AN: There is a bit of Hurt/Angst at the end of this chapter, fair warning.
The Letter in his hand felt heavy and awkward even though it was just a sheath of parchment with some ink on it, this was the big leagues and he didn't know if he was ready to deal with everything that came about with it. He looked down at the ring on his finger and looked at the letter once more. He would need to prepare a trip to Madam Malkin's for dress robes. His first official outing as Lord Harry James Potter would need to be very carefully tailored so it presented the right ideas to the right people. More importantly who he brought would also reflect on his stance. After all he couldn't just bring anyone to the new Minister of Magic's Opening Gala.
His options ran through his mind swiftly, He couldn't bring Susan for obvious reasons, Hermione was out as well because, while he loved Hermione dearly, she was not the most subtle in her feelings and ideals. Fiery determination may in fact be a better word for it, and while he respected it and her, he also had to deal with his own appearance and dumping Hermione into the deep end of the political game would be unfair to her. Luna would be a good choice he supposed, but if this would be his first major opportunity, he felt like he had to make this entrance big, and really there was only one girl he could consider at that point. A half smirk formed on his face as he considered everything attached to her. An old name, a politically active family, beautiful and fierce in her own right and her politicking had been nurtured for years in Slytherin where it was the way things were done. Yes, he certainly had his choice.
The next day he had awoken earlier than normal, took a long hot rest in the Prefect's Bath, cleaned himself up as best he could, combed his hair so it looked as presentable as it ever could, and made his way down to breakfast. He was early, but that was fine he could eat now and save his surprise for when the hall was packed to full. Maximum effect would lead to the news spreading far and wide and then he could be off while letting the dramatics and gossips among the school's population do all of his work for him.
"Mr. Potter do you have that report done for me? It's due by the end of next week, but if you submit it earlier, we can begin on the official channels for your Animagus Transformation before Christmas holidays." The once stern, but now warm voice of Minerva McGonagall filled the emptiness of the Great Hall, he swallowed the bite of fruit he had just taken and answered back with enthusiasm.
"It's already on your desk, you just didn't look before you came down for breakfast." He called back. He knew what she was doing and was so grateful. By announcing to those who were already here that he was starting on it this early a full year before most could ever attempt the complex form of magic, she was propping him up. "Very shrewd mam, I knew it was a good idea to take you up on that apprenticeship offer." Harry mumbled as he went back to eating his breakfast.
He was sipping some warmed jasmine tea when the Great Hall finally filled to capacity, he waited just a few minutes longer for the hall to quiet as people began to eat before he enacted his plan. He sat his cup down and stood up quickly. First, he walked up to the head table and instead of the expected stop at Dumbledore or McGonagall he kept walking to the far side of the table opposite where he began, where Snape sat. He waited only a breath for the man to swallow his food before speaking.
"Sir, I would like to request the opportunity to take one of your students out of the school on the fifteenth of this month." Harry said loudly. The noise in the hall died down behind him to a whisper everyone was listening… Perfect.
"For what purpose, Lord Potter?" Where once he and Snape had had a terrible relationship, they now were actually quite alright with one another, it made this next part easier.
"If they accept, I will need an official date to the new Minister's Gala, I have been named as a VIP guest you see, and it would be a terrible faux pas to appear without a date." Harry announced more for the room than Snape, who he handed his letter to.
"Well, we certainly would not want the new Lord Potter to have a black mark on his social record so quickly. As long as the young lady accepts, she has my permission." Snape said back as he glanced at what he already knew was on the parchment.
The hall was silent as Harry turned and strode down the open section between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables. Untraveled stone for most Gryffindors, but Harry wasn't most anything anymore. Maybe once, but not now. He stopped three quarter of the way down and turned toward the Slytherin table where he was met with varying looks, some distrustful, others outright vehement hatred, but a few were friendly, and one was amused beyond all reason.
"My sincerest apologies Heir Apparent Greengrass, but I'm here to ask, nay beg for your hand on the night of the fifteenth. Would you do me the greatest honor imaginable of accompanying me this night? I'm well aware that you are a treasure, a vision of beauty, and I hope to treat you as such on the given night, if you would only accept this humble request." The theatrics may have been a bit over the top, but not a word he said was out of place and his delivery had been perfect, he had been giving speeches since his second year after all, what was one more.
Daphne's expression was shifting rapidly, fast on the uptake she cleared her throat in the most feminine way possible placed her cutlery down on the table and turned toward him fully. "Very bold Lord Potter, very bold indeed. I accept your request, we will speak on this matter later." It was delivered with the same cold indifference she used for everyone, but Harry knew it was only an act. The way her breath had started coming faster and the slight color that appeared on her face had given her away. Signs missed by everyone else except he who could read her expression like a book.
