It had been a week since Neville and Harry had passed out from drinking. Kreacher had dutifully put them in bedrooms and then retired for the night, content in the feeling that his master and guest would not have any nightmares for this night. In fact, Kreacher had been horrified when Harry had nightmares for the first night in Grimmauld place.

Harry woke up the next day when nature's call became urgent. As soon as he was up, he felt someone had been hammering in his brain and it hurt a lot. For a moment he was apprehensive if somehow the soul fragment in his scar had survived but that was not it. It was a pain which was of different nature like someone was stomping around in his head and there was lot of nausea. Suddenly he remembered the previous night when he and Neville had drunk to their heart's content.

"Master is awake", said Kreacher in his loud bullfrog voice, as he popped in the room with a tiny vial in his hand.

Harry put a hand to his head and groaned, "Please not so loud Kreacher. What time is it?"

"It is time for master to wake up and go to the ministry", the elf announced, "But before that master be taking this."

The elf extended the tiny vial of light blue liquid and Harry eyed it apprehensively, "What is it, Kreacher?"

"This is a sobering up potion, master. It will help cure your headache", the elf replied.

Since Kreacher had never tried to poison him, he took up his word for it and emptied the phial in one tiny gulp. Immediately his headache began to subside. Deciding to get on with his day, he went into bathroom instructing Kreacher, "Please go and wake Neville. Tell him that I will meet him at breakfast in 15 minutes."

While he went through his bath and got ready for the ministry, he again noticed how empty his wardrobe felt to him. It was a closet meant for trunkful of clothes and Harry had a very few decent pieces which he could wear in public.

When he arrived at breakfast table, Neville looked like mess. When Harry entered the Kitchen, he grinned, "You look wasted, Harry."

Harry grinned back, "You don't like the picture of sobriety either. If you were to go out in muggle world at this second, they will think you have come from mental asylum."

Neville had conjured a mirror to take into his appearance and perhaps wasn't satisfied with what he saw for he grimaced at his visage in the mirror. Harry was asking, "Did you have any nightmares last night?"

Neville shook his head, "Come to think of it, I hadn't had a single nightmare. You?"

Harry shook his head, "This was perhaps the finest sleep that I had in a long while. I have been plagued with nightmares ever since the tournament and last night was first time in years when I didn't wake up screaming in the middle of night."

Kreacher was happily serving them while they were trash talking with each other. After a sumptuous breakfast, Neville left for his house while Harry went to the ministry. Before he was leaving, Neville asked him, "Take care of Proudfoot for some time for me, will you? I will be there in an hour."

When he reached the ministry, none of the ministry workers showed any excitement at his sight as was common in public. That had begun to accept the fact that the Boy-who-lived was one among them now, working for the ministry and making his way up instead of just demanding them to serve everything to him on a platter.

When he reached the Auror floor, he was informed that everyone was required to report to Robards at once and he was angry. For some reason, Harry was scared to confront angry Gawain Robards than Lord Voldemort. He cautiously walked towards his office to find that most of the Auror recruits were there, looking apprehensive.

Robards was in the Auror office and frothing at the mouth for the two star members of star recruits were still not there. As Harry came in, he growled, "Potter, give me ten push-ups for being late."

Harry didn't know what this was about. The others were snickering seeing him confused and that he was being made to do push-ups. Not having any other option and not wanting to anger Robards further, he went down on fours and did push-ups as he was asked. It was tiring and every muscle screamed but he held on. He wouldn't give Robards the satisfaction of seeing Harry in discomfort. He had endured Cruciactus of Voldemort so this was merely a trifle.

After he was done, Robards barked again, "Go and join other recruits. I will be with you all as soon as Longbottom comes in."

When Harry reached others, he asked Dean, "What has got him in such mood?"

Dean sniggered, "Actually he is a man who follows the clock and he doesn't like people coming late to office. He had an issue with us coming in late every now and then and took it up with the minister who told him to have free rein where we are concerned. Proudfoot told us that he generally gives a tongue lashing with it but he is saving it for when everyone is here. Almost every one of us had to do push-ups but you had to do the most yet. I hope Longbottom gets more."

