Ashes in your mouth.

Chapter Seventeen: Cyrus Greengrass and the magically binding marriage contract.

In which our hero experiences something many parallel universe Haphne Harry Potters must see.

Harry got a letter at lunchtime, inviting him to a meeting at the Three Broomsticks, the back room, at two pm. Signed 'Cyrus Greengrass.'

Harry was wondering how to reply no, and not be too rude, when the fireplace flared green and Bill Weasley stepped out.

"Is it true?" asked Bill, and Harry wondered what Bill was on about, till he caught Bills' eye. Bill looked... like Ron did when he was annoyed. No… furious. Liked Ron did when he was furious.

"Is this about the thing in the Prophet?" asked Harry "Christ. Cyrus Greengrass just sent me a letter demanding we meet at the Three Broomsticks after lunch."

"Did you sleep with Daphne Greengrass?" asked Bill.

"He did!" said Delphini "And I took Daffy's dress off for her."

Bill's wand snapped up and hit Harry with a curse so quickly, Harry couldn't explain that no, there were nothing horribly inappropriate going on… except Delphini's increasingly annoying, and phenomenally resourceful matchmaking. Harry considered that for a moment, and felt some pride that his little girl was so capable. How many six-year-old witches could move sleeping adults, after all. If only she used her powers for good, the thought idly, and scratched his ear, that was itching… His… donkey ear. Harry reached up, and the curse was clearly an ass-ear curse.

"Bill!" said Harry, wanting to explain… and get Bill to break the bloody curse.

"You'll go see Cyrus Greengrass, and once you shake his hand, the curse will lift. I'm embarrassed to know you, doing stuff in front of Delphini!" said Bill, turning to the fireplace "Gringotts!" he called out and left.

"Was he on his lunch break, do you think?" asked Sarah drily.

"Yay, donkey ears Daddy!" said Delphini, and grabbed an ear. Painfully.

Harry looked at the annoying letter, felt his ear getting pulled, and realised that today was not his day.

Harry finished lunch, got the spaghetti sauce off Delphini's dress, and went to his room. The mirror confirmed his tactile inventory of ears. Asses ears, which were a bit droopy, and that really did reflect his mood. Harry looked in his wardrobe for something to wear out. Something without food stains from Delphini, and fairly tidy. Snakeskin trainers – they were comfy, and the green dress robe. He couldn't wear a hat due to the size of his ears. The ears, he'd just have to wear with dignity.

Harry's long fall – twisting one ankle – and slide out of the fireplace at the Three Broomsticks an hour later put paid to any hope of dignity. Harry got up off the floor, and dusted himself off. Madam Rosmerta glared at him. But didn't launch into a diatribe, so that was nice.

Harry walked, favouring the ankle he hadn't just turned, over to the door to the back room, which was used for functions and events, and the chalkboard on the door said 'Private Meeting.'

Harry knocked. "Harry Potter" he said.

"Come in" said Cyrus's voice. He sounded… cold.

Harry opened the door and went in. Cyrus Greengrass was sitting glowering satanically, at the only table in the room, facing the door, with a large scroll open in front of him.

"Sit down, we have a lot to go over" said Cyrus, pointedly ignoring his ears.

"Um. Hello" said Harry, and he sat down "This isn't really what it seems like." he began.

"My daughter, my family name besmirched by your… salacious powers over poor Daphne" said Cyrus. Harry felt that was rather unfair. If anyone had salacious powers, it was her and that tone of voice. Given that she'd turned down any possible use of parseltounge in snogging, and that was the only salacious power Harry had – and earnestly desired not to discuss that with her father, preferring instead the cosy welcome of Azkaban, for example.

"What's this?" asked Harry, meaning the scroll.

"A marriage contract, magically enforced, between Daphne and yourself. We can bribe the clerk at the ministry to backdate it a month or two." said Cyrus Greengrass.

"A magically binding contract?" asked Harry, and he felt that sounded absolutely terrible. The last time someone had put Harry in a magically binding contract, he'd been nearly killed three times in the tri-wizard tournament, watched a murder, used to resurrect Voldemort, and then tortured.

"Once you sign, you're bound to certain standards of behaviour towards Daphne" said Cyrus.

"Once I sign?" asked Harry, and that seemed the obvious flaw in Cyrus's plan.

Cyrus crossed his arms huffily – and Harry suddenly realised where Daphne got that from.

Harry took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and began to explain.

"Now, I'm going to explain what really happened, and then we can discuss what we're going to do" said Harry.

