The next morning Harry and Daphne were both woken up by a loud pounding on their door.
"Daphne, Harry time to get up!" Mrs. Greengrass yelled through the door.
Daphne lifted her head up from her pillow, and looked over at the clock by her bed and saw it said 9:00am.
"GO AWAY MOM!" She yelled
Harry shot straight up, "What's going on?" he said in confusion.
"You both better be downstairs in twenty minutes or your grounded for a week!" She yelled.
"Uhhhhgg!" Daphne grunted into her pillow. "I HATE YOU!" She yelled.
Harry relaxed after realizing what was happening and that no one was in fact in any danger. "Is she always like this?" Harry asked
Daphne turned her head and opened one eye, "Not usually, something must have happened over night. Usually she lets me sleep until at least eleven."
Daphne got a good look at Harry whose hair was messed up and chest still bare. She felt herself smiling as the little butterflies began to dance around again in her stomach.
"Well I guess we should get up." Harry said through a yawn. Harry had one of the best nights of sleep he had ever had. His dreams were filled with images of Daphne in her swimsuit and not once did anything bad happen to anyone.
Daphne grunted again and slowly rose from her bed. "I'm gonna take a shower, I'll meet you downstairs." She said in a monotone.
Harry chuckled, its was quite funny watching Daphne in the mornings. It was now that he finally got his first good look at her. Her long blonde hair that was normally straight was a huge disheveled mess. Her eyes had dark black circles around them and her shirt was scrunched up and stuck to her skin.
Harry found it quite attractive, "Hey Daphne." he called just as she walked into the doorway to her bathroom.
She didn't say anything just shot him a look that said if you do or say anything wrong I'll kill you.
"Thanks for coming with me last night." Harry said in a lower voice.
Daphne smiled and her head lifted a few inches, "Anytime Harry." she said surprisingly cheerful. She the quickly turned and proceeded to turn on the shower.
Harry grabbed all of the rest of his clothes and walked down the hall to his room. He knocked twice. "Hermione you awake?"
"Just a second." She called out.
Harry heard hurried footsteps and a few moments later the door opened. Hermione was standing there fully dressed and ready for the day. "Harry." She said happily, "I bet you want your room back." She said with a grin.
Harry grumbled, "Only to take a shower and get dressed, then it's all yours again." He walked in and over to his dresser.
Hermione giggled, she had seen on multiple occasions that Harry was never one for mornings. "I'll see you downstairs and Harry." he turned. "Thanks again for saving us last night." She walked over and gave him another warm hug.
"Don't mention it." He said softly.
Hermione went down stairs a few seconds later and left Harry to his own devices.
About fifteen minutes later both Harry and Daphne were downstairs in the dining room eating breakfast. Hermione and Andrea were both sitting at the table eating as well. While Nathanlie was off in the other room talking with Mr. Greengrass.
Two owls flew in at the same time and dropped off two small letters both with Ministry of Magic seals. One addressed to Harry the other addressed to Hermione.
"I wonder what I did wrong this time…" Harry commented jokingly.
Both kids tore into their Letters.
Dear Harry James Potter
Last night at approximately 11pm we detected the use of several Reducto and Stupefy Charms in the presence of a Muggle. In accordance with the Law for Reasonable Underage Magic, you are found Guilty. You are hereby expelled from Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hoping you well Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary for the Minister of Magic.
As Harry read his letter he began to get really pissed off, however before he could say anything he heard several whimpers and then looked over to see Hermione crying.
Daphne quickly snatched Harry's letter and read it as well. "What's wrong dear?" Andrea asked her daughter as Mrs. Greengrass came in the room.
"You're expelled too I take it?" Harry asked Hermione with a great amount of anger.
"Yeeahh." She said while crying.
"WHAT!" Aurora yelled at the top of her lungs. She ran over and grabbed the letter that was in her daughter's hands almost ripping it in half.
"That's totally unfair, you were just defending yourselves." Daphne said now getting angry.
Aurora Greengrass was furious she read the letter several times and had to take a few calming breaths, "Don't worry children, this will all work out. This I'm sure." anger dripping from her last words.
Harry sighed, "I mean what more can I ask for. The ministry and has done everything short of kill me since I learned I was a wizard five years ago."
"Wait you didn't know you were a wizard?" Daphne asked.
"How could I?, I grew up with my muggle Uncle and Aunt who hated magic because in their eyes my mother was a freak. They even concocted this story that my parents died in a car crash to keep me from pursuing it." Harry said still seething with anger.
Aurora had calmed down but a blood vessel in her head popped at that moment, "They. Did. WHAT?!" she said slowly and over enunciating the words.
Daphne had seen her mother like this only one time in her life, and it was right now. She inherited her mother's anger so the two of them had many a sparring match filled with quite colorful language, but this was a new level.
"DANIEL!" She shouted as she marched slowly into the den where he and Mr. Granger were talking.
"Uh oh." Nathaniel said.
"Yeah uh oh is right." Daniel said while standing up and walked over to his visibly angered wife.
"READ!" she thrust the two letters into her husband's hands.
He quickly read them both and tore Harry's into a hundred pieces. "I hate Fudge so much right now!" Daniel said with as much control as he could find. "I'll take care of this, Aurora make sure you Floo Dumbledore, he's going to have to help us on this."
"But Daniel, that means…" Mrs. Greengrass said.
"Yeah, It was bound to happen sooner than later. Especially with Harry living with us." He said looking over at the boy hoping that he wouldn't blame himself for all of this.
