AN: Wow, so the amount of reviews on the last chapter was awesome! You all came out in force to tell me what Hermione should do. Although you will read this in about two seconds, she is going to stay. To everyone who wanted otherwise, I'm going to write another story that is Daphne/Harry based, or somewhat similar to this with Hermione leaving.
Kewr69- I really liked your suggestion, and even though we don't see much of it, I have utilized it.
Jediprankster- Harry has been receiving instructions from Sirius since he first arrived at Lupin's house. I will have him explain more though, to make up for it (I'm pretty sure Sirius mentioned it, but he might not). I will also further explain the blood thing.
Dennisud- Your idea was very interesting and I thank you for the suggestion, I'll look into it.
Recap: Hermione quickly realized that the other girls were friends, having been trained from a young age what it meant to be an heiress to a Noble and Most Ancient House. She felt out of place as she attempted to get to know the others. She was unsure if she would be able to deal with this lifestyle.
Hermione sat in her common room preparing tea for herself and Professor McGonagall. It was one of her new tasks to help her learn to be a proper Lady. She was still worried that she wouldn't be able to handle all of her duties and deal with her sister wives, but she was determined to try. Lady Greengrass had promised to help and had given her a very interesting book on wizarding society. There was a knock on the door and Hermione watched Professor McGonagall answer it, "Do come in Lord Potter."
"Thank you Grandmum, but you must call me Harry," he said with a smile. He went to Hermione and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you holding up love?"
Hermione relaxed when she noticed that Harry wasn't going to stand on custom. But then she tensed, thinking it was some sort of test. "Is it ok to speak to me this way?"
To Hermione's surprise, Professor McGonagall answered. "Yes dear. You and Harry are already formally engaged, and you are with his family. So you may speak more informally."
"That makes sense." Hermione said, nodding to her professor. "In answer to your question, I'm alright. It's just difficult because you all know exactly how to act and I don't. I feel like an outsider."
"I'm sorry 'Mione. The only way I know what to do is because of Sirius's crash course in nobility. Surely you noticed that he and I would disappear for hours at a time at Lupin's. He was trying to get me caught up on all the things I need to now. Without him I'd be very badly off. I'm sorry you feel like an outsider, but I need you to stay! I love you, you are my rock, and the only reason that I would go through with this. I'm not betrothed to the girls yet, and it might not happen; especially if you don't want them. But I will have to marry someone else to provide heirs to the Black line once I receive that title. Just please don't leave me"
"I won't Harry. I have stood beside you in everything and this won't be any different. I love you so much. I see nothing wrong with the girls, and I want you and Sirius to be happy so I will accept them. Besides, you will need my help to win them over," Herm one said, smirking slightly.
Harry blushed but said, "I reckon you're right. I have a date with Daphne tonight and I don't know what to do to gain her trust."
"Tell her about yourself Harry." Seeing his panicked look she said, "You don't have to tell her about your home life. Tell her about your adventures in school. Just open up to her."
"Ok, I can do that…I'm sorry Hermione, to ask you about this. I wouldn't be able to help if you needed similar advice."
"I'm more accepting of this now. After dinner I'm talking with the girls and Lady Greengrass. I think it will help."
"I'm glad. I think I might have something to help even more," Harry said, taking something out of his pocket. When he enlarged it Hermione saw that it was a portrait of a beautiful woman with long, red hair. "Hermione meet the former Lady Potter. Mum, meet my fiancée."
"Well hello dear. You must call me Lily. And don't worry about that obnoxious husband of mine showing up, he is in another painting in Sirius's room. Now, my son tells me that you are having problems adjusting to Pureblood Society. I think that I can help tremendously." Harry smiled as his mum and Hermione talked. He hoped that this would truly help. Saying goodbye to his grandmother he left the room to go prepare for his date.