"I don't care" said Cyrus "You're using Daphne, my poor daughter hasn't been able to leave her room since the story broke!"

Harry had a sudden sinking feeling in his stomach. Daphne wasn't leaving her room? Daphne was sensible, funny, a little flirty… and had nice legs when she'd waved them in his bathtub. Like a bad smell… the memory of the last time Daphne had been publicly humiliated by the Prophet bubbled up into Harry's memory. Oh… shit… this was twice now. Harry swallowed.

"What've you got?" he asked Cyrus instead of arguing.

Cyrus began to explain. Clauses, months to go before marriage… all kinds of fine details.

"Hang on?" asked Harry "Does Daphne know about this contract, all the details? Does it have all the bits she wants in it? For that matter, does it have all the bits in it um... Erzabet wants in it?"

Cyrus looked down his nose at Harry "I am the head of the family, and you cannot be allowed to continue upsetting my daughter like this!"

"So that's a no then?" asked Harry. Harry sighed and stood up "Come on, we're going to your house and we'll thrash out a contract that makes you happy, makes Erzabet Happy, and more importantly, makes Daphne happy."

"And what would Daphne possibly want to add to this, it's got everything!" said Cyrus, waving his hands dramatically. "Even provision for her favourite horse."

"Mandatory hot water plumbing" said Harry. Cyrus, who had been looking so sure of himself, frowned.

"Hot water plumbing?" he asked, confused.

"Slytherin's keep only has cold" said Harry "Warming charms, obviously, but also I don't have a shower in the en-suite. And probably a more sophisticated kitchen, and she did mention a shower…"

"You'd have to move back to Black Manor." said Cyrus.

Harry closed his mouth and walked to the door, and opened it, stepping to one side.

"Why you think Daphne will open her bedroom door when we come to her…." muttered Cyrus, picking up the scroll.

"Oh, I'll think of something" said Harry, thinking… or call Tracey, she's a resourceful friend.

Harry's already injured ankle let him down again on stepping out at Greengrass Easting, and he fell into the hallway, grunting in pain. Cyrus Greengrass stepped over him and walked to the drawing room door, where he evidently found Erzabet.

"Erzabet dear, I've got Harry Potter here. We've got a marriage contract for Daphne, and Potter thinks you might want to make some amendments" said Cyrus smoothly.

"Cyrus!" exclaimed Erzabet, from inside the room presumably, and Harry levered himself to his feet and tested his … now sprained ankle. He cast a spell to immobilise his ankle that he learnt as an Auror, and limped along to the doorway, where Cyrus was standing – and in the room, on the couch, Erzabet Greengrass had her right eyebrow raised in what Harry assumed, from interacting with Daphne was a subtle yet powerful message to Cyrus.

"Mister Slytherin" said Erzabet, standing and curtsying – with a very shallow dip.

"Mrs Greengrass" said Harry. "Call me Harry. I have collected too many surnames."

"I hope you intend to remedy thiz situation" said Erzabet, and she raised her eyebrows.

"At no point was my daughter exposed to any indecencies." said Harry.

Erzabet lifted her head slightly at that.

"And Daphne and I were not … doing anything but sleeping. I mistook some spice-wine sleeping potion for spiced wine, and we fell asleep in my sitting room." continued Harry.

Erzabet smiled slightly – and she had dimples too. Beside him, Cyrus's posture relaxed and he turned to Harry "So you weren't in bed with Daphne?" he asked.

"Erm" said Harry "Not at first. But… my daughter used two kiddie brooms and some dressing-gown cords to move us both.. I assume one at a time into my bed. She's a bit literally minded, and thought that if Daphne was sleeping with me in my bed then Daphne would be her mother."

Cyrus snorted quietly, and Erzabet looked incredulous "And she's six?"

"Nearly seven" said Harry. "She's been using two kiddie brooms on her plush unicorn for ages to make huge jumps and go higher. I try to dissuade her, but there has to be two brooms, so when my godson Teddy visits they can both have one."

Erzabet had a faint smile on her face by the time Harry had finished explaining, and glint in her eye. "He's good with children, has an heir already, and his children like Daphne." said Erzabet "Let me see that contract Cyrus. I hope it's not full of elavult szemét?" Harry wasn't sure what that was , but the tone of voice sounded like 'stupid rubbish.'

"I think we need Daphne to check this" said Harry firmly "She's the one it's for, after all. There are definitely things she wants done that need to be in this."

"Potter doesn't have hot water taps at his keep" volunteered Cyrus.

