AN: Thanks for sticking with me so far! Please review.


Harry took a deep breath and stepped between his best friend and his sister. "Harry don't..." Hermione begged, but Harry brushed her off.

"What are you doing?" Harry demanded stepping towards Neville.

"I love your sister." Neville explained calmly

"You are intended for another!"

Neville faltered and took a step back. "Help me force her to take the test and we'll get this straightened out. If I must marry another I will offer you a mistress contract and if not I will offer a marriage contract."

Harry nodded, "Your base terms are acceptable. Sister, go get mum and portkey home."

"Harry…"

"Now!" He commanded, glaring at her. Hermione curtsied clumsily and ran from the room. Harry turned towards Daphne who was staring at the floor as a proper pureblood girl should. "Lady Daphne we must seek out your father so we can decide when you'll move to Potter Manor." Daphne nodded in agreement, curtsied towards Neville and took Harry's outstretched arm as he escorted her to the lounge for the Noble Houses.

Cyrus Greengrass looked up in surprise. "Daughter, what are you doing here?"

"Lady Hermione invited me to tea with her and Dowager Lady Black." Cyrus nodded in approval.

"Lord Greengrass I'm here to formally accept your offer. I request Lady Daphne lives at Potter Manor for the summer."

"That is acceptable Your Grace. My daughter may return to Potter Manor with you and I'll have the house elves bring her things tonight."

"I request Lady Daphne arrive tomorrow, I have family business to attend to tonight." Cyrus gave his approval of the plan and turned back to his papers. "Lady Daphne I look forward to seeing you tomorrow." Harry kissed her hand gently before turning around and walking out. As soon as he could he portkeyed home.

Walking through the entrance doors an elf appeared at Harry's side. "Mipsy is here for Master's robes." Harry stopped briefly to unclasp his robes, revealing a black t-shirt and black pants. "Mistress is with Mrs. Tonks and Black in the library." Harry thanked the elf and went towards the library.

Hermione was sitting in her armchair flanked by the two Black sisters. They all tensed when Harry entered the room. He began to pace before them. "'Mione you know that I want you to be happy and nothing could make me happier than seeing you marry Neville. But I will not see you become his Mistress! Is that what you want?"

"No!" Hermione exclaimed, tears running down her face. "I know Neville didn't lie to me about his feelings, but I couldn't live that life. What can we do? Please give him a chance before promising me off!"

"Of course. With the two Ancient and Most Noble Houses pressuring them Parkinson will have no choice but to give in. But Hermione, if the test is positive, I'll have to draw up a contract quickly. Who would you choose?"

"Ernie, although there isn't much of a choice."

"I would arrange an agreement with anyone Hermione. If you like them that's enough for me."

"Can I think on it?"

"Yes, but you must be fast. If a mistress arrangement contract is received the only way out is by another contract, arrangement, or proposal."

"I can't believe I got myself into this! I'm so stupid." Harry held his arms out and Hermione ran into them. She buried her head in his shoulder and cried in earnest. After several minutes she composed herself and went back to her chair, Harry resumed his pacing.

"Harry what's bothering you? You did a great job at the Wizengamot today and you had to expect Greengrass's offer." Narcissa said.

"I did expect it, and Daphne will be moving into the guest wing tomorrow. I just don't know how to explain Teddy or what to do with him."

"Just tell her the truth Harry. You two will figure something out and if you don't we'll always be here to take care of Teddy." Andromeda comforted.

"Thank you Aunt Andy. There is another issue though. Today Arthur Weasley offered me a marriage contract with Ginny. But he offered her for my wife as Lady Potter."

"Interesting. Although I can see why they would think the contract was with the House of Black, it is much more like our family than yours. Luckily you don't need to reveal it yet. Make up some excuse about a Potter family vow to never allow a Weasley into the Potter family again."

"You're the best Aunt Cissy that sounds like a really good plan." Narcissa smiled and hugged Harry.

"Before you go to spend time with Teddy before dinner, what room do you want me to prepare for Daphne?" Hermione asked.

