Daphne's mind was reeling with distraction the next day. When she thought back to the previous night's events, her heart would start racing and she'd find herself short of breath. Had Harry intended to kiss her? The entire day was a cycle of recalling last night but then pushing that question aside, lest she her conclusion might lead her astray from reality. Despite her best efforts, it continued to nag at her.

What was more unsettling was that the next time she saw Harry, he didn't appear phased by it. No uncertainties or additions to his awkward mannerisms. Nothing. All he asked was if she enjoyed her birthday dinner. Which one though? Did he mean dinner with her parents or their late night meal with just the two of them? It felt frustrating that he didn't clarify. Harry's lack of response was making her question her own recollection of the night's events. Perhaps she'd imagined or misinterpreted all of it.

Then again, if he wouldn't acknowledge it, then she'd do the same and press on as if nothing happened.

It was a relief when she was forced to cancel their next scheduled lunch later that week. She'd fallen behind on processing intakes as her confusion around Harry Potter loomed over her. Internally, she admonished herself for allowing everything to spill over into her job performance. She'd sent him a note letting him know that she'd be using the lunch hour to catch up, to which he'd responded with a short confirmation. Then, as if trying to confound her more, he arrived at her desk at noon.

"Harry," she stuttered like a fool since he'd taken her by surprise. "I thought we cancelled today." Was she now so out of sorts she'd completely imagined the exchange of memos?

"No, we did. I got your note," he quickly reassured her, which brought her some relief. "I passed through earlier but you looked absorbed in your work. It had me worried you may not stop to eat something."

She felt like her heart stopped when he extended a paper bag toward her. Takeaway.

"You... brought me lunch?" When she heard her voice, she resisted the urge to cringe as it gave away too much of the conflicting emotions that were running through her. As if she needed things to get more confusing than they already were.

A pleased smile graced Harry's face and all he did was nod in confirmation.

"Do you have time for a short break?" His voice sounded hopeful, and her insides immediately reacted to it. When she didn't respond right away though, she heard an uncertain dip in his tone. "Or, I can leave this here if you can't get away."

Her heart wanted to betray her-to readily accept the offer. They could eat in the rarely used break room. Alone. Together. At the same time, she couldn't shake the fact that he'd never acknowledged anything from the other night. A moment she felt deserved acknowledging. Glancing towards the high stack of files on her desk, she wasn't sure if one sweet gesture, that could turn out to mean nothing, would be worth continuing to let her other responsibilities suffer. Her head, steering her towards logic, reminded her that this 'relationship' of theirs was not real and she'd made little progress this morning on her work. The time to show his cards would have been the other night, or the day after, and Harry had given her no indication that he was interested in something different. They were friends.

"I appreciate it, Harry, but I've barely made progress this morning." She gestured toward her desk, "I really should keep at it." A pain she wasn't expecting ran through her as the words left her mouth. Her heart protested in her chest. It didn't help either when his face seemed to deflate at her rejection.

He shifted in front of her, appearing uncertain what to do next. "Right, well, I hope you like it. It's from a Muggle restaurant around the corner... one of my favorite places when I have to go."

His favorite. At the revelation, she could help a smile that tugged at her lips. However, certain her eyes had softened as well, she forced herself to blink and reset. She had work to do.

"Thank you. I'm sure I'll love it."

Believing at that point he'd turned to leave her with the bag containing her lunch, her stomach dropped as she watched him fish out his own container from the bag before he handed it to her. Yes, if her heart needed any more reason to scold her, that was it.

Then, finally turning to depart, he turned back at the last minute, "I'll see you at the end of the day, right?" There was an insecure undertone to his question.

"Yes, of course. I'm hoping that I can still get caught up today so I won't have to stay late. I'll see you then."

Harry flashed her a satisfied smile and then strode off.

At the end of the day, he picked her up as per their usual routine. Ever since her birthday, it didn't escape her notice that he had stopped holding her hand as he usually did during their walk to the fireplaces. She realized that she missed the touch. A chilling thought crossed her mind, that perhaps this was the beginning of the end. If people would start to notice distance between the two of them, or a lack of affection that was once there, they would start to speculate. A turning point was inevitable, she knew this, but she would have at least hoped there would be some sort of discussion when the time came. It was important for them to be on the same page when it came to their plan.

The more she was left alone in her thoughts on their walk, the more the silence between them became unbearable for her. Then, just as they exited the lifts, Harry stepped in front of her.

"Listen, I wanted to ask you something. A favor."

Crossing her arms in front of her, she felt her grip tightened against the handle of her bag in anticipation of his request. Maybe he was about to ask her to begin the last stage of their plan.

Would you come for dinner at Grimmauld?"

Her posture immediately softened in relief. "Really?"

Harry simply nodded in reply.

"Will it be just the two of us?" What was this development? Bringing her lunch, and now asking her to dinner at his house.

