The Choices We Make
10th July 1995
Twenty minutes later…
Walking out of the back door leading to the spacious back garden of Potter Manor, dressed in a sky blue bikini, matching sandals and a pair of sunglasses, with her towel under her arm, Daphne caught sight of Harry swimming in the pool, keeping her eyes on his back muscles as she approached the pool.
After several seconds, Harry turned to look up at her, a cheeky smile on his face as he looked her up and down.
"See something you like?" said Daphne in a flirtatious, innocent voice, placing her towel down on one of the sun loungers.
Harry smirked as she tilted her sunglasses up, keeping her eyes on him as he swam up to the side of the pool.
"Thank god for the sunny weather" said Harry cheekily.
Daphne smirked before shrieking as he splashed her slightly, getting her ankles, feet and sandals wet.
Not wanting to join Harry in the pool just yet, Daphne got comfortable on her sunbed, soaking up the sun as she relaxed, feeling at peace as she lay there.
She was feeling so peaceful in fact, that after twenty minutes, Daphne had fallen asleep, giving Harry an idea before he climbed out of the pool, slowly walking towards her.
Removing Daphne's sunglasses (placing them on the small table next to the sunbed) which revealed that she was indeed asleep, Harry smirked and picked her up in his arms, making her stir awake as they approached the edge of the pool.
"Harry?" said Daphne.
It was then that her eyes flashed towards the pool.
Knowing what Harry was about to do, Daphne opened her mouth in an attempt to stop him before she shrieked as he threw her into the deep end of the pool.
As she came up for air with a deathly glare on her face, she was caught off-guard when Harry slid into the pool, taking her hands and pressing her up against the pool wall, trapping her between the wall and his body.
Daphne maintained her glare as Harry kissed her, smirking against her lips.
"I'll get you for that" said Daphne icily.
Harry chuckled.
"It's a hot day… you needed to cool down fast, I merely… sped the process up" said Harry teasingly.
Daphne kept up her glare but did not resist as he kissed her again, keeping her against the pool wall.
After several seconds, Daphne gently pushed him away, deciding to swim a few laps in the pool.
"Thank God my mum had the sense to have this pool built" said Harry, eyes devouring her bare skin as she started to swim away from him.
Daphne smirked and stopped swimming away from him, tilting her head to face him with a wicked smirk on her face.
"Why… because it lets you ogle your sexy girlfriend in a bikini?" said Daphne wickedly.
Harry gulped and turned red as Daphne swam over to him, that same wicked smirk on her face, silently telling him that he was in trouble.
"What can I say… you look great" said Harry nervously, unable to prevent himself from sneaking glances at her figure, most of which was hidden under the water.
Daphne slid up to him.
"I'm glad to hear it… I knew you'd like it" said Daphne as she leaned towards his ear.
Harry gulped as the two started to swim towards the shallow end of the pool.
"Are you happy here?" said Harry as they stood up in the shallow end.
Daphne smiled and sat down on the pool edge, running her hand through her wet hair.
"I've never been happier Harry… your parents have been so nice to me ever since I arrived here… and I love my room, it makes such a difference to sleep somewhere that makes you feel at home, rather than making you feel like you are trapped" said Daphne softly.
Kneeling down in front of her, Harry smiled and took her hands.
"My mum and dad love you… and so do I" said Harry softly, leaning up to press a kiss to her lips.
Daphne smiled against his lips before gently pulling him up and out of the pool.
Leading him toward her sunbed, Daphne waited until they were in position at the side of the pool before giving him a hard shove, making a loud splash as he hit the water.
As he came up for air, spluttering water, he saw Daphne looking down at him with a cheeky smirk.
"I told you I'd get you" said Daphne cheekily.
Harry chuckled and lifted himself out of the pool as Daphne laid down on her back on the sunbed, stretching her arms and legs as she retrieved her sunglasses, ready to soak up some more sun.
Later that night…
"I always wondered why my father hated my very existence… why I was always made to feel like a piece of dirt in that house" said Daphne sadly.
Harry, who was sitting behind her rubbing her shoulders as he tried to comfort her, sighed and pressed his lips to her neck.
"My Grandfather used to tell me that my Father loved my Mother… that he really loved her… and then she died giving birth to me… is that why he hated me… because she died bringing me into this world" said Daphne sadly.
Harry growled slightly.
"Then your Father is an even bigger bastard than I thought" said Harry darkly.