"My poor szivi" said Erzabet "How can you live like that!"

"Warming charms" said Harry blandly.

"Szivi won't leave her room" said Erzabet "The humiliation is too dire. Cyrus, dahlink, your idea has merit." Harry noticed that Cyrus stood straighter at that. "But I doubt even a snake-talker could get my poor Szivi out of her room now."

Harry felt deeply disturbed. Daphne's mother knew about Parseltounge… and snogging? And Apparently Szivi was her pet name at home. Harry wondered what it meant. Daphne, somehow, obviously.

"Well, I'll go get her then" said Harry "Can one of you show me to her room?"

Erzabet shot towards Harry, snatched his arm and headed out of the room so quickly, he wondered if she was on some sort of magical platform. They slowed down on the stairs – and the swaying motion of her dress robe was clearly that of a woman much like Daphne. His ankle hurt from keeping up. Harry tried not to think about Daphne's mother being pretty, having the same broad hips and strong legs… and anyway she hurried up the stairs, half dragging a limping Harry, to the second floor, where she stopped at a door with painting of a Daphne bush on it. Erzabet knocked on the door with her left hand – the ring on her pinkie finger rapping on the door.

"Daphne Szivi, I've brought your young man. We're all going to sit down and work out a marriage contract."

Cyrus dashed up beside his wife and said loudly "And get it backdated so you can throw it in the faces of those vultures at the Daily Prophet!"

"Go AWAY!" shouted Daphne through the door.

Harry knocked twice "Daphne? It's me. I know it's a disaster, and humiliating, but you need to see this contract. Your dad dragged me off to the Three Broomsticks to sign it… and you haven't even seen it!"

There were loud, rapid footsteps and the bedroom door was slammed open, and Daphne stood, in a nightgown, her hair a mess, looking tense and furious. And fantastic, thought Harry – where do I sign. Then he noticed her breasts. And tried to look at her face instead. She was puffy-eyed and a bit greasy looking – and had the cutest little line of freckles across her nose. Harry smiled in what he hoped was an encouraging way.

"Hi" said Harry. "It needs a bit about having to have hot taps in the keep."

Daphne stared at him, and didn't look impressed.

"And I didn't know you had a horse. There's room for stables, of course, or we could use the stables at the manor" said Harry. Daphne didn't even blink.

"Give me twenty minutes" said Daphne, "Mama, tie him down and don't let him talk anyone into anything." And she slammed the door shut.

Harry turned his face to Erzabet and smiled weakly "Metaphorically tied down?"

"We'll have tea" said Erzabet. "In the dining room, so we can write afterwards."

"The contract already has everything in it" said Cyrus.

Erzabet crossed her arms "Really?" she asked "And when did Daphne check it had everything she wanted in it?"

"I put everything she'd need in it" said Cyrus defensively.

Harry wondered just… how boned Cyrus really was right now.

"And what about what she wants?" said Erzabet, and she paused "Or even what he wants?"

"Daphne would be more than enough for him, and an heir, obviously" said Cyrus.

"I've got an heir for Slytherin, and one for Black" said Harry "I don't need some contract."

"But the Potter's" said Cyrus.

"We're made up" said Harry lightly, just to try and deflate Cyrus a bit. "Rebadged Peverells, and no good comes of that surname."

Erzabet led them down to what must be the dining room, where tea and a tray of strangely cubic iced cakes lay waiting.

"Oh, Glinkit, Battenberg cake?" asked Erzabet "You shouldn't have." The bowl of sugar-cubes slid over to stop next to Harry.

"How do you take your tea?" asked Erzabet.

"Um… I'm not fussy" said Harry.

"Milk and two sugars?" asked Erzabet. Harry shrugged "Sounds okay."

"Not too sweet?" asked Cyrus ,sitting heavily, and plonking the contact down on the table.

Harry pointed to the sugar bowl "The sugar-bowl likes me?"

"Glinkit must think you need sweetening up" said Cyrus. "Some cognac in mine?"

"No Cyruz, we're going to work" said Erzabet.

Two cups of tea and piece of what was apparently Battenberg cake later, Daphne came into the room wearing a light green and orange dress robe, her hair a little damp, with her face smoothed over and made freckle-less. She sat near Harry, and snatched a piece of Battenberg cake and ate it with… well he'd seen Hermione hastily eating before, but the cake was all gone in moments. Erzabet was already pouring tea; Daphne licked her lips, and washed down the cake.