"No idea, whatever room you think is best." Harry walked out of the room, still feeling overwhelmed and wanting to escape the three women.

As soon as Harry left they went back to gossiping. "So Neville really just swept in and proclaimed his love for you before kissing you? All in front of Daphne?" Andromeda exclaimed.


Daphne stood in the foyer of her house, surrounded by her bags. It was truly hitting her that she was moving out, probably not to return to live at her home again. She almost started crying when her mother embraced her, but she stayed strong, knowing it could be much worse. "This isn't goodbye," her mother told her, "this will always be your home and you are always welcome. I know that Harry has suffered, but he is a good man Daphne. Don't be afraid to fall in love with him."

"I know that Harry is a great man. Anyone else would have taken me last night, regardless of my thoughts on the matter. He told me that I'm to stay in the guest room, so that I'm more comfortable. I know that I'm starting to fancy him mum. But it's not him I'm worried about. Granger and I barely get along, and I'm worried about the Black sisters."

"Andromeda is one of the nicest people I know. But Narcissa is cold, I'd be careful around her."

"Of course mum."

"Well you have everything, and we're only a floo call away if you need something."

Daphne nodded, throwing herself into her mother's embrace. After several seconds she pulled back and composed herself. Saying a final goodbye she activated the portkey which placed her directly outside of Potter Manor. She was overcome at the size and the beauty of the grounds and the house. She stood outside, trying to gather courage. "You can do this," she told herself. "Just yesterday you had tea with them and Mrs. Tonks seemed to like you. You are the ice queen of Slytherin, pull yourself together!"

Finally she knocked on the door, which opened automatically. "Mipsy be wondering when Miss would knock." Daphne blushed, both at being caught by an elf and by the boldness of the elf. "Don't worry Miss, Mipsy won't tell master. Please come in, your things will be taken to your room. The family is currently at brunch, Mipsy will take you." The small elf guided Daphne to the breakfast room, explaining the layout of the house as they went, stopping outside a door; the elf looked at Daphne with a serious expression. "A warning Miss, the family is a bit…rambunctious at brunch." With that the elf apparated away. Daphne entered the breakfast room and was shocked by the sight in front of her.

Eggs, sausage and fresh fruit flew through the air between the two Black sisters. Flashes of spell color were seen going between the sisters as well. Narcissa's hair was blue and there were blueberries and sausages stuck in her hair. Narcissa growled as an egg hit her chest. "Just admit that I'm right and this ends!" Andromeda taunted.

"Never! I'm smarter and much prettier than you," Narcissa countered. She threw another jinx at her sister and fell under the table.

Daphne's eyes slid to Hermione who was sitting behind a shield spell calmly reading the Daily Prophet. Daphne couldn't help but smile at the sight of the bookworm. Suddenly Harry burst through a side door, holding a baby in his arms. Harry's back was to Daphne, so she could see the baby's face clearly. He appeared to be only a few months old but had shocking blue hair. "Stop!" Harry yelled at his aunts. "Daphne is going to be here soon. Control yourselves." All of the food stopped midair and fell. An egg hit Narcissa on the head, cracked and dripped yolk down her face. She screamed and started whacking at her face and jumping up and down.

Daphne couldn't contain herself any longer, she doubled over with laughter. Everyone turned to see the blonde clutching her stomach snorting at the sight in front of her. Hermione began laughing as well, looking back over to Narcissa's face where egg yolk was dripping off her nose. Hermione's laugh seemed to break the tension in the room and everyone joined in. "This wasn't quite the reception I was expecting." She joked.

"I'm so sorry Daphne! Mipsy and I had a rather wonderful reception planned for you until these two," he said with a glare towards his aunts, "messed it up."

"We're sorry Harry," the Black sisters chorused hanging their heads.

Harry nodded at them, "Go clean up please. Aunt Cissy your hair is disgusting." The two women ran from the room, realizing what they must look like. "Mipsy," Harry called. The elf appeared in front of him, a horrified expression on her face. Harry handed the baby to Hermione and knelt in front of the elf. "I'm sorry that our reception was ruined. I know how hard you worked."