Harry chuckled, "Oh Neville will take some time to come. I want to see how much he will have to do."

When Neville came he had to do 30 pushups. When it was over, Robards had them assembled in front of him, "Do you all think this is Hogwarts where you can do as you please? If you think so then you are wrong. School is over and behind you. This is the Auror Office where time is most important thing. A battle can be lost or won by the difference of a minute. You may think that you are entitled to do as you please because you are war-heroes but that delusion ends here at this moment. This is Auror office, a place which is a dream of so many witches and wizards and yet they don't come close to achieving it. Think of it this way that in recent years only 1 witch was able to join it. We had heroes of the likes of Alastor Moody, Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom, Amelia Bones, Nymphadora Tonks who made their mark in history. From this moment, you will behave as we expect of an Auror. It doesn't matter that some of you may leave this program to go back to school for repeating last year or will join other professions but till you are here you will do as I ask of you. I don't care who you are, what your family is and what you have done in your life before this day. For me all of you are the same and that is the way I am going to treat you. Next one who comes late to the office next time will have to scrub the floors with a toothbrush. Is that clear?"

It was certainly unsettling speech. They actually hadn't expected this to happen so soon. Most of them who were on the Auror team temporarily were grumbling in undertone as to how it was unfair that they had to go through it despite not having to join it in the long run.

Harry on the other hand was realising what it was really about. Alastor Moody didn't become mad-eye with just knowing some fancy spells or casting them. It had taken him years of toiling at the Academy before he could be called an Auror. He was a true leader and those qualities had been installed in him with the years of experience that came to him battling dark wizards all his life. That was not something that could be achieved within a day. Harry knew he was a decent wizard and perhaps among the most powerful ones in Britain but he would have very hard time against a skilled Auror. Hell, he couldn't even take on Severus Snape and he was a death eater. Robards' words also filled him with a sense of thrill that he could feel in his bones. Fighting dark wizards was something he had done since his return to the wizarding world only this time he would be properly trained and better equipped. He won't have a ragtag group of students behind him with no solid plans but he will have a group of people who would be highly trained as him and he would know much more than the hexes which he could learn in school.

As Robards heard no reply, he thundered again, "IS THAT CLEAR?"

Resounding sounds of "YES SIR" were heard among the recruits and they were herded away by their team members.

Two days later

Proudfoot summoned them to his office and when they arrived, he started speaking, "Potter, Longbottom, Thomas and Finnigan, the ministry received a tip-off about a meeting of a large chunk of death eater sympathisers in one of the shops in Knockturn Alley. You will be told of your target when you reach there. A team of Aurors is being readied for the purpose and you four are to cover the entrance. Clear?"

When they nodded, he continued, "Potter, can you do 'Sonorous' spell?"

When Harry nodded, he continued, "So here are the orders. Potter, you will take charge of your group and you will give them fair warning that the ministry has them surrounded when you will see green sparks in the sky. If they resist then use force on them but don't kill them and don't use any lethal spell on them. Is that clear?"

As they nodded, he had them go out. Another team led by Savage was being sent in the field with Ernie, Susan, Justin and Terry Boot and their work was to cover the rear entrance and to make sure that none of them could escape.

Knockturn Alley was more like a ghost town now. Since the war had ended, commerce in Knockturn Alley had come to a halt. People seldom ventured in that direction and whoever did ensured that they could not be seen by the Aurors or anyone else so there were very few people in the alley when the Aurors went in. A few who were out in open ran inside their establishments or disapparated for fear of being caught.

When Harry and his team appeared in Knockturn Alley, they found that most of the shops had been shut and Aurors were patrolling the alley. He knew that the shopkeepers were in there and they were watching everything from behind the blinds which covered their front entrance. It was only due to the presence of Aurors that they were hiding from public eyes.

