Blaise's abrupt appearance at the Ministry was only the first of many awkward exchanges with others in response to Harry and Daphne's relationship. Ron, who had been away from London on assignment, joined them for a lunch that Harry arranged when his friend returned.

Harry hadn't been completely forthcoming with Daphne when describing his friend's reaction to the news. As it turned out, Ron still had a rather rash personality and 'shocked' manifested itself differently for him than it did for Hermione. He was not very supportive given his hope that Harry might still work things out with his sister, but Harry thought the shared meal together might help change his opinion.

Daphne resisted the urge to let her body shrink into her chair under the red head's pointed gaze. However, she couldn't help the crossing and recrossing her legs throughout the uncomfortable lunch. When her polite overtures were met with short responses, Daphne decided to finish the luncheon out as a spectator, while cycling possible exit plans through her head. Thankfully, Harry noticed on his own and extended her apologetic looks.

After, he promised that he would work on smoothing things out with him. "Don't worry. I'll talk to him. He'll eventually warm up to the idea."

Daphne was grateful for that. Not that it really mattered in the end whether Ron Weasley warmed up to her or not. However, the fewer tensions they had to field, the better.

Then there was the day when Tracey wandered down to her office asking for a formal introduction to Harry.

"We went to school with him…" Daphne protested incredulously.

"Yes, but I've never met him as your boyfriend," Tracey insisted.

She was eventually able to shoo her away under the argument that Harry's availability during the day was unpredictable. Before leaving though, Tracey made her promise to arrange for a social gathering soon so everyone could 'meet' him.

"I honestly don't know how you do it," Daphne shared during one of their end of day walks to the fireplaces. Harry chuckled at her statement. Every day they were ogled at by others. She hoped it was because things were still relatively new. "Do you think people will calm down?"

"Uhh…" was the only response that Harry seemed to be able to mutter as he appeared to struggle for an appropriate response to her question. The lack of an answer told her that it was unlikely that things would get better, meaning constant attention would be a permanent fixture during the course of their arrangement.

December, she reminded herself. She could handle this until then.

"So, you and Potter are official, then? Did that kiss spark something?" Draco sat across from her, once again they were in the almost always vacant break room.

Daphne shot him a stale look.

They were eating lunch together after Harry cancelled because a last minute training assignment came up. An interoffice memo had arrived at her desk to let her know, clearly scribbled quickly. She was grateful that Harry was considerate in his communication. It was one additional item that she added to her running mental list of attributes she was learning about him.

She put out multiple notes, to which Draco had been the one free to join her. She'd been tempted to cancel her invitation after he abused multiple interoffice memos to tease her about what happened to lunch with her 'boyfriend.' She'd wished that Tracey hadn't declined.

"Shut it," she murmured through her next bite of food when she realized she hadn't actually responded to him. Draco gave her a scandalized look in response

"Manners?" He said in a sarcastically admonishing tone. An eye roll was the only reply she gave him. "Horrible table manners aside, there is one thing I still don't understand. You never told me what was in it for him."

She hesitated with what to say knowing that Harry had concerns about Draco but she had confidence she could trust her friend. Perhaps at the end of this Harry would walk away with a slightly elevated impression of Draco. Merlin knew Draco could use the lift after the war.

"He gets to make his ex-girlfriend jealous," Daphne finally responded.

"Never thought you of all people would let Potter use you to get back at a Weasley." Draco's words cut through her. It wasn't stated with outright judgement, but it tempted her to defend Harry's character. "I really don't think that Blaise is worth lowering yourself to be used like this."

A loud clatter sounded as she let down her silverware fall against the table. "It doesn't matter what you think. In my opinion, it's all fair because it was my decision to partake in it. I wouldn't say I've lowered myself at all. Harry has his reasons and I have mine. He's also been perfectly reasonable in his expectations. We agreed that this would be done by December, if not sooner."

Draco ceased eating his meal as well, albeit in a much calmer manner and giving her his full attention. "I'm worried...that you don't think this situation could become more complicated."

She regarded him tentatively, curious about what he would say next. "More often than not, people fall for Potter's 'charms'-whatever those might be-or maybe his status. I've really never figured it out."

She sighed, trying to push out the frustration that Draco had rattled up in her. "I don't think there's anything to be concerned about."

Draco responded by lifting one of his brows at her, looking at her as if trying to pull something out of her that he was convinced was there.

