Chapter Two: New Friendship
On Monday, Harry vowed he would study harder in his classes. His Monday classes were filled with Potions, Herbology, and Flying class. Not his best day, but at least he could keep studying. At 9:00 o'clock sharp he walked into class with Hermione at his side and sat next to her. They got out their textbooks and waited for everyone to settle in and for Professor Snape to begin his lesson.
Luckly, that class went smoothly and with a couple of hints from Hermione, their potion turned out well. Professor Snape assigned them two rolls of parchment on the potion they just made which Harry was determined to do well on. Thankfully it was only two months into the school year and although his grades weren't terrible, he knew he could do better.
Herbology went by smoothly nothing out of the ordinary, more dirt and plants to deal with as usual. Harry paired up with Neville Longbottom who seemed to enjoy this field of study. He asked Neville a couple of questions here and there that their text didn't cover, and Neville warmed up to Harry immediately. He began to fire off answers which made Harry laugh a little and they continued their banter until class finished.
After flying class, he met up with Ron and Hermione for dinner and they sat at their usual spot. Just for fun he got himself into a heated argurment with Ron about Chudly Cannons and who their best captain was over the past couple of decades. Dinner ended, and they trudged up to the Gryffindor common room and got ready for bed.
Tuesday morning gave Harry a rush of excitement as he remembered his meeting with Daphne this evening. He got up before his dorm mates as usual and started prepping for the day. After packing what he would need he went down to the common room to wait for Hermione to walk to breakfast.
Harry didn't have to wait long and greeted his perky friend at the entrance. He decided now might be a good idea to ask her about which electives to take next year. Third years were permitted to take a couple of electives and he was sure his friend had already had next year planned out.
"So, Hermione, just out of curiosity, what electives are third years granted?" Harry asked as they sat down for breakfast in the great hall. Hermione smiled and replied, "Wow Harry, you really are trying harder this year, aren't you?" Harry blushed and stated, "Yeah, I kind of feel guilty how bad I preformed last year, so I vowed to push myself harder this year." Hermione beamed and gushed, "Oh Harry, I'm thrilled!" "Well, Hogwarts actually has a packet of information on classes that I received as a muggleborn, I'm surprised you didn't get one." Harry finished his bite of food and said, "Yes, that seems strange that I didn't get the same information since I lived with muggles." He replied with a frown. Hermione nodded and fished through her bag for the pamphlet.
"Here, go ahead and borrow this for a while it has all the electives and extra curricular activities on it. Also, I suggest while your deciding on course elective use the library to find some beginner books on the subjects to see if you like them or not." Harry thanked her, and they walked to their first class for the day.
Tuesday's schedule was filled with Transfiguration, History of Magic, and Defense against the Dark Arts. Harry steered clear of the second floor knowing that the school was currently under attack due to his prior run ins with Mr. Filch's cat hanging on the wall petrified.
Finally, dinner ended, and Harry made his way to his meeting place with Daphne Greengrass. His curiosity was starting to get the better of him to which he tried to clear his mind to no avail. He reached the empty classroom and took out Hermione's pamphlet and waited. It wasn't long until he heard the door open. Harry stopped reading and waited patiently.
Daphne Greengrass wasn't at all surprised to see Harry Potter waiting for her at her chosen meeting place. She hoped that her proposals wouldn't end poorly. This meeting was important, it could mean the start of a fresh allegiance. She walked in with her head held high and turned to face her new friend.
Harry marked his page of his Transfiguration text and waited until Daphne was ready to discuss her important proposal.
Daphne steeled herself and sat across from Harry Potter. Clasping her hands together on the desk she began her proposal. "I understand we just met, and we barely know each other, but I think we can really benefit our families." Harry nodded and let her continue. "I'm not sure what you know of your family's history or of your knowledge of The Sacred 28, but I as a Slytherin and the heir of the Greengrass family, it is my duty to enter a marriage contract that will strengthen the Greengrass family's power, wealth, and prestige in society. However, we have always been a gray family and neutral in times of war, which means this proposal will tip the scales." Harry Potter just nodded and let her continue, not trusting himself to speak just yet.
"So, I'm sure that the pressure for me to enter a contract is far more than it is for you, even though you are the last living heir of the Potter Family. Which is why I am taking this great leap in coming to you with this burden which you are more than okay to turn down." Harry finally let out a sigh he was holding in and rubbed his eyes. Daphne finished her explanation and inclined her head to let Harry ask any burning questions that were most likely on his mind.
"You'll have to forgive me Daphne, I'm not really accustomed to Pureblood family traditions since I grew up with muggles." Daphne Greengrass raised her right eyebrow in surprise and then looked down again. "So, although what you are saying makes sense to me, I'm at a loss of anything to do with The Sacred 28 or other old traditions." Daphne nodded and pulled a couple of old books from her bag. "Here these texts should help you on that, read up on these traditions and a lot should be cleared up for you." Harry gratefully took her books and set them on the table.
After reflecting for a minute or two, Harry tried to reiterate what Daphne explained to him, "So as the eldest you are the heir of your family and the expectation falls on you to produce an heir to carry on the Greengrass line. And because the Greengrass family is a predominately neutral family, you would rather pick me than someone with ill intentions to make a grab for the family fortune, am I correct?" Harry asked. Daphne nodded and replied, "Spot on, Harry Potter and for the record, like you said, your fame means very little to me in this opportunity. If we plan far ahead, we can both make choices that will benefit both of our families in the long run." Harry smiled at that, Daphne Greengrass was turning out to be a breath of fresh air.
Harry asked Daphne a few more questions and, in the end, as it turned out they were both in an interesting spot pertaining to self-preservation and improving their family standings in society. They called it a night and he promised to read her texts thoroughly and send her a letter whether he agreed to her proposal. Daphne bade him goodnight and left for the dungeons while he trotted up to Gryffindor tower.
The next couple weeks passed in a blur and with Harry's school schedule he almost forgot to write a letter back to Daphne Greengrass. Cursing silenty to himself he promised to write to her this evening. Her texts provided useful information about the history of wizarding traditions, The Sacred 28, family lineages, Pureblood Traditions, and old rituals that sounded quite unpleasant.
Harry sat in the corner of the Gryffindor common room and pondered his response. He really did think about it a lot. Well, Harry thought, here goes nothing!
Dear Miss. Greengrass,
I am quite pleased with the recent turn of events and hope that my response won't burden our new friendship. Yes, initially I was a taken aback by your bold proposal, but then I began to really think about it. Your proposal is quite logical and well thought out. You truly do belong in Slytherin, Miss Greengrass!
So, I'll make this letter short, my answer is yes, I accept your marriage contract, henceforth, your alliance with the House of Potter. Why, you might ask yourself? I'll let you in on a little secret, the Sorting Hat did want to sort me into the Slytherin house, however, at the time I was pursuaded about superficial beliefs about the house by a certain Red-Head friend which lead me to Gryffindor. So, like yourself, I too value self-preservation.
I'm not sure what the next steps will be, but I'll gladly go through with them. Feel free to use my owl Hedwig if you need to deliver letters back home or to Gringotts.
Forever yours,
Harry James Potter