Soon they all had surrounded 'The Fanged Basilisk', a shady inn down Knockturn with Harry and Neville at the entrance, Dean and Seamus at a distance from them. When Harry had received the signal, he put his wand to this throat and called loudly, "We are the Aurors. You all are surrounded by the ministry forces. Come out without making a move. We have our wands out and pointed at you. If anyone of you did anything stupid, it will be your last mistake."

At a signal from him, everyone had conjured a shield to save them from whatever may be thrown at them. The door opened suddenly and a wizard ran out to with his wand raised and an incantation on his lips. The incantation however died and he came to standstill as he realised that he was facing the man-who-conquered. He quietly dropped his wand and others behind him did the same.

Seamus who was accompanying them and hoping for a fight exclaimed, "What the hell happened?"

Dean was chuckling, "Sometimes it pays to be the man-who-conquered or the man-who-slayed-the-giant-snake. They won't draw on either of them."

Harry turned to him scowling, "Please do not use that name again for me."

The entire operation was over in a minute. The Aurors thoroughly ransacked the inn and 10 death eater sympathisers along with 5 werewolves were caught. After they were done, the captives were taken to the ministry while Proudfoot cornered their team, "Potter, take the others and go to Manchester. A group of snatchers has been rumoured to be hiding in the area."

Manchester

The wizarding district in Manchester was tiny by Diagon alley standards. It was wedged between two lanes in the muggle world and the entrance to it lied in the back of a dilapidated house which had seen better days. The front door to the house was ajar but the muggles seemed to not to notice it.

Cautiously they entered the house and the signs of destruction were evident. The archway at the back which opened into the wizarding district was open and it seemed as if it had ceased functioning. They cautiously entered the place with their wands up and alert. As they had crossed the threshold, Harry threw himself to the ground to avoid the magenta coloured curse which had passed through the space he was occupying. Neville who had entered a moment after him, shot a stunner in the direction that the curse came from and a thud told him that it had found the target.

At that moment, three more showed their faces and Harry was up by that time shooting a stunner at one of those. Seamus and Dean had followed and the entire raid lasted for less than 5 minutes. Calling for the backup, they returned to the ministry.

Ministry of Magic

When they returned to the ministry, they were informed that the minister was desirous of an audience with Harry and Neville. Since they had no other pending business, they went in to report to him.

Kingsley was in his office and when they entered, he showed them to the chairs opposite them, "Please take a seat, Harry and Neville."

When they were seated, he handed two letters to them. Harry asked, "What is it?"

"You should know Harry that the ministry has decided to call a session of the Wizengamot. Since many of the members are now dead or in captivity, it was felt that we should have a functional wizengamot as soon as possible."

Harry nodded, "What do you want me to do?"

"Harry, as you know that you have inherited the Black seat from Sirius and the Potter seat from your family so you are entitled to two seats. I was hoping that you will help me in pushing the motions that I put forth."

Harry nodded, "I will support what I feel is reasonable, Kingsley. You can be assured of this. When is the session and what I am supposed to do?"

Kingsley sighed, "It will be a week from now. It is very tiring to explain everything to you in a short time, Harry. You can ask others to help you though. I want to help you but I don't have the time to do it."

"Would the Weasleys know?", he asked.

It was Neville who answered, "They were ousted from their seat and branded blood traitors due to a conspiracy and no one from their family has sat on the Wizengamot for decades now. I don't think they will be able to help you much."

Harry nodded, "I will try to learn it from somewhere else then."

As they were to leave, Kingsley said, "You can leave now. You have done well today and you can take the day off."

Happily, Harry left the minister's office to go to Andromeda's. It had been more than a week since he last saw Teddy and he was anxious to see the little bundle of joy again.

Australia

Ron was in the room which they had booked upon their arrival. This room was one of the two which had been booked by the Ministry of Magic and the Australian ministry was more than happy to accommodate them.

The memory of the day when they had undone Grangers' memories was still etched in his brain like yesterday.

~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Granger shouted, "Hermione, what have you done?"

"Dad, I.I.", before she could finish, he was shouting again, "What did you think you were doing by taking away our memories? What did you mean to do by that?"