"Haven't been eating" she whispered to Harry. Harry's stomach felt more upset, but a wave of perfume that Harry vaguely associated with Daphne wafted over with her movement.

Cyrus unrolled the contract, and began summarising.

In what felt like someone-else's life, the summary went on for thirty inches of parchment.

Erzabet interrupted "Ze children clause, Cyrus. Harry brings two children."

"He did mention that, yes" said Cyrus.

"So take it out" said Erzabet.

"But our family name!" protested Cyrus.

"Fine" said Daphne "One heir, one Greengrass, male by preference. She sighed, and turned to Harry "You'd better be good at soothing upset pregnant witches." she said. Harry felt oddly disconnected from the conversation, and he nodded mechanically.

Cyrus got up, walked out of the room and came back with an ink-stand and a blotter.

He sharpened a quill, tapped the contract with his wand and dragged, erasing a section of text, then wrote in a new sentence. Erzabet leaned over "Perfect" she said.

There was no tea, and no Battenberg cake left by the time they got to the end of the contract.

Erzabet asked "Now, Daphne, what additional things do you want in it?"

"My husband may not ever attend a Holyhead Harpies match" said Daphne mildly. "And double the curse for going to an after-match function."

"I wouldn't" said Harry.

"Now you won't" said Daphne, and she lifted her eyebrows.

"Your um horse?" asked Harry.

"Buttercup" said Daphne "You do have fields. We'll have to see how she likes them, having her to pop down to the village would be very convenient."

"Has he a forest to hunt in?" asked Erzabet.

"Not there" sad Daphne "But the Blacks must have some derelict country seat?"

"Lost all the rentals to adverse possession" said Harry tiredly. "The Château's rented out, but once Black Manor's paying it's way we could go there, I suppose."

"He has a château?" asked Erzabet, stiffening.

"Apparently" said Daphne.

"In Dordogyne" Harry explained.

"Well that would be nice in summer anyway" said Erzabet.

"And I lost Black Island to the UK ministry of defence, I assume the muggle-repelling charms failed and well, it's all barbed wire and signs" said Harry.

"How dreadful" said Cyrus politely.

"He still had a Caribbean island" offered Daphne. Harry glanced over at her eyes and smiled slightly. It was very warm there in summer. That old daydream about Daphne in a bikini on the beach resurfaced rather uncomfortably.

"That soundz very desirable as a holiday" said Erzabet "Any chance of your poor cold in-laws visiting it?"

Harry sighed "I suppose so" he said. "It's a long portkey trip, but that's all."

"How are the neighbours on this island?" asked Cyrus.

"Uh, I own the whole island" said Harry "There are some wild animals in the jungle, but nothing worse than a pig or goat or some snakes."

"It had hunting too" said Erzabet "When is a good time?" she added more enthusiastically.

"Mummy, less holidays for you, more marriage contract for me" said Daphne.

"But he's family … well he will be, I was shust askingk" said Erzabet.

"Erzabet's mother brought her up to hunt" said Cyrus.

"So did mummy" muttered Daphne.

Daphne had added some perfectly reasonable demands in about plumbing upgrades, and outbuildings. Like a stable for Buttercup the horse. With room for a few more horses 'She'd get lonely on her own, besides, Delphini needs to learn to ride.'

"A boot room" offered Cyrus "So people who've been doing horsey things don't track mud into your keep."

It was all sounding a bit expensive.

"Daddy" said Daphne finally "Harry's raising his daughter on the income from two rentals. Until Black manor's got more tenant's he's a bit straightened."

"Well, we'll make all these changes the dowry then" said Cyrus "It won't cost ten thousand galleons."

Erzabet visibly cringed. Harry stared at Cyrus incredulously. Was he related to Ron, perhaps?

There was a silent pause, then Cyrus started up "Of course, the balance of the ten thousand will be deposited as a gold dowry. Vault number?"

"Four three two" said Harry "The Slytherin vault, before you ask."

"How are you fixed for a dowry for your Delphini?" asked Cyrus.

"Oh… she's got a huge vault, inherited from her birth mother" said Harry.

"Excusee?" asked Erzabet "Your daughter has a large vault, and you don't touch it?"

"It's hers," said Harry, "my parents left me a vault, and it wasn't used until I went to Hogwarts, of course, she's got more than the eight-ish thousand I had."

"Ze Potters left you eight thousand galleons?" asked Erzabet "I had no idea they were so rich."

"Bit of a problem with the goblins, lost the lot, and all the Black's gold" admitted Harry "But my get can have new vaults."