At six, Harry knocked on the door of the Greengrass common room. He was dressed in a dark green robe with a black oxford, and dark slacks underneath. Sirius had assured him that he was the perfect picture of nobility. Lady Greengrass opened the door and said, "Do come in Lord Potter. I will fetch Miss Greengrass for you."
Harry walked over to Lord Greengrass and the two shook hands. "Lord Potter, I know that you will treat my daughter right."
"Of course sir. Tippy will be with us all evening but I would not act any differently without her there."
Lord Greengrass looked pleased, and was about to reply when a soft voice from behind Harry called out, "Lord Potter, I am ready." Harry spun around and gaped at how beautiful Daphne looked. She was wearing a shimmery blue dress, with a sweetheart neckline. It accentuated her curves without being too revealing. She was wearing a white, lace shawl over her shoulders to better protect her modesty. Her golden hair was twisted up, and her blue eyes shone brightly.
"You look absolutely beautiful Miss Greengrass. It is an honor to accompany you." Harry said, bowing to her.
Dropping into a curtsey Daphne said, "The honor is mine Lord Potter. You look very handsome." Harry stood and smiled at her, and offering her his arm they left the room. He led her to the entrance of the "outdoor" space. Opening the door, he ushered her inside. Daphne was amazed. There was grass beneath her feet and she could feel the warmth of the waning sun. A large swimming pool, complete with waterfall sat off to the left. The area around the pool was tiled and a table for two sat there. Other lounge chairs were arranged near the pool as well. Daphne turned to Harry and said, "Lord Potter, this is amazing! It is really like being outdoors."
"I'm glad you like it. Would you like to eat now?"
"Not quite yet. May we talk?"
"Of course," Harry said, leading her over to a bench near the pool. "What would you like to talk about?"
"Tell me about yourself. I will tell you about me after you go."
"I grew up in the muggle world with relatives who hated me. I was simply a nuisance to them and they treated me as such. The only reason I even lived there was because of Dumbledore manipulating my life! I didn't know anything about the wizarding world, or even that I was a wizard until my Hogwarts letter came. I cannot describe to you what Hogwarts means to me. It became my home. In first year I quickly discovered the forbidden third quarter, and unraveled the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone. I got past all of the traps! Me, an incompetent first year was able to get past them. And at the end I faced Quirrel, who housed Voldemort's soul in the back of his head. I barely survived with my life. The only reason I even made it that far was because Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley assisted me."
Daphne stared at him for a minute and then suddenly began to laugh. "Lord Potter, you are a terrible storyteller! You were so heroic but you talk about it as if it was a chore. So are all of the other stories real?"
"What stories?"
"Second year, did you enter the Chamber of Secrets, kill a basilisk and rescue Miss Weasley from certain death?"
"Yes, but I was extremely lucky that Fawkes showed up with Gryffindor's sword. Without it I would have died."
"And third year you faced a crazy, mass murderer who wanted you dead?"
"Well Lord Black isn't craz…" Harry cut himself off and began to laugh. "Well Lord Black isn't a mass murderer nor does he wish to kill me. You know that."
"Yes, but at the time you didn't. And then last year, you faced the trials of the Triwizard Cup, watched You-Know-Who come back, and then battled him…" Daphne cut off at Harry's pained look. "Lord Potter, I know the minister doesn't believe that he is back, but I do. You've never sought out attention before; I've seen you hide your intelligence in class just to avoid attention. And Father always said that You-Know-Who would come back. I have a newfound respect for you Lord Potter; I never realized just how humble you are."
"Thank you for believing me. But I'm not that humble, I've simply had a lot of help during all of my adventures. As for grades, it's a combination of not being allowed to outshine my cousin in primary school and not wanting to do better than Mr. Weasley at Hogwarts. He was always extremely jealous of me and I didn't want to give him another reason to be."
"I understand; there are rather large reasons to be jealous of you. But you have always seemed the best of friends, so why isn't Mr. Weasley here?"