Ron tried to interrupt, "Mr. Granger..." However a glare from Mr. Granger was enough to make him keep quit, "this is a family matter, young man. Stay out of it."

Ron tried to retort when Hermione turned to him, "Ron, please go."

"What!", he exclaimed, "Hermione, how can you simply ask me to go?"

Her eyes were welling with tears, "Please Ron, go. I need some time with my family to make them understand. I will contact you."

Ron certainly did not want to leave but Hermione's plea made him do it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback ends~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since then, he had received a patronus from her every day. The first day, she had told him that they were still not talking to her but had allowed her to take up the spare room.

The second day, she told that they had called her to the table at noon and had questioned her at length. They had asked her about everything that had happened to her in the seven years of her education. Of course she had told them about everything that had happened to her over the years but they still wanted to know. They were particularly interested in everything that happened from fourth year onwards because in the past she had often glossed over the events. They had talked late in the night about everything that happened. About the tournament, the Yule ball, the return of Voldemort, about Umbridge, about the raid on the DoM at the end of fifth year. By the time she came to the end of sixth year, they had asked her to stop and then they hadn't exchanged a word till the next day.

The third day, they had her tell about everything that happened to them on the run. She told them about breaking in the ministry, living in the forests, the Malfoy Manor, their breaking in Gringotts and escaping on the back of a dragon and finally she told them about the battle of Hogwarts. When she was done, her mother had clutched her close to her heart for quite some time.

Then they went into a lengthy explanation about why she had to erase their memories. They were angry with her about it but she explained patiently that if she hadn't done that then they could have ended up dead. She could live with the fact that they didn't recognise her anymore but she could not afford for them to be dead. After a lot of pleading from her and tears, they had eventually forgave her.

After that, the following days had been a blur. Her father wanted his daughter to remain at his side all the time asking her little things or making small talk and reconnecting with her while her mother would ask for her help in kitchen or would take Hermione shopping. In a way, they were trying to bond with their daughter who, in a way had gone far away from them.

She also told him that one night, she forgot to put up her silencing charms and her shrieks of horror and panic at her nightmares had woke up her parents. They tried to wake her up but she just couldn't wake up from the nightmares. They spent half the night comforting her. Next day, they had confronted her about the nightmares and she told them about it. Her father had been very understanding of her and told her that he would be surprised if there were any students who participated in the battle and didn't have any nightmares.

Finally yesterday, Ms. Granger had asked Hermione if she liked anyone or was currently seeing anyone. Hermione had confided in her mother that she was currently dating Ron. Mrs. Granger of course knew Ron from hearing about him and having met him a few times over the years though she hadn't really paid much attention to them. It seemed her daughter's life had revolved around only around two persons- Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. And now she was seeing one of them.

Mrs. Granger had told about it to her husband who had ordered Hermione to call her boyfriend for dinner.

That was the reason for Ron's fretting. When he decided to come to Australia with Hermione to find her parents, it wasn't this that he had signed for. Yes, they were going to tell everyone but he didn't expect that it would be so soon. However there was nothing to it but to go and meet the parents now.

He had some muggle clothing with him which he and Hermione had shopped for during the last few days after the war for they knew they would need it in Australia. The weather in Australia was not such that one could walk around in robes. That would be stifling and the magical world was not so hidden there. The wizards were not living in a secluded community life but they lived among the muggles, mingled in plain sight.

He donned his best clothes (or as best as he could think of). It was a t-shirt and jeans and it was the only muggle clothing that he felt comfortable in. After having made himself presentable, he went to their house. A quick tip from a witch at the hotel he was staying in and he had taken a stop along the way to buy a bouquet of flowers for her. Hermione was at the door of their home waiting for him and when she saw him, she murmured, "You are late. Father has been waiting."

Ron handed the bouquet to her, "Hermione you look very beautiful today and you are fretting. You had told me to come at 6:00 in the evening and there are 5 minutes remaining before it will be 6."

Hermione however wasn't listening to him. She was looking at him up and down and ensuring that he looked presentable. With a quick wand work, she put his hair straight and removed some of the wrinkles on his clothes while Ron looked amused.

