hannah asked as they watched Astoria talking animatedly with her older sister.
"No, she still cares about Harry, maybe even loves him," Neville said. "I'll tell you this much. It's going to be a rough week to be Harry's best mate. It seems like half the school is in love with him. Fleur, Susan, Hermione, Daphne, and god knows who else."
"Oh, to be loved and admired by so many excellent women," Hannah said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"You know that you are all I need, love," Neville said, bending over and kissing Hannah. She smiled at her boyfriend. "But this week is going to be an all-mighty mess. Do me a favor, and keep an eye on Daphne if she switches into Hufflepuff classes."
"What do I get in return?" Hannah asked coyly.
"I'd offer you a date, but we go on dates whenever we get the chance," Neville said as Astoria was racing back to the table. "But for now, how about in return we make sure Harry goes more than a few days without someone trying to kill him."
"Sounds good." With a final kiss, Hannah drifted away towards Daphne and Susan, who were sitting at the Hufflepuff table.
"Oh, is your girlfriend going?" Astoria said as she sat across from Neville. "I wanted to thank her again for changing my robes!"
"I'll tell her," Neville said. "But for now, I want to hear all about how you managed to get out of the nasty Slytherin house." Astoria's face lit up. "From what I heard, it sounds like you belong in Gryffindor!"