Chapter 5

As Daphne and Susan went arm and arm towards the gathering of people they approached Hannah Abbott, Hermione Granger, and Cho Chang. As the two arrived Susan said, "Good evening ladies. If you haven't been introduced, or haven't spoken to this lovely lady in a while this is Healer Daphne Greengrass. She works at St. Mungos in the spell damage ward."

Hannah and Cho both said fairly quiet hellos while Hermione greeted her with a hug that Daphne wasn't expecting, "I am glad you are here! Harry told us he was going to invite you, but the boys guessed you weren't going to come. I am glad you proved them wrong."

Before Daphne could reply Hannah asked in a conspirtal whisper, "So I saw two glasses of Firewhiskey come out back to back pretty fast. Harry doesn't usually bring it out until later in the evening when the other Professors arrive. What's up there?"

Susan grinned, "Well the first one he pulled out a firewhiskey from the year all of us were born, and declared that he hoped he was going to get lucky with all three of us, and then toasted to the fallen."

The girls all gasped and Hermione shook her head in exasperation, "He didn't really say that did he?"

Susan just slyly smiled, "Sorry girls you were all over here gossiping while Daphne and I were in on the real action. Right Daphne?"

The girls all looked at her, and the looks on their faces were hilarious so she humored Susan, "He certainly implied it."

Cho and Hannah giggled, while Hermione groaned, "Whatever happened to the boy from the cupboard who could barely form words around you Cho."

Cho merely looked out towards Harry who was laughing with Tracey about something, "He grew into something pretty special. Good thing for all of us too, where the hell would we be without him? I should've locked that man down ten years ago when I had him desperate for my attention."

Hermione and Susan rolled their eyes while Daphne could tell Hannah was fighting back a snort, but it was hard to disagree with her that he had turned into something special. Then however she looked at Hermione strangely as she finally processed her comment about the cupboard. What had she meant by that?

Susan then asked, "So Cho how is Michael Corner these days I noticed he isn't here? I half expected you to finally show up with a ring on that finger."

Cho scoffed, "He ran off with some professional quidditch player on the Brazillian National Team he met while working the World Cup a few years back. I think they were sleeping together for a while before he called off things with me. I am actually trying to see a Muggle man right now. He is interesting, and I think I quite like him."

Hermione beamed at this, "Wow Cho that's awesome what does he do?"

The girls chatted about Cho's new boyfriend who was a pilot for some big American Company, and how kind he had been to her over the last few months. Daphne wasn't very interested in the girl's love life, but politely listened in. Her eyes mostly kept going back to Tracey and Harry who seemed to be sampling all the food and having a great time. This made Daphne smile glad Tracey was having a good time. She herself was just enjoying having a civilized conversation with other females that didn't have to be about scandals, or politics. This was just friends catching up with each other, and Daphne was happy Hermione and Susan were quick to include her in the group.

The conversation turned shortly though and Hannah was asking her a question about what it was like being a healer claiming to have interest in one day joining the field of healing, "Well it's dreadfully boring working on the Graveyard shift most nights. No visitors are obviously allowed by the time I come in, and most of the patients are asleep until about an hour or two before my shift ends. So sometimes I will check on patients while they eat breakfast but for three quarters of my shift I just keep an eye on things with Tracey. There are supposed to be two healers on duty for the floor, but we have been so short handed that rarely happens. I serve as the emergency room healer basically when trauma victims come in, and if I was desperate for help the healer in charge of the whole hospital could step in to help.."

Hermione then commented with a smile, "So then sometimes you have six aurors come in with their dying best friend in complete, and utter panic making things go from zero to one hundred at lightning speed."

The girls all giggled and Daphne smiled taking a sip of her new drink that was some type of apple cocktail, "Yes, and sometimes that happens too."

This made the other three girls burst into laughter. Clearly Cho and Hannah had been told the story. When the laughs died down Hermione said, "You know Cho, Hannah, we could always use the extra wands on our team. Any interest in joining us? I know Harry trusts you two, and I remember you girls being pretty decent in a fight."

Cho immediately shook her head, "If you had asked me a year ago I think I might've been tempted, but these days I like my quiet life with the Ministry and going out with this new guy."