Daniel was right to worry because that's exactly what Harry did, "What's happening? What's Dumbledore making you do?" Harry asked Mr. Greengrass.
"Dumbledore has been pressuring me, well us." gesturing towards his wife. "To join the Order of the Phoenix. I was a member many years ago in the first war, but once Voldemort fell I told Dumbledore that I couldn't do it anymore. I had to be there for my kids and family incase something ever happened."
Nathaniel walked over to the man and stood next to his daughter, "What is the Order of the Phoenix?" The man was quite smart, he went to a top school after he got back from serving and finished top of his class. He had an almost unmatched curiosity for all things, he credited himself with his daughters never ending search for knowledge.
Daniel sighed and looked at his wife, "You're going to have to tell them sooner or later." She said shrugging her shoulders.
"The Order of the Phoenix is a secret group that Dumbledore started back in the war with Grindelwald. Essentially its a group of witches and wizards that operate outside the laws of the ministry and protect those that otherwise can't protect themselves. They were also the main opposition force against Voldemort in the first war." Daniel said begrudgingly. He wished that he could keep his family out of this new war entirely but over the last two days he saw that wasn't possible.
Harry was a fighter and that was greatly encouraging to Daniel as he was too. It was the reason he joined the Order the first time. He was fresh out of the academy and felt the same as James and Sirius, like they could take on the world.
"Where do I sign up?" Harry said stepping forward. Nothing about his tone and demeanor said anything other than he was serious.
Daniel smiled while Aurora held her hand to her mouth and let out a small cry. "It's not that simple m'boy. Dumbledore is in charge and he is the one who ultimately decides who joins or doesn't. For now I just want you to worry about how we are going to get you both back in school and for that we need Dumbledore's help." He smiled and turned towards the Floo and was gone in seconds.
Aurora walked into the grouping of the three children, "Run along now go enjoy your summer for the rest of the day. Your father and I will handle this in the meantime."
Daphne, Harry, and Hermione all went back up and sat in Harry's room. "What do we do now?" Hermione asked still very worried about what would happen if she wasn't allowed back in school.
Daphne sighed, "Well we do as my mother said, we enjoy summer. Hermione how would you like to come with me and take a look at the Greengrass library?" She said noticing that Harry had a look that said he just wanted to be alone.
Hermine saw the same look and felt bad for her friend, "Sure sounds fun. How about you Harry?" She asked hoping to spur Harry into a better mood.
"Na, I think I'll stay up here and work on my charms reading. I'll be done before lunch." He said without moving his eyes away from the fixed point in the ground he was staring at.
The two girls left a few moments after, trading several looks between each other.
Daphne lead Hermione into the study and showed her some of the rare books her mother and father had acquired over the years. Hermione was in heaven, most of these books were one of a kind books on all sorts of subjects. She picked a book out about Transfiguration magic and sat down in one of the chairs while Daphne picked one about shield charms.
The two sat quietly for a few hours before Daphne had a thought, "Hey Granger?" She asked curiously
"Yeah?"
"You obviously care a lot about Harry." Daphne said hiding her face a bit.
"He is my first friend and has been my best friend for almost five years now." She said closing the book and looking at Daphne. "Why do you ask?"
Daphne blushed a bit, "Well I am trying to… figure out… ifyoulikeHarry" She finished in one word.
Hermione blushed a bit and laughed, "Not like that I don't." She said sitting up in her chair. "Harry's more like the brother I never had. I thought that I might fancy him last year but I knew that it would ultimately not work out and we both wouldn't be able to be friends and I am not about jeopardize what we have." She said honestly for the first time. "Why?" She said now narrowing her eyes and a small grin appeared on her face.
"No reason." Daphne answered back quickly.
"Daphne stop pretending, its written all over your face. I noticed it yesterday." Hermione laughed at the blondes embarrassment.
"I haven't wanted to say anything because I didn't want to be intruding if you and Harry had a thing going. But then the whole thing yesterday happened…" Daphne was mumbling now, it was so out of character for her.
"Daphne you have to be honest about your feelings. If you like someone then you should say it, especially if its Harry. He's been starved of love for almost his entire life and has no idea what it means to have a family. Neither of which I can give him sadly." Hermione said staring hard at the ground.
Daphne kicked up from the chair she was on and walked over to her school rival. "Hermione you have no idea the face he made last night when your Patronus came into the room. That boy would walk through fire to save you." She was kneeling right in front of Hermione and they both were staring at each other.
"You don't know Harry enough yet, but he would willingly die for any of the people he cares about. I am sure that applies to you as well." Hermione said leaning back in the chair. "You should ask him out, because I'll tell you a secret about Harry Potter. He won't ask." She smiled and went back to her reading.
Daphne walked back over to her chair and picked up her book to continue reading, all the while thinking about Hermione had just said. "I'll be right back." she said with a determined looked on her face.
Hermione giggled to herself while continuing to read her very interesting book.
Daphne went through the house looking for her mother who she found in the kitchen with Trixie preparing lunch. "Mom, can we talk a minute." Daphne said plainly.
Aurora dried her hands off and set her appren down, "Sure thing sweatie, what's bothering you?"
"Well mom its kinda… a sensitive topic." She said kicking her feet and trying to drag it out as long as she could.
Aurora moved them both to the small table in the kitchen, "Daphne if its bothering you…"
"I like Harry." She said interrupting her mother. "But I am worried that because you're his godmother…" She couldn't finish before her mother stopped her by giving her a hug.
