Chapter 27
Here In Wizengamot during the end of the September body of wizengamot.
"Any other announcements to be made, my lords?" asked Dumbledore at last.
Theodore Nott Sr put up his staff.
"The House of Nott would like to put forward the proposal for a marriage contract between Daphne Greengrass, the firstborn daughter of the House of Greengrass and my son and heir Theodre Nott Jr."
A hush descended over the hall. Cyrus Greengrass clenched his fists.
"I am afraid that the House of Greengrass must reject this kind offer, Lord Nott." He said politely. Muttering broke out across the hall. The Greengrass family was not as powerful as the House of Nott, everyone knew that. Cyrus refusing the contract was as good as signing his death sentence. Amos Diggory looked at Cyrus sympathetically Parkinson and Crabbe looked at Cyrus as though he was crazy.
"I see." Said Theodre sr his eyes hard. If looks could kill, Cyrus would have been dead on the floor by now. "Thank you for your reply, Lord Greengrass. I hope that you have made this decision after careful thought."
Cyrus smiled. "Of course, Theodore. However, I do have an announcement of my own to make. The House of Greengrass is pleased to announce an alliance with the Houses Potter, Peverell Gryffindor, on account of the ancient betrothal contract between my eldest daughter, Daphne Greengrass and Hadrian James Potter-Slytherin-Peverell-Gryffindor, Heir of the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses of Potter, Peverell, Slytherin and Gryffindor."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "It cannot be permitted!" Mentally he weighed the pros and cons of of greengrass family lordship going to that brat he could not be controlled but It should go to Thomas who could easily be manipulated and controlled
"Chief Warlock, you forget yourself." Interjected Griselda Marchbanks sternly. "You cannot object to any alliance that may be brought about between houses or betrothal contracts for that matter."
"Thank you, Madam Marchbanks." Smiled James. "The Houses of Potter, Peverell and Gryffindor accept the alliance." Magic flashed as the alliance was ratified.(After reconciliation James was made Lord Potter, Charlus remaining the head of Potter Clan)
"The House of Greengrass is also pleased to announce an alliance with the House of Black" Cyrus announced
"The House of Black also accepts the alliance with the House of Greengrass." Chimed in Sirius. Magic flashed once again.
"Any more announcements?" asked Dumbledore weakly. His plans were turning to dust before his eyes.
"The meeting is adjourned!" announced Dumbledore, at last. Everyone started leaving the hall. Cyrus embraced James and Sirius before leaving.
Harry lined up on the Quidditch field with his brand new team, leading them out to where Madam Hooch was refereeing. They had 3 new players- Tracey and a 6th year girl called Emily Wayne were the new chasers and the keeper was a 5th year player called Jeff Malone. The weather was horrendous- the rain was lashing down and it was stormy; Harry could have made the Hufflepuffs play instead but he didn't want to look afraid in front of the school.
The Gryffindors were approaching from the opposite side of the field, wearing red and gold robes. Harry walked up to Wood and shook the older captain's hand. "Sweaty palms," he smiled. "Looks like someone's nervous," he teased. Wood flushed a bit but he didn't respond.
"Mount Your brooms!" called Hooch. Harry pulled his right foot out of the mud with a squelch and swung it over his Nimbus 2001.
Madam Hooch put her whistle to her lips and gave it a hard blast — they were off. Harry rose fast, but his Nimbus was swerving slightly with the wind. He held it as steady as he could and turned, squinting into the rain. Within five minutes Harry was soaked to his skin and frozen. He flew backward and forward across the field past blurred red and yellow shapes, with no idea of what was happening in the rest of the game. He couldn't hear the commentary over the wind. The crowd was hidden beneath a sea of cloaks and battered umbrellas.
Twice Harry came very close to being unseated by a Bludger and twice he nearly hit another player. It was getting harder and harder to hold his broom straight. The sky was getting darker, as though night had decided to come early.
"I want a time-out," he told Hooch, flying over to her and her simply.