Hannah looked at Neville sighing, "If Neville and I weren't together I think I would like too. Harry told me himself that I was a better fighter than a play by the rules duelist, and invaluable during the Battle of Hogwarts, but I'm not like you, Hermione. I don't think I could put the needs of the team ahead of keeping Neville safe. I think I'd be a liability."

Hermione nodded in understanding, "Believe me it's not easy. Harry is like my brother while Ron is more than just my boyfriend. If anything happened to anyone on our team I would be devastated, but it's why we all fight so hard. If you ever change your mind though, or need something exciting please shoot a patronus and we will get you on ASAP."

Cho sighed, "I'm not sure I can even still cast it. I haven't tried in five years."

Just as Daphne was sure Hermione was going to ask her to pull her wand and try some new voices entered the hall, and cheers of excitement went up from around the room. The rest of the Hogwarts Professors had arrived. This included Mcgonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Hagrid, and a few others Daphne recognized from her school days. People were practically surrounding the professors as they came offering food, drinks, and greetings.

The three girls drifted off while Susan and Daphne hung back from the greetings. Susan who was drinking the same thing as Daphne said, "Trelawney is invited to this every year you know, but after the first year I think she was too embarrassed to come back."

Daphne looked at the greetings and all the smiling professors while asking, "Why?"

"She became super intoxicated and tried to get Harry to come back to Hogwarts with her. Ginny and Harry were still together at this time, and Ginny almost hexed the woman. Drew her wand and everything." Susan said nonchalantly.

Daphne's jaw dropped, "No way."

Susan chuckled, "Top five funniest moments of my life. Hannah and I were crying with laughter when Hermione and Mcgonagall broke up that cat fight."

Daphne shook her head chuckling at the mental image, but then asked, "How do they all get the night off to come here? Who is at Hogwarts?"

A voice came from the side, "Oh Harry stations a few aurors there to look over the castle. Plus the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is there, along with a few of the newer staff members, and Trelawney. Same with the streets. Basically if you didn't fight at the Battle of Hogwarts you are working tonight no matter what. They know they can call us if things went really wrong. Harry's dad and godfather invented a sobriety potion that is god awful, but works like a charm. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone, but if a riot broke out in Diagon Alley we could take it down and be there in five minutes."

"What about Slughorn, what's his deal? How did he get to be here so early? Shouldn't he have shown up with the other professors?" Daphne asked curiously.

Susan shrugged, "Along with being our old potions professor he is Harry's advisor in all things politics. When Harry won the war the media wanted him to be this shining star, but he didn't have it in him at first. Slughorn stepped in, and showed him the way. He's a huge part of how he became so successful, so naturally the man takes off the whole day to help Harry set up, and to of course indulge in as much as he can manage.."

Neville Longbottom had come in with one glass in his hands and two floating behind, "More drinks ladies?"

The two women gratefully accepted, but Daphne knew she better start to slow down so she didn't make a fool of herself. She did manage to ask though, "What is it with you guys and wandless magic? I can do a few things, so I thought I was an oddity, but you guys just do it with such normality.."

Another man came into the conversation at this, "Captain Potter's orders. He teaches the auror class on wandless magic. In training he made us go a week without our wands. It was hell. He would throw spells, and stuff at us constantly. He wanted us to shield, catch, deflect, or summon so many things. My magic was nearly exhausted at the end of every day, but now little things are easy."

Ron Weasley came in with a big smile summoning Neville's drink from his hand, "Thanks mate."

Neville rolled his eyes, and summoned another drink from nearby. Daphne was amazed, "Wow that must be an extremely difficult week. Where on Earth did he learn it?"

The three exchanged looks and Neville said carefully, "Harry inherited all of Dumbledore's personal books that didn't go to the Hogwarts library. Powerful magic, and a lot of it was wandless instruction. Harry found out he is really exceptional at wandless magic, and learned how to teach it. The new auror recruits call it hell week, but we were the first class that had to learn it. In ten years by the time Harry has had a chance to teach several academies worth of aurors it will be common practice I bet. At least super basic stuff. I could see some people becoming aurors just to learn from Harry. He is one of the best teachers I've ever had or met. He taught all of us lowly scrubs to do a patronus while we were in fifth year after all."