"Sort of. My house-elf, Kreacher, he's been pestering me for awhile to invite you over."

And, with that, her yearning inquiries died just as quickly as they started. She began to internally rebuke herself. This was all driving her just a bit crazy. The stress of one minute worrying that he's ready to end their arrangement and the next questioning if his actions mean something.

Drawing her attention back to his favor, there was a detail she hadn't known before. "You have a house-elf?" It seemed surprising considering she was almost certain his best friend was staunchly against house-elves being owned.

Harry only laughed lightly at her question. "My godfather, Sirius, he left me his inheritance, which included Kreacher. He's a grumpy fellow but he's come around over the years." The expression on his face grew more amused. "I should say grumpy to others, but not when it comes to you. Once he saw the photo of us in the Prophet, he's been in a surprisingly good mood. Hasn't stopped nagging me incessantly to invite you over. He still holds a preference to Pureblood lines."

That made sense. While not what she was hoping for when he asked her over to his home, he'd obliged her and her family in similar favors and she was of course willing to do the same.

"I can come. When?"

Dinner at Grimmauld fell on Friday the following week. During one of their walks, Harry informed her that once he'd told Kreacher that she was coming, he'd engaged in non-stop cleaning and maintenance to the house. The elf had insisted on at least a week for preparations, demanding the meal also take place on the weekend to ensure they had plenty of time for entertaining their guest. Every time Harry suggested a weeknight, Kreacher became upset.

"He's tried to give me dating advice, did I tell you that?"

Daphne almost choked on the morning cappuccino that Harry surprised her with. It wasn't a drink she'd had before, and she eyed it curiously amidst Harry's chuckled encouragements to just try it. Her hesitancy was clearly entertainment to him. The drink was better than she expected, and she found herself intrigued when he mentioned one could customize it with different flavors.

It was in the course of this exchange, that he'd stopped by to discuss dinner that evening.

"What advice?" Daphne asked as she cleared her throat.

"He said I should give you a pair of gloves. See if you would wear them the next time I saw you."

"That's... very old school."

"Yeah, I didn't realize that there used to be so many courting customs to consider." Harry took a sip of his own cappuccino. "Kreacher actually gave me the idea to have tea with your parents the first night. Scolded me for not talking to them before the, "news broke," that we had started seeing each other. Made me glad that your parents were so kind about it."

"I think my parents are more modern than where Kreacher is at. But I'll be sure to thank him for being the reason that you randomly showed up at my house," she replied teasingly.

"He's planning a five-course meal so don't be late," Harry stated in parting. They wished each other well for the day and as he walked away she felt a sense of optimism for the day ahead following his surprise visit.

Daphne arrived through the fireplace and into Grimmauld Place. She jumped when she about stepped straight into the house-elf-Kreacher-who was already waiting for her. Mere moments later, Harry walked into the room.

Kreacher offered her a warm greeting, or, at least what she could tell was his version of warmth. It was apparent why Harry had described him as being a bit gruff. Looking around the room, she noted the pristine state of everything, just as Harry mentioned.

"The house is lovely," she commented after introducing herself.

The elf gave her what she could tell was a proud, lopsided smile at the compliment, to which she couldn't help but grin back. Kreacher directed both of them to the dining room, as the soup would be served soon.

"I know you told me a five-course meal, and now that it's hitting me, I'm feeling completely underdressed," Daphne whispered after the elf popped away. Harry was dressed in Muggle clothes. A nice dress shirt and trousers. Daphne, on the other hand, while she had worn a dress, it was casual. Though she was embarrassed to admit it, she'd been drawn to it simply because the shade matched his eyes.

"Don't worry about it. You look lovely," he said as he gestured for her to follow him down the hall. It was then he whispered into her ear, "By the way, I have never seen Kreacher smile before. Ever..."

They both broke out into a fit of muffled laughter as they passed through a doorway and into the formal dining room. Candles were lit and there were place settings for two across the table from each other.

During dinner, she tried to engage Kreacher whenever he was present, knowing how much this meant to him. He'd make occasional comments of praise for the Greengrass line. When she told him she liked the food, he offered to send her family's house-elves the recipe. At one point, he went on about how Daphne was exactly what 'Harry Potter' needs given his lack of understanding of traditions. Across the table, Harry would smile like a goof, making it even more difficult for her to remain serious as she would converse with the elf.

"I don't think I can eat anything else," she whispered across the table when dessert showed up. Harry, who she knew was just as full, helped her pick at both of their tarts.

"Harry Potter should take Miss on a tour of the house," Kreacher bluntly directed Harry after they were done.

As Harry took her around to show her the house, one of their stops was in a room with the Black Family Tapestry. Interested in the room, he allowed her to step in and look around as much as she wanted. The genealogy was an aspect of Pureblood lines that has always fascinated her.