With the first flash of lightning came the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle and the whole team splashed down into the mud. "I called for time-out!" he said to his team. "Come on, under here —"
They huddled at the edge of the field under a large umbrella; Harry took off his glasses and wiped them hurriedly on his robes. "What's the score?"
"We're fifty points up," said Emily, the chaser. "But unless we get the Snitch soon, we'll be playing into the night."
"I can't see it anywhere in the dark," Harry admitted. "But I have an idea," he said and the team huddled in. "Okay, team, let's go for it!" he said excitedly, breaking apart the huddle.
"And the play resumes!" called out Lee Jordan the commentator. "Wayne has the quaffle, passes it to Davis who throws it to Malfoy but is intercepted by Johnson. She throws it towards Bell, but what's this!? Potter swooped in and took the quaffle for himself!" Harry had dived in and grabbed the quaffle out of the air, pulling his broom up and guiding it towards the Gryffindor goalposts. "I don't believe it! He's playing an interfering seeker, and just watch him go! He's ducking and weaving like a madman, and he passes it to Black who chucks it to Davis. She takes aim and throws it to Wood's left, and he dives right and Slytherin scores!"
The game continued like this for a while, Harry playing chaser since he couldn't see the snitch and Slytherin extended their lead to 130 points. There was another clap of thunder, followed immediately by forked lightning. This was getting more and more dangerous. Harry needed to get the Snitch quickly otherwise he'd be playing chaser through the whole night — he turned, intending to head back toward the middle of the field, but at that moment, another flash of lightning illuminated the stands, throwing a tiny speck of gold into the light.
He broke away from the Slytherin chasers and rushed off on his broom into a seemingly meaningless direction.
"And what's this?" Lee called out. "Yes, Potter's seen the snitch and Bale's not too far behind."
Harry looked behind him and Bale was right on his tail, Harry threw himself flat to the broom handle and zoomed toward the Snitch.
"Come on!" he growled at his Nimbus as the rain whipped his face. "Faster!" He reached for the snitch with an outstretched hand and just as he caught it, lightning flashed throwing him off his broom. Harry tumbled down towards the ground, the snitch still in his hand.
"Potter's fallen from his broom!" shouted Lee. "He's got the snitch but at what cost?" Gameplay had stopped by now and everyone was looking at Harry as he plummeted down. Why weren't the teachers doing anything?
Harry managed to pull out his wand and pointed it at his broom that was falling slower than him. He thought accio in his head and his Nimbus 2001 suddenly turned in midair and rushed towards him. Harry grabbed it when it came to him, and forced himself over the broom, pulling upwards right before he hit the ground. He'd done it- he'd survived and Slytherin had won by 250 points.
It was the week leading up to Valentine's Day and romance was in the air. Quite literally in fact. Somehow Fred and George had managed to make an odorless gas that whenever inhaled would make the inhalers very romantic all of a sudden. Luckily, the teacher had managed to clear all of it away but there had been some rather unfortunate incidents involving one with Hagrid and Flitwick. Some traces of said gas still lingered in abandoned parts of the castle where unsuspecting ghosts would sniff upon and feel bouts of love overtake them.
Harry walked in the hallway as he was thinking of a plan to ask Daphne out . A 4th year girl from Slytherin walked up to him all of a sudden and Harry noticed she was blushing lightly and wearing a touch too much makeup. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Um," she stammered her confidence melting away when she came face to face with Harry. "Can I talk to you privately?" she asked.
"Oh no," thought Harry inside his head. "Sure," was what came out of his mouth. "Excuse us for a moment," he said to his friends who were snorting and giggling, apart from Daphne who was looking at the girl like she had murdered her favourite pet. "So..." prompted Harry.
"I was wondering if-if-if-" She was having trouble with the last part of that sentence like it was stuck in her throat.
"Yes?" asked Harry, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.
"I was wondering if you would like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" she said quickly her jaw clamping shut as soon as she'd said the words. Even after the news of Marriage contract being headed by the daily prophet for about a week this girl had the nerve to ask him out. He couldn't blame her; it was a common practice in pureblood circles to date many girls before marriage even if they were betrothed.