"Oh sweetie." She smiled and to herself screamed, 'Yes.' She had been worried that Daphne hadn't really show any interest in dating and she was already fifteen. Most girls her age would have already had and gone through several boyfriends by this time and Daphne had never had one.
"Of course it's ok. Although Harry is my godson he's not of blood which means that no one's going to care." She said while reaching out and holding her daughters arm. She pushed Daphne away so she could look at her. "You know what it means if you go out with Harry?"
"Yes mom…" Daphne said embarrassed.
"I mean more than just getting getting your picture taken. More than all the attention at school. "
"If he gets back into school…" Daphne said under her breath.
"STOP THAT!" she said loudly which startled Daphne. "Your father is going to get Harry and Hermione back into Hogwarts." She too frowned. Her husband would do whatever it takes. "What I'm saying Daphne, is that if you starting dating Harry your going to become a target."
Daphne looked confused, "What do you mean, a target?"
Aurora sighed, "I mean think about what happened to Hermione and her folks. She's his friend, think about how bad it would have been if people knew she was his girlfriend."
Just then Aurora and Daphne heard a small crash and Daphne saw what looked like a boy running across the entryway followed seconds later by a door slamming shut.
"Oh god." Mrs. Greengrass said.
"What was that?" Daphne said now worried.
"I think Harry heard the last part of that." She said now very worried. Harry already had terrible problems with trust and this would only make it worse. She figured Harry blamed himself for the attack on the Granger's and this would only make things spiral way worse.
Daphne sat still for a few moments trying to process everything. Daphne was very smart yet she couldn't seem to come up with anything to do. "I don't get it… why would he…"
"Daphne, he blames himself for the attack on his best friend's family. He blames himself for everything that V...Voldemort does." She struggled to say the name.
It was like a light turned on in Daphne's brain, she hadn't even thought of that because it was so ridiculous but now that her mother put words to it, it all made sense. She looked at her mom suddenly, "What do I do?" she said restraining herself from crying.
"I don't know. Try talking to him, you seem to be someone that he trusts more than most." Mrs. Greengrass said hopefully.
Daphne stood up slowly and walked over to the study where Hermione was still studying, "Hermione." She said for the first time. "We have a problem…" and so Daphne filled Hermione in on the events of the last five minutes along with her and her mothers thoughts.
Hermione sat in the chair her elbows on her knees and her head resting on her hands. "I'm no expert on Harry." she prefaced. "However, in the past there are only two things that work with him. Either leave him alone or show him that he needs us or in this case you." She said looking at Daphne.
"I don't think I can do either, I mean I've only known him for a few days." Hermione stood up and walked over to Daphne and put an arm on her shoulder.
"Daphne Greengrass, You have gotten Harry to open up to you more than I have in the five years I've known him. If there's anyone that he'll listen to right now it's you, besides he still blames himself for my family getting attacked. It's the reason he didn't want to hang out with me today. I think…" Hermione said hoping that she was right about this.
The two girls shared a look that they both knew meant the other cared a lot for Harry and a moment later Daphne nodded which cause both girls to smile.
Daphne then walked upstairs and knocked nervously on Harry's door. "Harry it's just me." She said hopefully that he would let her in.
"What do you want?" he said somewhere between crying and angry.
"I just want to talk, can I come in?"
"Why?! So you can blame me for putting your family at risk?" Harry spat out venomously.
"Thats… thats not… Harry please just let me in." Daphne knew the door was unlocked and all she had to do was open it but this was about trust, and if Harry didn't trust her then there was no way she could even hope to help him through this.
"Fine." He said quickly and shortly.
Daphne opened the door and saw his room was a mess, he had thrown everything around. His clothes were scattered, he had papers torn up and all over the room. Harry was curled up in a small ball right where he was that first night. Daphne figured he must have associated that spot with being comfortable because of how he slept the first night.
"Harry, how much of our conversation did you hear?" Daphne asked hopeful that she'd be able to use logic to help Harry understand.
"Enough to know that you guys think of me as a risk, and you know what, it's true. Anyone close to me ends up dead." He said it so definitively that Daphne knew there was no hope trying to convince him otherwise.
"Harry, I don't think of you as a risk. For fucks sake I went with you to Hermione's knowing that anything could have happened." She walked slowly over to him. "Harry I went with you because I like you, and I didn't want anything bad to happen to you." She said it firmly
Harry looked up and saw that she was kneeling right in front of him and her face was slowly turning red. His face was confused but as Daphne looked into his eyes she saw that fire that had been burning before was now a blazing firestorm. She meant something more to Harry and she saw it with her own eyes.
"You… like… me?" Harry asked timidly
Daphne nodded and flashed the best smile she could.
Harry was stunned, he had no idea how to react. Never in a million years would he think anyone would want to date him. "What do you mean?" He asked quivering as if the answer would kill him.
Daphne lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Harry and accidentally dragged him to the ground on top of her. "I mean like this." She said playfully and she started tickling his sides.
Harry immediately started laughing and squirming however, as soon as Daphne let up a little he quickly flipped Daphne on top of him and began tickling her back.
The problem was, Daphne was much more ticklish than Harry and so after a few moments of trying to escape she yelled, "OK OK I GIVE." Daphne and Harry were both panting heavily.
As Harry stopped, Daphne realized how they were positioned. She was straddling him on the floor of his bedroom. Their clothes in all different sorts of disarray and Harry had a huge smile on his face that made her feel like the only person in the world.