Daphne wiped the tears from her eyes, leaning back into his chest.
"Even now… I cannot shake the memory of the last words he said to me… he told me not to come crawling back, begging for forgiveness when you dumped me" said Daphne sadly.
Harry sighed and trailed his hands down her arms.
"Look at me Daph" said Harry softly.
Daphne slowly turned around to face him, looking down at her lap as she did so.
Harry tilted her head up and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I wouldn't give you up for anything in the world… don't listen to what your sorry excuse for a father says about us, you mean the world to me and I won't leave you, not now… not ever" said Harry softly, keeping his eyes on hers.
Looking into his inviting green eyes, Daphne slowly smiled, moving closer to him.
"You mean that?" said Daphne sadly, needing reassurance from him.
Harry pulled her in for a kiss, pressing his forehead against hers when they broke their kiss.
"I mean it" said Harry, with Daphne getting all the reassurance she needed by looking into his eyes.
Kissing him again, Daphne wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him down to the bed.
In the passion of a heated make-out session, Daphne pressed her head against his neck.
"Stay a little while longer… I like you… I like you holding me like this" said Daphne, suddenly feeling slightly nervous with red cheeks to prove it.
Harry, whose own cheeks were as red as hers, given that he was just as nervous as she was as they laid on her bed in this very intimate position, was at a loss for words on how to answer her.
Seeing that he was struggling to verbally answer her, Daphne smiled, loving the effect she was having on him.
When he finally did regain his composure, Harry decided that actions spoke louder than words and he kissed her hungrily.
When he finally detached himself from Daphne nearly fifteen minutes later, Harry left her with a goodnight kiss and words of "I love you" before leaving her room, letting her go to sleep.
26th July 1995
Sitting down at the large dining room table at Potter Manor for breakfast, Daphne was nervous knowing that this was the day when their Hogwarts letters and Owl results would arrive, being knowledgable enough to know that Hogwarts and Ministry owls were always able to find the recipients of their letters, also knowing that Hogwarts letters were magically keyed to the current location of the student in question.
As she received a plate of scrambled eggs, coated with ground black pepper and a few slices of toast (her favourite breakfast), Daphne was greeted by Harry who gave her a good morning kiss before taking his seat next to her, receiving a plate of bacon, fried eggs and sausages.
Being joined at breakfast by James, Lily and Evelyn, Daphne started to eat her breakfast, sparing the occasional glance at the open doors leading out to the back garden, looking for any sign of approaching owls.
Mirroring her excitement at the arrival of their Owl results, Harry kept glancing at the open doors, trying to curb his excitement slightly so he could concentrate on his breakfast as well as keep up to date with the conversations the other people around the table were engaging him in.
It was not until he, Daphne and Evelyn were finishing the food provided for them for breakfast nearly ten minutes later, that the sight of five owls appeared on the horizon.
As the three locked eyes on the owls, Harry and Daphne counted two owls apiece for each of them, one carrying their Hogwarts booklists while the other carried their Owl results, with the fifth owl carrying Evelyn's booklist in its beak.
Flying through the open doors into the dining room, the five owls dropped the letters in front of their intended recipients, with the eyes of Harry, Daphne and Evelyn on the envelopes in front of them.
Gingerly picking up one of the envelopes addressed to her (recognising the handwriting as the handwriting used on letters from Hogwarts), with the writing bearing the words.
Miss D.O Greengrass
Potter Manor
Bristol
Near Somerset
Slowly opening the letter, with a smile at the fact that the envelope identified her new home as Potter Manor, Daphne pulled her booklist out of the envelope.
Course Books (Daphne Ophelia Greengrass)
(PLEASE NOTE: Students are only required to purchase books required for the classes they wish to study at N.E.W.T Level)
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six by Miranda Goshawk (Charms)
The Next Level Study of Charms, Grade One by Miranda Goshawk (Charms)
An Expert Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch (Transfiguration)
Defending Yourself Against the Dark Arts: The Expert Guide by Theseus Scamander (D.A.D.A)
Advanced Curses and Counter Curses by Vindictus Viridian (D.A.D.A)
Advanced Potion Making by Libatius Borage (Potions)
One-thousand Magical Plants and their Properties by Hardwin Potter (Herbology)
The Darkest Witches and Wizards from the Last Two-Hundred Years by Bathilda Bagshot (History Of Magic)
Magical Creatures and Monsters: Class XXX and Above by Edwardus Lima (C.O.M.C)
Unfogging The Future, The Higher Studies by Cassandra Trelawney (Divination)
Advanced Numerology and Grammatica by Ambrose Urquhart (Advanced Arithmancy)
Ancient Runes: An Advanced Study by Duncan Whitfield (Advanced Ancient Runes)
A Beginners Guide to Alchemy by Libatius Borage (Alchemy)
A Beginners Guide to Xylomancy by Cassandra Trelawney (Xylomancy)
Ghouls: A Basic Study by Morgana Selwyn (Ghoul Studies)
Intermediate Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling (Magical Theory)
Studying the Higher Mysteries of Magic by Ulric Poliakoff (Ancient Studies)
Silent Casting: A Guide by Emeric Switch (Compulsory for all spell-work-based subjects)
"That is a lot of books… good thing we only need to buy the ones for the classes we're taking" said Harry, looking over his own booklist just as Daphne was.