"So let me get this straight," said Harry slowly while his mind worked furiously trying to think of a way to break this to her gently. "You're asking me, Hadrian Potter, to go to Hogsmeade with you, on Valentine's Day?" he asked, trying to make her realize that she was asking out a guy she had never talked to. Unfortunately for him, she nodded. "I'm flattered, honestly, I'm flattered, but the thing is, I'm already going with someone else," he lied.
"Oh," she said quietly. "I didn't know," she squealed out and walked away embarrassed. Harry's friends struggled to hold their laughter and Daphne's sudden frown turned into a smile.
"Having girl trouble?" asked Rigel, Draco smiling evilly.
"How much did you both hear?" groaned Harry.
"Enough, to confirm you aren't cheating on my sister" Draco shrugged.
"So how did you get her to go away?" Rigel asked curiously
"I told her that I'm going with someone already," said Harry. Daphne, who had lagged behind and was chatting with Tracey, heard the last few words of this phrase and her good mood vanished once more.
"And are you?" asked Draco.
"No I am planning to ask Daphne out" said Harry but Daphne was out of earshot. "What about you? Has the charming Draco Malfoy got a date yet? And I know Rigel asked Tracey out which he decided to surprise us now you can punish him later now answer my question Draco'' at which Rigel was stuttering
"No," sighed Draco. "Most of the girls are airheads and I don't like anyone that isn't one."
"But has a girl actually asked you out yet?"
"Yes- several. Mostly from Slytherin since I'm a Malfoy." He said that last part sadly but Harry didn't pick up on it. "And a couple from Ravenclaw, though I declined. Because I'd rather date someone I actually know instead of a random girl that puts on a bit of lipstick."
"Well what about someone you know then?" asked Harry.
"Daphne and Tracey are out of the list but there's Susan, Hannah, Terry and there's even Granger if you're feeling desperate." Rigel said grinning
"I have standards Black," retorted Draco. "And even someone who's life depended on it wouldn't go out with Granger."
"Fair enough," agreed Rigel ,Harry was laughing loudly imagining Draco and Granger as a couple.
Daphne walked into her room, threw her bag on her chair and leaped onto her bed, burying her face under her pillow. So many girls had asked out Harry that afternoon that she had lost count of the number, though she knew it was because he was nice, friendly, good at magic, smelt like- what was she doing!
"Can I come in?" asked Tracey knocking on Daphne's door. "Or do you just want to mope around for a while?"
Daphne raised her head slightly and turned it towards the doorway to see Tracey leaning against the frame with a smirk plastered on her face. "Fine," he grumbled.
Tracey walked into her room and lay down on Daphne's bed beside her. "How come you're collapsed on your bed?" she asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." Daphne shoved her head back under the pillow and turned away from Tracey.
"Sounds like boy trouble Daph," Tracey teased, trying to take the pillow away from Daphne. "Maybe you're jealous Harry hasn't asked you out yet?"
Daphne slowly removed her head from her pillow and glared at Tracey. "How obvious was I? That idiot told me we can keep the contract aside and we can be like a normal couple but no he hasn't asked me out just turned out to be like other Pureblood men that's it" she said sadly.
"Very obvious. You practically lit up when Harry rejected that first girl and you became even more sour whenever another girl tried to ask him out. And then you became happy again when he rejected them and Harry the saint who practically loves you will be like the other Pureblood gits."
"It doesn't matter anyway," she whined. "He's already going with someone else. He is already cheating on me"
"Since when?" asked Tracey. "He never said that."
"Didn't you hear? He told Draco and Rigel that he'd be going with someone else to Hogsmeade." Tracey suddenly started laughing leaving Daphne feeling very confused, and that confusion turned to annoyance. "Stop laughing! It's not funny!"
"I'm sorry," snorted Tracey. "But it's hilarious! You misheard Harry!" she laughed.
"Wait what?"
"You misheard him," explained Tracey in between giggles. "He only said that to that girl to make her go away. He's not going with anyone, yet and he also told he is thinking of a plan to ask you out"
"Really?" asked Daphne sitting up happily and Tracey nodded as she leapt off the bed and hugged her best friend tightly.