As the two teens caught their breath Daphne looked at him, "Do you understand now what I mean?" She said as sexy as she could muster given that her heart was still racing at a hundred beats a second.
Harry stared into her brown eyes and for the first time in his life he saw more than just his reflection. He saw a spark, a tiny blue flame dancing slowly in the back. The flame reminded him slightly of the flame from the Goblet of Fire. The spark was soothing to watch and it gave him this slight warmth in his chest, a warmth that was new to him, refreshingly new.
Daphne watched eagerly waiting for his answer but his expression was more powerful than any words he could come up with. He was looking up at her with a sense of completeness like it was the first time he was experiencing what it meant to be cared about, what it meant to be loved.
"I think so." Harry said finally as he leaned up quickly pressing his lips against Daphne's. He had no idea why he did it, no idea where the idea even came from just that he did it. When their lips met it was like lightning, her lips were soft and delicious and left him with this cool tingling feeling.
As he pulled away he gently pressed his fingers to his lips, "I'm sorry." He said now looking away from her. "I don…"
His apology was interrupted by Daphne placing a finger on his lips. "Why apologize for something SO GOOD." She said as she leaned over and kissed him just a bit longer.
This time it was like heaven had given them just a taste for what could be. Daphne quickly adjusted so she could wrap her arms around his neck and pulled him slightly off the ground, while Harry's arms wrapped around her shoulders and waist to better pull her against his chest.
After about ten seconds they both pulled away breathing as heavily as they did after their tickle war.
"That was." Harry said gasping for breath.
"Amazing." Daphne finished as she rolled off of him and onto her back.
Harry let his head hit the ground and turned so his head rested against his hand. "Thank you." He said apologetically.
Daphne rolled over so she was facing away from him but backed up so she was snuggled with her back against his chest. "For what?" Daphne asked as she encouraged Harry to wrap his arm around her.
"For not letting me fall into another pit of darkness." Harry said with a hint of sadness.
Daphne sighed and looked up so she could see his eyes. "You gotta stop assuming everything and everyone is going to hurt you. In case you couldn't tell we care very much about you. Some more than others." She said blushing a bit.
Harry pulled her a bit closer to him, his arm draped around her chest so that it was just touching the underside of her breasts. Which caused Daphne to let out a soft gasp.
Harry realizing where he arm was quickly pulled away, "Sorry, I didn't realize where my arm was." He push himself away and released Daphne so that if she wanted to get away she could.
Much to Harry's surprise she rolled over so she was facing him, "Harry please." She said with a smile. "It's ok, I wasn't expecting it and besides…I kinda liked it." She smiled brightly. Her hair framing her face in an almost golden aura except for a small piece that fell perfectly in front of one eye and hiding it ever so slightly.
"HARRY DAPHNE, Lunch is ready!" Mrs. Greengrass called from downstairs.
They both stared at each other for a few moments before both erupting with laughter.
Harry slowly got up and he pulled Daphne to her feet, "What do we tell your mom?" Harry asked knowing that neither of them could hide anything.
"Our mom, and secondly… that's what we were talking about in the kitchen when you overheard things." Daphne said as she fixed both hers and his clothes. "She was telling me that if we went out that things would be dangerous especially if Voldemort is after you like we think he is."
"Daphne I don…"
"STOP!" Daphne said stomping her feet and throwing her hands down. "Don't you dare say I don't want to put you in danger. Harry I know this going in, so do mom and dad. Not that I think they would change their mind, mom would likely die before she let anything bad happen to you." Daphne said shrugging her shoulders. "But Harry listen to me, I don't give a fuck if Voldemort is trying to kill you. You are the first person who has ever made me feel this way and I'll die before I let myself get scared away from being with you." Daphne stood still in the middle of the hallway staring at him.
Harry saw the anger and passion radiating from her but it didn't scare him in fact it gave him strength and purpose. Daphne was someone that cared about him and more than just because he was the Boy-Who-Lived. It made him really happy, uncharacteristically happy, happy enough that he felt like screaming from the rooftops.
"Do you get it now?" She said a bit softer.
Harry nodded and extended his arm to take hers. She reached out and grabbed his and they both walked down the stairs.
When they walked into the dining room holding hands and bright smiles on their face, Hermione eeped and then brightly smiled at her best friend and his now girlfriend.
Hermione's eep drew Astoria's attention to the new couple and she gasped and put her hand on her mouth, "OHHHHHH Someones got a BOYFRIEND" She said in long drawn out syllables.
"Shut it or I'll never help you with chores or homework again." Daphne said leaning forward and glaring at her sister.
Daphne's mother walked into the room, "Astoria you'll have plenty of time to make fun of your sister and Harry, but for right now let them be." She said setting a plate of sandwiches and chips on the table. She gave both Harry and Daphne a quick look and a smile before heading back to the kitchen.
"Yes mother." Astoria said in defeat as she started eating her lunch.
Harry and Daphne sat in their usual seat and served themselves lunch while Hermione sat and watched.
The four of them ate the entire meal without sharing a word, however every once in a while Hermione or Astoria would just break out into laughter and then settle down.
Harry and Daphne could not figure out why they were doing it, they just knew it was because of them. Aurora Greengrass stood in the doorway for most of the time silently giggling to herself. Thinking that her daughter was so lucky to have found a truly good hearted boy, and that Harry would be well taken care of by Daphne. She'd only known Harry for a few days but already she could tell what a kind and generous person he was. Even after all the terrible things that happened to him, he was still a loving and compassionate person.