"I don't!" Daphne once again protested.

"You're forgetting that you fell for him once. In fact, that's directly connected to how you even ended up in this situation in the first place."

Daphne knew that he was referring to her letter. "Stop, Draco. I was fourteen years old. Harry and I are both adults. All of this is challenging enough as it is, I don't need you adding your baggage with him to it."

Silence passed between the two of them. Daphne could tell from the amount of time Draco needed to process her words that he still had concerns. "Just be careful," was the last that was said on the topic before they shifted their conversation elsewhere.

After returning to her desk she was still unsettled by Draco's words. Reminding herself that this was Draco, and it was in his nature to push buttons, she reassured her mind that there was no reason to believe that her and Harry couldn't manage this situation in a mature way. Nothing. There was nothing to worry about.

Their first 'real' date was on a Friday evening. Neither of them were in the mood to do anything fancy so they chose an activity that was more low key.

"Did you have anything in mind?" Harry asked as they stood in front of one of the Ministry fireplaces.

Daphne shrugged her shoulders in indifference before pulling the first idea that formed in her mind. "I like ice cream. Going to Fortescue's is one of my sister and I's favorite things to do."

Her chest felt heavy as she mentioned Astoria, recalling the times when they would make trips to Diagon together, shopping until their feet were sore and closing out their day with ice cream. She pushed the thought aside. Astoria and her hadn't communicated at all and Daphne imagined they were engaged in an unspoken standstill and there was no telling who would break first.

It took nothing at all for Harry to agree to the suggestion. Daphne tried to convince him that they could meet there but he insisted on picking her up from her house. It wasn't until she'd spent a solid 20 minutes standing to the side while Harry and her father chatted on about Quidditch and work, that she understood the ulterior motive for picking her up. Harry seemed to really enjoy spending time with her father.

The fluttering in her stomach felt as though it were fighting against a heavy weight. As she thought about the future, she knew that it was one of her greatest wishes that her future husband would get along well with her father. William Greengrass had never been very fond of Blaise and perhaps that was the first clue. But Harry wasn't really her boyfriend and as much as the butterflies in her stomach flailed as he and her father finalized plans for a match that weekend in their family box, her gut was also trying to remind her of reality.

"I'm sure Harry Potter can do better than our family's box." Daphne teased as they made their way to the apparition point outside of the front gate.

If she wasn't mistaken she saw the slightest bit of pink creep across Harry's cheeks. "I've uh, received my share of open invitations from team owners to join them for matches." He turned towards her. "Watching with your father seemed more appealing though; plus he seemed excited to host me." With that, Harry extended his hand towards her and once she'd firmly grasped his, they disappeared with a pop.

The crowd at Fortescue's was still rather sparse when they arrived despite the hour. They settled in at a table where there was still some space from other occupants. As they ate, their conversation initially started out by discussing school, such as their favorite classes and professors.

"How have you liked being out of school?" Daphne asked as she scooped another bite of her Strawberry-Peanut Butter ice cream.

Harry was across from her sitting behind a decently sized ice cream sundae. "It's so much better. Hogwarts was home in almost every way but the actual studying part wasn't always my favorite."

Daphne stilled midbite. She could absolutely relate to Harry on that point. "You must have jumped when Kingsley announced his proposal."

"Yeah, after Ginny wanted space, it seemed natural to take the offer. My friends would have really been the main motivation to go back."

Daphne listened as Harry went into describing what Auror training had been like so far, while she shared about her own position, lamenting about the lack of development training. "Everything has been task oriented so far. I figure I'll have to do my own learning if I hope to move up…"

As their topics shifted, Harry appeared shocked when she suddenly started spouting off Quidditch statistics regarding the players of Puddlemere United when conversation drifted back to weekend plans with her father. Catching a drip of ice cream before it dropped out of his mouth, Harry sheepishly looked away from her. She couldn't help the smug smile that creeped across her face at the sight. The boys in her house were annoyingly loud at times, but she paid attention once when they had prattled on about how attractive it was when a girl was knowledgeable about Quidditch. She'd unfortunately confirmed this theory multiple times with boys over the years.

"Your father said you didn't like Quidditch…" Harry stuttered.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Who says I need to like the sport to know about it?"

"You must have incredible discipline to know the save average of a Keeper and catch rate of a Seeker." Harry was prodding her.

