This is a work of fanfiction using characters from the Harry Potter World, owned by JK Rowling. Excluding all original plot and character content, all of the Harry Potter characters, settings, etc. are the property of JK Rowling. I am not associated with JK Rowling or any creators/producers of any previously copyrighted material. No profit is gained. This story is purely for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement intended. Thank you to JK Rowling for producing such a wonderful base to imagine from.
Chapter One: Take A Chance
Later that night Daphne snuck up to the owlery, only to find it had been closed. She gripped her wand in frustration as she planned on what to do next. She was sure it wasn't entirely legal for the ministry to cut off communications between heirs and their families, but wondered what could be done about it -after all, her father did not have the support to openly take on the Ministry like this. Daphne sighed in frustration.
"Daphne" a voice said from behind her and Daphne turned to see Susan standing behind her.
"It's sealed" Daphne said shortly
"Sealed?" Susan said her eyes narrowing "that's illegal, but by the time we're able to do anything about it, it'll be too late, won't it" she sighed "when Auntie gets this earful she'll make Fudge wet his pants, even if she doesn't have the support to overthrow him right now" Susan growled, causing Daphne to giggle despite the situation
"Are you alright?" Susan asked Daphne, perfectly aware of the pressure the Greengrass House was under from the House of Blonde Arrogance.
"Yes, I just know he played a part in this and it's so frustrating" Daphne sighed "I don't even know if father could do anything even if I could get word out, but it makes me want to kill that woman, cutting off communication…I mean who the fuck does she think she is" Daphne sneered
Susan chose to just listen; she knew Daphne was in a much worse situation than she was. Ernie, the sweetheart, had asked her if she'd like to get engaged last night and Susan had promptly agreed, just to save themselves from the travesty of "ministry chosen partners"
But Daphne? She wasn't dating anyone right now, and her only male friend was Blaise Zabaini and Susan knew that as soon as Tracy and Blaise admitted their feelings for each other that they would become an item -or sooner, if this evening's announcement was to be taken.
"Hem Hem" a voice said beside them "Surely you are not breaking curfew my dears" Umbridge said in her sickening voice "As the ministry has decided to monitor communications for the safety of the wizarding community, I'm going to have to ask that you hand over your letters dears" Umbrage said sweetly
Daphne tensed. She couldn't be serious, could she? But the pink toad was talking "And of course that will be 30 points deducted each and a month's detention for being your of bed and trying to cause a disturbance...now the letters" Umbridge said holding out her hand for them
Daphne bristled, ready to defend herself when someone interrupted them.
"Surely you are not trying to read classified information between an heiress to a Most Ancient and Noble House and their Lord and Lady, are you Professor?" a voice interjected mildly from next to the pillar, making Daphne jump in surprise, positive that the boy had appeared out of nowhere
"Potter" she spat "that will be 50 points from Gryffindor for being out of bed after curfew"
"Will it?" Harry asked mildly, glancing towards the pillar
Umbridge spun to look at the glass holding house points to find them unchanged. Daphne herself noticed that their points were the same as at dinner, something which Umbridge seemed oblivious to
"I said fifty points from Gryffindor" Umbridge said, glaring at the sphere of rubies as it remained unchanged
"It seems dear Hogwarts disagrees with your proposition Madame Umbridge" Harry said again, standing unmoved from his casual place by the pillar
Daphne began to worry what exactly Umbridge had planned if Potter kept irritating her like that. She was turning an unusual shade of purple that Daphne hadn't had the pleasure of observing before
"Is that all for tonight Madame Umbridge?" Harry asked looking at her in concern "I must say, you should head back to your quarters for a cup of tea -it should help loosen you up a bit, you're looking rather ill" Harry finished, a fake look of concern on his face
The speed that the toad's face went from purple to white made Daphne blink in surprise. What had Potter said that was so frightening? She frowned as she thought back on his words. Obviously he knew something that they didn't and something that Umbridge was frightened of.