Harry knocked on Daphne's door gently, feeling very self-conscious all of a sudden.
"Go away!" called out Daphne angrily and Harry's sports fell, but before he could leave Tracey opened the door and rushed outside.
"She doesn't mean that," Tracey said. "Now come here," she ordered, grabbing his arm.
"Hey, hey," protested Harry as she dragged him away from Daphne's room.
"So I'm guessing you're here to ask her out?" asked Tracey without any notice.
"Yes," said Harry, still a little confused. "Wait, how did you know that?"
"You're too obvious," she said placatingly. "Now go on!" she said, leading him back to the door of Daphne's room.
"Wait! Did she tell you if she likes me? You know she didn't tell me if she too liked me the day our families met in their manor" Harry told her sadly.
"She wouldn't tell me," lied Tracey. "You'll just have to find out for yourself!" She pushed him into the room and shut the door and left, leaving Harry alone with Daphne.
"Who was Traitor Trace?" asked Daphne tiredly.
"It was Harry," said Harry casually.
"Oh," said Daphne sadly. "What did he- wait, Harry!" she said surprisedly, having recognised his voice.
"Took you long enough," Harry said, coming over to where she was laying down on her bed.
"What are you doing here? How did you even get in?" she asked, getting off her bed and trying to push him out the door embarrassedly.
Harry dodged her arms and backed away from her amusedly. "Tracey let me in," he explained.
"That little-"
"Daph, chill. I wanted to talk to you anyway," he said, getting more nervous as each second passed.
"Yeah? About what?" asked Daphne. She was trying her hardest not to blush but she could feel her cheeks heating up.
"I was wondering if you'd like to-" Harry clammed up at these last few words, realizing that he was in way over his head. "Know what never matters. We can talk later." He proceeded to turn around and grasped the door handle hesitantly. "Screw it," he thought. He turned around as quickly as he could and knelt on one knee, and Daphne's jaw dropped. "Will you, Daphne Elizabeth Greengrass, go to Hogsmeade with me?" he asked quickly, his occlumency doing nothing to stop his cheeks from heating up.
"So you're asking me, Daphne," began Daphne mimicking the way he had rejected that 4th year Slytherin girl, "to go to Hogsmeade with you, on Valentine's Day?" Harry nodded quickly, feeling that he wasn't about to like what was coming next. "I..." She paused dramatically and Harry's green eyes widened with nervousness. "...will."
"Yes!" shouted Harry happily, getting off his knee and hugging his date. "Meet at 11 outside the Great Hall? Remember I told you to forget about the contract" he asked hopefully, letting her go.
"Sure," agreed Daphne happily. "But I want flowers, I remember it" she reminded him.
"Roses or something different?" asked Harry.
"Surprise me," retorted Daphne and led Harry out of her room. Once he had left, she shut the door and jumped into her bed face first, smiling all the way through her pillow.
"You're looking unusually happy," noted Rigel when Harry came back into the common room.
"You would too if you'd seen what just happened."
"So the plan was a success" Rigel asked practically jumping
"Yesss!" Harry screamed out in happiness
"Hi Harry," said Daphne smiling when she met Harry at the Great Hall.
"Hey Daph," he greeted back. "You look beautiful," he said. She was wearing black shoes and blue jeans, and she had a fluffy white jacket over a blue shirt. She had curled up her hair at the tips and she had a light touch of lipstick on.
"Thank you," she smiled brightly at the compliment. "You look wonderful as well, though your hair's uneven as always," she joked.
"I tried flattening it but I didn't want to use so much hair gel that I smelled like hippogriff poop," he explained. "I guess it's part of the Potter package," sighed Harry. "Oh, and I got these for you," he said, bringing out the flowers he was hiding behind his back. Daphne's happy smile vanished at the sight of them and she let out a sneeze. "Bless you," comforted Harry. "Do you not like them?" he asked nervously.
"It's not that," said Daphne. "I'm allergic to white roses," she explained and Harry cringed. A few minutes in and the date was already going badly. He hurriedly passed them to a 4th year that was walking by.