"It's ok Master Harry; Mipsy knows how crazy Miss Cissy and Miss Dromeda are."

"A hug then," Harry picked the elf off the ground and swung her in a circle. Daphne was extremely confused by Harry's behavior. As a pureblood she was accustomed to completely ignoring house elves. However she realized she was less than a guest but a mere present and it was way above her to dictate Duke Black's behavior. Harry put the elf down before dismissing her and turning to Daphne. "I can see that you're rather shocked by my behavior but the explanation will have to wait. Introductions first." Harry took the baby from Hermione. "This is Ted, Teddy, Lupin, son of the late Nymphadora and Remus Lupin, and my godson."

"He's so cute!" Daphne cooed. "Blue hair though? And wasn't Professor Lupin a..."

"Yes, but Teddy is not a werewolf, thank Merlin. He is a metamorphagus just like his mum, although his hair simply changes with his mood now. Blue is relaxed or happy, brown is tired or when he's sleeping, red is angry or hungry, and he is developing pink for scared. It makes raising a baby much easier."

"I'm sure! How old is he?"

"He is almost two months."

"Wow. His mother must have been a very brave woman to give birth and then join the fight against the Dark Lord.

"She was."

"Are we or you rather, to adopt Teddy? I don't presume to be given the title Duchess of Black, as you are free to marry another, but until such a time you married I would act as his mother."

Harry looked at her in a mixture of shock and awe. "I've never considered taking a second wife, and if I did you would be Alpha even with a lower title because our marriage would be first. I will consider your question. But I return to Hogwarts in the fall so it would have to wait anyway."

Daphne nodded, "we have much to decide this summer."

"Yes we do. But let's get you settled in your room first."


Hermione sat in her room pouring over her latest letter from Neville. It recounted the details of his latest date with Pansy. "Although the Pug barely spoke at dinner, I couldn't bear being across from her, her dog breath poisoning everything. I wish it could have been you across from me. I deserved to have you there."

Hermione wasn't sure what to make of these lines. She supposed it was a compliment but it was also rather mean. After spending a considerable amount of time with Daphne lately, Hermione had learnt a lot about the dynamics in the Slytherin house and she realized she had judged Pansy too harshly. She also didn't know how to feel about Neville anymore. After the Battle of Hogwarts his confidence had grown. He had done so much to help defeat Voldemort that he expected a reward in the form of Hermione. She was not ok with that. She had fought for the freedom of the Wizarding World and would not be owned by some man. She knew that Neville was a great man; his ego had just inflated since killing Voldemort's snake and becoming Harry's right-hand man. He was going to have to prove himself worthy and she had a plan. Quickly standing she went on a search for her family.

Andromeda was the easiest to find as she was in the nursery playing with her grandson. "Aunt Andy, I'm calling a family meeting in the study in half an hour."

"Is everything ok Hermione?"

"I'll explain soon, I don't want to tell the story until I have everyone."

Andy nodded. "I'll be there. Narcissa was in the receiving parlor last I knew."

Hormone ran back to her room, magicked her hair up and changed into a cotton dress appropriate for receiving visitors during the day. She then ran downstairs, only slowing to a walk when she knew her footsteps could be heard. Since the door of the parlor was open she simply entered. "Good afternoon Dowager Lady Black, Lord Malfoy, Lady Astoria," she greeted with a small curtsey.

Narcissa inclined her head, but Draco and Astoria stood, properly greeting her. "Good Afternoon Lady Hermione. You seem rather flustered. Is there anything that I can do to help?"

"I'm calling a family meeting Aunt Narcissa. However, Lord Malfoy and Lady Astoria you are welcome to join as you are a part of the family."

"Thank you Lady Hermione, but I will simply leave you with my intended and go find my sister." Astoria stood to excuse herself.

"Lady Daphne is also invited to the meeting, as the intended of my brother. As Lady Daphne's sister and as my brother's step-brother's intended you are most welcome Lady Astoria."

"Well then I will certainly be there." Astoria responded with a smile, glad that she and Daphne were being taken seriously as members of the House of Black and the House of Potter.

