Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: My readers are AWESOME! If anyone would like to join me on Discord, go to my profile to get the invite for the Emerald Library.
-oOo-
Chapter 41
-oOo-
August 13, 1996
London, England
Amelia was annoyed. There was another request from Croaker to talk with Harry and Hermione. This request had a lot more to it now that Harry was Scion Potter-Greengrass. Again, she took a single sheet of parchment, wrote 'NO' and then put it into her outbox. The parchment folded itself and took off, zooming out the open window above her door.
Her old 'friend' had not shown his face since Hermione had handed in her resignation.
A knock on the door had her saying, "Just give me another moment, Veronica."
She took the next inter-office memo and wrote a quick note before sending it on its way. "You can come in," she spoke loudly, wondering why her secretary didn't use the blowhorn.
When the door opened, her eyes narrowed. "Anders," she said a little coolly.
"Amelia. I was hoping for a few minutes of your time," the Greengrass lord queried.
"That depends. Are you going to go around one of our agreements again?"
The man closed the door and took a seat. "I did not expect so many to be upset with me for something that should have been a large celebration."
"Yes. Luckily it turned out that way, but you almost ruined it," she said back to him.
"A fact I do not need any more reminding of. Tradition doesn't usually allow for choice. It is the Lord's responsibility to care for and ensure the future of his family. In my exuberance, I overstepped what is becoming more acceptable." Anders looked a little bothered.
"Times are changing. Our children are leading some of those changes. Harry had a plan that he worked on for weeks on how he wanted to ask your daughter. We talked and negotiated about it. Anders, if I can't trust you keep your word on something as significant as your daughter's and my nephew's betrothal, how can I trust you on future matters?" she pressed on him.
The man sat taller. "My word is my honour. I did nothing wrong, and all the paperwork had been filed. It was the rightful title of both."
Amelia pinched her nose. "It may be your honour and may not have done anything wrong by law or some of our customs, but you broke your word to a young man that will be your son and is the scion of your house now. Harry has been betrayed enough in his life that it doesn't take much to break his trust in people. You risk alienating him, and most likely Daphne, if you don't let go of some of these old forms."
Anders frowned. "Surely you can't mean that? I know what you have told me about Harry, but this was tradition and nothing I did prevented him from proposing in the way he wanted."
"But it did! He wanted to take her out to the gardens, profess his love, explain the contract and ensure she was good with it, then ask her in the way that is his tradition. Harry is a wizard. He has adapted to our world and what is expected of him in our archaic forms, but Harry grew up a Muggle. There is a large significance to a proposal in the world he came from. A proposal is of the same importance to Muggles as a betrothal is to us. From what Sirius has told us, James changed to ask his mother in the proper Muggle way. Don't you understand that in following your tradition you stepped all over your future-son's?" she said, not a little anger coming out in her voice.
Anders sat there for a few. She could see that he was thinking hard. "Does this mean that he will not ratify the betrothal when we go to Gringotts tomorrow?"
"Is that all you care about? No. Harry will ratify the betrothal once Daphne puts her signature on it. He loves your daughter, Anders. Harry is not doing this out of any sense of propriety, wizarding traditions, political ambitions or anything you seem to think he is. My nephew was completely honest in our negotiations that he would forgo all of this just to be with Daphne," she stated rather forcibly.
"I like working with you. You have shown to be an honourable man, except when it comes to your daughter and my nephew. If you do anything like this again, Harry will cut you out of his life, only dealing with you when he has too."
Anders really frowned this time. "I only want what is best for Daphne and see our magic go on."
Amelia nodded. "I understand. To see that magic go on, we have both agreed that things need to change. We," she said, pointing her finger rapidly between the two of them, "need to change."
There was another moment of silence. "Is Harry really that upset with me?"
"Only because Daphne said yes, he is not fuming and threatening sanctions. He is upset though. I have no doubt that Harry would have followed up with his threat if she had said no. There would be a huge rift between the Potters and Greengrasses," Amelia told him. "I also think you are on your last chance, and it is only Daphne that is seeing you have this chance."
After a moment, Anders snorted.
"What is so amusing?"
"Harry. He is not the same boy that sat at our table and spat milk all over Astoria. I saw potential then. It was the only reason I didn't try to scare him away. He is starting to grow into that potential. He is going to be a powerful Lord that I will be proud to call my son," Anders said.
She gave a little smile. "I'm proud to call him mine," she agreed. "I really can't stress enough though that Harry doesn't trust easily and if you ever lose his trust, I don't know if you will ever get it back."
