This is a Harry/Daphne pairing story that I intend to fill to the brim with fluff, and then dealing with trauma/grief for the two of them. I recently read a story with this pairing, that had a Daphne characterization that I loved so much that I simply had to write this. Go give that story a read, it was unfinished but absolutely delightful, the name is Amalgamation Agreement.

Anyway this story I have already finished 3 chapters, and have plans to make it to around 10 chapters. It should be around 35-50k words by the time I am finished. I plan on updating it weekly, so 2 months at maximum for the story to finish.

I am not british, and so most of my vocabulary is going to be a mix of my New York slangs no matter how much I try to avoid it. But hopefully it wouldn't be distracting. Feel free to review and leave feedback.

I might add some sketches and drawings of what I imagine Daphne here to look like. I will include some links to those later.

Also since everyone does it, I do not own HP and I absolutely am not making money from it.

Summary/plot:

Harry, now 23, and head of DMLE has nothing but his responsibilities on his mind. No friends, no family to speak off, other than the occasional visits to his godson Teddy Lupin. And when a marriage contract with Daphne Greengrass is sent to his office, he has no real intention of trying to find happiness and making their marriage real.

Scene breaks: ***************

Thoughts: 'Thoughts'

Speech: "Speech"

Chapter 1: First Impressions

The war at Hogwarts had ended with the defeat of Voldemort. Six long years had passed and currently sitting as the head of the DMLE was none other than Harry Potter. During the war he was struggling to stay alive, using the few spells he had known, and his immense luck. Now it was different. Over the last six years, he had gone on to capture dark wizards feared around the world, and completed missions that nobody would want to pick. Why? Because he had to gain influence. To gain power. To fix the things that hadn't changed even with the fall of Voldemort.

There have been multiple attempts on his life, multiple hospitalizations from the dangerous missions he has been on. But two things were absolute, he would come out on top in every mission, and after that he was absolutely alone on his goal. He captured most of the escaped death eaters, and then he was alone.

His friends had fought with him through the war, a war they shouldn't have had anything to do with. But still they fought with him, and now they are finally taking a break to enjoy a peaceful life, and no way in hell could he ask them to join him again.

His friends' vacation from life and death fights started the day Voldemort ended. He thought his own vacation had started that day too. He really needed that vacation too. Fred was no longer alive to make him laugh at silly pranks. Tonks and Lupin, or was it the two Lupins? Yeah those two weren't there either to play the duo of the parent and the child, one making chaos and the other fixing that chaos behind her. He seriously missed Sirius, and all the times he made that serious Sirius pun. No constant vigilance slogan from Moody, no lemon drops from Dumbledore, and even worse or maybe better, no ever present glare from Severus Snape. That was only among the people he knew well, there were many he was acquainted with, but no longer could wave a little hello to, because they are enjoying their time in another plane of existence. Their time in the plane of the living being cut short by Voldemort and his followers. Yes he really needed time to grief, to let out the pain and sorrow in his heart at their loss. But who was he kidding? He is Harry Potter, he doesn't get a break.

It was a week after the war that he witnessed the trials. Half the death eaters walked free, why? Because they were integral to the society and needed to be there to rebuild it. Would have been nice if they hadn't destroyed it in the first place, but who was to care about that. Next on the news, reconstruction is being handled by Pureblood supremacists, to ensure they have their part in their salvation, redemption. Balls, testicles, ass hair.

He went straight to the one person he remembered he needed to visit first. Teddy Lupin. He was still so young that Harry couldn't dare to take him in his lap without worrying about snapping his little neck. He shouldn't have been the only father figure present to pick up Teddy. Sirius should have been here, Remus should have been here, heck even James Potter should have been here to poke fun at Remus having a kid so late. But the people who caused this were making the laws, reconstructing the country, only to destroy it when they again find another skinhead with no nose and a fetish for chasing a little kid through the ages, at the end of every school year.

There was a fire in his heart, that he couldn't keep down as he failed time and time again to stop the baby from crying, because he wasn't a mother who knew what was best for her son. That fire was enough to keep him going for years. Andromeda Tonks taught him about the customs and ways of the magical society. Every bit of knowledge made him think the magical society was less magical and more shittical, if that was a word. And he knew he didn't want Teddy to grow up in such a place. That is why he cut his vacation from life and death fights well short of what it was supposed to be.