After she was done, he asked her, "So are we ready to face the music?"

She led him inside where her father was. He was seated on the sofa in the sitting room and when Ron entered, he stood from his place extending his hand, "Hello, Mr. Weasley. I am Daniel Granger."

Ron shook his hand, nervously, "Hello Mr. Granger. Please call me Ron."

Mr. Granger turned to his daughter, "Hermione please go and help your mother in the kitchen while I talk with Ron here."

Hermione nervously looked at Ron who was freaking out. She was reluctant to leave but with a look from her father, she went in the kitchen.

Ron had one hand on his wand which he kept in his pocket while fidgeting. He didn't know what to expect of him.

Mr. Granger, for making small talk, asked him, "So when did you both start being friends with each other?"

Ron nervously replied, "That would be the troll."

Mr. Granger raised an eye-brow, "The troll?"

Ron fidgeted, "umm there was a troll in the school in first year and we saved her from it."

Mr. Granger nodded, "So Hermione told me that you both are seeing each other?"

Ron nodded, "Yes."

"And do your parents know about it?"

Ron shook his head, "Things were very busy after the war and we had to bury my brother. In between everything that was happening, I didn't get the time."

Mr. Granger nodded, "it is clear to me that Hermione cares a lot for you but what are you intentions towards my daughter?"

Now this was a loaded question and Ron didn't know how to answer this. However he decided to do the best he could, "I love her, Mr. Granger. Our romance started in the middle of war but I have been having feelings for her since a long time. I know we are teens yet and things can change later but I intend for it to be a life-long thing."

Mr. Granger adopted a grim demeanour, "Just to clear things between us Ron, if I hear that you have been giving hard time to Hermione or have hurt her in any way then you will not like what I can do to you. I may not know magic but I know a lot of ways to give pain to people in my profession. There is a reason that people avoid visiting a dentist."

Ron visibly with shuddered with the threat that was casually sent his way by his girl friend's father.

"Don't scare him too much dear", said Mrs. Granger who was entering the room with a tray in her hands and Hermione in tow.

From there, things turned for the pleasant. The dinner was good and lasted for more than 2 hours with three courses. Hermione had confided in her mother that the saying 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach' could truly apply to Ron.

After the dinner was over, Mr. Granger asked him, "What are your plans now?"

"I have to return to England now. I don't know if Hermione told you but we need every man that we can back at home. The ministry needs all of us."

Mr. Granger shook his head, "I meant if you are returning to the school? As I see it, you haven't finished your last year and Hermione wanted to return to finish her education."

Ron exhaled deeply, "I have been thinking about that. I thought of joining my brother in his business and for that I don't need to finish my last year. Before the war, they were thinking of expanding the business and opening a branch near the school. They can use a hand at the moment."

Mr. Granger glared at him, "Are you sure that your plans aren't motivated by the fact Hermione would be at the school?"

Mrs. Granger interfered, "Don't give him too hard time, dear. The boy will be scared of you."

Mr. Granger said resignedly, "I cannot best him any other way so this is the only way I have got."

London

Harry appeared outside the Tonks' residence about an hour after leaving the ministry. He had thought about going shopping for some clothes but had put it to a later date. Clothes could wait but Teddy couldn't.

Before going to the Tonks' he had taken a detour in a toy shop on the way. He knew that Andromeda did not want him to fuss too much over Teddy but he just could not resist. When he was with Teddy, he would forget all his worries and become a child with him.

When he knocked at the door, it was opened by Andy who beamed at him, "Harry! What a surprise. I thought you get off only on the weekends."

Harry smiled, "Kingsley told us to go home early. I had time on my hands so I came here. So where is my godson?"

Andy smiled, "In his nursery and I can guarantee you that he is as eager to see you."

Her smile however fell instantly when she noticed the little bag in his hand, "Harry, tell me these are not more toys."

Harry grinned, "But they are."

She glared at him, "And how many times I have told you to not to bring any more toys? You will spoil him."