"I just need to go find my brother and his intended. Meet in the study in fifteen minutes for the meeting please."

Hermione walked into the hallway before calling Winky, Harry's personal elf. "Winky can you please tell me where my brother and Lady Daphne are?"

"Master and Master's miss are in the garden Lady Hermione."

"Thank you Winky," Hermione yelled over her shoulder as she ran for the garden. She came across Harry and Daphne sitting on a bench holding hands and whispering. She smiled at the sight of them, but felt no remorse going to sit directly between them.

"Hermione, what do we owe this pleasure?" Harry questioned a smile on his lips.

"I'm calling a family meeting Harry."

"What happened?" Daphne asked comfortingly, taking one of Hermione's hands in her own.

"I'll explain everything at the meeting. I don't want to have to go through the story more than once." Daphne nodded concern still evident on her face. "I invited Draco and Astoria to join us since they were here visiting Aunt Cissy. Is that alright?"

"Yea, I suppose that Draco and I are sort of step-brothers now," Harry said, a slight frown coming to his face. Even though the two boys had resolved their differences it was still weird to be friendly with the other lord. "But since he is coming it only makes sense that Astoria be involved as well."

"I figured that we could use a Slytherin point of view anyway." Harry quirked an eyebrow, Hermione needing a Slytherin could only mean that she was planning something. Deciding to wait and figure out what was happening he stood and offered an arm to each of the girls. He then escorted them to the study where the rest of the family was waiting. "Thank you all for putting aside what you were doing to help me out." Hermione said, her anxiety finally showing on her face. Her family all assured her that they were there for her, and she read the letter that Neville had sent her earlier.

The room was completely quite for several minutes before Daphne spoke. "I've been expecting this for a while." Hermione sent her a questioning look. "Duke Longbottom used to be a pudgy, useless little thing. He finally found his courage last year, and because of that he was the leader of the resistance in Hogwarts. Now he is famous as the vanquisher of the Dark Lord's snake, and everyone knows he's Duke Black's right-hand-man now. It was almost inevitable that the extreme turn around would cause his ego to inflate."

Draco sighed, "I must find the time to apologize to The Duke for the way I treated him in Hogwarts. I know I caused a lot of the extreme insecurity our first few years."

"Although a noble sentiment dear it doesn't help us much right now. We need to do something so he knows Lady Hermione is not just a prize to be won." Astoria explained.

"Exactly! Thank you Lady Astoria. I just don't know what to do, and it is always a possibility that he will have to marry Lady Pansy." Hermione said, her nerves getting the best of her as she slunk deeper into the couch.

"Don't you worry sister; I have a plan for if he does have to marry her. But I think that I could always start it earlier. Do you remember Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley?" Harry questioned.

"Of course, he was a member of the DA and always a good friend at school. What happened to him though? I know he couldn't have been at Hogwarts the past year…"

"He went into hiding with his family, and came back into the open when the final battle ended. What you might not know is that his father is an Earl in the muggle world. Although their system of nobility is not what ours is, he at least was raised as nobility and thus would know his place in our world. He approached me about a week ago, and would like to get to know you better." Harry explained with a smile.

"That is perfect Your Grace," Daphne exclaimed. "If you were willing Lady Hermione, Mr. Finch-Fletchley could be your escort to the Victory Ball, and I'm sure he would want to spend some time here beforehand getting to know you better."

"That's very sweet, but how does that help me with the Duke Longbottom situation?"

"Lady Hermione," Narcissa admonished. "The best way to show The Duke that you aren't something he deserves is to show you off with another man. He will realize that the place he holds in your heart is precarious and that he will have to work to get you. If it ends up that he cannot marry you, then you have a backup plan, as it wouldn't be suspect if Mr. Finch-Fletchley approached Harry for a contract with you."

Hermione nodded, "That makes sense, and hopefully jealousy will inspire The Duke to ditch his newfound arrogance." She hesitated for a moment. "But what if I develop real feelings for Mr. Finch-Fletchley but The Duke doesn't have to marry her? Or worse…what if Mr. Finch-Fletchley develops feelings for me?" Tears started dripping down Hermione's face and Draco scoffed, which earned him a glare from all the women in the room.