Daphne was impressed by the information, and Susan summoned Ron's drink from him and downed it in one go, "Thanks Ron, fetch me another will you?"

This caused Neville and Daphne to laugh at the sour look on his face, while Hermione rejoined them, "Sweetheart I don't know why you bother in front of Susan. She's the best wandless practitioner out of all of us."

"Except Harry." Susan said cheekily.

"What about me?" Harry said, coming into the group with Tracey in tow.

Daphne decided to poke fun at the lot of them, "They were just abusing each other with your wandless teachings, Captain Potter."

Harry grinned lifting his hand and conjured a table for all of them and then flexed his wrist making a table cloth appear, and then flicked his other hand out causing multiple chairs to appear, "Well if we are going to show off my friends then lets at least take a seat, and have a round of firewhiskey with it."

At this Clyde appeared with seven glasses already full of liquid and began passing them around magically to each person. Harry held his glass up wandlessly, and dropped it, making the glass stop just above the table while the liquid remained in the air while still holding the shape of the glass. It was wandless magic controlled beyond anything Daphne had ever seen, and she had to say she was beyond simply impressed.

"To the greatest friends I could've asked for in a thousand lifetimes. To each of you at this table who were brave enough to stand with me at the Battle of Hogwarts. I toast this one to each of you."

Everyone around the table smiled and lifted their glasses while Harry summoned the empty glass back to his hand and touched each of their glasses, and stopped to wink at Daphne and Tracey when he summoned the liquid back to his glass as he raised it to his lips and tossed it back.

Daphne was now certainly feeling warm inside. This drink was as smooth as the first one they had for the evening, and she was approaching a dangerous territory of possible drunkenness, and looking at Tracey she could tell the girl was feeling pretty good as well. This wasn't how she expected the night to go, but as it progressed she decided she was having a great time, so didn't try to stop it.

"James Potter must be beaming with pride right now Minerva." A small voice came from nearby.

"Of that I have little doubt Fillius it took him 20 years to become a show off, and Merlin help us all he realized he is as good if not better than his father at it. I will count my blessings that he didn't realize it while he was in school." Minerva Mcgongall said with a smile as Daphne looked over to the woman.

Harry grinned at the woman, "Minnie, how is my favorite headmistress?"

The woman's smile turned inward and she spoke sharply, "Mr. Potter, unless you wish to truly see if you are the best duelist in England tonight I suggest you address me by my property title."

Harry sat up straight immediately sensing danger, "Yes Headmistress Mcgonagall my sincere apologies."

The woman stared straight at the boy with a wicked glare before turning it into a small smile again, "Well I hear you inherited James stash of Fire Whiskey, so if you would like to make amends you can open up the 78 and share with your great friends and Professors. If there is any left of course. I gifted it to your father on the day of your parents wedding."

Harry grinned while everyone laughed at the young man's initial discomfort and how fast he backed down to his old head of house. He called for Clyde again and the elf immediately brought back a half drank bottle, and issued glasses to everyone around the table plus the two professors, and extras for Professor Slughorn and Hagrid who gathered around the table to watch the toast. Daphne wanted to decline, but Tracey gave her a small nudge, and grinned at her, making Daphne bow to one more drink.

Mcgonagall spoke again, "I will make this toast Mr. Potter if you don't mind. I promise you that you may have several good bottles in your stash, but this one was picked by a master."

Harry gave a slight bow of his head to the woman who raised the glass, "To some of the finest pupils Hogwarts ever had walk her halls, and if not the best students then certainly the bravest."

Everyone raised their glasses to that and took yet another long drink. Now Daphne was fairly certain she handled her alcohol very well, but she was also fairly certain that she was getting to a borderline drunk level. She needed food if she was going to make it another hour or two through the party.

Daphne rose to her feet feeling her weight going slow indicating that she was at the very least tipsy, and cited excuses to the table about needing to get food, and she was waved off with Tracey's insistence on trying a chicken skewer.