Harry whined, "But he has got only one godfather, Andy. If I don't spoil him then who will?"

At his reply, she glared at him some more, "You will not spoil my grandson."

Harry snorted, "You know after having braved Professor McGonagall's glare, yours does not even begins to compare with."

With that, he ran to the nursery. As he pushed the door and entered in, he was stumped to find that Teddy had company already.

Ginny was there cradling the toddler in her arms who was gurgling and held one of her locks in his hand. Neville was seated on one of the chairs and content to see the child play with her. As he watched, Teddy changed his hair to match her flaming red hair making every one chuckle.

Harry asked her, "Ginny, what are you doing here?"

It was Neville who answered, "Trying to find you, what else. Flooed me to ask about you at the manor. I told her that we were let off early and perhaps you had come here. She enlisted me in the effort to locate you like the old days of Dumbledore's Army last year. Couldn't say no when she put it like that. Also I wanted to meet Teddy."

Harry turned to her, "What happened?"

She turned to him, fixing him with a stare, "Mother wanted me to find you and haul you to the Burrow. She has been in right state that you haven't visited for more than a week now. I mean we have missed your presence for two Sunday dinners in a row."

Harry sheepishly grinned, "I was busy Ginny."

She huffed, "Andromeda told me that you were not busy with Auror work but finding time to spend with Teddy. You could have brought him to the Burrow with you. You know we all love to spend time with him."

Since it was not possible for Harry to spend time with Teddy by himself when they had company, he took up the toddler form Ginny's arms and brought him out to the sitting room where Andromeda was sitting on a sofa.

Harry kept the toodler in his arms and kept amusing him with colourful bubbles out of his wand while Ginny made some small talk with Andromeda. Andromeda, who by now knew that Harry wouldn't say a word unless prompted, asked him, "So Harry, how is the ministry?"

Neville answered, "If Proudfoot needs someone he calls for Harry. If Kingsley wants a word he sends for Harry. If Gawain wants something done, he calls for Harry. In short everyone calls for Harry."

Harry scowled at him, "As if people don't flock behind the boy-who-slayed-the-giant-snake."

Andromeda realised they were about to go into an argument, "Alright boys. No arguing here. You will scare my poor grandson."

After some time, Ginny took her leave of them telling Andromeda that Molly expected her at home before dinner time. She left telling Harry that Molly would wait for him on Sunday for dinner and that Teddy and Andromeda were already invited. She also warned that if he skipped another Sunday dinner, Molly herself would come to find him and put him in body bind before hauling him over to the Burrow.

After Ginny left, Andromeda asked him, "Has something happened between you two?"

Harry shook his head, "No. Things are fine. It is just that I don't want to impose on them anymore than it is necessary."

Andromeda could not say anything for she didn't knew the boy at all. From what she understood, he was very silent type, who valued his privacy and would never approach to anyone for help. Even if it was something bothering him very much, he won't ask for help.

"Andromeda, can you tell me about Lords and their duties?", Harry asked her, shaking her assumptions at once.

She raised an eyebrow, "And why do you think I know anything about it, Harry?"

He shrugged, "You were born as a Black so I thought you would have been told these things."

She nodded, "Why do you ask?"

"Kingsley, just this noon, informed me that the first meeting to form the Wizengamot will take place about a week from now. I was not brought up in all this so I know nothing about it."

She closed her eyes for a moment, collecting her thoughts, "Harry, these things as you are asking is generally taught to the heir by their lords. I was never the heiress presumptive for my house so I am afraid I cannot help you much with it. Have you looked in the journals? May be they can give you an idea."

He smiled sheepishly, "Umm... the thing is that I haven't yet opened them."

"WHAT!", she exclaimed. "How can you be so blasé about it? I mean they contain records of your estates and how much gold you have."

"No one ever told me anything about it. I didn't even know that the vault I withdraw my money from is a trust vault until a few weeks ago."

She was dumbfounded. She found her voice after about 5 minutes, "I guess that makes sense. Alright, I will help you read through the journals when you bring them with you the next time."