"How many books are there on yours… I only have to get three" said Evelyn, reading her own booklist, with a part of her wondering who had been awarded the positions of Gryffindor Fifth Year Prefects, given the absence of the Prefects badge with her booklist.
Counting them all up quickly, Daphne was rather surprised that the total number reached a staggering eighteen books, with DADA and Charms requiring two textbooks this year.
"I guess we shouldn't be surprised… given the larger workload and increased amount of studying required to take our Newt's" said Harry, putting his booklist down as he reached for the other envelope which contained his Owl results.
"Eighteen books though… it still seems a bit much" said Daphne.
As she opened the envelope containing her Owl results, feelings of nervousness and excitement were coursing through her veins.
Finally, with a deep breath, she pulled her results sheet free of its confinement in the envelope, unfolding it as quickly as she had pulled it out.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass Grades:
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (EE)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades:
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
DAPHNE OPHELIA GREENGRASS HAS ACHIEVED:
Ancient Runes: O
Arithmancy: O
Astronomy: EE
Charms: O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: EE
Herbology: O
History Of Magic: EE
Potions: O
Transfiguration: EE
Proud that she had achieved such good grades, having spent hours and hours studying for each and every Owl exam that she had to take, Daphne turned to Harry who was looking down at his own parchment sheet, having a peek at his sheet.
HARRY JAMES POTTER HAS ACHIEVED:
Ancient Runes: EE
Arithmancy: O
Astronomy: EE
Charms: O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: O
Herbology: EE
History Of Magic: EE
Potions: EE
Transfiguration: O
As she saw Harry's Owl sheet, she felt just as proud of him as she was of herself, happy that both of them had achieved such good grades, given that not only had he worked just as hard as her. But the time they spent studying together (as well as with their friends) meant that they were always supporting and helping each other, as well as pushing each other to work hard.
As though he could read her like a book, Harry smiled, seeing her taking a sneak peek at his results out of the corner of his eye.
"Checking to see if I did as well as you?" said Harry amusedly.
Daphne flashed him a smile before kissing his cheek, sliding her parchment sheet into his hands.
After receiving a congratulatory kiss as well as words of congratulations, Daphne slid her parchment sheet towards James and Lily, who wanted to know how well she had done just like they wanted to know how well Harry had done.
Reading through Harry's results first, James and Lily congratulated him with so much pride and admiration, the latter giving Harry a kiss on the cheek before James read Daphne's result sheet.
What Daphne had not been expecting, was for James and Lily to give her the same level of congratulations that they had given to Harry, telling her that she was a very smart witch and that she should be very proud, with Lily even pulling her to her feet, wrapping her in a hug and kissing both of her cheeks.
Exactly like her mother would have done for her, had she been alive to see how smart and successful Daphne was.
"We must buy you a present… perhaps a nice dress for the wedding" said Lily softly.
Daphne smiled as her heart warmed at the kindness being shown to her by the Potters.
"Really, you don't have to Mrs Potter" said Daphne kindly.
Lily smiled.
"Nonsense… it's the very least we could do Daphne… and please, call me Lily" said Lily kindly.
Daphne gave Lily a tight hug, showing her appreciation for everything the Potter Matriarch had done for her over the last two and a half weeks.
"Thank you" said Daphne softly.
Once Daphne and Lily let go of each other, Lily turned to Harry who was still sitting down.
"And what would you like Harry?" said Lily.
As Harry started to think about what he might like as a "Congratulations on doing so well on your Owl's" present, Daphne sat down once again waiting for Harry to finish talking to his parents, planning to suggest a trip to Diagon Alley to him so they could go and celebrate their Owl's over a nice meal or some ice cream.
