(Greengrass Manor – next day)
Lord Daniel Greengrass and his wife Lady Isabella Greengrass were sitting in the living room of their manor along with their two daughters waiting for Professor Snape and their guest.
"There is something I need to tell you both, before the meeting" Stated Daniel
"What is it, Father?" asked Astoria
"He means to negotiate a marriage contract for you with this wizard" Hissed Daphne
"Daphne" Warned Isabella
"I am wrong, Mother" Replied Daphne
"You are not, Daphne. The Wizard's blood is not a total cure, it only lessens the affects. Astoria will need the blood regularly. I cannot think of any other way for us to get it" Admitted Daniel
"Are we not owed many life-debts from other families?" Argued Daphne
"What would you have me do? Make them give him to our house? I cannot do that, If I took an heir from a house then could declare a blood feud." Argued Daniel
"And what if they do not owe our family? We cannot just take a member of another house" Stated Isabella
"It is ok, Daphne." Reassured Astoria
"How is this fine" Demanded Daphne
"I will not be in pain, and be alive" admitted Astoria
"You could be married to a pureblood who abuses you" Argued Daphne
"Maybe you should meet them before passing judgement" Warned Isabella
"Do you know who it is, Father?" asked Astoria
"I do not, Professor Snape has been tight lipped about it. He did tell me that they were a half-blood and a part of a magical family" admitted Daniel as elf popped into the room
"Master Greengrass, yours guests being here" Stated the elf
"Please see them in" Ordered Daniel as the elf popped away as Snape walked in with a Wizard behind them, and Daphne was shocked to see who was with him.
"Lord and Lady Greengrass" Greeted Snape
"Professor Snape, would you care to introduce us" Stated Daniel as he studied the young wizard who was the ticket to Astoria's long life
"I am Harry Potter, Heir to the House of Black" Introduced Harry
"I am sure you know my daughter, Daphne." Stated Daniel
"Heiress Greengrass" Greeted Harry
"Heir Black" Greeted Daphne
"And my youngest daughter, Astoria" Stated Daniel
"Ms. Greengrass" Greeted Harry
"Heir Black" Greeted Astoria
"Please have a seat so we can talk" Stated Daniel as both Snape and Harry sat down
"I had thought you were Heir Potter, not Heir Black" Questioned Daniel
"I am also Heir Potter. I am in here as Heir Black. Sirius Black had made me his heir, my magical guardian for House Potter did not want to enter negotiations" admitted Harry
"So, you are using House Black" stated Isabella
"That is correct, Lady Greengrass" Stated Harry
"And who is your magical guardian for House Black?" Inquired Daniel
"That would be me, Lord Greengrass" Stated Snape as he handed over some documents which Daniel read
"I see. I do have some reservations about these negotiations. As you know, Gryffindor and Slytherins do not get along" Stated Daniel
"If I may Father, Heir Black was resorted into Ravenclaw a week ago. I was quite surprised it did not end up in the Prophet" Butted in Daphne
"It is true, Lord Greengrass" Stated Harry as Daniel turned to Snape
"It is, Lord Greengrass" Stated Snape
"I did not know that resorting was possible, may I ask why?" asked Isabella
"My old head of house was not doing her job, where I was concerned" Replied Harry
"I see. You are entered into a deadly tournament, which you can see is a concern" Stated Daniel
"I know that might not be ideal, but I am confident that I can survive. I like to think I survived worse in the past" Stated Harry
"Oh?" asked Isabella
"I've slain a Basilisk in the chamber of secrets during my second year, with the sword of Gryffindor. Not before it bite me, it was healed with Phoenix tears from Dumbledore's phoenix. Both are still in my blood" Explained Harry
"Astoria, did you watch the first task?" asked Daniel
"Yes, Father I did" admitted Astoria
"What do you think of Heir Black performance?" asked Daniel
"For his age compared to his competitors, it was a really good performance. Heir Black used a Patronus charm to distract the Dragon then casting the eye irritating curse then the freezing spell. When the Dragon had him cornered, he cast six stunners until the dragon fell. His score from the judges put him in third place" Recalled Astoria
"I had heard rumors that you could cast the Patronus Charm, may I ask what form it took?" asked Daniel
"A Stag, after my father's Patronus" Stated Harry
"Hmm, I would be willing to open negotiations for monthly blood transfers between you and my youngest daughter, Astoria" Stated Daniel after a moment of silence
"I assume that you want a marriage contract between them" Stated Snape
"I do, that is the only long-term solution to ensure Astoria's health" Stated Daniel
"Heir Black, your thoughts" Asked Snape as he turned to Harry
"I would be willing to enter a courtship that eventually makes it way to a betrothal" Stated Harry
"That does not give a guarantee that you will give the blood." Pointed out Daniel
"Heir Black, would it be acceptable to have Astoria marry into the Black Line. That way you could marry who you wish for the Potter Line" Suggested Isabella
"Can I not just give the blood?" asked Harry
"You could, but there is no guarantee that you would continue to do so. A Betrothal contract would be the only way for me and my wife to ensure that she continues to get the blood after we die." Said Daniel as Harry thought for a minute, his saving people thing was kicking again and couldn't let her suffer before inwardly sighing and come to a decision and nodded in Snape's direction.