He happily nodded, "thank you. I will take your leave now."

She looked at him warily and said sternly, "You will stay for dinner with your friend."

He meekly nodded.

As Andromeda bustled around in the kitchen, both boys kept Teddy engaged. They had literally surrounded the child with all his toys around him and would show one of them to him and show how it worked. He would only look at them with his big round eyes and when he was in the mood, he would change his hair colour or his eyes colour.

As dinner was being served, Daphne arrived. She looked tired as if she had not been sleeping properly and Harry could swear that the glow which he had seen about her in the past visits was not there. Things were awkward between them since they had parted on not so friendly terms at their last meeting.

"Daphne!", Andromeda beamed at her, "Come in, come in. Where were you for the last week?"

Daphne smiled tiredly, "I was in Greece chasing after my mother." She then nodded curtly to Harry, "Lord Potter".

Harry merely replied, "Hello Greengrass". The frostiness in the reply could be felt in the room.

Daphne had turned to Neville by now who was out of his seat and approaching her. She nodded to him with a small motion of head which may as well, could be called a bow, "Heir Apparent Longbottom."

Neville had taken her hand in his own and was pretending to kiss the knuckles of her hand, "Heiress Greengrass. Charmed to meet you after so many years in an informal setting."

She nodded, "Likewise. The Hogwarts years weren't conducive to the relations between our families."

Harry could not understand what they were going on about. As far as he knew from what he had seen, Neville never talked with anyone out of his house and he definitely would not talk to anyone from the house of Snakes. However he also knew that asking any question of Neville at the moment was not plausible.

As dinner progressed, Andromeda asked Daphne, "Has Cynthia decided to return to England?"

Daphne shook her head, "Mother told me that she has no interest in returning to England unless it is life or death situation. However I was able to convince Tori to come back with me. She still has 2 years to spend at the school."

Daphne then turned to Neville, "So Longbottom, what is new happening?"

"The minister is calling a session of the Wizengamot a week from now. The new lords will be invested, new members will be selected to the Wizengamot and hopefully the death eaters will be tried in a month or so."

She nodded contemplatively, "I think I chose the worst time to go out. Now I have very little time to see that things work as they should."

"You mean manipulating people? Trying to find ways to make them do your bidding?", Harry asked her, unable to stop himself from asking.

She sighed, "Really Lord Potter? You think I would have sided with the light in the battle if I was the manipulating type?"

Harry, whose appetite was sated and had been hoping for some time alone with his godson, realised that perhaps leaving right now was a good idea for him. Also he was not about to get in a debate with Greengrass. He kissed Teddy on the forehead, telling him that he will come later and saying his good-byes, he left.

Daphne was miffed. She turned to Neville, "What does he think of himself? Why do Slytherins have to be the conspirators every time? Why does he think we are the same? And if he keeps up the charade of a commoner, the press and the Wizengamot will eat him alive."

Neville, who had no idea about how to deal with a witch's arguing, allowed letting her finish her rant. When she was apparently done, he started speaking, "We i.e. the Gryffindors never had any good experience with Slytherins in the last 7 years. I sort of lived in the background s I was spared but they actively looked for him and found ways to harass him. Since no other slytherin tried to stop them, I think it made him think that they all think alike. The Slytherin house always stood behind whatever Malfoy did to harass us. So that is the only conclusion he could arrive at. And Heiress Greengrass, he was born in a pureblood family but he was brought up among muggles. I would even dare to say that he did not have had happy life with them. So being brought up among muggles, he doesn't know anything about our customs and traditions. His only potential source of information was the Weasleys who often try to stand as much as apart from us as they can."

For Daphne this was astounding. She had never been involved in anyone's life too far. She had never seen things from this point of view. She had never bothered herself with the politics in the school. Following the traditions of her family, she had remained neutral and that perhaps was her folly. May be, she could try to know the person that Potter really was instead of what people said he was.

A/N- Sorry guys that it took so long. The thing is that the ideas of this fic are slow in coming and I don't want to fill it with so much unnecessary information. I will try that the next chapter comes sooner.