Chapter 3: The Time has Come

"The time has come" spoke Darius Greengrass gravely to his family. His wife Johanna knew what he was talking about. But his two girls, Daphne and Astoria, knew not what he was about to say.

"The time has come" he repeated, "to choose a side in the coming conflict. Make no mistake the Dark Lord has returned."

Outwardly Daphne was impassive however inside she was slightly panicking, 'This changes everything. With the Dark Lord's return, I can no longer act independently. If I want to be great, I'll have to join a cause, if history repeats itself then war will be coming and if I don't fight for anyone the winner will not be too kind to the people who didn't help them.'

Ever the pragmatist, Daphne asked "What are our options?"

Darius smiled, he was extremely proud of his daughters but Daphne especially, she reminded him much of himself. "Well there is the obvious, we could join with the death eaters and make friends of murderers and rapists or we could join with Dumbledore but the likelihood of Dumbledore winning against the Dark Lord is low, if not for the Potter's sacrifice he would've lost in the 80's. However, there is a third option."

Daphne evaluated the first two options 'The death eaters were not an option. I would be limited by rank and most likely gender; pureblood dogma is rooted in a system of male dominance which would not see to her elevation. Dumbledore was said to be a great wizard but in recent years he has fallen to the wayside, determined to preserve the status quo rather than enact real change. It could be possible to rise through his ranks, but if what my father says is true then it would most likely just spell a long and horrific death at the hands of death eaters.'

Darius continued with "There was a disturbance yesterday at Little Whinging in Surrey, Harry Potter produced a patronus charm so powerful that it broke the sensor monitoring that area. Your mother was able to quickly cover this up by way of her position in the department of the misuse of magic. This is an unprecedented event that should not be taken lightly."

"But father, Potter is Dumbledore's man through and through, everyone knows that" Astoria said.

"Men with that kind of power do not fall in line, they forge their own paths" Johanna corrected her.

Darius nodded "However they can certainly be steered in a… favourable direction. This year I want the two of you to observe Mr Potter. Become his friend if you must but be careful, if it is suggested that we have chosen a side before we can even make a decision we will still be in grave danger."

"Of course, father, may I be excused?" Daphne replied and when she received a nod she got up and headed towards the grounds. The small lake on the western side of their manor in Oxfordshire was her spot to think and think she did.

'If Potter is as powerful as my father says then perhaps all the rumours about him have some credibility. If the Greengrass family backs him when no one else will then in the new world, we'll be first in line to notoriety but is that enough for me? No I don't think so, I want to be the Daphne Greengrass not Daphne part of the Greengrass family who helped Potter.

The decision had already been made, she would be tailing Potter this year either way, but she would be doing it for herself and not her family. It would be easy to befriend him, even being modest she would say that she was the most beautiful person attending Hogwarts. Shoulder length blonde hair, toned figure from the home gym she made her Father install and piercing grey eyes that could stare right into your soul.

'If Potter is straight, becoming his friend will be more than easy.' She thought humorously.'Keeping people unawares will be the challenge though. I'll need an excuse to be close to him if it's going to be successful. Perhaps I could say that I need a tutor for DADA? No that wouldn't work, he's been ridiculed by the public and the government, he's likely not in a trusting mood. I think I'll just observe him from afar and wait for an opportunity to present itself.' she concluded.

Turning her mind from Potter she surveyed her father's land. It truly was a beautiful place, crystal clear water with a lush green countryside backdrop. It would be hers one day, thankfully the Greengrass family didn't conform to patriarchal rules so there would be no waiting for a male heir or marrying a second son of another house. She would be Lady Greengrass which would provide her the political power she desires but the magical power would be tricky. Daphne already knows she's powerful, her blasting hex sent Malfoy flying across the Quidditch pitch when he dared to insinuate a 'joining of houses' and her occlumency shields were damn near impenetrable but to become one of the best she'll need to be stronger.

One thing she had learnt in her pursuit to be the best was that magic was like a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it becomes. In a similar fashion if you push past the brink of safe exercise, you risk lifelong injuries. Daphne had been working her magic from third year and each year she had felt her power growing. The feeling of immense power running through her veins was intoxicating but she knew that without proper experience and a few questionable rituals she wouldn't be happy with herself. Hell, the only reason I tolerate Malfoy on a good day is in hopes he'll share the Black family rituals with me. Not likely though, unless I marry the ferret then kill him after I've secured the knowledge…. No, even great power isn't worth marrying that coward.' she decided 'I'll just need to find forbidden knowledge elsewhere, perhaps Borgin and Burkes will have something for me, I'll go tomorrow'

Looking out at the beautiful grounds as the sun set over the hills, Daphne felt content in her plans for this year ready to become stronger than she'd ever dreamed.