Making her way to the food table took more concentration than she expected, realizing for the first time she was walking without Susan's arm to help keep her steady, and she wondered if that was part of the girl's tactic in standing up herself and staying attached to someone the whole night. With the right amount of effort though she made it to the dinner table, and began grabbing what she thought looked good. More drinks were offered to her by passing house elves, but she resisted this time. After filling up most of her plate she eyed a few tables that people were eating at and saw that Minister Shacklebolt, and who she believed was Mr. Weasely Senior digging in alone. Deciding she would at least rather join people who were eating she had enough alcohol in her system to keep her social, and wanted a chance to possibly exchange words with the Minister of Magic just to say she had done so.

Making her way to the table she asked, "Excuse me gentleman, it seems I am among the last to grab food, may I join you?"

The large black man in the deep purple roads boomed in his voice, "Of course. You are Healer Greengrass are you not?"

Daphne was shocked the Minister knew her name, while who she believed was Arthur Weasley said, "Most excellent! Are you really?"

Daphne nodded her head shyly, and Arthur stuck his hand out quickly for her to sit. When she did he offered another hand, "Arthur Weasley, and I can't thank you enough for what you did for Harry the other night. That boy is like a son to Molly and I and we would've been devastated to lose him."

Modestly Daphne offered back, "It was luck on all sides Mr. Weasley, I was supposed to be off that night."

The Minister's deep voice spoke at that, "Well thank Merlin you weren't. I am about to make that man the head of the Auror Department. I can't have him dying on me yet. Just don't tell him it's going to be a surprise at the end of the night, and please call me Kinglsey."

Mr. Weasley dipped his head, "Arthur for me please."

The Minister winked at her and Daphne felt a rush of exhilaration at being so friendly with the current Minister, and excitement that Harry was going to be promoted to head of the DMLE. This of course meant tonight she was going to witness something that could be history in the making, "Well of course you two can call me Daphne then. We are all supposed to be friends here tonight."

Kingsley and Arthur nodded their heads at this, while Arthur said, "You are absolutely right. Now feel free to eat, but I do find myself curious. You are Cyrus and Opehlia Greengrass' daughter, correct?

Daphne cut a piece of the chicken skewer with her knife and fork while shaking her head, "Yes sir those are my parents."

Kingsley and Arthur exchanged looks at this, but neither commented and Daphne swallowed her bite of chicken harder than necessary. They knew of her father then.

"You were in Ron's year at Hogwarts in Slytherin house if I understand correctly?" Arthur questioned.

Taking another bite of her food she nodded her head, "Yes sir that's right."

Kingsley grinned, "Brave girl. I was in Slytherin back in my day too. Though I don't usually advertise it. You walked into the lion's den tonight, but not to worry there are a few snakes among us to keep you safe."

Daphne was surprised by the confession, but smiled back at the man who had grinned at her reassuringly trying to score points by saying, "I really enjoyed listening to your anti-dementor speech the other day, Minister. I think it was a good long term move taking them out of Azkaban."

Kingsley seemed surprised at the subject of the topic saying, "Thank you. Those damned things have turned against us twice now, and I didn't believe we should give a chance to do it a third time."

Daphne nodded her head, "My mother was foolish to vote against you on the Wizengamot. I can't seem to understand why she did it. No one wanted those monsters around anymore, and the neutral faction seemed okay with the move."

Kingsley nodded thoughtfully, "Well it seems like we need to get you in your mother's spot. Thinking of taking up politics?"

"One day. I want to establish myself, and move far forward into my career before venturing off into that arena. Saving people like Harry through my career will make my name mean something other than just standing on the shoulders of my family name, and one day when I speak I want people to listen and respect the words of a healer they themselves may have had to trust with their life at one point. Though if my mother keeps voting against the logical I will see to the seat myself earlier than intended." Daphne said adamantly.

Daphne had been furious to hear her mother had voted against getting rid of the dementors at Azkaban. It made no sense. It wasn't like anyone in the family could cast a patronus so they were most dangerous to them in particular.

"Those are very high and noble aspirations. We could certainly use as many friendly faces as we can get in the Wizengamot. The more progressive laws we can push into effect the closer we can bring our country into the twenty-first century. We were one of the last countries to abolish the use of Dementors, and I was damn glad to be rid of them. You have a good head on your shoulders Ms. Greengrass if you ever decide to pursue a different career please look no further than my own office." The man said kindly.