"Sorry about the flowers," he said. "Tori said that they were your favorite."
"I'm going to have a talk with her after this," Daphne grumbled as she rubbed her nose. "I appreciate the sentiment though and I'm not mad."
"Phew," said Harry happily. "Where are my manners?" Harry asked himself aloud, offering his hand to Daphne. "So, shall we?" Daphne took his hand and they walked out of the castle.
They walked over to the place where Professor McGonagall was checking everyone's permission slips, which they'd had no trouble with. After that, they had to endure Argus Filch repeatedly poking and prodding them with security sensors to make sure they weren't smuggling illegal contraband out of the school. A few very awkward minutes later, they arrived at the carriages.
"My lady," he said, opening the carriage door for her and helping her enter it.
"You're being very gentleman-like," Daphne commented as Harry sat down next to her.
"What can I say? You have that effect on me," Harry replied without missing a beat.
"Flattery will not get you brownie points with me Potter," she reminded him even though she laughed happily at his comment.
"But what if it's not flattery Greengrass?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow.
"Then I've just found a potential boyfriend," said Daphne snuggling closer to Harry and resting her head on his shoulder. Harry had no response to that.
"Hogsmeade changed a lot since we were last here," Harry commented as he helped Daphne off her carriage.
"Yet it's still the same," said Daphne finishing Harry's sentence. The last time both of them had been here was on Daphne's 8th birthday and since it hadn't been snowing that day, Hogsmeade had reminded them of a quaint village they'd once visited in the summer.
Hogsmeade was a small picturesque village consisting of cottages, shops and pubs, with enchanted candles similar to the ones in the Great Hall but they hung in the leafless trees. There was snow everywhere and the whole village was something you'd see on the front of a Christmas card.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Harry asked as they held hands and began walking around the village.
"I was thinking we should go to the book shop," suggested Daphne. "You know, get the boring stuff out the way."
"Fine," agreed Harry, suppressing a frown. "But you have to come to the Quidditch shop with me as well," he said and she groaned.
Harry and Daphne walked out of the Quidditch shop having completed all their boring shopping in a record time. Unlike many people in Hogsmeade, they were not laden with bags since they'd shrunk them down to fit into their pockets. "So where is Daphne next?" asked Harry.
"How about Madam Puddifoot's?" Daphne asked, pointing to a small shop that was pink everywhere and decorated far too pinkishly for any sane person's taste.
"Um," stuttered Harry nervously. Truth be told, he was ready to burn down that monstrosity if given the chance but he didn't want to look bad in front of Daphne.
"I'm kidding!" laughed Daphne. "No person in their right mind would go there!"
"I knew I made the right decision in asking you out, my great grandfather did the best choice by making that contract with greengrasses imagine me coming to Hogsmeade with bulstrode" Harrycringed at that imagination and soon he was covered with guilt for bringing the contract in the discussion where they had to forget about the contract. "Daph I am really sorry for bringing the contract..."
"You should have seen the look on your face." Daphne giggled imagining Harry and bulstrode together, stopping herself before she began looking weird. "No problem. How about the Three Broomsticks though?"
"That I can get behind," agreed Harry, taking her hand gently and leading her to the bar.
The Three Broomsticks was a decently large bar with a very hospitable atmosphere and it was run by Madam Rosmerta, a welcoming witch that greeted everyone that entered jovially. Harry and Daphne took a table towards the back and away from the adults playing cards and gambling and smoking.
"I'll get us a couple of butterbeers," said Harry once Daphne had sat down at the table.
"Sure," agreed Daphne and looked around the bar while she waited for Harry.
"What's the matter with Greengrass?" asked a shrill voice. "Date ditched you?"
Daphne looked around to see both Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode looking menacingly at her. "Just gone to get some butterbeer," shrugged Daphne, confused as to why they were hostile to her all of a sudden.
"By the looks of it, he's too busy chatting up some other blonde chick." Millicent Bulstrode pointed to Harry who was talking uncomfortably to a blond girl Daphne had seen a couple times around the school.
