A/N: To all my readers, I want you to know that I listen to your feedback and keep it in mind when writing or editing my work.

That being said, I'd like to clarify that The Company is a Drama/ Romance. The main focus of the story will be Harry, a 17 year-old-boy, working through his feelings for Daphne and Ginny.

If you want a more action-based story, I suggest you check out Black Wands which is an Adventure/ Romance.

Harry found himself sitting alone in the dark. He'd sneaked out to the astronomy tower, the place where he'd last seen Dumbledore alive.

Dumbledore's death had changed everything, it had forced him to take a good long look at his own life.

Last year, Sirius had died and it had been his fault. He'd spent the next several months pondering over what ifs, and then he'd noticed Ginny. She'd been a great distraction, but he knew deep down that he couldn't spend the rest of his life avoiding his problems.

He sighed. He knew he was a horrible person; he'd basically used Ginny to get over his own loss, but he couldn't carry on like this. He needed to end it. He decided to end things before leaving for the Horcrux hunt, it was the best thing to do. He even pondered over leaving Ron and Hermione, the hunt wouldn't be easy and could be potentially dangerous; he wasn't sure if he could bear losing another person that he cared about.

He just hoped that Ginny and her family would forgive him. She hadn't minded not going for dates or his preoccupation with other more pressing matters. In fact, she'd been a great sport about his lack of attention but she deserved someone who actually wanted to spend time with her. Not someone who used her to forget about his own problems.

With all these thoughts running through his head, he eventually nodded off.

The next day he found himself riding the Hogwarts express along with his friends and soon to be ex-girlfriend. They were all blissfully unaware of the thoughts that had been plaguing him.

Daphne Greengrass was feeling lonely. She'd spent the past year being a third wheel to her best friend Tracey and Blaise. To make matters worse, her younger sister Astoria had started dating Draco Malfoy.

Initially Daphne had been peeved at her sister's choice but seeing her with Draco had truly made her question everything. Draco, who always acted like a spoiled little brat had really connected with her sister, he treated her like a queen. In all honesty, watching all the happy couples around her, made her yearn for something similar but she'd never put herself out there and she wasn't sure if she even knew how to do it.

In the middle of the train ride, Tracey and Blaise excused themselves wanting to spend some alone time. With nothing else to do alone in the compartment, she took out a novel, hoping that it would help time pass faster.

She'd been alone for a while when her sister entered her compartment.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd stick to Draco till we reached King's Cross."

Astoria rolled her eyes. She was a spitting image of her sister, slender body, long blonde hair, bright blue eyes but unlike Daphne she knew how to let loose. "I saw Tracey and Blaise pass by our compartment so I thought I'd pop in."

Daphne raised an eyebrow, putting a bookmark in her novel and looked at her sister. "Tori, I already informed dad about you and Draco..."

"I know!" she cut in. "I just think that you should really think over what I said last week. I was serious, Potter is perfect for you. I know that you've been miserable this year, everyone is pairing up and it sucks to be alone but he..."

"Is dating the redhead!" Daphne finished her sentence. "Honestly Tori, I'm fine. I don't know why you want me to find someone. Can we just, I don't know... not talk about boys for a minute and just catch up! It just feels like everyone all of a sudden just wants to talk about one thing."

Astoria knew better than to argue and obliged to her sister's wishes.

Reaching Kings Cross they weren't surprised to see Bruce waiting for them, what surprised them though was the solemn look that the usually cheerful bodyguard wore.

"Bruce…" Daphne tried to inquire.

"Not here." He said quickly, taking Tori's and her trunk and walking towards the exit.

"Hello Skyler, I hope my father hasn't been running you into the ground." Daphne greeted the chauffeur as she got into the car.

"Okay. Who's died? You are all acting so strange!" Astoria burst out irritated at the dull reception they'd received.

"I'm sorry Mistress Greengrass but something happened this morning." Bruce said getting into the car and turning around to address Daphne "Master Greengrass' jet landed at 6 a.m. but… My condolences, we found his, Lea's and Track's bodies."

Astoria let out a wail but Daphne kept her composure "who?" She asked in barely above a whisper.

"He was approached by Riddle personally last week, needless to say he turned the man away. The manor and the office in Knockturn were burnt down early this morning. Stefan sent a report, he was on assignment in Paris where the muggles saw some lights near the airport, they thought it was a firework display. One of them reported seeing masked men in black overalls."

Daphne simply nodded as she put a comforting arm around her sobbing sister, pulling her closer. The rest of the drive was a quiet one only broken by the occasional sniff from Astoria.

