They went down to dinner to find that their parents were already seated and waiting.

"Forgive me if I have made you wait," Harriet said as she sat down.

Her mother smiled at her. "That is quite alright, dear. We were discussing things that we want to talk to the two of you about. We needed to talk, just the two of us, so it was a good thing that you did not come down sooner that you did."

Harriet smiled. "What is it you would like to talk to us about?"

Her father shook his head. "After you have eaten. It can wait until then."

Knowing that he would not be swayed, Harriet and Daniel nodded and tucked into the dinner that had just been placed in front of them. It took Harriet a moment to realize what she was eating, so preoccupied was she with her mother's comment. "Baked potatoes and ham! Mother, thank you!"

She laughed lightly. "I know that they are your favorite, dear. Cook was so excited for you to come home. No one appreciates her like you do. I am not saying that I do not enjoy her food. I immensely enjoy us. None of us are as so profuse in our praise, is all."

Harriet smiled. "Well, at least someone missed me." The amused protests of outrage were exactly what she had been hoping for.

Dinner passed on in lively conversation. The main subject was Harriet's school year. The only other subject was Daniel and his attentions to Miss Harvey.

As soon as dinner ended, the gentlemen followed the ladies into the sitting room. Harriet had a hard time staying in her seat as she thought about what her parents wanted to talk to her and her brother about. At long last, her father was seated in his favorite chair and ready to publicize his thoughts.

"My dear children," he started as he held up a folded piece of parchment. Harriet assumed it was a letter. "We have just heard from Mr. and Mrs. Potter. They are throwing a party and wish for the two of you to come along."

Harriet groaned inwardly. Joseph Potter. Daniel's best friend. She could not bare the sight of him. Outwardly, she tried to look interested. "That sounds exciting, Father." Daniel smirked. Harriet glared. "Are the two of you invited as well?"

Her mother shook her head. "No, dearest. This is somewhat of a birthday party for Joseph. His mother is only inviting his friends, some ladies his age, and younger married couples to act as chaperones."

Daniel made an odd face. "That sounds like a strange party. Usually families are invited."

His mother nodded. "That is true. But she explains herself in the letter." She smiled and looked up at her two children. "I am told that you are only allowed to know this so that you can tease him when he needs it." She then returned to the letter." She says that she is trying to marry him off and that she know him well enough to know that if there are any mothers there, pushing their daughters at him, that he will lock himself in his room for the duration of the house party."

"Why should you stay here, though? It's not as though I am going to marry him. Surely there is no need for you to stay home?" Harriet was feeling very frustrated with Mr. Potter's stubbornness.

Her mother smiled her understanding. "That may be so, but I did say that he was going to have friends there. Gentlemen friends other than your brother."

Harriet nodded her understanding as she tried not to roll her eyes in frustration. "You are hoping that I catch a beau," she huffed.

Her father stared at her. "Do you really think that I want to accept that my little girl is grown up?" He shook his head. "I am not sure that I want you to catch a young man's fancy, but I know that I need to give you the opportunity. I am a much better man for knowing your mother. She is my other half. I could never forgive myself if I did not allow you to have the same chance at happiness."

Harriet stood and crossed over to her father. She kissed his cheek. "I am sorry, Papa. I do know how much you love our mother. It is just strange to think of me actually being in this stage of life. It comes before you know it." And leaves too soon, she thought sadly to herself. She wondered if her uncle really did plan on sabotaging her chance at a Muggle life.