"My family has one like this in our home. I'll have to show it to you the next time you're over," she mentioned to Harry, but her eyes remained glued on the wall, reviewing the Black family tree.

Walking along the tapestry, she was reminded of all the times as a young girl that she spent studying the Greengrass line. When she came to the end, she came across Draco's face and couldn't help as her mouth lifted slightly at the sight of her friend. "The Black family had such a long lineage; it's hard for me to believe the male line has ended," she commented.

Harry, who had remained standing in the doorway as she browsed, walked over beside her. "Was it ever hard for you and your sister? That there wasn't a son."

The question surprised her. She turned up to look at him. "No, my father has never let on that he cared one way or another. At least not in a male heir. I don't know, maybe it's because I have cousins so it's not as though the Greengrass line is ending with us."

"You're refreshing."

Daphne felt uncertain of his meaning and raised a brow in question towards him.

"What I mean is, considering who you grew up around-" he stumbled, appearing to regret his words, "That's not, what I'm trying to say is that for a Slytherin-no…"

"Harry," she said with amusement, "You can stop. I know what you're trying to say. I'll take the compliment."

His shoulders lightened and he seemed to breathe easier.

"You know, based on how much you talked up Kreacher, I've been so nervous just coming over to meet him. Almost as if I were really meeting your-"

The words died on her lips just before they escaped her mouth, her gaze widened in alarm at her slip up. It was her turn to put a foot in her mouth.

"As if you were meeting my parents?" He stated matter of factly, but with a sad smile.

A silence passed between the two of them, unsure of how to transition.

"I wish I could introduce you to them-Sirius too." Harry shifted. "I know it's a lot allowing me to spend time with your parents. Being with your parents, reminds me a lot of when I first got to know the Weasley's-it's the greatest feeling when someone immediately welcomes you as an extension of their family."

"I'm glad, Harry. I want you to know, you can stay in touch with them after this is over. Besides, I think my father has come to think of you as the son he never had," a beat passed. "Only if you want though, no pressure," she added, to which Harry chuckled at her awkwardness.

"Well, hey, if we're still together by Christmas, maybe I can introduce you to the Weasleys."

Daphne felt a chill run through her, the conversation trending into an area she didn't want to visit right now, despite being the one who introduced it. Talking so casually about the holiday and introducing her to his surrogate family, while knowing their deadline loomed over them.

"I should probably go. It's getting late."

Despite what seemed like a flash of disappointment across his face, Harry led her back to the fireplace. Kreacher appeared to wish her well for the evening. He stood next to Harry as she grabbed the Floo powder and stepped in to leave. As she threw the powder at her feet, she overheard the elf speaking to Harry. "If you marry her, I'll accept the sock you've tried to give me all these years."

Her eyes were wide as she appeared back in her own home. A lopsided grin forced its way against her lips, as she thought about Kreacher's comment and the evening in general. As she crawled into bed that evening, she couldn't help but dream that perhaps there might be a way that all of this could be real.

Daphne was surprised to find Harry standing in the atrium of the Ministry when she arrived on Monday morning. Leaned against a pillar when she noticed him, it appeared as though he may have been waiting there for a while. His face brightened when he noted her arrival. This caused a warm rush through her veins, signifying that he had been waiting for her. Reaching down to pick up his bag, he walked over to meet her.

"Morning. Can I walk you to your desk?"

Extending him a nod and a smile, they headed to the lifts. Considering that Harry hadn't said anything more, she wasn't sure what the reason was for this change in routine. Did he have something to talk with her about? Or he simply felt like meeting her this morning? The logical part of her quickly tried to fight an interpretation, knowing it would again just lead her in circles.

When he still didn't say anything, she decided to break the silence. "Guess what happened at my house this morning?" She asked, as she sauntered alongside him. He looked curiously at her.

"I discovered over breakfast that Kreacher already sent the recipe for the main course last night with our house-elves."

Harry couldn't withhold his own laughter, which released hers as well. "It meant a lot that you came last night. Thank you."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't mention it. It's what friends do, right?"

Friends. Unconsciously, she knew that she was fishing for something more from him. An indication that perhaps lately the things they did meant more than simply being friends.

"Of course. You're a great friend, Daphne."

Daphne felt her heart drop at Harry's response, even with his tone being so kind and genuine.

Shame on her for being the foolish one who went and compromised her feelings. She kept her eyes toward the front of the lift, trying to muster as much courage as she could to keep a mask on.

A/N: I am incredibly sorry for the delay in this chapter. This chapter is more of a filler, but I needed some space and for a few things to happen here leading into Chapter 7. I am getting through the final edits on 7 and hope to post it very soon. It's one of my favorites in the story. I'll also mention that there will be nine chapters in total so we are in the final stretch! I appreciate every favorite, follow, and comment! Thank you so much for reading this story! Many thanks to iforgottocall for help with edits!