One hour later…
After the two had arrived at Diagon Alley five minutes ago, Harry and Daphne had settled on enjoying some ice cream together at Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, with Harry paying for her favourite frozen dessert as they sat outside in the sun.
At the insistence of Lily and James, the rest of the Potters had decided to join them in Diagon Alley today, planning to get the school shopping done early in hopes of avoiding the busier school shopping days in Diagon Alley.
While Lily and James were taking Evelyn to get her shopping done first, Harry and Daphne opted for ice cream instead, deciding to treat themselves to a few things before starting their school shopping.
Enjoying a spoonful of her favourite strawberry and vanilla ice cream, topped with a few mixed berries, Daphne froze up as four people chose that exact moment to walk right past Fortescue's.
Ambrose, Octavia, Astoria and Gaius Greengrass, all of whom stopped for a moment, looking at Daphne like she was something unpleasant under their shoes before they carried on walking.
Seeing her brother Gaius reminded her that, in just over a month, he would be starting at Hogwarts and no doubt would behave just like Astoria (who would be starting her Third Year), spoiled and jealous of the success and achievements that Daphne gained.
Though she was far happier with Harry than she ever was with the Greengrass Family, Daphne was still hurt by their cold indifference towards her, frowning as she watched them walk away.
Her frowning and sadness persisted even when she felt Harry take her hand which was resting on the table.
"Don't let them get to you like that… you're worth ten of them" said Harry, trying to be supportive.
Daphne sighed and shifted her chair closer to him.
"Look how weak I am… still letting them bully me like this… I didn't think their coldness could scare me anymore, how stupid was I to think that?" said Daphne sadly, not even bothering to try and convince herself otherwise.
Still saddened as Harry took her into his arms, Daphne wiped tears from her eyes.
"That doesn't make you weak or stupid… it makes you human, it makes you kind… because you still hold out hope that they will come around and accept you for who you" said Harry softly.
Daphne felt some of her sadness ease, letting him take her hands and kiss her temple.
"I don't tell you this often enough… but you're one of the kindest people I've ever met, you see the best in everyone you meet… and I don't want you to change ever… because I love you just the way you are" said Harry softly, trailing kisses down to her lips.
Daphne smiled and turned to meet his lips, kissing him softly.
"And you're the best thing that ever happened to me… you remind me why I shouldn't let their words get to me" said Daphne softly.
"That's because I love you… and I would build a life with you if you let me" said Harry softly.
Daphne leaned into him and kissed him, easing the fears growing inside of him that he might have just pushed things too far, too soon.
Fears that she might reject him, given his hints about spending the rest of their lives together when they had only been together for seven months.
"One day maybe… if things keep going the way they are going at this moment, then perhaps we can build a life together" said Daphne quietly as she moved her lips up to his ear.
After a few seconds, with his fears eased, Harry let go of her.
"Come on… let's finish our ice cream then we can go and get our shopping done" said Harry softly.
Daphne smiled and strummed her fingers on the back of his hand, taking another spoonful of her ice cream.
Twenty-five minutes later…
As she and Harry were walking out of Flourish and Bloutts, each carrying a large bag of their school textbooks, they had the misfortune of bumping into her family once again.
This time, however, Daphne was not about to let their mere presence get to her, acting as though they were invisible as she and Harry stepped to one side allowing them to walk past them into the shop without so much as a whisper.
As she and Harry left the shop hand in hand, Daphne squeezed his hand and moved closer to him.
"It's nice… not to feel hurt by seeing them this time" said Daphne softly.
Letting go of her hand so he could wrap his arm around her waist, Harry turned his head and kissed her.
"They cannot hurt me anymore as they would like to… because I am with you… and you make me feel like me, you keep me safe and happy" said Daphne softly.
Harry smiled as he led her along the bustling street of Diagon Alley, enjoying every second he was spending in her company.
29th July 1995
Daphne would laugh if her Father and Stepmother could see her now, exploring one of Muggle London's finest clothing shops (admiring the amazing dresses on display), knowing how shocked and angered it would make them to see her enjoying certain aspects of the Muggle World, finding the fashion to be far nicer than what was available in the Magical World.
Accompanying Daphne on her trip into the Muggle World, were Lily and Evelyn (both of whom were admiring some of the other dresses on display), along with Amanda and Kathryn Black, the latter of whom was 12 years old and due to start her Second Year at Hogwarts as a Hufflepuff in September.