They walked into the Dorchester and headed straight up to the room that Bruce had booked.

"How can you be so cold?" Astoria snarled at her as soon as they stepped into the room.

"Father taught me well." Daphne replied walking up to the mini bar and helping herself to some bubbly. She desperately needed something that would calm her down.

"I'm going to dump Malfoy. How could he let something happen to father? How could he…"

"Tori stop!" Daphne said more sharply than she had intended to, causing her sister to break down again. Taking a deep breath, she sat on the floor next to her sister.

"At the beginning of the year when you started seeing Malfoy, I was annoyed with you and I felt betrayed. I couldn't understand what you saw in him, he's always been so mean but then I saw you two together. He treated you like a princess and honestly I was jealous."

Astoria looked up at her sister with watery eyes "I'm the one who's always been jealous of you, I never got to meet mother seeing how she died after birthing me. And father, he got me everything I ever wanted but he was never really around, he only spent time with you. It would have been nice to feel wanted, even if just for a minute."

Daphne sighed again, twirling the golden liquid in the green bottle "you, were wanted, Tori, but with mother gone father was left heartbroken. He couldn't bear the thought of getting remarried so he had to start focusing on me, not only was I his heir but I'm a girl. It's not easy for a woman to be taken seriously both in the muggle and wizarding world, father wanted to make sure that I was prepared. I'm sorry I wasn't around for you as much as I'd have liked to be… I'm happy that you found Draco."

She paused to take a long swig from the bottle and stretched her leg "it's just… I wish I had been more like you. Less focused on work and more focused on my personal life; you've found Draco, Tracey found Blaise, I can't help but suddenly feel lonely. And with this whole Voldemort fiasco I can forget about finding love at Hogwarts."

"Why do you think I started teasing you with Potter? I thought you two would make a good match at least from everything that Draco's told me about him… I think you should give it a real shot."

Daphne raised an eyebrow "so Draco insulting Potter makes him a good match for me?"

Astoria smiled weakly "he isn't the person that everyone thinks he is. He was actually really impressed by the courage that Potter showed during the tournament, especially the third task. Oh Daph, he didn't know what he was getting himself into when he got marked. He was so scared but Voldemort threatened his family… I just wished he'd told me about father…" she said her voice cracking as her lower lip trembled.

"Tori, Draco is just a pawn. I highly doubt he even knew what was happening. We both know that the Malfoy's are only used for their money and influence. I want you to leave for America, you will leave tonight with Bruce and Skyler. Simply tell Draco that you'll be away but don't tell him where you are going, if he truly loves you, which I know he does, he'll want to keep you away from that thing he calls a master."

"But… I- no! I can't leave you alone. If he went after father he'll come after you. I can't…"

"I have a plan, Tori. When you started teasing me with Potter I started to look, really look. The boy has potential, like Draco, there's a lot that the boy's hiding and I know that I can use it. Till dad was around we could afford to stay out of this madness but now that bastard will pay for what he's done. I just need to figure out a way to win Potter's trust, once I'm certain that we have all the pieces to the puzzle, I'll get rid of Riddle."

"Well, it won't be hard for you to get his attention…"

"How? His loyalty is painstakingly bugging. He's aligned himself to the Weasley's and you've seen the ginger's at school, they hate all things snake. How am I supposed to approach Potter and get him to listen to me?"

Astoria rolled her swollen eyes "are you that positively oblivious to how boys work?" Daphne sniffed indignantly but didn't say anything, taking a swig instead. "Maybe there's a way to take Riddle down and spruce up your personal life..." Astoria added with a mischievous glint in her bloodshot eyes.

Daphne looked uncertain, but she didn't look averse to the idea. "What do you mean?"

"Oh boy, I have my work cut out for me. Boys, especially boys like Harry, you know decent looking blokes want a good-looking girl. Don't you see? Even though he kept that Granger girl around he never bothered to date her, hell even the poor Weasel went for a hot, pretty girl. From what I've heard Potter had a crush on Cho before, now Cho is stunning and Ginny is hot but you! You my dear sister are super-hot, breathtakingly beautiful and outsmart Granger any day. Face it, after Su Li and Padma you hold fourth position along with Susan Bones and Terry Boot. Granger comes in like what fifth or sixth?"

"So, you want me to show him my OWL scores?" Daphne remarked dryly.