"For one, he wouldn't fit with this society, and while that wouldn't bother me, he wouldn't be able to handle it. Two, Hermione discovered that he was conspiring with his mother, and sister to douse Miss Granger and me in love potions. Dumbledore had set up an unauthorized marriage contract between me and Miss Weasley. I haven't had the chance to confront the Weasleys yet, but I will as soon as we are done in here."
"How dare Dumbledore? Trying to manipulate a Noble and Most Ancient House is a crime!"
"He will pay. As of now the world needs its symbol of light, but he will regret all of his actions. But Miss Greengrass you promised to tell me about yourself."
"I'm afraid that I'm not that exciting. I grew up in Greengrass Manor, and my Father treated my sister and I like princesses. But it was very lonely. Father was afraid to allow too many people into our lives because House of Potter and House of Black had all but disappeared, House of Potter, House of Longbottom, and House of Bones had lost their Lord and Lady, the heir of the House of Black had been thrown in jail, and the House of Abbott lost the Lady. Only my House and the House of Parkinson were untouched and it is part of the reason that we are believed to be dark. Miss Parkinson and my sister were basically my only companions. From time to time, I would play with the heiresses of the other Noble and Most Ancient Houses, but it was rare. At Hogwarts I was sorted into Slytherin and met Miss Davis and Miss Bullstrode. They joined my group of friends and Miss Davis and I became the best of friends. Life was good until my father began pushing me towards the Malfoy heir. So did Miss Parkinson's father and there we were, competing for something we didn't wish to win."
"Why would your fathers not push you to Mr. Longbottom or me?"
"Mr. Longbottom appeared to be a squib, and you had no Head of House, and you'd never accepted the rind of heirs. Father chose house Malfoy because they hold the most power of the Noble Houses. At the start of second year Mr. Malfoy chose me for his son. I suppose you could say I was proud; it gave me distinction among my peers. That is until he…he…" Daphne broke off and stared at her hands. She sat that way for several minutes.
Harry was unsure of what to do but he wanted to comfort her so he laid his hand on hers and squeezed. Her head snapped up and they locked eyes, hers swimming with unshed tears. "Miss Greengrass you do not have to continue and you can cry…" Daphne stiffened and snatched her hand away, reverting back to the Slytherin Ice Queen.
"I am fine Lord Potter," she said in an icy tone. "Mr. Malfoy found me unworthy and his son was betrothed to my sister. I was betrothed to Mr. Theodore Nott and Miss Parkinson to Mr. Blaise Zabini."
The couple sat in an awkward silence for several minutes before Harry suggested they eat. They both tried and failed to create small talk during the meal, exchanging favorite colors and the like. After the meal they moved back to their bench to view the 'night sky.' Staring at the stars Harry said, "I know you don't trust me, and that's ok, but I hope that you will come to. I will never hurt you Miss Greengrass and I can learn to care for you very much if you allow me too."
The next morning Daphne lugged herself out of bed and stood in front of her wardrobe. For some reason she found herself wanted to look her best for class that day. She continuously told herself that she wasn't dressing this way for any reason, but she could hardly even convince herself of this lie. She finally decided on a gray skirt that stopped above her knees, a pale red sleeveless button through shirt, and a camel blazer. Daphne said goodbye to Astoria as she headed off to transfiguration, and then made her way to charms. There she met all of the other students. Daphne stood awkwardly in the doorway as she looked at how the students were arranged. Neville was sitting between Hannah and Susan, with Hermione on Susan's right, and Parvati on Hannah's left. Pansy was sitting at another table with Harry on her right. Harry turned around and saw Daphne and waved her over. She sat down on Harry's right. The students sat in silence until Sirius arrived to begin the lesson. "Now I know that you have had great schooling in this subject because Professor Flitwick is a great teacher, but I will show you how to properly use charms in life or death situations. Potter, name one such charm."
"The levitation charm can be used to levitate something above your opponent and used to knock them out. This is particularly helpful when dealing with a troll." Harry said, with a slight smile.