"Your get?" asked Cyrus, sounding mildly revolted.

"Harry, the goblins were being rude calling them that." said Daphne.

"Sorry, didn't know" said Harry.

At some point the empty cake plate vanished silently to be replaced with hot scones. By the way Daphne seized one, split and painted it with cream and ate it, she was starving.

Harry had to point out she had a little cream on the side of hermouth, so he pointed to side of his own mouth, and Daphne licked her lip clean. There was an audible grumble from her stomach.

Harry, who had no 'baggage' to bring to the negotiation, except that Delphini was his heir for the Slytherins, and Teddy for the Blacks, was puzzled to see that Delpini's vault was specifically written in as Delphini's personal property. "Um, why?" he asked. Out of the corner of his eye, Daphne devoured another scone.

Cyrus put the quill down and said "So that when your estate is divided up to your heirs, her vault is not counted. She's underage, so a lawyer could argue that you own it."

"So...just in case?" asked Harry.

"Just in case." agreed Cyrus.

The contract got a bit longer, and Harry was totally bored of the whole process.

Erzabet and Daphne seemed to have run out of things in it to pick over – and there were a lot less scones as well.

"So just to recap?" asked Cyrus "No fixed date for marriage, but by twenty-five"

Daphne nodded, and clearly eyed another scone.

Erzabet sighed "It's so romantic" she said.

Harry caught Daphne's eyes, and she clearly made an expression he recognised from the Weasleys as 'don't set mum off.'

"I think we're done" said Harry. Daphne nodded.

"So I'll go bribe the registrar at the ministry, and they'll file this as registered two months ago" said Cyrus. "One interview, and the whole scandal will implode. My daughter was in a wedding contract to her fiancée, and the rumours about Harry's daughter are just a misunderstanding, the little scamp hopped into bed where her parents-to-be were sleeping."

"If you don't have bruises on your kidneys, it didn't happen" said Harry. Daphne stared intently at him, looking, apparently for an explanation.

"You'll find out" said Harry airly. No point frightening her off before she signed, after all.

Daphne started to smile, and her eyes glinted "Father?" she asked.

"Yes dear?" asked Cyrus.

"When you bribe the clerk to misfile it?" asked Daphne, her grin turning toothy, her dimples deepening.

"Mmm?" Cyrus made encouraging noises.

"Get it post-dated by… oh… how about five years" said Daphne, and she laughed, slightly maniacally.

Harry smiled nervously "That's… just after the battle of Hogwarts." said Harry.

"And thus… you've actually been courting me this whole time" said Daphne, and she grinned.

"I only broke up with Ginny um… five years ago?" said Harry.

"I can count" said Daphne airly. "That seems perfect daddy" she added. "In my tell-all interview with Witch Weekly, I will reveal that I simply had to outbid everyone for my betrothed's hand at the Hogwarts auction."

Harry blinked "You'd give an interview?"

"Well I've got a happy ending for them" said Daphne "They do so love a happy ending. And I'll easily get thousands for a series of interviews once it comes out we're marrying soon."

Harry felt his mouth open, and he stared at the smiling witch with glinting Caribbean blue eyes.

Harry swallowed. "Cyrus, quill?" he asked.

"Oh now you're signing" said Cyrus.

"I'd be mad not to" said Harry. Daphne smiled at Harry then winked. Harry felt a disturbance in his pants.

Cyrus slid the contract across the table and Harry signed. Three words 'Harry James Potter' and it was done.

He slid it across to Daphne, and she signed the new signature block they'd added today. Harry looked over casually at her signature – and her middle name was just a 'Q.' Harry had no idea what girls names started with q.

Daphne interrupted his failure as a scrabble-player by speaking.

"Once Daddy comes back from the ministry Harry and I are going to the cinema. I'll sleep over at his house" said Daphne.

"Daphne!" said Cyrus indignantly.

"Well they're engaged and ze contract's binding" said Erzabet "Do take precautions Szivi, I want your next grandchild to be born long after your wedding." Harry felt his face flush at those words.

"I'm sure there's a really dusty unused bottle of the potion in my room somewhere" said Daphne.

"Cyrus Dahlink, pick up a fresh bottle of contraceptive potion on the way home, there's a dear" said Erzabet. Cyrus visibly sighed.

"Seems a waste of the bottle I've already got" said Daphne.

"Don't worry Szivi, I'll use it up" said Erzabet. Daphne's smile froze, and Harry wanted to flee.

"After all, I just got two grandchildren" said Erzabet, and she gave a smug smile. "My eldest gave me grandchildren first… as is proper."