"Lucky for me I'm not insecure," Daphne muttered, turning away from where she was looking back to Pansy and Millicent.
"Hey girls," said Harry, appearing at Daphne's side before she could say anything to Pansy and Millicent. "Why don't you give me and Daph here some time alone?" he suggested and both Pansy and Millicent hurried away instantly. "What was going on with those two?" asked Harry, sitting down and passing Daphne her bottle.
"They were being twats," said Daphne, shaking her bottle gently. "We got on fine before this, but suddenly they're so hostile."
"Well it may be because they both asked me out the day after you accepted," said Harry.
"And now they're mad at me for stealing you," finished Daphne. "What was going on with that girl over there?" Daphne asked suddenly.
"Oh her? She was flirting with me and I had to let her down as gently as I could," Harry explained snuggling closer. "It's adorable how you get so possessive," he smiled.
"I am not possessive!" complained Daphne. "I just don't want anyone else flirting with you!"
"That's the problem when you go out with a pretty face." Harry shrugged, taking a sip of his butterbeer.
"So you think you're pretty, do you?" asked Daphne.
"Well, I did manage to land the most beautiful girl in the school," Harry said, smiling gently. This time, Daphne had no response for him.
Having finished their butterbeer and visited a few more shops, Harry and Daphne leaned gently on the fence that closed off the Shrieking Shack. The Shrieking Shack was a large, decaying building covered in snow, cobwebs and mold that you could see from afar and it was said that howls and screams could be heard on full moons.
"This is meant to be the most haunted building in the country," said Daphne with an attempt at a spooky voice. "Apparently the ghosts that lived here have finally gone quiet."
"Yeah," agreed Harry distractedly. He didn't want to tell Daphne the real reason why it was considered haunted- it was Remus's secret to tell not his. "Wanna go closer?" he asked suddenly.
"I was wondering when you'd say that," agreed Daphne, stepping back. Suddenly, a snowball flew through the air and smacked her right in the back of the head. "Ow!" she yelped, crouching down to get the snow out of her jacket.
"Who was that?" asked Harry angrily, turning around. He found himself standing in front of Ronald Weasley of all people and he resisted the urge to put his face in his hands.
"There's more where that snake came from!" shouted Ron picking up another snowball and throwing it at Harry this time, who managed to duck under it.
"What is your problem?" asked Harry, putting his arms in front of him to shield himself from the incoming snowball. "Just let me and Daphne exist peacefully!"
"This. Is. What. You. Get. For. A. Slimy. Snake." Ron said, with each word being punctuated by a snowball that Harry blocked, ducked under or sidestepped around.
"Do you wanna just deal with him?" Daphne asked, having finally got the snow out of the back of her jacket.
"I'm ready when you are," quipped Harry, pulling both of them down to avoid the next snowball. They both looked at each other and right as Ron threw the next snowball Harry popped back up and brought up a shield charm that the next snowball bounced off of.
While Daphne began scooping up snow and molding them into snowballs. Just as Ron stood up ready to throw the next snowball he had constructed, she threw her own one that smacked him right in the face.
"Eat that!" she shouted having gotten payback for getting hit in the back of the head.
"Can I have a go as well?" asked Harry, feeling very excited as Ron got back up.
"I don't see why not," Daphne smiled. Harry kneeled down and fashioned his own snowball, and threw it. His aim was true and he clocked Ron right on the face. "Woohoo!" cheered Daphne. "We should do this more often," she said.
"We really should," said Harry, looking away from her and back to Ron. Unfortunately for him, he saw a snowball coming right at him. "Uh oh."
Harry and Daphne stepped off the carriage feeling wet and cold despite the several warming and drying charms they'd cast upon themselves. Weasley had had a few tricks up his sleeve and had recruited a few of his Gryffindor monkeys to assist against them (though Harry was happy to see Thomas didn't join in) and it had escalated into a massive snowball fight when a few of Harry and Daphne's friends had seen them getting barraged by several Gryffindors.
Harry and Daphne had managed to slink away from the kerfuffle but not after they'd been thoroughly snowballed (though they'd managed to smack each of the Gryffindors with a snowball in the face at least once) and Harry was pretty sure Daphne was mad.