After lunch Harry, Hermione and Daphne went back into the study to read some more, Daphne enticing him by saying there was some cool books on dueling techniques. They stayed in the Study for a few more hours before Daniel Greengrass came home.
Sometime around five the Floo roared to life and Daniel stepped through, "Fucking hypocritical piece of shit." He yelled to himself as he walked into the foyer. Daphne and Harry were both walking down the stairs holding hands. "Evening Father." Daphne said politely
"How was work Mr. Greengrass?" Harry asked hopeful that he might have some information about him and Hermione returning back to Hogwarts.
"The whole bloody lot of them have gone looney." Daniel said angrily but with a smile as he flipped his head up to the two teens, "Hey Harry, hey sweetie." and he marched on into the dining room.
"Whole system's fucked because Fudge is a moron! The facts are there!" He shouted pointing at no one.
Aurora Greengrass walked in from a back room of the house, "What on Merlin is going on?" She asked looking around for the cause of the loud noise she had heard.
Harry and Daphne both shrugged and pointed her towards the dining room. She walked into the room and stood opposite to her husband.
"Daniel what are you spouting?"
"The whole Ministry has their heads up their asses. They are denying that the attack at the Granger's even happened. Saying it was just a bit of accidental magic." He looked at Hermione, "Dumbledore managed to swing it so that they dropped the case against you."
Hermione's eyes shot wide, "You mean I get to go back to school?"
"Yup, you should be getting an apology by Monday." Daniel said as happily as he could.
"What about me?" Harry asked depressed because he already suspected based on how Mr. Greengrass was talking that things didn't go well.
"That's part of the problem, Fudge is denying everything. He's refusing to believe that Voldemort is coming back and that his Death Eaters have already started terrorizing." Daniel stomped his hand on the table. "You are going to have to appear in court on Monday Harry, in front of the entire Wizengamot. I was able to get McGonagall to help testify and Dumbledore has assured me that he'll do everything in his power." Daniel sat back in his chair clearly feeling better after yelling and cursing up a storm.
"Yeah but Mr. Greengrass what did that cost us? You all are already at risk because I am apparently the only thing Voldemort cares about. Not to mention things are only going to get worse if it comes out that Daphne and I are going out." Harry said not realizing what he said.
"When it comes out." Daphne said correcting him.
Daniel Greengrass who had calmed down was now staring open jawed at Harry and Daphne.
Aurora stood in the doorway eagerly waiting her husbands response, she only hoped that he would think about it before jumping to a wrongful conclusion as he had with Astoria's first boyfriend.
"Harry say that again." He said sitting up in his chair and putting on arm on the table.
"Which part?" Harry asked equally as confused as Mr. Greengrass.
Daphne put a comforting hand on Harry's arm. "Dad, Harry and I are going out. I have no idea what we are yet but we both know there is something more than just friends." She blushed and looked at Harry. "Right?"
Harry just stared into her eyes and felt his stomach beginning to tie up in knots. He was trying to will his mouth to respond but the message to move his mouth never got received. He just smiled real big after Daphne squeezed his right arm and he shook his head, "Yeah more than friends." He said quickly.
Both Harry and Daphne looked towards her father trying to judge what he was thinking. Harry's first instinct was to hold his wand tighter incase the man tried to hex him.
"I see…" he said in deep thought. He turned towards his wife, "Did you know about this?" Aurora just nodded and smiled. "Well that's the best new i've heard all fucking day." He said standing up from the table with a huge smile.
He walked over and slapped Harry on the back and gave his daughter a one handed hug. "Now you both are very smart and so I am probably saying this for no reason but, you both need to be very careful when it comes to who knows about this. Right now I imagine it's only the people in this house." He looked around the room at his wife and Hermione then Astoria. He then looked at Daphne, "I imagine Tracy will know before tomorrow…" To which Daphne blushed and nodded.
Daniel was keenly aware that Tracy was Daphne's most trusted friend, he would have to make a note to inform Tracy's dad about it. "FANTASTIC!" he shouted which startled both Harry and Daphne as they were both right next to him.
"Dad please…" Daphne said covering her ears. "We are right here. You don't need to yell."
He skipped over to his wife and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "We should celebrate." He spun around and wrapped his arm around his wife.
Daphne meanwhile put her head embarrassingly on the table, "I hate it when he does this…" she said softly hoping no one heard her.
"Are we going to Giovanni's?!" Astoria asked very excitedly.
"A WONDERFUL idea Astoria! Everyone get ready we leave in ten minutes." He commanded jovially. "Oh Harry Daphne a word please." Daniel said stepping away from his wife.
Aurora eyed her husband. He nodded and waved his hands down to say I got it.
Daphne got up and grabbed Harry's hand and led him over to her father. "Yes daddy?" she said innocently.
"Look, I am going to be honest with you both, as I have a feeling Harry knows this already but I am your father." he said looking at his daughter. "And you are my son. Voldemort is after you Harry, he thinks that until you are dead he can never truly be immortal. I haven't figured out more than that, just that Dumbledore's keeping it pretty close to the vest."
"Why does he think that?" Daphne asked.
Daniel shrugged, "I haven't figure that part out yet, however until the Ministry gets their head out of their ass there's not much I can do. Amelia Bones is the head of the DMLE and she is being blocked from putting you under protection."