"Your warning is heard and understood. I will not interfere like that again. Would it be better for me to extend a proper apology in person or by messenger?"
"Harry will respect you more if you look him in the eye and he sees no lie," she told him.
"If he is at my table tonight, I shall do that. Otherwise, I will ensure that I extend my hand tomorrow. He has done great services for my family," Anders said.
"He loves Daphne, Anders. He will do everything he can for her, and Daphne looks like she will do the same. Just remember that," Amelia stated.
-oOo-
September 1, 1996
London, England
Susan and Auntie were outside the station with him as they waited for the Danforths. It was a busy morning and rare sunny day for London, so Harry was enjoying being out in the open air. Already in their uniforms, they would have to change into their robes and put on their prefect badges soon after getting onto the train.
Luckily, they didn't have to wait long. "HARRY! SUSIE!" a small girl yelled across the front of the station.
"Terry!" Harry yelled back just as excitedly, earning a giggle from Susan as the small girl ran up to him. Harry took her in his arms and swung her around. Her parents chuckled as they came up with Dani, who looked like she was bouncing around everywhere. "Can we go inside?" she asked before anything else. The cat in the cage looked a little put out with how Dani moved. Well, Muggles would think it a cat, but Harry could tell by the bushy tail and long ears that it was a purebred kneazle.
"Hello, Harry," Reba said, giving him a hug, before doing the same with Susan.
"I try to take them out, but always causing a scene," Auntie Ami said with a laugh as Garry shook her hand and replied, "With how excited and hyper Dani has been, I am finding I wish I fed her a bunch of sugar so she would crash on the train."
"Dad!" Dani snapped back.
"Amelia, it's great to see you again," Reba said as the woman shared a hug.
"You can put her trunk on mine," Harry said, pulling Hedwig's cage off the top. "Do you think you could look after Hedwig?"
Terry's eyes went wide as his owl hooted calmly. He knew that Hedwig and Terry got along well. "I will keep her safe," Terry told him, taking the cage into her hands. It looked huge against her, but it wasn't heavy since Sirius had lightened her cage, and his trunk. Harry would have to learn that charm this year. He just wished he could shrink his trunk, but with some of the expansion charms on it, that wasn't possible.
After all the greetings were done, and Dani's trunk on his, they moved into the station. "So where are we going?"
"Over here. This is the first time I'm using the Muggle-side entrance," Susan said, sounding excited.
Dani smiled. "Really? How do you know about it then?"
"I had to use it my first three years," Harry told her. "It's pretty neat. Looks just like a wall, then you run through it."
Dani looked a little unsure. "Will you or Susan go through it with me?"
"Which ever one you want," Harry told her, feeling happy that Dani was asking him something like that.
The adults were all walking behind them as they went through the brick wall. Dani held his hand tight as Terry giggled to have Susan pull her through. "Bloody..." Dani said, looking at the gleaming red steam engine.
"I want to go," Terry called out excitedly.
"Well, now that we are here, we should get our robes on. Susan and I will see you to a compartment and then we must go to the prefects meeting," Harry told her.
"You aren't sitting with me?" Dani asked, looking a little frightened.
"You can sit with us, or by yourself. It's always nice to meet new people," Harry told her. "Susan, Daphne, Hermione, Neville, Tracey or me will be around whenever you need us."
Dani smiled.
"Come here, Dani. We won't see you until Christmas," Reba said.
"I'll write all the time," Dani told her mother, the jitters the girl had shown starting to disappear.
"My bet is Hufflepuff," Susan said, pulling her robes on.
"Gryffindor," Harry countered.
"Who are we betting on?" Blaise asked, coming up to them.
"What house Dani will be in," Harry replied.
"Gryffindor," he said without any doubt. "Ten galleons?"
"Sounds good," Harry said.
"She could be a Hufflepuff," Hermione said.
"Why not a Ravenclaw?" a slight girl with golden hair said, coming up to them.
"Luna!" Hermione exclaimed, moving to hug her. "When did you get back?"
"Three days ago. Have you seen Neville? I have some stuff he might be interested in," Luna said, before her eyes locked on Terry. Both girls cocked their heads. "You have red earwigs around you, but no wrackspurts."
"I like you. You look all blue around the edges," Terry replied.
Harry laughed. "Luna, meet my cousin, Theresa Danforth. Theresa, this is Luna Lovegood, who just came back from a semester abroad at Beauxbatons. I wasn't sure you were coming back."
Luna gave him a big smile. "It was time. I made some friends, but I belong back here. Terry, do you see wrackspurts too?"
"I see colours. There is this funny purple thing around your ears."
