Chapter 7

Harry found himself in Diagon Alley, standing outside Daphne's flat.

"Can you come out with me?" he asked urgently.

She was startled. "Uh, where?"

"We'll get some dinner. I need to talk to you!"

He took her to the same pub where he'd talked with Ron. He barely waited until they'd ordered before telling her of his conversations with both Ron and Hermione.

Daphne took a sip of her wine. "Do you think Ron is serious about Padma?"

Harry eyed her in astonishment. "He'd hardly buy her an engagement ring if he wasn't."

"Then, he probably intends to try to get an exemption from the law, or else get it over-turned."

"An exemption? On what grounds?"

"War service," explained Daphne. "Both were members of the D.A. and both fought Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts. The law was enacted in the first place on the theory that, after a few generations, no one would be able to claim blood superiority. They could argue that the reasons for prohibiting the marriages of purebloods wouldn't apply to them, because they have never been blood supremacists."

"That makes sense," Harry agreed.

"What will you do, Harry? Will you side with Ron or with Hermione?"

"What! Can't I just…stay neutral?"

She gave him a sympathetic smile. "No. This will probably come up before the Wizengamot eventually; how will you vote?"

Before answering, he got up to fetch them another drink.

"I think," he said slowly, "I will vote in favor of repealing the law. I always think it is wrong for people to be unable to marry as they wish. What about you?"

Daphne shrugged. "Purebloods never did marry as they wished! They were all forced into marriage contracts, so, in some ways, the law was a relief! That said, I'm hoping Padma and Ron will get their wedding."

"So many muggleborns were bullied at Hogwarts," Harry said thoughtfully. "The legislation Hermione pushed for ended discrimination against them."

"But transferred the discrimination to purebloods." Daphne was unimpressed. "If the goblet hadn't selected me to be an Unspeakable, I doubt I'd be able to get a decent job."

Harry wasn't surprised to find himself in Kingsley's office the next morning.

"What's your position on the Pureblood Marriage Restriction Law?" the new Minister demanded.

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I'd say…it wasn't our best moment. It was intended to keep people like Voldemort's followers from claiming their heredity made them somehow privileged. Blood status would become irrelevant. But now it's preventing people from marrying the one they love, and I can't condone that. And with these murders, I begin to see that purebloods are now being victimized."

"Arthur Weasley is pushing for the repeal at the next Wizengamot session," Kingsley said. "I think it will have enough votes to pass, especially with your backing."

Harry felt a chill. He knew, he just knew, that he would somehow be dragged in the middle of the resulting controversy. He only hoped Hermione would forgive him.

Tracey Davis leaned against the wall and smirked at Padma. "Quite a sizeable rock you have there, Libra. Guess the Weasel did pretty well after the war, even if he didn't have what it takes for the Aurors."

Padma's face remained impassive. "Thank you, Pisces. I doubt that we'll starve."

She glanced up at Daphne. "Ready, Gemini? We don't want to be late!"

"Yes, we'd better go." Daphne followed Padma to the floo.

"Where are we going?" she whispered.

"The joke shop. I need to talk with Ron, and find out if he's heard from Leo about how the meeting with the Minister went."

Harry was already there.

"Kingsley thinks your father has got the votes to repeal the law," he was telling his friend. "I can promise mine…"

"And mine!" Daphne jumped in. She'd been relived that the law had freed her from her father's agreement with House Selwyn, but now she wanted to help Padma and Ron to their happy ending. She only hoped she could do so without creating an enemy of Hermione Granger.

"However, he warned me I'll have to give an interview stating why I voted the way I did." Harry sounded grim. "I can't mention the killings either, although I admit they influenced me. I never realized how discrimination was now centered against purebloods. No point in replacing one form of bigotry with another!"

"Yeah." Ron gave Harry an apologetic look. "Sorry to land you in the middle, mate. I know you won't like going against Hermione."

"How is your family reacting to our engagement?" Padma asked anxiously. "I know they were fond of Hermione."

"They always will be," admitted Ron, "but they also think we weren't suited for the long-term. They want you to come to dinner tomorrow, so, no worries."

Padma smiled in relief.

Harry sank into his Wizengamot seat between Neville and Daphne, and waited.

From his place he had a clear view of the Minister of Magic flanked by his two under-secretaries, Percy Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Arthur Weasley stood, and Harry tensed. He knew that many members present would look to him, and follow his lead.

The vote was called and seconded.

Harry raised his lit wand. Daphne and Neville promptly followed suit, but Hermione's jaw dropped as she surveyed the numbers, and it was all Harry could do to keep from cringing.

Then he felt Daphne's hand brush his comfortingly.

The votes were tallied; the law repealed.

Ron was free to wed Padma.