"Very well" Umbridge sneered "I will see you all in the morning" she said before walking out, looking rather shaken
"What exactly are you doing here Harry?" Susan asked in surprise and Daphne blinked again, unaware that the two were acquainted
She felt Potter's gaze slide over her as if he was evaluating her
"She's neutral" Susan said seeming to guess at what he was looking for
"I am aware" Potter said softly, his eyes still on her face "I just thought I'd be here to stop Umbridge from causing too much trouble if anyone came along unable to take care of themselves" Harry sighed
"Your saving people thing" Susan piped in, smirking at him
"Yes, well you know me" Harry grinned
"How do you two know each other" Daphne asked looking between them
"The DA" Harry said shortly "feel free to pop by" he said smiling at her
Without any hope Daphne was feeling near desperation cling at her, as she knew she would be entered into a legally binding marriage in the morning
She felt Potter's eyes sweep over her again
"Are you alright?" he asked gently and she felt Susan's hand come up to rest on her shoulder
"I…I just…." Daphne said, seemingly unable to gather her thoughts
"Malfoy had some hand in getting Daphne to submit to being his wife in an old marriage contract allowing her no rights for life" Susan said shortly "about right Daphne?"
Daphne nodded, feeling her resolve crumble
"Ahhh, I wondered if there was another motivator to get Fudge on board" Harry said looking at her
"And what's the other" Daphne asked, her curiosity drawing her from her misery
"That would be me, I believe Fudge and Voldemort both want to gain control over me…or at least make things inconvenient for me as the vows state whoever we marry will be in the same living space or magic will forfeit. So probably just trying to be a spy with me, make it difficult with the inlaws, you know how it is." Harry said smiling
"What're you going to do" Daphne asked curiously, not refuting that the Dark Lord was back
"I'm not exactly sure yet, I was hoping to get some more ideas before this happened…I didn't expect such a drastic measure from them yet, I was hoping to gain control before this happened, but yes, well I guess I'll have to do something won't I?" Harry sighed
"I've really got to get back, Ernie and I need to finalise the traditional engagement before the morning" Susan said, they shouldn't care too much, but I do need Auntie Amelia's permission to get it through and with how the Ministry is right now, I'm just not sure…" she sighed
"Susan, why don't you go give me the formal contract and I'll get your Aunt to sign it while I'm out…do you have an emergency phrase or something for her?" Harry asked
Susan looked relieved, while Daphne stared at Harry
"Yes of course" Susan said, and simply handed them over "Thank you Harry" she said kissing his cheek before turning back to Daphne
"Will you be alright? I have to get back to tell Ernie…" she trailed off
"I'll walk her back to the dorms" Harry volunteered "You take these too passages Susan" Harry murmured pulling some parchment out of his clock and murmuring softly under his breath
"Thanks Harry" Susan said "Daphne do you need any help coming up with…"
"-Thank you, but everyone has their own freedom to worry about" Daphne said sourly "I don't think they should be worrying about me, I'm sure I'll come up with something, otherwise I can always run away…just my sister" Daphne trailed off, tears filling her eyes, but she refused to let them fall down her face
"Would speaking with your father help? Harry asked from the spot beside her
"I don't know, I don't think he really has the power to do anything" Daphne said sadly
"Do you have anyone you can pair up with, a friend or something" Harry asked her
"Blaise and Tracy are together, they're the only ones I trust" Daphne said
Harry sat looking at her and Daphne blinked as his emerald eyes seemed to sparkle with an idea
"I have an idea, but it's a bit crazy…it would help us both though" Harry said looking at her
Daphne knew her face was only hopeful as she gazed into his mischievous face "and it would piss Malfoy off incredibly well, but it might be for life, so I understand if you'd like to think about it"
Daphne's mind was struggling to catch up, she'd just about realised his ridiculous suggestion when he dropped to one knee
"Marry me Daphne?" he asked holding onto her hand
Daphne had no idea what possessed her to jump aboard a scheme so quickly, but she did
She stared at him for a moment before her brain caught up to all the solutions it would fix. Right now she had a choice between Potter and Malfoy and she didn't even have to think about that. She tuned back in as he mentioned the marital vows from the Potter charter giving more freedom than traditional ones -and she was even welcome to change any she didn't like.
"Yes" Daphne said and with that her life changed, setting on a more hopeful course. "Ermmmm, but in order to make it legitimate, we need to get my father and your head of house to-"
"–That's where we're going" Harry supplied "I've got everyone's slips that need to be signed" he said gesturing to a bottomless briefcase that he had "we have lots of stops to make if you don't mind. I can leave you with your father for the night if you'd like" he asked "or you can come along with me…or simply invite your family to our house" he finished, eyeing her questioningly
"Oh" Daphne said, staring at him as he held out his hand for her to take "right" she said, letting him lead her on to an uncertain, but certainly better, future.