Luna clapped. "Oh, you do see them. Theresa is coming with us, right?"
"I'm only seven," Terry replied sadly.
"Harry, I want you to have a good year and keep an eye on Susan and Dani," Auntie Ami told him, coming up and hugging him.
Harry turned to hug her. "I will. Don't worry."
"I don't need looking after," Susan complained.
Auntie Ami gave her a raised eye. "You and Terrance were doing a little more than kissing the other night."
Susan turned a nice red. "It wasn't anything bad."
"I'll keep an eye on her," Harry promised, giving Susan a wink. Susan narrowed her eyes.
Reba came up to him next. "Have a good year and thank you for everything. Keep an eye on Dani, if you can?"
"I promise, Reba. I'll make sure she is good," Harry assured her.
The platform was very crowded now as the whistle gave its first call, announcing it was ten minutes before their journey north would start. Gary reached a hand towards him as Terry grabbed onto his leg. "Have a good year and we look forward to having you and everyone over our house for Christmas this year."
"I wouldn't miss it," Harry told the man.
"Is the train going to leave without us?" Dani asked nervously.
"We still have ten minutes. Where is Daph?"
"She was with Tracey and Neville over that way," Hermione said, pointing towards the centre of the train.
"Right. You already to go?" Harry asked.
"Been waiting on you," Blaise told them.
It didn't take them long to find the others, get on the train and find a cabin. Dani decided to put her trunk with theirs, then moved to the window to wave to her family. Luna, Neville and Tracey stayed in the cabin as the rest of them walked towards the front of the train. "How nervous is Dani?" Daphne asked as she walked next to him. Harry moved to the side, putting a hand on Daphne's back to have her go before him as a group of younger years past them.
"She is nervous but decided to walk up and down the train after we leave," Harry told her.
"Harry says she will be a Gryffindor," Blaise said. "Care to wager?"
"Do we have to bet? We are Prefects," Hermione spoke up.
Daphne snorted. "Dani is going to be a Gryffindor, though I'll take Slytherin."
"She could be a Hufflepuff," Hermione countered.
"She already rushes into things like Harry and you, so Gryffindor is not out of the running," Daphne argued. "And what is wrong with Slytherin? Dani has told us many times she wants to do magic like us and become an Animagus by third year. That is even more ambitious than we were."
Blaise chuckled. "She's got you there."
"Oh, hush," Hermione said to him.
They were still debating when they got into the Prefects cabin. They weren't the first, but they weren't the last either. Susan joined them with Ernie. Since they broke up, Ernie hadn't really spent much time with the rest of the alliance children. Harry wasn't sure why. Susan was on talking terms with him again and Harry didn't think any of them thought it would last, looking back on it now.
After the boring meeting, where Katie Bell had been made Head girl, with Quinn Warren from Ravenclaw being Head boy, they were about to leave when Katie called to him. "Harry! Harry!"
He turned. "What's up, Katie?"
"What's this tripe that you turned down the captaincy this year?" she asked pointedly, holding out the Gryffindor's Captain's badge.
"Congratulations," Harry said with a big smile. "I told Babbling I was not trying out or playing this year."
"Why the hell not! You're the best seeker in a century and we already need to rebuild the team with Angelina, George, Fred and Alicia gone, that only leaves me, you and Weasley. You can't abandon us like that," she said, almost desperately.
Harry frowned. "I can help you train a new seeker, but I think I'm going to be too busy with my NEWTs this year and next," Harry explained.
Katie looked close to tears. "Train a new seeker? I want the cup, or I don't want to be captain," she told him.
"You can give it to Ron, but I thought you would be better and have a better temperament," Harry replied.
"Bloody hell! Weasley would lose his top when things didn't go his way. You must play!"
"I'm sorry, Katie, but as much as I love flying, I just won't have the time for all the practices," Harry told her.
"Then just play on match days," she begged.
Harry shook his head. "That isn't fair. If you and the rest of the team are practicing when you need, then someone that is willing to show up should be on the team."
"You really mean all that? Merlin, Harry, you even beat Krum a few times. There is no one else even close to that level at Hogwarts," she sounded truly desperate now.
"I'll help train a new seeker for the first game, but after that, I really do have more important things to do," Harry told her, feeling slightly guilty, but knowing he had to buckle down more than he was if he wanted the guild to start shortly after they graduated.
Katie's shoulders slumped and she plopped into one of the seats. "Will you agree to be an alternate if something happens?"
Harry thought about it for a moment. "Only if the team agrees. And I mean all the team, including any alternates you find. I won't be going to practices regularly."