Astoria facepalmed "no! I want you to show him what Weaslette can't. Have you seen those worn-out clothes she wears? Granted she only wears clothes that reveal her assets but I heard Dean complaining about frayed cotton underclothes when she dumped him. He's a sixteen-year-old boy and it's summer. Let's buy you some nice summer dresses, pair it up with some nice lingerie. We should change your hairstyle as well, ponytails are so boring and some make-up wouldn't hurt either and you'll have him wrapped around your finger in no time. You have what she doesn't, money! And we both know all the nice things that money buys!"

"I'm not going to change myself just to get a boys attention."

"You have to! You need to stop dressing like a nun and learn to have some fun!"

"I dress conservatively because I need people to take me seriously! Especially now!"

"You can dress like that for work, but this is personal. Come on, we are hitting the shops."

Daphne came back to her hotel room exhausted. They'd spent the afternoon shopping; it had kept Astoria distracted. The evening hadn't been as pleasant, Cygnus Greengrass had been buried in a private funeral ceremony that only four people attended. Then she'd dropped Astoria, Bruce and Skyler off at the airport, none of them had liked the idea but she didn't give them any options.

She walked up to the mini-bar and took out another bottle heading towards the bathroom where she stripped and got into the shower with her bubbly.

She stood under the scalding hot water and let her body relax, within minutes Daphne Greengrass was curled up in the tub sobbing her heart out.

An hour later she got out of the tub and made her way to the bed; she knew what she had to do, hopefully her sister was right and Potter wouldn't slam the door on her face.

The next morning, she woke up hungover. Groaning she scrambled out of bed and immediately started rummaging through her trunk looking for a hangover potion. She would have to thank Tracey, later. She'd gifted Daphne a basket of hangover potions for her seventeenth birthday, promising to party all summer with her now that they were officially adults.

She was going to take out a pair of jeans and a shirt when she saw the bags lying in the corner. Astoria had given her a crash course on Potter from everything that she'd dug up about him, which had been followed by a 'what boys want 101' that would make Tracey proud. Sighing, she decided to give her sister's way a try and took out a new outfit.

Walking out of the hotel an hour later she couldn't stop herself from unconsciously tugging at the hem of her short summer dress. It was a light cotton dress with a yellow daisy print. It had a boat line neck and was tight fitting around the waist. Apparently her sister was right, men were visual creatures. In all honesty she knew how good she looked, especially from the number of heads that had turned to look her way but she felt naked.

She was grateful when the valet showed up with her car not wanting to be in the spotlight any longer, getting in she raved the engine and drove away. She followed the directions that one of her employees had sent her, it had given her a ray of hope when she realized that Potter wasn't living with the Weasleys.

Privet Drive was a decent neighbourhood where everyone prided themselves on their white washed walls and perfectly manicured gardens. But no matter how nice the neighbourhood looked; the distinct purr of a sports car wasn't something they were accustomed to. So, it was no surprise that most of the neighbours had come out to their gardens as a red Lamborghini Diablo stopped in front of number 4.

Daphne ignored the onlookers and walked up to the house ringing the bell and stepping back to wait. The largest boy she'd ever seen opened the door, for a moment she thought that Hagrid's son had somehow landed up living with Harry but the boy's normal height made her shake that thought off.

"If you are done drooling, I'm here to see Mr. Potter."

"Who's there, Duddykins?" A high-pitched voice said from behind him. When the boy didn't answer or move the woman came to the door.

"Could you send Po-Harry out please?" She said again with a strained smile.

The horse-faced woman looked at Daphne like she had done something to offend her and was going to say something, but she suddenly saw all the neighbours craning their necks and immediately ran up the steps. Five minutes later a very confused Harry was standing at the main door.

She smiled to herself upon seeing that his reaction was similar to the fat boys.

"Have fun, Harry!" The woman said a tad bit loudly and shoved him out, shutting the door behind him.

"Err…"

Daphne extended her hand to shake his "I'm Daphne Greengrass. We have studied together for the past six years and I thought it was time that I introduced myself."

His expression changed from one of confusion to one of alarm and she saw his hand flex instinctively.

"Don't bother with your wand. I'm not here to attack you, honestly, it'd be pretty silly of me to come in a car that's got half the neighbourhood out only to ring the bell and wait for you to come out, if I had ill intentions. Though I saw a nice coffee shop a few miles down we could maybe go there to talk…"

Harry glanced around and nodded, silently following her to the car. He kept on racking his brain, trying to remember a Greengrass but he honestly had no idea who she was. And from what he was seeing, he was pretty sure that anybody would remember a girl like her.

He hadn't realized that he was still in a daze and was surprised to see that they'd reached the small coffee shop. Ginny, he thought mentally scolding himself. He tried to think of their activities in the broom cupboard but the blonde with never ending legs was way too distracting.