She wasn't an expert by any means in the sport, but when she'd started dating Blaise she wanted to relate to his interests better. The more she followed it, the more she developed her own interests and preferences in the sport. "Alright. I do enjoy Quidditch. It's grown on me over the years even if I haven't been outspoken about it."

She paused a moment, preparing herself to test a theory. "So, what's your favorite team?"

Harry tilted his head to the side, eyebrows squished together as he assessed her. She couldn't help the satisfied smirk that pulled at her lips as she watched him understand that she'd figured him out. A soft chuckle fell from his lips. "How did you know I wasn't a Puddlemere fan?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "You sounded like a novice if you really were a fan. When you talk to my dad, you're always scraping the surface without getting into the details." Daphne stared into the crowd in reflection. "I haven't figured out yet if my father can tell you're not really a fan or if he's still so smitten that he's overlooking it."

"Kenmare Kestrals," Harry muttered into the last few bites of his sundae.

"What was that?" She said, pretending to have not heard him.

"My favorite team is the Kenmare Kestrals."

"I'm surprised really. Aiden Kiely isn't even that good. I thought you'd go for a team that at least had a decent seeker."

Harry dropped his spoon into the empty cup. "They might not be the top team but they are always ranked strong." He said back in his chair. "What's yours?"

Her lips pressed tight. "Brighton United."

Harry's eyes widened. "You're kidding. They haven't won anything."

"Well, of course they haven't. They're a young team!" Daphne ardently defended. "And they've shown more promise in the few years since they joined the British and Irish Quidditch League, than most teams have shown who have been around forever."

She could tell looking across at Harry that he obviously disagreed with her but was enjoying her argument. The smile on his face was playful and she couldn't help but mirror his demeanor. "Besides, I can guarantee you that Remy Williams is going to have one of the most promising careers as a Chaser. You just watch."

"I cannot disagree with that." Harry placated, still carrying his amusement. "Brighton is playing Puddlemere this weekend. United against United. Why aren't you coming with us?"

"Because my father would give me just about the same reaction as you're giving me now," Daphne joked, "It should really just be you two. My father deserves a boys outing. He doesn't escape the house nearly as much as he should."

As their 'date' came to a close, they shared a few more laughs and Harry couldn't help but make a few more lighthearted ribs about her Quidditch preferences.

The crack of a bulb captured their attention. A photographer, perhaps from the Prophet or Witch Weekly had caught them. They'd long since finished their ice cream and found it to be as good a time as any to call it an evening. Harry politely escorted her towards the Leaky Cauldron. "I think the photographer is still following us." Harry whispered as they walked down the alley.

This time, Daphne decided to be the one to slide her hand into his. When she'd looked up towards him, her eyes went wide as she saw Harry's softened eyes look down on her. Harry's hand grasped her hand tighter and it sent her heart into a frenzy. The thought crossed her mind that he might kiss her, but she could no longer recall what they'd agreed on as their sign. She kept staring back at him, unsure what he was going to do-unsure what she wanted him to do.

As he leaned closer, she felt her breathing increase tenfold along with her heart rate. Operating off of instinct, her eyes drifted shut. And just when she thought his lips were about to connect with hers, she felt a brush of his lips against her cheek. When she'd opened her eyes again, Harry had straightened himself, a wide smile across his face. "Figured we should give him a show, right?"

She felt her whole body sober at his words. An embarrassing laugh falling from her mouth and she suddenly felt the urge to find the nearest fireplace and disappear as quickly as possible.

The following Saturday, she didn't see Harry when he'd arrived to meet her father for the match. It was a bit of a relief. Over the past week, she couldn't help but be just a bit jumpier whenever she'd see him. Despite the fact that Harry hadn't noticed, she was having a hard time shaking her body's reaction when he'd innocently kissed her cheek. In an effort to expel the residual feelings, she spent the day with her mother tending to their plants. She couldn't think of a better way to spend the day.

Since Daphne started at the Ministry, her mother had helped her carve out her own section of the conservatory to conduct some of her own planting trials.

She worked into the evening, while her mother had excused herself for the day just before dinner. After cleaning up, she retired to their family library. She grabbed a few Herbology books and curled up with a blanket on a chair in front of the fireplace.