"Heir Black finds that acceptable but has two terms to add" Stated Snape
"I will be willing to hear them out" Stated Daniel
"Heir Black wants your written word that no one in your house will turn him over to any Death Eaters, on the threat of a Black Blood Curse." Stated Snape
"I found that … agreeable" Stated Daniel
"Heir Black also wants to be house until he reaches his majority." Stated Snape
"I was under the impression that he already had guardians?" asked Daniel with a raised eyebrow
"They are … unacceptable and that is all we will say on the matter" Stated Snape
"In exchange for a marriage contract with Astoria for Line Black and a monthly blood transfer" Stated Daniel
"Yes" Stated Snape
"Heir Black" Asked Daniel
"I agree" Stated Harry
"Great, negotiations for the contract can start next week. I assume you will negotiate on his behalf, Mr. Snape" Stated Daniel
"I will, however I will be showing him the contract throughout and I will not sign with his approval" Stated Snape
"I expected as much" Stated Daniel
"I think it a good idea to let Astoria and Heir Black to get know each other" Stated Isabella
"Of course, unfortunately we could only get out of school for so long. With your permission I shall set up times for Ms. Greengrass and Heir Black to meet to get to know each other" Stated Snape smoothly
"I do find that agreeable" Stated Daniel
"If negotiations are ended, I think we shall take our leave" Stated Snape
"They are, I shall see you next week Mr. Snape to begin work on the contract" Stated Daniel
"Of course, Lord Greengrass" Stated Snape
"It was nice meeting you, Lord and Lady Greengrass" Stated Harry
"And you Heir Black" Stated Daniel as Harry and Snape departed
"I am surprised" Stated Daphne
"And why is that dear?" asked Isabella
"Professor Snape and Heir Black never got along. Not until the tournament started that is" admitted Daphne
"He doesn't seem bad" admitted Astoria
"He is …. Was a Gryffindor" Admitted Daphne
"You think that there is something going on between them?" questioned Daniel
"I have a theory that Snape is helping Potter with the tournament for some reason" admitted Daphne
"Maybe it has to do with the cure" Suggested Astoria
"No, I saw the changes before the cure was found" Denied Daphne
"How do you feel about this, Astoria?" asked Isabella
"I think … that it could be worse. At least I will get live a full life, hopefully." admitted Astoria
"Oh Tori." Stated Daphne as she gave Astoria a hug
(Hogwarts: Snape's office)
"That went better than expected" Stated Snape as they gathered back in Snape's office
"Yeah, I have a question to ask" Stated Harry
"Go ahead" Stated Snape
"So, since I am marrying Astoria into the Black line, I could marry someone into the Potter Line?" asked Harry
"You could do that, or you can name your second son as the heir to House Potter going around the need to get married twice" Explained Snape
"The book wasn't clear on that" Stated Harry
"This is not something that happens often" admitted Snape
"I do have a question, I know you had reservations about agreeing to be betrothed, may I ask why you did decide to go through with it?" asked Snape curiously
"I could just let her live-in pain; it would eat away at me. Knowing that I could help her, and I decided not to. And I mean, maybe we could fall in love" admitted Harry
"A Gryffindor mentally, and this case it is preferred" admitted Snape as he stood and gathered a jar of cream
"This cream should remove many of the scars and burns, if you wish to apply it tonight" Stated Snape as Harry nodded and took off his shirt
"I see the nutrition potions are working, I think another two weeks shall suffice" Stated Snape
"Thank you, for everything professor" admitted Harry
"I might hate your father, Potter. But I was friends with your mother at one point and promise to look after you." Shared Snape as he applied the cream to the scars
"I don't know what I would have done if I had to do this by myself" admitted Harry
"I am sure you would have used Moody's plan and attempted to fly around the dragon" Stated Snape
"Yeah, but I would have still been ignored by everyone. I might have forgiven Ron and Hermione, just to not be alone" admitted Harry
"Your father would have been more likely to forgive then your mother" Shared Snape
"Can … Can you tell me a story about my mom?" asked Harry hesitantly
"Only this once" Stated Snape as he recalled a story from his youth, before his and Lily's falling out
(Hogwarts: Transfiguration Classroom – next day)
"And more thing before I release the class today." Stated Professor McGonagall as it was near the end of the Transfiguration class
"As a part of the tournament, the school will be having a Yule Ball. It is open to those fourth year or higher. Third years can attend if invited by an older year. This is an opportunity to let our hair down. I do not want to see any of you bringing shame on Hogwarts. Class dismissed. Mr. Potter please stay back" Stated McGonagall as the student whispered amongst themselves before departing as Harry went up to the professor's desk.
"Professor" Stated Harry
"Mr. Potter, firstly I would like to congratulate you on your improvement in my class" Stated McGonagall
"Thank you" Stated Harry as was thinking about Snape's promise if he raised his grades in Transfiguration
"And secondly, as a champion you are expected to open the Yule Ball and have a date" Revealed McGonagall
"Alright Professor, I guess I shall have to learn how to dance" admitted Harry
"Good day, Mr. Potter" Dismissed McGonagall as Harry left the room where Terry was waiting
"What did she have to say?" Probed Terry
"As Champion I need to open the ball, with a date" Revealed Harry
"Plenty of people would love to go with you" Stated Terry
"For all the wrong reasons, and it doesn't matter I have someone in mind already." Stated Harry
"Oh?" asked Terry
"Yeah, it is a surprise of course" Stated Harry
"You are not going to ask Luna, are you?" asked Terry
"No" admitted Harry
"Good" Stated Terry as Harry turned to him
"You aren't going to ask her, are you?" Teased Harry
"No" Exclaimed Terry as Harry laughed