A watery smile came onto her face. "I doubt that will be hard to get everyone to agree. Are you doing like ten NEWT's or something?"
"Only four," Harry told her. "Well, five to start the year, but I don't think that will last long."
Her mouth dropped open. "Four! You are saying you don't have time to play or practice with only four NEWTS! I am doing seven and will play as much as I can this year," she said a little angrily this time.
Harry shrugged. "I have more important things to do and still want to find time for Daphne and friends," he said a little apologetically. It had been a hard decision that Sirius had reacted like Katie at first, Remus was understanding, but thought Harry was taking things a little too serious. They had both argued it was only his sixth year and he was only sixteen. Auntie Ami and Iliana were the only ones to really back him. Anders had stayed out of it, still knowing that Harry was rather upset with him still.
Katie huffed, folding her arms. "Mental! You are completely barking mad!" she accused.
Harry shrugged again. The guilt was fading at her anger. A few years ago, he would have caved to her. Now, he was confident in his decisions and the path he wanted. "Perhaps, but you wouldn't like me any other way," Harry said a little cheekily before turning to leave.
Katie gave a strangled laugh. "You will be alternate if we need?"
"I promise if the team agrees," Harry told her.
Daphne was waiting for him just beyond the door to the prefect's compartment. "What did Bell want?"
"She's not too pleased with me dropping quidditch," he told her. "She's been made captain."
"Good for her. Head girl and captain," she said, meaning it.
"Yeah, I always liked her. The team was some of the first ones to really accept me," he replied.
She took his hand as they walked back. "Let's go find everyone. We have to take a walk with the new prefects about two."
On their way back, they found Dani laughing with a few other first years a few compartments up from theirs. Harry smiled to see that her nervousness had disappeared.
When they were sitting in the great hall later, Neville leaned over. "How could we ever have been that small?"
"They're like midgets," Ron said from across them.
"They are not. They are cute," Lavender admonished Ron. She was leaning into Ron as they watched the sorting ceremony. Apparently escorting her to the cotillion had translated into something more.
"Didn't you say you have a cousin up there this time?" Dean asked.
"Yeah. Danielle Danforth. She's in the middle," Harry said, nodding towards his cousin. Sure, she was like his third cousin, but she was still his cousin. Harry had family and would not let it go.
"Danforth, Danielle," Professor Flitwick called out.
She looked a little nervous, turning to catch his eye, before turning and resolutely marching up to the stool. "Gryffindor," Neville said.
Harry laughed. "Most likely."
"I still say Hufflepuff," Hermione dug her feet in.
She sat on the stool as Flitwick put the hat on her head from the stool he was standing on. Like many, you could tell she was talking to the hat. They had given her a fairly good idea about what to expect from each house. When a large smile split her face, Harry knew she got what she wanted, expecting her to join the other two new students at the head of the Gryffindor table, but having his jaw drop as the hat called out, "SLYTHERIN!"
Neville had about the same reaction as Dani took the hat off, jumped off the stool, gave him a huge smile and bounced over to the table most unlikely to accept a descendant of a squid, even if she was part of the Potter line. He watched as she joined one other boy at the end of the table. Daphne, Tracey, Blaise and Theo were all clapping, and most of the rest of the table were following suit. Harry started to clap too, as did most of their friends. He didn't miss some of the confused looks on some faces. Danforth was not a wizarding name.
"Bloody hell," Neville said.
"I... I did not see that," Hermione commented.
"I thought you said she would be a Gryffindor?" Seamus put to him.
Daphne caught his eye and nodded. He knew Dani would be taken care of. He was just surprised... unless... she wanted to prove herself. Like Harry did his first year. And she knew some of the top names in Slytherin House... "That little snake," he said affectionately.
Neville chuckled while the others looked confused. "She played us, didn't she?"
"Dani? Why would she?" Hermione said, still sounding confused.
Harry laughed. "Or more precisely, Daphne did," he said, seeing the small smirk on his betrothed face. He did an imaginary doffing of his hat. Daph dipped her head gracefully.
"I don't get it," Ron said.
"Daph must have convinced Dani to ask the hat. She wants to change things in Slytherin, and Dani is just the sort to help her," Harry explained. He knew Daphne would protect Dani, and letting people know she was a ward of House Potter wouldn't hurt either.
Padma giggled. "Oh, this is going to be a fun year."
-oOo-
September 14, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
It was the first time the Slug Club had been called this year. They had all received invitations for a two o'clock tea. Daphne was waiting for Dani and her sister. Apparently, they both made the list this year. Astoria most likely due to her excellent grades the last few years in charms, as well as her new intended. Daphne and Harry were still not totally pleased about that but were relatively convinced that Eric had no clue about what his father had tried. At least the courtship agreement was about as open as Harry's and hers had been. With Harry being asked to keep an eye on her, they had both been privy to the details.