"Mummy!" exclaimed Daphne.

Cyrus took the hint, rolled up the scroll and left.

Daphne shrugged to Harry and snorted.

"So, Harry" said Erzabet smoothly "How soon can you two get married?"

Harry eyed Daphne and Daphne stood up "I'm going to take Harry for a walk around the grounds" she said.

"Be careful dear" said Erzabet.

Harry stood up and Daphne bustled out of the room almost dragging Harry. He tried to keep up.

Once they'd got outside, onto a huge gravelled area surround by outbuilding Daphne slowed.

"It's just mummy's been waiting so long. She gets a bit impatient" said Daphne.

Daphne noticed Harry was limping by the time they met Buttercup – who was a big toffee coloured horse.

"Harry, you're limping?"

"Twisted my ankle on the floo to The Three Broomsticks, then sprained it getting here" Harry admitted. "Don't worry. It's spelled up."

Daphne dragged Harry quite gently to a bench, sat him down and leaned against him "I'll pay for the cinema tickets" she offered. Her stomach gurgled loudly.

"And the popcorn by the sound of it" said Harry.

"Prat. I've been very upset!" said Daphne. After a brief rest, Daphne summoned a muggle newspaper from somewhere to the east, and started looking at what was on at the cinema.

Cyrus came out the back door of the house and found them, picking over film options.

"It's lodged" he said. "Not exactly five years, four years, ten months and three days. Less suspicious."

"Two months to our five-year anniversary of not actually dating" said Harry.

"Don't be ridiculous. The dress will take longer than that, and the cake, and organising with elderly relations. We'll need six more months" said Daphne. Harry puzzled over that, and realised what she meant. And had to swallow painfully.

An hour and a bit later at the Surrey Odeon, halfway though 'O Brother, where are thou' Daphne swiped his drink. And had scoffed all the popcorn.

Afterwards, the tunes echoing in Harry's mind, he walked out of the cinema, Daphne's arm comfortably wrapped in his elbow.

"Good songs" said Harry. It had played on his mind.

"Odd" said Daphne "But very tuneful. A lot of flat keys. Very… mournful."

"I think it's called blues" offered Harry. "And before you ask, that's all I know about it."

Daphne let out a belch, and covered her mouth "Oh, I'm so sorry" she said.

"Considering how much fizz you drank, I'm not surprised" said Harry "Need the loo?"

"I'll use yours. I'm not using a public toilet" said Daphne.

"And you scoffed all the popcorn" Harry added.

"I haven't been eating!" protested Daphne.

"Two bits of cake, three scones, two drinks and a big bucket of popcorn." said Harry.

"It's salty. I had to drink" said Daphne mildly.

"Do you need supper?" asked Harry.

"I'm full" admitted Daphne.

They walked along till they found an alley, ducked in and Harry side-along apparated them to Slytherin's nest.

Harry needed Daphne's help to limp by the time he got to the top of the outside stairs.

He opened the door and Daphne stepped into the brightly lit downstairs hall. Harry followed, shutting the door with a bit of a slam.

By the time Harry had got to the spiral staircase, Delphini had galumphed down and was eyeing Daphne.

"Mummy?" she asked cautiously.

"I'll be your mummy once we're married" said Daphne. Delphini's face lit up with a huge smile, and she dashed over and hugged Daphne's legs.

"Mummy" she said into Daphne's dress. Harry looked over at Daphne's face and she had an odd smile on her face… and one hand was stroking Delphini's hair. Harry leaned over and kissed Daphne's cheek. Daphne's smile changed, and she looked up, turned her head and kissed Harry very softly on the lips.

Harry muttered "Not sure that's you" and Daphne's eyes narrowed slightly, and she kissed him again, slipping her tongue into Harry's mouth unexpectedly and licking his tongue twice, and then stopping kissing. Harry couldn't help chucking, and got a hand on Delphini's back and gave his little girl a rub. Delphini looked up, and her face had a look of such adoration, Harry was stunned. Then Delphini's left arm wrapped around his legs, holding her… parents to be together. Harry didn't mind bumping hips with Daphne.

"Are you moving in mummy?" asked Delphini.

"After we're married" said Daphne softly "But I'm having a sleepover with Harry tonight."

"Yay" said Delphini energetically "Sleepovers are the best. I'll bring the unicorn, and we can all play high-jumping!"

"We're going to be sleeping in ...daddy's bed, and Delphini, I'm afraid you can't be there." said Daphne gently "But we'll have brunch together, tonight we're going to play grownup games."