Flattered by the man's compliment she gave a short bow of her head. The conversation continued onto some more basic Ministerial topics, and it turned out Daphne and Kingsley saw eye to eye on a lot of things, and Arthur Weasley seemed to be observing the whole thing with acute interest. If Daphne hadn't drank so much previously she may have been suspicious by the man's growing silence, but said nothing of it. After she finished her food Tracey and Harry were at the table exchanging pleasant greetings, and Kingsley said, "Harry, are you ready for a big announcement?"

"Not unless you are trying to leave early. Night is still fairly young Kinglsey." Harry said cheekily.

The man rolled his eyes, "Very well, but don't go locking yourself in a bedroom too early. I want you to still be standing when I make my announcement."

Harry saluted the man with a smile, and Kingsley grinned as he leaned back in his chair comfortably resuming conversation with Arthur, while Harry turned to Daphne, "I was going to give Tracey that tour. Would you like to join us?"

Daphne decided it was a bad idea to leave Tracey and Harry together with so much alcohol consumed between them so said goodbyes to the Minister and Arthur as she rose from the table taking one of Harry's offered arms, and watching Tracey do the same for the other.

When the trio made it into the hallway Harry started talking, "This house is obviously the Potter Ancestral home and was built back in back in the early Hogwarts days by Hardwin Potter. He married a witch by the name of Iolanthe Peverell, and they were the two richest people in Godric's Hollow where they first built a modest house to raise the generations of Potters that went all the way down to my father and me as a baby. Iolanthe and Hardwin though with their extra money decided to build a family manor like home down by the Ocean in Southeast England and here we are. It took thirty years of their lives, but Potter Manor has stood for centuries. Each Potter has placed their own set of wards on this place, and it is believed by my family that they are impregnable."

Tracey immediately asked, "If they are so powerful why didn't your parents hide here? They knew Voldemort was looking for them according to what the public believes?"

Daphne wanted to kick her friend, but was so surprised she said the name of the Dark Lord that she didn't even try while Harry shook his head with a sad smile, "Believe me Tracey after everything I've learned about this home, and being a Potter I don't understand it either. I think part of it was that my family only believes the wards can't be broken here, but it was a fact that the Fidelius couldn't be broken unless the secret keeper told the secret. They trusted people more than history, and paid for it."

Not letting the silence hang over their heads long Harry continued on, "You will not find a single bedroom on the bottom floor. This place was built as a defensive fortress, and all the family along with the guest rooms are on the second and third floors. The Ballroom takes up most of the square footage on the first floor, while the library takes up another big chunk. There are a few offices, and studies along the way. A drawing room, a dining room, a kitchen, but most of the excitement is actually out here in the hallway.

As Daphne allowed herself to be led by Harry she got a closer look at a trophy case which held the familiar locket she saw earlier. She stopped dead in her tracks in shock, "It is the Locket of Salazar Slytherin."

Tracey gasped, "That's impossible. Harry, how on Earth did you end up with this?"

Daphne observed the necklace that was just above eye level, and Harry sighed lifting the glass case with wandless magic, and lifting the necklace, "This piece of jewelry nearly cost me everything. It belonged to Voldemort as the heir of Slytherin. It had the darkest enchantments known to magic around it. Hence why you can tell it is damaged. We couldn't remove the magic without damaging the necklace unfortunately, and we couldn't risk someone detecting Voldemort's old magic and trying to recreate it, so I was entrusted to keep it here on the sacred grounds of a light family."

Even damaged the green necklace was beautiful. Daphne stared at the piece of history that the Dark Lord had defiled with dark magic, and it disgusted her while also saddening her at the same time.

Harry continued on with his tour taking them upstairs to see a much more comfortable home like environment. A fire was going in the small living room area, and a few doors nearby showed another kitchen, and what appeared to be a few bedrooms. A bar was in the furthest corner with dozens of bottles of Firewhiskey and other assortments of alcohol that Tracey released herself from Harry to get a better look at. He followed behind her happily dragging Daphne along with him as they moved forward to take seats at the spinning chairs leading up to the bar.