There was some laughing that announced the eleven-year-old Dani and the two girls she had made friends with. Cordelia Rosier, a tall girl for eleven with dark hair and grey eyes was a cousin to the main line of Rosier and the Blacks, was next to Guinevere Umbridge, a little bit of a shorter girl with light brown hair, brown eyes and niece to a Madam Umbridge in the Ministry that her father couldn't stand. Both girls, even with their family background, had instantly taken to Dani and the three of them were some of the most outgoing in the House already.
Daphne, having her plans for this year and the next, had hoped to entice a few first years of non-wizarding backgrounds, only managing Dani this year, but hopefully laying the groundwork for next year. She knew that this would cause a stir in the house, and hadn't been blindsided by that, already having an issue with some of the more pure-blooded minded students, who were a little more vocal this year. On the positive side, her pure-blooded minded housemates were in a clear minority now. After the last two years and the collapse of most of the most vocal Houses, things were changing in Slytherin, and she and Harry's cousin would be at the tip of the spear.
She had explained all this to Dani one time she had come to Grace Hall. As outgoing and Gryffindorish the girl was already, Daphne picked up on the girl's desire to do well. She wanted to make Harry proud, since he had so easily fallen into their family, and she looked up to him as a big brother. Because of all of that, she had been honest with Dani and had told her her plans. She would not manipulate family, but had no qualms if family wanted to help her manipulate others.
In turn, she would protect Dani, and Astoria would once Harry and her graduated. If they could get more Muggleborn or squib lines into Slytherin, then the Pureblood bigots would never get a strong foothold again, especially if those Muggleborn and squid-born did well. With Harry not doing quidditch, and only four NEWT classes, he would be able to spend time with Dani and her friends in a study group. They all would. Dani was determined to be top of her year, with Cordelia and Genevieve already following along. Apparently, they both looked to her and Tracey as the role models of what a Slytherin should be.
"I'll see you at dinner," Dani told them.
"You are so lucky to be invited already. Mother says first years are never invited before Christmas," Cordelia said, coming over with Dani. "Good afternoon, Heiress Potter-Greengrass."
Daphne gave them a smile as Dani rolled her eyes. "You do remember she said we can call her Daphne?"
"It is only polite, Dani," Genevieve said. She added a curtsy. "Good afternoon, Heiress Potter-Greengrass."
Daphne, being the polite society woman now, trying not to laugh at Dani's reaction, returned the gesture, giving a slight curtsy. She was now considered elevated to Harry's rank, and thus they were the highest rank in Hogwarts right now. "Good afternoon, Ms Rosier, Ms Umbridge and Ms Danforth."
"This is one of those wizard things, isn't it?" Dani asked, looking at her friends.
"Our society instructors have said we should practice. Greengrass is of a very high rank, so we should honour that," Cordelia said.
"But Daphne said we didn't need to worry about that here," Dani asked confused.
"We don't, but if they were asked to practice, this is a good place to do so without getting into any trouble. There should be no slight taken if they get it wrong," Daphne explained.
"We did do it correctly, right?" Cordelia questioned.
"Maybe just a little lower on the curtsy if we were at a societal gathering, but yes, you did well," Daphne said, feeling a little odd. It doesn't seem like that long ago that she had been asking her mother or Madam Bulstrode the same.
Dani looked a little abashed. "Can you teach me?"
Daphne nodded. "I can. If you like, I'm sure we can get a place with Madam Bulstrode if you want to learn all this. Besides, you are a ward of the House of Potter. You don't always need to bow to people."
Dani smiled and her friends bid her a goodbye. It wasn't long for Tracey, Astoria, Blaise and Eric to join them. As part of the courtship, the Higgs were petitioning to join their alliance. if he did, that would make more than thirty Houses now, and the largest alliance in the Wizengamot. Dani looked a little nervous being the only first year among the fourth and sixth years walking towards the first floor.
"Do I need to do anything special for this tea?" Dani asked.
"No. If you are nervous just stick with Harry and I," Daphne told her.
"This is my first time too," Astoria said. "We can stick together if you need."
"I still don't know why I was invited," Eric said. "Last I knew my father and Slughorn were still at odds over something."
Theo and Blaise snorted. "Do you honestly not know?" Blaise asked in his condescending tone.
Eric frowned. "Our parents only signed the courtship last weekend. We aren't even part of your alliance yet, and even if we were, we don't have a Wizengamot seat anymore, even though my father is petitioning for it to become active again."