Also accompanying the Potters and the Black Sisters were Petunia and Leanne Rosewood, the latter of whom had become a friend of sorts to Daphne, owing to her familial connection to Harry.
While Petunia and Lily had taken the five girls dress shopping, James, Sirius and Timothy Rosewood had taken Harry, James Black, Dudley and Samuel Rosewood shopping to get their dress robes for the wedding.
After looking at several dresses, Daphne finally laid eyes on one, a gown similar to what her stepmother would wear at grand parties and balls, which was a gleaming silvery-grey in colour, showing just enough skin on her back and her legs but also being modest enough for Daphne's taste.
Taking it off the rack, Daphne made her way back over to where Lily was helping the long black-haired Kathryn Black choose a dress.
As Daphne approached, Lily turned to face her.
"Find anything you like?" said Lily kindly.
Daphne smiled and held the dress up for Lily to see, letting it fall against her body.
Laying her eyes on the dress chosen by her son's girlfriend, Lily thought that it would suit Daphne perfectly.
"Have you tried it on yet?" said Lily softly, looking Daphne up and down as she held the dress.
Daphne shook her head.
"Go… go try it on, after all… you do want to see how good you look in it before you pay for it, surely?" said Lily softly.
With that, Daphne immediately went in search of a changing room, eager to try on the dress.
"I'll help you" said Evelyn as she moved to follow Daphne.
Ten minutes later…
"Wow… and I thought I looked good in the right dress" said Evelyn in slight shock as she stepped away from Daphne after helping her with the zip on the side of the dress, below her right armpit.
When she finally got a look at herself in the changing room mirror, Daphne was stunned at how good she looked in the dress, finding that it fitted her in all the right places and made her look even more beautiful.
"But damn… you look beautiful Daphne, my Brother is a lucky guy" said Evelyn, looking Daphne up and down.
"Thanks" said Daphne, a hint of nervousness to go with her excitement as she checked herself out in the mirror.
Evelyn then opened the changing room curtain.
"Come on… you need to show the others" said Evelyn, taking Daphne's hand and pulling her out of the booth.
"What about my stuff?" said Daphne, glancing behind her at the pile of her clothes left in the booth.
Evelyn took care of that for her, quickly gathering Daphne's clothes under her spare arm before continuing to lead Daphne out of the changing rooms, back into the main shopping area where the others were located.
Four hours later…
"Knock, knock" Daphne heard Harry call out from behind her as she placed her new dress in her wardrobe.
Quickly closing the wardrobe door, Daphne spun around to face him, seeing that he was leaning against the door frame of her open bedroom door.
He quickly held his hands up in front of his chest.
"I didn't see it Princess… I promise" said Harry, moving away from the door frame into her room.
"Good… because it's a surprise" said Daphne as she sat down on her bed, wanting her new dress to be a surprise for Harry, letting him see it for the first time at Bill and Nymphadora's wedding.
Harry closed the door before crossing the room to join her on the bed.
"Well, I am sure it will be well worth the wait" said Harry softly, letting her take his hand as he sat down next to her.
Daphne smiled and pulled their joined hands up to her mouth, kissing his knuckles.
"How was your day?" said Harry softly.
"Wonderful… I never quite understood how fantastic the Muggle World is until now" said Daphne softly, thinking about everything that had happened today.
Not only had Lily and Petunia taken the five girls dress shopping. But they had also treated them to some of the best things that the Muggle World had to offer, with Daphne enjoying the lunch she had at a posh London restaurant the most.
"How was your day?" said Daphne, letting her head rest leisurely on his shoulder.
Harry sighed.
"You try getting an eight-year-old boy to try on several pairs of dress robes… easier said than done" said Harry wearily.
Daphne chuckled and kissed his shoulder.
"I think you're exaggerating… playing up this weary victim act so you can get sympathy from me" said Daphne teasingly.
Harry placed his hand over his heart in mock hurt.
"You wound me Princess" said Harry in a mock wounded voice.
Daphne rolled her eyes and pecked his lips.
"You tease me too much" said Daphne, sighing as Harry's hands came up to her shoulder and cheek, pulling her into him for another kiss.
Harry chuckled.
"You love me though… so you can't complain too much" said Harry teasingly.
"Don't push your luck Harry" said Daphne softly, closing her eyes as she felt his hand tracing her cheek.