"Oh… like scrabble?" asked Delphini.

"Like scrabble" said Daphne, with a smile, and a sly wink to Harry.

After supper of sausage and eggs – Harry was peckish dammit, Harry limped up to his sitting room and sat on the couch, and Daphne closed and locked the door sat down right next to him, slipping under his arm.

"Grownup games" said Harry "So… scrabble, sort-of. What starts with Q and is your middle name?"

Daphne looked at Harry with a slightly annoyed smile. "I hate it, and you must never repeat it."

Harry nodded.

"Queenie. Mummy's fault- her English has got a lot better in the intervening years" said Daphne.

Harry wondered about making some sort of soppy statement, thought better of it and kissed her hair instead.

"So no scrabble?" asked Daphne huskily.

Harry snogged her instead. They stumbled to the bed later, and continued not playing scrabble, Harry also definitely not using parseltounge – he didn't want her bolting, and Harry ended up with Daphne naked sitting astride his naked lap, both of them tired and a bit sweaty.

"You're quite good" said Daphne.

"Quite good?" asked Harry, cupping some breasts that had rather captured his attention.

"Well, you're too tired to get a swelled head again tonight" said Daphne.

Harry let go of her bust and held her face, gently pulling her down for a long slow kiss "You're very nice" said Harry.

"Very nice?" asked Daphne huskily "I'm fantastic."

"We need more practice together to get to fantastic" said Harry "and no, not tonight."

"If you had a shower and hot water, we could go to sleep clean" said Daphne.

"Plumbers, yup" said Harry. Sliding one hand down her back to her arse and squeezing gently.

"You're in no fit state to grope me" said Daphne.

Harry kissed her again "I am a weak man" he said.

"Three times isn't that weak" said Daphne., her hand sliding up and down Harry's thigh.

"I am spent though" admitted Harry. "Geroff?"

Daphne rolled off, found her wand and went to the bathroom, and the tap ran for a bit.

She returned, and Harry flicked the bed-covers up over her. She smiled slightly at Harry, cheeks flushed, that cute little line of freckles visible "Goodnight dear" she said.

Harry turned the lamp off and settled down to sleep.

Harry's dreams featured well… shagging Daphne.

He woke before her, and admired her sleeping face. His chest felt like it was overinflated with warmth, but also his bladder was full. He sneaked to the en-suite.

Daphne was apparently woken by somethnig Harry had done, and took the en-suite next, and got a nightgown out of her dress pocket, and put it on and stretched. Perkily. Harry stared. Daphne inhaled dramatically, and the nightgown got pokier. Harry's bits made protests.

"Get dressed Harry… your daughter won't be held off forever" said Daphne.

"Doors still locked" said Harry "One for luck?"

Daphne laced her hands over her lap "Why mister Potter, are you suggesting we shag before breakfast?"

"Once or twice? Unless you're too hungry?" asked Harry.

"I am actually quite hungry" said Daphne, and she shook her head. Harry got dressed in pyjamas, added dressing gown and slippers and went to the bedroom door.

"Oh you sexy beast" said Daphne, sitting in bed, one hand to her head dramatically.

"Bacon, eggs, toast?" asked Harry.

"What does a girl have to do round here to get a full English?" asked Daphne. Harry raised his eyebrows. Daphne snorted.

"Two full Englishes it is" said Harry, and he went off to cook – and thanked god his dressing gown hid his erection.

Being a wizard was great, thought Harry as the loaded breakfast plates floated, following him back upstairs.

Daphne started on brunch – Delphini followed Harry back to visit and was once again massacring bacon.

"Delphini dear please use cutlery on the bacon, if only so your hands don't get so greasy" asked Daphne. "You leave greasy marks on the linen, and cleaning that is unnecessary work for your father."

Harry watched in slight amazement as Delphini used cutlery on bacon. Depends who asks, he supposed.

Delphini was banished from the bedroom after brunch, and Daphne got out of bed and piled the plates up, then walked over to Harry "Harry?" she asked.

"Hmm?" asked Harry, eying Daphne's nightgown speculatively. He could see outlines of boobs.

"I've full of brunch and now… I'd like a little cuddle?" Daphne crossed her arms under her bust and pushed upwards.

"Oh" said Harry, standing up and throwing off his dressing gown.

"Oh hello" said Daphne. Harry hastily unbuttoned his pyjama jacket.

Daphne lay heavily on Harry a bit later, smiling contentedly "You're a quite good cuddler" she said.