"I don't remember you." He blurted out instead as they took a seat on one of the tables in the terrace.

She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow and looked at him with icy blue orbs sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. "Unlike some, I don't hitch up my skirt or wear revealing outfits during weekends. I don't need the attention." She replied dryly.

"How did you know where I live?" He asked, ignoring her jibe at Ginny. He knew first-hand how short her skirt was and how tight her shirt was under the open school robe. An image of Ginny in her tight little summer shorts flashed by his eyes, making him smile.

"I am a Slytherin, my father was murdered yesterday because he refused to join hands with that thing who calls himself a lord." She added quickly when she saw him frown.

"I-I'm sorry…" he said after a couple of beats not knowing what she wanted from him.

"I am here to offer you an alliance of sorts. I can give you something that nobody else can."

"And what would that be?" Harry asked, still on his guard.

"My firm at your disposal." When he carried on looking confused, she pressed on "honestly Potter have you never bothered getting to know anything outside of your pity party trio? My father, now I, own the biggest security company in Europe. I have mercenaries at my disposal that make that little bird order of the headmasters look like a joke."

"I would appreciate it if you refrained from insulting everyone I know." he snapped.

"Ah yes, the famous Potter temper." She said cutting across him "I'm going to be blatantly honest. I can't stand the Weasley's, in fact most of the magical world, including the light families, stay away from them. As for Granger, no one in Hogwarts wants to associate with her. But I'm here to discuss another matter, I can help you bring down Voldemort. I have resources that most can only dream of and we can do it without letting much blood spill."

Harry's anger once again turned to surprise upon hearing her so fearlessly say Voldemort's name "it's not that easy. Besides, if you have all these resources why do you need me?"

"Because I know that the headmaster was coaching you in person and I know that you are the key to ending this craziness."

"How can I trust you? And why do you want to help now?"

Daphne sighed and looked into the horizon. "It's personal now. He killed my father. Normally I'd keep my distance, my family has always prided itself on staying out of any political drama, we are strictly a business family. I will take an oath before dropping you off for your peace of mind. Just so you know, I will be using you to get rid of him. As far as the world is concerned, The Company, was never involved."

Harry sat there ogling at her, he opened his mouth and closed it several times not knowing what to say.

A smile tugged on the corner of her lips "If we want to nip the upcoming war in the bud, we will be spending a lot of time together. You can ask me everything you want then. Let's get you back home, I'll give you the night to think it over, you can let me know what you've decided tomorrow morning." She said standing up.

Harry found himself staring at her smooth legs as she walked around the table and towards the car. He shook his head and stood up. He didn't know about the imperious not effecting him but the girl was certainly good at making his mind go blank.

The Dursleys had been too stunned to talk when he got back, in a way it was good as it gave him time to think over everything.

By the time it was dinner time, Harry was openly cursing himself. He'd had three cold showers since he'd gotten back and he hated the thoughts that were creeping into his mind, he couldn't do that to Ginny.

He swore and punched his pillow. He had already decided to take a break from Ginny when he would go Horcrux hunting with Hermione and Ron, but that had been to keep her safe or at least that was the excuse he was hiding behind. Either way it would at the very least give him time to think things over or even give her the chance to find someone else. Now however he had the opportunity to keep everyone safe, but could he leave his friends behind?

He went to bed hungry, his mind spinning with thoughts and ideas. That night he dreamt of Daphne Greengrass, the girl who'd toppled his world in minutes. He woke up with a smile on his face and groaned remembering his dream vividly. Getting out of bed he didn't bother looking at the time and headed straight for a shower.

Daphne woke up to a letter waiting for her.

D,

We are in Los Angeles; you should know that I'll be spending all my time shopping so you better hurry up and let me come back home soon. Draco sounded relieved to hear that I had left, I hope he hasn't tired of me already. Remember what I said, work is important but don't forget to let your hair down, let him see the Daphne I know and I'm certain that he'll be head over heels in love with you before he even realizes it.

Love,

Your favourite sister.

Daphne smiled as she folded the letter, was Tori, right? Did she really have a shot with Potter? From the way he was looking at her yesterday, it was obvious that he wasn't thinking about his girlfriend. Tori had pointed out that it was usually the redhead who'd approach him, he was mostly busy hanging out with his friends. Maybe their relationship was truly one sided.

She shook her head trying to clear her mind. She couldn't afford to let the little ray of hope embed itself into her mind, he was spoken for and there was no point in trying to convince herself otherwise. Her hand lingered over the shopping bag, 'there's no harm in trying' a little voice in her head whispered making her groan.