"This is the Potter family common area. The downstairs is mostly for guests, and show but where you sit now is where my family actually spent most of their days. Would you ladies like another drink?" Harry asked calmly, calling for Clyde.

Tracey nodded quickly in acceptance while Daphne sighed, "Wine for me please. Another drink of Firewhiskey, and I won't make it home."

Harry turned to Clyde and nodded at him, while turning to Daphne as the elf summoned bottles to him, "Tracey and yourself are welcome to sleep in the guest wing or any of the spare bedrooms. You could apparate or floo home in the morning if you wish. Just an offer. Don't feel obligated!"

Tracey giggled, "That's very nice Harry we may take you up on that depending how late it gets."

Daphne wanted to roll her eyes at her friend flirting with Harry Potter, but she couldn't begrudge her seeking the attention of the handsome man. It was also without a doubt the best night the two had seen in quite some time, so held even less against her.

Harry asked, "Do you have a preference on wine?"

"Rose please." Daphne said easily.

Looking at Clyde who already had a bottle type of her request pouring he snapped his fingers and floated the wine glass towards Daphne while whiskey glasses went towards Tracey and Harry.

Tracey put a hand on his arm before he could offer a toast, "May I?"

Harry smiled at the girl and nodded leaning back, and Daphne hoped the girl wasn't about to propose something ridiculous, "To new friends, and the best damn healer in England. May we always be blessed to leave our life in her hands in life or death situations."

Harry pounded his hand gently on the bar top, "Here here. To you Healer Greengrass."

Daphne blushed at the praise of her two friends, and took a long sip of her wine as the two shot back their drinks for likely the sixth or seventh time that night. Tracey developed hiccups at this and Harry laughed, "Come on one last place to show you ladies before we go back down."

Walking up a short flight of stairs led to one of the largest bedrooms she had ever seen. It was the most modern room of the house with beautiful sunset-like lights in the room. The bed in the middle was huge, and there was a chest at the foot, while a dresser stood several feet away backed against a wall. A much smaller bar with probably only twenty bottles on it was across from that leading to a door that went to the restroom. Lastly there was a desk in the opposite corner and behind it a balcony that overlooked the grounds.

Harry went towards the Balcony and threw open the doors, "My favorite part of Potter Manor. Come on out."

Daphne and Tracey followed the young man outside and looked out over a large forest that seemed to go miles in one direction, and part of the English Channel in the distance showing the Ocean in the opposite. It was a spectacular view from the top of a home. Daphne had to give it to Harry Potter and all the Potter's before him, they had style. Harry asked, "What do you think?"

Tracey was in awe looking over the grounds, "It's beautiful."

"It really is." Daphne agreed.

Harry smiled and gave a bow, "Potter Manor ladies."

They watched for a little longer in silence until Tracey broke it and asked, "May I use your loo Harry?"

Harry easily nodded, "Yeah of course. Just across from the bar. You seem to know your Firewhiskey, take a look on your way back out. That's my best stuff."

Tracey thanked him and went inside leaving her and Harry Potter on the balcony of his room alone. The silence would've been awkward but she found words, "May I ask you something?"

Smiling Harry leaned against the rail, "WIll I want another drink before I answer?"

"I don't think so."

"Then please ask away."

Daphne looked out onto the grounds, "You have all this stuff, and the power of the world at your fingertips. You have a gathering of the most powerful people in our country including the Minister of Magic all looking up to you, but you chose to be an auror, why?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment and briefly she wondered if she offended him, but then he smiled, "Because I am the best man for the job."

Daphne looked puzzled by his answer, but his smile widened, "You probably know this, but Professor Dumbledore and I were quite close, but unlike what most people believe he never actually taught me a single piece of magic in all our time together. Not even a simple spell."

This floored Daphne. Everyone knew that Voldemort and Harry were prophesied to have this grand deathmatch one day. She figured as powerful as he was he was trained practically from birth, "I don't believe it...then how did you-"

"Defeat the most powerful dark wizard of all time?" Harry finished for her.