"Thank you, Miss Greengrass, you honor me with your acceptance. I'm truly the luckiest person in the room." Harry said while giving a slight bow to the girl in question before straightening and walking out of the hall. He stood just outside the doors, out of sight of the room, listening…waiting. He was rewarded a few seconds later with an explosion of whispers and noise. He grinned to himself as he made his way to the Owlery to pen a letter to Madam Malkin of his needs and the possible needs of his date, informing the seamstress that any order that came from Daphne would be covered by the Potter Account. A second letter was tied onto Hedwig's leg moments after, this one to Lord Cyrus Greengrass, informing the man of what he had done and to be expecting a letter from his daughter before end of day. Hedwig nodded at him before disappearing in a flash of white fire, off to deliver her letters.
Harry whistled a happy tune as he made his way back down the tower and into the school proper where he made his way to the room he used for tutor students. He had been gone about an hour now and he knew that the Slytherins, like the Gryffindors, didn't have an early morning class today; So he was not terribly surprised when he entered the room only to be met with the blonde bomb-shell in front of him.
They had all grown up, but Daphne was beautiful in a way that only a few women could ever hope to be. Her long blonde hair hung over her shoulder and while the school robes were normally very unflattering, it was difficult to make Daphne look bad in anything she wore.
"That was a hell of a show Harry." Where anyone else may have been expecting the cold voice she used with everyone else save for her friends Harry knew better. It was warm and inviting, their shared history mean Harry knew to expect what was coming next and he wasn't disappointed when Daphne stood, walked over to him, and kissed him. One arm wrapped behind his back and the other holding onto his side. Harry responded in kind returning the kiss with vigor, one hand slipping to the small of her back and the other behind her head. When they finally separated Harry didn't have much breath left to him, but he still managed a short comment.
"I will never ever get tired of that." Daphne responded to his comment with a short laugh before stepping back and putting her hands on her hips. "Not that I'm not flattered, but why me? Why announce it like that?" Harry didn't respond immediately, first casting a spell over the door and then turning the lock before moving to one of the chairs that was kept in the room.
"Let's face facts. With the political climate the way it is, even if we did want to move up to full on dating instead of… whatever it is we have, it would cause waves. It would make your father's position unstable which would be bad for everyone. You know your father co-heads the moderates, a scandal would break the group which would scatter to both sides, and we have no way to guarantee more won't go to the more conservative purebloods vs Dumbledore's new age semi-progressive side." Harry explained to her as she followed him and took a seat opposite him.
"And this stunt you set up helps how?" Daphne questioned perfectly understanding everything Harry had said.
"Simple, everyone knows that I have a mind on politics, by making such a bold choice as taking the daughter of the leader of the moderates it send a powerful message that Lord Potter is not so staunchly in either camp…" Harry stopped there giving her a grin.
"And?" Daphne said as her heart did a little flip at that smooth grin he was sending her.
"And, I've always wanted to take you on an expensive date where you could dress up like the princess you are, and I could spoil you." Harry smugly said.
"You're such a dork." She responded almost immediately.
"You wound me!" Harry said in mock hurt at her insult.
"Oh, I can and will wound you if you don't stop." She said before losing the smile on her face and gaining a certain nervousness to her form that put Harry on edge. Harry responded immediately to the change becoming worried.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked scooting his chair a bit closer to her.
"No, no its nothing like that, I just. I don't know if I want to date anyone, you know I get indecisive sometimes. Commitment like that makes me feel uneasy." She explained quietly. Harry sat in silence at her answer. It was true he knew she could be indecisive when not out in public he didn't know it plagued her that much however. She had never confided that detail in him.
"Well, if that is how you feel. It doesn't have to lead to us dating…" Harry said in a neutral voice. On the inside it pained him to say this, as he truly did care for Daphne, but her own feelings were just as if not more important than his own in this instance.
He moved before he had even fully processed the distressed intake of breath and was kneeling in front of Daphne as she started to cry ready for whatever may come. The hug that was wrapped around him was one of weakness Harry knew Daphne would think. The wet spot growing on his shoulder didn't bother him in the slightest as he knelt there holding her.
"Why is it, that the most considerate boy, I've ever met has to be someone I can't get to be with." She let out in a shaky halting voice that was raw with the emotion she was feeling.
"Shh, shh it's alright." Harry said in a soothing voice while running his hand down her back. He was shocked himself but wasn't letting it show. He had no idea Daphne had felt this strongly or volatile-y about the situation. He let her cry herself out whispering soothing words to her until she pulled away.
"I'm sorry Harry I need to go; I'll talk to you tomorrow about what needs to go on." Daphne said as she wiped what was left of her tears from her face. She spent a few minutes reapplying her makeup with a few spells, and while her eyes were still slightly puffy, anyone besides he and her friends would be hard pressed to know that it was because she had broken down and not due to allergies or what have you. Harry let her go, with a small nod signifying he understood. He felt bad now, if he had known this was what had been going on under the surface, he wasn't sure if he would have asked her in such a way.