"Mr. Greengrass, I don't need protection I need training. If there is one thing that I've learned in the last four years is that Voldemort will find a way to get me away from Dumbledore." Harry was a bit annoyed.
"Fair." Daniel said nodding, "I want you both to start training."
"But Dad!" Daphne said in defeat.
"No arguments young lady. I was going to have you start anyway because like it or not. Once it becomes public that Harry has a new Godmother we will be targets for Voldemort. You more than the rest of us sweatie." Daniel put a hand on his daughter shoulder.
"Fine." She pouted, which Harry found to be very cute which caused him to giggle. "What's so funny?" She said glaring at him.
"Oh just your face when your mad is kinda cute…" he said blushing slightly.
Daniel Greengrass smiled, "Ahh to be young again…"
Daphne glared at both of them before punching Harry in the shoulder which only made him laugh more. "Now run along, we are leaving for dinner in a few minutes."
Harry and Daphne went back upstairs and before Harry went into his room Daphne pulled him down the hall to her doorway. "Harry I'm sorry things got so complicated."
Harry laughed, "Daphne you don't know this yet, but to me this is normal. I've never had a normal life. The way I see it, at least I have you and your family." He was actually very happy to be with Daphne.
"Our Family, stop trying to deny it." she said sternly.
"I'll try." He said as he leaned in and kissed Daphne softly on the lips as a way to apologize.
Daphne smiled, "Now go get changed we need to be down stairs."
A few minutes later Daphne and Harry walked downstairs together and saw Astoria and their parents standing next to Hermione and her parents making light conversation.
"We ready?" Daniel asked turning to face his daughter and Harry.
"Yes father." Daphne and Astoria both answered together.
"Excellent! On we go." He lead the group into the Den where the Floo was.
"Nathaniel have you ever used a Floo before?" He asked the bigger gentleman.
Nathaniel stepped forward and examined the fireplace, "No we haven't, at least not to my knowledge." He said looking at his daughter who shook her head with a smile.
"Well no matter, It's real easy. Grab a bit of this powder." He said pointing to a green and purple pouch sitting in a gold holder next to the fireplace. "Then you throw it into the firepit and speak your destination, Leaky Cauldron. Astoria why don't you go with your mother first to show them."
Astoria ran up next to her father, "Ok Daddy."
Astoria took her mother's hand and then reached up on her tip toes and grabbed a handful of powder and walked up to the fireplace. She took a deep breath, "Leaky Cauldron"
The fireplace roared to life with wild green flames and they both stepped through and were gone in a poof.
Andrea was very intrigued, "Oh dear that looks fun." She stepped up and quickly grabbed a handful of the powder examining it in her hand. "Ohh its soft." she quickly turned to the fireplace and yelled, "Leaky Cauldron" and she was off.
Soon it was just Daniel and Harry as Hermione and Daphne went together. "Harry, I may have been a bit overbearing earlier, but I wanted to say that I am happy for both you and Daphne. I see it plain as day the way you both look at each other. Just promise me this, please treat her with respect and know that I know where you sleep." He said as manly as the man could while suppressing his excitement.
"Yes Mr. Greengrass, I will."
"Very good on you go." He said and put an arm around his shoulder which made Harry smile. He was starting to see Mr. Greengrass as the father he never had.
As they all arrived in the Leaky Cauldron, they quickly exited through the Muggle door and walked in pairs down the street.
Giovanni's was a very nice Italian restaurant that was only two blocks from the Leaky Cauldron.
They walked into the large single story building and Harry was surprised to see how nicely the building was painted and that the servers wore black vests and white button downs.
Daniel walked in first and went to the front desk and flashed a small blue card and the woman behind the counter smiled brightly and nodded. They were quickly ushered towards the back room.
They were led to a room with one large table and a few doors one of which Harry assumed was directly to the kitchen.
They all sat around the table all chatting peacefully, all the while Harry and Daphne held hands under the table. They eventually all ordered different plates and about ten minutes later the table was filled with all sorts of pasta, soup, salads and other small pastries.
Soon after they all started eating, Nathaniel turned towards Harry, "So what's this I hear about you starting training?"
Harry politely finished chewing and put down his fork, "Well Mr. Greengrass feels that it's a good idea for us to learn how to defend ourselves. I frankly agree, if Hermione has told you anything about what has happened over the last four years." He looked nervously towards his best friend hoping that he wasn't going to do more harm than good.
Hermione just nodded and smiled, "I've told them some things, ever since second year Dumbledore has been checking up on us."
Harry remembered the almost two months that Hermione was petrified and how much pain it caused him to see her like that.
Nathaniel grinned, "Well I for one think it's a great idea and I would like to ask if you wouldn't mind including my daughter in this training."
Hermione was angry that her father was forcing her to do something, but as her brain worked through it, it made perfect sense. He wanted to make sure she was able to protect herself and them in case Death Eaters came back.
Daniel looked at the big gentleman, "That's a great idea!"
"It's actually a good idea, I don't know why I didn't think of it first." Hermione said after finishing a bite of salad.
Daniel finished chewing his chicken parmesan, "I was going to start tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock, and Astoria your coming with them as well." He said with a big grin.
"Daaad!" was a chorus of voice from the three girls. Even Hermione didn't like the idea of starting at 7am.
Harry was the only one not to fight and it was because he was excited, last year when he worked with Professor Flitwick he really enjoyed the few sessions they had and he felt that it really paid off. Not that anyone would be able to tell based on his performance against Voldemort in the graveyard but heck he's only a fourteen year old vs a full grown dark wizard that has at least fifty years of researching and training on him.