Harry gathered Hermione in his arms, "It's going to be ok. We just tell Mr. Finch-Fletchley the truth from the beginning, and if you do develop feelings for him, there's nothing saying you have to be with Longbottom." Hermione just nodded and buried her face in her brother's shoulder.


Hermione took several deep breathes, and checked again to make sure her hair was perfectly in place. She was sitting in the parlor with Andromeda, who was just smiling watching the younger girl freak out. "It's going to be alright Hermione," the older woman finally admonished. "You were friends at school, as you yourself stated, and there is no pressure on this meeting!"

Hermione nodded, "Logically I know that, but another part of me also acknowledges that Justin could be my future husband."

"Well if you are determined to think that way then do so. But it won't help you. Just think of him as the friend that he actually is." After several moments of no response she snapped, "You look fine, stop looking at yourself in the mirror!"

Hermione stepped back and with a glare sat in one of the large armchairs. The clock signaled the half hour, and seconds later the floo came to life. Justin stepped through wearing black trousers, a pale blue oxford with a deep gray jumper. He bowed to the two women, "Welcome to Potter Manor, Mr. Finch-Fletchley." Hermione said, dropping into a small curtsey.

"Thank you for bringing me into your home Lady Hermione." He replied with a smile.

"Allow me to introduce my brother's aunt, Mrs. Tonks."

Just bowed slightly over Andromeda's hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well." She smiled at the young man before stepping back.

"Is your brother here Lady Hermione?"

"I'm afraid not, he and his intended are vacationing with Dowager Lady Black." Justin nodded and Hermione could see the relief on his face. "Would you like a tour of the grounds?" Justin acquiesced and after offering her his arm they made their way through the house and into the back garden. Hermione settle the two of them onto a bench before turning to Justin, concern evident on her face. "So how are you doing Mr. Finch-Fletchley? I was concerned for you when the Ministry made all of those rules last year."

"I was lucky. Because of my friendship with Miss Abbot and Lady Bones I knew about the decrees before they went into effect. So I knew I couldn't return to Hogwarts and had to bunker down in the muggle world. I'm afraid that I've been deceiving everyone because my name is actually Justin Finch. I'm the son of the Earl of Winchilsea and Nottingham, and my title is Viscount Maidstone. That alone made it really difficult for anyone to find me, and my family resides at Kirby Hall, in Northamptonshire. So all of those combined meant that I was really safe. Why would the Death Eaters search a Victorian home that does public tours for an insignificant muggleborn?"

"I'm glad you were safe Lord Maidstone. If Voldemort had only tried to understand muggles he would have been much more successful in his war, we can only be thankful that he did not. Although that was a rather ingenious plan. Magical nobility is marked by their surname, as muggle nobility once was, but the muggle titles have been passed on so much that no one without a great knowledge of the muggle nobility would have found you. And changing your last name to one so common was also a grand idea."

Justin smiled at her, "I'm glad you think so, I'm sure it managed to save my life. I have a question for you if you don't mind Lady Hermione. There have been several rumors that you were connected with Duke Longbottom, is this true?"

Hermione sighed, but knew it was better to tell Justin the truth, or at least most of the truth. "Duke Longbottom is currently contracted to Lady Pansy Parkinson, but it is true that a level of feeling exists between The Duke and me."

Justin looked at his hands for a moment, contemplating what to do. "You have always been a good friend Lady Hermione, you were beyond helpful at Hogwarts and I will admit to fancying you. If I may be bold, I believe it unlikely that Duke Longbottom will be relieved of his contracted marriage. I would like permission to court you and to escort you to the Victory Ball."

Hermione was quite, reflecting on several conversations she'd had with Harry recently. She knew that being the wife of a Viscount would put her right below the level of the Noble Houses, and once Justin came into his earldom she would be equal to a member of a Noble House. It was not a great drop in status for someone of the House of Potter, and she regarded Justin highly. "I would like that very much Lord Maidstone," she finally replied, a true smile overtaking her features.