He didn't care how grueling the advanced auror training was, or how painful every single extra private lesson was after his auror training. He was loaded with money to pay, and sweat to drip. He gained achievement after achievement, awards, respect, connections, favors. He put his leash on the pureblood fanatics still in power, hoping their poison stops leaking into everyday life of ordinary wizards. But there were simply too many pureblood extremists still trying to hold onto traditions, which meant being dickheads to muggleborns, being sexist and racist and all the other good qualities that are part of the traditional wizarding society. If only he could stick them all behind bars, and keep them there forever, away from wizards trying to live a peaceful, happy life. But that was too much to ask for. So all he could do was sit in his office and go through his paperwork and reports.

It was the day after his 23rd birthday. No, the birthday wasn't anything special. He spent it like every other birthday in the last 6 years, sitting by himself in his room and looking at his album, of all his friends, his family and everything that ever made him happy. And of course for the last 3 years, the small drawings and paper crafts that Teddy made him for his birthday. Definitely can't forget that. But still, the birthday wasn't too special. It was what came in his mail the next day in his office that was special, well more important than special. It was from Lord Greengrass, and it briefly addressed him, said there was a marriage contract between him and heiress of Greengrass family, and nothing else. He did attach the contract with the letter, but he gave no information other than an invitation to meet him later that day.

He carefully studied the contract, the family lineages mentioned in the contract and of course Lord Greengrass himself. He wasn't a death eater, but he hated that man more for what he was. A businessman. He dealt with Death eaters for a living, and would have done anything to keep on those deals. Since he was just a businessman trying to make money, he didn't even have any repercussions from the war, aside from a little dwindling of allies and business. And Harry knew exactly what that man wanted from anything and everything, more business.

'Marriage contract between heir Black and heiress Greengrass, and bloody hell the current Lord Greengrass ass couldn't have been born without a shlong, so that contract passes onto the next generation and onto me since Sirius decided to be kind enough to leave me all that bloody black fortune. Great.' He kept looking through the report on their family and dealings, and his eyebrows rose a bit, 'oh look who's shagging the little heiress, Lord My Father will hear about this Malfoy. Family gatherings would be amazing with Lord Green ass, fucking Draco and a wife who is going to be stuck with me, unless I can get the lord to sign to dissolve the contract. Let's see what business he wants from this one then.' Harry took his robes and the papers and left with a pop to the address he found on the Greengrass files.

When he knocked on the door he was welcomed into the house by the houself, and led to a large living room. Seated on one of the couches was the less than respectable businessman Greengrass. "Welcome to the Greengrass mansion Lord Black. I am Cyrus Greengrass, feel free to call me Cyrus."

Harry replied evenly, "Thank you , I am extremely pleased to make your acquaintance on this fine evening. My day couldn't have been going any better, but here I am present in your presence." Harry knew he was being a sarcastic ass but he couldn't give a shit to keep up the pretense of formality. But it didn't look like Lord Greengrass was at all angry, or bothered, in fact he seemed pleased that Harry was so unhappy at the prospect of being his son-in-law.

"Well I know why you are here, and you know why I asked you to be here. So before we move on with our discussion, why don't I call in my daughter so you can talk to her before proceeding with any of our discussions?"

"Sure, whatever your wisdom suggests is the best course of action my Lord." Harry had to fight back a smirk as he saw Cyrus stiffen a bit as he called for his wife to bring in his daughter.

Harry saw Cyrus leave the room, and what could literally be a Disney princess lookalike, walking down the stairs to walk into the room. 'Damn she's beautiful' was all he could think.

When she walked in close to him, she suddenly scrunched up her face, and then brought her hands to her face as she yelled out, "You're bloody Harry POTTER!"

Harry didn't know how to respond so he just said, "I might not be bloody, but yes I am indeed Harry Potter."

"I am sorry, where are my manners? I am Daphne Greengrass. Pleased to mak- pleased to meet you!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you too. I wish it was under better circumstances, but sadly it couldn't be."

"Wait what do you mean circumstances, what happened?"