"Daniel." Nathaniel said before either of them responded to their daughters, "I may not be a wizard, but I'd still like to offer my services. I was a drill instructor for the Royal Navy for a few years before leaving the Navy."
"That sounds fantastic, physical conditioning and fitness are huge parts of the training that I had in mind. I'd love it if you joined us tomorrow morning." Daniel replied much too happily for Daphne's liking.
All of the girls groaned loudly, "Why does it have to be 7am?" Daphne said loudly before taking a huge bite of the roll she was holding.
"Because the best time to work out is just after waking up." Andrea said happily. She had done some class at university, about physical fitness, before she met Nathaniel and they both found their love for dentistry.
The rest of the meal was taken by the teens a bit more sadly however the adults seemed to all be enjoying the torment of their kids. Harry however ate nervously because he felt something off about Daphne, he couldn't quite understand what, just that she wasn't her normal self. He made a note to ask her later when the got back to the house.
About an hour later everyone was back in better spirits after eating ice cream and creme brule. They all Floo back to Greengrass manor and split their separate ways for the rest of the evening.
Hermione went to Harry's room saying that she wanted to get some sleep if they were going to be up at seven.
Daphne and Harry decided they too were a bit tired and went back to Daphne's room where Trixie had made up Harry's bed and even brought in a small chest of some of his clothes since he would likely be staying in her room for a few more days.
As Daphne closed the door she walked over to her desk and sat down. "Daphne?" Harry asked hesitantly.
Daphne had pulled out a quill and parchment and was beginning to think what she was going to tell Tracy, "Yeah?" She said over her shoulder.
"Back at the restaurant, I got the feeling that you were upset over something." He said while he sat down on his bed and pulled off his shoes and socks.
Daphne signed and turned around in her chair, "When I was ten I really hurt my back doing gymnastics and ever since I've been afraid to do anything similar." Her back hadn't really hurt in a few years but she was still worried. She had been stuck in a bed for almost 6 months.
"I didn't know you did Gymnastics." He said surprised. I mean she definitely had the body type for it. Slim, tall, incredibly flexible it all made sense.
"Yeah Tori and I both did Gymnastics till we started going to Hogwarts." She turned back around to writing her letter.
Harry sat thinking for a moment, "Did you like it?" he asked.
Daphne dropped her shoulders and placed her quill back down, "I did for a while but after I got hurt, I just couldn't get back into it."
"I wish I got to do something growing up…" He a bit depressed and softly.
"You didn't do any sports or activities when you were growing up?" Daphne asked in shock.
"No." Harry said laying down on his bed. "Uncle Vernon was adamant about not spending any extra money on me. I only went to school for two years before I got my Hogwarts letter." He said staring up at the moving ceiling in Daphne's room.
"Harry that's awful, I bet you would have been great at sports." Daphne said realizing that he probably would have been a great athlete given his build.
"That's part of the reason why I was so excited to make the Quidditch team in my first year." Harry said with a bit of smile.
"Wait you play Quidditch?" Daphne asked honestly.
"Yeah… I've been Gryffindor's Seeker since our first year." He said it as if everyone knew that.
"I don't go to the games, part of my way of avoiding Draco and his cronies." She said a bit coldly. "But dad will be thrilled to know that you play. He was a great chaser many years ago."
Harry was a bit saddened to hear that Daphne didn't like Quidditch but maybe he could convince Mr. Greengrass to come to some of his games. "Well that's a bummer."
"I mean… I could start going to your games…" She said turning around in her chair and resting her head on the top of backrest.
Harry perked up, "You'd do that? I mean… you don't have to if you don't want to…" He said between excited and nervous.
"Maybe, depends how good you are." she said almost challenging him to prove himself. Truthly Daphne had always liked Quidditch, and when her father would get tickets she'd always go with him to watch the games.
"Do you fly?" Harry asked on a whim, he and Ron use to fly all the time, but since he wasn't on speaking terms with the redhead he found himself lacking someone to fly with.
Daphne stood up and rolled the scroll up and tied a small piece of green string around it, "A bit, what's it to ya?"
"Well... Maybe we could go flying sometime this summer. I've never been able to practice during the summer and it's much easier to practice with someone else... "
Daphne smirked. she was actually a pretty decent flyer however she had no interest in playing Quidditch, she was more into the racing aspect of flying. "We'll talk to father in the morning. By the way." she said walking over to the door. "Do you mind if I borrow Hedwig to deliver this?"
Harry eyed her cautiously, "Sure but who's it too?"
Daphne blushed, "Tracy…"
"I KNEW IT!" Harry said smiling while jumping out of bed.
"I didn't realize you cared that much." She said jokingly.
"I mean I've only talked to her that one time, but she seems kinda fun." Harry said kicking his feet a bit.
"Oh my, you have a crush on Tracy." Daphne said smiling.
"I DO NOT have a crush on Tracy." Harry said defiantly while blushing. He was in uncharted waters now, he liked Tracy but he really liked Daphne too.
"Harry your a fourteen year old boy, you should like girls besides, Tracy's hot." She said it like she had put some thought into it.
"Yeah but… I am suppose to like you… Right?" Harry asked confused, he was terrible with girls and what was worse is that Daphne knew it.
"Hahaha." Daphne laughed, "Harry it's alright if you like Tracy. We aren't at that point yet where we need to be exclusive. For fucks sakes I've only known you for what four days?"