"Nicely done, Potter. Now instead of awarding House points as is done at Hogwarts, the other teachers and myself have decided to award points to the individual. It will be a friendly competition; so five points to Potter. Now, as simple as the levitation or hover charm seems to be, I want us to practice it." The rest of the lesson passed by quickly and by the end they were all convinced that Sirius would be a great teacher. At lunch, Harry felt rather awkward as he sat between Daphne and Susan, but Hermione smiled at him to let him know that it was ok. Harry spent most of the time talking to Daphne; he really wanted to get to know the girl.
After lunch the teens all gathered together in the den to go over Herbology and History. Neville led the discussion on Herbology and was able to get a feel for where everyone stood and make a lesson plan for them. Hermione led the discussion on History and also made individual lesson plans for everyone. Then Daphne and Susan took turns explaining the basic concepts of Arthimancy and Ancient Runes. When they were done with topics the two groups separated and Harry and Neville went to Harry's suite, while the girls went to the Greengrass's.
The girls filed into the Greengrass's common room and curtsied to Lady Greengrass. As this was an etiquette meeting it was much more formal than a simple get together. "Now ladies please take your seats. Who can explain to Miss Granger how to act in a setting such as this?" several of the girls raised their hands, "Miss Parkinson, please explain."
"In an informal get together such as this would be if we were not having a lesson, it is appropriate to talk amongst ourselves as friends and dispose of the titles that are usually used. The only title that may not be done away with is that of any Lady in the room if she is above your stature. So we must refer to Lady Greengrass as such always, though I would be able to refer to Miss Greengrass as Daphne. Once we are all Ladies it will be appropriate to do away with all titles. However if the hostess has a title, we must use her title unless she explicitly says not to. Since Lady Greengrass is a Lady, the duty of server falls to her oldest daughter. If the host is not a Lady then she is the server."
"Very nicely put Miss Parkinson. Miss Greengrass you may serve us all tea. Now the proper way to take tea is with milk and one sugar. We do not want to seem overindulgent. There is no need for each of us to thank Miss Greengrass as she serves us tea, it is automatically assumed we are thankful, and at the end of the tea you may thank me properly as hostess and Miss Greengrass as well. Now I realize that most of our rules are outdated, but it is tradition, and we keep to tradition. So Miss Bones can you tell me how to act on a date?"
"It is appropriate to dress in the more modern fashion as long as we are appropriately modest. A shawl is a good way to achieve this. On the date, if we have permission we may refer to the man by his first name and he may refer to us by ours. We must retain proper etiquette as well as modesty. There will be no kissing until the engagement. Once we are engaged we may go on dates that are less formal, and there may be a goodnight kiss. The man may visit us at our home with our mother, sister, father, or other guardian in attendance. At home we may engage in relaxed conversation."
"Well said. Now who can tell me how to act around our husband in public? Miss Abbott if you will."
"We refer to our husbands by their titles or as my husband whenever we are in public. Terms of affection such as Darling are acceptable, but no specific pet names may be used. Our husbands will refer to us in the same manner. We are also to be the submissive party in public, merely being the eyes and ears for anything that our husbands miss. Of course we are allowed to talk, but it is best to remain silent on our husband's arm, unless we are asked to speak or we are with friends."
"Thank you Miss Abbott. Now we shall go over the etiquette of tea." Lady Greengrass went on to explain in details how one should hold ones cup, how one should drink, and how one should eat. After that they moved on to learn about formal dinners. Daphne tried to pay attention, especially because her mother had warned her to get on Hermione's good side, but it was simply too difficult. She could not keep her thoughts off of a certain green-eyed boy who had treated her with a tenderness she had never felt before.
AN: The end of yet another chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it, and I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts or ideas. I don't have anything you all can help me with exactly but let me know what you think! I'm also sorry that this took so long to upload, but I promise to update again soon! I'm on break now.
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