Harry just raised his eyebrows at that , "You don't know about the marriage contract between Heir Black, which is me, and heiress Greengrass, which is you?" He explained the contract specifics quite well in one sentence suspecting she wasn't aware of it at all.

Her face drained off color as she stuttered, "What do you mean marriage contract? Between you and me? WHHAT? Who, I mean why was I never told of any of this shi- I mean contract specifics!"

As her voice rose in panic, Cyrus opened the door to the room and walked back in, quite pleased at the development. His wife followed him like a well trained service dog, which in a sense she was.

"I see you two are getting quite well. Lord Black, I was hoping to talk about the contract in a bit more detail now that you two have learned each other's names hopefully."

'Yeah at least she knows my name now, she didn't even know that because of your fucking bullshit till now,' thought Harry to himself. "Yes of course, that was ample time for introductions and impressive first impressions."

Cyrus put the paper in his hand on the tea table in front of everyone present. "Well that is great and all. As you know this contract can only be broken by the signatures of the two lords of the houses that the contract is meant for. As you are the Lord as well, you can sign for your house. For my side, it requires my signature."

Harry nodded his understanding. "And you would be willing to sign it?"

"Yes, of course. But at a price, a businessman can not simply let go of something like this for free."

"What price do you suggest?"

Cyrus smiled wider. He knew he could count on his daughter to be her disappointing self, and drive off any potential suitor. It also helped that he didn't inform her of anything, making her even more nervous and unlikeable. Now all he needed to do was name a price. "I have a list of 12 clients who I had business partnerships with who are currently imprisoned right now under your efforts. Also I am not a big political leader, but I would like to be the regent of house Black for the next 8 years, and be able to vote or make any decisions in the Wizengamot on behalf of house Black in that time."

Daphne just watched this, with her mouth open. Such a big price, just so someone could break off a marriage with her. She had many suitors be absolutely disappointed by her personality, her clumsiness, lack of manners, but she didn't really think much of it. But if someone pays that huge price just to break off her marriage, that would be hitting a new low point in her life, not that she was ever at a high point.

So it was only fair that she hit a point lower in her life, as Harry added, "Anything else?"

Daphne didn't know if she should be laughing at herself, or crying. Her eyes made the decision for her, as she felt the tears pooling in her eyes.

Cyrus rubbed his hands together and said, "Twenty thousand galleons would be nice as well."

Harry smiled, and extended his hand forward. Cyrus took it like a hungry wolf and shook it. Hungry wolves don't shake hands, but they are greedy and eager, so hungry wolf he shall be. "So what would you have done if I had actually wanted to keep the contract?"

Cyrus laughed and said, "Well we didn't have to worry about that. We tried to set Daphne up with other men of lesser status than you, and yet not a single one of them ever wanted to tie the knot with her. She lacks the mannerisms and the pride, and respect for our traditions that makes a pureblood woman attractive."

Harry's smile widened even more and he announced, "Well that is great, because I am willing to see through the contract."

Cyrus didn't actually register that he wanted to keep the contract, and that's why he was about to shake his hand. But then he realized what happened and he suddenly yelled out in surprise, "WHAT?"

Harry simply shook his head like he was talking to a little child, "I didn't come to this stage of my life without dealing with my fair share of arrogant people who think they could get anything they want. Surprise, you are not nearly as smart as you think you are."

Cyrus lost that air of calm around him, as his brows furrowed up in rage, "You would regret doing this Potter. I have dealt with my fair share of little kids who try to deal way over their heads. I will make your life hell."

Harry knew there was nothing to be gained by angering Cyrus, but he was tired of the shitstains of the society. He mocked him and said, "What are you going to do about it? Run behind your death eater friends again like a coward, and come crawling back out again when they load you up with cash again?"

At this point Cyrus drew his wand, but Harry was an auror for years, and for good reason, He disarmed Cyrus with speed that was almost impossible to see, and bound his wife in ropes seeing she had her hands reaching for her wand as well. He extended that courtesy to Cyrus as well. He spared a glance at Daphne and saw that she was just staring at them, not trying to get her wand. He decided to ignore her for the moment.

