Daphne nervously took her seat in front of her parents, waiting for whatever shocking news her mother and father had to deliver. She could feel her heart beat throughout her entire person, and her hands began to feel slightly sweaty. She took in a deep breath for reassurance and slipped into her Ice Queen persona with the ease that only came with years of practice. She could not afford to appear weak in the presence of her father, not now at least. Daphne's mother looked to her father as her oldest daughter was finally settled into her wooden chair, trying to silently motivate her husband to start this dreadful conversation. It was now or never.

"Alright then," Daniel Greengrass cleared his throat. "Daphne, it would appear that... well, due to certain legal situations... it seems that we need you to..."

"To what?" Daphne calmly replied, despite the growing anxiety that made her stomach roll and twist.

"Get married as soon as possible," Daphne's mother interrupted. Mr. Greengrass closed his eyes, sighed, and repeated what his wife had just said.

"We wanted you to be able to find love, like we did..." Mr. Greengrass grabbed onto his loving wife's hand, took a deep breath and continued, "but it seems as if fate has different plans for you. I'm so sorry, Daphne."

Daphne sat in her kitchen shocked. Her eyes widened in horror, and she felt sick to her stomach. Was this some kind of cruel joke that her parents were playing on her? How could she be engaged to anyone when she hadn't even had a boyfriend yet? Thoughts of how her life would turn out ran before her eyes, and she could only see a long life of pain and emptiness. Daphne tried to maintain her control over her stone cold persona, but found herself failing when a few tears freely fell down her cheek.

"Do you want to read the letter?" Her mother asked, attempting to sound as supportive as she could.

"Could you just tell me what it says? I don't think I can force myself to read it right now."

Her parents told her what the letter had said-that due to the Greengrass family's actions (or rather, the lack of actions despite having political influence and money) during Voldemort's latest rise to power, they would no longer maintain their noble status. Money would be taken from the family, and Daniel Greengrass would no longer serve on the Wizengamot-despite years of solid service. They explained that this was happening due to the new Ministry of Magic, and the new direction it was now leaning towards in order to prevent another Dark Lord from rising and taking over.

"But what does that have to do with me getting married?" Daphne questioned, her icy blue eyes filled with fear and nervousness.

"Only this," Daniel Greengrass explained, "many years ago, before I was even born, a contract was signed between another wizarding family and our own. At the time, both families were at the height of their political power and influence, and this document was drafted." Daphne's father stopped for a moment and summoned the contract with his wand. Within a few seconds a piece of old parchment softly landed in front of the aging ex-politician.

"The contract states that should one of our families need help due to a loss of gold or political status, they would finally be joined together through marriage. Daphne, this is our only choice, it is the only way our family can survive... and you know that Astoria is too young to marry."

"You still have a choice in the matter, Daphne, but we highly suggest that you take this option. We don't know how to live any other way, and I'm unsure if we can get by without the Greengrass fortune. You truly are our only option, unless we somehow find a new life among the muggles. Now by the nature of this document, you will only be binded to your husband-to-be by signing the contract, converting it from its dormant state to a binding legal document."

"And what happens if I don't sign?" Daphne quickly asked.

Her parents gloomily looked at their daughter and explained that without their noble status, the Greengrass magic that flows through their cores will diminish, and that any future Greengrass offspring would live their lives as Squibs.

Astonished, Daphne knew that she would be the only one to get her family out of this mess, and duty to family was a strong Greengrass trait. She understood what it meant if she agreed, but the thought of her family being shunned by the wizarding world was all too real for her and her extravagant lifestyle. This was her only option; she would marry.

Daphne quickly grabbed the paper from her father, and her heart almost stopped when she read the name of the other family involved: Potter.

Hermione was having the best summer of her life with Harry on the grounds of Hogwarts, which was why it was so painful when Harry received a letter from the Weasley's asking him to stay with them for the remainder of the summer. Of course he would accept, the Weasley's always provided Harry with a sense of family. And besides, she was there. Harry would run over to the Burrow as fast as he could and forget all about Hermione and all of the fun the two had over the summer. He would fall back in love with Ginny Weasley, and Molly would finally get her big happy family.

Hermione sat in the shade by her favorite tree in front of the lake, feeling bittersweet. She knew Harry would accept the Weasley's offer, but she could not help but remember all of the fun her and Harry had together. Madame Pomfrey decided that Harry was ready to leave her infirmary a few weeks ago, but she wanted Harry to stay nearby for his daily check-ups. The two were allowed to stay and they found themselves having some much needed teenage fun. They would sneak around the castle and grounds, study in the library for hours (although Harry reluctantly joined Hermione at times), and even helped the Hogwarts staff rebuild the castle. In return, most of the Professors gladly taught Hermione and Harry highly advanced magic. Hermione would always grasp the concepts first, but was usually blown away by Harry's raw power and talent whenever he too grasped the concept. He had always impressed her, and this summer was no different. She was truly shocked to find that Harry had pretty much mastered speechless magic, and she had made Harry promise to practice it with her every day.

She would miss spending time alone with just Harry. To her they were the perfect team. Not having Ron around truly opened her eyes to how well she and Harry worked together. They didn't argue, they conversed, and if they ever disagreed on anything, they would maturely talk it out until one or the other was convinced-which felt nice. They never ran out of things to do either, and Hermione found herself actually having fun. Every night Harry would take Hermione out for a ride on his broom, and she quickly found her fear of heights and flying going away (although she'd never tell Harry this, it was the perfect excuse for hanging onto him). Harry would take her around Hogwarts, each night flying higher and becoming more adventurous. She would smile as he dove and spun, and to top it all off Harry would take her just far enough away to view the castle in all of its glory; Hermione never thought Hogwarts looked better with the wind running through her wild hair and having Harry so close to her.

She didn't want to think of Harry running back into Ginny's arms, so she closed her eyes and allowed the sounds of summer distract her until she was finally at peace.

"Boo!" someone screamed from behind as a hand went up to cover her eyes.

"H-Harry! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Hermione screamed at Harry, she playfully swatted at him and tried to hide her wide smile. "Promise me you'll never do that again."

Harry laughed and gave his best a hug. "What're you doing out here all by yourself?"

"Just thinking."

"Oh there's something new. What're you thinking about?

"Nothing important. What do you want to do today?"

"I don't know. I've got to go reply to the Weasley's, but I'm thinking we can go to Hogsmeade?"

"So I guess you're leaving to the Burrow soon?" Hermione replied, looking of into the distance trying to hide away her eyes that might give her away.

"Nah."

"Wh-what? Why not, Harry?"

"I want to stay here at Hogwarts, with you if you'll stay."

With me? "Of course I'll stay, Harry...but why? Why not go have fun at the Burrow?"

"I am having fun, Hermione."

"You are?" Hermione looked up into his precious green eyes, and thought that at that moment she could die in peace.

Instead of replying, Harry brightly smiled and lifted her up. "Come on," he said "We've got a busy day." The two began the walk back up to the castle in silence. In all honestly, Hermione was too shocked to speak. Harry had decided to stay with her instead of going to the Burrow with Ron and Ginny. She stopped him for a second, and kissed his cheek. She felt her lips tingle, and her body never felt alive.

"What was that for?" Harry asked.

"Of course I'll go into Hogsmeade with you, I've been meaning to pick up a new book."

Harry let out a soft chuckle and the two continued their stroll back to the castle.