Daphne nodded and he sighed a little, "Because I had a lot of luck on my side, and more than that every time I was faced between what was right, and what was easy. I like to think I always went with what was right no matter what it cost. I think because of those decisions, and I do mean every single one of them I was given a gift that Voldemort couldn't hope to match. This is going to sound stupid, but i was gifted love and friendship, and that may sound like something a ridiculous Gryffindor would say, but maybe one day you will get to hear the full story of the war, and you will truly know that those two things are exactly why we won, and why we will continue to win."

Silence followed, and several moments passed when Daphne began to wonder where Tracey was. Thinking desperately for more words to stimulate the conversation she couldn't help herself but ask, "Do you think you could come by my flat sometime and help update my wards?"

Harry stared at the girl as his lips which were previously serious twitched upwards in an amused smile. Daphne couldn't believe those words just came out of her mouth, but they did. He shrugged his shoulders eventually now fully smiling, "Daphne you saved my life. If you want me to help improve the wards around your home you don't have to worry about asking for my help. I would be happy to, you may want me to bring Susan though. She has the best understanding of wards then just about anyone. The Bones family specializes in them. I would be happy to put them up for you though to make them as strong as possible, and if your place is small it would be damn near impenetrable."

Daphne let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, "Thanks Harry. I think I just get a little nervous living alone even after all this time especially after all that's been happening."

Harry's face became very serious at this, "Did something happen to you? Did you see something?"

Before Daphne could assure him Tracey popped back out, "Sorry I was looking at your bottles. You have some really good ones up there. I recognized a few by name, but never tried them."

Harry's eyes were still on Daphne when he said, "Well you are welcome to come over and try them anytime. We hold small gatherings and parties here nowhere near this size nearly once a month. I promise to send you an owl for the next invitation. You have been great company tonight." Still looking at Daphne he said, "Susan and I are off the next two days. Please call for me morning, night, middle of the night whatever. We will get your flat taken care of."

Daphne nodded her head in appreciation and Harry looked at his watch, "Ah we better go downstairs and let Kingsley make his announcement, most of the guests will be departing soon, and the real fun will begin downstairs."

Daphne and Tracey both exchanged looks at this while Tracey mouthed the words 'real fun' as Harry began to walk back towards the entrance to his room.

(A/N) Welcome to chapter 5, and a big thank you to all who left comments for the last chapter. I look forward to getting the notification of a review, and I do read every review that comes through!

More character development in this chapter, and further hints about Daphne's father. This was our first look at Harry using magic as well, and obviously he is quite powerful. This is obviously post horcrux, and having had the chance to read through Dumbledore's personal library. Other than the epilogue and a few minor details this story is going to be completely canon compliant, so Harry did not realize he was so powerful until after the war was over, and those reasons will come to light as the story progresses.

No quick romance here, so thanks again everyone for tuning in to play the long game! Please leave your thoughts with me in the reviews and I will see you all next week.

To answer reviewers:

ThunderDeath97:

Sorry you don't grasp the concept of people wanting to have big families. Sure some orphans may end up together, but i would say most orphans would not marry another orphan mostly because its a statistical anomaly especially in young people. As for your comment on Bellatrix killing Tonks, that's not really canon. JK Rowling said in an interview that she was killed by Bellatrix, but that doesn't make it canon. If you take into context everything the great JK said in interviews, and in the Cursed Child than HALF the series is one giant plothole. For more information on that check out the SuperCarlinBrothers video on youtube about The Cursed Child being Canon. They break it down excessively to explain. Thanks for reviewing!

BobKey123 and TheWolfPack99:

Honestly I am not sure of the length! I would guess somewhere between 80-120k words. Then a sequel if this story does well, which would admittedly be shorter. Thanks for reviewing!

Finally a couple of people have asked about Daphne's heirship, and I tried my best to answer that in this chapter. It isn't anything particular stopping her. She could step into the seat anytime, but that would take up a lot of her time that she already doesn't really have, especially right now as she tries to climb the ranks as a healer, but she will take her seat in due time. Lady Greengrass in on the Rise!

Thanks everyone for all the support, and I look forward to bringing you another chapter.

Beta approved and edited by James Marx on 7.5.21. Thank you for your efforts sir!