"The weapons, armors and items you smuggled to your death eaters during the war killed my friends, innocent people, people that fought for my side. Yes, my side. I have spent every day since the end of the war to capture those responsible, but I still can't get them executed." He stopped to look down at Cyrus' body on the ground and pointed at him, "And you are here asking me to free them. If i wasn't the head of the DMLE, I would have blown you to bits right now and laughed at you like your customers used to. Consider this my warning."

With his warning given out he started to leave. He looked back at Daphne and said "I will be in contact with you using my owl to discuss more later. Feel free to use your wand to free up your parents when I step outside of the house."

He was about to leave the house when he heard shuffling footsteps, someone falling down the last few stairs. When he looked through the crack in the door he saw her following him in a rush. He raised an eyebrow at her and asked her, "Is there something you needed to talk about?"

She looked at his eyes and almost flinched under the angry gaze, but then somehow she managed to spit it out "I just wanted to apologize on behalf of my parents- no I mean on behalf of Greengrass family- " but then she stopped herself and managed to put the words together and said "I mean I, as the heiress to the house of Greengrass family, want to apologize for any slight done to you or your respective families Lord Po- I mean Lord black, wait which one are you? Lord black or Potter or both? Lord potter and black?"

For the entire monologue Harry just stared at her, his lips closing down stronger than before, as he tried not to laugh at her rambling. "That is something I would expect from an official letter of apology sent to my office, not in a conversation by any means."

Daphne's eyes went wide again as she exclaimed "Sorry! I really didn't know I would have to write it as an official letter, I really didn't mean any offense to you Lord Potter Black. I am just absolutely terrible at this, I mean everything."

Hearing that Harry felt a bit of guilt at the way he treated her so far, being so distant and formal and also angry at her family. She must have been scared stiff and more so now than before. So he lightened his mood a bit and smiled genuinely for the first time in the day, "I was only joking by what I said. I do not expect an apology letter. I can not accept the apology on behalf of the Greengrass family since I definitely know that your parents do not feel ashamed one bit for trying to do what they did."

He saw her face fall again, so he quickly added, "But I know you are being honest, and it is also not your fault your parents are like that. You have nothing to apologize for. In fact, I apologize for the way I behaved today, I am sure I scared the hell out of you there. But I will not apologize for doing what I believe is right." He saw her nod her understanding, so he continued on "Also please don't think you are terrible at everything just because you couldn't shit out a bunch of big words like a robot, like you do not have a soul or anything. Formality is a bunch of bollocks. I didn't know a single thing about formality until I graduated from Hogwarts and had to get personal guidance for that, you know." When Harry finished he realized she was staring at him wide eyed, he felt a bit of panic and asked "Did i say something weird?"

She nodded her head and said "Yeah robot, you just said robot!" Harry saw her being excited, but he chalked it up to him seeing things in his tired state of mind, no way a pureblood heiress would know about muggle technology. He was brought out of his thoughts by her saying "You know about robots! the ones that run on batteries and have screws sticking out of their heads!"

Harry didn't know how to respond to that, sure some robots in cartoons and such were shown to have screws sticking out of their heads but this was just a weird thing for someone like her to know. "Wait, how do you know about robots?"

"I read comics! All day! lots of them. I have been doing that for the last few years now that my parents don't let me study my healer textbooks."

Harry had keen eyes for details, and that remark about not being able to study healer textbooks was something he stored away for later. "That is quite surprising. I would have never thought you were the type to read comics, and that frequently at that, but who am I to judge someone's hobbies."

Daphne just blushed and nodded her head and said , "Well it's not my fault they are that good."

Harry smiled again. He kind of liked the person that was Daphne, much better than he could say for the rest of her family, and especially the one man engaged to her younger sister.

Noting that it was getting quite late, he nodded at her, "Well it has been a pleasure to talk to you Ms. Greengrass, as much as I would like to continue I am tired to the bones. I have to get some sleep before I have to get up for tomorrow again. As I mentioned earlier I will get in touch with you soon via my owl." With that Harry waved at her as she nodded, and he turned to leave, but then he said, "Also your parents may not like being tied up in ropes for too long, not that I mind that one bit."

He watched with a smile as she yelped and ran back in the house. Harry just shook his head and continued walking to the edge of the wards of the house, and left for his home with a pop.

A/N:

Thanks for reading. Hope you stick around for the next chapter and many more.