"Sorry our date got ruined," he said apologetically.
"It was Weasley's fault not yours," said Daphne. "And anyway, I still had a great time."
"If you had such a great time, how about we end this date on-" That was as far as Harry got before Daphne got closer and placed her lips on his. The kiss lasted for a few seconds and it had been their first of the day, and by the time they pulled away from each other they were both slightly pinkish.
"Wow," muttered Harry. "That was-"
"Yeah," Daphne finished for him. "Does this mean we're now officially dating?" she asked him.
"That is, if you're willing to be my girlfriend of course," said Harry regaining some of his confidence.
"I'm fine with that," agreed Daphne happily.
"So am I," said Harry as Daphne leaned in to kiss him again.
The next few months passed like a blaze for Harry. Harry and Daphne had begun dating officially in that time and had grown more and more comfortable with each other as each day passed. They had taken their relationship out into the open after a week or so and it was received very well. It was no surprise for people as the Wizengamot meeting had revealed about the contract which was a heading news of Daily Prophet for a week for the disgust of Potters and Greengrasses.
To Daphne's surprise, Tracey and Rigel had begun dating as well having gone out on Valentine's Day together though they had revealed the fact they were doing so after Harry and Daphne. While Ron had continued to grind on Harry's nerves, Thomas and Hermione had been quite quiet; Hermione most likely because she had been warned harshly and Thomas because the potions were out of his system he knew about the contract.
Harry pulled out a book to read after the pile of cards had blown up in his face. The end of the year had been a glorious event- Slytherin had managed to win the House Cup and Dumbledore had kept his favoritism to himself, and they'd also won the Quidditch Cup in the last match against Hufflepuff, whom they had destroyed. Remus had decided to quit teaching for a year as he was asked by Sirius black for assistance in a new NGO which Potters, Black and Malfoys were making for werewolves which would supply top quality Wolfsbane to every Werewolf of the country and Remus ofcourse was being paid for revealing all the werewolves and happy to assist them.
"Can I read as well?" asked Daphne, snuggling closer to him. Harry looked at her curiously, realizing why she was asking. He wiped the soot from her left eyebrow and put the book down a bit lower so both of them could read. "Thanks," Daphne muttered.
"Aren't they adorable?" Tracey asked Rigel.
"They're like a married couple already," Rigel agreed, grinning.
"How long do you think until Harry pops the question?" Draco retorted a sly smile creeping up on his face. Well, at least until Harry lightly kicked both him and Rigel in the shin.
"We can hear you, you know, and yes actually we will be married" he reminded both of them.
"And if you're going to make fun of us, we're going to make this train ride very uncomfortable for you guys," Daphne said smugly, pulling Harry into a long kiss from which they separated after almost 10 seconds. "Do you want me to continue?"
"Yes," said Harry cheekily.
"NO!" said everyone else in the compartment, conceding defeat.
"Thank you," huffed Daphne slightly annoyed. "And anyway, you and Rigel really can't complain about us," she looked at Tracey while saying so. "You've been clinging to each other ever since you got together."
"We have not!" said Tracey and Rigel at the same time, shuffling a bit further away from each other while Harry and Draco snorted.
"Rigel you know last year my grandfather told me he had a source to gather information about me and i found out the source and punished him" Harry said smiling cheekily at Rigel who understood where he was heading to
"Wait it was because of you Rigels hair were pink on the day we met in Potters Castle" Daphne said remembering it
"Yes" Harry said
"Anyway this year someone else has given me a offer to hire me as their source and guess what i will be happy to be the source" Harry said grinning at Rigel who was pale
"No Harry you will not tell father about me ,I have apologized for that thing" Rigel began pleading in front of Harry he still remembered how his father had embarrassed him in the end of first year by calling Tracey his girl and if he gets to know about his and Traceys relationship he cannot live in his house with his father constantly teasing him and not mention his grandfather Rigel shivered at that thought of Arcturus Black the famous Blood purist will he approve his relationship with Tracey a Halfblood?