Later, when she was nose deep into her book, the sound of a throat clearing caught her attention. She turned back towards the entrance to see Harry, dawned in a Puddlemere jersey and scarf.

She smiled and shook her head at him. "Was the shirt really necessary?"

"I came with only the scarf, which I borrowed from Oliver Wood. When we got there though your dad wanted to match so he bought me one despite my protests."

"That sounds like him, actually." She appraised him as he sat down on an ottoman in front of her. "How was the match? Who won?"

Harry merely stared at her and she couldn't help but think he was drawing out the conclusion to tease her. "Puddlemere."

Daphne groaned. Her poor team. Hearing the result felt far more manageable to cope with than if she'd actually been there to witness it.

"Hey, Brighton put up a good effort."

Daphne resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him in jest. "I thought you would have gone home after."

"Your father invited me back for a drink. When I was ready to leave he asked if I wanted to see you." She could hear the nerves in Harry's voice, as if he'd messed up.

Daphne chuckled. "I doubt he thought anything of it. We're still getting used to 'this.'" She gestured a hand back and forth between the two of them.

"Yes, it's different. What are you reading?"

"A book on Regerminating Potions."

"Oh, Tilden Toots, right?"

Daphne's eyes widened. All she did was nod in confirmation.

"Neville references him quite a bit. Likes his radio program."

"I like it too," Daphne said in recovery.

Harry reached out in request to look at her book and she handed it to him. He glanced at the back and the table of contents. "What brought on the interest in this?"

She felt a smile tug at her lips. "I found it over the summer, working with my mother. I liked getting my hands dirty and found a lot of peace in the process. It kept me preoccupied when I needed it. It's funny because I could have cared less about Herbology in school."

"I know what you mean. It's interesting how life ends up showing you things that you wouldn't have thought of for yourself. When I was growing up, I wasn't interested in being a police officer."

Daphne frowned.

"It's like a Muggle Auror," he clarified. "It wasn't until I experienced...everything, that I realized being an Auror was what I wanted to do."

"I was always curious if you'd just gravitated towards it. Given your history."

"I know at Hogwarts I wanted to be an Auror, but there was a time right after the war that I reconsidered getting a job with a bit less adventure. I didn't think I could make a difference though in anything else I thought of. Guess I can't escape the pull to fight whatever else is out there lurking in the dark."

Daphne regarded him for a few moments. "Harry Potter...you'll always be saving the world."

Harry dipped his chin down and his humility once again struck her.

Daphne transitioned them to another topic and the two of them talked a bit longer. Harry told her more about attending the match with her father and the highlights of the unfortunate loss that her team suffered. She was amused to think her parents were somewhere in the house as well talking about the same thing. Her father was without a doubt relaying victorious sentiments to her mother.

They walked together to the fireplace.

"Would you mind? If your father and I did this again," Harry asked.

She felt uneasy for a moment, thinking about the potential of her parents to get really attached to him. It concerned her when she thought of the consequences her ruse would have when she and Harry ended their charade, but she was even more fearful of what would happen if anyone found out about the arrangement. How would her parents feel about her deception?

"I suppose it's fine," she relayed, caving when realized that Harry enjoyed the relationship as much as her father appeared to. "Just be careful...please."

"Of course," Harry replied with understanding.

He stepped towards the fireplace, before abruptly turning back. "Oh, wait. I was planning to give this to you at work, but since I stuck around..." He dug his hand into his pocket. He pulled out something that fit in his palm, before casting a spell to enlarge it.

Daphne laughed as soon as she registered what it was. "You didn't?"

"You said that you liked Williams," extending the figurine to her. "Though I won't lie it took a bit to find the corner where they'd stuck the visiting team's souvenir booth."

A grinned stretched across her face, she reached out to receive it, "Thank you."

Harry nodded with a smile, apparently pleased with her reaction.

A strange feeling crossed through Daphne. A tug in her chest hit her once Harry disappeared through the fireplace. The unshakable burden persisted as she prepared herself for bed. As she laid down willing for sleep she took inventory of her day trying to identify the source of what unsettled her. It was when she turned to her nightstand and rested her eyes on the Quidditch figurine that she suddenly felt something soft unfold in her heart, like a flower unfurling into a full bloom.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I've very grateful for all of your comments, favorites, and follows. It's really lovely to get all of your feedback. Many thanks to iforgottocall for helping me with edits on this chapter.