"Good thing we're engaged to marry" said Harry, stroking a bare bottom. The bottom wiggled.

"Well I'll just have to rinse off and go home. Do try to get a shower. It'll make cleaning up after sex so much quicker" said Daphne. "And you'll be able to wash beforehand. Who knows what that might lead to?"

"Well, more sex, hopefully?" asked Harry. "Not today – your parents aren't infinitely malleable."

Daphne got off and swaggered off naked to the en-suite. Harry blinked. Bloody hell, he needed a plumber quite badly.

Daphne left, leaning over to kiss his cheek as Harry washed off in the bath.

The rest of Harry's day passed in a warm post-coital blur.

Harry wrote Ron and Hermione separate letters about being engaged to Daphne. He euphemistically wrote 'I've been engaged to Daphne for some time.' A day was some time, and officially, the ministry thought nearly five years.

Hermione came to visit after work – by the time of day, the huge handbag and work robes.

"Engaged?" she asked Harry in his salon. Harry nodded.

"Thank god for that" said Hermione. "So the story about the shameful trysts?"

"Her parents knew beforehand" said Harry, mostly honestly. Partly hoping from some more shameful trysts soon.

Hermione, however had a brilliant idea for an outing on Saturday, off to a nearby National Trust stately home, for a walk around and ogle. 'Lyme' was enormous and grand… though admittedly much smaller than Malfoy Manor, it was as vast, and more… fancy than Black Manor. And didn't have a lot of cursed toile wallpaper and furniture that whispered at night.

Daphne was impressed, and Hermione was pretty pleased to show the pureblood that muggles could do 'grand.'

Days passed with a bit of Daphne-time squeezed in here and there.

Hermione came to visit after work one day. "How are things with your in-laws?" she asked, dumping her huge handbag with a thud "The foul ones."

"I expect Draco's going to have a nervous breakdown soon." said Harry.

"Nervous breakdown?"

"Daphne took me to their baby shower" started Harry – Hermione went a bit green.

"Yes, it was revolting" agreed Harry, "And we laid it on pretty thick – Draco nearly had a seizure"

"Seizure?" asked Sarah.

"Cruciatus curse residual effects" said Harry blandly "Any time he gets agitated there's a risk he'll start twitching, have a fit. Fantastic really" Harry mused.

"Laid it on pretty thick?" asked Hermione.

"Public display of intent to marry" said Harry. "Just to the happy couple… Malfoy nearly had a fit, and Astoria was less happy when we were done."

"We?"

"Daphne called Draco 'the sperm donor'" said Harry. Hermione snorted.

Witch Weekly apparently spread the interview out over five weeks. Harry reluctantly agreed to be photographed standing next to Daphne for the cover. They must have had a photographer with a better, and more discreet camera than Bozo, as the cover the second week was Harry and Daphne walking around shopping. They looked happy, Harry mused. Daphne had indeed wrangled eight thousand galleons out of Witch Weekly. Apparently advertisers paid lots to be in issues people were guaranteed to buy.

Five years, five months and five days after their putative engagement started, they married, at the back of Greengrass Easting, where apparently eleven generations of Greengrasses had lived. Daphne explained over a pillow one night that the house had been rebuilt three times – the last time being in the eighteenth century.

Daphne Slytherin, in the memorable white wedding dress Harry had danced with before took a creepy snake ring Harry had enchanted out of a Black family wedding ring set. Harry wore the snakeskin hat, and silver embroidered black robes. Before Harry kissed the bride , he asked a recognition question. "How many times did we play scrabble the first time?"

"Three" said Daphne, and Harry kissed her – she seized his robe fronts and pressed on, to wolf-whistles from the audience.

Later that night at Slytherin's nest….

"Harry, Delphini's asleep now, you levitate her out of the bed, I'll tuck her in, and we can get back to having a honeymoon" said Daphne.

"Or we could go to sleep" said Harry lightly.

"Hey, there's a shower. You're clean, you might get very lucky."

"But I'm already married to you" said Harry, and Daphne blushed. "Ham" she said softly.

Harry slowly drew his wand and levitated a sleeping daughter out of his – their bed, and across the room. He got up, and followed his sleeping daughter.

Daphne passed him in a nightgown and bare feet, and opened the door out of his bedroom.

Daphne did actually tuck Delphini in, and kiss her forehead, then pointed silently to the door. They left, closed the door, and dashed back to bed. Daphne's feet were frigid. (The rest of her was much warmer.)