"He has a slight inclination," Theo responded.
Given Eric's response was why Harry and her had the feeling he really didn't know his father had tried to manoeuvre into the Greengrass seat. For a pureblood raised Slytherin, he was either playing the game better than most by acting like he didn't understand, or he really didn't. She really suspected the later since he was the younger brother and would have been fourth in line before. He had probably been allowed to be more of a normal child until recently, with her sister being the prize his father wanted, and Astoria and Eric just liking each other.
Eric caught on quickly. "I never asked for a courtship to take over Astoria's House," he said, looking at them all very worried now.
Daphne didn't blame him. Eric was of a lesser house, somewhere in the middle of the Wizengamot ranks if the Higgs were to get their seat back. The Thatchers were lower than him, but you had the Longbottom intended, the Heiress Clearwell and the Heiress Potter-Greengrass walking with him, all well above the Higgs in rank. "Eric, if father thought that was what you wanted, he would never have agreed to you and Astoria. Neither would my betrothed have allowed you to stay around."
Eric paled a little. Astoria put her chin up. "Harry would not have done that," she stated.
Blaise gave out a full laugh this time. "He was about to that day at Lightwater Valley. It was a good thing that Eric had no clue about what his father had asked."
Eric paled more.
"I don't understand," Dani said next to them.
Tracey came up and took the girl's arm. "I will explain it to you," she said with an impish grin.
When they got to the tea, Daphne wasn't surprised to see that this was more of a personal affair. Only those of the Potter-Greengrass Alliance, or those associated with them, was there. She suspected it had to do with this being the first chance that Slughorn had to interact with her and Harry as the heirs to the Potters and Greengrasses outside of class. The petition to join houses when they married was now set to be on the docket of the Winter Solstice, and she could swear the man was already salivating at the fact that he already had them partially ensnared. After this year, she had a feeling that they would get fully embroiled in his web. Harry needed some of his contacts to silently get the initial stages of the guild setup, and she wanted to use the man to press her agenda of Slytherin House. An agenda she was sure he would approve if it brought them closer to him.
"Ah, the rest of our party is here now," Slughorn said in his jovial manner. The man was in his element with the twenty people in the room. Harry, Hermione, Neville, Susan and Terry, Hannah, Luna, Ernie, the seven of them... she had to look twice... Ginny Weasley, Ronald Weasley, Lavender Brown, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe.
Her eyes narrowed. She could understand the Weasley's. They were part of their alliance, Ron was a good goalkeeper and Ginny was rumoured to be a right troll with a wand in charms and Defence, but the others? How many times had her father and Auntie Amelia rejected their applications in the last two years? She wanted Slughorn's help, but not at the cost of that group. She knew that Edgecombes were looking for a good match, and Cho and Cedric had fallen out after their courtship fell apart over the summer. There was no way she was going to let anyone sniff around Harry. Their betrothal was for each other, but it didn't preclude others to revive his other Houses. Daphne was determined to provide Harry with all the heirs he needed...
As the thought hit her, she felt her neck heat a little.
She knew what the betrothal meant, but she hadn't really thought about children. Their children.
Slughorn moved to them, his hand outstretched and shaking Daphne from her thoughts. She held out her hand and the older man took it to ghost his lips over it. "Heiress Potter-Greengrass, welcome to my little soiree. Your betrothed is already here, and I look forward to hearing all about the betrothal party you had. I heard quite a few of your friends and allies were there," the man said. He had been dancing around this the last two weeks in his classes. "Though, I was still hoping you might be able to help me convince the Scion Potter-Greengrass to come back to potions? He isn't really behind yet."
She gave the man a small smile that said she had no say in the matter. "I think that my Scion has made up his mind and it is a decision that I endorse, professor." The man's eyes betrayed his disappointment. "But I think there are other matters you may be able to help us this year and next."
The light in the man's eyes was almost sparkling. She knew this was the opportunity he had been pressing for for two years now. "I am rather intrigued, Ms Greengrass. Let me greet our other guests and we can talk about your needs when we sit."
Daphne felt a little dirty as the way the man was looking at her, and then cast a coveted look to Harry. He had wanted to 'collect' them, and now he would have a chance.
"And you, Ms Danforth, cousin to Scion Potter-Greengrass and ward of House Potter. All those that have been around Mr Potter and Ms Greengrass have shown great talent. I am curious to discover what yours is," the man said, repeating the process with Dani. Dani looked to Daphne a little worriedly. They had warned her what Slughorn could be like, but she had never really been prepared for something like this. If she had been a Gryffindor, she would probably never have to worry about it. Being a Slytherin and wanting to work with Daphne, she would need to learn.