"Yet, your already ok with me sleeping in your room." He said it with some flare.
"Your point?" she returned his sass.
Harry fumbled a bit he couldn't think of anything to say back, "I got nothing." He shrugged and went back to his bed.
"HA!" Daphne shouted defiantly, "So can I use Hedwig or not?" she asked coming back to the original point.
"Yeah, just make sure you scratch her behind her left ear. Otherwise she'll bite you." Harry pulled the covers over his head.
A few minutes later Daphne came back into the room and before going to bed, walked over to Harry's bed and climbed on top of him.
Harry adjusted so he could see her, and when he did she was staring right into his eyes. All Harry saw were these two big gorgeous brown eyes staring deep into his soul. Daphne leaned down as if to kiss him but instead positioned her lips just above his ear.
"Your right by the way." she said softly which sent shivers down his spine. "You are suppose to like me." She said as she lightly bite his upper ear which sent more shivers down his spine a drew out a low guttural moan.
Harry turned his head to face hers and quickly found her lips with his. He was very gentle with her because he was savoring every moment of it. As the kiss deepened Harry snaked an arm around her waist and quickly turned her onto her back, which prompted a quick "Eeep."
Harry then began to kiss softly down her neck to her shoulders which elicited a wonderful response from Daphne, "Ohhhh." The vibrations sent tingles to Harry tongue and only spurred him to go further. However he stopped at the hem of her shirt not sure if he could go further.
Harry took this opportunity and moved so he was breathing heavily into Daphne's ear, "I don't think you'd like it if I did that to Tracy." Harry said with a smug smile.
Daphne quickly hit him in the shoulder, "Prat!"
Harry giggled slightly, "You asked for it." Before Daphne could respond he pressed his lips again onto hers this time gently playing with her lower lip with his tongue. It felt like silk and tasted like butterscotch. This time it was Harry who moaned first which made Daphne feel amazing.
It only reaffirmed the thought that Harry was excited because of her and not just because of some deep animal instinct that Daphne assumed drove all men to thoughts of sex.
Harry soon stopped and rolled off of her. She sat up and the two of them sat next to each other holding hands and just staring at each other.
"Soo girlfriend?" Harry asked nervously.
"Yeah boyfriend." She said while she licked her lower lip which tasted like the inside of Harry's mouth and gave her a warm feeling in her stomach.
"Good now get off my bed." Harry said playfully. Daphne hit him again in the shoulder, eventually they will start hurting she thought.
"Jerk." She got up and went over to her dresser to change. Daphne took off her shirt and white bra at the moment that Harry looked over to say good night.
However what Harry saw was amazing, hidden under Daphne's clothing was an incredibly fit body. She had tight abs and perfectly toned arms along with almost no fat except for a bit around her ribs. Not to mention amazingly rounded breasts. Harry was transfixed he couldn't stop staring, a voice in his head told him if he didnt Daphne would notice and then she'd be pissed.
However this voice was not loud enough to break the mesmerizing effect Daphne's body was having on his fourteen year old brain.
Daphne noticed him staring and quickly realized that she wasn't wearing any shirt or bra, "Harry…" She said in on long breath.
"Uh huh?" he said with a bit of drool falling out of his mouth.
"Whatcha doin?" she said with a smile while she pulled out a long T-shirt and held it over her chest.
"Nothin…" Harry said while his brain screamed look away.
She turned around slightly so she was facing him, "You know you could just ask if you wanted to see my breasts." Daphne said plainly.
"Huh? What?" Harry said coming back to reality, "I… I mean huh?" His brain was screaming at him to apologize but all that came out was a jumble of words. Daphne smiled and giggled a little bit.
"Do you want to see them or not?" Daphne asked a bit offended that he hadn't asked her after she prompted him. She wasn't going to show him even if he had to be fair.
"I… I mean…I wouldn't want you to unless you were comfortable. As much as part of my brain is screaming that I want to see your breasts and touch them even more, I respect you and your privacy too much to try and force things. You gave me enough of a show already." Harry said blushing and hiding his face.
Daphne was taken aback never had she thought she'd find a boy who didn't think it was right to see her naked so soon after getting together, but there he was. Harry sitting in his bed in her room where she was half naked and telling her it was her choice.
"You really are an amazing person." Daphne said as she dropped her shirt just a little bit revealing her chest slightly. Which caused Harry's eyes to bulge out of his face and he once again looked like was turned to mush.
What Harry saw was the most amazing thing, her breasts were perfectly round and atop them were these tiny pink dots that rose up just enough to stop your fingers from passing over them cleanly. "Wow…" Harry said out loud.
Daphne blushed hard as she watched his face turn from embarrassed to bright red in a matter of seconds. Daphne had only flashed her chest to him for a few seconds before putting the oversized shirt on, however the response she got was more than she expected. She never considered herself to be overly gifted in the breasts and ass department. Part of that being because she did Gymnastics for almost seven years and other part being her mother wasn't particularly gifted either.
However the reaction she was getting from Harry was more than enough to overfill Daphne's ego and self esteem. "Thank you Harry." Daphne said happily as she climbed into bed.
"Uh huh." he answered as he too crawled back under his sheets and stared up at the moving ceiling that showed an overly animated night sky. "Sleep well Daphne." He said with love.
"You too Harry, and have pleasant dreams." She responded with a huge grin.
"Oh I will…" Harry said softly to himself. "I will."