Harry saw Rigel's face and understood Rigel was thinking about how his family would react to his relationship with Tracey. His father would be the happiest his Mother would give him lecture on being respectful to Tracey and be Happy too his Grandparents shiit! They were the problem Harry had to find a solution for his friend's misery.
When the train stopped, Harry got off and kissed Daphne before he went to find Remus, who was apparating him home. He grabbed onto Remus's arm and they were apparated into Potter Castle where they were greeted by his grandparents.
"Harry," greeted Dorea, hugging him. "How was the year? Remus tells me you finally asked Daphne out ."
"Let the boy breathe Dorea," said Charlus gruffly, hugging his grandson as well. "Anyway, I think it's my right as Lord Potter to ask him about this stuff first."
"Then am I not Lady Potter?" asked Dorea, bringing them both inside. "Flopsy," she called out and a house-elf appeared at her side.
"Yes Lady and Lord Potter," greeted the house-elf before noticing Harry. "Master Harry's back!" she greeted happily. "And so is Master Remus!"
"Good evening to you too Flopsy," said Harry with Remus giving similar greetings.
"Can we have some drinks please?" asked Dorea. Flopsy snapped her fingers and 1 bottle of butterbeer and 3 fire whiskeys appeared in front of each person. Everyone plucked theirs out the air, taking a small sip to make sure it was right.
'Will youse be needing anything else?'' asked Flopsy and Dorea shook her head. Flopsy disappeared with a loud crack.
"Now Harry, tell us about your time with the girl," said his grandmother as she and everyone else took a seat. Harry explained everything to them they all were smiling
"Grandfather, I have brought you an opportunity to pay back your source who used to spy upon me last year. He is currently in a problem" Harry said, suddenly changing the conversation.
"What happened Harry, don't tell me Rigel ended up in trouble. I thought that boy was more like his mother than his father .." Charlus was about to start when Dorea stopped him
"First listen to the boy Charlus" Dorea snapped at him which made Charlus quite
"Well he began dating Tracey Davis, Daphne's best friend this year during Valentine's day" Harry said
"That's wonderful news so what does he wants me to do? To set up a marriage contract between them?" Charlus said smiling
"No Grandfather seriously hear me out first! The problem is Tracey is a halfblood" Harry said it in one breath
"So what's the problem you know Harry we dont believe in Blood purists philosophy" Charlus said a matter of fact but Dorea understood what harry meant
"Charlus you idiot not everyone is like you think of your dear friend, my brother what will he do when he hears that his Heir is dating a Halfblood" Dorea said to Charlus who was smiling at her
"Dora do you still believe your brother is still a Blood pureist after his family went extinct last war" Charlus smiled at her
"Your brother has changed Dora, the blood purist Arcturus Black is long gone. He once himself told me that his family may not remain pureblooded in future as his heir is in love with a Halfblood witch which he approves" Charlus said
"Wow so uncle Arcturus knew it" Harry said in disbelief
"What do you think Harry we are grandparents we understand each and everything in your heart and mind" Charlus said smiling at his beloved Heir
"That reminds me," said Charlus standing up. He walked over to a nearby table and brought out a few slips of paper. "I've got us tickets to the Quidditch World Cup," he exclaimed. "Front row seats to see Ireland vs Bulgaria."
"Let's go!" shouted Harry hugging his grandfather. "So, who's coming with us?"
"Me and your grandmother aren't going," explained Charlus. "We'll be enjoying our anniversary in Hawaii, though Remus and Sirius will go with you, and all of your friends and yes your lovely Girlfriend is coming as well."
"Oh," said Harry, not sure what to say. On one hand, he was happy they had tickets and his friends were going, but on the other hand his grandparents wouldn't be there though they would be having a great time in Hawaii. "This is all fine, but you have to bring me something from Hawaii," he bargained.
"Of course we will." Dorea smiled, taking a sip of her firewhiskey. "As long as you bring us something from the World Cup as well."
Harry nodded at this it was a fair deal
Review please.
4th year will be very good it will be more like game of thrones and to my regret Harry will die in 4th year.