"Thank you, professor," Dani said, sounding more like a question than a thanks.
The man smiled. "You are welcome, Ms Danforth."
When they were all greeted, she led Dani over to Harry. She sat between them at the table. As much as she wanted to sit with Harry, Dani was more important at the moment.
"Thank you all for coming to the first meeting of my little club this year. I think we all know each other, but there are a few new faces," Slughorn said, moving to introduce Dani, the Weasley's, her sister and Higgs. "If you like, I have a few choices of tea, biscuits and biscotti, or you can have some ice cream. The house elves have agreed to make the most delectable treats."
There was a smattering of thank yous before Slughorn said, "Mr Potter, it was indicated that you would like to talk to me about contacts?" The man must be desperate to get Harry and her, not even taking time to do his usual pleasantries. Neither of them could miss that all the others around the table were immediately drawn to Harry.
"I would like a word with you, professor," Harry said while stirring his tea. "But I would rather it be a private conversation. Maybe Daphne and Hermione would join me later to talk with you?"
"Oh ho. Secrecy I see. I have some grading to finish, but I can push that off until after dinner. Now, Ms Danforth, I understand that you have grown up with Muggles, like your cousin. How do you find our world after being at Hogwarts for a few weeks?" Slughorn asked, several other conversations taking up around the table.
Dani looked to her and she nodded. "I have known about wizards since last November. Daphne and Harry and the others have taken us to Diagon Alley a few times, and we have been to Grace Hall and Greengrass Manor a few times. Harry taught me to fly the last time I was there," she said with a big smile.
"Are you as much a natural as Mr Potter?" Slughorn asked.
Harry chuckled. "Not quite," Harry said. "I think she will be soon, though."
"Dani took off and almost flew outside the wards the first time you put her on your Nimbus," Daphne said, making the girl blush.
"I didn't mean too," Dani said.
Harry laughed. "She turned without my help and was flying all over the back field and orchards soon enough."
"It was fun," Dani said
"Should I be taking a friendly wager with the Headmistress about Ms Danforth challenging your record?"
Dani perked up as Harry said, "Nothing would make me happier, though I think that would be a challenge."
"Are you saying I can't?" Dani asked, looking a little fiercely. Daphne beamed on the inside. Yes, this girl was a firecracker when roused, but she had the drive to be a Slytherin.
Harry looked at her. "I am saying you have to work for it," he said.
"I can be just as good as you," Dani told him.
Slughorn laughed. "Nothing seems to raise the competitive nature like Quidditch, does it?"
By the glean in Harry's eye, he was probably going to talk to Katie about playing against his cousin if she got onto the team her first year, like Harry. Dani was a good flyer. Better than Daphne was, but not up to Harry's skill... yet. Give her a year or two and she might be closer.
"It does appear that anyone with Potter blood tends to be natural flyers," Neville said.
"What happened to you then?" Harry put to Neville with a smirk, turning to his other cousin.
"The Longbottoms not as much," Neville shot back with a cheeky grin, starting a good nature ribbing as Slughorn turned his attention to Cho and Marietta on his other side.
"And you, Ms Chang. Are you going to be seeker again this year? Sounds like you may have some good competition again," Slughorn asked.
Cho shook her head. "I've decided my time would be better spent focusing on my NEWTs, professor."
"Pity, since Harry isn't playing this year," Blaise said casually.
Daphne flashed a look to Blaise, unsure what he was playing at. Hermione looked equally unimpressed.
"Potter isn't playing seeker?" Cho asked, looking to him. "Why not? I thought that just a rumour."
Harry shrugged. "More important things to do," he told her.
Cho regarded him for a moment. "And if I rethought my decision?"
"I have no plans to play and turned down the captain's badge," Harry told her.
That had caused a stir when Katie Bell had let that loose. Most of Gryffindor was still on Harry to try-out next weekend. "You thinking you could finally win?" Blaise goaded.
He wanted her to play... Hermione saw it too and she knew the girl would get it out of Blaise, one way or the other.
Cho turned her eyes to Blaise. "I have won before, thank you," she snapped back.
"We don't need that type of competition today," Slughorn interrupted them. "Ms Chang, I hear your father has been looking for backers for a new business venture?"
AH! That was why Slughorn wanted them.
Dani leaned over to Harry. "Are all these teas like this?"
"Mostly. We only need to stay for another forty minutes," he whispered back.
Daphne smiled.
"I don't understand what just happened," Dani whispered.
"We'll explain later..." Harry perked up.
"...I heard from your father that he was disappointed in the Diggorys and has asked if you had anyone you might be interested in," Slughorn said. It was not usually talked about like that, but Slughorn mingled with the strong and powerful, and if someone like him was to set up a powerful political match, he would have enormous bragging rights, as well as favours owed.
Cho couldn't keep her displeasure hidden, nor could she keep her eyes wandering to Harry. "Yes. My father says he is starting some talks. I am not pleased with it, but it may work out in the end."
Daphne's mask was in full force as Harry took on his own. Dani looked confused, but the obvious icy glares from most of the room at her were hard to miss. Slughorn picked up on this. "Yes, well. Maybe I can give him some council. In the meantime, you shouldn't worry about it. And you, Ms Edgecombe. Your mother was recently promoted to the Head of Magical Transportation? Is there any new or interesting things happening there?"
Daphne was less than pleased. At least as Heiress Potter-Greengrass, she would be involved in all possible negotiations, and able to reject any proposals. She was also pretty sure that her father would not care for this match. She was also not going to share Harry. She would have to write father and mother this afternoon.
-oOo-
September 21, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry was dragging Daphne as he rushed up the stairs.
Daphne laughed behind him. "Harry, where are you dragging me?"
"A secret place that I just found earlier," Harry told her as they made it past the sixth-floor landing. She was very grateful she still ran and worked out with Harry. It was only Neville, Susan, Hermione and her that were keeping up with the schedules established fourth year. Blaise had cut down to every other day, and most of the others had just dropped it, or were doing what Professor Jones had her classes doing. Being able to run like this meant she could keep up with Harry when he was like this.
"Where is this secret place?" she asked, thinking Harry had just found a new place for them to keep exploring their relationship. Now they were betrothed, they really didn't have any restrictions and the way her parents and Auntie Amelia had kept an eye on them since the cotillion meant they had not gotten much further than they had before they became betrothed.
"The seventh floor," he told her.
They stopped before a painting of a man trying to teach trolls to dance, and right now they were only bashing each other. "Tell me that is not the secret," she said, looking at the painting.
Harry laughed as he took out his father's map. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he said with a huge grin. She moved over to see what he was looking for. Harry scanned it quickly, paging through the sixth and seventh floor. "Good. No one around. We are going to walk by this wall three times and I want you to think of somewhere you really want to be."
She raised an eyebrow. "I love you, Harry, but I think you are cracking."
"Probably. Just do it," he told her, pulling her along.
She rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm. Trying to think of something, her mind fell to her bedroom at home. When they passed the wall a third time, she was about to ask Harry what was going on when he indicated a door in the wall. She blinked. That had not been there a moment ago. "What is this?"
"Open the door," Harry said excitedly. She hadn't seen him this worked up in a while.
She gave him a dubious look, then opened the door that looked suspiciously like her own. Inside, the room she knew so well, was lain out before her. Stepping in, she asked, "How?"
Harry came in, wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his face next to hers. "Magic," he said.
She rolled her eyes. At times he loved using that line, having grown up in the Muggle world. "Obviously."
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea. One of the elves told me about it the other day when I was looking for a place to make a workshop. It can change into anything you want," he told her.
"Really? So, if I wanted a ball room? Or an intimate restaurant that you could take me too?" As she thought about the last place Harry had taken her to before they came back. It was a little disorientating to see the room change and morph, then the fancy restaurant came into view. It was empty, except for them, but it even had the smell she remembered. "This is wonderful," she said with a huge smile.
"I hadn't thought about that. I should have waited to show you this when I could have setup a date," he said in her ear.
She put her arms over his and patted his hand when she found it. "I'll forgive you this time. I think I'd rather the first room though."
The room changed back into her bedroom.
"What is so good about this room?" Harry asked, his mouth taking her ear into it.
Daphne felt a shiver go down her spine. She also felt herself responding. They hadn't really been able to get any alone time this past week, and it was still hours before dinner. She moved so that she could kiss him. After a few minutes, she had shifted so that they were facing each other, and she put her forehead on his as he leaned down enough. "Would you lay down in bed with me?" she asked him.
The grin that came to his face had her breath quicken. She wasn't sure she was ready to give herself totally to him, but she really wanted to go further. "I'll do anything you want, luv," Harry said, moving so he could kiss her.
When he pulled back, she gave out a squawk of surprise as he suddenly bent down, lifted her up and carried her to bed. Daphne laughed at his enthusiasm, then started to kiss his neck as he gently put her on the bed and moved to hover over her.